NFL Waiver Wire: Week 11 Pickups

With Week 10 in the books it's time to put our attention to the waiver wire for the upcoming week. This week rosters will be thin with another six-team bye week, leaving only one more bye week (two teams) in Week 12. This week there are some obvious adds and some not-so-obvious and it's time to spend your FAAB if you still have any. Playoffs are around the corner and now is the time to make a move or two.

If there are questions about the players mentioned or in general, feel free to hit up the comments section.

This week's byes: Buffalo, New York Jets, Miami, New England, Cleveland, San Francisco

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget.
 
QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Lamar Jackson, BAL - News surfaced late last week that Joe Flacco is dealing with a hip injury and could miss some time. It hasn't been stated officially that Flacco is out, but Jackson arguably has the most upside of any backup in the league from a fantasy standpoint. The Ravens already run several plays each game with Jackson and the real question is can he consistently read defenses and be successful in the passing game. His dual-threat ability makes Jackson an interesting commodity, and even if Flacco doesn't miss time there's a chance the 4-5 Ravens turn to Jackson at some point if they fall out of the playoff race. FAAB: $3-$6

Eli Manning, NYG - This is only a recommendation for those streaming quarterbacks or those who have one of the six players at the position on bye. This is all about the matchup for Eli, as the Buccaneers remain a bad defense, giving up 292 passing yards per game (fourth most) and 23 passing touchdowns, most in the league. Eli still has one of the best trios of receivers in football – Odell Beckham, Sterling Sheppard and Evan Engram – not to mention Saquon Barkley out of the backfield. FAAB: $2-$4

Joe Flacco, BAL - It's odd to see two quarterbacks on the same team mentioned in a waiver wire article. However, if Flacco plays, he has an elite matchup at home. Despite Marvin Lewis taking over as the defensive coordinator the personnel remains the same, and this is a terrible pass defense. The Bengals allow a league-high 313 passing yards per game and their 21 passing touchdowns allowed is tied for third most in the league. FAAB: $2-$4

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Rashaad Penny, SEA - With Chris Carson sidelined Sunday, Penny was given more touches, rushing for 12-108-1. The touchdown came on a nice 38-yard run, and he got one more carry than Mike Davis, suggesting Penny has at least equaled him on the depth chart. The problem is Chris Carson sounded like he was close to playing Sunday and could be back for Thursday's game against Green Bay. Still, Penny is healthy and should be in line once again for double-digit touches; it was good to hear Pete Carroll sing his praises after the game. Penny should be in for a similar workload, even when Carson returns. FAAB: $10-$20

Hail Mary

Jaylen Samuels, PIT - Due to a blowout and James Conner being evaluated for a concussion, Samuels finally got in his first real work this season. It doesn't appear that Le'Veon Bell will report by 4 p.m. EST Tuesday, meaning he won't play this season. This put Samuels in the same category as Malcolm Brown, Gio Bernard or Chase Edmonds – a backup who would likely get the lion's share of work if the starter goes down. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

Josh Reynolds, LAR - The Rams suffered a huge blow Sunday losing Cooper Kupp to an ACL tear. Reynolds steps in as the third wide receiver, which is a more fantasy-friendly spot than being a No. 2 wide receiver on most teams. The Rams almost always run three-wide receiver sets, and Reynolds will draw really weak coverage given the Rams' other offensive weapons. When Kupp missed Weeks 7 and 8, Reynolds had a game of 1-19 and 3-42-2, showing both a really low floor but a good ceiling as well. This week he's at least a flex option in most leagues with the matchup against Kansas City expected to be a shootout. Check the remaining FAAB for the Kupp owner as he likely blow his budget (or close to that) on Reynolds. FAAB: $6-$12

Hail Mary

Zay Jones, BUF - Jones is the most talented wide receiver on the Bills and there finally could be a competent quarterback throwing to him. He's played the most snaps of any receiver the last five weeks (38 targets, 7.6 per game) and has the trust of Matt Barkley (11 targets Sunday). It'll be tough to trust Jones for consistency, and the Bills are on a bye this week, but he could have fantasy value down the home stretch if Barkley/Josh Allen are competent. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Jonnu Smith, TEN - Following the loss of Delanie Walker, Smith was expected to take on a bigger role and be on the fantasy radar. That didn't end up being the case. But since the Titans had their bye Week 8, Smith has been more involved the last two games. He's scored a touchdown in each, though his five catches have come on five targets. The Titans' offense has looked good since the bye, and Smith's role could continue to expand. FAAB: $3-$6

James O'Shaughnessy, JAC - JOS recorded a season-high 5-46 line and has six, four and six targets his last three games. He seems like a perfect candidate for Blake Bortles to target in play-action near the goal line now that Leonard Fournette is back. The Steelers have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, making O'Shaughnessy a good waiver target this week. FAAB: $2-$4