Week 11 Quick Grades (2022 Fantasy Football Start or Sit Advice)

Welcome to Week 11, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

Want to read about only your players? Sync your team (free) to get My Primer

Week 11 QB Start/Sit Grades 

Notes

Justin Fields: Since Week 5, Fields has been on another level. He’s averaging 100.3 rushing yards per game with five rushing touchdowns while putting highlight-reel plays on tape weekly. Over that span, he’s also expanded upon his abilities as a passer completing 62.8% of his passes with a 99.6 passer rating (eighth-highest). Over his last six games, he’s sixth in success rate and seventh in EPA + CPOE composite. Fields is a top-five fantasy option again this week. Atlanta is eighth in fantasy points per game allowed to quarterbacks while ranking fifth in yards per attempt and tenth in passing touchdowns.

Marcus Mariota: Simple weekly rule. Enjoy Marcus Mariota‘s fantasy production, but for the love of everything holy and sacred in this world, don’t watch him play quarterback. Last week Mariota made bonehead mistake after bonehead mistake while trying to do too much with each play. He looked like me playing backyard football after watching Patrick Mahomes‘ highlights. It wasn’t pretty. Since Week 5, he’s been the QB13 in fantasy, ranking 11th in yards per attempt. The downside is in that timeframe, he’s also logged the tenth-highest turnover-worthy play rate and is 27th in adjusted completion rate. Mariota again sits at the borderline of QB1 status this week, taking on a Bears’ secondary that’s faltering. Over their last three games, Chicago is 32nd in pass defense DVOA giving up the highest yards per attempt and passer rating in the NFL.

Josh Allen: Last week despite all the drama around his status, Allen did Allen things. He was the QB5 in fantasy, tying for the most big-time throws (three) for the week and sitting at 14th in adjusted completion rate. Allen also showed no hesitancy in taking off from the pocket as he also rolled up 84 yards on the ground with six carries. Allen remains the top fantasy quarterback overall weekly. He should have no issues carving up the Browns. Cleveland has allowed the tenth-highest success rate per dropback, seventh-highest EPA per drop back, and seventh-highest passing touchdown rate. Allen should have all day in the pocket against a pass rush that’s 26th in pressure rate.

Zach Wilson: Since Week 5, Wilson has had one top-12 finish, which happened to come against the Patriots, but this was an ugly outing by Wilson. He completed 48.8% of his passes, with 7.0% of his passes classified as turnover-worthy plays. Wilson is a volatile QB2. This season he has remained a weekly passenger on the struggle bus, ranking 36th in PFF passing grade and 30th in adjusted completion rate with the second-highest turnover-worthy play rate (minimum 100 dropbacks). New England has held opposing passers to the lowest success rate and EPA per dropback. The Patriots are also 12th in explosive pass rate allowed.

Mac Jones: Jones has been unstartable in fantasy this season. Jones has only mustered one week this season above QB19. He has yet to throw for multiple touchdown passes in a game and has only one week where he’s finished with higher than 7.3 yards per attempt. The Jets don’t offer any hope that a turnaround will occur in Week 11. New York has blanketed passing attacks limiting them to the sixth-lowest success rate per dropback and seventh-lowest EPA per dropback. This secondary has held quarterbacks to the tenth-fewest fantasy points per game. Don’t play Jones.

Jared Goff: Goff started the season on fire, but his ceiling has recently been nerfed. Since Week 5, Goff has one week where he’s finished higher than the QB15 (QB14) in fantasy. Goff hasn’t played lights out this season, but this can be attributed to a few factors out of his control. Among them are Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s health, the trade of T.J. Hockenson, D’Andre Swift‘s limited snaps, and D.J. Chark being lost to injury. Goff has always been an “Andy Dalton-Esque” sum-of-the-parts type of quarterback. Well, most of the shiny cogs of this offense have blown out, been traded in, or have rusted. Goff should deliver solid QB2 numbers against a Giants secondary that’s 18th in passing yards per game, 17th in EPA per drop back, and 28th in explosive pass rate allowed.

