The App is Back! Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts and track your favorite players. Plus, now you can check out articles and player cards. Get it here!
Welcome to the Week 11 edition of Waiver Wired for the 2021 season. With only one week remaining until high-stakes playoffs commence (and the postseason for recreational leagues follows shortly thereafter), FAAB should be unloaded on the few remaining impact players that could enter your starting lineup if something were to happen to the player(s) ahead of them. After all, you can’t take it with you when you go.
As a refresher, The Drop List consists of players who are rostered in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and are no longer must-have assets, recommended additions are available in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, the Watch List contains in-depth notes on fringe waiver adds, and Deep Cuts includes player notes on those rostered in five percent or fewer of Yahoo leagues.
The Drop List
QB: -
RB: Chase Edmonds, Derrick Henry
WR: Julio Jones, Allen Robinson, Tyler Boyd
TE: -
The Cardinals moved Chase Edmonds (ankle) to injured reserve on Saturday, sidelining him until Week 14 since Arizona’s bye falls in Week 12. His immediate availability in attempting to return from a high-ankle sprain at that time would then cause start/sit headaches in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. Feel free to keep him stashed if he wasn’t in your starting lineup to begin with...Only one reporter in the entire nation irresponsibly reported that Derrick Henry (foot surgery) will return in “6-10 weeks.” The Big Dog is still expected to miss the rest of the year...The WR75 in fantasy points per game, Julio Jones (hamstring, IR) will be out until Week 14 since Tennessee’s bye week occurs the week prior. I would flat out drop Jones for Marcus Johnson with confidence...Allen Robinson has not eclipsed 70 receiving yards in 11 consecutive games, scoring a single touchdown in that span, dating back to last year...Tyler Boyd has averaged a 14% target share behind Ja’Marr Chase (26.3%) and Tee Higgins (23%) in five games since Higgins returned from injury, finishing as the WR68 < WR98 < WR43 < WR14 < WR85 in that span. I would only drop Boyd for Sterling Shepard > Van Jefferson > Kadarius Toney wherever possible.
Overall Top 5
1. Rhamondre Stevenson
2. Jamal Agnew
3. Jeff Wilson
4. D’Onta Foreman
5. Marcus Johnson
High-Stakes Top 5
1. Jeff Wilson
2. D’Onta Foreman
3. Marcus Johnson
4. Godwin Igwebuike
5. Wayne Gallman
For those looking to roster the best available player(s) regardless of position, the rankings above take into account every factor from the positional lists minus players’ actual positions for both recreational and high-stakes (FFPC, NFFC, 20-player rosters, etc.) formats, the latter which have far fewer viable players available with every passing week. These are listed in the precise order I would prioritize waiver claims in those leagues ahead of Week 11. Adjust accordingly for what you need on your roster — touches, high-upside bench stashes, targets, one-week spot-starters, etc.
Contingency Top 10
1. Alexander Mattison
2. D’Ernest Johnson
3. Khalil Herbert
4. Sony Michel
5. Carlos Hyde
6. Samaje Perine
7. Ronald Jones
8. Godwin Igwebuike
9. Chuba Hubbard
10. Eno Benjamin
For those looking to stash the best available backup(s) with minimum standalone value, the rankings above were designed to help prioritize direct backups in the event a player in front of them were absent. These are listed in the precise order I would stash them ahead of Week 11. Presumed targets, touches, environment, remaining schedule, etc. are included in the process.
Quarterbacks
1. Cam Newton
2. Tua Tagovailoa
3. Jimmy Garoppolo
4. Mac Jones
Running Backs
A.J. Dillon rostered in 72 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 RB add if available.
1. Rhamondre Stevenson
2. Jeff Wilson
3. D’Onta Foreman
4. Godwin Igwebuike
5. Wayne Gallman
6. Patrick Taylor
Wide Receivers
Van Jefferson rostered in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 WR add if available.
Elijah Moore rostered in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 2 WR add if available.
