Weekly Positional Rankings: Week 11

In this series, I’ll give you my top 30 quarterbacks, 60 running backs, 60 wide receivers, and 30 tight ends each week to help you with your start/sit decisions in your leagues. To generate this list each and every week, I examine team trends, Vegas over/unders, implied points, pace of play, among various other factors to build a projection for each player and subsequently adjust rankings for upside and more detailed matchup specifics.

Among the rankings, there will surely be some that surprise you or that you may disagree with. At the end of each position section, I’ll give you my thoughts on some players who perhaps are ranked higher/lower than you might expect and insights as to why they are a good/bad play this week. Ultimately, these rankings should help your start/sit dilemmas and ensure you have the requisite resources to make an informed decision. The fantasy playoffs are just a few weeks away, and start/sit decisions could be the difference between a bye week, having a first round matchup, or looking in from the outside.

Without further ado, let’s dive into week 11’s positional rankings!

Quarterbacks

Pos	Player	Matchup	Week 11 Rank
QB	Dak Prescott	@DET	1
QB	Lamar Jackson	HOU	2
QB	Patrick Mahomes	@LAC	3
QB	Deshaun Watson	@BAL	4
QB	Drew Brees	@TB	5
QB	Jimmy Garoppolo	ARI	6
QB	Josh Allen	@MIA	7
QB	Matt Ryan	@CAR	8
QB	Kyler Murray	@SF	9
QB	Jameis Winston	NO	10
QB	Derek Carr	CIN	11
QB	Kyle Allen	ATL	12
QB	Philip Rivers	KC	13
QB	Kirk Cousins	DEN	14
QB	Tom Brady	@PHI	15
QB	Carson Wentz	NE	16
QB	Jacoby Brissett	JAC	17
QB	Baker Mayfield	PIT	18
QB	Sam Darnold	@WAS	19
QB	Jared Goff	CHI	20
QB	Nick Foles	@IND	21
QB	Mason Rudolph	@CLE	22
QB	Mitchell Trubisky	@LAR	23
QB	Jeff Driskel	DAL	24
QB	Ryan Fitzpatrick	BUF	25
QB	Ryan Finley	@OAK	26
QB	Brandon Allen	@MIN	27
QB	Dwayne Haskins	NYJ	28

 

Start ‘em: Derek Carr, QB OAK

The Bengals, Carr’s week 11 matchup, have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Having allowed at least 21 points in every game this season, the Bengals set up Carr to have a high floor as well as a high ceiling. Carr had a mediocre game on Thursday night football against the Chargers in week ten, but before that game, he had three straight performances of at least 285 yards and two touchdowns. Even if rookie running back Josh Jacobs carries the Raiders to a victory on Sunday, Carr will provide fantasy players with a solid performance and has three-touchdown upside in a soft matchup. Start him as a low-end QB1.

Sit ‘em: Carson Wentz, QB PHI

Wentz has been a consistent high-end QB2 for fantasy purposes this season. He ranks as the QB14 in fantasy points per game. Despite his solid seasonal ranking, Wentz hasn’t shown enough upside to be a true fantasy starter week-in, week-out this season. He passed for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in week one but has yet to accomplish that stat line again. In an obviously difficult matchup against the Patriots, Wentz has a limited ceiling and a low floor. He’s good enough to finish as a QB2 even against this defense, but in a start-one QB league, there are certainly better options.

If you’re desperate: Kyle Allen, QB CAR

In his first year starting full-time, Allen has had his ups and downs. At his best, he completed 73% of his passes and four touchdowns. At his worst, he completed just 51% of his passes and threw three interceptions. Overall, the Falcons have been a great matchup for opposing quarterbacks this season, allowing the fifth most points per game and a 19:2 TD:INT ratio. This defense surprisingly played very well against Drew Brees in week ten, but their season-long resume leads this matchup to have a high ceiling for Allen. He comes in as the last QB1 ranked this week, and if you’re desperate, he has good upside.

