Week 11 Waiver Pickups

Michael Vick took a hit. Jay Cutler went down too. Even Big Ben crumbled. But the one with the biggest, most crushing hit of them all – my fantasy team, which suffered a helmet-to-helmet blow on Sunday. And I don’t think smelling salts or mandated rest is going to revive this little underachieving squad. Fortunately, I have so many teams that I can just dump this lineup of regrets at the nearest curbside and hope someone finds it as useful as a stinky couch.

With injury – even the temporary variety – comes opportunity. It appears Roethlisberger is out for the regular season, which declares Byron Leftwich the starter on Sunday. And Nick Foles, whom many Eagles diehards have been warmly suggesting, will be promoted to starter as well. If you’re in a super deep league, as I am, these backup quarterbacks create a waiver wire frenzy.

Week 10 seemed to bring us an unusual amount of injuries. Perhaps I’m just hypersensitive because my team was struck hard by the pandemic. It’s always worse when it happens to you. But that’s what the waiver is for. Pick smart and pick often. Good luck to all.

Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles – It was probably time anyway with Vick’s repeated lackluster performances. Foles impressed during pre-season (completing 40 of 63 passes for 553 yards and six touchdowns), but keep in mind he’s a rookie and Sunday will be his first career start. I worry about the spotty pass protection too. Still, for all you deep leaguers, grab him. Philly draws a good matchup this week vs. the Redskins soft pass defense. Available in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues. 

Chris Ivory, RB, New Orleans Saints – New Orleans stockpiles running backs the way New England loads up on tight ends. Ivory is back in the mix after rushing for 72 yards on seven carries, and a touchdown on Sunday. He showed signs he was back in Week 9 when he tallied over 11 fantasy points including a 56-yard run. But he was largely overlooked because he didn’t have many carries. That will likely change now. Consider Ivory a good pickup for deep leagues, and a decent start at the RB3 position if Darren Sproles remains inactive. Available in 88 percent of Yahoo! leagues.  

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland Raiders – Say hey to DHB, who reeled in five catches for 82 yards, including a touchdown. Over the last four weeks, Heyward-Bey has shown steady production with at least nine points per game, including Sunday’s 16-point performance. Up next is New Orleans, where the defense has the blues, especially against wideouts. Available in 46 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers – The Packers changed starting running backs again, this time, Starks winning the job over Alex Green in Week 9. Starks finished with 17 carries for 61 yards and will remain the starter; however, the Starks-Green duo is expected to remain a timeshare. Pluck Starks for your RB3 or flex position. Available in 86 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Marcel Reece, RB, Oakland Raiders – Reece, who made the list last week, tallied 104 yards on Sunday, and clearly the favorite over Tawain Jones. The backup to the backup RB rushed for 48 yards, while catching seven passes for 56 yards. With Darren McFadden’s return looming, Reece is likely just a spot starter. Take advantage while you can. Still unsure? This week, the Raiders take on the Saints, who yield the second most fantasy points to running backs. Available in 67 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Carson Palmer, QB, Oakland Raiders – I’m not going to apologize for listing another Raider. Look at his stats: Completed 29 of 45 passes, 368 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. And you know he is salivating over this week’s start – the Saints, who surrender the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Available in 42 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She’ll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen.