Welcome back to the early waiver report! Each week, I’m here on Sundays, going through the early games for potential waiver wire targets. These players are all rostered in fewer than 40% of leagues. Let’s dive into some names I’m thinking about for Week 11!
Early Week 11 Pickups to Add
Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)
Rostered: 25%
Pearsall, the 49ers’ first-round pick in April, missed the first six weeks of the season after being shot through the chest in an armed robbery attempt.
Today, he caught his first NFL touchdown and positioned himself as a priority add on the waiver wire. Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season, so there will be plenty of opportunities for Pearsall to make a name for himself in Kyle Shanahan’s fantasy-friendly offense.
DeMario Douglas (WR – NE)
Rostered: 26.4%
In games when Drake Maye has played a full game, Douglas is averaging five catches and 48 yards. Nobody is predicting the Patriots’ offense will suddenly become high-scoring, so Douglas’ ceiling is limited, but you could do a lot worse if you need to stream a flex option.
Adonai Mitchell (WR – IND)
Rostered: 8.2%
Michael Pittman didn’t play today, leaving room for Mitchell to catch a career-high six passes for 71 yards. Mitchell is an explosive 2024 second-round pick out of Texas, and the Colts should be force-feeding him targets as they look to build a solid core for the future.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – NO)
Rostered: 0.6%
The Saints are hurting for pass catchers, as evidenced by MVS, who joined the team in Week Nine, catching each of his three targets for 109 yards and two touchdowns today. He’s a big play threat with a low floor and high ceiling.
Cam Akers (RB – MIN)
Rostered: 16.4%
Aaron Jones left today’s game but ultimately returned. Akers is Jones’s handcuff and should Jones miss any time, Akers becomes a flex consideration. Akers had 13 carries for 38 yards and one catch for nine yards today. If Jones’ injury turns out to be nothing, I’d leave Akers on the waiver wire unless I roster Jones.
Audric Estime (RB – DEN)
Rostered: 1.1%
Estime, a 2024 fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame, generated lots of hype in camp this summer. Unfortunately, he promptly landed in the IR after week one. He’s back now, however, and slowly making his way into the Broncos’ backfield rotation. Since returning in Week 6, he’s averaging five yards per carry on 27 carries.
He’s a stash for now, but his career-high 14 carries today included some crucial work late in the fourth quarter. That’s a sign of trust. I wouldn’t be surprised if the rookie works his way into a larger role as the season progresses.
Samaje Perine (RB – KC)
Rostered: 3.9%
There aren’t any home run waiver wire options at running back at the moment, and Perine is certainly far from a home run. However, he’s the pass-catching back in Kansas City, and targets are more valuable than carries in terms of fantasy value for running backs. Over his last five games, Perine is averaging 28 receiving yards per game.
Drake Maye (QB – NE)
Rostered: 11.6%
Of all sub-40% rostered quarterbacks who played before Sunday late afternoon, Maye is my favorite in terms of fantasy stock moving forward.
His 184 yards, touchdown and interception today wasn’t anything to write home about, but the rookie has the Los Angeles Rams next weekend. Coming into today’s games, the Rams are allowing the 10th-most passing yards per game in the NFL. Miami, a tough matchup, follows that game, but three weeks from now Maye and the Patriots take on Indianapolis, another favorable matchup.
Theo Johnson (TE – NYG)
Rostered: 2.9%
Johnson, a 2024 fourth-round pick out of Penn State, has found a role in the Giants’ offense over the last three weeks. In his last three games he has 16 targets, 10 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. I certainly don’t see him as TE1 but if you need a band-aid during a bye week or want a speculative add, Johnson fits the bill.
Miami Dolphins Defense/Special Teams
Rostered: 25.5%
The Dolphins, who play tomorrow night, play the Raiders and Patriots in their next two games. Those matchups are enough to make just about any defense viable in fantasy.
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