Start ’em, sit ’em decisions aren’t getting any easier for fantasy football owners, and things stay difficult in Week 11. Injuries keep piling up (Cooper Kupp, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, etc.) and four offenses filled with plenty of top fantasy performers (Jaguars, Dolphins, Seahawks, Buccaneers) are all off for their bye weeks. Fortunately, Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer is here to help with his Week 11 fantasy lineup advice and DFS tips.
Wide receiver is especially depleted this week, as Christian Kirk, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin are all out of action. Running back is also down, with Travis Etienne Jr., Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Kenneth Walker, Rachaad White, and Leonard Fournette idle. Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith, and Tom Brady also create some key QB questions for some.
More important are all of the big injuries. Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray, Ezekiel Elliott, Gus Edwards, Mark Andrews, Jerry Jeudy, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Mecole Hardman, David Njoku, and JuJu Smith-Schuster all figure to be “questionable” and create additional start ’em, sit ’em headaches.
Navigating through a smaller-than-usual collection of potential starting options, here are our must-starts and start ’em sit ’em recommendations for Week 11. If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller’s industry-leading “Who To Start?” tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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Fantasy Football Week 11 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Justin Fields, Bears (at ATL)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at LAC)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. CAR)
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. CLE)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at IND)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (at PIT)
Stronger starts
Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. KC). He’s not putting up QB1 numbers of late with limited weapons, but the Chiefs are hemorrhaging points to the position.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at MIN). The Vikings’ coverage is struggling, and he produced big-time despite turnovers last week. Ride Dak while he’s feeling it with his key weapons again.
Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. DET). Danny drops more dimes on Detroit after dumping a sweet day at home vs. Houston.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (vs. ARI in Mexico City). More passing should be in store to attack the Cardinals’ biggest defensive weakness and deliver what fantasy owners need from a streamer.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. TEN). Green Bay will need to pass more on the Titans to move the ball, and Rodgers will stay hot following Dallas.
Marcus Mariota, Falcons (vs. CHI). The total for the game is high, and the volume opposite Justin Fields should lead to pleasing production against a lost defense.
Russell Wilson, Broncos (vs. LV). He had volume last week with one score, and here can get two at home against an atrocious defense.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. CAR, $8,400). He should have his full complement of weaponry back, and he can perform like the “OG Fields” at a relatively nice price.
DraftKings tournament pick
Justin Fields, Bears (at ATL, $7,600). After the past two blowup weeks, he’s still too cheap ahead of another cake matchup. He’s somehow $800 cheaper than Jackson on DK.
Streamer Special
Kenny Pickett, Steelers (vs. CIN). Pickett avoided mistakes and embraced running last week, and the Bengals’ pass defense has some new holes.
WEEK 11 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 11 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Kyler Murray. Cardinals (even if he returns, vs. SF in Mexico City). The 49ers are squeezing QB production, and his hamstring might limit his running if he plays. No Zach Ertz (knee) doesn’t help either.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (vs. DAL). He struggled for the most part in Buffalo until Justin Jefferson salvaged his high-volume day. Don’t chase Aaron Rodgers’ big day against this pass defense.
Derek Carr, Raiders (at DEN). Carr broke down after the latest loss despite putting up nice numbers on the Colts. That won’t happen against the Broncos on the road.
Jared Goff, Lions (at NYG). Goff doesn’t have enough weapons in a run-heavy offense to trust in this tough spot.
Taylor Heinicke, Commanders (at HOU). it’s a trap! Washington should keep going run-heavy in this matchup.
Davis Mills, Texans (vs. WAS). It’s another trap! Mills is hanging on by a thread, and the Commanders’ defense is suddenly playing well and making plays.
WEEK 11 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 11 Start ‘Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. DET)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. ARI in Mexico City)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. KC)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (at GB)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (at PIT)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. NYJ)
- Nick Chubb, Browns (at BUF)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. PHI)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. LAR)
- Dameon Pierce, Texans (vs. WAS)
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings (vs. DAL)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. TEN)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at DEN)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at MIN)
- Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons (vs. CHI)
- Miles Sanders, Eagles (at IND)
Stronger starts
Antonio Gibson, Commanders (at HOU). Gibson is still the lead back in terms of key touches, and the Texans don’t stop backs of this caliber behind good blocking.
David Montgomery, Bears (at ATL). Montgomery might be rolling without Khalil Herbert (hip), which will help siphon off some of Justin Fields’ rushing production in another plus matchup.
Devin Singletary, Bills (vs. CLE). He scored twice on the Vikings and needs to be more involved in a great matchup to keep taking pressure off a slumping passing Allen. A bad weather forecast only strengthens Singletary’s outlook.
Jamaal Williams, Lions (at NYG). The Giants don’t give up much overall to backs, but you can run on them between the tackles.
Gus Edwards or Kenyan Drake, Ravens (vs. CAR). Should Edwards return from the hamstring injury, he should be the guy to smash. If Edwards remains out, the Drake will continue breaking down another weak run defense.
