Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 11: Target Christian Watson, Rachaad White, More

With another wild football Sunday in the rearview mirror, it's time to assess the state of our fantasy teams and add (or cut) accordingly.

Sunday of Week 10 was another injury-packed day for fantasy-relevant players:

• WR Cooper Kupp (LAR) did not return after suffering an ankle injury against the Cardinals. It's Kupp's second ankle injury this year.
• RB Leonard Fournette (TB) exited with a hip pointer but isn't expected to miss time.
• TE Zach Ertz (ARI) was carted off the field with a knee injury and is reportedly out for the season.
• WR Jerry Jeudy (DEN) suffered an ankle injury that looked quite bad initially. However, reports on Monday indicate that it may have been a muscle strain.
• RB Khalil Herbert (CHI) sustained a hip injury late in the Bears' loss to the Lions. He was quickly ruled out.
• TE Gerald Everett (LAC) suffered a groin injury during Sunday Night Football.

Beyond injuries, Week 11 gives us a slight reprieve with just four teams — the Jaguars, Dolphins, Seahawks and Buccaneers — on bye.

Whether you need a player to replace dead weight on your roster, or just need a Week 11 streamer, make sure to check out Action Network's top targets at each position — all of which are available in at least 50% of Yahoo! leagues — that you should prioritize come Tuesday night.

Note: Yahoo! roster percentages are reflected in parentheses as of Monday and fantasy rankings are exclusive of the Monday Night Football game. 

Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Waiver QBs to Target 

Marcus Mariota, Falcons (33% rostered)

Mariota managed to have a nice fantasy game in the Thursday Night Football matchup nobody asked for, which ended 25-15 in favor of the Panthers. He completed 19-of-30 attempts for 186 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and rushed three times for 43 yards.

Mariota is the QB12 heading into Monday Night Football. The bad news is he will not get to play the Panthers every week, against whom he was the QB6 two weeks ago.

The good news is the Falcons have a Charmin-soft schedule coming up against three below-average pass defenses, starting with Chicago.

The Bears rank 30th in pass DVOA and just allowed 31 points to the lowly Lions. Mariota will be a fringe-QB1 and likely be the best streaming option of the waiver wire crew.

Next three games: vs. Bears, at Commanders, vs. Steelers

Deshaun Watson, Browns (37%)

Well, folks. The time has come to start bracing yourself for Watson’s return and debut for the Browns.

As of Monday, Watson is officially eligible to join team practices (he has been permitted to attend meetings and train in the facilities). He will, in all likelihood, make his first NFL start since Week 17 of the 2020 season just after Thanksgiving on the road in Houston (Week 13). Backup Jacoby Brissett has been serviceable, but you can't expect a $230 million player to ride the bench once his suspension is over.

I will preface this by saying that it is 100% okay to pass on Watson if you cannot stomach his legal troubles. That being said, he was the QB5 in 2018, QB2 in '19 and QB6 in '20 — all with limited depth on the Texans.

I expect him to put up at least top-12 numbers with the Browns, who have Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Harrison Bryant and Donovan Peoples-Jones leading their offensive depth chart. Watson is worth adding prior to Week 13 — especially if you are leaner at quarterback and in playoff contention.

Next three games *: at Bills, vs. Buccaneers, at Texans

* Brissett will start against the Bills and Buccaneers.

Kenny Pickett, Steelers (12%)

Pickett led the Steelers to a 20-10 victory over the Saints and had the best (fantasy) game of his short career in the process. He completed 18-of-30 attempts for 199 yards and rushed eight times for 51 yards and a touchdown, falling just shy of 20 fantasy points.

He does not have the easiest schedule coming up, facing the Bengals and their top-eight defense by DVOA. However, he is a good stash candidate with an easy playoff schedule.

Next three games: vs. Bengals, at Colts, at Falcons

Ryan Tannehill, Titans (13%)

Tannehill dressed for the first time in three weeks and led the Titans to a 17-10 victory over the Broncos. He completed 19-of-36 attempts for 255 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions and was a welcome change from rookie Malik Willis.

Tannehill is the QB8 with one game left to play and will finish as a top-12 QB for the third time in seven starts. I would recommend him higher, though his upcoming schedule is brutal against three top pass defenses.

