Welcome to Week 11 of the fantasy season, and my column on recommended FAAB auction bidding for Week 11's waiver wire. We've reached the road to the playoffs with every matchup carrying more importance. Will you make the moves to be a playoff team, or be a bystander while your opponent's nab the latest round of options?
Once again, we have some injuries to report, along with Alshon Jeffrey's 4-game suspension. We had no major skill position players leave a game for injury but Jordan Howard (achilles/ankle) and Larry Fitzgerald (neck) both left their games before later returning.
Let’s look around the league at who is worth a bid going into Week 11. Each price recommendation will be based on a $100 FAAB budget. Be sure to also check out our weekly waiver wire analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all Week 10 options.
Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 11 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - CUTS
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs
Thomas Rawls (SEA, RB) - $12-16
67% owned in Fleaflicker
I have mentioned Rawls in this section for the past three weeks, so there's no reason to be late to this party. As Rawls is set to return this week versus the Eagles, the Seahawks running back situation is once again in flux. Christine Michael came out the gate firing, but a mix of injury and ineffectiveness has set the table for a changing of the guard. Rookie C.J. Prosise (who I will highlight later) was fantastic in Sunday at New England, but the Seahawks coaching staff has mentioned numerous times how the Seahawks running corps is lacking aggressiveness, almost hinting at Rawls.
I expect the Seahawks to use Rawls/Prosise both on Sunday, but look for Rawls to handle early downs and Prosise in passing duties. They cannibalize each other for fantasy purposes, but consider both solid FLEX plays in Week 11.
C.J. Prosise (SEA, RB) - $8-12
26% owned in Fleaflicker
If incumbent starter Rawls wasn't expected back this week, Prosise may be the No. 1 add all year. He was excellent in relief duty on Sunday night, rushing 18 times for 67 yards and caught seven passes for 87 yards. The 154 total yards led all Seahawks. Prosise was on the field for 77% of the Seahawks plays as Christine Michael only saw 11 snaps. At the usage Prosise saw on Sunday, he would be instant RB1 material who provides a safe floor due to his pass-catching skills. Unfortunately the return of Rawls dampers that, but don't let that stop you from adding Prosise. He needs to be added in all formats.
Rob Kelley (WAS, RB) - $6-10
38% owned in Fleaflicker
Have you seen enough Flealflickers? 62% of you passed on grabbing the new Redskins back during their bye week and he punished those owners with another strong outing. Kelley rushed 22 times for 97 yards on Sunday. While he did not hit pay dirt, he secured his standing as the No. 1 back with consistent gains all day. Kelley only rushed for negative yards on two of his 22 carries, allowing the Redskins to stay in advantageous downs for Kirk Cousins. Kelley has difficult treading ahead (GB, @DAL, @ARI, @PHI) but he is on the RB2 map thanks to his usage. He is an add in all formats.
James Starks (GB, RB) - $8-10
30% owned in Fleaflicker
Is anyone else tired of talking about James Starks? He's been on FAAB columns for what seems like a decade and yet continues to creep his way into the discussion. As the Packers season seems to be unraveling, they showed on Sunday they aren't ready to give Ty Montgomery (22 snaps) running back duties. That opens up time for Starks, who was not effective (7 carries for 31 yards, 3 catches for 11 yards) although he did score on a screen. The important part is the 71% time he was on the field. If you are truly desperate, be my guest and grab Starks, but he is no more than a RB3 going forward.
Rashad Jennings (NYG, RB) - $4-6
71% owned in Fleaflicker
I try to avoid heavily owned players but I've received numerous inquiries into Jennings and was a popular drop on the Giants bye. While the Paul Perkins train is in full steam right now, he hasn't done enough to supplant Jennings on the depth chart. Jennings remains the starter and the favorite for goal-line touches. Do you want to be depending on a Giant running back? Probably not. But if Jennings was dropped in your league, snag him now that the bye weeks have passed.
Also Consider: Yes, while I highlighted Rashard Jennings the potential of Paul Perkins ($4) makes him a speculative add. Tevin Coleman ($5) is expected back this week for Atlanta and they want to limit Devonta Freeman's usage as they hope to capture the NFC South. While Jordan Howard did return on Sunday, he only saw two touches in the second half. That brings Jeremy Langford ($5) back into the fold. He's a handcuff add.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Wide Receivers
If Davante Adams (74% owned) is available, he is the No. 1 add at receiver, but it's a good week if you need WR help.
Cameron Meredith (CHI, WR) - FAAB Bid: $15-23
20% owned in Fleaflicker
Welcome back to the limelight Meredith. One mans loss is another's gain, in this situation the Jeffrey suspension opening WR1 duties for Meredith. Meredith was a popular add when Brian Hoyer was at the helm for Chicago, as Hoyer's Zoolander tendencies to look right saw Meredith get peppered with targets. Hoyer is gone and Jay Cutler has not shown strong chemistry with Meredith, but this is a situation worth investing in.
