by Will Overton
This is the last week of byes before we return to full strength, with the exception of injuries (which we had a significant one this week, losing Julian Edelman). Things are going to be a little bit tricky this week, as there is going to be a lot of guessing and assuming in the middle tiers without a lot of certainty. Who are the best options, though? Let’s take a look:
- Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis
- DeAndre Hopkins – Houston Texans vs. NY Jets
- Dez Bryant – Dallas Cowboys @ Miami
- Amari Cooper – Oakland Raiders @ Detroit
- Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions vs. Oakland
- Mike Evans – Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Philadelphia
- Brandon Marshall – New York Jets @ Houston
- Allen Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee
- Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals vs. Cincinnati
- Demaryius Thomas – Denver Broncos @ Chicago
- A.J. Green – Cincinnati Bengals @ Arizona
- Randall Cobb – Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota
- Alshon Jeffrey – Chicago Bears vs. Denver
- Eric Decker – New York Jets @ Houston
- T.Y. Hilton – Indianapolis Colts @ Atlanta
- Jarvis Landry – Miami Dolphins vs. Dallas
- Allen Hurns – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee
- Jeremy Maclin – Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego
- Stefon Diggs – Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay
- Michael Crabtree – Oakland Raiders @ Detroit
- Emmanuel Sanders – Denver Broncos @ Chicago
- Jordan Matthews – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay
- Brandon LaFell – New England Patriots vs. Buffalo
- Kamar Aiken – Baltimore Ravens vs. St. Louis
- Sammy Watkins – Buffalo Bills @ New England
- DaVante Adams – Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota
- Donte Moncrief – Indianapolis Colts @ Atlanta
- Danny Amendola – New England Patriots vs. Buffalo
- John Brown – Arizona Cardinals vs. Cincinnati
- Desean Jackson – Washington Redskins @ Carolina
- Michael Floyd – Arizona Cardinals vs. Cincinnati
- Stevie Johnson – San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City
- Golden Tate – Detroit Lions vs. Oakland
- Rishard Matthews – Miami Dolphins vs. Dallas
- James Jones – Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota
- Marvin Jones – Cincinnati Bengals @ Arizona
- Tavon Austin – St. Louis Rams @ Baltimore
- Pierre Garcon – Washington Redskins @ Carolina
- Malcolm Floyd – San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City
- Mike Wallace – Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay
- Nate Washington – Houston Texans vs. NY Jets
- Chris Givens – Baltimore Ravens vs. St. Louis
- Doug Baldwin – Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco
- Jamison Crowder – Washington Redskins @ Carolina
- Robert Woods – Buffalo @ New England
- Ted Ginn Jr – Carolina Panthers vs. Washington
- Anquan Boldin – San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle
- Leonard Hankerson – Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis
- Dorial Green-Beckham – Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville
- Terrance Williams – Dallas Cowboys @ Miami
Thoughts:
- Ranking the top end of this position right now is actually a bit of a challenge. You have Julian Edelman getting hurt, Demaryius Thomas facing serious QB issues, A.J. Green and Randall Cobb struggling to be consistent and some plain brutal matchups like Alshon Jeffrey’s. Considering that we have some newer faces breaking into the Top 10, such as Allen Robinson, and Larry Fitzgerald who just seem worlds safer than some of their more highly touted counterparts.
- While the generally poor play of Ryan Tannehill has hurt the fantasy upside of Jarvis Landry, who really should be pushing the Top 10 at this point, he continues to find a way to make enough plays to continue as a Top 20 play and a must start. He is an excellent option in PPR leagues, but is always a threat for double digit points in standard leagues too. You may be more likely to score 20–30 fantasy points with someone like Jordan Matthews, but you’re also more likely to pull down a 3 with him as well while you know what Landry is going to get you.