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (at LAC). This is the game where the Chiefs rely a little more on the power run, and the rookie can speed through the Chargers for a nice yardage day with a good shot for a score.
Melvin Gordon, Broncos (vs. LV). He’s still the best backfield option and should fall forward into rushing production in this plum spot.
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at HOU). He will also be busy with Washington’s run-heavy game plan carrying over well here.
Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. CIN). The game script should mean more of him compared to Najee Harris this week.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. NYJ, $8,100). He can push well beyond 2X-value return thanks to being rested and ready to dominate this matchup a second time.
Devin Singletary, Bills (vs. CLE, $6,400). He’s also underpriced given the matchup and his two-TD effort last week. They need to keep leaning on him to get a win with Allen getting sloppy.
DraftKings tournament picks
Antonio Gibson, Commanders (at HOU, $5,600). Gibson had a blowup game in Dallas as a rookie, and his role is big enough to stomp the Texans on this trip to Texas.
Miles Sanders, Eagles (at IND, $6,900). The Eagles should go back to trusting the run often with a positive game script, and Sanders can score twice with no Shaquille Leonard (back).
WEEK 11 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
Fantasy Football Week 11 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
D’Onta Foreman, Panthers (at BAL). Negative game script isn’t a good look on him, especially with competition for touches.
James Conner, Cardinals (vs. SF in Mexico City). Conner is dominating the touches with no Eno Benjamin, but the 49ers have tightened the screws on every back.
Najee Harris, Steelers (vs. CIN). It took a lot for him to get close to 100 scoreless yards last week, and he won’t come close this week.
D’Andre Swift, Lions (at NYG). The Giants don’t give up much receiving production, and he’s not getting the ball enough in general.
Michael Carter and James Robinson, Jets (at NE). The Patriots will easily shut them both down and make Zach Wilson beat them.
Kareem Hunt, Browns (at BUF). He should have been traded because he’s just a lame-duck, complementary back now.
Elijah Mitchell, 49ers (vs. ARI in Mexico City). Don’t chase his volume from the Chargers. This is still CMC’s backfield first.
Damien Harris, Patriots (vs. NYJ). You can’t trust him to get significant work behind Rhamondre Stevenson.
AJ Dillon, Packers (vs. TEN). You can’t trust him to get significant work behind Aaron Jones.
Darrell Henderson Jr., Rams (at NO). The matchup looks decent, but you can’t trust him with Cam Akers and Kyren Williams involved.
Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (vs. CHI). It’s too much of an unpredictable committee after Cordarrelle Patterson.
Fantasy Football Week 11 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. DAL)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. CLE)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at MIN)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (vs. SF in Mexico City)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (at DEN)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at IND)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (at PIT)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. ARI in Mexico City)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at NYG)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at HOU)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. LAR)
- Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. CLE)
- Tyler Boyd, Bengals (at PIT)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. ARI in Mexico City)
- Allen Lazard, Packers (vs. TEN)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. LV)
- Amari Cooper, Browns (at BUF)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at IND)
Stronger starts
Josh Palmer, Chargers (vs. KC). Palmer did well the first time against the Chiefs, but you’ll have to monitor the statuses of Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (ankle). Even if both are back, Palmer has boom-or-bust upside in this cake matchup.
Rondale Moore, Cardinals (vs. SF in Mexico City). The 49ers can struggle with quick slot types, and Moore keeps delivering. He should also have an even bigger role minus Zach Ertz (knee).
George Pickens, Steelers (vs. CIN). He’s their No. 1, getting it done in different ways, and there’s no Chidobe Awuzie (knee).
Kadarius Toney, Chiefs (at LAC). He should have another massive role with Mecole Hardman (abdomen) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) hurting.
Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. NE). He’s the No. 1, and he can get it done with volume from the other Wilson.
Christian Watson, Packers (vs. TEN). The Titans can also give up big scoring pass plays downfield.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (at ATL). Mooney should score on a long ball against a weakened cornerback corps.
Curtis Samuel, Commanders (at HOU). He’ll be busy on shorter routes away from Derek Stingley Jr.
Devin Duvernay, Ravens (vs. CAR). Here’s calling a Duvernay big play to the house from the slot.
Drake London, Falcons (vs. CHI). London will score again vs. a struggling cornerback group.
Darius Slayton, Giants (vs. DET). He’ll slay this matchup with another big-play score.
Adam Thielen, Vikings (vs. DAL). He should get more key looks away from Trevon Diggs.
Allen Robinson, Rams (at NO). The Saints’ cornerbacks are having issues minus Marshon Lattimore (abdomen), and he needs to be the guy by default with no Cooper Kupp (ankle).
Nico Collins, Texans (vs. WAS). He’s seeing huge volume, and he can put up some more good garbage points.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at MIN, $8,100). Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis destroyed this secondary minus Cameron Dantzler (ankle), and Lamb will stay red hot for this price.