The Bears are a bad team that will be losing most Sundays going forward. This, combined with the loss of Kyle Long, will force Cutler to chuck it and Meredith should be a heavy recipient. Don't forget about Marquess Wilson ($4) either if Meredith is scooped in your league.
Robert Woods (BUF, WR) - FAAB Bid: $4-7
20% owned in Fleaflicker
How often can you add a player in 80% of leagues who is coming off a 10 catch, 162 yard performance? When you mix in a bye week and the Bills passing game, you can start to understand why owners shied away. It's time to pounce on others mistakes, as the latest news of Sammy Watkins not ready to practice means more targets for Woods. Woods was fantastic versus a tough Seattle defense in Week 9 and could have had added a wide open 31-yard touchdown if Tyrod Taylor didn't miss. The schedule for Woods is might juicy (@CIN, JAX, @OAK, PIT, CLE) and he should have WR3 for each of those games. If Watkins returns, consider Woods droppable.
Tyreek Hill (KC, WR) - FAAB Bid: $4-7
22% owned in Fleaflicker
"Tyfreek" Hill can't buy any love. Hill had scored in two of his previous three games entering Sunday, and the loss of Jeremy Maclin allowed Hill to see WR1 targets. He took full advantage, catching 10-of-13 targets for 89 yards. He added a 11 yard run too. It was well apparent Hill was the main benefactor of Maclin's departure (Albert Wilson saw seven targets) and he should continue to see value in PPR formats should Maclin miss Week 11. Assuming Maclin does not play, Hill will be a WR2 versus the Bucs 20th ranked pass defense.
Also Consider: If Kenny Britt ($10), Rishard Matthews ($7), or Jamison Crowder ($10) are still available in your leagues, please send me an invite for 2017.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Tight Ends
If Antonio Gates (80%) is available, he is the No. 1 option this week.
Cameron Brate (TB, TE) - FAAB Bid: $5-7
37% owned in Fleaflicker
Once again, Brate has proven to be the main beneficiary of Vincent Jackson's absence (torn ACL). As teams continue to double team Mike Evans, it is creating opening for Brate in the middle of the field and Jameis Winston is finding him. Brate now has a touchdown in three straight games and has seen at least five targets in all of them. Brate gets the Chiefs on Sunday who are ranked 22nd versus tight ends. He needs to score to be TE1 but he provides a safe floor for owners needed TE help.
Hunter Henry (SD, TE) - FAAB Bid: $2-4
42% owned in Fleaflicker
Henry (knee) made his return to the Chargers offense in a rather uneventful performance. Henry only saw two targets and was rotated in as he made his way back from a knee injury. Henry was on the field for 33% of the plays, but most important was the red-zone target. He has now scored in four of his past six games and should only see his usage increase going forward. The Chargers are on bye this week, but Henry makes for a TE-dependent option going forward.
Also Consider: Jesse James (PIT, TE) - FAAB Bid: $1
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Quarterbacks
Colin Kaepernick (QB, SF) - FAAB Bid: $1-2
23% owned in Fleaflicker
You won't find a more polarizing player than Kaep, but at the end of the day we want fantasy point. And while Kaep's aren't always pretty, he does get the job done. In last week's loss at Arizona Kaepernick finished as the No. 8 QB in Fleaflicker leagues, using his legs to provide a safe floor for fantasy purposes. This week he gets a date with New England in a game the 49ers should be down by 15+ points by half. This will result in a plethora of garbage time for the 49ers where they will be forced to abandon the run. Kaep is in QB 10-14 range for Week 11.
Tyrod Taylor (QB, BUF) - FAAB Bid: $1-2
68% owned in Fleaflicker
While some may have already forgotten Week 9's Monday night battle between Buffalo and Seattle, I for one have not. The biggest takeaway from that game was Taylor's performance in what was arguably the best game of his career. He completed 27-of-38 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown versus a top-3 Seahawks defense. He added 43 yards on the ground. Taylor has always had appeal as a runner but if he can remain in the pocket with precision as he did last Monday, he could make the leap to a QB1 going forward. Keep Taylor in mind if you need a stream option in Week 11 as he takes on Cincinnati and their 24th ranked pass defense.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Defense
Dolphins D/ST - FAAB Bid: $4-7
26% owned in Fleaflicker
Don't look now but the Dolphins defense is starting to gel. They have produced double digit outings in consecutive games and were surprisingly effective at San Diego in Week 9, limiting Melvin Gordon to 70 yards rushing. Next up is a date with Case Keenum and the Rams followed by the 49ers. Add away, streamers.
Giants D/ST - FAAB Bid: $1-3
31% owned in Fleaflicker
The Giants defense got a rough draw last night, as turnovers and special teams but the Bengals offense in favorable situations all night. Don't let recency bias fool you. Landon Collins continues to be a candidate for Defense Player of the Year and they have a date with the Bears next, who just lost Kyle Long and Alshon Jeffrey. Stream away.
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