Next three games: at Packers, vs. Bengals, at Eagles

Other quarterbacks to consider: Baker Mayfield, Panthers (3%), Matt Ryan, Colts (11%), Mac Jones, Patriots (13%)

Fantasy Waiver RBs to Target 

Gus Edwards, Ravens (49% rostered)

Edwards missed Week 9 with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Buccaneers. In his season debut and first game back since tearing his ACL in training camp in 2021, he rushed 16 times for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns and finished as the RB8 in half-PPR scoring.

In his absence, Kenyan Drake has stepped up. Drake had 24 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 16 yards. In Week 7 when both were healthy, however, Edwards out-snapped Drake 23 to 17 and out-gained him 66 to 5. I expect it will be Edwards leading the backfield over Drake once healthy.

Gus Bus is expected to return from injury after the Ravens' Week 10 bye to face the Panthers, whose defense ranks 23rd in rush DVOA and has allowed the third-most fantasy points to running backs this year.

Next three games: vs. Panthers, at Jaguars, vs. Broncos

Rachaad White, Buccaneers (44%)

The only reason White is not the top waiver priority for me this week is his Week 11 bye.

If you can afford to, you should pick up White, who was the Buccaneers' lead back in Tampa's 21-16 win over Seattle. White rushed 22 times for a career-high 105 yards while Fournette was held to 14 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown. The rookie is the RB18 in half PPR entering Monday night( Fournette is the RB16).

White has been trending up for a while now. He saw a season-high eight carries for 27 yards and caught three passes for seven yards last week while Fournette had nine carries for 19 yards and caught five passes for 41 yards.

Fournette was also banged up at the end of this game with a hip injury, so White could potentially vault into the Bucs' RB1 role after the bye in an amazing Week 12 matchup against the Browns.

Next three games: BYE, at Browns, vs. Saints

Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (16% and 24%)

The Clyde Edwards-Helaire experiment may be done.

Edwards-Helaire, who was selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, was expected to lead the Chiefs backfield this season. He has been on the decline since a hot four-game start to the year — primarily fueled by touchdowns — and recorded zero touches in Kansas City's decisive 27-17 win over the Jaguars. He saw just four snaps all game to Pacheco's 35 and McKinnon's 24.

Pacheco served as the team's primary ground threat. He recorded 16 carries for 82 yards, while McKinnon tallied seven touches for 58 all-purpose yards. Pacheco is currently the RB32 and McKinnon is the RB27 in half-PPR scoring.

McKinnon's role is slightly more game script-proof as the primary pass-catching back, with Pacheco utilized more when the Chiefs are leading. Both could be viable RB3s against the Chargers, whose defense has allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs this year and ranks fourth-worst in rush DVOA.

Next three games: at Chargers, vs. Rams, at Bengals

Jaylen Warren, Steelers (27%)

Warren continues to creep into fantasy relevance. He had a season-high nine carries for 37 yards — plus three receptions for 40 yards — against New Orleans. He is currently the RB24 in half-PPR scoring.

In spite of some rumors to the contrary, Najee Harris remained the Steelers' lead back in Week 10. He recorded 20 carries for 99 yards and edged out Warren as the RB20.

This is still disappointing given Harris was drafted as a top-six running back after finishing as the RB4 in his Pro Bowl rookie season. Harris has been dealing with injuries and has been significantly less efficient than Warren with a 3.3 yards per carry to Warren's 5.3.

Warren may not be a trustworthy starter quite yet, but he is getting there. I think it's just a matter of time before this develops into more of a 60/40 timeshare. At a very minimum, Warren is a high-value insurance policy should Harris ever miss time.

Next three games: vs. Bengals, at Colts, at Falcons

Latavius Murray, Broncos (26%)

Murray had a mediocre game, which seemed to be a bit of a theme this week. He saw a team-high nine carries for 24 yards, caught three passes for 23 yards and is currently the RB33 in half PPR. Melvin Gordon had the slightly better game with 11 touches for 70 all-purpose yards, followed by Chase Edmonds, who rushed twice for nine yards.