Daniel Jones: Jones is the QB14 in fantasy points per game with two top ten weeks on his resume. Jones’ weekly ceiling comes from his rushing ability as the Giants remain steadfast in their run-heavy game plan. Jones is 22nd in pass attempts, 23rd in passing yards, and 23rd in passing touchdowns. He has been efficient with this volume, ranking ninth in fantasy points per dropback, ninth in accuracy rating, and eighth in true passer rating. Jones is fourth in rushing yards, fourth in red zone carries, and fifth in rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks. The Lions offer a spot for another QB1 week. They are 27th in passing yards per game, 30th in EPA per drop back, and 31st in explosive pass rate allowed. Detroit has allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Jones is a borderline QB1.

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.

Week 11 WR Start/Sit Grades

Notes

Amon-Ra St. Brown: In St. Brown’s six healthy games, he’s been a target vacuum with a 32.3% target share (10.3 targets per game), averaging 82.7 receiving yards with 2.67 yards per route run. Despite his ridiculous volume, he has only three touchdowns this season which can be traced to his seven red zone targets (31st). He’s only been targeted downfield three times as well. St. Brown is a volume-based WR1 weekly. With the Lions’ injury-depleted depth chart St. Brown has run about 51% of his routes on the perimeter since Week 8. He’ll see Adoree Jackson (53.7% catch rate, 85.3 passer rating) and Fabian Moreau (54.5% catch rate, 90.2 passer rating) in coverage for a little over half of his routes.

Darius Slayton: Since Week 5, Slayton has a 20.3% target share with a 37.1% air-yard share as the WR32 in fantasy. During this five-game span, he’s 11th in PFF receiving grade and sixth in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets). One of the underrated accomplishments of Brian Daboll is playing a talented player like Slayton, whom previous regimes foolishly buried. Slayton only has three deep targets and three red zone targets this season. He hasn’t sniffed a red zone target since Week 6. If he gets into the endzone this week, it’s likely going to have come on a long play. Slayton is a WR3 that will run about 70% of his routes against Jeffrey Okudah (70% catch rate, 100.1 passer rating), Jerry Jacobs (career: 64.3% catch rate, 87.8 passer rating), and Mike Hughes (74.1% catch rate, 118.3 passer rating). Since Week 8, the Lions have deployed their corners in zone on 59-60% of their snaps. Slayton has seen 71.4% of his target volume against zone coverage this season. He ranks 24th in PFF receiving grade against zone and 19th in yards per route run (minimum ten zone targets).

D.J. Moore: After bouncing back in Weeks 7-8 with 10.5 targets, 6.5 receptions, and 110.5 receiving yards per game, Moore has returned to the doldrums. Over the last two games, he’s averaged six targets, three receptions, and 26.5 receiving yards as his quarterback play has been atrocious, and the team has attempted to grind out wins. Moore has a 27.9% target share (12th) and 44.1% air yard share (second), as he’s proven that he is not the problem. He’s seventh in deep targets. The quarterback play is. If the matchup is right and he can get catchable targets, Moore can produce weekly with the best wide receivers in the league. Unfortunately, Mayfield’s pop gun arm and the Ravens’ secondary don’t look friendly this week. The hope for Moore is the team falls behind early, and the Panthers are forced to throw. Moore is a WR3 that will run about 60% of his routes against Marlon Humphrey (69.2% catch rate, 67.4 passer rating) and Marcus Peters (65.9% catch rate, 110.2 passer rating).

Devin Duvernay: In the three games without Rashod Bateman, Duvernay has a 16.2% target share (4.3 targets per game), averaging 24.3 receiving yards. He’s finished as the WR26, WR78, and WR84. Which one of these weeks looks like the outlier? Duvernay is a replacement-level talent that isn’t a target earner. He’s too volatile to trust this late in the season on a low-volume passing offense. Sit Duvernay.

