It is time to set our lineups for the week, and with that in mind, let's follow the data to analyze some of the biggest Week 11 fantasy football rankings risers and fallers in the ranks to help you make those critical start-sit decisions.

Note: as you read through the Utilization Report, you'll notice the Utilization Score being used as a pillar of analysis. For more information on how to use the score and why it's more predictive than fantasy points per game, read here.

Risers In The Week 11 Fantasy Football Rankings

Russell Wilson | QB | Steelers

Over the last three games, Wilson has averaged 246 yards and two passing TDs per game, which align closely with some of his best passing seasons with the Seahawks.

  • 2015: 252, 2.1
  • 2017: 249, 2.1
  • 2019: 247, 1.9
  • 2020: 263, 2.5

And get this: from 2015 to 2021, Wilson averaged 246 yards and two passing TDs per game.

Wilson isn't the same scrambler he once was, but we have to acknowledge that the 35-year-old vet could be experiencing a late-career resurgence as a passer. He has averaged 19.6 fantasy points per game with QB3, QB21, and QB9 finishes.

The Ravens present a massive challenge for the Steelers' ground attack, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards per game on the slate (73). However, they are the number one matchup for opposing passing attacks, sanctioning 315 per contest. Baltimore allows 21.4 fantasy points per game just through the air, providing the No. 1 fantasy boost to QBs at 4.7 points per game.

Wilson UPGRADES to my QB8 in the Fantasy Life rankings.

QB Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

  • Brock Purdy | 49ers: Purdy ranks No. 2 in passing yards per game (273), and the Seahawks allow the sixth-most passing yards per game on the slate (235). The Seattle defense could be in even worse shape if not for a puff schedule against terrible QBs to begin the year. Purdy is playing with a loaded deck with Christian McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings, and bookmakers agree. The Niners carry the second-highest team total (29), and Purdy projects for 21-plus fantasy points. Purdy is a SMASH PLAY and UPGRADES to top-five status.
     
  • Jared Goff | Lions: The Lions boast the top team total (31), playing against the second-best matchup for fantasy quarterbacks. The Jaguars have sanctioned a 4.6-point fantasy boost to opposing signal callers. Goff can be a tricky fantasy start because the Lions are committed to the ground game, but he offers massive upside this weekend. Goff UPGRADES to low-end QB1 status and offers high-end QB1 upside.

Kareem Hunt | Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco's 21-day practice window opened, but he is unlikely to play this weekend, per Andy Reid. That leaves the door open for at least one more outing from Hunt, who has an 8.3 Utilization Score and has averaged 17.8 points per game over the last month of football.

 

Historically, backs with a similar Utilization Score have averaged 16.3 fantasy points and operated as low-end RB1s.

The Bills allow 123 yards per game and have green-lighted the second-highest fantasy boost to the RB position at five points per game. Buffalo also runs the seventh-most zone coverage, which could funnel a few extra targets to the backfield.

Hunt UPGRADES to high-end RB2 territory.

Audric Estime | Broncos

Estime took over as the primary early-down back for Denver in Week 10, bogarting 64% of the team's rushing attempts. He also led the team in snaps (45%) but gave way to Javonte Williams in the two-minute offense, limiting his route participation to 21%.

 

It is hard to say if Estime will expand his role to take on a more significant portion of the passing downs moving forward, but he gets a solid rushing matchup against the Falcons in Week 11. Atlanta has conceded the eighth-most rushing yards per game (130), and oddsmakers have the matchup as a close game, with the Broncos favored by two points.

Estime UPGRADES to high-end RB3 territory and could scratch out an RB2 finish if he punches in a touchdown.

RB Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

  • Christian McCaffrey | 49ers: CMC returned to the CMC role in his first game with a 90% snap share and an 8.7 Utilization Score. The Seahawks allow the fourth-most rushing yards per game (139), and the 49ers boast the second-highest team total (29). McCaffrey UPGRADES to RB1 overall. Welcome back, CMC!
     
  • Detroit RBs | Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs has handled 50% of the rushing attempts versus 41% for David Montgomery over the last four games. He also leads the way with 46% route participation versus 35%. However, both backs get a boost in their outlook thanks to a 31-point team total and a matchup against the Jaguars, who cough up 130 yards per game on the ground. Gibbs UPGRADES to mid-range RB1 status, and Montgomery is a mid-range RB2 with RB1 upside.
     
  • Chase Brown | Bengals: Brown has a 9.9 Utilization Score out of a possible 10 in two games without Zack Moss. He has handled 88% of the rushing attempts and notched a 17% target share on a 70% route participation rate. He has compiled 28 opportunities per game over that stretch. The matchup against the Chargers hasn't been great for backs, but Brown's expanded role on a high-quality offense makes him a must-start in all leagues. Brown UPGRADES to borderline RB1 territory despite a tough matchup.
     
