This NFL season has been more unpredictable than any year I can remember. Constant injuries to big-name players and then even injuries to their backups have provided little room for consistency. When it comes to fantasy football, this has been the dagger for most people who thought they drafted the perfect team.
It goes to show that fantasy football is a gamble. You never really know what a player is going to do week to week and we all know projected points mean less and less each week. However it is Week 11 and for those of you who have not quit your leagues altogether, it may not be too late.
With Green Bay, Tennessee, New York (Giants) and Seattle all on a bye, here are your waiver wire pickups for Week 11 to help you make that playoff push:
WR James Washington — 18.3% rostered (ESPN)
With the revolving door of quarterbacks in Pittsburgh this season, James Washington has not had the breakout sophomore season everyone predicted. On Sunday against the rams, however, the Oklahoma State product connection finally flourished between Washington and quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Washington finished the day with six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. As the Steelers keep winning games and having success throwing the ball, look for Washington to be included more and more in this young offense. The Steelers travel to Cleveland to face the Browns on Thursday night.
QB Nick Foles — 9.6% rostered (ESPN)
“Minshew Magic” is finally coming to an end with the return of Nick Foles in Week 11. The Jaguars are coming off a bye after a brutal loss to the Texans in London and need Foles back now more than ever. The former Super Bowl MVP signed with the Jaguars this offseason, but he has missed time since Week 1 with a broken collarbone.
With Foles back, the offense should look a little different and will be more pass-oriented. Gardner Minshew did a good job in relief of Foles, but this is his team and the only way to know if he was worth the $88 million Jacksonville paid him is to send him out there on Sunday.
The Jaguars head to Indianapolis to play the Colts, who are struggling with injuries in their secondary. It should be a good matchup where Foles can find success.
RB Brian Hill — 0.7% rostered (ESPN)
With Ito Smith on the injured reserve list and Devonta Freeman exiting the game Sunday with an ankle injury, the Falcons turned to third-year back Brian Hill. He finished the big win against the Saints with 20 carries for 61 yards and a 10-yard receiving touchdown.
He may not solve all the Falcons’ problems offensively, but he provides a lot of upside at the running back position, which Atlanta is very thin at. Look for Hill to get a majority of the carries next week with Freeman expected to miss some time as the Falcons travel to Carolina next week.
WR Mecole Hardman — 19.5% rostered (ESPN)
With Patrick Mahomes returning Week 10 against the Titans, the Chiefs offense finally looked like its former self. Mahomes threw for 446 yards and three touchdowns including a 63-yard touchdown to Hardman. The rookie’s big-play capability has been something to watch for this season.
Granted, Hardman is a risk any week and it seems like his only production comes off one or two deep balls a week that he scores for the most part. However, the upside is undeniable.
This speed demon is someone to pick up for the final games of the season. With Mahomes back and healthy, Hardman’s workload will increase.
RB J.D. McKissic — 16.0% rostered (ESPN)
McKissic is another case of being the only healthy running back in the room. With Kerryon Johnson ending up on the IR and Ty Johnson getting hurt Sunday against the Bears, McKissic took over the halfback duties. He finished the game with 10 carries for 36 yards but also contributed six catches for 19 yards.
If Matt Stafford can return in the next couple of weeks, this offense should get back on track and McKissic should be able to produce. As a talented pass-catcher out of the backfield as well, he could be a great addition as a flex option in PPR leagues.
TE Kyle Rudolph — 32.4% rostered (ESPN)
Say what you want about Kirk Cousins, but he has been slinging it in the past few weeks. Sunday night he connected not once, but twice with Rudolph including a spectacular grab in the back of the endzone, similar to Eric Ebron’s catch against Denver.
Rudolph finished the night with four catches for 14 yards along with the two scores. Some may feel like that doesn’t warrant a waiver claim, but these numbers and last night’s game show that there is one guy on this talented Minnesota offense that Kirk Cousins trusts more than anyone in the red zone.
If Adam Thielen continues to miss with the hamstring injury, Rudolph could be in line for some steady targets in a brutal tight end landscape.
QB Mason Rudolph — 14.5% rostered (ESPN)
The Steelers are winners of five of their last six and have a four-game winning streak after their victory Sunday night against the Rams. Rudolph did his job with 22 completions, 242 yards passing and a touchdown. He has certainly shaken off the rust that he had after missing two games with a concussion.
The Steelers travel to Cleveland to face the Browns on Thursday night, a game that Rudolph should have some success in. As he continues to build a connection with Juju Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Diontae Johnson, look for this young and talented receiving corps to elevate Rudolph to the next level.
