We’re officially heading into Week 11 of the fantasy football season, which means just about every matchup is a must-win for most fantasy teams from here on out. There are several teams on bye this week, as well, including the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, further limiting managers’ options for both their locked-in starters and weekly flex options.
To help you log in your Week 11 lineups, we’ll outline several WR flex plays (and sleepers) to consider, as well as our top-64 WR rankings for standard-scoring leagues.
Week 11 WR flex plays
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers vs. CIN
Don’t let Quentin Johnston’s recent propensity for scoring touchdowns on busted coverages force you to forget who the true No. 1 WR for the LA Chargers is; that man is second-round pick Ladd McConkey, and it’s not particularly close. The Chargers’ passing offense has increased their pass percentage since the bye, and McConkey’s role should be especially conducive to a big Week 11 performance if things continue on their current path.
McConkey is the only WR on the Chargers to exceed a 20% target rate on routes run this season — especially impressive given his status as a rookie — leading the team with 2.04 yards per route run, explosive receiving plays (14) and missed forced tackles on receptions (8). The Bengals have been on a heater offensively, which could bolster the Chargers’ need to throw the ball early and often against a defense that ranks top-10 in passing yards (2,300) and touchdowns allowed (17) so far this season.
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers vs. SEA
In the absence of WR Brandon Aiyuk, out for the year with a torn ACL, Jauan Jennings is the latest X-receiver in the offense for the remainder of the season. In his return from a hip injury, Jennings led the team with 11 targets, hauling in seven of them for 93 yards — a team-high. In Week 11, the 49ers will get a divisional matchup that’s been plenty friendly enough to opposing wide receivers. The Seahawks are allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game (22.06) to opposing WRs and are one of 12 teams to have allowed double-digit receiving touchdowns to the position. Given their own position as a high-volume passing offense, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this matchup turn into a bit of a shootout, even if it is a gritty divisional matchup at its core.
Week 11 WR sleepers
Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns vs. NO
It feels like Cedric Tillman has been largely forgotten about coming out of the Cleveland Browns’ Week 10 bye. However, it would be wise not to forget that he’s led the charge in games since Amari Cooper has been traded this season. The second-year WR has stepped up into a big-time role in Cooper’s absence, playing 82% or more of offensive snaps over Cleveland’s past three games, earning 9+ targets and 75+ receiving yards in each of those outings. In Week 11, the Browns will face the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed the third-most receiving yards to opposing wideouts this year (though they’ve given up just six touchdowns), allowing a league-high 5.59 yards after the catch per reception.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints vs. CLE
The decision to start New Orleans Saints WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling isn’t for the faint of heart. He’s entering his third total game with the Saints following his release from the Buffalo Bills, but he did play an integral role in their Week 10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, catching all three of his targets for 109 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Despite his low target total, MVS led the Saints WRs in offensive snap rate at 55%. This week, the Saints get a matchup with the Cleveland Browns, currently ranked seventh in yards per game allowed to WRs (and one of just two teams this season to allow 11+ receiving TDs to the position). That’s translated to the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing WRs in standard-scoring fantasy leagues as their unit struggles in coverage through nine games this season. The Browns are also giving up a league-high 15.1 yards per reception to opposing wideouts this year — a perfect spot for an explosive playmaker like MVS.
Fantasy football: Week 11 WR rankings
Kate Magdziuk is an editor and contributor for Yahoo Fantasy and co-host of the Locked On Dynasty Football podcast. She is also the managing editor for Behind The Steel Curtain, SB Nation’s exclusive Pittsburgh Steelers blog. Her previous bylines include Pro Football Focus, NBC Sports Rotoworld and 4for4 Football, among others.
