If you opened your fantasy app this morning and sighed, you’re not alone. The Week 11 waiver wire is looking thin. Injuries and bye weeks have cleared most of the easy pickups, and the obvious names — guys like Troy Franklin, Parker Washington, or Alec Pierce — are long gone in most competitive leagues. That said, there are still a few sneaky moves that could give you an edge heading into the playoff push.
Below are the most notable names worth considering in deeper leagues or as speculative adds.
Overall Top 8
1. Tez Johnson
2. Brian Robinson Jr.
3. Jayden Reed
4. Darren Waller
5. Adonai Mitchell
6. Darius Slayton
7. Emari Demercado
8. Jayden Higgins
Tez Johnson – WR, Buccaneers
Rostered: 32% | Suggested FAAB: 3–4%
Recommendation: Should be added in 12-team leagues
Enjoy touchdowns? Because Tez Johnson has been banking them consistently. Surrounded by injuries, with both Mike Evans (ACL) done for the season and Chris Godwin (ankle) expected to miss multiple weeks, the rookie wideout has been the Bucs’ unsung scoring machine, scoring a touchdown in four consecutive games (with two red-zone scores) back in Week 10 at New England.
Johnson isn’t an elite volume target at just one game with over six looks, but he’s cashing in on a high level of efficiency and situational targeting. He’s the team leader in red-zone targets since Week 6 (4) and ranks in the top-15 leaguewide in fantasy points per target over that period. Baker Mayfield’s penchant for extending plays and targeting Johnson around the goal line have made him an unexpected fantasy weapon in an offense that still ranks in the top-10 in pass attempts per game.
His underlying role has also been quietly expanding, as he played a season-high 83% of snaps in Week 10, an indication of the coaching staff’s trust in Johnson’s developing route tree. Over the last five games, he’s put up an average of 11.5 half-PPR points, finished as a top-20 fantasy wideout twice and scored 6.5+ points in every game, a remarkably consistent run for a player who’s been rostered in less than a third of leagues.
Johnson’s floor will always be tied to his touchdown-scoring prowess, but his current mix of red-zone usage, snap share and upward trajectory in Tampa Bay’s offense make him an intriguing WR3/FLEX option in 12-team leagues while Evans and Godwin remain on the shelf.
Brian Robinson Jr. – RB, 49ers
Rostered: 21% | Suggested FAAB: 1–2%
Recommendation: Depth stash in 12-team leagues; priority handcuff for McCaffrey managers
Brian Robinson Jr. is gradually finding his place in the 49ers’ backfield, and he’s doing it pretty effectively. In the last couple of games, the former Alabama star has racked up 13 carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns, putting up 22.8 PPR points and averaging 7.2 yards per carry. He’s managed to score 11+ fantasy points in both games, displaying a nice burst of speed and good vision even with limited chances.
The 49ers are easing off Christian McCaffrey’s workload a bit as the season winds down, and Robinson is making the most of it, getting 8+ rushing attempts in two of his last four games. This shift isn’t random — San Francisco is looking to keep McCaffrey fresh for a playoff push, and Robinson has shown he can step in without the offense losing its rhythm.
For those managing fantasy teams, Robinson is shaping up to be one of the most valuable handcuffs out there. If you own McCaffrey, you definitely want to grab him, and even if you don’t, he’s a solid stash to consider for playoff depth. His standalone value is pretty much tied to touchdowns, but with his strong offensive setup and proven productivity, he’s definitely worth keeping around as insurance, especially if McCaffrey were to be sidelined.
If you’re in a tight race for a playoff spot, Robinson’s worth may vary — he’s not someone to start unless you’re hit by injuries. But for those contending with extra roster spots, he could be just the type of late-season bench player that makes a difference in championships.
Jayden Reed – WR, Packers
Rostered: 40% | Suggested FAAB: 1–2%
Recommendation: Priority stash in 12-team leagues; WR4 with upside once activated
Jayden Reed is on IR due to his injury, but sharp managers should have him on their radar as a pick for the late season. Before he got hurt, this second-year wide receiver was showing off that explosive skill set — he scored 12.0 half-PPR points in Week 1 with five targets, three catches, 45 yards, and a touchdown. When he’s healthy, Reed has been the most effective receiver for Green Bay, getting plenty of slot time, motion routes, and designed touches that really boost his yards after the catch. The Packers, with Jordan Love as QB, have quietly gotten their offense in gear, ranking in the top 10 for EPA per play over the past month. Reed’s comeback could be perfectly timed. With Tucker Kraft out for the season, there’s a noticeable gap in the short to intermediate passing game. Reed can step in to take those targets while still being a threat deep, which gives him weekly WR2 potential once he’s back in the flow. If you’ve got the space on your roster to wait a bit, Reed is one of the best IR-return candidates out there—especially in PPR leagues. Even if he doesn’t jump right back into a full snap count, his role in a growing offense makes him a solid bench option for Weeks 14–17, just when the fantasy playoffs are starting.
Darren Waller – TE, Dolphins
Rostered: 21% | Suggested FAAB: 1–2%
Recommendation: Strong stash in 12-team leagues; TE1 upside when healthy
If you’re looking to stream tight ends or hoping to find a late-season gem, Darren Waller is worth a spot on the bench. Right now, he’s on injured reserve with a pectoral problem and can’t come back until Week 13, but his performance before the injury makes him a solid speculative pick at his position.
Before he went down, Waller was really contributing to Miami’s offense, averaging 3.3 receptions, 39 yards, and 1.3 touchdowns per game over three games where he was healthy — that’s about 15.2 PPR points each game. He found the end zone in every single one of those games and never scored less than 9.2 fantasy points, which is pretty rare given how inconsistent tight ends can be.
