The NFL never disappoints. Well of course if you lost this week then you might be singing a different tune, but at least we were not short of drama. Justin Fields did some crazy things with his legs, Saquon Barkley continues to show no ill effects of his previous injuries, the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings played one crazy game, Jeff Saturday was an unlikely winner, and we also saw some exciting options emerge. Then factor in the return of Elijah Mitchell and injuries to Cooper Kupp and Zach Ertz, and it is quite the busy week.  Let us take a look at how players like Rachaad White, Isiah Pacheco, and Christian Watson can help your fantasy teams through the NFL waiver wire. 

 

 

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups Week 11

 

NFL Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts, FAAB Bid: 2-5%

I am not saying that Ryan is going to be a league winner, but in leagues that allow you to start two quarterbacks, perhaps that statement (and your bid) need to be amended. Ryan was not exactly tearing things up for the Colts prior to his benching, but we were still working with a solid veteran signal caller. Order appears to have been restored in Indianapolis, and Ryan was back under center this week. The results were solid, 21 of 28 for 222 yards and a touchdown along with 38 rushing yards and another touchdown, this is a level (without the rushing touchdown) we can expect to see him perform at and we know that the track record is there. 

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans, FAAB Bid: 2-5%

Let us stick with the boring, veteran quarterbacks here as Tannehill also made his return (from injury) on Sunday against a tough Denver defense. Tannehill was able to throw for 255 yards and two touchdowns in what was his best game of the season. Going forward, Tannehill likely will not be asked to do too much, but if are looking for help under center, the veteran could provide it. 

 

NFL Waiver Wire Running Backs

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, FAAB Bid: 15%

The rookie had been operating on the periphery of Tampa Bay’s offense and fantasy value to this point, but White took a huge step forward this week after Leonard Fournette exited with a hip injury. Fournette’s outlook is unclear to this point, and the fact that the Buccaneers are heading into their bye week means we might be in the dark a little while longer. It is interesting that White and Fournette seemed to be working in tandem prior to the latter’s injury, but the former finished strong with 22 carries for 105 yards which included big plays of 29 and 18 yards along with a quite impression stiff arm. White nearly eclipsed his season total of 117 yards with a minimal role in the passing game (20 receptions for 135). White’s matchup off the bye week against Cleveland is a favorable one, but I would expect him to be a factor for the remainder of the season regardless. The problem, is that clarity likely will not be on our side prior to bidding. 

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs, FAAB Bid: 10%

Is this the Pacheco we were searching for over the summer? After Pacheco logged 16 of the 17 carries out of the Kansas City backfield on Sunday, while also overcoming a fumble, I would say we are certainly on the way towards that being the case. Last week we highlighted Jerick McKinnon in this space and he was a factor in the passing game as the Chiefs appeared to have found their running back duo. Pacheco showed the ability to move the chains as he picked up 82 yards on the ground, and we know that the Kansas City offense is one of the better ones in the league. 

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers, FAAB Bid: 8%

I talked up Warren as a stash a few weeks, so it should not have come as complete surprise that Pittsburgh talked him up entering Sunday’s game to potentially take some of the work from Najee Harris. The incumbent did have a strong game as he picked up 99 yards on 20 carries, but Warren looked better at times gaining 37 yards on nine carries while catching three passes for another 40 yards. It was the busiest game of the season for Warren, and I would expect this trend to continue. 

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens, FAAB Bid: 10-15%

With Baltimore back this week following their bye, there could be a buying opportunity for Edwards who is slated to make his return from a hamstring injury. After gaining 66 and 65 yards in his first two games this season, Edwards should slot in as the starter for Baltimore and it is all about the role here. 

Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers, FAAB Bid: 10%

When looking at Mitchell, who made his return to action on Sunday, there are two caveats to note. After missing the first nine weeks of the season, Mitchell was likely stashed on many IR spots as he is already rostered in 58% of Yahoo leagues, but that number certainly should be higher. Also, while things would be different if Christian McCaffrey were not in the fold, I am not sure how much that truly would change things as Mitchell actually led the 49ers in carries on Sunday with 18, which was four more than his new teammate. While McCaffrey will have control over the passing game work, Mitchell and his 89 rushing yards will still have a significant role. 

 

 

NFL Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers, FAAB Bid: 15%

I know it is not any fun, but what level of caution must we exercise here? Entering the season, we knew that Green Bay was lacking in the wide receiver department, so they drafted Watson and our minds began to wander with anticipation. Of course, that did not go according to plan as Watson had just 10 receptions for 88 yards entering Week 10. Then all Watson did was catch four of eight targets for 107 yards while looking quite explosive. While we know not to expect that level of performance each week, it was nice to see it take place as Watson began to truly form a connection with Aaron Rodgers. 

Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts, FAAB Bid: 4%

It looks like a totally different situation in Indianapolis, at least through one week, with Jeff Saturday on the sidelines and Matt Ryan back under center. Campbell previously had two strong performances earlier in the season, and that version of him was back with seven receptions on nine targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. Over the past few weeks, it was easy to toss the Colts aside, but it might be prudent to put them back on our radars. 

Kadarius Toney, Kansas City Chiefs, FAAB Bid: 12%

The main thing for Toney is his health, and for now he has it, and the receiver also seemed to find his groove with Kansas City. Toney showed a touch of what he is capable of, and he also benefited to Mecole Hardman being sidelined and JuJu Smith-Schuster’s concussion, by catching four of his five targets for 57 yards and a touchdown while carrying the ball two times for another 33 yards. Now that Toney got his feet wet, I would look continue being a factor in the Chiefs’ offense. 

Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams, FAAB Bid: 6-8%

Cooper Kupp is not someone you simply replace, but while he is out for at least this upcoming week, at a minimum, with a high ankle sprain we do not have a choice. Enter Jefferson who is now very clearly at the top of the Rams’ depth chart after a rough 2022 season to this point. Due to injury, Jefferson made his season debut in Week 9, and despite being targeted five times, finished without a reception. While playing without Matthew Stafford this past week, Jefferson caught all three of his targets for 27 yards and a touchdown after showing big play ability last season. It is only natural, that after having some success towards the end of last year, who ever is under center for the Rams is going to look Jefferson’s way. 

Nico Collins, Houston Texans, FAAB Bid: 5%

Collins was healthy entering action against the Giants, and while the Texans are not going anywhere this season, we did get to see what the receiver is capable. Houston targeted Collins 10 times, and that led to five receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. There are targets to be found here, and I would expect to see them continue. 

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans, FAAB Bid: 2%

Westbrook-Ikhine crammed a season’s worth of production into one game on Sunday as he caught five of eight targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns. There is some level of chemistry between Westbrook-Ikhine and Ryan Tannehill and targets are available in Tennessee as well. This week’s effort is sure to catch your attention, but this is more for deeper leagues. 

 

NFL Waiver Wire Tight Ends

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals, FAAB Bid: 10%

If you are desperate at the tight end position and sit comfortable with FAAB and the rest of your roster, then I can see taking a big swing on McBride as you likely are not alone; at least with the first part of that statement. McBride was drafted in the second round with a lot of buzz, but the rookie subsequently took a back seat to Zach Ertz as he got his feet wet in the NFL. Aside from catching all three of his targets for 24 yards in Week 4, we had not heard from McBride until this past week when Ertz injured his knee which is causing him to be out indefinitely. McBride then stepped in with backup quarterback Colt McCoy under center and caught his only target for seven yards. The rookie did fumble, and then recover, the ball but the more notable stat was the fact that he received 91% of the snaps after Ertz’s injury. We have talent and opportunity, so now we just have to hope the performances matches it. 

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints, FAAB Bid: 4%

Johnson caught a touchdown this week for the second straight week, and third time game out of four, as he tied his season high with seven targets. The tight end turned that into five receptions for 44 yards, and I would expect him to continue with a similar workload. 

Austin Hooper, Tennessee Titans, FAAB Bid: 1%

Perhaps there was some correlation with the return of Tannehill, but Hooper had his best game of the season with five receptions on seven targets for 41 yards. I know it is not production move many needles, but there is something to be said for a baseline at the weakest position.
 

 

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