Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Ezekiel Elliott, Brandin Cooks, Khalil Shakir, Jaleel McLaughlin (Week 11)

The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the waiver wire this week. And also be sure to check out our full waiver wire article for the week. And here is all of our fantasy football Week 11 waiver wire advice.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN): 25% rostered

• Next Opponents: MIN, CLE, @HOU
• True value: $6
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: While last year was the year of seventh-round picks, 2023 has become a banner season for undrafted free-agent rookies. McLaughlin is very similar to Keaton Mitchell in that McLaughlin has already supplanted a veteran who began the season higher on the depth chart (Samaje Perine). McLaughlin has blinding speed and great open-field elusiveness. His role is similar to that of Tyjae Spears, meaning McLaughlin’s range of outcomes is between fringe flex starter and premium stash.

Ezekiel Elliott (NE): 41% rostered

• Next Opponents: BYE, @NYG, LAC
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $6
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Don’t trip over yourself trying to add Ezekiel Elliott this week, but the former All-Pro RB is worthy of a sneaky pre-bye bid if you see him on waivers. Zeke looked spry in Week 10 with 88 scrimmage yards on 15 touches in a timeshare with Rhamondre Stevenson. The QB situation in New England is a putrid mess, but the running game has been solid in recent weeks.

Brandin Cooks (DAL): 38% rostered

• Next Opponents: @CAR, WAS, SEA
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Cooks evoked memories of prime Brandin Cooks in Week 10 with a 22.7% target share, 173 receiving yards and a touchdown. This was easily his best performance to date in a Dallas uniform. We’ll see if he can build upon it moving forward. If so, he could be a strong WR3 down the stretch. Cooks could continue to thrive with soft matchups incoming against Carolina and Washington.

Khalil Shakir (BUF): 17% rostered

• Next Opponents: NYJ, @PHI, BYE
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Shakir has been making the most of his newfound playing time. Since Week 8, Shakir has had a 68.5% route run rate, a 12.8% target share, an 18.2% air-yard share, 2.44 yards per route run and an 8% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). In his two games as a starter, he has finished as the WR24 and the WR32 in weekly scoring. Shakir’s upcoming matchups aren’t glittering, but he is tied to a top-five NFL quarterback. Josh Allen‘s cannon can neutralize plenty of tough secondaries.

Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management

Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:

Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.

Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.

Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.

Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.

Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.

Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.

Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.