  • Travis Etienne Jr. | Jaguars: Etienne acted as the lead back in Week 10 with a 69% rush share, but Tank Bigsby was injured early in the game. However, Bigsby returned, so we don't know if he was limited due to an injury or if the Jaguars returned the keys to Etienne. Bigsby is questionable for Week 11. If Bigsby doesn't suit up, Etienne will upgrade to low-end RB2 territory against a Lions defense that has been stingy against RBs, holding opponents 3.4 points below their average.
     
  • Cam Akers | Vikings: Aaron Jones suffered a rib injury but returned to action in Week 10. The current outlook on Jones for this weekend is optimistic, but if Jones can't play, Akers will get a boost in the ranks. Akers has surpassed Ty Chandler for playing time over the last two games with a 29% snap share versus 7%. Akers UPGRADES to borderline RB2 territory if Jones is out.

George Pickens | WR | Steelers

Pickens has an 8.4 Utilization Score, averaging 18 fantasy points in three games with Wilson at the helm. While his targets haven't increased (seven per game), the quality of his targets has improved dramatically. Wilson has unlocked the vertical and red zone elements of Pickens' game.

  • Per game with Justin Fields: 88 air yards (12.6 aDOT), 0.5 endzone targets
  • Per game with Russell Wilson: 116 air yards (16.6 aDOT), 1.7 endzone targets
George Pickens Game Log

 

Pickens' fantasy points per game have skyrocketed by 7.9 points per game with Wilson.

The Ravens have empowered the No. 1 fantasy boost to the WR position at 9.3 points per game. The average NFL defense has allowed 26.9 fantasy points to opposing pass catchers per contest–Baltimore has licensed 40.3.

Pickens UPGRADES to mid-range WR1 status and is a SMASH PLAY as my WR7.

Cedric Tillman | WR | Browns

Since the departure of Amari Cooper, Tillman has averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game and has an 8.9 Utilization Score. He leads the team in targets, air yards, and endzone targets over that stretch.

 

Historically, receivers in Tillman's Utilization Score range have been WR1 producers. The Browns' passing game could be highly volatile with Jameis Winston at the helm, but we know the boom-game potential exists.

The Saints have allowed the third-most passing yards per game on the slate (259) and no longer have the services of Marshon Lattimore, who was traded to the Commanders. Tillman is a strong sell-high candidate due to concerns around Winston's long-term role, but the second-year wide receiver is in a good spot in Week 11.

Tillman UPGRADES to mid-range WR2 status and offers high-end WR1 upside.

WR Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown | Lions: St. Brown leads the Lions with a 29% target share and averages 17 fantasy points per game. Detroit sports the highest team total (31) on the slate and gets a matchup against a secondary sanctioning 35 points per game to pass catchers–eight points above the NFL average (27). St. Brown UPGRADES to THE WR1 overall.
     
  • Davante Adams | Jets: Adams made this column section last week but didn't boom in the box score with only 9.1 fantasy points. However, we are going back to him again in Week 11. Over the last three games, the 31-year-old has a mouth-watering 35% target share with an 8.1 Utilization Score. He is due for a big boom game, and the Colts allow the fourth-most yards to pass catchers per game (254). Adams is a high-end WR2.
     
  • Jauan Jennings | 49ers: Jennings has eclipsed the 85% route participation threshold in two games (Weeks 3 and 10). He has a 9.3 Utilization Score and 31.4 points per game in those games. The veteran averaged 11.5 targets in those games. While we can't expect Jennings to continue to demand that volume in a loaded offense, we must recognize that it is within his range of outcomes. Plus, with Purdy averaging the second-most passing yards (273), there is room for strong performances with fewer targets. Jennings UPGRADES to borderline WR2 status.
     
  • Jameson Williams | Lions: Williams hasn't been able to sustain his early season target-earning success, now sitting at an 18% TPRR. However, he leads the team in aDOT (15.8), which leads to ample air yards opportunities. Look for the Lions' deep threat to come down with at least one long TD against a dreadful Jaguars secondary (see St. Brown above). Williams is a mid-range WR3 but offers WR1-boom potential.

Taysom Hill | TE | Saints

The Saints only have a few offensive options, with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed out. Taysom Hill is one of the last players standing, and he saw a season-high 63% route participation in Week 10.

 

The multi-purpose weapon also has a 15% rush share since returning from injury in Week 8. Hill could see 7 to 10 opportunities this weekend, which doesn't account for his ability to pass the ball. Hill UPGRADES to mid-range TE1 territory and is in the mix with names like Tucker Kraft and Kyle Pitts.

TE Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

  • T.J. Hockenson | Vikings: It has only taken two games for Hockenson to reclaim his role as one of the top two options in the Vikings' passing attack. In Week 10, he upped his route participation from 60% to 71% and tied Justin Jefferson for the team lead in targets at 26%. The Titans are a tough passing matchup, but Hockenson still UPGRADES to mid-range TE1 status as my TE6.
     