1. Jamal Agnew
2. Marcus Johnson
3. Donovan Peoples-Jones
4. James Washington
5. Ray-Ray McCloud
Tight Ends
1. Dan Arnold
2. Tyler Conklin
3. Gerald Everett
4. Adam Trautman
Defense/Special Teams
1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Miami Dolphins
3. Carolina Panthers
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Kickers
1. Greg Zuerlein
2. Randy Bullock
3. Zane Gonzalez
4. Jason Sanders
QUARTERBACKS
1. Cam Newton, Panthers — Rostered in 17 percent of Yahoo leagues (Suggested 8-10% FAAB Bid)
Any concerns of Newton no longer using his legs in his age-32 season were disregarded immediately after he bulldozed LB Zaven Collins from the two-yard line and declared to the world he’s back:
CAM NEWTON SCORES IN HIS RETURN 🔥
— ESPN (@espn) November 14, 2021
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/M2jf0hoFAr
Even in averaging a career-low 177 passing yards per game with eight touchdowns through the air with the Patriots last year, Newton finished as the QB18 in fantasy points per game since he was still able to derive 50% of his fantasy production on the ground. That’s the same outlook we should have if eyeing Newton as a long-term starter ahead of the fantasy playoffs. I would prioritize him over Matt Ryan, Derek Carr, Ryan Tannehill, and Carson Wentz for the rest of the season.
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins — Rostered in 23 percent of Yahoo leagues (1-2%)
Sometimes it’s as simple as noting the Jets’ defensive numbers over their last four games:
- 175 points, the second-most allowed in a four-game span by any team since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger.
- The first team to allow at least 45 points three times in a four-game span since 1966.
- 1,890 total yards permitted during this stretch, the worst four-game period in franchise history.
New York has also allowed a league-high 338.5 passing yards per game in that time, a fruitful scenario for Tua and an offense that have passed at the league’s fifth-highest rate from neutral game script since he initially returned from injury in Week 6. Jimmy Garoppolo (see below) has a bull case for the better Week 11 option over Tagovailoa, but I prefer the latter for the rest of the season.
3. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers — Rostered in 25 percent of Yahoo Leagues (2-3%)
The overall QB8 with 18.3 fantasy points per game over his last three starts, San Francisco’s increased rate of shotgun personnel has kept Garoppolo clean on 71% of his dropbacks for 10.4 yards per attempt in that span. Jacksonville has recorded the second-highest pressure rate (60.5%) since returning from their bye but are no threat to hound Garoppolo in the team’s upgraded quick-passing scheme. Treat him as a QB2 for the rest of the season with confidence since the 49ers close the fantasy year against the Vikings, Seahawks, Bengals, Falcons, Titans, and Texans.
4. Mac Jones, Patriots — Rostered in 29 percent of Yahoo Leagues (1-2%)
There are volume concerns here since the Patriots have run the ball at the league’s 11th-highest rate with a lead, recently restricting Jones to fewer than 23 pass attempts and 200 yards in his last two starts due to (too) positive game script. He’s still a floor-based option since the Falcons have generated the least amount of pressure weekly, registering just two sacks since their Week 6 bye; Sam Darnold was the only signal-caller to fall short of 249 yards and multiple touchdowns against Atlanta in that time.
On Justin Fields: Fields is only rostered in 25% of Yahoo leagues and performed well in Chicago’s two games (QB4 < QB10) before the bye. The issue is his ongoing struggles against the blitz, which have snowballed from Ohio State to the NFL in completing just 64.6% of his passes for two interceptions with no touchdowns and 7.4 YPA when combatting blitzes in the league. It was emphasized against Tampa Bay’s league-high rate of blitzes in Week 7, for example, seeing Fields toss three turnovers for 5.7 YPA in an impossible spot. Ravens DC Wink Martindale has sent the house at the league’s fourth-highest rate, which I expect to stump Fields despite his recent success.
Watch List: Trevor Siemian has logged 95% of New Orleans’ snaps in his two starts, only losing four total pass attempts to Taysom Hill in that time. Avoiding a single interception on 104 throws this year, there’s no reason for Sean Payton to bench Siemian ahead of a plus spot (for SuperFlex leagues) against DC Jonathan Gannon‘s vanilla one-cover shell...Matt Ryan is admittedly a horrific start against the Patriots on Thursday but does get the Jaguars and Bucs in his next two games if he’s dropped anywhere over the weekend.
