Breakdowns
11/16/21
5 min read
Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups: Prioritize D'Onta Foreman
We're in the thick of mounting injuries as the fantasy football playoff hunt intensifies. Immediate help becomes more valuable, as bye weeks have yet to conclude. Still, it's important for teams in solid positions to think a few weeks down the line, as playoff success is ultimately all that matters. Teams on the playoff bubble need to maximize points now though.
As always, all rostership levels are based on Yahoo leagues. Your mileage may vary depending on your provider and league settings.
D'onta Foreman, RB Tennessee Titans (4% Rostered)
Foreman led the Titans backfield in touches last week, with 13 to Adrian Peterson's nine. The Titans will likely have far more opportunities to run the ball this week (against Houston) and down the stretch (remaining games against Jacksonville and Miami.) Foreman also appeared to bring far more to the table than Peterson, breaking loose for a 39-yard screen pass. He has the talent -- and the fantasy playoff schedule -- to be a game-changer down the stretch. Whether he gets the role remains to be seen. In a thin week for running backs, Foreman should be a priority.
Baker Mayfield, QB Cleveland Browns (38% Rostered)
Ideally, we aren't picking up Mayfield as a long-term solution here. However, he has a Week 11 matchup with a porous Lions defense that ranks 29th in DVOA against the pass. The (expected) return of Kareem Hunt might actually help Baker here. Hunt is so strong in the pass game (and produces so many yards after the catch) that he makes life a lot easier on his quarterbacks. With the Browns as big favorites, Baker won't be passing a ton. He should still produce an acceptable score based on efficiency alone though.
If Baker is claimed in your league, look to Mac Jones (28%) against the Falcons. The rookie has improved throughout the year, and the matchup is near ideal.
Devante Parker, WR Miami Dolphins (34% Rostered)
It's a week early on Parker, who isn't eligible to return until Week 12. That makes this a play for teams that can afford to play the long game. However, Parker has excelled when he is on the field this season, averaging over 10 points in half-PPR scoring. If you have the roster spot available, Parker should be essentially free this week. In a similar vein, teammate Will Fuller (25%) is at least eligible to return this year. He's yet to play a game with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this year, but the Dolphins have thrown the ball much more effectively with Tua. It's hard to rely on Fuller or Parker to stay healthy, but both could be difference-makers if they're active down the stretch.
DeSean Jackson, WR Las Vegas Raiders (11% Rostered)
Last Week's entry on Jackson:
Jackson signed with Las Vegas this week, and will presumably replace the now-released Henry Ruggs as the primary deep threat. Much like Peoples-Jones, Jackson will be boom-or-bust at best. It's always going to be tricky to capture those "boom" weeks (if they come at all) but he has a higher weekly ceiling than almost any player available.
Jackson averaged 38 yards per catch in his Raiders debut. The downside is, he only had one catch (and target). Still, his role will likely grow as he learns more of the playbook. Maybe not quite enough to be a weekly option, but stranger things have happened.
Amon-Ra St. Brown WR Detroit Lions (6% Rostered)
St. Brown is effectively the Lions' top receiver, notching at least 5 targets in his last five (active) games. Those targets aren't very valuable with the indecisive Jarred Goff at quarterback, but he usually sees a few short looks with a high catch probability. The Lions would seemingly have to throw the ball more than the 25 times they did in Week 10 (20 in regulation) most weeks. If you're truly desperate and need a locked0in six or so points, St. Brown is your guy. Week 11 brings a matchup with Cleveland, who is much tougher defensively on the ground (5th in DVOA) than through the air (19th). The Lions could still choose to run the ball almost 40 times, but you'd think some more passing would be in order.
Dan Arnold, TE Jacksonville Jaguars (26% Rostered)
How Arnold isn't rostered in more leagues is beyond me. The athletic tight end is averaging over six targets per game since Week 5, something only eight tight ends have done over the course of the season. He's also a top-six tight end (half-PPR scoring) in that time frame. Arnold is a solid add whether you need points now or a potential weekly starter. Even if you have a top tight end like Kelce or Waller, at least pick Arnold up so your competition can't have him.
Last week's tight end option, Tyler Conklin (30%) is still relevant for Week 11. He's seen at least five targets in four straight and scored two touchdowns in Week 10.
