The Wire - Week 11
By Levi Ellis
Week 10 in the books and on to week 11. For most leagues the playoffs start in week 14 which means you have three weeks left to solidify your playoff spot and shoot for that first round bye. The best way to do that is continue to churn your roster. Out with the old and in with the new.
Week 11 Byes - Buffalo, Chicago, New York Giants & San Francisco
Quarterbacks
Tier 1 Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston - If Brees misses time run to the waiver wire to grab this guy. He may have thrown 30 interceptions last year but he also threw 30 touchdowns and for over 5,000 yards. The Saints also have an amazing matchup this week against the Falcons. 25% of your remaining FAAB.
Tier 2 Quarterbacks
Alex Smith - 38/55 390 yards, 2 carries, 4 yards - Smith has brought life to the passing game. He won’t throw it 55 times every week but he will keep his team in the game and he rarely turns over the football. 10% of your remaining FAAB.
Honorable Mentions (Tier 3 Quarterbacks):
Tua Tagovailoa - 15/25 169 yards, 2 tds, 6 carries, -1 yards - He should only get better with time. Minimum bid only.
Running Backs
Tier 1 Running Backs
Wayne Gallman - 18 carries, 53 yards, 2 tds, 2 targets, 1 catch, 7 yards - With the news late last week that Devonta Freeman was being placed on the IR, Gallman’s stock soared. His performance this week only increases that demand. You must pick this guy up immediately if he’s still available. 40% of your remaining FAAB.
Duke Johnson - 14 carries, 54 yards, 1 target - Same situation for Duke. David Johnson was placed on IR so this backfield belongs to the Duke. He should have volume for at least two more weeks. 40% of your remaining FAAB.
JD McKissic - 8 carries, 6 yards, 1 td, 15 targets, 7 catches, 43 yards - Tell me he’s not still available in your league. If he is, pick this guy up. 14 targets two weeks ago and 15 last. You dream of opportunities like that.
Kalen Ballage - 18 carries, 68 yards, 6 targets, 5 catches, 34 yards - I don’t know what’s harder to believe, Ballage being listed as a waiver wire pickup or the fact that he’s actually been effective. Ekeler could be back at any time but until he is Ballage seems to have the volume in this run offense. 40% of your remaining FAAB.
Nyheim Hines - 12 carries, 70 yards, 1 td, 6 targets, 5 catches, 45 yards, 1 td - He looks like the best running back on this team and it’s not close. Question is will the coaching staff give him the most opportunities but unfortunately I don’t think they will. 30% of your remaining FAAB.
Tier 2 Running Backs
Salvon Ahmed - 21 carries, 85 yards, 1 td, 1 target, 1 catch, 5 yards - There’s at least one more week until Gaskins is back and Ahmed has played well. Take advantage of the volume. Oh and guess who they play this week, it’s Denver. Did you see what the Raiders run game just did to Denver last week? 25% of your remaining FAAB.
Damien Harris - 22 carries, 121 yards - The Patriots may finally be adapting to having one primary ball carrier in their offense. Harris has had no problem gaining yards in the run game but he’s only scored one touchdown on the year and he’s only caught two passes. 25% of your remaining FAAB.
Honorable Mentions (Tier 3 Running Backs):
Alex Collins - 11 carries, 43 yards, 1 td, 2 targets, 1 catch, 4 yards - Only if Carson and Hyde are still out. Minimum bid only.
Malcolm Brown - 6 carries, 33 yards, 2 tds, 2 targets, 2 catches, 18 yards - It’s hard to know which week to start him but you could do worse. Minimum bid only.
Devontae Booker - 16 carries, 81 yards, 2 tds, 1 target, 1 catch, 2 yards - Booker has proven to be a handcuff that is a must own. Minimum bid only.
Zack Moss - 7 carries, 20 yards, 2 targets, 1 catch, -3 yards - Last week wasn’t a great game for Moss but he still got more carries than Singletary and he has a ton of talent. Minimum bid only.
Myles Gaskin - Just in case someone in your league dropped him. He has a chance to be back after this week. Minimum bid only.
