Week 11 Positional Rankings

With just a few weeks left to the fantasy football regular season, every decision could make or break your chance at fantasy football gold. Whether you’re playing for a bye, a playoff spot, or simply ruining your leaguemate’s title hopes (an underrated aspect of being towards the bottom of the dynasty standings), your start-sit decisions are under a microscope more and more as the weeks pass. First and foremost, may the odds be ever in your favor.

One of the most challenging aspects of providing this article each week is the possibilities of COVID delays. Hence, I will assume that – as of this writing – all games will be played. That way, I can provide the most information possible for you in case these games do wind up occurring.

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. Please note no ATL-CAR players will be found below, as that game has already passed.

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 that 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.

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

Quarterback

Start ‘em: Justin Herbert, QB LAC

Often passed over by both fantasy football and NFL executives for fellow rookies Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa, it is Justin Herbert who has shown the most promise through his first season. After going head-to-head with Patrick Mahomes in his first start, it was clear Herbert had the potential to play in the NFL, but few expected his performance to outshine even last year’s MVP Lamar Jackson. Herbert ranks as the QB6 in points per game in 2020, putting him right in the consideration for fantasy football starts even in 1QB formats. All signs point to Herbert’s success continuing on Sunday when the Chargers face the NY Jets. The Chargers have a 28.5 implied team total – the third highest on the week – and the Jets allow the fourth-most points to opposing quarterbacks. Unless you have Patrick Mahomes on your roster, start Justin Herbert with confidence.

Sit ‘em: Ryan Tannehill, RB TEN

Tannehill’s magical QB1 run seems to have come to an abrupt halt. Over the first six weeks, Tannehill put up QB6 fantasy points on a per game basis. He regularly finished as a top twelve option and gave fantasy managers performances rivaling those of Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Deshaun Watson. Since week seven, however, Tannehill is averaging just over 15 points per game, which puts him outside of the top 24 quarterbacks over this stretch. While this is in part due to some difficult matchups, Tannehill just doesn’t look like the same plug-and-play QB1 he was over the first six weeks. In a matchup where the Titans have just a 21.75 implied team total, week 11 doesn’t project to be the week Tannehill turns his season around. He can be benched for other higher upside, more consistent plays.

If you’re desperate: Kirk Cousins, QB MIN

Cousins has had a good statistical year on a per-attempt basis. Perhaps surprisingly, he ranks best in the league in both yards per attempt and yards per completion. The problem from a fantasy football standpoint, of course, is the Vikings run-heavy offense. While tops in the league in efficiency, Cousins and the Vikings rank dead last in pass attempts on the season. This has lead to an underwhelming fantasy football season for Cousins, as he ranks just 20^th in total fantasy points at the quarterback position. In week 11, the Vikings get the Cowboys in what is expected to be a blowout in the Vikings favor. With an implied team total of 27.75 points, the Vikings should score early and often. While a projected blowout may lead to and even more run heavy attack, desperate fantasy managers could play Cousins and hope touchdown variance is in their favor.

Running Back

Start ‘em: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC

If you drafted Edwards-Helaire (presumably as a top two rookie selection) in your drafts this offseason, it was with the expectation he would be a fantasy starter every week. While he likely has been for your teams, over the three weeks CEH has ranked outside the top 36 running backs on a points per game basis. Simply put, he hasn’t been worthy of a start for fantasy football. It’s reasonable to assume that one might be hesitant to play CEH again this week given his downward trend in workload and fantasy output, but stay the course. The Chiefs play the Raiders this week and have the highest implied team total on the week at 31.75 points. The Raiders have been one of the worst teams against opposing running backs this season, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to the position. Even if he sees just 10-15 touches, CEH should pay off as an RB2 option. With his upside, consider him as a top-half RB2 play in week 11.

Sit ‘em: Los Angeles Rams Running Backs

In a close game last week against the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams’ backfield trio essentially split both workload and production. While Cam Akers received the most total touches, teammates Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown each received eight to Akers’ ten, and the latter two scored three touchdowns in total. Overall, it’s unclear which running back to play at this point in time, as each possess upside and downside in their own way. In week 11, the Rams face the Buccaneers and have just a 22.5 point implied team total The Buccaneers rank in the top ten as best defenses against running backs on the year, so the combination of a split backfield and poor matchup make all Rams running backs risky options this week.

