Waiver Wire Week 11: Christian Watson, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Isiah Pacheco
Poor Cooper Kupp. And poor Cooper Kupp fantasy managers. That collective sigh of relief that was heard after Week 8 is now gone as Kupp is dealing with a multi-week injury. The same ankle that was injured in Week 8 is now a high ankle sprain that he couldn’t even put weight on after he was injured this past Sunday. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, there is no “handcuff” for Kupp or even a player to pick up that will fill in for him. The closest thing might be Van Jefferson (7 percent rostered), but the Rams aren’t going to use him like they used Kupp. In addition, the Rams' offensive line isn’t going to help anyone. Fantasy managers may need to look elsewhere to fill that precious roster spot.
Teams on bye: Jacksonville, Miami, Seattle, Tampa Bay
Quarterbacks
Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns (37 percent rostered)
For fantasy managers looking to make a playoff push, Watson should be at the helm for the Browns in Week 13. As that gets closer, his roster percentage will increase, so if you are dealing with a banged-up Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford or you drafted Russell Wilson thinking he’d be your QB1, perhaps it is time to use a roster spot on Watson. He hasn’t played since 2020, but he is still only 27 years old and didn't miss all this time because of injury. Depending on your QB situation, he has the potential to win you games down the stretch.
Matt Ryan, QB, Indianapolis Colts (11 percent rostered)
Ryan is back! Well, he’s back as the starting quarterback for the Colts (thanks, Jeff Saturday). It is clear that he is the better option than Sam Ehlinger, although the matchup against the Raiders is a much easier game than the Colts' Week 11 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ryan threw for 222 yards and a touchdown and ran for 38 yards and a score (Ryan running?). While the rushing yards likely won’t be a weekly event, Ryan isn’t going to lose you the week.
Running Backs
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (24 percent rostered)
The Chiefs have apparently given up on Clyde Edwards-Helaire, as they let Pacheo start in Week 10. He had 16 carries for 82 yards (also lost a fumble in the red zone). Jerick McKinnon handled the passing downs: he had eight targets and caught six of them for 56 yards. It is clear that Pacheo is the No. 1 running back for the Chiefs, but he is not an RB1 for fantasy just yet. The offense throws the ball too much (and not to Pacheo) for that. He’s an RB2 for Week 11 against the Chargers (a team that you just run, run, run on).
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (27 percent rostered)
Discouragingly, coming off the bye, the Steelers did not give the starting job to Warren. Rather, they gave Najee Harris 20 carries. He turned them into 99 yards, the most he’s had all season (by more than 20 yards). This is going to turn into a timeshare, rather than Warren taking over the job. However, Warren still looks like the better back, so he should be added to fantasy rosters and used as an RB3 as he will continue to get points.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (45 percent rostered)
Leonard Fournette suffered a hip injury in Week 10, but it doesn’t appear that it will cost him time, especially with the Bucs on a bye in Week 11. Fantasy managers likely don’t need to rush to the waiver wire, given that when you sort by projected points for the week, White won’t show up. However, if you do have a free roster spot, he is worth adding. He had 22 carries in Week 10 for 105 yards, his best outing by far. If Fournette misses any time, White would flirt with RB1 status.
Wide Receivers
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers (8 percent rostered)
Watson is as close as it comes to a must-add from the waiver wire. Most weeks this column is filled with players to fill in for an injured guy or a speculative addition, but Watson is someone that fantasy managers need to add. Granted, Randall Cobb may be back, but Watson has proven that he can be a favorite target of Aaron Rodgers in the red zone. He’s not always going to score three touchdowns (to be fair, he probably won’t again this season) but his speed adds a new element to the Packers' passing game, which is promising.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Cleveland Browns (35 percent rostered)
Peoples-Jones, playing as the No. 2 receiver behind Amari Cooper, has clearly connected with Jacoby Brissett. In the past six games, he has had at least four receptions for 50 yards in each. He hasn’t found the end zone in that span, but he has been putting up solid WR3 numbers. The Browns do face the Buffalo Bills in Week 11, which is going to be a tough matchup. DPJ is a low WR3 for this week.
Kendall Hinton, WR, Denver Broncos (0 percent rostered)
For those in super-deep leagues, take a look at Hinton for Week 11. Jerry Jeudy suffered an injury that has been diagnosed as a muscle strain. Unlike Kupp, Jeudy's appears to be a minor injury, so it's possible he plays in Week 11 (and in that case, return Hinton to the waiver wire). However, if Jeudy has to sit, Hinton is a streaming option for Denver's matchup with Las Vegas. The Raiders' defense isn’t good, as proven time and time again, and if Hinton takes Jeudy's role, he will be a nice Week 11 streaming option.
Tight Ends
Foster Moreau, TE, Las Vegas Raiders (17 percent rostered)
With Darren Waller on injured reserve, Moreau is the tight end for the Raiders. While the Raiders are not one of the best teams in the league, and they certainly don’t have one of the most high-powered offenses, they do throw to the tight end. On Sunday, Moreau had four targets. He caught three of them for 43 yards and a touchdown. He’s a TE2 for the rest of the season.
Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals (0 percent rostered)
With the news that Zach Ertz is out for the rest of the season, McBride is the next man up for the Cardinals. In Week 11, he had one reception for seven yards, so this is a risky addition. However, Ertz is out and McBride will fill his role. The Cardinals do have options in the passing game, so McBride certainly doesn’t automatically slot into a TE1 role like Ertz had, but he’s a TE2 option.
Defense/Special Teams (DST)
New York Jets (20 percent rostered)
In the past, fantasy managers used to play a DST that faces the New York Jets. In 2022, the Jets DST is a solid fantasy option in itself. In Week 11, they face the New England Patriots, who are not exactly putting up points this season. Mac Jones has yet to produce more than one touchdown in a game, and the Jets and the Patriots always play each other well. For those looking to stream DSTs for Week 11, look at the Jets.
— Written by Sarah Lewis, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network and lives, eats, and breathes fantasy football. Have a fantasy football question? Send it to her on Twitter @Sarah_Lewis32.