Running Backs

Pos	Player	Matchup	Week 11 Rank
RB	Christian McCaffrey	ATL	1
RB	Dalvin Cook	DEN	2
RB	Leonard Fournette	@IND	3
RB	Melvin Gordon	KC	4
RB	Josh Jacobs	CIN	5
RB	Ezekiel Elliott	@DET	6
RB	Alvin Kamara	@TB	7
RB	James Conner	@CLE	8
RB	Nick Chubb	PIT	9
RB	Joe Mixon	@OAK	10
RB	Tevin Coleman	ARI	11
RB	Le’Veon Bell	@WAS	12
RB	Marlon Mack	JAC	13
RB	Mark Ingram	HOU	14
RB	Austin Ekeler	KC	15
RB	James White	@PHI	16
RB	Ronald Jones	NO	17
RB	Brian Hill	@CAR	18
RB	Carlos Hyde	@BAL	19
RB	Damien Williams	@LAC	20
RB	Todd Gurley	CHI	21
RB	Derrius Guice	NYJ	22
RB	Sony Michel	@PHI	23
RB	Phillip Lindsay	@MIN	24
RB	Devin Singletary	@MIA	25
RB	Kenyan Drake	@SF	26
RB	David Montgomery	@LAR	27
RB	Miles Sanders	NE	28
RB	Jaylen Samuels	@CLE	29
RB	Duke Johnson	@BAL	30
RB	Jordan Howard	NE	31
RB	Kareem Hunt	PIT	32
RB	Royce Freeman	@MIN	33
RB	Matt Breida	ARI	34
RB	Tarik Cohen	@LAR	35
RB	Kalen Ballage	BUF	36
RB	Alexander Mattison	DEN	37
RB	Frank Gore	@MIA	38
RB	David Johnson	@SF	39
RB	JD McKissic	DAL	40
RB	Latavius Murray	@TB	41
RB	Jalen Richard	CIN	42
RB	Giovani Bernard	@OAK	43
RB	Peyton Barber	NO	44
RB	Darrell Henderson	CHI	45
RB	Adrian Peterson	NYJ	46
RB	Raheem Mostert	ARI	47
RB	Lesean McCoy	@LAC	48
RB	Ty Johnson	DAL	49
RB	Nyheim Hines	JAC	50
RB	Tony Pollard	@DET	51
RB	Rex Burkhead	@PHI	52
RB	Myles Gaskin	BUF	53
RB	Malcolm Brown	CHI	54
RB	Darren Sproles	NE	55
RB	Gus Edwards	HOU	56
RB	Jordan Wilkins	JAC	57
RB	Ryquell Armstead	@IND	58
RB	Dare Ogunbowale	NO	59
RB	Darrell Williams	@LAC	60

 

Start ‘em: Brian Hill, RB ATL

A player you likely picked up off waivers at some point this season, Hill has the opportunity to make a real impact for dynasty players down the stretch. Teammates Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith will both be out this week, setting the stage for Hill to command a massive opportunity share against Carolina. Allowing 5.0 yards per carry and 14 touchdowns, the most in the NFL, to opposing running backs on the season, Hill is in a smash spot and should be started with confidence as an RB2.

Sit ‘em: David Johnson, RB ARI

Whether its lingering injury, age, or just an overall ineffectiveness, Johnson has been a shell of his former self recently. Culminating in a 0-point fantasy performance in week ten, Johnson can no longer be trusted as a startable fantasy option. Teammate Kenyan Drake is a legitimate threat to touches in the Arizona backfield and should be ranked higher moving forward on a week-to-week basis until Johnson can prove himself yet again. Ultimately, in a very difficult matchup against the 49ers this week, Johnson is an RB4 with low upside.

If you’re desperate: Frank Gore, RB BUF

It’s no secret that the Miami defense is among the worst in the league. They have allowed the most running back rush yards per game in the NFL and rank fifth-worst in fantasy points per game allowed to opposing backs. Devin Singletary has taken a clear lead in the Buffalo backfield, and rightfully so. The rookie has been outstanding in overall limited action this season. However, Gore is still involved as a secondary running back and has received six red zone rushes to Singletary’s five over the last two weeks. Gore is merely an RB4 play this week, but he has solid touchdown upside in a game where Buffalo should score points.