- After three straight games with a TD grab, Michael Crabtree was finally kept out of the end zone last week by a tough Minnesota defense. That said, this week he has a far easier matchup with the Detroit Lions and the potential for yet another big game. Crabtree’s career has been resurrected this season and he’s not the boom or bust guy he once was, instead he’s a consistent force that you know is good for 4–6 catches and 60+ yards, and that’s just his floor.
- There’s been a lot of talk about who is going to take over for Julian Edelman, but I think it’s going to be a little bit of everyone. We know Brandon LaFell is the bigger play receiver who is more likely to find the end zone. This is why he comes in ranked highest here, as well as the extra targets he is sure to see. That said, Danny Amendola is going to be a fixture in this offense as more of a possession receiver in the same mold as Edelman. With both Edelman and Dion Lewis gone the Patriots need a guy who will move the chains and rack up a bunch of catches, and that guy is most likely going to be Amendola.
- Anytime a guy gets targeted 21 times in a game you have to take notice. That’s exactly what Davante Adams did last week. The temptation to rank him higher is there, but you have to proceed a little bit cautiously. He turned those 21 targets into just 10 catches and 79 yards and the Packers won’t be throwing as often this week, and probably not as efficiently against the Minnesota Vikings compared to the Detroit Lions. Adams clearly has Aaron Rodgers eye right now, but this is going to be a tough matchup to really blow up in for him.
- The San Diego Chargers want to throw the football and someone is going to have to catch it. Keenan Allen is out for the season and Malcolm Floyd is questionable as well. That leaves us with Danny Woodhead, Antonio Gates and Stevie Johnson. While the Kansas City Chiefs defense has looked much better the last few weeks, the Chargers aren’t likely going to change their game plan and that means a lot of targets coming Johnson’s way. If I felt like he was going to get more looks in the red zone he’d be a bit higher, but just based on expected volume of targets he makes a nice WR3/FLEX.
- The New England Patriots M.O. on defense has always been to take out the other teams biggest threat and make someone else beat them. I assume they will continue with that trend again this week and be locked in on shutting Sammy Watkins down. If they are successful it’ll be Robert Woods who gets leaned on to pick up the slack. Woods has been disappointing the last couple games after making a splash, but this could be the week he resurfaces on radars. He’s only a deep league play, but game script suggests he may have value.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 11 rankings:
| Quarterbacks |
| Running Backs |
| Wide Receivers |
| Tight Ends |
| Kickers |
| Defenses |
Hey guys! I need 3 WR and a flex. Cooper, j laundry, j Matthews, Edelman, Stevie Johnson,Fitzgerald. Standard ppr league
Edelman is out so only need to cut one. I’d leave Matthews on the bench
Oops my mistake roto. I meant amendola not Edelman
Landry probably has the lowest upside of the rest, so he’d be the next guy to sit
Who would you start in a standard leage for a Flex?
Diggs / Amendola / A. Andrews / Clay
Professor,
I could never dream of a world where I’d advocate carrying two kickers. Yet, I now find myself mulling over that exact disposition .I’ve got Josh Brown on bye, he’s been a staple on my squad since week 1 (2nd overall in my league in total kicking points) & picked up Santos (4th overall, & I am aware of the two inflated weeks that askew his totals). I desperately feel as though it’s time to finally handcuff AD with McKinnon for the stretch run. My wide-outs are Nuk, Cooper, LaFell, AJ Green, & Jordan Matthews. I start two with the other at the flex. Would it be inconceivable to drop Matthews (I’ve yet to start him all year, been irrelevant for me)instead of Brown to pick-up McKinnon? Keep in mind I live in Jersey in a league full of G-Men fans, last in the waiver order, & there’s no way Brown falls to me next Tuesday night on the wire. Thanks homie.
Pick one for flex in PPR…
Decker or Blount
Thanks.
With the news that Hoyer may be out on Sunday, should I start Amari Cooper over Hopkins?
