Joe Serpico shares his top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups heading into Week 11.
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers: There is no denying Herbert’s talent. The question entering the season was whether the Chargers would throw the ball enough to make Herbert relevant for fantasy owners. Herbert failed to finish as a top-20 fantasy QB the first six weeks of the season, but has finished as QB9, QB12 and QB8 the last three weeks. Herbert’s next two games are against the Bengals and Ravens, two of the league’s worst pass defenses. With 10 teams on a bye the next two weeks and these juicy matchups coming up, Herbert should be starting for most fantasy teams.
Audric Estime, RB, Denver Broncos: I was big on Javonte Williams this season — I drafted him in four of five redraft leagues — but it looks like Sean Payton has seen enough. A fifth-round rookie from Notre Dame, Estime rushed 14 times for 53 yards against the Chiefs on Sunday. Williams had just one carry for one yard. Jaleel McLaughlin started the game, which makes this backfield situation even more difficult to project. This could be a case of the Broncos riding the hot hand with Estime on Sunday, or Estime could be the league-winning waiver addition we have been waiting for all season. Add him and see how things play out next week.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Another one of my favorite running backs in the later rounds, Warren got off to a slow start because of a knee injury. He had his best game of the season against the Commanders on Sunday after Najee Harris suffered a knee injury. Warren had a season-high 16 touches and would become a must-start RB if Harris were to miss any time. He is one of the top handcuffs in fantasy football and has FLEX appeal on a weekly basis. How he is still available in nearly 50 percent of leagues makes no sense to me.
Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, WRs, San Francisco 49ers: I grouped these two together after the injury to Brandon Aiyuk and both delivered in their first game on the field together. Pearsall finished with four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown, while Jennings led the 49ers in targets (11), receptions (7) and yards (93). Pearsall has made an impact as a rookie and Jennings continues to impress when given opportunities. I feel more confident starting Jennings than Pearsall, but both need to be rostered during these dreaded bye weeks.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: A carryover from last week, Johnston only had two targets but found the end zone once again on Sunday. He has touchdowns in back-to-back games and five times on the season despite just 29 targets in seven games. Johnston has finished as a WR2 or better in four of those seven games, and the Bengals’ suspect defense is up next. Pick up Johnston if he is available and start him with confidence in Week 11.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are on a bye in Week 11, but Sanders has quietly put together a solid rookie campaign. Sanders is TE13 since Week 6, finishing as a TE1 in three of the last four games. Carolina is embracing its youth movement with fellow rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker earning much of the playing time this week. Sanders is not a sexy pickup, but there are worse options at a tight end position that has been tough to gauge this season.
Top Handcuffs (Rostered in less than 50 percent of leagues)
Tyler Allgeier
Zach Charbonnet
Ray Davis
Braelon Allen
Cam Akers
Tyjae Spears
Blake Corum
Jaylen Wright
Trey Benson
Justice Hill
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