Week eleven arrives for football and wouldn’t you know it, the playoffs are not far away. There are still plenty of injuries and other issues to deal with. Managers from across the land are looking for ways to improve their playoff chances and seeding. We here at Belly Up Sports are here to help with just that by presenting this fantasy football waiver claims week eleven edition. Without wasting another second, let’s get to it!

Running Backs

The RB position has been severely pared down on the wire this season, no question. That hasn’t stopped players to appear that could help fantasy owners. Such is the case this week. Two players have been featured before and make their returns. Don’t hesitate this week and get to the wire early for best selections.

Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts, 41% owned

Nyheim Hines isn’t available to many fantasy owners, that is a certainty. However, everyone owes it to themselves to see if he is on their league’s waiver wire. Coming off a monster performance Thursday against the Titans, Hines needs to be owned from coast to coast. Everyone is aware of Hines’ ability to catch passes out of the backfield. That was on display Thursday as he caught five of six targets for 45 yards and a touchdown.

What is a shock to the system is that Hines can run the football as well. Hines rushed 12 times for 70 yards and another TD against Tennessee. The rushes were by far the most he has had this season, beating his precious four game total combined. The targets were the most since week six. Hines averaged an outstanding 5.83 yards per carry. It is the third game this season that Hines has averaged four or more yards per rush.

Jonathan Taylor was supposed to be the backfield savior for the Colts, but Hines has pushed him to fantasy irrelevance. Taylor was nearly invisible Thursday, averaging a paltry 1.71 YPC. Taylor finished with just 12 yards on the ground, the third straight game with 27 or fewer yards rushing. He has also been targeted just two times in each of the last three games.

Add it all up and Hines clearly has the confidence of his coaches and Taylor does not. With Green Bay and their running sieve of a defense up next for Indy, Hines is the top priority add on this waiver claims week eleven edition.

Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams, 38.8% owned

The same as Hines above, Malcolm Brown was recommended in week two and makes his own return appearance. To say that Brown has been inconsistent this season is an understatement. However, it looks like he is coming to life after averaging over five yards a carry in two of his last three games. Against Seattle, Brown rushed six times for 33 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught both of his targets.

No question, you would like to see more rushes in a game than six, although Brown had 10 rushes in each of his last two games. There are going to be others receiving touches in the Rams backfield, but Brown will get his share. Managers might be turned off with Tampa and their strong defense next up.

However, owners that play the long game can look at the schedule L.A. has during the fantasy semifinals and championship round. The opponents those two weeks are the Jets and Seahawks. Claim Brown if you can for no other reason than to stash him. Brown could turn into a league winner.

Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots, 23.2% owned

It is widely known that Patriots running backs aren’t the most trustworthy in fantasy from week to week. While that is true, players that produce can’t be ignored, either. And produce is exactly what Rex Burkhead did Sunday night against Baltimore, one of the better defenses in football. Burkhead rushed six times for 31 yards but made his fantasy owners happy with his receiving stats.

Burkhead caught four of five targets for 35 yards, two of them going for touchdowns. He averaged 5.17 yards per rush, his third straight game averaging over 4.33. Burkhead has also scored three touchdowns in his last two games.

There are always going to be multiple backs getting touches for the Patriots. However, Burkhead will get enough to make fantasy owners happy. Houston is up next and they have had their issues defensively this season. Burkhead is a worthy add this week.

Wide Receivers

There are some quality wide receivers readily available on the waiver wire this week. Everyone step right up and make your selection.

Michael Pittman Jr, Indianapolis Colts, 5% owned

Another Colts player making his way onto this fantasy football waiver pickups week eleven edition is Michael Pittman Jr. The rookie made his biggest contribution this season, catching seven of eight targets for 101 yards. That is now 15 targets for Pittman in the last two games. He was on injured reserve earlier in the season, but he has proven he is healthy and the production has followed.

Pittman’s night was highlighted by a 40 yard catch, demonstrating his explosive ability. He also turned a reverse into a 21 yards gain. Pittman led all Indy and Tennessee receivers in targets, receptions and yards. He was one of the rookie receivers that captured the attention of the fantasy community going into the season. Now, Pittman is showing all that he is worthy of that attention. The Packers are up next and like Hines above, would be a quality start on anyone’s lineup. Add him and solve your wide receiver worries.

