Waiver Wire Week 11
Week 11 opens with chaos. Rashid Shaheed has been traded to Seattle. Davante Adams is nursing a back injury. Dalton Kincaid, J.K. Dobbins, and Jaxson Dart are all sidelined. The waiver wire is no longer just about upside. It’s about survival. Depth is thinning, bye weeks are brutal, and playoff positioning is on the line. This week’s pickups are more than streamers. They’re insurance policies, contingency plans, and potential league-winners. Whether you’re chasing a playoff spot or protecting a lead, every roster move matters. Let’s break down the top adds, injury pivots, and sneaky flex plays heading into Week 11.
93% Rostered on Sleeper
McCarthy is heading into a dream matchup against Chicago, one of the worst pass defenses in the league. The Bears give up the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and McCarthy already carved them up once in Week 1 with a late-game surge. Last week, he went 20-of-42 for 248 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions which is ugly on paper, but the volume and deep attempts were encouraging. If this game turns into another shootout, McCarthy has the arm talent and mobility to capitalize. I’m treating him as a matchup-based QB2 with streaming upside in superflex and deeper formats.
87% Rostered on Sleeper
Bijan Robinson handled the bulk of the work in Week 10, but Allgeier was subbed in for key short-yardage and goal-line situations, rushing 11 times for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns in Atlanta’s loss to Indianapolis. He’s clearly the preferred option near the stripe, and his role in those packages is holding steady. The Falcons face Carolina in Week 11, a defense that has struggled to contain the run. If Atlanta leans on the ground game to control tempo, Allgeier could see another 10-12 touches with scoring upside. He’s a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex, but one worth starting in standard formats.
57% Rostered on Sleeper
Tucker is quietly taking over the Tampa Bay backfield. He led the team in rushing for the second consecutive week, posting 9 carries for 53 yards against the Patriots. Bucky Irving is doubtful with a foot injury, and Rachaad White has seen his workload hover around 50% of snaps over the last two games. Tucker’s burst and decisiveness are earning him more early-down work, and he now faces a Buffalo defense that gives up the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs. If the Bucs can stay competitive, Tucker has a real shot to post his best game of the season. He’s a priority add in 12-team formats and a sneaky flex play for Week 11.
67% Rostered on Sleeper
Demercado is trending toward lead-back duties in Arizona. He posted 4 carries for 64 yards and added 4 receptions for 3 yards in Week 10 against Seattle, showing burst and efficiency despite limited volume. With Bam Knight nursing an ankle injury and Trey Benson still unavailable, Demercado is in line for expanded usage in Week 11 against the 49ers. While San Francisco isn’t a pushover, they’ve allowed chunk plays to running backs with speed and vision. Demercado’s explosive run rate and red zone usage are quietly rising, and he’s a viable flex option in 12-team formats, especially for managers navigating injury chaos.
85% Rostered on Sleeper
Pierce is trending up after posting 4 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown on 7 targets in Week 10 against Atlanta. He’s on bye this week, but the Colts face Kansas City, Houston, and Jacksonville over the next three games, each defense has given up splash plays to perimeter receivers. With Michael Pittman drawing top coverage and Josh Downs working underneath, Pierce is seeing more deep shots and red zone looks. If this usage continues, he’s a viable WR4 with upside in 12-team formats and a strong stash heading into the fantasy playoff stretch.
82% Rostered on Sleeper
Washington is stepping into a bigger role by necessity. He caught 3-of-7 targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in Week 10 against Houston, and with Travis Hunter out for the season and Brian Thomas Jr. dealing with a lingering ankle injury, the opportunity is there for his volume to rise. Washington has flashed strong hands and short-area quickness, and his rapport with Trevor Lawrence is improving. If his target share climbs and the catch rate stabilizes, he could become a reliable WR3 in PPR formats. Jacksonville faces a soft stretch of secondaries over the next few weeks, making Washington a strong stash and potential flex play.
82% Rostered on Sleeper
Johnson is emerging as a key piece in the Giants offense. He caught 7-of-8 targets for 75 yards in Week 10 before Jaxson Dart left with a concussion, and his chemistry with Dart has been one of the few bright spots in the New York Giants’ season. If Russell Wilson gets the start in Week 11, Johnson’s role should remain stable, especially with the Giants facing one of the most tight end-friendly schedules down the stretch. Green Bay has allowed consistent production to athletic tight ends, and Johnson’s size-speed combo makes him a matchup problem. I scouted him coming out of college and he’s exactly the kind of player the Giants need to lean on this week. He’s a top-15 tight end play with upside if the volume holds.
81% Rostered on Sleeper
This one’s a deep shot, literally and figuratively. Williams played 56% of snaps in Week 10 and made the most of his limited looks, hauling in a 72-yard touchdown on one of his two targets. With Kayshon Boutte sidelined by a hamstring injury and the Patriots desperate for explosive plays, Williams could see his role expand quickly. He’s flashed vertical speed and separation ability, and if he earns even a modest bump in targets, he could become a boom-bust WR4 in deeper leagues.
