NFL Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups: Flex Help Available for the Stretch Run

While there aren’t a plethora of strong options on the waiver wire this week, there is one running back with potential to become the next Tyrone Tracy just in time for the stretch run. This is also the part of the season when backup running backs should be prioritized for teams looking ahead to the fantasy playoffs.

As always, you’ll find several top waiver options in this weekly feature – along with FAAB suggestions – followed by a selection of players to monitor in deeper formats. Generally, players listed here will be available in at least 50% of Sleeper leagues.

Top Waiver Wire Additions After Week 10

RB Audric Estime, Denver Broncos

Estime carried the ball 14 times for 53 yards against a ferocious Chiefs run defense, while Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined for only three carries. Estime (7% rostered on Sleeper) also split pass-catching duties with Williams on Sunday. There’s a slim chance he’s the next Tracy-esque figure, a rookie who comes out of nowhere to win the starting job on merit. 

Tracy has found fantasy success despite a lackluster Giants offense, so the Broncos’ Estime has upside. Consider a 20-30% FAAB bid on Estime if you’ve been hit hard by RB injuries this season.

QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

The rookie has reached 16 fantasy points in five of his past six games, and he’s been one of fantasy’s more consistent producers during that span. Nix (44% rostered) has two favorable matchups coming up, between the Falcons in Week 11 and the Raiders in Week 12. He’ll be a low-end fantasy QB1 in those spots, and he’s worth a 10-15% FAAB bid.

QB Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Maye continues to be criminally underappreciated by the fantasy community, and he’s just 25% rostered on Sleeper. The dual-threat rookie passer is averaging more rushing yards per game than Kyler Murray this year, and he’s shown impressive traits already with his arm strength, accuracy and decision-making. He’s worth a 5-10% FAAB bid if you need help at the position.

WR John Metchie, Houston Texans

Stefon Diggs is out for the year with an ACL tear, and while the Texans passing attack has struggled in recent weeks, Nico Collins’ impending return should elevate this offense overall. Metchie has a chance to play heavy snaps as the team’s WR3 going forward after catching five of six targets for a team-high 74 yards (and a score) in Week 10. He’s only 3% rostered on Sleeper, so fantasy managers probably don’t need to toss more than 5% of their FAAB at the 2022 second-rounder.

Sneak Peek: Deeper and Potential Future Additions

QB Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

If you’re in need of a QB, Wilson faces a Ravens defense that’s getting torched by opposing passers this season. Russ has reached 19 fantasy points in two of his three games as a Steeler, though he’s unlikely to continue throwing a touchdown every 14 passes moving forward.

WR Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns

Moore has flex viability in Week 11 against the Saints, though he probably needs an injury to Cedric Tillman, Jerry Jeudy or David Njoku for fantasy managers to get excited about starting him.

RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta FalconsRB Braelon Allen, New York JetsRB Blake Corum, Los Angeles RamsRB Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills

You’ve seen these four running backs in this space regularly, and they would all rank as top-12 fantasy options if the starter ahead of them were to go down with an injury. For teams expected to reach the fantasy playoffs, these running backs are all better bench stashes than a flex option like Moore. I’d even suggest prioritizing these backup RBs over the headlining quarterbacks and Metchie if you’re fairly set at those positions and 6-4 or better through 10 weeks.

WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens

After running four routes in Week 9, new Ravens receiver Diontae Johnson only ran three routes in a thrilling 35-34 victory in Week 10. This is good news for Bateman, who continues to impress as the team’s WR2.

WR Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis ColtsWR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

Mitchell and Pierce both played ahead of Josh Downs in two-receiver sets on Sunday, with each of them topping 70 receiving yards. However, Michael Pittman’s absence likely led to this usage spike. It’s tough to trust either right now, but they’re at least mildly interesting while Joe Flacco continues to throw downfield with reckless abandon.

RB Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Jones is playing through a rib injury, and Akers handled 13 carries to Jones’ 17 on Sunday. It appears Akers is now firmly ahead of Ty Chandler on the Minnesota depth chart.

RB Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles

Saquon Barkley has handled more than 21 touches per game and has a lengthy injury history. Gainwell is currently Barkley’s direct backup and saw multiple red zone touches vs. Dallas.

RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans

Spears returned from injury and handled 10 touches to Tony Pollard’s 13. Spears will need a Pollard injury to enter the fantasy RB2 conversation, though.

RB Khalil Herbert, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase Brown has totaled 54 touches over the past two weeks, an unsustainable workload long-term. Herbert is a talented runner, and the new Bengals backup may force a touch split sometime in November.

RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

Emari Demercado is still involved in this backfield, but the rookie Benson would likely take on high-end fantasy RB2 status if Conner went down. Benson’s rushing stat line bested Conner in Week 10, but that’s only because the Cardinals blew out the Jets.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints

The 30-year-old speedster caught all three of his targets for 109 yards and two scores against the Falcons. Let someone else in your league overbid on him and chase those Week 10 fantasy points, as the veteran has caught just 27 passes over his past 24 NFL games.

WR Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers

The slot receiver was targeted twice as many times as Xavier Legette on Sunday, but Coker will need Bryce Young to take a large step forward to become fantasy viable.

Line Up Your Targets

Make sure to act quickly to secure your waiver wire targets, with most leagues running waivers on Tuesday nights. For more in-depth stats and to view all the trending players in real time, check out the Sleeper app.

Working the waiver wire to your favor is a critical part of fantasy football success, and we’ll be with you every week to help you chase down those playoff berths and fantasy championships.

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