The Week 10 roster lock is coming Sunday, but smart managers are already looking ahead. This early fantasy football Week 11 waiver wire is all about stashes: the players you grab now, before the rest of your league catches on. From a new rookie QB in Las Vegas to receivers suddenly in line for more snaps, injuries and roster moves have created some sneaky stash candidates.
Whether you’re patching a hole at running back, chasing a receiver who could inherit a ton of snaps, or locking in a tight end with a schedule full of green, these waiver wire pickups can pay off down the stretch. Reorganize your bench spots, scan the list, and add before the games kick off on Sunday.
Note: These players are rostered in 50% or fewer Yahoo! leagues.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 11 WAIVER WIRE STASHES
Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups
Fernando Mendoza (LVR, 17% Rostered)
The Raiders are handing the keys to the No. 1 overall pick. Fernando Mendoza will take over as the starter after Las Vegas traded Kirk Cousins back to Minnesota.
Expect official word once Klint Kubiak speaks to the media, but this move was coming. Mendoza’s first stretch is a rough one, opening against the defending champion Seahawks in Week 10 and then heading to Mile High to face the Broncos in Week 11. That makes him a stash in deep leagues only for now, not a must-add in standard re-draft formats.
Keep him on your radar, though. After the Week 13 bye, the schedule softens with the Chargers, Broncos (again), Titans, and Cardinals, which could make Mendoza a real fantasy football option down the stretch. If you have an open bench spot in a deep league or superflex, he’s worth the stash.
Other QB Targets: Aaron Rodgers (PIT, 44%); Jacoby Brissett (BAL, 24%); Geno Smith (NYJ, 21%); JJ McCarthy (NYG, Played TNF, 14%); Joe Milton (PHI, 4%); Carson Beck (ARI, 2%)
Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups
Audric Estime (NO, 43%)
Talk about a whirlwind week. The Browns waived Audric Estime on Monday, the Saints claimed him Tuesday, and by Sunday he was starting in New Orleans’ backfield. He made the most of it in the Week 9 win over Cleveland, rushing 15 times for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Here’s the catch: Estime is the lead runner only until Travis Etienne returns from IR. Etienne practiced this week, so we should get clarity on Saturday, and he could be back as soon as Week 10. Don’t count on another guaranteed fantasy football week from Estime in the short term.
Still, he’s worth a speculative add. Etienne wasn’t efficient before the hamstring injury sent him to IR, and Estime’s big frame makes him a strong candidate for goal-line work whether Etienne is healthy or not. Stash him if you have the bench space, especially in touchdown-dependent formats.
Kaleb Johnson (GB, 18%)
Josh Jacobs’ finger injury just opened the door for Kaleb Johnson in Green Bay. Johnson stepped in after Jacobs fractured his right ring finger in the first quarter of the Packers’ 45-27 win over the Patriots, and he turned 14 carries into 68 yards and a touchdown. Sadly, that was the Packers’ best individual rushing day of the season.
Jacobs needs surgery and could land on injured reserve, and Matt LaFleur said he’ll miss multiple weeks. MarShawn Lloyd (knee) is uncertain, and while he has a chance to return in Week 10, Johnson’s performance likely earned him another look as the lead back against the ferocious Vikings defense on Sunday. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports Johnson could get that role.
Don’t expect much work in the passing game. Still, a lead-rushing role on an offense that just put up 45 points is worth chasing. Johnson is a viable RB2/Flex play if you’re desperate at running back, and a smart add for anyone who just lost Jacobs.
Other RB Targets: Kaelon Black (SF, 38%); Emmett Johnson (KC, 38%); Jonathon Brooks (CAR, 37%); Mike Washington Jr. (LVR, 35%); Chris Rodriguez Jr. (JAX, 34%); Dylan Sampson (CLE, 30%); Seth McGowan (IND, 19%); Lan Larison (NE, 1%); Emari Demercado (HOU, 0%)
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups
Tank Dell (HOU, 45%)
Tank Dell is officially back in the mix. In his second game back from a lengthy absence, he led Houston with nine targets, catching four passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Chargers.
Dell (hand) has no injury designation for Sunday’s game against the Browns, and Marvin Harrison has been ruled out. That opens the door for more snaps for Dell and Kayshon Boutte, which matters because Dell’s 45 percent snap share and 55 percent route share were a bit underwhelming last week.
Temper the excitement a little. It’s been a game of WR1 musical chairs in Houston this season, and CJ Stroud has spread the ball around to all of his receivers. Still, Stroud has an existing rapport with Dell, and the talent is obvious. If you have the bench space, roll the dice and stash him.
Konata Mumpfield (LAR, 15%)
The Rams’ receiver room just took a big hit, and Konata Mumpfield is in line for more work. With Puka Nacua (knee) and Davante Adams (hamstring) both sidelined, Matthew Stafford needs targets to go somewhere.
Mumpfield and Tutu Atwell have handled most of the WR snaps since Adams landed on IR. Adams may return in a few weeks, but Puka is likely out until at least the start of the fantasy playoffs. That’s a big opening for Mumpfield, who looks like the safest bet to log a lot of WR snaps over the next few weeks.
Keep expectations in check, though. Mumpfield has been targeted on just 23 of 168 routes (13.7 percent), a low rate even with Nacua and Adams soaking up looks, per Yahoo!. Atwell’s target rate is even lower, so the Rams will likely lean on their running backs and tight ends more while Nacua is out. Targets aren’t guaranteed, but snaps usually come first. If you have the bench space, Mumpfield is a solid fantasy football stash in deeper leagues. I personally lean Mumpfield over Tutu, even though Tutu is rostered higher (26% to 15%) after waivers hit on Wednesday morning.
Other WR Targets: Makai Lemon (PHI, 48%); Romeo Doubs (NE, 38%); Quentin Johnston (LAC, 30%); Antonio Williams (WAS, Played TNF, 27%); Tutu Atwell (LAR, 26%); Michael Pittman Jr. (PIT, 25%); Tyreek Hill (FA, 8%); Kayshon Boutte (HOU, 6%); Chimere Dike (TEN, 3%); CJ Daniels (LAR, 1%); Ashton Dulin (IND, 1%)
Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups
Mike Gesicki (CIN, 37%)
Mike Gesicki’s touchdown streak ended at five games, but don’t let a quiet 11-yard day scare you off. He still caught multiple passes for the second straight week, and on the season he has 19 catches on 26 targets for 252 yards and six touchdowns through eight games.
Gesicki has been a reliable tight end streamer thanks to his touchdown upside, and the schedule is the real reason to stash him now. This week’s matchup with the Steelers is his toughest of the rest of the way. After that, it’s smooth sailing: the Commanders, Saints, Browns, Chiefs, Panthers, Colts, and Ravens are all on deck. That’s a ton of green on the fantasy schedule, making him a strong add for managers hunting a tight end streamer who can actually hold the job into the playoffs.
Other TE Targets: Pat Freiermuth (PIT, 36%); Tyler Higbee (LAR, 25%); Chig Okonkwo (WAS, 24%); Darren Waller (CAR, 22%); Eli Raridon (NE, 2%)
