With bye-weeks concluding in Week 11, this week’s waiver wire can serve two purposes. First, to fill voids left by players on bye or lost due to injuries. Secondly, to grab players in preparation for the playoffs. Some of these players are great starts for this coming week while others have value for the remainder of the season. Here are the best waiver wire adds going into Week 11 of the 2017 NFL season.
Top Quarterback
Case Keenum –Minnesota Vikings
Coming off a four-touchdown performance on the road, Case Keenum has the Minnesota Vikings’ offense running like a well-oiled machine. The Vikings offense is full of talent this season with Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen developing into one of the best wide receiver duo in NFL this season. Add in a big and reliable tight end in Kyle Rudolph and a solid receiving back with Jerrick McKinnon, and Keenum has plenty to work with. With all the talent on their offense, Case Keenum is well set up to continue to have success as long as he remains the starter for the Minnesota Vikings.
Although we know of Keenum as being a backup caliber starter, keep in mind that he’s played far above that this year. He’s completing 64.9% of his passes, and has compiled 592 passing yards, six touchdown and three interceptions in his last two games. The leash is short with Teddy Bridgewater waiting in the wings but looking over his shoulder has seemingly served as motivation for Keenum. If you’re in a pinch, pick him up.
Top Running Back
Austin Ekeler – Los Angeles Chargers
Although he lost a fumble late in the game, Austin Ekeler did enough to finish Sunday with more than 20 fantasy points and have many fantasy owners starting to take an interest in the rookie running back. Ekeler started the season low on the Chargers depth chart, but due to an injury to Chargers running back Brandon Oliver, Ekeler has moved up. He has seen his role in the offense expand. Ekeler has four touchdowns this season, all of which have come from Week 4 onward. Ekeler has some good value as the second option for the Chargers but could become one of the best fantasy backs if Melvin Gordon deals with any sort of injury. And you have to add that it was odd to see Gordon on the bench at the end of the game in a key time. Ekeler was the hotter back with 42 rushing yards and 77 receiving yards on the day, but there might be more to this story.
Top Wide Receiver
Martavis Bryant – Pittsburgh Steelers
Bryant has had a bizarre season. At one point, he demanded the Steelers trade him, which the team immediately rejected. Instead, it seems to have lit a bit of a fire under him as he’s coming off his best effort. He had three catches for 42 yards on five targets along with one rushing attempt. He also caught a two-point conversion. That was the most involved he’s been in over a month. More importantly, Bryant looked good. Ben Roethlisberger underthrew him in the first quarter in what would have been a sure touchdown. He seems to have come to life and that means he’s worth picking up as a flier.
Top Tight End
Marcedes Lewis – Jacksonville Jaguars
With a chance to play the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, Marcedes Lewis gets a great matchup he could exploit for a big game. In two of his more favorable matchups this season (against the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts), Lewis recorded a total of four receiving touchdowns. The Jaguars are in the midst of their best season in a decade and could use a veteran like Marcedes Lewis to help their offense down the stretch.
Top Defense
Cincinnati Bengals
Over the next two weeks, the Cincinnati Bengals face two of the worst offenses in the NFL, playing at Denver in Week 11 and hosting the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. With both opponents struggling at quarterback and prone to committing turnovers, the Cincinnati Bengals are an excellent addition for anyone streaming defenses and looking for an option available in the majority of leagues.
Jake Elliott –Philadelphia Eagles
As one of the more available kickers, as the Eagles were on a bye in Week 10, Jake Elliott is the best kicker to add going into Week 11. Since taking over kicking duties in Week 2, Elliott has topped nine points every single week. As the Eagles offense is one of the best in the NFL this season, Elliott should continue to see an amount ample of kicking opportunities.
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