Fantasy football free agent pickups: Key additions to fuel your playoff hunt

The NFL’s 10th Sunday kicked off with a thrilling overtime battle in Germany, showcasing Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor nearing 50 fantasy points, followed by an impressive performance by New England Patriots MVP contender Drake Maye during the early-afternoon matches. Later, Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford threw four TDs for a historic third straight game.

However, as with the NFL, not every development on Sunday was favorable. We’re still anticipating fantasy points from New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson and Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore. Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold managed a mere 4.92 more fantasy points than them. Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson recorded just 2.8 points. New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart again excelled, rushing for two touchdowns, but had to exit early due to a concussion and might miss Week 11.

Every Monday, before the latest NFL weekend concludes, we will pinpoint players available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues that deserve your consideration, spanning standard formats to deeper choices. The NFL is a weekly league, and player valuations and roles rarely stay the same. The method of acquiring players for your fantasy squads doesn’t matter; what matters is that you secure them!

Quarterback

Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (33.3% rostered in ESPN leagues): Flacco returns from his bye week ready for a road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In their last encounter, Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns (25.98 points), leading to a thrilling 33-31 victory, which displeased Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin. Over his last four games, Flacco has averaged 25 fantasy points. The chances are high that your fantasy quarterback hasn’t matched that performance.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (49.6%): McCarthy remains somewhat inconsistent, but despite completing less than half of his passes in the Sunday loss, he racked up 14.72 points with the help of 48 rushing yards. Next week, the Vikings will host the Bears, a team McCarthy faced earlier in the season, where he scored 22.22 points. He may replicate that success.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

• San Francisco 49ers backup Mac Jones (5.9%) didn’t win his matchup against the Rams, but he still achieved 23.06 points, his best fantasy showing of the season. Brock Purdy (toe) might return for Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals, but that has been anticipated for weeks now.

• Cardinals fill-in Jacoby Brissett (17.4%) will continue to start for the time being, given that Kyler Murray (foot) is on IR. Brissett managed to score 19.42 points in Sunday’s lopsided defeat against the Seahawks and will face the 49ers this week.

• Washington Commanders fill-in Marcus Mariota (11.5%) showed decent performance in his team’s loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday and is a reasonable choice for Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins.

• Houston Texans backup Davis Mills (2.4%), active in 2% of ESPN leagues this week, led all quarterbacks with 27.68 points on Sunday. He orchestrated a late drive to overcome the Jacksonville Jaguars while filling in for C.J. Stroud (concussion). If Stroud isn’t cleared to play in Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans, Mills could be a viable option because, well, it’s the Titans.

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Running back

Trey Benson, Cardinals (49.9%): Benson (knee) remains on IR and although he was anticipated to be active by now, he has yet to resume practicing. His return this week is possible. Emari Demercado led the Cardinals’ running back corps with 13.4 points on Sunday, but Benson—picked in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft as the future starter after James Conner—will have every chance to shine when he’s healthy.

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (27.8%): Allgeier rushed for two touchdowns in Atlanta’s overtime loss to the Colts, bringing his season total to six. He has tripled the rushing touchdowns of star Bijan Robinson, yet relying on Allgeier can still be tricky. He has more volume than the average backup and boasts four contests with double-digit PPR points, but also several outings with minimal fantasy contributions. He’s worth considering as the Falcons face the Panthers, Saints, and Jets in the next three weeks.

Tyjae Spears, Titans (37.9%): Spears and the Titans are back from their bye week to take on the Texans in Week 11. After a lackluster offensive performance, the Texans weren’t as dominating defensively in their recent victory against the Jaguars. Spears, who has been receiving double-digit touches lately, has outperformed «starter» Tony Pollard in three of his last four games and is headed in a favorable direction.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

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• We highlighted New York Giants RB Devin Singletary (10.3%) last week, as it was clear Tyrone Tracy Jr. was poised to share touches due to Cam Skattebo’s injury. On Sunday, Tracy received more work, but Singletary turned three catches into 53 yards, outpacing him. While neither Giants RB is likely to offer much fantasy value, the timeshare continues, and Singletary is still relatively available.

• Similar to Spears, Kansas City Chiefs backup Kareem Hunt (47.9%) returns from his bye week and may see a significant role in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, contingent on Isiah Pacheco’s (knee) health. Just like the Titans, neither Chiefs RB is a must-start.

