With fantasy football playoffs quickly approaching, and with the trade deadline already passed in many leagues, the waiver wire becomes even more important. With that in mind, let's get right into the best pickups for Week 11:
RB: James Starks, Green Bay Packers
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 26
Starks and Ty Montgomery were the only active running backs for the Packers on Sunday, but it wasn't exactly a time-share. Starks, making his return from knee surgery, started the game and played the majority of the meaningful snaps even though the game script (Green Bay giving up 21 first-quarter points and trailing by multiple touchdowns all day) seemingly would have called for Montgomery's pass-catching skills. Alas, Starks totaled 44 yards and a touchdown on 10 touches, while Montgomery finished with a mere five touches and 20 yards. While Starks is just another guy in terms of talent, he's pretty clearly the lead running back, which alone makes him worth owning. For what it's worth, I wouldn't drop Montgomery just yet, as it just doesn't make much sense for Green Bay to ignore a superior talent down the stretch. (Getty)
WR: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 15
Hill was the clear winner of Jeremy Maclin's absence in Week 10, as he led the Chiefs in targets (13), receptions (10) and yards (89). It's hard to trust any receiver in this offense, but the rookie is an exciting big-play threat who can take it to the house any time he touches the ball, and when you combine that upside with Sunday's kind of volume, he becomes a very attractive pickup. His value is partly contingent on Maclin, but the veteran wasn't close to playing this week, and groin injuries tend to linger, so there's a possibility he misses even more time. (Getty)
RB: Ryan Mathews, Philadelphia Eagles
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 72
Although that's a high ownership percentage, there's a good chance that number is slightly skewed by inactive leagues. Mathews played just 16 total snaps the last two weeks, and there's a good chance he was dropped in many larger, competitive leagues. But he bounced back in a big way on Sunday, piling up 138 total yards (108 rushing, 30 receiving) and two touchdowns on 21 touches (19 carries, two receptions). It was by far his most productive game of the season, and while this remains a volatile situation with Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood both involved in the backfield, Mathews needs to be picked up if he was dropped in your league. He's too good for the Eagles to keep him sidelined. (Getty)
WR: Eli Rogers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 10
I listed Rogers last week after his 10-target, 6-reception, 103-yard performance, but since he's still only 10 percent owned, I'll keep him here. The slot man is especially valuable in PPR leagues, but he has value in standard formats, as well. With Darrius Heyward-Bey hurt, Sammie Coates struggling and the Steelers tight ends anything but consistent, Rogers has a good chance to be the Steelers' No. 3 option behind Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell over the second half of the season. In an offense as potent as this one, that's a valuable role. (Getty)
RB: Rob Kelley, Washington Redskins
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 47
Looks like we have a rare workhorse running back on our hands. Kelley, two weeks after receiving 21 carries against the Cincinnati Bengals (Washington was on a bye last week), piled up another 22 totes on Sunday, turning them into 97 yards. It wasn't exactly the most efficient effort (4.4 yards per carry), but Minnesota entered the week with Football Outsiders' No. 4 overall defense and No. 9 running defense. The volume is the more important takeaway here, and while Washington has a tough upcoming schedule, there's no way you can leave a potential 20-touch player on the waiver wire. He needs to be owned in all leagues. (Getty)
QB: Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 12
After throwing for 398 yards and two touchdowns in a cake matchup against the Saints last week, Kaepernick was expected to drop off in a terrible spot on the road against a Cardinals defense ranked third against the pass, per Football Outsiders. Instead, he more than held his own, completing 17-of-30 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown, adding 55 yards and a score on the ground. He's playing better than expected in Chip Kelly's QB fantasy-friendly offense, his running ability increases both his floor and ceiling, and the 'Niners have a favorable schedule down the stretch. You could do a lot worse for a QB2. (Getty)
QB: Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 66
Bortles has been nothing short of terrible for most of the season, but if you stream quarterbacks, there aren't many guys who will have a better matchup in Week 11. Jacksonville is at Detroit, who entered Week 10 allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing QB's and has given up six Top-12 weekly QB performances. It may not feel good starting Bortles, but ultimately he has volume (Jaguars have the highest passing-play percentage in the NFL) and a good matchup on his side. (Getty)
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 11 Pickups