QUARTERBACK:
START OF THE WEEK: Cam Newton (vs NO)
Newton hasn’t been as good as those who drafted him early expected so far this season, but Sunday’s game was a step in the right direction. Cam had 23 fantasy points, which was just the second time he’s scored 20 or more points since Week 2. The other time? Week 6 against the Saints where the Panthers lost 41-38. Expect another shootout on Thursday night.
START: Marcus Mariota (@ IND)
Somehow available in a quarter of ESPN.com leagues, Marcus Mariota is an elite fantasy player that needs to be owned and started everywhere. Since Week 5, the sophomore quarterback is averaging 24.0 fantasy points per game, and has multiple pass touchdowns in each game.
START: Kirk Cousins (vs GB)
Cousins is one of those guys that it’s hard to trust, but Green Bay’s defense just looked so bad last week that it’s hard not to play Cousins at home on Sunday Night Football. Despite their struggles, the Packers have been solid against the run (3.6 yards per carry), so Jay Gruden will probably decide to air it out.
START: Tyrod Taylor (@ CIN)
After struggling in Week 1 with five fantasy points, Tyrod has settled in as top-10 fantasy quarterback. Taylor is averaging 17.3 fantasy points per game and has at least 14 fantasy points in every game since the five-point Week 1. The Bills should be ready coming out of their bye.
Others: Derek Carr (vs HOU), Alex Smith (vs TB)
SIT OF THE WEEK: Carson Palmer (@ MIN)
Palmer is simply not the player he was in 2015. We are in Week 11, and the veteran signal-caller has just three games with more than one passing touchdown. Last year, he had 11 such games. No one would blame you if you dropped Palmer. He needs to be at least benched this week in Minnesota.
SIT: Jameis Winston (@ KC)
Quarterbacks facing the Chiefs have a 16:13 touchdown-interception ratio. With the turnover-prone Jameis Winston coming into Arrowhead, there’s a good chance that solid ratio looks even better after Sunday. Winston has 13 turnovers this season.
SIT: Dak Prescott (vs BAL)
Many would have laughed if someone said Dak Prescott would be the #6 fantasy quarterback through Week 10, but he’s just that. The rookie is the unquestioned starter even with Tony Romo healthy. So why is he a sit? For one, the Ravens are strong against opposing passers. More importantly, Romo will be suiting up for Dallas, which puts some added pressure on young Prescott. He will probably be fine, but you never know.
SIT: Jared Goff (vs MIA)
If there was a rookie quarterback sixth at the position right now, we probably would have assumed #1 overall pick Jared Goff lived up to his lofty comparisons to Joe Montana. Instead, Goff will see the field for the first time this Sunday. With a lack of weapons and bad offensive line—and facing a recently opportunistic Dolphins defense—Goff could have a tough time in his first start.
Others: Carson Wentz (@ SEA), Joe Flacco (@ DAL)
RUNNING BACK:
START OF THE WEEK: Latavius Murray (vs HOU)
The last time we saw Latavius, he was dominating against the Broncos on Sunday Night Football. Fresh out of the bye week, he will try to dominate a night game in a different country, as the Raiders and Texans play in Mexico on Monday Night Football. Murray is a top-10 play with Houston’s run defense a surprising bottom-10 unit.
START: LeGarrette Blount (@ SF)
I thought Blount’s fantasy value would take a hit when Tom Brady returned, but it’s actually done the opposite. In Weeks 1-4, Blount averaged 14.0 fantasy points per game, but since Week 5, he’s averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game. Playing on the best offense in the league has given him plenty of scoring opportunities, and he will have plenty more this week with the Niners low time of possession and weak defense.
START: James Starks (@ WAS)
As both a Ty Montgomery owner and football fan in general, this one pains me. The Packers offense was rolling with the former Stanford standout playing running back with Eddie Lacy and James Starks out, but Montgomery barely played last week with Starks back. There is definitely a chance Mike McCarthy realizes Montgomery needs to play, but who knows. I have Starks as a low-end RB2 against the Redskins, who are allowing the fifth most yards per carry and the second most rushing touchdowns in the league.
START: C.J. Prosise (vs PHI)
Prosise got the start for the Seahawks last week and saw 24 touches as Seattle defeated New England. The rookie out of Notre Dame could see another big workload this week with Thomas Rawls likely being eased back into action. In the past, the Eagles have struggled against backs that can catch passes.
