At this point of the fantasy football season, I'm looking for a boost in my lineup. Give me the fringe QB1s or the WR3s/flexes who can generate scoring production based on the upcoming matchup and what I anticipate from the offensive scheme.
There is an upside quarterback on my list this week. A WR3, too, with high-end catch-and-run traits. There's also a pass-catcher who has been a WR2/flex for me all season, and I really like his matchup this week.
So, let's go to the tape here, and focus on the players I'm upgrading and downgrading based on the Week 11 fantasy schedule. And there are always a couple of fantasy targets to monitor.
Players to upgrade in Week 11
Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
I'm going to play the upside of Newton this week, as a low-end QB1, betting on the designed rush attempts and the high-percentage throws in Joe Brady's offensive system. In limited work last Sunday versus the Cardinals' defense, Newton accounted for a rushing score (see video below) -- on a staple QB power scheme -- and also threw a red zone touchdown. Sprint-out concept there, a man coverage beater that gives the quarterback a quick, one-to-two read. See it, throw it.
So, what do we expect from this Carolina offensive plan in the Week 11 matchup versus Washington? I do expect Newton's running ability to be utilized here, using both motion and misdirection. And that should feed into the Panthers' pass-game structure, with catch-and-run balls for DJ Moore, plus the defined matchups Carolina can scheme for a healthy Christian McCaffrey (10 catches on 15 targets in Week 10).
Playing in a 12-14 team league? I am. And Newton fits here.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins has been on the WR2/flex line for me all season in the rankings. This week, I really like the matchup for the Bengals wide receiver versus a very defined and zone-heavy Raiders defense under Gus Bradley.
In his past three games, Higgins has seen a total of 17 targets, and he has scored more than 13 PPR points in each of those matchups. I think we see a boost in production from Higgins in this one against Vegas, because we know how the Bengals scheme for three-deep, zone coverage.
Now, this isn't anything new in terms of the pass-game structure. We are talking about base concepts here, the stuff I see as a high school coach at IC Catholic Prep in the Chicago area. Move (or occupy) the underneath defender and create a throwing window for quarterback Joe Burrow. That's where Higgins can see his target volume on in-breakers, deep comebacks and crossers.
Will Higgins also see some man coverage? Sure. Split safety? Yep. However, the Bengals' game plan will be full of Cover 3 beaters on Sunday. And based on what the tape shows, they will have answers for Burrow to target second-level windows with Higgins as a primary target opposite of rookie Ja'Marr Chase. That's why I have Higgins ranked as a WR2 this week.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Back in Week 9, Aiyuk posted a season-high 18.7 PPR points. And, look, we all know he can play. It's the catch-and-run ability there. The short-area burst in the open field and the physical style he brings to the position. So, I'm not going to count this guy out after he scored only 5.6 PPR points on Monday in a game plan that was dictated by Kyle Shanahan's run-heavy approach (44 rushing attempts).
So, let's talk about the matchup this week and why I like Aiyuk versus an improving Jaguars defense that held a 50% blitz rate in the Week 10 game versus the Colts. And I would do the same versus 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, a pocket passer who struggles when he has to move and reset his throwing window. But Shanahan can counter, calling quick-game concepts to set up Aiyuk. Throw the slants, the unders, the smoke screens -- and let Aiyuk create after the catch. He's a WR3 for me this week.
Players to monitor in Week 11
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears
With the development we are seeing from rookie quarterback Justin Fields, plus more multiple tight end sets in Chicago, Kmet is starting to climb in my ranks. The second-year player scored a season-high 14.7 PPR points in the Week 9 game against the Steelers' defense, and he has now seen at least six targets in each of his past three games. Plus, the Bears are going to use boot play-action with Fields. Get him to the edge, which creates target opportunities for Kmet to run the crossers and make himself available underneath as an outlet. Now, I'm not there yet on the Bears' tight end, but I am intrigued. Kmet gets the Ravens' defense next on Sunday.
Robby Anderson, WR, Carolina Panthers
I simply want to see if Anderson gets a boost with Newton at quarterback. While Anderson did catch that red zone touchdown throw from Newton last week, which contributed to Anderson's season-high 13.7 PPR points, I'm looking for some vertical juice here from the Panthers' wideout. In 10 games this season, Anderson has produced just two explosive-play receptions (20 yards or more). And that doesn't add up when we look at the vertical speed, plus the ability of Anderson after the catch.
Players to downgrade in Week 11
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
I still see Tagovailoa as a fantasy starter this week. And, yes, I like the matchup against the Jets' defense. That's a struggling unit, one that really lacks difference-makers. And New York plays more man coverage than you would expect, in addition to their staple split-safety schemes. Find the matchups there. However, our projected total of 20.3 points for Tagovailoa this week is a little too high for me given the limited vertical concepts in this Miami passing game. He's a lower-tier QB1 for me this week.
Tennessee Titans running backs
With a matchup against the Texans' defense, a unit giving up an average of 25.1 PPR points per game to opposing running backs, this is the week to expect more volume and more production from the Tennessee backfield. And we know how important the run-game element is to this Tennessee offense. But since the Derrick Henry injury, I haven't seen enough on the tape from D'Onta Foreman, Adrian Peterson or Jeremy McNichols to roll with a Titans back in my lineup. Your best bet here this week? Probably Foreman -- in non-PPR formats -- as a flex/RB2 in deeper leagues.