Wide Receivers

Pos	Player	Matchup	Week 11 Rank
WR	Michael Thomas	@TB	1
WR	Tyreek Hill	@LAC	2
WR	Amari Cooper	@DET	3
WR	Julio Jones	@CAR	4
WR	DeAndre Hopkins	@BAL	5
WR	Mike Evans	NO	6
WR	Chris Godwin	NO	7
WR	Julian Edelman	@PHI	8
WR	Kenny Golladay	DAL	9
WR	Cooper Kupp	CHI	10
WR	Emmanuel Sanders	ARI	11
WR	DJ Chark	@IND	12
WR	Keenan Allen	KC	13
WR	DJ Moore	ATL	14
WR	Courtland Sutton	@MIN	15
WR	Odell Beckham Jr	PIT	16
WR	Calvin Ridley	@CAR	17
WR	Tyler Boyd	@OAK	18
WR	Stefon Diggs	DEN	19
WR	Tyrell Williams	CIN	20
WR	John Brown	@MIA	21
WR	Allen Robinson	@LAR	22
WR	Michael Gallup	@DET	23
WR	Curtis Samuel	ATL	24
WR	Christian Kirk	@SF	25
WR	Juju Smith-Schuster	@CLE	26
WR	Marquise Brown	HOU	27
WR	Zach Pascal	JAC	28
WR	Robert Woods	CHI	29
WR	Jarvis Landry	PIT	30
WR	Marvin Jones	DAL	31
WR	Sammy Watkins	@LAC	32
WR	Deebo Samuel	ARI	33
WR	Alshon Jeffery	NE	34
WR	Mohamed Sanu	@PHI	35
WR	Cole Beasley	@MIA	36
WR	Terry McLaurin	NYJ	37
WR	Jamison Crowder	@WAS	38
WR	Mecole Hardman	@LAC	39
WR	Dionte Johnson	@CLE	40
WR	Devante Parker	BUF	41
WR	Dede Westbrook	@IND	42
WR	Mike Williams	KC	43
WR	Robby Anderson	@WAS	44
WR	Randall Cobb	@DET	45
WR	Hunter Renfrow	CIN	46
WR	Phillip Dorsett	@PHI	47
WR	Auden Tate	@OAK	48
WR	Ted Ginn Jr	@TB	49
WR	Larry Fitzgerald	@SF	50
WR	James Washington	@CLE	51
WR	Kenny Stills	@BAL	52
WR	Zay Jones	CIN	53
WR	Paul Richardson	NYJ	54
WR	Danny Amendola	DAL	55
WR	Demarcus Robinson	@LAC	56
WR	Chester Rogers	JAC	57
WR	Taylor Gabriel	@LAR	58
WR	Josh Reynolds	CHI	59
WR	Olibisi Johnson	DEN	60

 

Start ‘em: Curtis Samuel

Samuel has been a focal point of the Panthers offense this season along with fellow receiver DJ Moore. The third-year pro has managed to see at least six targets in every game this season. Meanwhile, he’s caught between three and five balls in every game as well. He hasn’t been particularly efficient from a catch percentage standpoint, but his targets have mostly been downfield. Samuel ranks fifth in the NFL in air yards this season on just 68 targets. Week eleven’s matchup against the Falcons is one Samuel can easily take advantage of, as the Falcons have been one of the worst teams against opposing wide-outs this season. With three touchdowns in his last four games and consistently getting targets deep downfield, Samuel is a great WR2 play this week.

Sit ‘em: Mike Williams, WR LAC

Last week, Williams received a lot of hype as a startable fantasy WR in a good matchup against the Oakland Raiders. Ultimately, though, Williams failed to produce yet again and is reliant upon big plays for his fantasy value. Williams surprisingly does not have a single touchdown on the season, and while that likely won’t continue, his week 11 matchup does not exude confidence that the former first round pick will break that trend. The Chiefs, while having one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, have been fantastic against opposing wide receivers, allowing the fourth fewest points per game to the position. The Chargers are likely to rely heavily once again on Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler, leaving Williams as the fifth option in the passing game. Mike Williams always has a chance to break a big play, but I wouldn’t bet on it in week 11. He’s a WR4 with a low floor.

