The fantasy football playoffs are knocking on the door and some teams are running out of time. If you are just barely on the outside looking in, it is time to make your final push for glory. Join me in scouring the waiver wire to find the missing pieces that can get your team over the hump, or seal you victory.
Quarterback
Sam Darnold NYJ Rostered - 11%
I know, insert Ghostbusters joke here, but bear with me. It has been a tough and disappointing year for Darnold and the Jets. Things are not necessarily set to turn around 180 degrees, but the schedule is very easy for the next few games. The next four games bring Washington, Oakland, Cincy and Miami. This is not a murderers row of defenses and Darnold does have some quality weapons. When it comes to widely available waiver options, this schedule makes Sam worthwhile.
Nick Foles JAC Rostered - 10%
There was some moderate excitement about Foles coming into the season, but it was quickly derailed by an injury. Now that a sixth round pick has filled in fairly well, it makes it seem like the supporting cast should be there for Foles to be successful. With a stud running back and a group of talented young wide receivers, there is reason for optimism when it comes to the former Super Bowl winning qb. Give Foles a week to shake off the rust, but he could be useful down the stretch and into the fantasy playoffs.
Running Back
Brian Hill ATL Rostered - 1%
The Falcons have already lost Ito Smith for the season and now Devonta Freeman is dinged up. In the last game, Brian Hill saw a large workload (20 carries 2 targets) and turned it into a nice fantasy day. With Freeman questionable for week 11, there is reason to believe that Hill will be a big part of the Falcons offense once again. Going forward, he should get at worst a 1/3 share of the run game even if Freeman is healthy. This is a guy available almost everywhere that is going to be worth a flex almost every week down the stretch.
Derrius Guice WAS Rostered - 39%
There is reason for optimism when it comes to Guice based on his huge natural talent. There is also reason for pessimism based on his injury history and awful team. Where I tend to fall on this issue at the moment is, the upside makes it worth a rosters spot, being as it will not cost you anything to pick him up from waivers. If Guice is available, then go out and get him. See what he's got and what his role will be and you either have a potential league winner or a quick drop.
J.D. McKissic DET Rostered - 16%
The Lions are not exactly stacked at running back without Kerryon Johnson and right now McKissic is their best option. Rookie Ty Johnson has disappointed in limited touches and McKissic has been moderately productive. The real value here is in PPR leagues because McKissic is a very real option in the Lions passing game. That is more valuable at this point with Matthew Stafford missing time and short routes coming in bunches.
Handcuff Holding
Alexander Mattison MIN
Ryquell Armstead JAC
Damien Harris NE
Tony Pollard DAL
Justice Hill BAL
Darrell Henderson LAR
Wide Receiver
DeVante Parker MIA Rostered - 44%
This one should be a no brainer if he is available in your league. He is not a number one receiver in fantasy, but he is on his team. When it comes to picking guys up for free, you can't get much more valuable than a guaranteed top target share.
Zach Pascal IND Rostered - 43%
It is tough to predict Pascal on a week to week basis. He is a volatile boom or bust option, but if Brissett can come back in week 11 a boom becomes more likely. At this point in the season, I'll gravitate toward a receiver with big upside that has seen at least six targets in 3 of the last 4 games.
Mecole Hardman KC Rostered - 20%
Speaking of boom or bust, Mecole Hardman epitomizes the term. The rookie only sees a couple of targets each week, but there is a solid chance that he turns any given target into a long touchdown. Now that Mahomes is back in the mix, Hardman is an even better candidate to put up double digit fantasy points each time he takes the field.
Quick Hitters
Darius Slayton NYG - Breaking out, but on a bye
N'Keal Harry NE - Big draft capital, but no production yet
Deebo Samuel SF - Lots of mouths to feed in SF, but Deebo takes big bites
Demaryius Thomas NYJ - Talented veteran hitting his stride
Tight End
O.J. Howard TB Rostered - 44%
Do you feel lucky? There is no doubting the talent of Howard, but he has not produced outside of week 10. The question is, are the Cards that bad at defending tight ends (they are), or is Howard getting on track? In my opinion he is at least worth a speculative pickup.
Kyle Rudolph Rostered - 35%
The targets have picked up for Kyle Rudolph and he is paying off for fantasy teams in a big way. He has gotten at least 3 targets per game since week 6 and has scored in three of the last four matchups. Now that the Vikes have rediscovered their big target in the redzone, Rudolph is back to being a touchdown dependent force for fantasy.
Be sure to check out our weekly positional rankings for week 11 and follow me on Twitter for extras and questions answered: @brendancole16.