In a hypothetical universe in which I wanted to roster a Broncos running back, it would probably be Gordon. He carries the risk of being outright benched given his previous ball security issues, but he still knows the system best and is probably the most talented of this three-headed committee.

Murray could also end up offering some value, especially with the Raiders and Panthers on deck, both of which rank bottom seven in fantasy points allowed to running backs.

Next three games: vs. Raiders, at Panthers, at Ravens

Other running backs to consider: Kyren Williams, Rams (42%), Caleb Huntley, Falcons (14%), Raheem Blackshear, Panthers (1%), James Cook, Bills (18%), Cam Akers, Rams (32%), Matt Breida, Giants (1%)

Fantasy Waiver WRs to Target 

Christian Watson, Packers (9% rostered)

Watson shined in the Packers' thrilling 31-28 overtime victory over the Cowboys. He posted team-highs in every receiving category and reeled in 4-of-8 targets for 107 yards and three touchdowns. (Allen Lazard caught 3-of-4 for 45 yards and Sammy Watkins caught 3-of-3 for 47 yards.)

This was by far the rookie's best game to date in what was, on paper, a very difficult matchup against a top-ranked Cowboys pass defense.

Watson is currently the WR2 in half PPR with one game left to play. I am wary of going all-in quite yet, though I do expect him to see a nice uptick of targets with Romeo Doubs and Randall Cobb out.

The Packers face the Titans in Week 11, whose defense has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. Watson could be in the streaming conversation for Tyreek Hill, Christian Kirk, Jaylen Waddle, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Mike Evans or Chris Godwin managers.

Next three games: vs. Titans, at Eagles, at Bears

DeAndre Carter, Chargers (30%)

Carter, who has stepped up with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams sidelined, served as the Chargers' de facto No. 2 wideout once again in the team's 22-16 loss to the 49ers. He hauled in all four of his targets for a team-high 64 yards and a touchdown. He is currently the WR15 in half-PPR scoring with one game left to play.

Joshua Palmer out-targeted Carter and caught 3-of-8 targets for 44 yards. He should remain the No. 1 while Williams and Allen are out. Both Carter and Palmer could be in line for even more targets if tight end Gerald Everett, who exited the game with a groin injury, misses any time.

The Chargers have a mouthwatering stretch coming up against the Chiefs, Cardinals, Raiders and Dolphins — all of which possess below-average pass defenses, according to Football Outsiders. If Williams and Allen both remain sidelined, Carter could flirt with WR3/flex numbers in each of those matchups.

Next three games: vs. Chiefs, at Cardinals, at Raiders

Darius Slayton, Giants (6%)

After a disappointing Week 8 defeat, Daniel Jones and the Giants bounced back and topped the Texans, 24-16, for their seventh win.

It was (unsurprisingly) the Saquon Barkley show opposite this horrific Texans' run defense, with the Penn State product handling 35 carries for a whopping 152 yards and a touchdown. Slayton also had a nice day and led the team in all receiving categories, with three catches on four targets for 95 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Wan'Dale Robinson was held to two catches for 20 yards.

Slayton is currently the WR12 in half PPR going into Monday night. He could end up being what we hoped Robinson would be after the Giants were stagnant at the trade deadline (outside of trading Kadarius Toney).

Slayton is my preferred Giants receiver and he could be a WR3/flex play next week against the Lions, whose defense ranks 26th in pass DVOA and has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year.

Next three games: vs. Lions, at Cowboys, vs. Commanders

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns (35%)

Despite not having any touchdowns, Peoples-Jones has been a quietly productive fantasy player.

He had his best game of the year against Miami in Week 10, leading the team in all receiving categories. Capitalizing on a soft matchup, DPJ caught 5-of-9 targets for 99 yards, outshining Amari Cooper, who caught 3-of-3 targets for 32 yards.

This was Peoples-Jones' seventh game (of nine) with seven or more fantasy points, and fourth game with double-digit points in half-PPR scoring. He is currently the WR25 in half PPR heading into Monday night and should continue to see a nice boost in targets with tight end David Njoku sidelined.

His next two games are brutal (Buffalo, Tampa Bay), but after that, the Browns take on Houston with Deshaun Watson — not Jacoby Brissett — presumably under center.