  • David Njoku | Browns: This is just a gentle reminder that Njoku has averaged 16.2 points since the departure of Amari Cooper. He has an impressive 8.8 Utilization Score over that span, which has historically been mid-range TE1 material. Njoku is my TE4 against the Saints.
     
  • Sam LaPorta | Lions: LaPorta was on his way to his best performance of the season before a shoulder injury knocked him out of the game in the second half. The second-year TE posted a 26% target share and notched an 8.4 Utilization Score despite a 61% route participation. He has three top-10 finishes in the last five games (TE9, TE34, TE8, TE25, and TE4). If LaPorta plays, he UPGRADES to borderline TE1 status and offers high-end TE1 upside in a juicy matchup.
     
  • Mark Andrews | Ravens: Andrews dominated playing time (94% route participation) and garnered his highest Utilization Score of the year (9.3) with Isaiah Likely out. Over the last four contests, the veteran has TE3, TE10, TE26, and TE2 finishes. If Likely can't go, Andrews will UPGRADE to top-four status above Njoku and Evan Engram.
     
  • Davis Allen | Rams: If you play in a super deep TE-premium league and are hurting at the position, this one is for you. Allen has grown his role over the last two games and led the TE room with an impressive 88% route participation in Week 11. The second-year won't likely unseat Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp as a lead target in the offense, but he could become a borderline TE1 option moving forward. Allen is a low-end TE2 but offers low-end TE1 upside in a larger role.

Fallers In The Week 11 Fantasy Football Rankings

Sam Darnold | QB | Vikings

Darnold enjoyed a nice four-game stretch against beatable pass defenses, including matchups against the Colts and Jaguars. While he was a usable fantasy QB for that stretch, he underwhelmed, averaging 16.7 points with QB11, QB16, QB7, and QB20 finishes.

Now, Darnold moves into a tougher stretch of the schedule, starting with a Titans defense that allows only 11.4 fantasy points per game passing. Tennessee has granted the fewest yards per game passing (154).

The Vikings are seven-point favorites and have a decent team total (23.2), so Darnold isn't a must-bench. However, he falls to high-end QB2 territory after enjoying a mid-range QB1 ranking the last two weeks.

Darnold DOWNGRADES to high-end QB2 territory. 

Tony Pollard | RB | Titans

Pollard tallied his lowest rush share (50%) of the season and his lowest route participation rate (45%) since Week 1. He briefly left with an injury, which could have contributed to his downturn in playing time, but the return of Tyjae Spears was also a factor. Spears took all of the two-minute offense and long-down-and-distance snaps (LDD).

 

I can't tell you definitively that Pollard's role has changed, but I am playing it safe with many other viable running back options. He isn't a must-bench option, but finding reasons to force him into a lineup is challenging.

  • Titans team total: 16.3 (last)
  • Game spread: seven-point dogs (third-worst)
  • Vikings rush yards allowed: 71 (last)

Pollard DOWNGRADES to borderline RB2 status.

Jake Ferguson | TE | Cowboys

With Dak Prescott out for the season, the entire Cowboys offense gets a downgrade, but Ferguson is one of those hit the hardest. The thesis behind Ferguson was an 18 to 20% target share TE could be fine in a high-end offense. Ferguson has a 6.1 Utilization Score and a 16% target share over the last four games.

 

Dallas has the third-lowest team total (17.3), and the Texans have held opponents to the eighth fewest passing yards per game (196). The Cowboys can only get better after registering 66 passing yards last weekend, but multiple offenses have struggled with backup quarterbacks this season.

Ferguson DOWNGRADES to low-end TE2 status. He is in the same range as Dalton Schultz, Hunter Henry, and Pat Freiermuth.

Rapid Fire Downgrades:

  • James Cook | Bills: Cook isn't a must-bench option but gets a downgrade due to a matchup against one of the outlier RB defenses. The Chiefs have held their opposing RB rooms to 8.8 points below their season average–that is A LOT!!! Cook is a mid-range RB2 but carries RB3 potential in a harsh matchup.
     
  • J.K. Dobbins | Chargers: For an in-depth look at the concerns around Dobbins after the return of Gus Edwards, check out this week's Utilization Report. In a nutshell, Dobbins registered his lowest rush share (45%) since Week 2 and ceded half of the carries inside the five-yard line. He was still active in the passing game, but his touch ceiling and floor both took a hit. The Bengals are a favorable matchup on the ground, keeping Dobbins in the low-end RB2 conversation, but he is not a must-start.
     