Joe – Amendola
Sahel Kazemi – It would certainly be hard to justify dropping Matthews. While he’s struggled, the upside is still there. Plus, kicking in the Meadowlands in November/December certainly is no guarantee given the potential weather conditions.
Gman – It’s hard to trust Blount, but you have to think he is going to play a significant role given the injuries. I’d go that way.
Paranoid – I know it’s Revis Island and all, but I’d still go hopkins. Who is your other WR that you aren’t using both though?!
I’m in an 8 team league and we start 2 WRs and a flex. I have Dez, DeAndre, Demaryious, Mike Evans, and Cooper. With Manning out, I’m going with Dez, DeAndre, and Evans. Would you go with Evans over Cooper?
You can’t go wrong with any of them. I’d lean Evans, but no matter what you do you are likely going to leave points on the bench
Would you trade AJ Green for Starks?
Okay prof, I still have my three QBs and will start Bortles over Romo (with Luck out). My RBs are set with Freeman and McCoy (with D. Williams on a bye). The only real puzzle I have is at WR with Evans and Marshall starting and picking between Amendola and Hurns for #3. Suggestions? I’m assuming Gates over Kelce at TE.
Also, do you think it will be okay to drop Bortles for C. Hyde after this week?!?
Patsfan007 – I wouldn’t 100% be against it, but I’m not sold Starks makes an impact all year. Could you shoot a little higher?
Gern – I’d prob go Amendola at #3, only because of how banged up Hurns is and the risk of getting put in a hole this early in the week. Yes on Gates. As for Bortles/Hyde, it’s a tough call. If non-keeper, may just drop Luck and play matchups rest of the way with two potential Top 10 options (Bortles/Romo)
Hmmm….
Thank you for the thoughts. Hurns’ trip to the dr this week concerned me ROS and I didn’t want to be in a deep while before Sunday. Hadn’t considered dropping Luck. I have visions of losing to him in the playoffs, but if his injury lingers then I might have to take the chance.
Hey Professor, I need two receivers from this group. Dez, Cobb, Diggs or Stevie Johnson? Thanks for your advice!
With Edelman out and forte injured I have lafell and K. Aiken and Allen Robinson at WR and Ivory and C. West at rb for a flex would you trust Aiken or would you put woodhead in at flex?
Hey Prof
I have Allen Robinson going for me tonight. I have 3 big time players I could start Sunday but have to narrow it down to 2.
Need 1 more WR and a Flex: Demaryius, Amendola, Stevie Johnson,or Latavius Muray
My other two starting RBs are Lynch and Gurley.
Half Pt. PPR League
Thanks
Mass_Steeler – Bryant/Cobb
Hunter – I guess Woodhead, but I don’t really like either
Matthew Summerlin – I’d go Thomas & Murray. It’s tough to sit Amendola, but also he’s not quite a lock yet either
Need some help asap. First time poster. I have Dymarius as my number 1. Standard scoring. I need to choose between Lefell, Amendola, or Maclin for my wr2. I also need to chose out of them for my flex too but I also have Chris johnson. And my qb is Dalton and I have Eifert. I’m actually thinking about going Stafford over Dalton and Reed over Eifert. What do you think?
QB – Dalton (though it’s close)
WR2 – Amendola
TE – Reed (definitely)
FLEX – Maclin (only because of the favorable matchup)
Aiken or Diggs in my flex this week…
or sorry Tavon Austin or Diggs in the flex
Professor,
Am i crazy to consider benching AJ Green and Alshon Jeffery this week for Brandon Lafell and Stevie Johnson?? Injuries and brutal matchups for both…or dont overthink it?
Thanks in advance
Ry Guy – I know Austin has a juicy matchup, but I’d go Diggs. It’s hard to trust a Rams WR, honestly
Jaden – Yea, a little crazy but it’s not THAT crazy actually
Inman or Givins for spot on bench WR.
Inman for me
Do you like In an better than JJ Nelson and Lockett.