Terry McLaurin: McLaurin is a baller. Heinicke has been a godsend because he understands this fact. Just throw him the ball, and he’ll make good things happen. Since Week 7 with Heinicke under center, McLaurin has a 31.9% target share (nine targets per game), averaging 92.5 receiving yards per game with an otherworldly 55.8% air yard share. In these last four games, McLaurin has finished as the WR11, WR17, WR26, AND WR10. The only knock on his usage is that he has only one touchdown and one red zone target with Heinicke. Since Week 7, McLaurin has been fourth in PFF receiving grade and tenth in yards per route run (minimum ten targets). McLaurin is a WR2 that will run about 67% of his routes against Steven Nelson (60.6% catch rate, 75.1 passer rating) and Derek Stingley (67.3% catch rate, 84.9 passer rating). If McLaurin can make Darius Slay and James Bradberry look foolish, there isn’t a cornerback that he can’t win against.

Tee Higgins: Without Chase in the lineup, Higgins has a 22.2% target share (seven targets per game) with a 38.4% air yard share and 1.6 yards per route run. Overall Higgins is the WR27 in fantasy with a 23.3% target share and 2.09 yards per route run in his healthy games played. Higgins has four red zone targets over his last four games. Higgins will run about 77% of his routes against Levi Wallace (57.1% catch rate, 81.6 passer rating) and Cameron Sutton (57.1% catch rate, 83.9 passer rating). Higgins is a WR2 that could explode this week.

Tyler Boyd: Since Week 8, Boyd has had a 15.9% target share and 24.9% air yard share with 1.23 yards per route run. Without Chase, he has finished as the WR28 and WR32. He’s had consistent red zone involvement with one red zone target in each of his last three games. Boyd is 25th in PFF receiving grade and 51st in yards per route run (minimum 20 targets). He’ll run about 81% of his routes from the slot against Arthur Maulet (76% catch rate, 115.4 passer rating). Pittsburgh has allowed the most fantasy points per game to slot wide receivers. Boyd is a low-end WR/high-end WR3.

Diontae Johnson: With Pickett under center, Johnson has a 23.3% target share, 45.5% end zone target share, and 36.4% air yard share (1.09 yards per route run). Over his last five games, he’s finished as WR3 or higher only once (WR36). Johnson is a massive touchdown regression candidate. Over the last five games, he has had ten red zone targets without scoring a touchdown. Johnson is a WR3 that will run about 89% of his routes against Eli Apple (60% catch rate, 97.0 passer rating) and Cam Taylor-Britt (85.7% catch rate, 158.3 passer rating).

George Pickens: In Pickett’s full games as a starter, Pickens has a 13.2% target share with a 21.7% air yard share (1.03 yards per route run). In those four weeks, Pickens has finished as a top 36 wide receiver three times (WR21, WR12, WR26). Pickens has four red zone targets over his last five games. He will run about 87% of his routes against Apple and Taylor-Britt as a WR3.

Week 11 RB Start/Sit Grades

Notes

David Montgomery: With Khalil Herbert headed to the IR, Montgomery likely goes back to a bellcow workload. Since Week 8 he’s owned the backfield even with Herbert. Over that stretch he’s averaged 14.4 touches and 54.3 total yards playing 66-70% of snaps. He finished between RB35-RB38 weekly. The absence of Herbert could push Montgomery’s carries into the 20-plus range which he hasn’t enjoyed all season (season high of 17 carries Week 1). Montgomery has no second gear in the open field, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t an effective rusher ranking 10th in juke rate and evaded tackles (one breakaway run all season). Montgomery is a volume-based RB2 in a good matchup. Atlanta has allowed the fourth-highest rushing success rate while giving up the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. The Falcons are 28th in adjusted line yards and 26th in EPA per rush.