If you’re desperate: Adrian Peterson, RB DET

With talented rookie teammate D’Andre Swift ruled out in week 11, Peterson becomes an intriguing FLEX-worthy option. In the early part of the season, Peterson played a big role in the Lions offense. The future hall-of-fame running back received double-digit touches in all but one game from weeks one through seven. Over that time, Peterson ranked as the RB40 in points per game. His lack of consistent usage in the passing game comes with a low floor, but Peterson should be in line for 15+ touches against a bad Panthers defense that ranks fourth-worst in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs. That alone is worth a desperation play.

Wide Receiver

Start ‘em: Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receivers

A trio that reminds fantasy managers of the Los Angeles Rams trio of Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp from just a few years ago, the Steelers wide receiver room all boast fantasy potential every single week. Last week in a blowout win against the Bengals, Smith-Schuster, Johnson, and Claypool all received at least ten (!!) targets and each scored at least one touchdown. Clearly, despite a massive positive game script, the Steelers had no problem continuing the pass the ball, totaling 46 attempts on the day. Week 11 brings a similar game environment, as the Steelers face the lowly Jaguars and have an implied team total of 28.25 points as the biggest favorite on the week. If you have any of these Steelers on your dynasty teams, start them with confidence.

Sit ‘em: AJ Green, WR CIN

We may have seen the last game where fantasy managers can reasonably feel confident starting AJ Green. The veteran receiver has seen just five targets in each of Cincinnati’s last two games, totaling a meager 19 yards. Clearly the third (at best) on the target totem poll behind Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins, Green finds himself in a position where it’s impossible to trust him in fantasy football moving forward. This week, the Bengals take on Washington, who perhaps surprisingly has been the best team against wide receivers so far in 2020. While Boyd and Higgins ought to be fine as WR2 options, Green should find a place on your bench this week and moving forward in all likelihood.

If you’re desperate: Mike Williams, WR LAC

When your quarterback finds himself on as the QB2 in weekly rankings, it’s likely that you can be a desperation option in fantasy football. That’s just what Mike Williams is this week, as the Chargers take on the winless Jets. Williams is the definition of a deep ball threat, perfect for high variance upside in fantasy football. Among wide receivers with at least 30 targets on the season, Williams ranks second in average depth of target. While Williams’ overall target share of 15% leaves a bit to be desired, the high average value of his targets make for a great desperation play for fantasy managers every week, and particularly when the Chargers have a favorable matchup.

Tight End

Disclaimer: Start Taysom Hill if he is eligible at TE. He is expected to be the starting quarterback for the Saints and should be played in all spots where possible.

Start ‘em: Dallas Goedert, TE PHI

Goedert has slowly been getting more involved as he has returned from injury, playing 93% of offensive snaps in week ten while recording six targets. With Philadelphia’s receivers slowly returning to action as well, this offense is looking similar to what was projected back in the off-season once again. While Carson Wentz certainly needs to play better, week 11 should bring some fantasy success to the Eagles playmakers, including Goedert. The Browns defense has allowed 51 receptions to opposing tight ends, which ranks fourth-most on a per game basis in the NFL in 2020. While the Eagles have just a 22.5 implied team total, the Browns have let up more than that amount in six of nine games this season. Expect Goedert to be a focal point of a solid passing attack in week 11, and start him with confidence as a mid-range TE1.

Sit ‘em: Robert Tonyan, TE GB

It’s truly difficult to say to sit anyone at the tight end position, as the difference between a low-end TE1 and mid-range TE2 is just one or two points on a weekly basis. However, if anyone may disappoint expectation in week 11, it’s Robert Tonyan. After a breakout game against the Atlanta Falcons (who doesn’t?), Tonyan has managed one fantasy relevant game in his last five games. Overall, Tonyan has been held to 33 or fewer yards in four of his last five games, and with teammate Allen Lazard back this Sunday, Tonyan’s target share may take another hit. Coupled with the fact that the Colts have allowed just the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends on the year, Tonyan just doesn’t have the upside warranted for a start.

If you’re desperate: Logan Thomas, TE WAS

After a stretch in the middle of the season where Thomas was substantially underperforming his opportunity, he has once against proven fantasy-relevant over the last few weeks. Since week six, Thomas ranks as the TE7 in points per game and has exceeded double-digit fantasy points in three of four games. Washington faces the Bengals in week 11, and Thomas is set up to succeed once again. The Bengals have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, making this a prime matchup for Thomas to continue his double-digit streak. If desperate for alternatives to the top options, Thomas can plug in as a low-end TE1 with good upside.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! 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.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK

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