RUNNING BACKS
1. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots — Rostered in 33 percent of Yahoo leagues (Suggested 70-80% FAAB Bid)
With LT Trent Brown (calf) back in New England’s lineup for the first time since Week 1, Stevenson pantsed Cleveland’s front-seven for 4.7 yards per touch and season-highs in carries (20) and touches (24) in Damien Harris’ usual workhorse role as the overall RB2 with 25.4 fantasy points on Sunday. Stevenson also recorded all four of the team’s backfield carries inside the 10 and more targets (5) than Harris (concussion) has in any game all year, potentially carving out a role for the former even if Harris were to return for New England’s short turnaround on Thursday night. I would still be comfortable breaking the bank for Stevenson no matter Harris’ status since Rhamondre remains one of the few available players capable of being plugged in as a top-12 option in a pinch if Harris were injured down the stretch. A.J. Dillon is the only runner I would spend more FAAB on than Stevenson ahead of Week 11.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team leagues
Injuries to be ahead of for waiver bids this evening:
— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) November 16, 2021
* Harris = Rhamondre
* Darnold = Cam
* Julio = Marcus Johnson
* Cordarrelle = Gallman
* Le’Veon = Latavius
* Goedert = Quez
* Henry = Foreman
* A Jones = Pat Taylor (stash)
* Jermar = Igwebuike (stash)
* Edmonds = Eno (stash)
2. Jeff Wilson, 49ers – Rostered in 20 percent of Yahoo leagues (40-50%)
Elijah Mitchell’s broken finger on Monday night opened the door for Wilson to potentially lead this offense in carries if the former can’t return to practice this week. Per Kyle Shanahan, doctors are still “optimistic” Mitchell will play. Even if Wilson’s ceiling is capped to early downs, losing out on routes to either JaMycal Hasty or, as proven Monday, Kyle Juszczyk, Wilson can provide value as a between-the-tackles workhorse if Mitchell is ultimately ruled out. Prioritize D’Onta Foreman (see below) for short-term return if Mitchell is limited to close the week.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues
3. D’Onta Foreman, Titans — Rostered in 6 percent of Yahoo leagues (40-50%)
Foreman’s role increased significantly in his second game for Derrick Henry (foot surgery), out-touching Adrian Peterson 13-9 and out-snapping Jeremy McNichols 21-16 with 48% of Tennessee’s backfield touches. Foreman’s ceiling is still in flux since Peterson looms large inside the 10-yard line, already recording three touches in that range since joining Tennessee, but the former has clearly earned a role between the 20s that could expand if he continues making splash plays more frequently than the veteran.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues
D'Onta Foreman getting free!
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 14, 2021
📺: Watch #NOvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/4QvcBFHUPS
4. Godwin Igwebuike, Lions – Rostered in 0 percent of Yahoo leagues (2-4%)
To be clear, Wayne Gallman provides more short-term value since Cordarrrelle Patterson (ankle) “could miss” Thursday night against the Patriots. If you have no intentions of starting Gallman immediately, though, Igwebuike makes for the better stash after Jermar Jefferson (ankle) was carted off the field Sunday. Igwebuike would presumably replace D’Andre Swift as the team’s receiving back if the latter were injured. Review the Contingency Top 10 (scroll up) if sifting through stashes that should be added ahead of Igwebuike. Note that Igwebuike is currently listed as a Safety on Yahoo and thus unusable for everyone there.
Recommendation: Should be stashed in 12-team leagues
5. Wayne Gallman, Falcons – Rostered in 1 percent of Yahoo leagues (1-2%)
Mike Davis dropped a pass that would have resulted in a first down against Dallas, but coach Arthur Smith’s quote after the game suggests Davis will still have a role on Thursday night:
Hence why nine of Gallman’s 15 carries occurred once the Cowboys took a 43-3 lead in the fourth quarter. Gallman should still be viewed as a touchdown-or-bust option if Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle sprain, questionable) is in fact ruled out.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues if Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) is ruled out
6. Patrick Taylor, Packers – Rostered in 0 percent of Yahoo leagues (1%)
Taylor handled two touches behind A.J. Dillon’s 12 once Aaron Jones (knee) exited in the second half. With Jones expected to miss “1-2 weeks,” presumably keeping sidelined through Green Bay’s Week 13 bye, Taylor is only one injury away from sponging a starting role for at least one game.
Recommendation: Should be stashed on 20-player rosters
Watch List: Feel free to drop Brandon Bolden no matter Damien Harris’ (concussion) status since he was out-touched 24-6 with Mac Jones under center, running just five more routes than Rhamondre Stevenson on Sunday...Boston Scott‘s and Jordan Howard‘s workloads are anyone’s guess with Miles Sanders expected back from injured reserve this week. I would slide in Sanders behind Stevenson among the list above (wherever applicable, of course) since the Eagles have schemed the league’s highest run-play rate from a neutral game script since Week 6.
Deep Cuts: As expected, Eno Benjamin was strictly a backup without Chase Edmonds (high-ankle sprain), getting out-snapped 45-15 by James Conner and handling 50% of his carries when the Cardinals trailed 31-3. Benjamin has been added to the Contingency Top 10 (scroll up) accordingly...Matt Breida, active for the first time since Week 2, cannibalized Buffalo’s entire backfield with (an unsustainable) two touchdowns on eight snaps. His presence alone forced Zack Moss (33%) and Devin Singletary (31%) to handle their lowest shares of backfield touches in a single game all year as unusable players. They should be treated as such moving forward any time Breida is active.