If you’re desperate: Deebo Samuel, WR SF

The addition of Emmanuel Sanders has helped Samuel grow into his own role on the 49ers, similar to how the acquisition of Amari Cooper benefited Michael Gallup a year ago. Since week eight, when Sanders joined the team, Samuel ranks as the WR27 in fantasy points per game and is second to just George Kittle with a 20% target share. He’s become a solid WR3 option for fantasy teams. Against a vulnerable Cardinals defense that has allowed the tenth-most fantasy points per game allowed to wide receivers this season, Samuel is a solid option with upside. Monitor the health of teammate Emmanuel Sanders throughout the week, and if Sanders were to sit, Samuel should creep up into low-end WR2 territory this week. Even if Sanders is good to go, Samuel should produce solid numbers in a good matchup.

Tight Ends

Pos	Player	Matchup	Week 11 Rank
TE	Travis Kelce	@LAC	1
TE	Mark Andrews	HOU	2
TE	Hunter Henry	KC	3
TE	Darren Waller	CIN	4
TE	Gerald Everett	CHI	5
TE	Jared Cook	@TB	6
TE	Greg Olsen	ATL	7
TE	Zach Ertz	NE	8
TE	Jack Doyle	JAC	9
TE	TJ Hockenson	DAL	10
TE	Vance McDonald	@CLE	11
TE	Noah Fant	@MIN	12
TE	Dallas Goedert	NE	13
TE	Darren Fells	@BAL	14
TE	OJ Howard	NO	15
TE	Eric Ebron	JAC	16
TE	Tyler Eifert	@OAK	17
TE	Jason Witten	@DET	18
TE	Irv Smith	DEN	19
TE	Kyle Rudolph	DEN	20
TE	Ryan Griffin	@WAS	21
TE	Ross Dwelley	ARI	22
TE	Mike Gesicki	BUF	23
TE	Ben Watson	@PHI	24
TE	Ricky Seals-Jones	PIT	25
TE	Dawson Knox	@MIA	26
TE	Foster Moreau	CIN	27
TE	Josh Oliver	@IND	28
TE	Tyler Higbee	CHI	29
TE	Blake Jarwin	@DET	30

 

Start ‘em: Gerald Everett, TE LAR

Perhaps this seems too obvious a choice, but Everett has become a true weekly must-start at the barren TE position. Everett has commanded at least eight targets in four of his last six games. Over that same stretch, he’s the PPR TE7 in points per game. In week 11, Everett matches up against a Chicago Bears team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the tight end position. Unless you have one of the elite fantasy options at the position, Everett should be started with confidence in all formats.

Sit ‘em: Mike Gesicki, TE MIA

Gesicki is having a mini-breakout season on the woeful Miami Dolphins, but this week’s matchup will prove difficult for the second-year tight end. The Bills have been the best team against opposing tight ends this season, allowing just 6.5 fantasy points per game to the position as a whole. The Dolphins have an implied team total of just 17.5 points in week 11 and may struggle to move the ball well against a strong Buffalo defense. While Gesicki may see his fair share of targets, an inefficient, low-ceiling game is on the horizon. He should be on your bench this week.

If you’re desperate: Tyler Eifert, TE CIN

Coming off back-to-back solid fantasy performances, Eifert has potential for another one in week 11. While there’s inherent risk with the Bengals offense because of rookie quarterback Ryan Finley, this matchup against the Raiders is one of the better ones for tight ends. The Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, including the second-most touchdowns allowed the position. Having scored a touchdown last week in a blowout loss, Eifert is a strong candidate to score again in what should be a more competitive game. While he has a low floor, like all tight ends do in this range, Eifert’s opportunity and matchup make for a solid desperation play.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! As this series is released on Thursdays, be sure to follow any lingering injuries and changing injury status updates for players as Sunday approaches. If you’re wondering about a player I didn’t dive into detail about, feel free to reach out to me @FFzinger on Twitter. Best of luck this week, and I’ll be back next week to give week 12’s positional rankings.