Keelan Cole, Jacksonville Jaguars, 13.6% owned

Keelan Cole was recommended back in week three, but not a lot of managers acted on him. That’s too bad because Cole really put it to the Packers this Sunday. Cole caught five of seven targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. That is well enough by itself, but it is in the return game where Cole really flashed his moves. Cole set the Jaguar team record with an electrifying 90 yard punt return for a touchdown.

In leagues that uses kickoff and punt returns as counting stats (as all should), Cole won the day with 29 ESPN fantasy points. Cole has performed against strong defenses in Indy and Tennessee this season, which shows he can ball against anyone. Even with Pittsburgh’s elite defense up next, Cole is a priority add on this fantasy football waiver pickups week eleven edition.

Willie Snead IV, Baltimore Ravens, 0.7% owned

Of course, Hollywood Brown is the better known Ravens WR, but Willie Snead is the one making the plays of late. Undoubtedly, that’s because Brown draws a team’s best defender, but that matters nothing in fantasy.

For his part, Snead has 14 receptions in his last three games. That’s more than he had in his first six games. His yardage total during that time also beats his first six games. It also has to be noted he caught two TDs Sunday.

Two strong defensive teams are up next in Tennessee and Pittsburgh. Snead should get plenty of targets in those games and is worth adding to a fantasy roster.

Tight Ends

Let’s be perfectly honest. There aren’t any serviceable tight ends to be found on the waiver wire as we head into week eleven. If there is someone in the league that is hoarding the position, see if a trade can be worked out. If not and the need is desperate, just go with your gut and select the best option and pray.

Quarterbacks

No question, talent, experience and health are in short supply on the waiver wire, especially this season. However, there’s an abundance of all three to be found at quarterback, particularly in week eleven. The players below are all veterans and are widely available. Just make sure you get to the store early for the best selection.

Alex Smith, Washington Football Team, 2.7% owned

We all remember the terrible injury that Alex Smith suffered. The date was November 18, 2018. Smith broke his right tibia and fibula as a result of being hit by Houston’s J.J. Watt. Smith had many surgeries and it was unknown if he would ever play again. Flash forward to Sunday, October 11. Miracle of miracles, Smith made his first pro appearance since the hit. Smith worked off the rust in that game and then went back to the bench.

That is until week nine against the Giants when starter Kyle Allen suffered a season injury of his own. Smith came in and played well, completing 24 of 32 passes for 325 yards and a touchdown. That led to Smith getting the start against Detroit this past Sunday, his first since the injury. All that can be said is what a return! Smith threw an inconceivable 55 passes, completing 38 for 390 yards. Almost 400 yards passing with do for any fantasy manager. Smith didn’t throw for a TD in what was an otherwise barn burner performance.

The best news of all for Smith and those fantasy owners that claim him is the schedule sets up well for Washington. The Bengals at home are next up, followed by a trip to Dallas. Cincinnati ranks 29th in overall defense and although the Cowboys have played better in recent weeks, still rank 23rd. Anyone could do a lot worse than adding Smith the next two weeks.

Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts, 8.8% owned

The third and final player to make the grade on this fantasy football waiver pickups week eleven edition is Philip Rivers. No question, Rivers has had an up and down season which pretty much mirrors his career. However, he has really stepped up the past four weeks. That was especially true Thursday versus Tennessee as Rivers completed 29 of 39 passes for 308 yards and a touchdown.

Rivers completed 74 percent of his passes and had a QB rating of 105.5 on the night. It is the third time in the last four games he has had a QBR of 100 or higher. The Titans came in with a reputation of having one of the NFL’s better defenses and Rivers sliced through them like butter. Imagine what he can do in the next game against Green Bay. If a fantasy team has a need at quarterback, this is the week to grab Rivers off the wire and get him into the starting lineup. Just don’t forget to tip your host.

Thanks all for joining me for this fantasy football waiver claims week eleven edition. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion on the players that should be added to or removed from the list. I always welcome input. Have a great fantasy football week eleven! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news!