Others: Chris Ivory (@ DET), Darren Sproles (@ SEA)
SIT OF THE WEEK: Ryan Mathews (@ SEA)
Where did last week’s 27-point explosion come from? Mathews had just 25 total rushing yards the previous two weeks, and head coach Doug Pederson said Darren Sproles was the starter—which was obviously a lie. Mathews is suddenly back on the RB2 map as a talented runner in a run-first offense, but he could have a tough time this week in Seattle, especially if the Eagles fall behind early.
SIT: Thomas Rawls (vs PHI)
It was a shock on Tuesday night when ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that the Seahawks had waived RB Christine Michael. People probably dropped Thomas Rawls after it seemed like he might not get his job back, but now it’s clear that he will. This week, though, it’s impossible to tell how much work he will get, which makes him a tough sell as a start. Still, if he’s somehow available, pick up Rawls; it would not be surprising if he pushed for RB1 value down the stretch.
SIT: Dion Lewis (@ SF)
For the same reasons I’m sitting Rawls this week, Lewis should sit for now. No one knows how much the versatile back will play this week—if he is even active. That being said, like Rawls, Lewis needs to be picked up in all leagues where he is available as a potential difference-maker for the fantasy playoffs.
SIT: Terrance West (@ DAL)
It looks like West’s time as the clear lead back could be over after he struggled to 65 yards on 21 carries last Thursday against the lowly Browns. Impressive rookie Kenneth Dixon rushed six times for 38 yards and caught five passes for 42 yards, and has earned at least an even-split with West. This reminds me of the situation with Devontae Booker and C.J. Anderson in Denver from a few weeks ago, except West is way less proven than Anderson was. Dixon needs to be owned.
Others: Isaiah Crowell (vs PIT), Tim Hightower (@ CAR)
WIDE RECEIVER:
START OF THE WEEK: Allen Robinson (@ DET)
It’s good to see Allen Robinson finally producing after struggling to begin the season. He’s worked his way to WR1 status and has a great matchup against the Lions this week. Detroit struggled against a big, athletic wide receiver before this season, allowing seven catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns to Kenny Britt in Week 6.
START: Davante Adams (@ WAS)
Adams has looked like the clear #2 receiver for Aaron Rodgers recently, including last week where he and Jordy Nelson dominated the snaps with others rotating in behind them; Adams had six catches for 156 yards in the loss, and is averaging 14.25 fantasy points per game over the past four weeks. He’s quietly the 11th best wide receiver through 10 weeks.
START: Michael Thomas (@ CAR)
Don’t shy away from the rookie after one bad game. In fact, it was his only bad game of his career, as last week’s 0-point performance (40 yards with two lost fumbles) was his only game this season with less than five fantasy points. He should have a monster bounce back this Thursday night against the Panthers in an expected shootout.
START: Jamison Crowder (vs GB)
Crowder, too, has just one game with less than five fantasy points this season. He’s become Kirk Cousins’ go-to receiver, and has at least nine fantasy points in each of his past five games. With the Packers defense getting exposed this season—as recent as last week—Crowder is a WR2 for Week 11.
Others: Rishard Matthews (@ IND), Tyreek Hill (vs TB)
SIT OF THE WEEK: Stefon Diggs (vs ARI)
Bruce Arians’ press conference this week is why I’m sitting a guy with two straight games with 13 catches:
Q: How do you slow Stefon Diggs?
A: Put Patrick Peterson on him.
Q: That’s your plan Sunday?
A: Oh, yeah.
SIT: Marvin Jones (vs JAC)
Jones has really cooled off since his #1 overall WR start, as he hasn’t scored double-digit fantasy points since his Week 3 explosion. With Jalen Ramsey likely to matchup with him, Jones isn’t even on the WR2 radar for me.
SIT: Jordan Matthews (@ SEA)
Matthews is dealing with a back injury, but will play this Sunday. Hopefully not for your fantasy team, though. Matthews has had just one difficult matchup this season (against the Vikings), and he scored one fantasy point. The Seahawks in Seattle are a difficult matchup.
SIT: Arizona WRs not named Larry Fitzgerald (@ MIN)
Good luck trying to figure out who to play out of John Brown, Michael Floyd, and J.J. Nelson. It seems like every week a different guy gets a leg up on the #2 WR spot. Against the Vikings, it could be none of them.
