Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Hit The Waiver Wire: Week 11

For those of us who stick with our fantasy seasons through thick and thin (no matter how our season has gone), every week is an opportunity, and every Wednesday brings investigation to find hidden values on the waiver wire.

Below, we've done the research for you and found potential waiver wire gems, and made the case as to why they belong in your starting lineup: all points listed are based on ESPN Standard Scoring.

Good hunting!



Week 11 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

1. Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers)

Week 10 situation
     -The 49ers battled it out with the Arizona Cardinals, and nearly won thanks to Kaepernick's best game of the season. He passed for 210 yards and a TD, and also rushed for 55 yards and another TD, which resulted in a very healthy 23 point game. This is the 2nd week in a row that Kap has exceeded 20 points, and he hasn't scored below 13 points in any of his starts.

Reason for fantasy relevance
     -As long as Kap remains the starter, his athleticism is worthy of fantasy consideration. He faces the Patriots next, who were just shredded by Russell Wilson and company on the ground as well as in the air. If New England happens to have a slight mid-season stumble, it could be against mobile quarterbacks. Even if they don't, garbage time is as good as any time for fantasy purposes, and the 49ers are definitely garbage.

Do you already have a better option?
     -Probably, though Kap has upside that most mid-tier fantasy QB's lack. Averaging 18.5 points per start, there are worse options out there.

2. Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens)

Week 10 situation
     -The Ravens beat the Browns handily (as per every other team this season), and it resulted in Flacco throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns, though he also threw 2 picks and only picked up 3 yards on the ground. That 21-point outing ties for his highest score which happened back in week 4 against the Oakland Raiders.

Reason for fantasy relevance
     -Nobody trusts Flacco in fantasy anymore, least of all me. But he's only had one game below 11 points, and has had two of his better games coming out of the bye week. The Cowboys don't have the world's best defense, though it is ranked 8th in PPG (points per game) and 12th in YPG (total yards per game). That Dallas defense is slightly weaker when faced with a passing game, falling all the way to 21st in the NFL.

Do you already have a better option?
     -I sincerely hope so. Flacco is averaging just under 14 points per start, and isn't going to be winning you any championships by himself.

Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs

1. C.J. Prosise (Seattle Seahawks)

Week 10 situation
     -That came out of nowhere. After having one good game versus the Saints back in week 8, Prosise racked up yardage against the Patriots, rushing for 66 yards and catching seven passes for 87 more. The only fantasy letdown was that he didn't get into the endzone, though he was close multiple times. He took Christine Michael's job handily.

Reason for fantasy relevance
     -Christine Michael is now with the Packers. Alex Collins is a rookie who plays like a rookie. Preseason darling Troymaine Pope was just elevated from the practice squad. Thomas Rawls is just returning from a semi-long-term injury. Do any of those options sound like reliable and exciting fantasy options to you? Plus, being a converted wideout, Prosise knows how to run routes and is more of a pass-catching back anyways. He could be a PPR god.

Do you already have a better option?
     -Not in your Flex spot, especially in PPR leagues. Even if his touches are reduced to 8-10 per game plus 4-6 targets in the passing game, there is more than enough volume there to bet on.

2. Robert Kelley (Washington Redskins)

Week 10 situation
     -Kelley, a rookie RB for the 'Skins, just played the Vikings and carried the rock 22 times for 97 yards for a healthy 4.4 YPC. He lost two yards on his only catch of the night. His 9 points could have been much higher if there was a touchdown involved.

Reason for fantasy relevance
     -Matt Jones has had some fumbling issues, and has apparently not ingratiated himself with the coaching staff, which resulted in him being a healthy scratch last week. Chris Thompson is only a passing-down back. That leaves Kelley to own this backfield, and own it he has. He looked good last week and in the match versus Cincinnati in week 8 before their bye, so pick him up before anyone else grabs him.

Do you already have a better option?
     -Probably not. There are very limited opportunities to grab an RB with a 20-carry per-game workload this late in the season. Get him.

Week 11 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

1. Rishard Matthews (Tennessee Titans)

Week 10 situation
     -Matthews has scored six touchdowns in his last six games, including another one last week as he added three more receptions for 63 yards for a 12-point outing. The Titans seem to be clicking on offense, and it shows on the field where they put up 47 points against the Packers. That's a college ball score, and rarely seen in the NFL.

Reason for fantasy relevance
     -Mariota has gotten significantly better as the season has gone on, with a reliable running game and some wideouts who are developing into their own, including Matthews. The amount of touchdowns he has put up recently is leading most wide receivers, and he faces a weak Colts' defense next week: they are ranked 31st against the pass and give up the 4th-most overall points per game.

Do you already have a better option?
     -Maybe, but you want him if you have an open bench spot.  Since week 4, he is averaging over 10 points per outing, which is totally acceptable for a Flex spot, and he gets more points than that in PPR leagues.

2. Cameron Meredith (Chicago Bears)

Week 10 situation
     -Da Bears lost handily to the Buccaneers, scoring only 10 points against Tampa Bay's 36. Nonetheless, Meredith's only reception went for 50 yards and a touchdown, which is a pretty good way to make an impact.

Reason for fantasy relevance
     -You've seen his name before when he put up 17 points in week 5 versus Indy, and 11 points the week afterwards versus the Jags. His name comes back up because Alshon Jeffery is now suspended four games for a PED violation. This leaves either Royal or Meredith as the de facto #1 receiver, and Meredith has had success in that role before. Even if he continues to function as the second WR, his targets should only increase.

Do you already have a better option?
     -Potentially, but I would be putting money on him in daily leagues and in season-long leagues for the next four weeks. When he is targeted often, he puts up points. Don't let Cutler put you off from this potential goldmine.


No comments:

Post a Comment