Greetings from San Diego! We’ve closed yet another chapter of the NFL season, and this week’s waiver-wire column highlights a handful of must-add players, especially as injuries mount and bye weeks start to take their toll.
In no particular order, here are my top 19 waiver wire options to add for Week 11. I also added a honorable mention section at the bottom of the article. My one rule that I have set for this is that a player must be rostered in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be eligible in my column.
QUARTERBACKS
Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders; Rostered – 11.4%: Like Tagovailoa on the other side, Mariota is a likable streaming option this week against the Dolphins. Miami has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and has given up the second-most rushing touchdowns and sixth-most rushing yards to the position this season. Returning to the starting role for the injured Jayden Daniels, Mariota looked solid against the Lions, completing more than 70 percent of his passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 22 yards on the ground on five attempts. The 10-year veteran should be in line for another respectable outing.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers; Rostered – 34%: Ah yes, another edition of the “UNC Bowl.” Just like their Week 7 matchup against the Bengals, this should be another favorable day for Steelers offensive players. In their first meeting, Rodgers threw for a season high in passing yards and tossed four touchdowns. He’ll look to bounce back from his worst performance in black and gold last Sunday against the Chargers. Many are rightfully concerned he may be showing his first real signs of age, but he’s still on pace to break the Steelers’ single-season passing touchdown record. And let’s be honest, he’s facing a comical Cincinnati defense that can’t stop a nosebleed. Rodgers should be streamed this week.
Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals; Rostered – 33%: I wrote last week that fantasy managers should pick up Flacco during the bye. Hopefully you listened, but if not, now’s your chance. Flacco faces a familiar foe in the Steelers, against whom he scored just under 26 fantasy points in their last meeting. Before the bye, he was coming off an incredible 470-yard, four-touchdown performance in a heartbreaking home loss to the Bears. Since being traded to Cincinnati, Flacco has averaged 24.9 fantasy points per game and has thrown at least two touchdown passes in every contest. The former Super Bowl MVP isn’t just worth a roster spot — he’s a must-start against a Steelers defense that has allowed the second-most passing yards and seventh-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals, Rostered – 17.3%: It’s safe to say the Cardinals have clicked better with Brissett under center than they did with Kyler Murray, who was placed on injured reserve last week. Facing the Colts, Packers, Cowboys and Seahawks, Brissett’s lowest fantasy output during that stretch was 19.42 points. Over those four games, he’s thrown for 1,118 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception. He’s also added some value on the ground, rushing for more than 20 yards and scoring once in half of those contests. Originally, I was going to call him a great streaming option this week against San Francisco, but he also draws Jacksonville and Tampa Bay in the following weeks, neither of which are matchups to fear.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins; Rostered — 13.9%: I’ve never been high on Tagovailoa, especially this year as questions about his starting job continue to surface. In last Sunday’s win over the Bills, he managed just 10.82 fantasy points and committed multiple turnovers for the fourth time this season. However, he draws a favorable matchup this week against the Commanders, who have allowed the most passing yards, the most touchdowns and the third-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. That makes Tagovailoa a top streaming option in Week 11.
RUNNING BACKS
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons; Rostered — 27.8%: I don’t understand why more managers don’t have Allgeier on their rosters. While he isn’t someone you can confidently plug into your lineup every week, he’s arguably the most valuable handcuff in fantasy football. Bijan Robinson handles most of the workload, but Allgeier still sees a fair share of touches and serves as the team’s goal-line back. Last week in Germany against the Colts, he totaled 11 carries for 57 yards and scored twice from a yard out. It’s unlikely he’ll deliver another boom performance this week against the Panthers, but Allgeier needs to be stashed on all rosters.
Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals; Rostered – 18.5%: Demercado is the clear running back to target in fantasy. Despite playing just 42 percent of the snaps and being out-touched 10–4 by Bam Knight against the Seahawks, he still led the backfield in rushing yards and proved to be the more versatile option, adding three receptions for 40 yards. His longest run of the day went for 55 yards, and he also hauled in a 34-yard catch. That big-play ability alone makes him the more appealing option while Trey Benson remains sidelined. In Week 11, Demercado and the Cardinals face the 49ers, who have been below average against running backs this season. Until Benson returns, Demercado needs to be rostered.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Tez Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Rostered — 27.9%: Besides Emeka Egbuka, the next best receiver for the Bucs is rookie Tez Johnson out of Oregon. He scored two touchdowns on Sunday against the Patriots, giving him four on the season. Since Week 5, Johnson has posted at least 40 receiving yards and seen a minimum of three targets per game. Tight end Cade Otton and Egbuka are the other main pass catchers competing for targets in a Tampa Bay offense still missing Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin. Johnson should be one of the top waiver-wire pickups in fantasy this week.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts; Rostered — 36.4%: Pierce has posted back-to-back weeks with more than 17 fantasy points and over 80 receiving yards. Despite teammate Jonathan Taylor stealing the spotlight in Germany on Sunday, Pierce hauled in a 37-yard touchdown and finished second on the team in targets, receptions and yards behind Tyler Warren. So far, he’s drawing more attention than Josh Downs but not as much as Michael Pittman, yet he has compiled a respectable 28-585-1 stat line. With the Colts on a bye this week, now may be a good time to add Pierce. He’ll look to continue his recent stretch against the Chiefs in Week 12.
Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars; Rostered — 16.9%: Washington once again stabilized his fantasy value with a 17-point performance last week against the Texans. He caught a seven-yard touchdown in the first quarter and added a 73-yard punt return. Over the past three weeks, the third-year receiver has seen 26 targets, and those numbers should continue with Brian Thomas Jr. dealing with an ankle injury, Jakobi Meyers still acclimating to the new offense, and Travis Hunter out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Washington is expected to stay busy in Week 11 against the Chargers.
Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders; Rostered — 43.4%: Tucker is now the No. 1 receiver in the Raiders’ offense after the team traded Jakobi Meyers last week. However, he has one of the most unappealing top-wideout roles in the NFL due to a lack of quarterback talent. Despite that, Tucker draws a favorable matchup against the Cowboys, who allow opposing offenses to move the ball freely. His floor is inconsistent, but we’ve seen his ceiling reach astronomical numbers, such as his 40.9-point fantasy performance in Week 3. He’s a true boom-or-bust option this week, but if you’re desperate for a win, he’s worth considering off the waiver wire.
Darius Slayton, New York Giants; Rostered — 33.7%: Slayton has posted back-to-back games with double-digit fantasy points. Fantasy managers should consider adding him off the waiver wire, though there are concerns about who will be throwing him the ball this week against the Packers. QB Jaxson Dart left the game against the Bears with a concussion, making Russell Wilson the starter. Slayton sees more involvement and volume with Dart, receiving at least four targets per game, but he has hit that mark just once in three games with Wilson. Considering the Giants’ options without Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo, Slayton should still see solid volume, but his floor and ceiling are higher with Dart under center.
TIGHT ENDS
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Rostered — 34.7%: Similar to Darius Slayton, Otton has seen an increased share of targets and usage due to the lack of weapons Baker Mayfield has to throw to. Last week against the Patriots, Otton finished second on the team in targets and yards behind rookie Emeka Egbuka. Over the past five games, he has averaged more than five catches and 60 receiving yards per game, seeing at least five targets in each contest. With Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans out, Otton has reached must-start territory regardless of matchup. If he’s still available, he needs to be claimed.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans; Rostered — 27%: Even without QB C.J. Stroud, Schultz continues to put up solid fantasy numbers, posting his second 18-point fantasy finish last week against the Jaguars. Over the past four weeks, he has compiled a 24-252-1 stat line and seen 32 targets. Regardless of whether Davis Mills earns a second consecutive start this week against the Titans — who allow the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends — Schultz is worth considering for the high volume he sees on a weekly basis.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants; Rostered — 44.5%: Similar to Darius Slayton, Johnson is worth adding to your roster, though his upside depends on who is under center this week against the Packers. With Russell Wilson starting, Johnson has seen limited involvement, totaling just 10 targets in Wilson’s three starts. The second-year tight end saw a significant boost in targets, catches, yards and touchdowns with Jaxson Dart at quarterback. Last week against the Bears, Johnson posted a 7-75-0 stat line and recorded his seventh consecutive game with at least four targets. He should be added to rosters, but keep an eye on the status of the rookie QB.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints; Rostered — 35.1%: With rookie QB Tyler Shough leading the Saints’ offense, Johnson has returned to fantasy relevance, posting 19.2 fantasy points in Week 10. Over the past four weeks, he has scored double digits in fantasy points and recorded at least three receptions and 30 yards per game. Johnson is resuming his role as one of the go-to targets and is becoming a safety valve for Shough. Although he enters a bye this week, now is a good time to add him before his Week 12 matchup against the Falcons.
DEFENSES
Baltimore Ravens; Rostered – 50.9%: Baltimore draws an eye-opening matchup this week against the Browns, who allow the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. In their Week 2 meeting, the Ravens finished with 15 fantasy points, including a touchdown, a blocked punt, a fumble recovery, an interception and two sacks. The Ravens defense is a must-add this week.
Green Bay Packers; Rostered – 59%: If Russell Wilson is named the starter this week, the Packers defense becomes a must-start option. Even before that news, managers should consider adding Green Bay, coming off a respectable performance against the Eagles. Ignoring the Week 2 shootout against Dallas, the Giants allow opposing defenses to average 10.5 fantasy points per game with Wilson at quarterback. Keep an eye on the Giants’ injury report this week to see if Jaxson Dart is cleared from concussion protocol.
Atlanta Falcons; Rostered – 21.1%: The Falcons defense has recorded three games with more than 10 fantasy points this season. They have a strong chance to do it again this week against the Panthers, who continue to struggle following their embarrassing loss to the Saints. Carolina allows opposing defenses to average the seventh-most fantasy points per game and has turned the ball over 15 times this year. Atlanta has also recorded 29 sacks this season, including six and seven sacks over the past two weeks. Pick up the Falcons defense this week.