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Marcus Johnson, Titans – Rostered in 1 percent of Yahoo leagues (Suggested 30-40% FAAB Bid)
Johnson has distinguished himself any time Julio Jones (hamstring, IR) has been absent this year, averaging 5.3 targets, a 20% target share, and routes on 71.5% of Ryan Tannehill’s dropbacks in three games without the veteran wideout. In three games alongside Julio, Johnson has merely averaged a 2.3% target share and eight routes per game. Tennessee’s upcoming matchup against Houston offers WR3/4 potential for Johnson as their de facto fill-in.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team leagues until Julio Jones (hamstring, IR) returns
2. Jamal Agnew, Jaguars – Rostered in 9 percent of Yahoo leagues (50-60%)
Still learning how to play receiver in the NFL on the fly, ‘Swagnew’ finished as the overall WR11 with zero catches (!) in Week 10 because he was involved for three carries including a 66-yard dash to the end zone. Averaging an 18.6% target share and 7.2 targets per game without D.J. Chark this year, Agnew, fantasy’s WR31 since Week 5, continues to be improperly disregarded despite offering a higher floor than most players being started in WR3 slots over him. Agnew’s suggested FAAB is considerably higher than Johnson’s since the former is the better long-term addition.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team leagues
3. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns – Rostered in 28 percent of Yahoo leagues (8-10%)
With New England now in the rearview mirror, Cleveland’s upcoming schedule against the Lions, Baltimore (twice), Raiders, and Packers puts Peoples-Jones in the WR3/4 discussion since he’s accounted for three of the team’s seven targets 20-plus yards downfield (for 2/86/1) without Odell Beckham since Week 9. Baker Mayfield’s (knee) status is a moot point since he’s only completed 13 of his 35 deep attempts (37.1%) this year.
Recommendation: Both should be rostered in 12-team leagues
4. James Washington, Steelers – Rostered in 3 percent of Yahoo leagues (2-3%)
5. Ray-Ray McCloud, Steelers – Rostered in 0 percent of Yahoo leagues (1-2%)
There are a lot of moving pieces among Pittsburgh’s offense, but what we do know is that Washington led the team in routes run (53) on Sunday while McCloud finished with one fewer target than Diontae Johnson (13-12) for the team lead. Mason Rudolph failed to reach 250 yards on 50 throws, completing a single pass downfield for a 36-yard gain, but Washington still provides more upside than McCloud since it was the former who did accrue three of Rudolph’s deep shots including one that was negated for pass interference. McCloud admittedly offers a higher floor for PPR leagues than Washington in this particular matchup since his shallow routes and 6.8-yard depth of target mesh perfectly against Los Angeles’ shell defense. Forego both players if Chase Claypool (toe) returns to practice this week.
Recommendation: Both should be rostered in 12-team leagues until Chase Claypool (toe) returns
Watch List: I am genuinely happy if you started Elijah Moore and he got there for you with a 15-yard touchdown with 2:08 remaining in a 30-point blowout. Having said that, note that his usage did not change, exchanging routes as New York’s No. 3/4 receiver with Keelan Cole 29-23 behind Jamison Crowder (48) and Corey Davis (45). Although Moore should be used more (no pun intended), I am not expecting him to be since Denzel Mims will presumably return from the Jets’ COVID list and be active in Week 11...New York’s injury report on Wednesday will eventually tell all, but until then, I rank them Sterling Shepard > Kadarius Toney > Kenny Golladay > Darius Slayton for the rest of the season...Gabriel Davis was afforded a season-high in snaps (52%), popping for 3/105 on 13 routes as Buffalo’s third receiver because Cole Beasley (nine snaps) was severely limited by the rib injury that plagued him throughout the week. Beasley’s participation in practice is worth monitoring ahead of Sunday since Davis’ viability as a WR4/5 hinges on it.
