As we head into Week 11 on the NFL slate, with the Arizona Cardinals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a bye, our streaming focus will begin at the quarterback position, discussing two options for managers who roster Kyler Murray or Baker Mayfield. And the Sunday matchups are really good, too.
What about running back, you ask? I'm light here again, because there simply isn't enough volume out there to just throw players into your lineups. However, I do have a rookie back who is quickly emerging as a potential No. 1, and he has the traits to produce as a downhill runner.
As usual, we will hit on wide receivers, too. I've got four in here. Plus, there's a tight end who could see his role expand and a defense that has a matchup with an NFC offense going through a major regression.
Players listed below are deeper-league targets, rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues entering this week's waiver period. Although you might notice overlap with Eric Moody's waiver wire column that publishes Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are solely for this week's matchups and not based on the players' values for the remainder of the season.
Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (57.4% rostered; vs. Ravens)
Let's play the matchup here. That Baltimore defense has allowed 294.9 pass yards per game and 22 passing touchdowns, both of which are the most in the league. Wilson isn't going to give you much as a runner in this Steelers offense, but he has scored 18 or more fantasy points, with multiple touchdown throws, in two of his past three games. Plus, with George Pickens' playmaking ability on the perimeter and the addition of Mike Williams, Wilson now has two vertical targets to work the third level of the field.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (67.5% rostered; vs. Bengals)
We told you to stream Herbert last week against the Titans, and he posted 19.8 points. That works. Herbert has now scored 19 or more points in three straight games, and with his ankle healthy, he is moving more. In Sunday's victory, Herbert rushed for a touchdown on a designed carry in the low red zone, and he finished with 39 yards rushing on nine carries. He has five touchdown passes in his past three games, and I really like this week's matchup against a Bengals defense that ranks in the bottom 10 versus quarterbacks. Herbert should be viewed as a fantasy starter here. He and Wilson have both seen their rostered rate increase by 20% this week.
Wide receivers
Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (36.7% rostered; vs. Seahawks)
Pearsall is developing a role in Kyle Shanahan's pass game. We can see it, right? In Sunday's win over Tampa Bay, Pearsall scored a season-high 17.3 points, catching 4 of 6 targets for 73 yards and a touchdown. He showed the ability to uncover, plus the catch-and-run skills. And he has now logged double-digit production in each of his past two games, with 15 targets over his past three. Play him as a deeper-league WR3 versus Seattle this week.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (49.7% rostered; vs. Bengals)
Johnston saw only two targets in Sunday's win over the Titans, catching both for 24 yards. But he did have a touchdown reception for the second straight game, and he has found the end zone at least once in four of his past six. Plus, we know he can win down the field. So, let's go with the matchup here versus a Bengals defense that has given up 17 touchdown passes this season, tied for the sixth most in the league.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (12.7% rostered; vs. Browns)
Want to take a shot on MVS? In a deeper league, yeah, I get it. Valdes-Scantling scored 25.9 points in Sunday's win over the Falcons, the second most at the wide receiver position in Week 10, and he did it on just three receptions. Valdes-Scantling caught two touchdowns, one on a deep ball for 40 yards and the second in the low red zone. He also added a 67-yard reception. I know it's a risk to bet on vertical throws, and it's a tougher matchup on the perimeter this week against the Browns' corners. But with the lack of depth right now in the Saints' wide receiver room and Derek Carr's willingness to cut it loose down the field, MVS will get his opportunities. And he can roll.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (15.6% rostered; at Jets)
Pierce's Week 11 value is tied to the health of Michael Pittman Jr., who missed Sunday's game with a back injury. If Pittman is out again, I would take a look at Pierce. In Sunday's loss to the Bills, Pierce scored 18.1 points, his most since Week 5, as he caught 4 of 7 targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. He brings a vertical element to this offense. So, let's keep an eye on the injury updates for Pittman this week, as Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell (8.2% rostered) could both be deeper-league plays for Sunday's game against a Jets defense that really struggled in the Week 10 loss to the Cardinals.
Running backs
Audric Estime, Denver Broncos (33.0% rostered; vs. Falcons)
The rookie out of Notre Dame is quickly emerging as the lead runner in the Denver backfield. In Sunday's tough loss to the Chiefs, Estime paced the Broncos' rushing attack with 14 carries for 53 yards, while Javonte Williams logged just one carry on the day. Yes, Estime might not give you much as a receiver, but he's a powerful, downhill runner with the foot quickness to get out of trouble. And Broncos coach Sean Payton is telling us which player he wants to carry the ball based on the usage from Week 10.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (46.8% rostered; vs. Vikings)
This is still Tony Pollard's backfield in Tennessee, but with Spears returning last week after missing three games due to a hamstring injury, he has some deeper-league value. In the Week 10 loss to the Chargers, Spears totaled 47 yards rushing on seven carries, which included two runs of 10 or more yards, and he caught all three of his targets for 4 yards. You're betting on Spears to give you around eight to 10 touches, with usage in the pass game as a screen/underneath target versus the Vikings.
Tight ends
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills (2.9% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
Starting tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) has been ruled out this week, so the door is open for Knox to take on a defined role in this week's home matchup against the Chiefs. Knox has only 10 receptions this season, but he's averaging 14.2 YPC and has produced at least one explosive play (reception of over 20 yards) in two of his past three games.
D/ST
Green Bay Packers (50.9% rostered; at Bears)
Caleb Williams has been sacked 15 times in his past two games, behind an offensive line that is dealing with injuries. That's a big number. And it's also a concerning number for a Bears offense that lacks a sense of rhythm in the pass game. The Packers have recorded multiple sacks in 5 of 9 games this season, and they've taken the ball away at least once in 7 of 9. I'm rolling with the Packers in my home league this week, and you should, too.