Making your fantasy football start/sit decisions before Sunday’s games kickoff?
I’ve outlined the final edition of my Week 11 tiers based on my latest rankings for every position below. Note that these tiers are as of Saturday evening, so be sure to consult my real-time rankings before locking in your lineups.
Fantasy Football Tiers
Fantasy QB Tiers
| Tier | Players |
|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Allen (vs. IND) Lamar Jackson (@ CHI) |
| 2 | Patrick Mahomes (vs. DAL) |
| 3 | Tom Brady (vs. NYG) Dak Prescott (@ KC) Jalen Hurts (vs. NO) Justin Herbert (vs. PIT) Kyler Murray (@ SEA) |
| 4 | Joe Burrow (@ LV) Derek Carr (vs. CIN) Russell Wilson (vs. ARI) Aaron Rodgers (@ MIN) Ryan Tannehill (vs. HOU) Tua Tagovailoa (@ NYJ) |
| 5 | Kirk Cousins (vs. GB) Mac Jones (@ ATL) Cam Newton (vs. WAS) Justin Fields (vs. BAL) Jimmy Garoppolo (@ JAX) Daniel Jones (@ TB) Taylor Heinicke (@ CAR) |
| 6 | Tyrod Taylor (@ TEN) Baker Mayfield (vs. DET) Matt Ryan (vs. NE) Trevor Lawrence (vs. SF) Carson Wentz (@ BUF) Ben Roethlisberger (@ LAC) Joe Flacco (vs. MIA) |
| 7 | Trevor Siemian (@ PHI) |
| 8 | Tim Boyle (@ CLE) |
Kyler Murray was able to practice on a limited basis Wednesday through Friday, which means I like his chances to return to action this week. However, have a backup plan ready to go if he’s held out for one more game. There is also a chance his ankle will limit his mobility, which is a massive part of his game.
I’m treating Murray as a mid- to low-end QB1 until we can be sure his ankle is closer to 100%.
Russell Wilson returned from his surgically repaired middle finger last week, only to figuratively give it to fantasy managers who trusted him in their lineups. It was fair to expect some rust in his return, but he was abysmal. He threw for only 161 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions — his 66.7% catchable ball rate ranked dead last on the week.
Wilson will bounce back eventually, but it may be another game or two before we can treat him as a high- to mid-range QB1.
Cam Newton is back, but it’s unclear whether he’s fully up-to-speed with the playbook as head coach Matt Rhule has said that P.J. Walker will “probably” play on Sunday. Either way, Newton will likely be under center whenever the Panthers are in the red zone, meaning he has low-end QB1 upside. However, given the uncertainty of how many snaps Walker takes in this game, Newton has a low-end QB2 floor.
Fantasy RB Tiers
| Tier | Players |
|---|---|
| 1 | Christian McCaffrey (vs. WAS) |
| 2 | Austin Ekeler (vs. PIT) Dalvin Cook (vs. GB) |
| 3 | Nick Chubb (vs. DET) A.J. Dillon (@ MIN) Jonathan Taylor (@ BUF) Najee Harris (@ LAC) |
| 4 | Leonard Fournette (vs. NYG) |
| 5 | Ezekiel Elliott (@ KC) Jeffery Wilson (@ JAX) Joe Mixon (@ LV) Mark Ingram (@ PHI) James Conner (@ SEA) D’Andre Swift (@ CLE) |
| 6 | Myles Gaskin (@ NYJ) Josh Jacobs (vs. CIN) Saquon Barkley (@ TB) James Robinson (vs. SF) David Montgomery (vs. BAL) Michael Carter (vs. MIA) D’Onta Foreman (vs. HOU) |
| 7 | Damien Harris (@ ATL) Antonio Gibson (@ CAR) Rhamondre Stevenson (@ ATL) Mike Davis (vs. NE) |
| 8 | Alex Collins (vs. ARI) D’Ernest Johnson (vs. DET) Devonta Freeman (@ CHI) Tony Pollard (@ KC) Darrel Williams (vs. DAL) Miles Sanders (vs. NO) |
| 9 | Adrian Peterson (vs. HOU) Zack Moss (vs. IND) Clyde Edwards-Helaire (vs. DAL) J.D. McKissic (@ CAR) Kenyan Drake (vs. CIN) |
| 10 | Devin Singletary (vs. IND) Nyheim Hines (@ BUF) Wayne Gallman (vs. NE) David Johnson (@ TEN) Latavius Murray (@ CHI) Brandon Bolden (@ ATL) Samaje Perine (@ LV) Ty Johnson (vs. MIA) Jamaal Williams (@ CLE) |
| 11 | Salvon Ahmed (@ NYJ) Eno Benjamin (@ SEA) Giovani Bernard (vs. NYG) Phillip Lindsay (@ TEN) Trey Sermon (@ JAX) Patrick Taylor (@ MIN) Rashaad Penny (vs. ARI) Carlos Hyde (vs. SF) Chuba Hubbard (vs. WAS) Tevin Coleman (vs. MIA) |
It isn’t easy to trust either Zack Moss or Devin Singletary this week. The Colts are a pass funnel defense with their No. 2 ranking in Football Outsiders’ DVOA against the run but 23rd ranking against the pass. I expect Josh Allen to have his way through the air as a result, which means the Bills are likely to limit their running back usage.
