Injuries are always going to be part of the game and everyone knows it, but this season seems to be pushing that statement to the extreme. With late breaking news that Allen Robinson is out, to go along with the earlier news this week of Carson Palmer and Ronnie Hillman going down, these pickup articles are becoming more and more of a need if you want to stay involved in the fantasy championship chase. So without further delay, let’s get right to the NFL Week 11 Pickups.
QBs
Josh McCown – If you had Josh McCown last year with the Chicago Bears, you probably already appreciate him. This year, he has been good in every game he has started and finished and he has “plus” matchups over the next two weeks. He’s a good streaming QB if you don’t have a top 5-6 elite QB.
Drew Stanton – One thing that has been proven already from Bruce Arians, he doesn’t care who his QB is, he’s going to run the same offense. When Arians was asked about the offense possibly changing, he declined and said “Next man up”. That’s the attitude you like if you’re a Cardinals fan, or an owner of Stanton.
RBs
CJ Anderson – This is more of a one week recommendation over a long term. Anderson will likely start this week and get the majority of carries with Ronnie Hillman out for a minimum of two week. However, Montee Ball is also returning from injury this week, but I expect him to be worked in slowly.
Montee Ball – Speaking of Ball, the man who started the year as the Broncos stating RB finally returns this week and it couldn’t have been better timing for him. Anderson showed a lot of talent last week, but if he doesn’t take the spot by the stranglehold, the Broncos plan to ride the hot hand.
WRs
Jordan Matthews – I like this pickup much more in a PPR league than a standard scoring league. Matthews is still the 4th option at best, but he seems to be Sanchez’s favorite target and they have already developed a good chemistry from both of them working on the 2nd team together.
TEs
Kyle Rudolph – I recommended Rudolph last week and he should now be officially on the field this week. I don’t expect him to go nuts in his 1st game back, but this is probably your last chance to get him before he does have a breakout effort. He’s in a offense that LOVES to use the TE and he could be HUGE down the stretch.
Jordan Reed – People have been slowly jumping off the Reed bandwagon, but it was RG3’s 1st game back and now they’ve had a bye week to re-establish their chemistry. Reed was a top 5 TE on a PPG basis with RG3 last year when he was healthy. He may be a able to reach that again in a partially weak position right now.
DEFs
San Diego Defense – The last time the Raiders played the Chargers, they almost pulled off the upset and put up some big numbers including 4 TDs from Derek Carr. I think the 2nd time around the Chargers now know what they have to do to show that their previous game was an aberration.
Chicago Bears Defense – I can understand all of you being scared of picking up the Bears defense after how last week went, but keep in mind that they were facing all-world QB Aaron Rodgers and the high-powered Packers offense. The Vikings have a rookie QB and their WRs are not playing well right now.
Cleveland Browns Defense – Let me 1st say that I fully support Ryan Mallett and I think he will put up some nice numbers later in the year, however, this is his 1st career start and you almost have to expect nervousness to go with a couple turnovers. They would be lowest ranked of the 3 defenses I mentioned.
Those are your NFL week 11 pickups. Enjoy the games.