Cordarrelle Patterson: Since his return, Patterson has been bubble wrapped as the Falcons have deployed a four-headed backfield monster. Patterson has averaged 38.5% of the snaps, ten touches and 36.5 total yards in this two game sample. With his snaps and volume being capped, he’s a weekly RB3 dart throw. Patterson is 41st in yards after contact per attempt, 27th in breakaway rate, and 48th in PFF’s elusive rating (minimum 25 carries). Patterson would be a smash play with massive upside if his workload was more substantial. The Bears are 28th in rushing yards per game, 27th in explosive run rate, and fourth in fantasy points per game allowed.

Tyler Allgeier: Allgeier is another RB3/4 flex dart. Over the last two weeks, he’s averaged 11 touches and 63 total yards. Allgeier and Patterson have split the passing game role, with Allgeier seeing two targets per game. He’s 23rd in yards after contact per attempt and 37th in PFF’s elusive rating (minimum 25 carries). Allgeier has been more effective as a rusher as the season has worn on, surpassing 3.00 yards after contact per attempt in three of his last five games. Relying on any back from this team is playing with fire as the volume is spliced up, and Arthur Smith seems to pull names out of a hat for red zone touches.

Devin Singletary: Singletary still has a firm command of the Bills’ backfield. Nyheim Hines played only six snaps running four routes. James Cook stole some red zone work, but Singletary still held the upper hand inside the 20-yard line. Over the last two weeks, Singletary has averaged 13 touches and 47.5 total yards while playing 73% of the snaps. Singletary still isn’t breaking tackles, ranking 46th in juke rate and 35th in evaded tackles, but he has been able to break some big gainers sitting at 22nd in breakaway runs. Cleveland remains abysmal, attempting to stop the run, ranking 23rd in rushing yards per game, 32nd in EPA per rush, and 28th in explosive run rate allowed. The Browns have surrendered the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Singletary is a low-end RB2.

Miles Sanders: Sanders is the RB20 in fantasy averaging 17.1 touches and 83.6 total yards per game. Over his last three games, he’s only logged one contest with at least 15 carries. He should see his workload tick upward again this week against the Colts. Sanders hasn’t displayed the same home run ability as previous seasons, ranking 37th in breakaway run rate, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been an effective rusher. Sanders is 28th in yards after contact per attempt, 12th in missed tackles forced, and fifth in runs of ten-plus yards (minimum 25 carries). Before Josh Jacobs flopped last week, since Week 4, the Colts were 20th in rushing yards per game and 17th in explosive run rate allowed. Since Week 4, they are 12th in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs. Sanders is an RB2 with RB1 upside this week.

Jonathan Taylor: Taylor looked fully back last week, toting the ball 22 times for 147 yards on the ground with 2.91 yards after contact per attempt, which is his third-highest mark of the season. Taylor managed two runs of at least ten yards, along with a 66-yard scamper. Taylor was an every-down bell cow playing 94% of the snaps with a 78,1% route run rate. Taylor can stack explosive games this week against a run defense that has struggled this season and is still without Jordan Davis. Philadelphia has allowed the highest rushing success rate this season. They are also 20th in rushing yards per game, 31st in EPA per rush, and 23rd in explosive run rate allowed. Taylor is a locked-in RB1.

Michael Carter: Since the arrival of Robinson, Carter has averaged 12 touches and 73.5 total yards (54% snaps). He finished as the RB30 and RB10 in fantasy. Carter has split the early down work with Robinson while hogging all the pass-game routes. Carter has seen his efficiency bounce back to last year’s levels. He’s 20th in juke rate, tenth in breakaway run rate, and 15th in yards created per touch. Carter is left to deal with a Patriots’ run defense that’s tightened up. Since Week 5, they are seventh in rushing yards per game, third in EPA per rush, and eighth in explosive run rate allowed. Carter has a 10.6% target share (18th) this season, ranking 11th in yards per route run. His best hope for a productive week is adding to his fantasy score via the passing game. Since Week 5, the Patriots have allowed the second-highest yards per reception to running backs. Carter is a low-end RB2/high-end RB3.

James Robinson: Robinson is a touchdown-or-bust RB4. Since arriving in New York, he’s averaged 31% of snaps played with ten touches and 35 total yards. With only a minimal red zone role and a non-existent pass game role (three total targets), if you’re playing Robinson, you’re praying for a goalline dive against a team that’s allowed only two touchdowns to running backs all season.

Week 11 TE Start/Sit Grades

Notes

Tyler Higbee: Higbee is the TE10 in fantasy points per game, commanding a mountainous 20.6% target share (fourth) and 10.6% air yard share. Higbee is third in raw target volume among tight ends. Stafford has looked his way five times (17th) inside the 20. Higbee is ranked 16th in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets). He’s a low-end TE1 staring down one of the league’s best defenses against the position. New Orleans is first in DVOA, allowing the lowest catch rate, eighth-lowest yards per reception, and only one receiving touchdown.

Juwan Johnson: Johnson is on a more slippery slope after his route run rate dropped to 64.5% last week, with Adam Trautman working more. Trautman may be utilized more this week which would crush Johnson. Johnson is the TE14 in fantasy points per game with a 13.2% target share (21st), four deep targets (tenth), and six red zone looks (11th). Johnson is a TE2. Los Angeles has been brutal for tight ends giving up the fifth-lowest catch rate, second-fewest receiving yards, and only two receiving touchdowns.

Foster Moreau: Since Week 7, Moreau has played at least 96% of the snaps weekly with a 16.5% target share and 1.13 yards per route run. Over the last four weeks, he’s seen only two red zone targets which both came last week. Moreau is a borderline TE1/2. Denver is sixth in DVOA against the position holding tight ends to the 11th-lowest yards per reception. The Broncos have faced the eighth-most tight end targets and rank 13th in receiving yards as opposing teams attempt to stay away from their cornerbacks.

Greg Dulcich: Last week was Dulcich’s first game outside the top 12 fantasy tight ends. He was TE11, TE7, and TE9 in his first three NFL games. He’s garnered a 15.6% target share (14th) with six deep targets (fifth) in only four games. Dulcich is tenth in yards per route run. Las Vegas is 20th in DVOA, allowing the fourth-most receiving touchdowns and eighth-highest fantasy points per game to tight ends. Dulcich is a TE1.

Hayden Hurst: Hurst is the TE13 in fantasy with TE19 and TE14 weeks without Chase in the lineup. Hurst has a 14.5% target share (17th) this season while ranking tenth in route participation. Hurst is tenth in red zone targets among tight ends. Hurst is a TE2 squaring off against one of the best teams in the league at defending the position. Pittsburgh is fourth in DVOA, holding tight ends to the seventh-lowest catch rate and the tenth-fewest fantasy points per game.

Pat Freiermuth: Freiermuth has been knocking at the door of massive games all season long. Freiermuth has only one touchdown this season while logging three games of at least 75 receiving yards. He’s the TE8 in fantasy points per game with a 19.4% target share (sixth) and 19.8% air yard share (fifth). Freiermuth is second in deep targets (nine) among tight ends with five red zone looks. The Bengals are a middle-of-the-road defense against the position, ranking 16th in catch rate and 19th in yards per reception. Freiermuth has a massive game coming when he can string a touchdown with these receiving yardage totals. He’s a weekly TE1.

Jack Stoll: Stoll is a deep league matchup-based desperation heave. Stoll could easily split routes and snaps with Tyree Jackson and Grant Calcaterra until Dallas Goedert is healed up. Stoll has one red zone target this season, with a 2.8% target share and 0.62 yards per route run. He’s decently athletic, with an 87th percentile agility score, but his speed score is only in the 60th percentile. The Colts give up production by the bunches to tight ends, which is the only reason I’m mentioning him. Indy is 28th in DVOA against tight ends allowing the third-highest catch rate, 12th-highest yards per reception, and ninth-most receptions.

Week 11 D/ST Start/Sit Grades

Week 11 K Start/Sit Grades