We’re into the double-digit weeks now and finding the depth you need for a playoff push has never been more important. These are the waiver wire stashes you should be looking to pluck off waivers now rather than wait until after this week’s games are over and everyone’s attention has shifted to them. All players listed are available in at around 50% of Yahoo leagues.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Stashes Ahead of Week 11
Russell Wilson (QB – PIT): 20% Rostered
The Steelers were widely derided for benching Justin Fields for Russell Wilson, but like most things that happen in Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin’s decision seems to have been vindicated. Wilson finished as the QB3 in his Week 7 debut before a not-so-fun QB21 finish against the Giants. However, it was encouraging to see Wilson pass for over 260 yards in both games with zero interceptions.
The Steelers are fighting for their playoff chances and jobs in 2025, and the stretch run won’t be easy with all six division games still to play. Wilson plays the Ravens in Week 11, who give up the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, followed by a game against the Browns, whose defense has regressed plenty this season. Then Wilson plays the Bengals in Week 13, who also rank in the top five in fantasy points allowed.
Drake Maye (QB – NE): 13% Rostered
In three full games, Drake Maye has totaled 151 rushing yards, 725 passing yards and six touchdowns, as well as notching 46 rushing yards and a touchdown in the game he left after 20 snaps. Maye might not have enough weapons around him to make him a true ceiling play, but with bye weeks coming thick and fast in the next few weeks, having a quarterback on your roster who can put up 19+ points, like Maye has done in two of his full games, is valuable. Maye has games coming up against the Rams’ awful defense, followed by Miami and then another fun matchup against the Colts.
Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT): 49% Rostered
For those of us who believed in Jaylen Warren heading into this year, it’s been a rough outing with Warren finishing no higher than RB34 at any point as Najee Harris has looked more explosive and capable than at any other point in his career. Warren does have four finishes between RB34 and RB39, out of the six games he’s been available for, and that kind of scoring is Flex-worthy when bye weeks are thrown into the mix.
With the Steelers’ schedule set to get much tougher down the stretch than they’ve faced so far, Warren could see more pass-catching work if the Steelers are taken out of their run-first approach. In 2023, Warren saw 74 targets, the sixth-most at the position. If things stop going the Steelers’ way so often, things could start going Warren’s way more often.
Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL): 42% Rostered
If you’ve been reading this article all year, you’ll be very familiar with the Tyler Allgeier stance we have taken in these parts. Simply put he’s one of the best two or three running back handcuffs in the league who should be rostered everywhere.
Allgeier has another matchup this week where he may well have standalone value against a Saints team that ranks 31st in run defense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) and allows the seventh-most running back fantasy points. Allgeier has had four top-36 performances this year, including one in Week 9. As the season goes on, we shouldn’t be surprised to see Atlanta try and keep him involved for a potential playoff run.
Gus Edwards (RB – LAC): 17% Rostered
J.K. Dobbins has been less explosive as the season has worn on. While it’s still remarkable he’s looked as good as he has, it might not be completely surprising to see Gus Edwards earn a role shortly with his return from injured reserve (IR) on the horizon.
Edwards had an undisclosed offseason surgery and never looked right through training camp. The Chargers placed Edwards on IR in the hope he’d be healthy for the stretch run. Kimani Vidal has done little to secure his own role, managing 40 yards and a touchdown on his first touch, followed by 42 yards on 15 touches since.
Trey Benson (RB – ARI): 17% Rostered
While Kimani Vidal might be failing at his chance to earn a role, Trey Benson isn’t. Benson has consistently averaged 20-30% of the running back snaps for the Cardinals and averages six touches per game for 26.2 yards.
Those might not be the most impressive numbers, but it’s worth noting the Cardinals are using Benson in both the ground game and through the air. Should anything happen to James Conner, Benson would be elevated into a very strong role. Conner hasn’t played over 13 games in any of his eight seasons in the NFL.
Cam Akers (RB – MIN): 12% Rostered
Last up in our running back handcuff mentions is Cam Akers, who the Vikings traded for, bringing him back to Minnesota after an ill-fated first stay in 2023 when Akers tore his Achilles for the second time in his career.
The coaching staff have familiarity with Akers from their shared time with the Rams and seem to be bought in on his skillset. In Week 9, Akers saw a 23% opportunity share compared to Ty Chandler‘s 10%. This was the second time in three weeks Chandler recorded below four carries. Akers seems like the handcuff to roster in Minnesota.
Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE): 46% Rostered
In two full games Jameis Winston has started, Jerry Jeudy finished with 5/79 and 7/73, finishing as a top-36 PPR wide receiver in both weeks. Cedric Tillman has garnered all the hype, and deservedly so, but Jeudy isn’t far off matching Tillman’s production, outside of touchdowns, and they tend to be quite a variable metric. The Browns extended Jerry Jeudy after trading for him and seeing him as a part of their future. It shouldn’t be surprising to see him consistently involved.
Jalen McMillan (WR – TB): 24% Rostered
It was disappointing for Jalen McMillan to miss Week 9 because of injury when it looked like things were finally setting up for a breakout for the promising rookie, but he’s still worth rostering going forward. The Bucs will be without Mike Evans for at least a couple more weeks. When he does come back, he’ll take some of the better coverage away from McMillan, helping the rookie further.
Baker Mayfield has been balling out this year and is well on his way to a Pro Bowl appearance. Tampa’s pass defense ranks 18th in DVOA, keeping the offense in pass-happy scripts, which benefits the pass-catchers. McMillan might not have blown up yet, but there’s plenty of time for him to do so.
Taysom Hill (TE – NO): 49% Rostered
With the injuries to Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (meniscus), Taysom Hill is starting to look like he could have a massive role the rest of the way. In Week 9, Hill saw a season-high 47% route participation with five targets as well as five rush attempts. He finished with 16.0 PPR points.
The Saints seem to be trying to paint a positive picture despite the injuries. It might be easier without Dennis Allen as head coach with him losing his job this week. However, the defense has been poor all season and now no longer has Marshon Lattimore either, so the chances are the offense will have to keep trying to put up points, meaning Hill will likely stay plenty involved.
Jonnu Smith (TE – MIA): 21% Rostered
It’s been inconsistent for Jonnu Smith this year without any consecutive finishes inside the top 12 of fantasy tight ends. Some trends deserve attention, though. In games with Tua Tagovailoa, Smith has a 19.4% target share, which is 6% greater than Jaylen Waddle and trails only De’Von Achane and Tyreek Hill. If Smith had averaged that target share across the entire season he’d have the eighth-best tight end target share. It might not be pretty, but with bye weeks coming up, he makes for an OK fantasy start sit option.
Houston Texans D/ST: 45% Rostered
After a tough game against the Lions, the Texans play the Cowboys with Cooper Rush, followed by the Titans with Will Levis or Mason Rudolph at quarterback and then the Jaguars potentially with Mac Jones under center. If you need any more convincing, re-read the previous sentence one more time.
Green Bay Packers D/ST: 30% Rostered
The Packers’ defense is one of six teams with double-digit interceptions. They could add to those with a Week 11 matchup against the Bears, who once again find themselves in a pit of despair.
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