I'm not one to stump for awards at different points in the season. The Most Valuable Player is a full-season award, and so many things can change from week to week in the NFL that the player deemed most valuable after seven weeks could change one, two or three weeks later.
But I'll make an exception here because Week 11 will present all of us in the world of fantasy with a unique challenge: replacing the most valuable player in fantasy football up to this point of the season. That's right, Los Angeles Rams wideout Cooper Kupp has been the highest-scoring and most valuable player in fantasy football so far in 2021, combining volume, explosive plays and touchdowns, as he has a true shot at the NFL's receiving triple crown of leading the league in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Kupp has been a very good player for some years, but 2021 has been his breakout season in fantasy. He has seemingly lived in the end zone and proved to be the best value of any pick. He's been so good this year, I might start him in Week 11 during his bye out of respect. Hats off to you, Mr. Kupp.
For those looking to fill in for Kupp and other players, we've got the names you need to know on the Week 11 ESPN Fantasy waiver wire.
Note: All players in this column are available in over 50% of leagues on ESPN.com
Week 11 byes: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots (9.9%): With Damien Harris out in Week 10, Stevenson had a chance to step into a starring role. And star is what he did, as he finished second among all running backs with 27.4 fantasy points, rushing for 100 yards, two touchdowns and adding four catches for good measure. The talent is obvious with Stevenson, and with a short week prior to the Patriots' next game, we'll closely monitor whether Harris is available in Week 11. If not, Stevenson is a top-20 running back play. He should be added in all leagues.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens (30.7%): The Ravens' first-round pick continues to come on strong, posting at least 10 fantasy points in three straight games and averaging seven targets per game since making his NFL debut. While Bateman has yet to find the end zone, the talent is obvious enough that more splash plays and eventual trips to the end zone are coming soon. He's a really smart add and stash in any size league who can already be utilized in deep leagues (14 teams or larger).
Dan Arnold, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars (26.1%): Arnold has been a busy man since being acquired in a trade by the Jaguars and is now up to 37 targets over his past five games, scoring at least 10 fantasy points in four of them. What Arnold has not done yet this season is score a receiving touchdown, but he has at least 60 receiving yards in four his past five games. Volume is hard to come by at the tight end spot and Arnold doesn't figure to cede much of it going forward. He's an add in all leagues.
Elijah Moore, WR, New York Jets (36.3%): The Jets' second-round draft pick has been rock solid of late, with four straight games of at least 10 fantasy points. In each of those games, the rookie has at least six targets, and he figures to stay busy as he grows more and more comfortable in the offense. The talent has been apparent since training camp and we're seeing that translate into more fantasy production by the week.
D'Onta Foreman, RB, Tennessee Titans (1.5%): We thought the Titans were more likely to choose between Jeremy McNichols or Adrian Peterson as their top fill-in for Derrick Henry, but Foreman has had a role in each of the team's two games since Henry's injury and had a team-high 11 rushes in Week 10. It might prove that no back is worth a weekly start out of the Tennessee backfield because each has a role, but Foreman is a deeper-league consideration because, by the eye test, he has been the Titans' best Henry fill-in runner.
Jamal Agnew, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (8.1%): Agnew, whose speed has stood out, has been a solid find for Jacksonville in free agency. Interestingly, it was his three rushing attempts in Week 10 that allowed him to cash in, as despite the fact that he was held without a catch, he did accumulate 71 rushing yards and a touchdown. He now has at least 10 fantasy points in four of his past five games, making him another deeper-league add to consider.
Marcus Johnson, WR, Tennessee Titans (0.0%): An out-of-nowhere performance for Johnson has him on the deep-league radar, as he paced the Titans with five catches for 100 yards in Week 10. I have no clue if there is any chance that Johnson will cement a consistent role in this offense, but Tennessee is looking for depth at wide receiver with Julio Jones being placed on injured reserve prior to Week 10. A deep-league flier to monitor.
Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (0.4%): It's hard to know what to make of the McCloud's Week 10 performance, as he was a vacuum for targets for the first time this season. He had 12 targets alone in Week 10, two more than he had for the entirety of the season prior to this game. But with Chase Claypool out, the team was looking for answers at wide receiver, and it's possible it might have found a short-term solution in McCloud. A deeper-league consideration.
Wayne Gallman, RB, Atlanta Falcons (0.8%): Gallman handled 15 carries in Week 10, though the efforts may have gone unnoticed as Atlanta was washed by Dallas. We found out on Monday that Cordarrelle Patterson -- the Falcons most dynamic runner this year -- is dealing with an ankle injury and is uncertain to play this Thursday night against the Patriots. While it would stand to reason that Mike Davis will be the lead ball carrier if Patterson misses time, Gallman is on the radar enough to merit deeper league consideration.