Tee Higgins, Bengals (at PIT, $7,600). He’s a pretty safe bet for a big game vs. bad corners with Ja’Marr Chase (hip) sitting out at least one more week.
George Pickens, Steelers (vs. CIN, $6,000). He’s still too cheap for a No. 1 with great scoring and some big-play potential.
DraftKings tournament picks
Darnell Mooney, Bears (at ATL, $5,400). He’s a speedster on a fast track that says he might be the two-score guy, a la Cole Kmet last week.
Devin Duvernay, Ravens (vs. CAR, $5,000). His home-run potential from the deep slot is very appealing in a stack with Lamar Jackson.
Van Jefferson, Rams (at NO, $4,500). He scored late last week and will likely get a few more shots vs. a weakened secondary.
Fantasy Football Week 11 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns (at BUF). There are no easy corner matchups for them on the road — especially if a snowstorm hits Buffalo as expected.
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. PHI). He might see too much Darius Slay, and the only viable option from Indy’s wideouts now is Parris Campbell.
D.J. Moore, Panthers (at BAL). The return to Maryland won’t mean a return to relevance with Baker Mayfield.
Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. CIN). The connection continues to be off with Kenny Pickett.
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (vs. NYJ). He won’t be special vs. Sauce.
Brandin Cooks, Texans (at WAS). It’s hard to trust him to want to stay involved.
Mack Hollins, Raiders (vs. DEN). The idea is better than the execution.
Fantasy Football Week 11 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at LAC)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. CAR)
Stronger starts
Cole Kmet, Bears (at ATL). Kmet should be started in all formats during his heater that will continue on the fast track against a bad coverage defense.
George Kittle, 49ers (vs. ARI in Mexico City). He has a great history in the matchup, and the Cardinals are once again terrible against TEs.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (at MIN). He scored last week and should remain busy with Dak Prescott.
Greg Dulcich, Broncos (at LV). The rookie will rebound against a Raiders’ defense that struggles against athletic hybrids at TE.
Gerald Everett, Chargers (if he returns, vs. KC). Watch the groin injury, but he can deliver for a second time in this matchup. Tre’ McKitty would be a desperation play if Everett is out.
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. CIN). He ripped them in Week 1 and is working as an upside slot with no Chase Claypool.
Foster Moreau, Raiders (at DEN). Moreau is a seamless plug-and-play for Darren Waller (hamstring) again.
Robert Tonyan, Packers (vs. TEN). Here’s calling on him to score a short TD.
Isaiah Likely, Ravens (vs. CAR). Watch him stay involved well in 12 personnel despite a healthy Mark Andrews.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game and DraftKings tournament pick
Greg Dulcich, Broncos ($3,800 and $5,500, vs. LV). He should have had more juice last week, and Jerry Jeudy’s ankle injury makes it more appealing.
Fantasy Football Week 11 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. DAL). The Cowboys have shored up their tight end coverage big time, so watch him bust.
Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. CHI). The Bears are much easier to run and throw outside on.
Tyler Higbee, Rams (at NO). The Saints keep dominating tight ends.
Hayden Hurst, Bengals (at PIT). Hurst has low upside compared to Joe Mixon and Cincinnati’s wide receivers.
Dawson Knox, Bills (vs. CLE). Knox will be quiet relative to the run and wideouts, too.
Tyler Conklin, Jets (at NE). You can’t chase the previous production.
Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. LAR). He’s been hot, but he won’t be here vs. Ernest Jones.
Fantasy Football Week 11 Start ‘Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Patriots (vs. NYJ)
- Ravens (vs. CAR)
- Bills (vs. CLE)
- 49ers (at ARI in Mexico City)
- Broncos (vs. LV)
- Rams (at NO)
- Eagles (at IND)
- Giants (vs. DET)
Stronger starts
Saints (vs. LAR). They might get John Wolford at home without Cooper Kupp (ankle).
Commanders (at HOU). They’re suddenly playing well under Jack Del Rio, and Davis Mills isn’t playing well.
Jets (at NE). Mac Jones vs. Zach Wilson might be the Spider-Man meme.
Packers (vs. TEN). Give them the home, prime-time bump against a limited offense.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick and DraftKings tournament pick
Saints (vs. LAR, $4,100 and $3,000). They should get at least three sacks and two turnovers at home for an easy return on investment because of their front-seven domination in this game.
Fantasy Football Week 11 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Bengals (at PIT). Kenny Pickett isn’t turning the ball over, and this defense won’t make enough plays on the road.
Cowboys (at MIN). They’re not good enough to put up numbers on the Vikings.
Vikings (vs. DAL). They’re not good enough to put up numbers on the Cowboys.
Steelers (vs. CIN). T.J. Watt doesn’t make them suddenly playable against better offenses despite what happened in Week 1.
Titans (at GB). They will go back to cooling off on the road in prime time vs. Aaron Rodgers.
Chiefs (at LAC). It’s a trap on the road vs. Justin Herbert.
Falcons (vs. CHI). Worry more about positive Fields than negative Fields.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer’s in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 11 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
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