Wide Receivers
Tier 1 Wide Receivers
Michael Pittman - 8 targets, 7 catches, 101 yards - It took 9 weeks before we saw the type of talent that Pittman is but don’t be quick to write this off as a one week wonder. Pittman is a star in the making and it’s finally time for him to shine. 60% of your remaining FAAB.
Marvin Jones - 10 targets, 8 catches, 96 yards, 1 td - Unlikely that he’s available but if so snatch him up. Golladay will likely be back soon too. 40% of your remaining FAAB.
Jakobi Meyers - 7 targets, 5 catches, 59 yards, 1/1 passing 24 yards, 1 td - The last two weeks have been impressive. I’m not sure if we are seeing a glimpse of the future for New England's passing game or if Meyers is just a replacement player but either way pick him up if you can. 25% of your remaining FAAB.
Allen Lazard - He may finally be back this week. Although I’ve said that each of the last two weeks too. 20% of your remaining FAAB.
Tier 2 Wide Receivers
Cole Beasley - 13 targets, 11 catches, 109 yards, 1 td - Cole Beasley reminded people that he’s still there. 20% of your remaining FAAB.
KJ Hamler - 10 targets, 4 catches, 50 yards - Lock has been erratic at times but you have to love the 10 targets that Hamler received. 20% of your remaining FAAB.
Keelan Cole - 7 targets, 5 catches, 47 yards, 1 td, 3 punt returns, 113 yards, 1 td - Keelan Cole had a monster game last week. I would love to see this guy play with a proven QB and offense. 15% of your remaining FAAB.
Darius Slayton - 7 targets, 5 catches, 93 yards - Slayton is a boom or bust player. If you need upside in your matchup then he’s your guy. If you need a stable floor then look elsewhere. 10% of your remaining FAAB.
Honorable Mentions (Tier 3 Wide Receivers):
Marquez Valdes-Scantling - 6 targets, 4 catches, 149 yards, 1 td - If I trusted him he would not be in the Honorable Mentions section. 10% of your remaining FAAB.
Alshon Jeffery - Jeffery made his first appearance last week and although it wasn’t impressive, he’s still could easily be a focal point of that offense. Minimum bid only.
Willie Snead - 7 targets, 5 catches, 64 yards, 2 tds - I would stay away because the Raven’s passing offense has been a mess but I didn’t feel right leaving him out of the article when he had 2 touchdowns last week. Minimum bid only.
Daesean Hamilton - 6 targets, 4 catches, 33 yards, 1 td - He’s been involved the last few weeks. Minimum bid only.
Jakeem Grant - 5 targets, 4 catches, 43 yards, 1 td - With Preston Williams out for the year someone has to step up and fill the vacated role in the offense. This game it was Grant. Minimum bid only.
Isaiah Wright , Cam Sims & Steven Sims - All three guys had at least 5 targets last week. Minimum bid only.
Chris Conley - 8 targets, 4 catches, 43 yards - Low priority but 8 targets mean something. Minimum bid only.
Greg Ward - 6 targets, 5 catches, 39 yards - With Reagor and Jeffery both being out there last week it’s hard to understand how Greg Ward stil got 6 targets. Minimum bid only.
Tight Ends
Logan Thomas - 6 targets, 4 catches, 66 yards - Thomas may be a lot more involved and consistent moving forward now that Alex Smith is the QB. 10% of your remaining FAAB.
Players to Drop (redraft leagues)
Drew Lock - only in one QB leagues
Jake Luton - The weather was rough but so was his performance. Minshew may also be back soon.
Leonard Fournette - You can’t start him with confidence right now
JaMycal Hasty - Injured
JerIck McKinnon - proceed with caution but with a bye on tap this week and Mosterst’s pending return and the Rams stout run D in week 12 he’s likely to be mostly uninvolved moving forward
Joshua Kelley - Have you seen him play
Adrian Peterson - His time of getting consistent touches may finally be up
Kerryon Johnson - Can’t start him with confidence
James White - Waste of a roster spot
Gus Edwards & Mark Ingram - When you have three running backs you have zero. I just can’t bring myself to include JK Dobbins on this list yet though
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown - It’s time
Hunter Renfrow - Passing offense isn't consistent
Scotty Miller - Unless one of the WRs get hurt he doesn’t have a role
N’Keal Harry - There’s not a role for him right now
Check me out on Twitter @justanoguysff
