Week 10’s waiver wire picks were a bit of a mixed bag. No one really erupted, though Colston Loveland and Kyle Monangai gave decent production at tight end and running back, respectively.
Week 11’s selections have largely been driven by injuries.
J.J. McCarthy
After a middling performance in Week 10, having been named as one of our top waiver wire picks, we are still encouraging managers to pick up J.J. McCarthy. He’s rostered in less than 15% of NFL fantasy leagues and has looked very assured in his last two games.
Week 11 is a great opportunity for McCarthy. He’s facing a porous Bears defense. His two interceptions in Week 10 deterred from 248 passing yards and a gamescript leading to 42 passing attempts.
Minnesota is showing more faith in its young quarterback to guide them downfield. He’s got the receiving corps to put up big numbers against Chicago.
Tez Johnson
Targeted five times, two of which resulted in touchdowns, Tez Johnson has seen his usage rate increase with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sidelined.
Johnson had four catches, giving him 13 over the last three weeks. Tied for third on the team in receiving during that span, he’s only a viable option in deeper leagues, but there’s a world where Johnson becomes a preferred red-zone target for Baker Mayfield as defenses key on Emeka Egbuka.
Tampa Bay is facing the Bills in Week 11. Buffalo was torched by Jaylen Waddle in Week 10.
Emari Demercado
Rostered in 17.1% of leagues, Emari Demercado posted 13.40 points in Arizona’s blowout loss on Sunday. He had 104 scrimmage yards on four rushes and three receptions so it was a productive day for Demercado, even before Bam Knight exited the game with an ankle injury.
Knight being ruled out or limited should see Demercado become the Cardinals’ lead back for Week 11. Trey Benson remains on injured reserve. While he has begun to take part in team and positional meetings, he was not sufficiently healthy to train as of Nov. 5, so it seems unlikely he will be available in Week 11.
Arizona is hosting the Niners. San Francisco’s defense has been severely depleted by injuries.
Dawson Knox
Dawson Knox set season-high marks with three receptions and 37 receiving yards in Week 10. It’s nothing to get too excited about, but it’s a sign Knox could carry some fantasy value in 12- and 14-team leagues with Dalton Kincaid leaving Sunday’s game with a hamstring issue.
It’s not like Knox is uncomfortable operating as Josh Allen’s primary tight end receiver. He averaged 3.2 receptions per game across the 2021 and 2022 regular seasons, posting 36.8 yards per game and scoring 15 touchdowns in the process.
Jerry Jeudy
One of the biggest disappointments from the first few rounds of drafts, Jerry Jeudy is rostered in under 45% of NFL fantasy leagues at the time of writing. Jeudy is coming off a season-high 19.80 fantasy points thanks to 12 targets and a receiving score against the Jets.
Cleveland is facing a Baltimore defense that’s in the bottom 10 in yards per pass attempt allowed and conceded 248 passing yards to McCarthy on Sunday.
Consistently throwing the ball 30+ times per game, Dillon Gabriel is going to be looking for Jeudy on almost every down in Week 11. There’s 20+-point upside here.
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