Matt Breida also made this Bills backfield even murkier after making this more of a three-way committee last week against the Jets. I would sit either Bills back if I have a sit/start decision involving them; they both carry a low floor.
Nick Chubb is making his return from the COVID list, but D’Ernest Johnson could still see enough touches to be in the RB3/Flex mix. The Browns are 12-point favorites against a Tim Boyle-led Lions (check real-time NFL odds here), so the Browns probably won’t need Chubb to see 20+ touches to put the Lions away. Johnson has a chance to play the full Kareem Hunt role here, making him a sneaky RB3/Flex play with RB2 upside this week.
It’s unclear whether Saquon Barkley and/or Devontae Booker will play. Given they play Monday Night, your sit/start decisions should be based on your risk tolerance. If I’m unable to make backup plans if either RB is ruled out, I would be more cautious and lean toward sitting Barkley and Booker. After all, it’s a brutal matchup against the Bucs’ stout run defense.
D’Onta Foreman is now a low-end RB2 option with Jeremey McNichols ruled out for Week 11. Foreman has become the favorite to inherit the Derrick Henry role after outplaying Adrian Peterson the past couple of games anyway. This is also a #RevengeGame spot for Foreman as the Texans cut him following his season-ending Achilles injury in 2019.
Jeffery Wilson, Mark Ingram and James Conner are RB1/2 options this week as the trio cashes in on their injury upside.
The Ravens RB situation will be one to avoid if Latavius Murray can return to action. However, Devonta Freeman has played well enough to force an even 50/50 timeshare regardless. Both are risky RB3/Flex options given the uncertainty, though.
Fantasy WR Tiers
| Tier | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Davante Adams (@ MIN) Tyreek Hill (vs. DAL) |
| 2 | CeeDee Lamb (@ KC) Stefon Diggs (vs. IND) Deebo Samuel (@ JAX) A.J. Brown (vs. HOU) Justin Jefferson (vs. GB) Ja’Marr Chase (@ LV) |
| 3 | Keenan Allen (vs. PIT) Chris Godwin (vs. NYG) |
| 4 | D.K. Metcalf (vs. ARI) Diontae Johnson (@ LAC) Mike Evans (vs. NYG) Terry McLaurin (@ CAR) Tee Higgins (@ LV) Jaylen Waddle (@ NYJ) Adam Thielen (vs. GB) Christian Kirk (@ SEA) Brandin Cooks (@ TEN) Tyler Lockett (vs. ARI) D.J. Moore (vs. WAS) Hunter Renfrow (vs. CIN) Rashod Bateman (@ CHI) Mike Williams (vs. PIT) |
| 5 | Jarvis Landry (vs. DET) Michael Pittman Jr. (@ BUF) |
| 6 | Chase Claypool (@ LAC) Michael Gallup (@ KC) Devonta Smith (vs. NO) Emmanuel Sanders (vs. IND) Darnell Mooney (vs. BAL) Corey Davis (vs. MIA) Brandon Aiyuk (@ JAX) Tyler Boyd (@ LV) Jakobi Meyers (@ ATL) Kadarius Toney (@ TB) A.J. Green (@ SEA) |
| 7 | Russell Gage (vs. NE) Sammy Watkins (@ CHI) Jamison Crowder (vs. MIA) Marvin Jones (vs. SF) Kenny Golladay (@ TB) Cole Beasley (vs. IND) Laviska Shenault (vs. SF) Deonte Harris (@ PHI) Marquez Callaway (@ PHI) Bryan Edwards (vs. CIN) Darius Slayton (@ TB) Quez Watkins (vs. NO) Rondale Moore (@ SEA) Randall Cobb (@ MIN) Kendrick Bourne (@ ATL) |
| 8 | Marquez Valdes-Scantling (@ MIN) Elijah Moore (vs. MIA) Tre’Quan Smith (@ PHI) Jamal Agnew (vs. SF) Nelson Agholor (@ ATL) Tyler Johnson (vs. NYG) Marcus Johnson (vs. HOU) Mecole Hardman (vs. DAL) Zach Pascal (@ BUF) Donovan Peoples-Jones (vs. DET) Olamide Zaccheaus (vs. NE) Nico Collins (@ TEN) Kalif Raymond (@ CLE) T.Y. Hilton (@ BUF) Cedrick Wilson (@ KC) Robby Anderson (vs. WAS) Byron Pringle (vs. DAL) |
Gabriel Davis is worth adding in deeper leagues as he would shoot into WR3/4 range if Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley or Emmanuel Sanders were to ever miss time. Beasley is playing through a rib injury that could sideline him while Sanders has started to fade in the second half of the season, so the chances of Davis getting a spot start over the coming weeks are increasing.
