Fantasy football free agent pickups Week 11: Justin Herbert to the rescue

The NFL is a “next man up” league. By extension, your fantasy football league is as well. You acquired your team during the draft, but it’s the moves you make as the season unfolds that will ultimately decide if you’re playoff-bound or planning for next season. Every week, we’ll help you identify the players available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues whose value has taken a turn for the better and should be added to your roster as starters or as smart stashes for your bench.

Next man up

Late last week, we got some big QB news that is already having a huge impact across a few NFL offenses.

First off, Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott was ruled out for the season after likely opting for surgery on a partially torn hamstring. That’s a huge blow for CeeDee Lamb and all fantasy-relevant players in Dallas, not to mention for fantasy managers who were relying on Prescott as their starter. We saw that on Sunday.

Then there’s Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who is dealing with a significant AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. He could potentially be done for the season as well, which would mean big changes for Brian Thomas Jr. and the rest of the Jaguars offense.

However, here’s the silver lining — if you need a QB replacement, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers (rostered in 47.8% of ESPN leagues) is an underappreciated pickup. He scored 19.7 fantasy points in the Chargers’ Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans on just 18 passing attempts. With several favorable matchups coming up in the next few weeks and playmakers like Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston to throw to, Herbert should be on more rosters. Now is the time to add him.

Other QB options

Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (47.8%): Wilson delivered 18.1 fantasy points in Week 10, putting up a strong performance against a tough Washington Commanders defense. He also became the first Steelers QB to throw three touchdowns in a game since Ben Roethlisberger did so on Dec. 9, 2021. What’s impressive is Wilson’s ability to spread the ball around to his playmakers — a group that now includes Mike Williams. In fact, five different Steelers have caught a touchdown from him this season. Wilson can be viewed as a solid QB2 with upside against a Ravens defense that allows the third-most QB fantasy points per game to. Plus, don’t forget that the Steelers have one of the most fantasy-friendly remaining schedules for quarterbacks this season

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (50.5%): Nix is fully in control of the Broncos offense and was the top-performing rookie quarterback in Week 10. The dual-threat QB has racked up 16-plus fantasy points in five of his last six games. He’s a solid QB2 option in Week 11, especially against an Atlanta Falcons defense that’s allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.

Trey Lance, Dallas Cowboys (0.2%): Cooper Rush lasted only three quarters in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles before the Cowboys turned to Lance. While Dallas has yet to name a starter for Week 11 against the Houston Texans, fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn’t overlook Lance. He’s a dual-threat QB, surrounded by playmakers like Lamb and Jake Ferguson. Lance could be a sneaky pickup if he’s named the starter.

Next RB up

Audric Estime, Denver Broncos (1.1%): Estime led the Broncos backfield in snaps, touches and fantasy points against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10. Denver is using a three-man committee with Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, but Estime’s role is growing. If he continues to see this kind of usage and gets red zone carries, he could be a viable option in deeper leagues, especially with the Falcons up next in Week 11. If you’re in need of an RB, he is definitely worth a look.

Other RB options

Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (20.6%): J.K. Dobbins had at least 16 touches in every game from Weeks 6-9, including two games with 20-plus touches. However, Edwards returned from IR in Week 10 against the Titans and got 10 rushing attempts — turning the Chargers backfield into a committee. Edwards also led the team in rushing yards. With both Dobbins and Edwards being very familiar with offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s scheme from their time with the Baltimore Ravens, Edwards is a solid pickup this week for teams in need of RB help.

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (50.5%): Allgeier has seen double-digit touches in three of his last five games. Now’s a great time to stockpile high-upside RB backups, and Allgeier fits that bill. Starter Bijan Robinson has been on fire with 18-plus touches and 21-plus fantasy points in five straight games. Allgeier is more than capable of stepping in and filling the void if Robinson were to miss time.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (15.9%): James Conner has had 19-plus touches in eight out of nine games, including a season-high 22.3 fantasy points in the Cardinals’ blowout win over the New York Jets on Sunday. For his part, Benson finished with 12 touches and 10.7 fantasy points, most of which came late in the contest. Conner has yet to play a full season in his career. Now is a great time to stash Benson with the Cardinals headed into their Week 11 bye.

Next WR up

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (45.4%): Johnston may not be racking up a ton of targets, but he’s making the most of every opportunity. In Week 10 against the Titans, he turned two catches on four targets into 10.4 fantasy points. The week before, he caught four of five targets for 22.0 fantasy points against the Cleveland Browns. With five receiving touchdowns in just seven games, Johnston’s production is hard to ignore. Looking ahead, his schedule of fairly positive matchups for receivers should have you excited. Over the next three weeks, the Chargers face the Cincinnati Bengals, Ravens and Falcons.

Other WR options

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (47.6%): Diontae Johnson‘s move to the Ravens opens the door for Legette to emerge as a fantasy difference-maker down the stretch. Over the last three games, he’s averaged 5.6 targets and 11.4 fantasy points. It might not seem like much, but keep in mind, Bryce Young has averaged just 29.3 passing attempts per game during that stretch. The Panthers’ remaining schedule is favorable for receivers, so Legette stays on the Week 12 flex radar in deeper leagues (coming out of their Week 11 bye).

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (25.0%): Since making his NFL debut in Week 7 against the Chiefs, Pearsall has posted at least 11 fantasy points in two of his last three games. Despite the crowded receiving group in San Francisco, he’s seen four-plus targets in each of those games. With the 49ers offense ranking second in total yards and tied for seventh in points scored per game, Pearsall’s role should continue to grow. He’s worth stashing on your bench for added WR depth.

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Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s Week 10 fantasy recap

Take a look at the notable stats behind Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s impressive fantasy outing in the Saints’ win over the Falcons in Week 10.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (0.6%): The Saints offense may have found a key piece in Valdes-Scantling to fill the void left by Rashid Shaheed. He’s a deep threat and he proved that in Week 10 against the Falcons, racking up 25.9 fantasy points on just three targets. In fact, he became the first Saints player since Alvin Kamara in September 2020 to hit 100 receiving yards and score two touchdowns in a game. Valdes-Scantling is definitely a “boom-or-bust” option unless and until he sees more targets, but in deeper leagues, fantasy managers shouldn’t overlook him.

Next TE up

Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (1.7%): Dissly is working in a committee with Tucker Fisk and Hayden Hurst, but he stood out in Week 10, leading the group in snaps, routes run and targets against the Titans. It might surprise you, but over the past four weeks, Dissly ranks fourth in TE targets (27). His fantasy value has risen since the Chargers started to lean more on the passing game and the team has one of the most fantasy friendly rest-of-season schedules for the position. Dissly is a solid pickup for managers in need.

Another TE option

Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills (1.2% rostered): Dalton Kincaid suffered a knee injury in the second half of Week 10’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, though the severity is still unknown. Knox stepped in, catching two of his three targets for 40 yards. The Bills are on a Week 12 bye, so it’s possible they will hold Kincaid out for a bit. If that happens, Knox has a solid matchup ahead. The Chiefs defense ranks second in terms of most fantasy points allowed to tight ends, making him a solid bye week fill-in if Kincaid does indeed sit.