  • Najee Harris | Steelers: Harris is battling an ankle injury, and the Ravens have held opponents to the second-fewest rushing yards per game (73). On top of that, Cordarrelle Patterson returned to the lineup, eating away at touches Harris gained with the benching of Justin Fields. Harris DOWNGRADES to borderline RB2 status.
     
  • Javonte Williams | Broncos: Williams lost the leading role to Estime last weekend; he shouldn't be in fantasy lineups this weekend. Williams DOWNGRADES to RB4 territory.

Sicko Starts For Week 11 in Fantasy Football 

I want to throw in a few names for all my fellow fantasy managers that are in a SICKO league. If you are in a 12-team league with three starting WRs and two flexes, these are for you! Or you are in a more typical setup but need a name to help get you through injuries; these are for you!

Week 1: Sam Darnold (hit), J.K. Dobbins (hit), Jalen McMillan (hit), Zach Ertz (miss)

Week 2: Daniel Jones (hit), Zack Moss (miss), Adonai Mitchell (miss), Zach Ertz (hit)

Week 3: Aaron Rodgers (hit), D'Andre Swift (miss), Jordan Whittington (miss), Tyler Conklin (hit)

Week 4: Caleb Williams (miss), Jerome Ford (hit), Darnell Mooney (miss - But the PROCESS WAS RIGHT, he screamed … as his wife and children walked out of his life forever)

Week 5: Deshaun Watson (miss), Trey Sermon (hit), Tutu Atwell (hit)

Week 6: Daniel Jones (miss), Tyjae Spears (null-injured), Jalen Tolbert (miss), Zach Ertz (hit)

Week 7: Sam Darnold (miss), Tank Bigsby (hit), Jordan Addison (miss), Dalton Schultz (miss)

Week 8: Caleb Williams (miss), Raheem Mostert (hit), Dontayvion Wicks (miss), Cade Otton (hit)

Week 9: Malik Willis (null-did not play), Alexander Mattison (miss - I am an idiot), Xavier Worthy (miss), Jonnu Smith (hit)

Week 10: Russell Wilson (hit), Jaylen Warren (miss), Xavier Legette (miss), T.J. Hockenson (hit)

Season: 17 of 36

Let's go, you sickos.

Bo Nix | QB | Broncos

Nix is only in 17% of lineups and available in 66% of leagues.

Nix has averaged 19.4 fantasy points over the last four weeks. During that stretch, he averaged 222 yards and 1.3 touchdowns through the air. While those aren't huge numbers, they are enough when you run as often as Nix. The rookie ranks seventh in designed rushing attempt share (12%) and scramble rate (7%) out of all QBs with at least 175 snaps.

 

The Falcons have conceded the fifth-most points per game to fantasy quarterbacks through the air (15.9), opening the door for Nix to boom as a passer and rusher in Week 11. The last time he did that was against Carolina in Week 8, which he torched for 29.8 fantasy points.

Nix UPGRADES to QB12.

Nick Chubb | RB | Browns 

Chubb is on 83% of rosters but only in 27% of lineups.

Chubb has yet to come through in the fantasy box score, but his workload over the last two games has been substantial, with a 72% rush share.

 

The veteran back heavily depends on a good game script, but the Browns are in a good spot this weekend. Cleveland is only a two-point dog against a Saints defense coughing up the third-most rushing yards per game (141). Opponents have gouged New Orleans for the second-most fantasy points per game on the ground (21.9).

Chubb UPGRADES to borderline RB2 territory and offers RB1 upside.

Jakobi Meyers | WR | Raiders

Meyers is on 73% of rosters but only in 27% of lineups.

Expectations around the Raiders are low this weekend as eight-point dogs with an 18.3-point team total against the Dolphins. However, we have a four-game sample of Meyers without Adams, and the man has a 32% target share, averaging nine per game.

 

Meyers has an 8.1 Utilization Score over that stretch, which has been borderline WR1 to low-end WR2 territory over the last four years. Only 4% of WRs in that range didn't manage at least a WR2 finish.

Meyers UPGRADES to low-end WR2 status.

Will Dissly | TE | Chargers

Dissly is available in 94% of leagues and only in 3% of lineups.

Dissly has parlayed his two games as the starter in Weeks 7 and 8 with Hayden Hurst out into a long-term starting role. Over the last two games with Hurst back, Dissly led the way with a 67% route participation and 21% target share.

 

A higher route participation would be preferable on a team that loves to run the damn ball. However, the Chargers have shown a willingness to throw recently, and the Bengals could force a shootout. The matchup offers the fourth-highest game total (47), and the Chargers carry the seventh-best team total (24.5).

Dissly is a mid-range TE2 but offers TE1 upside if you are in a pinch.

Brass Balls Bench of Week 11 For Fantasy Football

If you are willing to make big calls, these players could find their way to your bench if you are loaded with other options.

Season: 10 of 13

Tony Pollard | RB | Titans

See downgrades.