Others: Sammie Coates (@ CLE), Allen Hurns (@ DET)
TIGHT END:
START OF THE WEEK: Ladarius Green (@ CLE)
If you are struggling at the tight end position, Green is a great high-upside option in the Pittsburgh offense. This week, he faces the Browns, who are torched by anyone and everyone at tight end. This feels like a get-right came for the Steelers, and Big Ben could try to get his newest weapon involved. Green is a top-10 play for me.
START: Martellus Bennett (@ SF)
If Rob Gronkowski (chest) is inactive, then Bennett could be the top tight end option for Week 11. The Niners have allowed 100 yards and a touchdown to both Greg Olsen and Jimmy Graham this season. Even if Gronk is active, Bennett should be in your lineup.
START: Vernon Davis (vs GB)
The Redskins have been effective utilizing two tight ends this season, particularly recently. Davis is averaging nearly 10 fantasy points per game over the past four weeks, and the Packers are among the worst at defending the position. Just last week, they were torched by Davis’ former teammate Delanie Walker.
START: Lance Kendricks (vs MIA)
Kendricks had a quiet game last Sunday, but Jared Goff could look to his security blanket early and often in his first career start. The Dolphins are not an imposing matchup for opposing tight ends.
Others: Coby Fleener (@ CAR)
SIT OF THE WEEK: Jimmy Graham (vs PHI)
The tight end facing the Eagles has been a “Sit” almost every week this season. They have yet to allow an opposing tight end go over 55 yards, so you’re basically hoping for a touchdown from Graham to be worth a start, and he’s actually only scored in two games this season.
SIT: Kyle Rudolph (vs ARI)
As good as the Eagles have been against tight ends, the Cardinals have been a little better. Arizona has allowed zero touchdowns so far this season to the position, and Rudolph’s touchdown potential is a big reason why he’s normally a solid TE1. I think the Cards get the better of the matchup this week.
SIT: Cameron Brate (@ KC)
Brate is tough to sit with a touchdown in three straight games, but he should probably stay out of your lineup against Kansas City this week. The Chiefs just held Greg Olsen in check for 39 yards and no scores a week ago.
SIT: Eric Ebron (vs JAC)
Since returning from injury, Ebron has caught seven passes in two straight games, averaging 85.5 yards per game in the process. With the potential of Myles Jack being on him, though, I think there are better options.
Others: Zach Ertz (@ SEA)
DEFENSE:
START OF THE WEEK: Miami Dolphins (@ LA)
I like Jared Goff’s long-term future in the NFL, but the Dolphins are an elite play against him this week. If the reports of Goff not being ready to play are true, it could be a long day the rookie. The Dolphins just picked Philip Rivers off four times, and have eight interceptions over the past four games.
START: New England Patriots (@ SF)
Well, the Patriots have a chance to put up a lot of points this week against the 49ers, and San Francisco trying to keep up will just lead to mistakes. Big time sack, turnover, and touchdown potential for New England’s defense on Sunday.
START: Pittsburgh Steelers (@ CLE)
The Steelers can’t get upset by the Browns this week if they want to keep up with the Ravens. Cleveland is sticking with rookie Cody Kessler after benching him for some reason last week, which could mess with his psyche. I like him, but I doubt Kessler can stay at just one interception for too much longer.
START: Oakland Raiders (vs HOU)
Brock Osweiler threw for 99 yards last week. The Texans paid him $72 million to play football for them, so you should feel better if you made any stupid investment decisions in your life.
Others: Detroit Lions (vs JAC)
SIT OF THE WEEK: Carolina Panthers (vs NO)
Drew Brees and the Saints scored 41 points when these teams met earlier this season. This one isn’t in New Orleans, but it should still be a high-scoring game.
SIT: Philadelphia Eagles (@ SEA)
The Eagles are a completely different defense on the road than they are at home. In Philadelphia, they’re allowing just 9.5 points per game, but on the road, they’re allowing 24.4 points per game. With Russell Wilson getting healthier, Seattle’s offense is taking off.
SIT: Houston Texans (@ OAK)
Oakland is shredding everyone this season, so the Texans aren’t a good option in Week 11. Opposing fantasy defenses are scoring just 0.2 fantasy points per game against the Raiders. Not good.
SIT: Green Bay Packers (@ WAS)
Kirk Cousins is generous enough to give the defense the ball on a stupid throw at times, but less so at home. The SNF game between the Packers and Redskins this week could quickly turn into a shootout.
Others: Washington Redskins (vs GB)