Deep Leagues: DeAndre Carter usurped Dyami Brown as Washington’s No. 2 receiver out of the bye, running 26 routes to Brown’s five. Having earned at least six targets in the three games he’s logged 60%-plus of Washington’s snaps for, Carter should be added ahead of Brown wherever that decision actually matters...In your weekly This player is being used as Kansas City’s third receiver update, note that Byron Pringle ran the second-most routes (34) among the team’s wideouts in Sunday’s 41-14 blowout...Philadelphia ran a season-high rate of 11 personnel without Dallas Goedert (concussion) from the second quarter on, which allowed Quez Watkins to elevate with a season-high 26% target share. Targets are earned in the NFL and while Tyree Jackson and/or Jack Stoll would logically replace Goedert (if ruled out) as the starter, Watkins is the fallout we should chase since it’s doubtful Jackson or Stoll could earn targets and make an impact...Remember how Ben Skowronek was expected to start as Los Angeles’ third receiver before their bye? Well, he did, running 35 routes to Odell Beckham‘s 11, but totaled 1/8 receiving on five targets because he’s Ben Skowronek...DeSean Jackson recorded a 38-yard catch (and fumble) on five routes in his inaugural game with the Raiders, which is only four fewer yards than Zay Jones has racked up without Henry Ruggs the last two games. Assuming Jackson’s role continues to grow, I rank them Jackson > Bryan Edwards > literally never Jones for the rest of the season.
TIGHT ENDS
1. Dan Arnold, Jaguars — Rostered in 27 percent of Yahoo leagues (Suggested 60-70% FAAB Bid)
For better or worse, Arnold has led the Jaguars in targets (7.4 per game) without D.J. Chark, seeing at least seven in all three games since Jacksonville’s bye. Fresh off a season-high 80% route rate on Trevor Lawrence‘s 45 dropbacks, I prefer Arnold over Dalton Schultz, Noah Fant, and Tyler Higbee for the rest of the season.
2. Tyler Conklin, Vikings — Rostered in 30 percent of Yahoo leagues (30-40%)
Conklin has quietly emerged as Minnesota’s No. 3 receiver since their Week 7 bye, out-targeting Dalvin Cook (10) and K.J. Osborn (6) with 19 targets and a team-high three end zone targets in that span. I would add Conklin with the thought of streaming him as a starter for the rest of the year.
3. Gerald Everett, Seahawks — Rostered in 20 percent of Yahoo leagues (10-20%)
Everett has sneakily run a route on 78% of Seattle’s dropbacks in the two games sandwiched around their bye, most recently seeing a season-high 20% target share underneath from Russell Wilson. He should be viewed as the Seahawk’s de facto No. 3 option behind D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett moving forward.
4. Adam Trautman, Saints — Rostered in 5 percent of Yahoo leagues (1-2%)
It has not amounted to significant box-score production, but Trautman has seen at least six targets in every game Trevor Siemian has appeared in recently. Trautman is a viable TE2 target in TE-Premium leagues since he’s run a route on 57.7% of the team’s dropbacks in that span, as well.
Watch List: Evan Engram‘s outlook as a streaming option is contingent on New York’s injury report. If Sterling Shepard remains out, note that Engram ran a route on a season-high 92.8% of the Giants’ dropbacks against Las Vegas before the bye.
Deep Leagues: Mo Alie-Cox has run more routes than Jack Doyle in their last two games (38-33) but it has only resulted in three targets and 2/34/0 receiving for the former. Just something to monitor down the stretch.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
1. San Francisco 49ers – Rostered in 48 percent of Yahoo leagues
Only the Texans (9.1) have allowed more fantasy points per game to opposing defenses (8.8) this year. Trevor Lawrence‘s recent struggles with 4.5 YPA and 172.7 yards per game since Jacksonville’s bye solidify San Francisco’s rank.
2. Miami Dolphins – Rostered in 27 percent of Yahoo leagues
Assuming Zach Wilson is under center, note that the rookie completed just 42.6% of his passes for 4.2 YPA and two picks against the blitz, which Miami has called at a league-high rate through 10 games, prior to injury.
3. Carolina Panthers – Rostered in 31 percent of Yahoo leagues
Taylor Heinicke, tied for the league’s third-most interceptions with five sacks taken in back-to-back games, offers a high floor for enemy defenses if San Francisco and Miami aren’t available (or go for far more than expected off waivers).
4. Los Angeles Chargers – Rostered in 25 percent of Yahoo leagues
Watch List: Carolina is served the Dolphins and Falcons in their next two games...Miami gets both New York teams in three of their next four matchups.
KICKERS
Only a fool wouldn’t pass the ball to Michael Jordan in his prime, so it only makes sense that I pull each week’s kicker streamers from Denny Carter’s column and #adjust them accordingly. For in-depth analysis, you can read his entire piece here:
1. Greg Zuerlein, Cowboys – Rostered in 44 percent of Yahoo leagues
2. Randy Bullock, Titans – Rostered in 23 percent of Yahoo leagues
3. Zane Gonzalez, Cardinals – Rostered in 3 percent of Yahoo leagues
4. Jason Sanders, Dolphins – Rostered in 26 percent of Yahoo leagues