1 of 4 | San Francisco's quarterback Colin Kaepernick wanders the sidelines before the start of the 49ers-Arizona Cardinals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, November 13, 2016. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI |
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MIAMI, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- A plethora of offensive stars are out for fantasy football squads this week, but plenty of suitable options can be found on the waiver wire to fill in the gaps.
The Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and San Diego Chargers are the four teams sitting out. Although the group of teams on the bench is smaller than in previous weeks, you, or your opponents, will lack the services of studs like Melvin Gordon, Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas, Brandon Marshall, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers, Devonta Freeman, Matt Forte, and more. Check your waiver wire even if you aren't missing players this week in order to keep your opponent from key assets and help your team down the road.
Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 11:
ALL-ADD TEAM
QB | Colin Kaepernick; RB | James Starks, Robert Kelley, Dion Lewis, Thomas Rawls, C.J. Prosise; WR | Sammy Watkins, Rishard Matthews, Eli Rogers; TE | Zach Miller, Ladarius Green; D/ST | New York Giants; K | Caleb Sturgis
HONORABLE MENTIONS
QB | Blake Bortles; RB | Ryan Mathews, Kenneth Dixon, Chris Thompson, Paul Perkins, Jerick McKinnon, Alfred Morris, Derrick Henry; WR | Robert Woods, Kenny Britt; TE | Vernon Davis, Will Tye; D/ST | Dallas Cowboys
TOP DROPS
QB | Alex Smith; RB | Jacquizz Rogers, Matt Jones, Ty Montgomery, Antone Smith, Bilal Powell; WR | Sammie Coates, Allen Hurns, Jeremy Maclin; TE | Hunter Henry
QUARTERBACK
Although he has been ugly to watch play, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been a fantasy football stud lately. After his Week 8 bye, Kaepernick compiled 398 passing yards and two passing scores against the New Orleans Saints. He added 23 rushing yards. In Week 10, Kaepernick passed for 210 yards and one score, while adding 55 yards and a score on the ground. Kaepernick's mobility will always make him a relevant play, as long as he keeps the starting gig. Although he has a tough matchup this week against the New England Patriots, you can expect a lot of improvising from the gunslinger and garbage time production. He will be a borderline QB1, despite the tough matchup.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is another player who is tough to watch, but still puts up decent fantasy football statistics. Bortles could end up as a top-12 play against the Detroit Lions. He has passed for at least 246 yards in each of his last five games. He also has thrown for multiple scores in his last three games. Bortles is a more-than-adequate bye week fill-in for Week 11.
RUNNING BACK
Robert Kelley, or 'Fat Rob,' proved his value in a Week 10 upset of the Minnesota Vikings. The Washington Redskins running back is rendering Matt Jones irrelevant, while impressing coaches with his effort and production. Kelley rushed for 97 yards on 22 carries against the Vikings and had 81 yards and a score in his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals. Kelley has another tough matchup this week against the Green Bay Packers, before battling the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. Even if he isn't usable for the next few weeks, he is worth adding to keep away from your opponent or just for depth at an injury-prone position.
C.J. Prosise keeps getting work for the Seattle Seahawks. I don't expect that trend to stop when Thomas Rawls comes back. Prosise has carved out an explosive third-down running back role for Pete Carroll's squad. He is an RB2/flex play in PPR and is also worth a look at those spots in deeper standard leagues. Prosise has eclipsed 100 total yards in two of his last three games, but his 24 Week 10 touches are the most encouraging sight for the rookie.
WIDE RECEIVER
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins won't help your fantasy football team this week, but it's only a matter of time until he suits up again. Watkins is an excellent stash in deeper leagues. You usually can't find players as talented as Watkins on the waiver wire this late in the season. If you haven't added him to your bench yet, you might be too late. His supreme skills and upcoming schedule could make him a factor in crunch time for your squad.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Mathews just keeps on scoring. He now has six touchdowns in his last six games. His upcoming schedule includes matchups against the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars. Mathews is immediately playable in your lineup as a WR3 and is a great bye-week fill-in. He is a likely spot-starter for you down the road.
TIGHT END
Although Zach Miller's career touchdown rate has slowed, he has remained a key cog in the Chicago Bears' offense. His usage should only improve over the next month, following Alshon Jeffery's four-game PED suspension. Miller is another guy who should find his name bordering top-10 contention on a weekly basis.