When he comes back, Waller will jump back into a system that makes good use of tight ends in the red zone and stands to benefit from all the attention Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle pull from defenders. Plus, his fantasy playoff schedule (PIT, TB, @BUF) looks pretty favorable, which gives him a chance to be a top-8 option rest of season if he’s back to full health by mid-December.
For those with space on the bench or uncertainty at tight end, this is definitely a smart move that could pay off. You might not be starting him now — but by playoff time, Waller could very well make a big impact each week.
Adonai Mitchell – WR, Jets
Rostered: 1% | Suggested FAAB: 0-1%
Recommendation: Deep-league stash with FLEX upside if usage expands
Adonai Mitchell didn’t get much attention in last week’s trade news, but he could be an interesting pick-up after joining the Jets. He came over in the trade that sent Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis, and while he didn’t play in Week 10 because he’s still getting familiar with the playbook, his chance might come sooner than later.
New York’s receiving group just got a bit thinner, especially after Garrett Wilson left Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Even if Wilson’s out for just a short while, the guys backing him up have been pretty inconsistent. That’s where Mitchell could be a game-changer; he adds size, contested-catch skills, and speed downfield — things the Jets have been missing. At Texas, he had a solid college career with 11 touchdowns and an impressive 2.43 yards-per-route-run average in 2023, showing he can win those vertical battles and make things happen in the red zone.
The Jets have had a hard time stretching the field this year, and once Mitchell gets up to speed, his skills might really help to balance the offense. He probably won’t make much of an impact in Week 11, but by late November, we could see him stepping up as the No. 2 wide receiver behind Wilson, or even taking on a bigger role if Wilson’s injury keeps him out.
For now, he’s a smart stash for those in 14-team leagues or deeper benches, especially for fantasy managers who are looking ahead to weeks 13-17. There’s real FLEX potential here if the Jets start to utilize him more as the season goes on.
Darius Slayton – WR, Giants
Rostered: 51% | Suggested FAAB: 4–5%
Recommendation: Should be added in 12-team leagues as a matchup-based FLEX
Darius Slayton had his best game of the season in Week 10, snagging all four of his targets for 89 yards against a solid matchup. He did have to leave for a bit due to a hamstring issue but came back strong, showcasing his usual speed and ability on deep routes. With Jaxson Dart out because of a concussion and Russell Wilson stepping in, the passing flow changed a bit, but both quarterbacks can definitely get the ball to Slayton downfield.
Slayton’s fantasy outlook is still a bit hit or miss, but his upcoming schedule looks promising. He’s got several matchups that could be pretty advantageous: facing the Lions in Week 12 (who are 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs), the Commanders in Week 15 (26th), the Vikings in Week 16, and the Raiders in Week 17 (23rd). All of these secondaries are struggling against speedy receivers on the outside.
If you’re looking for a high-upside FLEX option or need a wide receiver to stream during playoffs, Slayton could be a good fit. His targets might not always be consistent, but with some favorable matchups coming up, he’s definitely worth considering for a speculative add in 12-team leagues, especially if you need someone who can hit a home run.
Emari Demercado – RB, Cardinals
Rostered: 19% | Suggested FAAB: 3–4%
Recommendation: Viable FLEX streamer in deeper leagues; stash with short-term upside
Emari Demercado has been steadily proving his worth as Arizona’s top running back since the team’s bye week. During this time, he’s been averaging 11.1 PPR fantasy points per game and has an impressive 7.9 yards per carry. His performance reflects a nice mix of speed and control in an offense that’s looking revitalized with Kyler Murray back. In the three games where he’s gotten at least four touches, he’s averaged 10.8 fantasy points, hitting double digits in two straight games.
One thing to keep an eye on this week is the potential return of rookie Trey Benson (knee), which could limit Demercado’s touches. However, until we see Benson back to full health, Demercado is likely to stay the go-to guy, especially on passing downs and when the team is in hurry-up mode. His increasing snap count and efficiency make him a solid option for managers facing injuries or bye week issues.
The matchup against San Francisco isn’t the easiest, but if Arizona finds themselves trailing, it could work in his favor as they might rely more on the short passing game. While he might not be a long-term asset if Benson comes back strong, for Week 11, Demercado definitely has usable RB3/FLEX value with that PPR upside.
Jayden Higgins – WR, Texans
Rostered: 17% | Suggested FAAB: 1–2%
Recommendation: Deep-league stash with FLEX upside in favorable matchups
Houston has been searching all year for a consistent third option behind Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz, and rookie Jayden Higgins is starting to emerge as that player. After a slow start, Higgins has quietly posted steady production over the past three weeks, averaging 3.3 receptions on 5.3 targets for 26.7 yards and 10.0 PPR points per game during that span. He’s also scored a touchdown and topped 13.4 fantasy points in both games where he’s seen more than five targets.
At 6’3” and 210 pounds, Higgins gives C.J. Stroud a bigger-bodied boundary receiver who can win contested catches — something this offense has lacked outside of Collins. The coaching staff has steadily increased his snaps and route participation, and his red-zone role continues to grow. With the Texans’ offense ranking top-10 in pass attempts per game and facing a soft upcoming schedule (TEN, @IND, LV), Higgins is trending toward weekly FLEX consideration in deeper formats.
He’s not yet a must-start, but his chemistry with Stroud and consistent usage make him one of the better upside stashes available for managers planning ahead to the fantasy playoffs.
