The fantasy football playoffs are just weeks away, and if you are on the fringe, it’s imperative that you get your Week 11 waiver wire targets and pickups right. If you’re already sitting comfortably in the playoffs, consider looking ahead to Weeks 14, 15, and 16 to find spot starters before your competition has the chance to do the same. There are intriguing players on the waiver wire this week (Jakobi Meyers, Michael Pittman Jr.) and players with uncertain injury designations that may be “game-time decisions” (Matthew Stafford, Nick Foles) where you need an adequate contingency plan. With those names in mind, let’s take a look at who the top potential waiver wire targets and pickups are in Week 11 of the 2020 NFL season.
Waiver Wire Targets Week 11: Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
Winston is expected to get the start in Week 11 with Brees potentially on the shelf for a month. Winston tosses multiple TDs when facing Atlanta and will face them twice in the next few weeks. Winston will be a great streaming option.
Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Green Bay Packers)
Rivers will have to keep up with Aaron Rodgers this week. The Colts offense and their passing game is getting better each week, and with Michael Pittman Jr. back in the lineup, Rivers is a solid play in Week 11.
Other quarterbacks to consider adding in Week 11:
- Cam Newton, New England Patriots (at Houston Texans)
- Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (at Carolina Panthers)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at Denver Broncos)
Waiver Wire Pickups Week 11: Running Backs
Kalen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. New York Jets)
Ballage had 18 carries and six targets last week, so the volume is intriguing. The Jets showed more resiliency in their defeat on Monday Night Football to the Patriots, but Ballage’s opportunities are too many to pass up against a subpar Jets defense.
Damien Harris, New England Patriots (at Texans)
I’ve been screaming for fantasy football managers to pick up Harris for weeks now! Hopefully, you already have him on your roster, but if not, go get him.
Related | NFL injuries from Week 10 that could affect your Week 11 fantasy football lineup
Harris has been the most impressive back in the Patriots’ backfield, posting 121 rushing yards against the Ravens on Sunday night, and has a much easier matchup against the Texans in Week 11.
Other running backs to consider adding in Week 11:
- Salvon Ahmed, Dolphins (at Broncos)
- Nyheim Hines, Colts (vs. Packers)
- La’Mical Perine, Jets (at Chargers)
- Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
- Rex Burkhead, Patriots (at Texans)
- Wayne Gallman, New York Giants — BYE
- Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills — BYE
Waiver Wire Targets Week 11: Wide Receivers
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots (at Texans)
Jakobi Meyers has developed into Newton’s favorite target, receiving almost 50% of the Patriots’ target share. The Texans’ secondary has been generous to opposing wide receivers this season. Get Jakobi Meyers into your lineup this week pronto.
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. Packers)
Pittman is back in action and looking healthy. He led the Colts WR corps in targets, receptions, and yards last week. The Colts will have to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers and crew — he should get plenty of action in Week 11.
Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles (at Cleveland Browns)
Reagor had the most targets last week against the Giants but had a difficult time reeling them in with James Bradberry draped all over him. Week 11 brings a much easier matchup against a Browns secondary that is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.
Other wide receivers to consider adding in Week 11:
- Curtis Samuel, Panthers (vs. Lions)
- Josh Reynolds, Chargers (vs. Jets)
- Allen Lazard, Packers (at Colts) — Lazard is returning from injured reserve to the high scoring Packers offense.
- Christian Kirk, Cardinals (at Seahawks)
- Jakeem Grant, Dolphins (at Broncos)
- K.J. Hamler, Broncos (vs. Dolphins)
Waiver Wire Pickups Week 11: Tight Ends
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (vs. Falcons)
ESPN rosters Hill as a TE, which is HUGE. I expect him to receive several snaps under center as QB for the Saints against the Falcons this week. Hill is my favorite waiver wire target in ESPN leagues and could provide massive points for you in your TE slot.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
Thomas played in almost 100% of Washington’s offensive snaps this past week and has 12 targets in his last two games. Alex Smith looks his way and has a juicy matchup against a Bengals defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing TEs.
Other tight ends to consider adding in Week 11:
- Zach Ertz, Eagles — coming off injured reserve
- Austin Hooper, Browns (vs. Eagles)
- Jordan Reed, 49ers — BYE
Week 11 Targets: Defense
- Dolphins (at Denver Broncos)
- Chargers (vs. New York Jets)
Featured | NFL Power Rankings with Matt Williamson
When do waivers clear in Week 11 — when can I add and drop?
Let’s quickly review when waiver wires clear and how the process works. You may put in claims on players that are currently free agents, but you will not officially add any players until the waiver process concludes in the early hours of Wednesday morning (in most leagues).
For most leagues, if multiple people put in a waiver claim for the same player, the fantasy manager with the worst record will be awarded the player. In some leagues, waivers are decided by free agency money allotted to each fantasy manager, and thus you must be careful how much and how early you are spending those dollars.
Any dropped player must be on waivers for 24 hours, and at that point, the waiver wire order will decide who is awarded the target, or if no one bid on the player, the player becomes an “undisputed” free agent.
Always check your league settings to understand all of your unique waiver wire details.
Anita Marks is a fantasy analyst at Pro Football Network. Marks is also a gambling analyst for ESPN and appears on Daily Wager, which airs from 6-7 PM ET on ESPN 2. Her radio show – Weekend Wager – airs on ESPN New York (98.7) FM every Friday at 10 PM ET. Follow her on Twitter: @AnitaMarks.