Week 11 Fantasy Football Strategy | Hank’s Bank
As we draw ever closer to the fantasy playoffs, fantasy football strategy calls become more important now than ever. Trade deadlines are fast approaching in most leagues as well. Depending on your position in the playoff picture, now is the time to buy or sell on certain players. At the same time, you still have to go out and win your Week 11 matchups. Needless to say, there’s a lot to keep track of.
Hank’s Bank can be a helpful resource for those fantasy managers who may be feeling overwhelmed. From start/sit calls that I have strong opinions on for this week’s games to trade advice, the Bank is covering all angles as always. While most are playing fantasy football checkers, let’s play some fantasy football chess. BANK THAT!
Editor’s Note: With three Thanksgiving Day games next Thursday, Hank’s Bank will be available on Wednesday to help you set the table for a Week 12 fantasy football feast!
Contents
Hank’s Bank Vocabulary Key
Cash: Start
Deposit: Bench
Asset: Trade Target
Transfer: Trade Away
Invest: Free Agent Acquisition
Loan: Weekly Streamer
Week 11 Banking
Cash: Jakobi Meyers | WR | New England Patriots
A staple of waiver wires in fantasy leagues everywhere just a few weeks ago, Jakobi Meyers has suddenly become the primary wide receiver for the Patriots. After quietly amassing six targets in a blowout loss to the 49ers in Week 7, Meyers saw double-digit looks in each of New England’s next two games. The former college quarterback rewarded those who started him last week with a gadget play touchdown pass to go along with five receptions for 59 yards.
Considering the rain and weather elements that the Patriots were forced to contend with last week, it’s safe to say that Meyers at worst has a FLEX-worthy floor on a weekly basis as Cam Newton’s favorite option. Week 11 sees the Patriots travel to take on a putrid Texans defense that is allowing the tenth-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to receivers. Along with Newton and running backs Damien Harris and Rex Burkhead, Meyers is a solid fantasy football strategy start call this week.
Deposit: Darrell Henderson | RB | Los Angeles Rams
Just when we thought we had some clarity as to which running back was Sean McVay’s preferred choice, the Rams had a bye week. On the other side of it last week, Henderson was out-touched by not only Malcolm Brown but rookie Cam Akers as well. He saved his fantasy output somewhat by scoring a touchdown, but the workload was far from promising. At this point, which Rams back can be depended on is anyone’s guess.
I still believe that Henderson offers the most value over the remainder of the season. This week against a formidable Buccaneers run defense is another story. Tampa Bay is allowing the tenth-fewest fantasy points to the RB position. That doesn’t bode well for Henderson when you consider the fact that he has to share the total fantasy value with at least one but possibly two other backs. The Rams have also been stout against running backs, making both Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette risky starts this week on the other side of the ball as well.
Asset: Joe Mixon | RB | Cincinnati Bengals
We haven’t seen Joe Mixon since Week 6 as he continues to battle a lingering foot injury. There was hope that he would return to action last week on the heels of the Bengals’ bye, but that was not the case. With his Week 11 status in doubt as well, there is a real chance that many of his owners are panicking. If you are in a position to qualify for the playoffs, now would be the time to implement the buy-low fantasy football strategy.
Mixon started the year slow before a Week 4 outburst that saw him account for over 180 total yards and three touchdowns. What makes Mixon so appealing in fantasy is his heavy involvement in the Bengals’ offense. In the six games he has played, he has never seen fewer than 16 carries. His abilities as a pass-catcher only boost his volume. Only once has Mixon had fewer than 20 touches all season and even exceeded 30 twice. His price is bound to be cheap given the injury situation. Contenders should not hesitate to move some win-now depth to add a potential league-winning player.
Transfer: Will Fuller | WR | Houston Texans
While no combination of current Texans receivers has been able to fill the void left by DeAndre Hopkins, Willi Fuller has clearly asserted himself as Deshaun Watson’s preferred target. The fifth-year pro has seen a minimum of five targets in all but one game this season and adds a quartet of 100-yard performances to his resume. It’s been great to see Fuller stay healthy this season as that has been a rarity throughout his NFL career.
The main reason why I think Fuller is a great fantasy football strategy sell candidate right now is Houston’s remaining schedule. While there may be some promise in this week’s matchup against the Patriots (assuming he doesn’t draw shadow coverage from Stephon Gilmore), the Texans will be forced to contend with the Colts (twice) and Bears over the next three weeks. Indianapolis is giving up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and Chicago the third-fewest. Fuller’s production could come crashing back down to Earth after this week.
Invest: Logan Thomas | TE | Washington Football Team
After disappointing in Buffalo, Logan Thomas (27.7% ownership in ESPN leagues) has experienced a career resurgence of sorts since landing with the Washington Football Team. In no game this year has the tight end seen fewer than four targets. While those targets failed to materialize for much fantasy value in several weeks, Thomas’ outlook gets a boost with Alex Smith taking over at quarterback for Washington. He went for 66 yards last week and has a number of favorable matchups down the stretch of the season. That includes this week against a Bengals’ team that is allowing the second-most FPPG to the tight end position. He may be hard to trust every week, but he’s worth grabbing as a fantasy football strategy plug-and-play option for the coming weeks.
Loan: Taysom Hill | QB | New Orleans Saints
Moments prior to writing this week’s column, the Saints surprised a lot of people by naming Taysom Hill as the team’s starting QB in the wake of Drew Brees’ injury. This of course comes at the expense of Jameis Winston, who many were expecting to be the primary signal-caller. Hill presents a unique skill set that will be on full display against the Falcons this Sunday. Atlanta comes in allowing the most FPPG to opposing quarterbacks of any team.
While some fantasy managers may be hesitant to trust Hill as a QB streamer, what if I told you he also has tight end eligibility in ESPN leagues this week? By rostering Hill and plugging him into your lineups, you can essentially play a superflex format even if you aren’t in a superflex league. Now that’s what I call playing fantasy football strategy chess. Unless you already have an elite tight end (Travis Kelce or Darren Waller), it’s well worth a shot.
