Fantasy football is an ever-evolving game that rewards players who stay ahead of the curve and monitor emerging trends. Each week, unexpected opportunities arise, shifting the landscape and revealing new assets for savvy managers.
With the NFL season in full swing, roster decisions can make the difference between victory and disappointment. Keeping an eye on under-the-radar contributors is essential if you want to stay competitive in fantasy football.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Rostered: 37%
It’s essential not to forget about players who didn’t play. The Tennessee Titans were on bye this week. Out of sight, out of mind for many.
Tyjae Spears deserves to be on more rosters. If we throw out his first game back from IR, which we should, Spears has now managed at least 7.0 fantasy points in each of his last four games. His opportunity counts have ranged from 9 to 12.
Spears is not going to swing matchups or be an RB1, but he will give you a solid weekly floor. Fantasy rosters have been ravaged by injuries all season. There are certainly plenty of you out there who could use 7-10 points from your RB3.
With at least three receptions in every game this season (outside of that first game back), Spears has a solid PPR floor. Additionally, he has injury-contingent upside if Tony Pollard were to go down.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Rostered: 33%
Let’s preface this by saying Tyler Allgeier won’t be stealing two touchdowns from Bijan Robinson most weeks. Fantasy managers should not be chasing these points by thrusting him into Week 11 lineups.
The reason Allgeier needs to be rostered is that he is one of the highest upside handcuffs in the league.
Allgeier already has a touchdown-or-bust RB3 value. He’s hit 10+ fantasy points four times while playing alongside Robinson. Allgeier would be looking at 20+ opportunities per game and would be a high RB2 at worst. If you roster Robinson, we are at the point in the season where you should consider picking up Allgeier if he’s available.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rostered: 8%
For the second consecutive game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rotated their running backs a little bit more. It wasn’t the Rachaad White show this time. Sean Tucker carried the ball nine times for 53 yards and was the clear preferred option in short-yardage situations.
The Bucs were in negative game script for most of the afternoon. That won’t happen every week (although next week against the Bills isn’t great).
Bucky Irving does not appear close to returning. It could be several more weeks if he comes back at all. That puts Tucker one injury away from being the lead back for one of the league’s better offenses. There’s also the chance he continues to siphon work away from the inefficient and ineffective (on the ground) White.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.5
Devin Singletary, New York Giants
Rostered: 25%
There is nothing flashy or exciting about Devin Singletary. For the second consecutive game, though, he saw 10+ opportunities. Singletary wasn’t quite as efficient on his eight carries as last week, managing only 20 yards. However, he still reached double-digit fantasy points by catching all three of his targets for 53 yards.
Singletary only played about a third of the snaps this time, ceding the lead-back role definitively to Tyrone Tracy Jr. The playing time and touches were not close this time.
Nevertheless, Singletary is seeing enough work to be worth rostering. Additionally, he has injury-contingent upside if Tracy were to go down.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders
Rostered: 6%
Chris Rodriguez picked up a shoulder injury, which will need to be monitored. Obviously, if he is hurt, there is no point in picking him up. However, I would be remiss if I did not mention him.
Rodriguez started this game and had six carries before he left the game. Most importantly, CRod was the guy at the goal line punching in a short touchdown.
READ MORE: Fantasy Waiver Wire Targets Week 11: Top Players To Add Include Tyler Allgeier, Sean Tucker, and Parker Washington
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has struggled over the past few weeks, and not much changed against the Lions, with the rookie rushing the ball 11 times for 30 yards. If Rodriguez is okay, he may very well be the lead runner. How much is that worth? In a Marcus Mariota offense, probably not much. But if you need a shot at a touchdown, Rodriguez can do that.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0
Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals
Rostered: 37%
The Arizona Cardinals’ backfield continues to shift. Bam Knight remained the starter in name only. It was pretty much an even split between him and Emari Demercado once again. But for the second week in a row, Demercado was the more effective player.
Somehow, Demercado managed 13.4 fantasy points in a blowout loss, mostly because he had a 55-yard rush. Demercado only touched the ball four times.
The main reason to add Demercado is that Knight picked up an ankle injury and had to leave the game. He seems likely to miss time. Michael Carter would step into Knight’s role, but if the Cardinals believed in Carter, they wouldn’t have relegated him from starter to literally zero snaps (until Knight’s injury). Demercado would not suddenly be an 80% snap share player, but he would be the preferred option.
There is still a chance Trey Benson returns this week. If we get wind of that before waiver claims are due, then there’s no real need to add Demercado. If not, he can be a volume-based RB3/Flex play until Benson returns.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0