Mike Fanelli | Fri, Nov 15th 2024, 6:25am EST

6 Last-Minute Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements (Week 11)

Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be highly frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than needing to make a last-minute waiver-wire move because someone in your starting lineup is out for the week.

Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, I’m going to try to help.

Every week, I will have six players you can grab off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your lineup. Some will succeed, while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how the game of fantasy football is played. Let’s dive into my six last-minute waiver wire targets for Week 11.

Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements

All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.

Jameis Winston (QB – CLE) vs. New Orleans Saints (7.9% Rostered)

Winston has started two games this season, showing fantasy players the good and the bad with the veteran quarterback. He was outstanding in his first start, completing 65.9% of his pass attempts for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and 23.6 fantasy points against the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, Winston struggled against the Los Angeles Chargers, completing 56.5% of his pass attempts for 235 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and 10.1 fantasy points. Hopefully, the veteran and the Browns offense fixed some of their issues during the team’s Week 10 bye.

While Winston can be extremely boom-or-bust for fantasy players, the former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick gets a revenge game matchup against his former team on Sunday. The Saints’ pass defense has been inconsistent this year. However, they have struggled lately. New Orleans has surrendered 1.4 passing touchdowns and 16.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the past five weeks, giving up 24.1 or more twice. While he will throw an interception or three, Winston should score over 20 fantasy points against his former team.

Audric Estime (RB – DEN) vs. Atlanta Falcons (32.3% Rostered)

Fantasy players have been rightfully frustrated with the Broncos backfield. Last week, Javonte Williams (one) and Jaleel McLaughlin (two) combined for only 17.6% of the team’s backfield rushing attempts. By comparison, Estime (14) had 82.4% of the backfield rushing attempts after seeing 15 total before last week’s contest. Head coach Sean Payton told the media on Monday that he was encouraged by the rookie running back’s performance in Week 10. Therefore, expect the former Notre Dame star to see the bulk of the backfield workload again this week.

The rookie running back didn’t have a massive performance, totaling 53 rushing yards and 5.3 half-point PPR fantasy points. Yet, Estime faced an elite Kansas City Chiefs run defense. Meanwhile, the Falcons have held running backs to 18.2 fantasy points per game, the 10th-fewest in the NFL. However, they have surrendered 79.3 rushing yards and 22.1 fantasy points per game to running backs over the past four weeks, allowing 21.9 or more in all but one contest. Estime is a solid flex option or low-end RB2 in Week 11.

Gus Edwards (RB – LAC) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (24.8% Rostered)

Last week, Edwards returned after missing four games with an ankle injury. While he was a limited participant during Wednesday and Thursday’s practice, fantasy players should expect him to play on Sunday night. The veteran running back only scored 5.5 half-point PPR fantasy points against a talented Tennessee Titans run defense in Week 10. However, he had 10 rushing attempts compared to 15 for J.K. Dobbins. Yet, Edwards played 24 fewer snaps than Dobbins (39 vs. 15). More importantly, the veteran running back averaged 5.5 yards per rushing attempt.

By comparison, Edwards averaged only three yards per rushing attempt before getting hurt, posting a 3.3 or lower average in every game. Meanwhile, the Bengals’ run defense has played well this season. They have held running backs to 18.1 fantasy points per game, the ninth-fewest in the NFL. However, Cincinnati has struggled against elite rushing attacks. They gave up over 120 rushing yards to the Philadelphia Eagles backfield a few weeks ago. Edwards should score 12 or more fantasy points if he can fall in the end zone.

Mike Williams (WR – PIT) vs. Baltimore Ravens (28.3% Rostered)

Starting a wide receiver who only played nine snaps the week before might seem like an awful idea to fantasy players. However, Williams is an appealing flex option in Week 11. The veteran wide receiver averaged 2.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game during his time with the New York Jets. By comparison, he scored a season-high 9.7 fantasy points on one target last week against the Washington Commanders, scoring the game-winning touchdown. Despite running only eight routes last week, Williams finished second on the team in receiving yards (32).

After his impressive performance in limited action, fantasy players should expect the veteran’s role to expand in his second game with the Steelers. More importantly, his matchup couldn’t be better this week. The Ravens have surrendered 38.1 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the most in the NFL. They have given up 223.2 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 43.5 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past six weeks. Don’t be surprised when Williams converts a few downfield shots from Russell Wilson against the division rivals.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – NO) vs. Cleveland Browns (12.4% Rostered)

Unfortunately, the Saints’ receiving corps has been destroyed by injuries. Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) likely won’t play again this season. However, Valdes-Scantling stepped up for Derek Carr in Week 10. The veteran wide receiver caught all three targets for 109 receiving yards and two touchdowns, scoring 24.4 half-point PPR fantasy points. He put up those massive numbers despite running only 16 routes and playing 55% of the snaps. While fantasy players shouldn’t expect 109 receiving yards on three targets again, Valdes-Scantling has an appealing matchup on Sunday.

The Browns have surrendered 32.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the second-most in the NFL. While their pass defense was solid to start the year, they have been awful lately. Cleveland has given up 189.4 receiving yards, 1.6 touchdowns, and 35.2 fantasy points per game to wide receivers on only 10.6 receptions per contest the past six weeks. Furthermore, they have surrendered the highest aDOT (10.5) during their recent struggles (per Fantasy Points Data). It only takes one deep target for Valdes-Scantling to score double-digit fantasy points.

Jonnu Smith (TE – MIA) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (29.1% Rostered)

With Trey McBride and Cade Otton on a bye this week, the tight end position isn’t ideal for fantasy players. Furthermore, there are a few star tight ends who are dealing with injuries. Thankfully, Smith is a solid replacement option. The veteran has become a solid streaming option this season. He had a slow start, averaging 3.3 targets and 3.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the first month. By comparison, Smith has averaged 6.2 targets and nine fantasy points per game over the past five contests.

Meanwhile, the Raiders have struggled to contain tight ends lately. They held tight ends to only one receiving touchdown and 6.7 fantasy points per game over the first seven weeks, giving up more than 6.1 only twice. However, Las Vegas has allowed tight ends to average 13 receptions for 132.5 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 31.8 fantasy points over their past two matchups, surrendering 23.8 or more in both contests. While he won’t score 20 fantasy points against the Raiders, Smith should finish the week as a top-10 tight end.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

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