Week 11 of the fantasy football season is upon us and the wide receiver position is one to keep an eye on. We continue to see a lot of consistent numbers from many receivers. It's time to continue our fantasy football series with a breakdown of the wide receiver position.
It's hard to really tell how a receiver is going to do with how little they touch the ball. At this point in the fantasy season, paying attention to injuries and matchups are crucial. Focusing on who earns more targets is clearly the top statistic you look at when determining who to start for your team. The reason the top 10 fantasy receivers this year are not usually on this list is that they are going to start regardless of the matchup. There are a good amount of receivers that are on the cusp of starting with usually only three slots available, including the flex. Let's take a look at the six receivers fantasy owners should consider starting or sitting in Week 11.
Fantasy Football Week 11 Start ‘Em
Diontae Johnson – Pittsburgh Steelers
Johnson is the top receiving option in Week 11 for the Steelers. With Chase Claypool dealing with a toe injury, Johnson is more than likely going to earn more targets Sunday night. It isn't a favorable matchup by any means as the LA Chargers defend the pass very well. Johnson will probably be watching a lot of the Justin Jefferson tape from Week 10 as he should fill a similar role. The quarterback is yet to be determined as Ben Roethlisberger is still on the covid-19 list.
The Chargers rank 2nd against opposing receivers this season. They did allow a solid game from Jefferson but did keep him out of the endzone. It's been four games since Johnson reached the endzone and there is a chance that can happen on primetime.
Brandin Cooks – Houston Texans
The Texans are fresh off a bye and Cooks is expected to play well against a favorable matchup. QB Tyrod Taylor is back and will find Cooks as much as possible as he did before the injury. Cooks saw 14 targets in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins but only caught six for 56 yards. It's clear Taylor loves finding Cooks but it didn't result in much last time out.
The production could get better this week. Cooks faces the Tennessee Titans who rank 32nd against opposing receivers. No other team has given up more fantasy football points to receivers and Cooks is definitely happy to know that. Expect him to be heavily involved in the game plan.
DeVonta Smith – Philadelphia Eagles
The last two weeks saw the same fantasy score at 22.6 consecutively. Smith is starting to find the endzone and become a must-start in fantasy football. The Eagles are one of the pass-heavy teams in the league and that benefits Smith's fantasy value. He should be in line for another great game as faces a favorable opponent.
Smith and the Eagles will face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday who rank 29th against opposing receivers. The Eagles seem to be trying to get Smith involved as much as possible, so consider starting him this week.
Fantasy Receivers Week 11 Sit ‘Em
Michael Pittman Jr. – Indianapolis Colts
Pittman Jr is becoming a star for the Colts. He is starting to breakout for the Colts but the last two weeks proved to be average for him. He finished with five catches apiece in each of the last two games and now will go up against the toughest defense in the NFL this season.
The Buffalo Bills are the top-ranked defense against opposing receivers this season. They don't allow much production at all. Pittman will be involved in the game plan but I don't expect him to perform very well. There are better matchups out there that could benefit you more.
Terry McLaurin – Washington Football Team
McLaurin's last two games saw a total of nine catches for a combined 82 yards. The connection with Taylor Heinicke seems to be off lately and so it's best to avoid starting him if you can. He is one of the top young receivers in the league but needs a quarterback to consistently connect with him to be dominant.
He faces the 4th ranked Carolina Panthers this week who really shut down opposing receivers. McLaurin isn't expected to exceed more than 15 fantasy points and should sit until he proves to be back on track. He's a lovable receiver but is too risky to start at this point in the season.
Adam Thielen – Minnesota Vikings
Thielen is seeing a lot more production come from teammate Justin Jefferson. Because of that, it's hard to get consistent numbers. Both play inside and out but Jefferson is in the slot more often and doesn't get doubled teamed. That doesn't open up Thielen's game and he usually gets guarded by the team's top corner. It's safe to bench Thielen this week as faces a touch opponent.
The Vikings face the Green Bay Packers who rank 5th against opposing receivers in fantasy football. They dominated the Seahawks last week and should make it very difficult on the Vikings in Week 11. Avoid Thelien if you can because he may not get you the production you are looking for.
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