I like stashing receivers like Davis on my bench since he carries injury upside for three players, meaning the odds of him cashing in on that upside are much higher than most backup WRs.
Darnell Mooney sneaks into WR3 territory with Allen Robinson expected to miss this week. The Bears’ WR depth chart is so thin behind Mooney that he should see 8+ targets. It’s fair to worry about the Ravens putting extra attention on him as a result, but Justin Fields has been making strides as a passer, and Mooney can always break loose for a big play or two.
Kadarius Toney is a fringe WR3/4 option this week. Managing him has been a roller-coaster ride all season, posting elite usage when on the field but suffering numerous injuries that have sidelined him. However, I expect him to be closer to 100% following the Giants’ Week 10 bye and lean toward starting him in sit/start decisions.
Michael Gallup was able to return from the ankle injury he suffered back in Week 1. He posted a modest line of 3/42/0 with a 57% routes run rate. I expect him to be capable of a full-time role this week, and he will be Dak Prescott’s No. 2 or 3 target with Amari Cooper ruled out due to COVID. Gallup should be treated as a high-end WR3 in what should be a shootout against the Chiefs.
Deonte Harris is a sneaky WR4 play in PPR formats against the Eagles. He’s averaged a 45% routes run rate the past three games, but there’s a chance he could return to the 60-70% range he averaged Weeks 1-5 (pre-injury), giving him a sneaky ceiling. This season, Harris has been highly productive against zone coverage, posting a 3.59 YPRR (yards per route run rate) against zone and a 2.76 YPRR against man. Considering the Eagles use zone coverage at the fourth-highest rate, this is a good spot for Harris.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the ultimate high risk/reward WR4/5 option most weeks, but with Allen Lazard not expected to play, MVS is more likely to boom than bust this Sunday. That’s why I’m plugging him into my lineup rather than Laviska Shenault or Marquez Callaway types if I’m a huge underdog in any head-to-head matchups this week (which could be the case for anyone facing the Patriots DEF).
Michael Pittman is having a fantastic sophomore season, but he gets a downgrade this week. All season, the Bills defense has shut down opposing WRs, allowing only four to top 65+ yards. Pittman is also due for regression as his 76% catch rate is unsustainable. A player with an 11.4 aDot will typically see a catch rate closer to 64%, so I would expect Pittman to have a catch rate closer to that going forward. This game also has the possibility of rain/showers, making Pittman a risky high-end WR3 this week.
Rashod Bateman shoots into the WR2/3 range with Marquise Brown ruled out. The first-round pick has been playing well of late with lines of 3/80/0, 5/52/0 and 6/80/0 over the past three games. He should see season-highs in playing time and targets in Hollywood’s absence. Bateman carries a high floor this week, and given he has yet to score his first NFL touchdown, we have yet to see a ceiling game from him. That could happen this week with the added opportunity.
Sammy Watkins should also see an uptick in playing time and targets. He’s in the WR4/Flex mix as a result. Devin Duvernay makes for an interesting flier in deeper leagues as he’ll also see an expanded role this week with Miles Boykin also ruled out. However, Duvernay is questionable with a knee injury. If he were also to be ruled out, I would expect James Proche to take over as the Ravens’ No. 3 WR and concede snaps to rookie Tylan Wallace, though neither would be anything more than GPP dart throws in that scenario.