Next three games: at Bills, vs. Buccaneers, at Texans

Nico Collins, Texans (13%)

Collins returned from a two-game absence in Week 10 and scored the Texans' lone touchdown, as the team picked up their seventh loss. He recorded season highs in targets and catches and hauled in 5-of-10 for 49 yards.

Collins is currently the WR19 in half-PPR heading into Monday night, which will be his best fantasy finish of the season. He will face three below-average defenses over the next three weeks, starting with Washington, which ranks 25th in pass DVOA and has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers.

Next three games: vs. Commanders, at Dolphins, vs. Browns

Odell Beckham Jr. (47%)

This is a purely speculative add as Beckham has yet to be signed.

The free agent, who's been rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered in the Super Bowl, has been floating around since the end of last season. The teams rumored to be interested in his services are the Bills, Packers, Rams, Cowboys and Giants.

The Packers, Rams and Giants strike me as the neediest of this list. Green Bay or Dallas would likely be Beckham's best bets (though he would already know the Rams' playbook should he rejoin his old squad).

Next three games: Unknown.

Other wide receivers to consider: Julio Jones, Buccaneers (17%), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans (0%), Parris Campbell, Colts (18%), Ben Skowronek, Rams (1%), Van Jefferson (7%), Rams

Fantasy Waiver TEs to Target 

Isaiah Likely, Ravens (22% rostered)

Likely, a popular waiver-wire add after he posted a 6/77/1 line against the Bucs, caught just 1-of-5 targets for 24 yards in Week 9, but salvaged his fantasy day with a touchdown.

He should be a viable starter with Rashod Bateman out for the year and Mark Andrews still on the mend. Baltimore next faces the Panthers and Jaguars, whose defenses rank 27th and 28th, respectively, in pass DVOA. The opportunity, offense and matchup puts Likely into the fringe-TE1 conversation once again (assuming Andrews remains sidelined).

Next three games: vs. Panthers, at Jaguars, vs. Broncos

Juwan Johnson, Saints (12%)

Johnson was spectacular for the third time in four weeks in the Saints' road loss to the Steelers. He caught 5-of-7 targets for 44 yards and a touchdown — his fourth in four weeks — and is currently the TE4 in half-PPR scoring with one game left to play.

Johnson is the TE3 since Week 7, capitalizing on a streak of favorable matchups against the Cardinals, Raiders, Ravens and Steelers — three of which rank bottom-13 in pass DVOA.

In spite of the tougher schedule ahead, he will be a high-end TE2 and potential low-cost streaming option for Mike Gesicki, Noah Fant or Cade Otton managers who need a one-week fill-in. The Rams rank 22nd in pass DVOA, but have been tougher against tight ends as they haved allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position.

Next three games: vs. Rams, at 49ers, at Buccaneers

Foster Moreau, Raiders (16%)

With Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow out, Moreau finally delivered in the Raiders' 25-20 loss to the Colts. He caught 3-of-4 targets for 43 yards and a touchdown — his first since Week 11 in 2021 against the Bengals.

It was also Moreau's best fantasy performance in over a year, which also came when Waller was out. I have reservations about trusting him over the next few weeks, however, with three above-average pass defenses on deck, per Football Outsiders.

That said, the Broncos and Chargers are middle-of-the-road against tight ends and the Seahawks have allowed the most fantasy points to the position.

Next three games: at Broncos, at Seahawks, vs. Chargers

Harrison Bryant, Browns (2%)

Bryant had his best game of the season in the Browns' loss to the Dolphins. He caught all three of his targets for 15 yards and a touchdown and will, in all likelihood, finish as a top-12 tight end this week.

Bryant remains touchdown dependent, though his upside will undoubtedly be higher upon Watson's return. He is a purely deep-league add at this time with the Bills and Buccaneers up next. Those defenses both rank top six in pass DVOA.

Next three games: at Bills, vs. Buccaneers, at Texans

Other tight ends to consider: Hunter Henry, Patriots (27%), Cade Otton, Buccaneers (18%), Noah Fant, Seahawks (13%), Kylen Granson, Colts (0%), Tyler Conklin, Jets (14%)