• 49ers backup Brian Robinson Jr. (21.2%) scored a rushing touchdown for the second week straight, likely irking Christian McCaffrey’s owners. If you believe Robinson can find the end zone for a third consecutive game in Week 11, go ahead.

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Wide receiver

Tez Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27.9%): Emeka Egbuka, the 19th selection in the 2025 NFL draft, shines here. Nevertheless, Johnson, taken 235th in the same draft, still has the potential to make significant deep-league contributions. Johnson scored touchdowns on two of his five targets on Sunday, averaging a solid 13.3 points over his last five outings, particularly with Chris Godwin Jr. (leg) uncertain to return soon.

Mack Hollins, Patriots (0.6%): Hollins was overlooked for the first seven weeks of the season for obvious reasons. However, he has emerged in two of the past three games, making seven catches for 89 yards in Week 8 and six catches for 106 yards on Sunday. With Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) sidelined, Hollins has become more relevant.

Parker Washington, Jaguars (16.9%): Washington was anticipated to have an increased role in Sunday’s matchup against the Texans with Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) joining Travis Hunter (knee) on the sideline. Yet, QB Trevor Lawrence struggled, completing just 13 passes. Washington did manage to score a spectacular sideline receiving touchdown and also returned a punt for another score. He could excel once more in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

• Colts deep threat Alec Pierce (36.5%) has been discussed multiple times this season. He produced 18.4 points from four receptions during Sunday’s overtime victory and had a 17.5-point outing the week prior against the Steelers. A trend is emerging. Though the Colts are on a bye in Week 11, adding Pierce for future weeks is worth considering.

• Vikings backup Jalen Nailor (0.5%) entered Sunday with only 14 receptions and 178 receiving yards over eight games. There was little rationale to target him in fantasy until now, given he caught five passes for 124 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. However, it still doesn’t provide compelling reasons unless Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison suffer injuries.

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Tight end

Dalton Schultz, Texans (27%): Schultz, who had a quiet start to the season, has now earned double-digit fantasy points in four of his last five games, including 18.3 points in Sunday’s thrilling last-second victory. Backup QB Davis Mills targeted Schultz 11 times. The Titans are next on the schedule, and it might not matter who plays QB for Houston. Schultz is a valuable addition.

Cade Otton, Buccaneers (34.8%): Similarly, Otton also began the season slowly but has achieved double-digit fantasy points in four of the last five games. He recorded season highs of nine catches, 82 yards, and 12 targets on Sunday. QB Baker Mayfield will continue to lean on the passing game, and Otton is thriving, having been relevant in fantasy last season when others were absent as well.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

• New Orleans Saints starter Juwan Johnson (35.2%) achieved a notable 19.2 points in Week 10 and has now scored double-digit fantasy points in four straight games. Nonetheless, the Saints are on bye in Week 11, which may pose a challenge for fantasy managers looking to roster multiple tight ends.

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Bye weeks: To drop or not to drop?

• Only two teams are on bye in Week 11. One of them, the AFC South-leading Colts, features four crucial players rostered in over 90% of ESPN leagues. Clearly, keep QB Daniel Jones, RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Michael Pittman Jr., and TE Tyler Warren on your roster. WRs Josh Downs (63.6%) and Alec Pierce (36.5%) hold some value, but it’s understandable to drop them if you need roster space this week. The Colts have matchups against the defensively sound Chiefs and Texans next.

• For the Saints, continue to roster RB Alvin Kamara (93%) due to his skills and role. Plus, he scored 14.5 points on Sunday. Keep WR Chris Olave rostered as well. QB Tyler Shough (1.2%) may still be available in your league after the bye.

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Defense

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• The Baltimore Ravens D/ST (50.8%) scored merely six points in Sunday’s win over the Vikings, yet their prospects appear much brighter over the next two weeks against the offensively struggling Cleveland Browns and Jets. Evaluate this Ravens D/ST unit based on its recent performances rather than the early part of the season, which was marred by injuries.

• Recommending the Miami Dolphins D/ST (1.9%) might seem unwarranted given its low roster percentage in ESPN leagues. However, the Dolphins managed to keep Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and his offense contained on Sunday, racking up 11 fantasy points. The Commanders are next, presenting a streaming opportunity.

• Similarly, looking at the Dallas Cowboys D/ST (4%) could be sensible, as they have accrued double-digit fantasy points in two out of their last three games. They are set to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday in Week 11.