Fantasy TE Tiers
| Tier | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Travis Kelce (vs. DAL) |
| 2 | Darren Waller (vs. CIN) Mark Andrews (@ CHI) |
| 3 | Kyle Pitts (vs. NE) George Kittle (@ JAX) |
| 4 | Mike Gesicki (@ NYJ) Dalton Schultz (@ KC) |
| 5 | Dallas Goedert (vs. NO) Zach Ertz (@ SEA) Dan Arnold (vs. SF) |
| 6 | T.J. Hockenson (@ CLE) Tyler Conklin (vs. GB) Dawson Knox (vs. IND) Pat Freiermuth (@ LAC) Cole Kmet (vs. BAL) Rob Gronkowski (vs. NYG) Hunter Henry (@ ATL) |
| 7 | Jared Cook (vs. PIT) C.J. Uzomah (@ LV) Evan Engram (@ TB) Adam Trautman (@ PHI) Gerald Everett (vs. ARI) |
| 8 | Austin Hooper (vs. DET) David Njoku (vs. DET) |
| 9 | MyCole Pruitt (vs. HOU) Anthony Firkser (vs. HOU) Jonnu Smith (@ ATL) John Bates (@ CAR) Mo Alie-Cox (@ BUF) |
T.J. Hockenson posted a goose egg last week, and it’s going to be tough for him to bounce back with Tim Boyle under center. As a result, I’m treating Hockenson as a fringe TE1/2 option.
Dan Arnold and Tyler Conklin are safer bets than Hockenson this week.
Rob Gronkowski may have suffered a setback as he was unable to practice Saturday (after practicing in full both Thursday and Friday). Considering he doesn’t play until Monday night, he’s probably not worth the risk unless you have access to backup plans in O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate or Evan Engram.
Dalton Schultz has cooled off over the past few games, posting the TE30 score from Weeks 8-10. However, I expect him to bounce back as a mid-range TE1 with Amari Cooper ruled out and a potential shootout on tap against the Chiefs.
Dawson Knox posted a (1/17/0) dud in his return last week. However, it was encouraging to see him return to his full role (74% routes run). He should return to the level of production we saw in Weeks 2-5 soon. Cole Beasley has been limited by a rib injury, which could mean additional targets to go around for players like Knox. He’s a TE1/2 fringe option this week.
Marquise Brown was a surprise scratch for Week 11, which solidifies Mark Andrews as a top-three tight end.
Fantasy Kicker Tiers
| Tier | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Harrison Butker (vs. DAL) Ryan Succop (vs. NYG) Nick Folk (@ ATL) Evan McPherson (@ LV) Tyler Bass (vs. IND) |
| 2 | Greg Zuerlein (@ KC) Jason Sanders (@ NYJ) Justin Tucker (@ CHI) Dustin Hopkins (vs. PIT) Daniel Carlson (vs. CIN) Robbie Gould (@ JAX) Randy Bullock (vs. HOU) Chase McLaughlin (vs. DET) Matt Prater (@ SEA) |
| 3 | Younghoe Koo (vs. NE) Mason Crosby (@ MIN) Zane Gonzalez (vs. WAS) Graham Gano (@ TB) Jason Myers (vs. ARI) Matt Ammendola (vs. MIA) Chris Boswell (@ LAC) |
| 4 | Jake Elliott (vs. NO) Greg Joseph (vs. GB) Michael Badgley (@ BUF) Joey Slye (@ CAR) Cairo Santos (vs. BAL) Matthew Wright (vs. SF) Ka’imi Fairbairn (@ TEN) Brett Maher (@ PHI) |
| 5 | Aldrick Rosas (@ CLE) |
Fantasy Defense Tiers
| Tier | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Browns (vs. DET) |
| 2 | Titans (vs. HOU) Ravens (@ CHI) 49ers (@ JAX) Buccaneers (vs. NYG) |
| 3 | Panthers (vs. WAS) Patriots (@ ATL) Dolphins (@ NYJ) Bills (vs. IND) Eagles (vs. NO) |
| 4 | Cardinals (@ SEA) Chargers (vs. PIT) Football Team (@ CAR) Jets (vs. MIA) Bengals (@ LV) Seahawks (vs. ARI) Saints (@ PHI) Packers (@ MIN) |
| 5 | Raiders (vs. CIN) Vikings (vs. GB) Bears (vs. BAL) Steelers (@ LAC) |
| 6 | Jaguars (vs. SF) Cowboys (@ KC) Lions (@ CLE) Chiefs (vs. DAL) Falcons (vs. NE) Texans (@ TEN) Colts (@ BUF) |
| 7 | Giants (@ TB) |