You could almost fill a stadium with the amount of disappointing fantasy football players there have been this season, but each one teaches a lesson that you don’t always have to trust the big names in your lineups.
Anyone who drafted Eddie Lacy or C.J. Anderson early definitely knows what it’s like to have to mix and match lineups, although this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Relying on early picks often leads to poor games and empty spots in your lineup. Instead you can field a much better team by examining the matchups and trends to give yourself the best possible options.
In Week 11 there are a number of high-profile players who should be on your bench while a few sleepers can take their place.
Sit ‘Em
Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
It’s tough to blame Philip Rivers for the San Diego Chargers’ struggles this season. The quarterback is doing all he can, but with injuries all around him on the offensive line and at receiver, he is simply being wasted on a bad team.
While this hasn’t really affected his fantasy performance this year due to an incredible volume of pass attempts, that could stop against a red-hot Kansas City Chiefs defense.
Now that the unit is healthy, the Chiefs defense hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in any of the last five games. The pass rush is one of the best in the league, while the secondary is finally playing to its potential. This led to Peyton Manning throwing four interceptions before getting benched last week.
Rivers might end up with a whole bunch of dump-down passes to Danny Woodhead, but being under constant pressure and having few receivers left to get open, he will have a quiet game.
James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers
Although James Starks remains the starting running back for the Green Bay Packers, the job is not completely his, as head coach Mike McCarthy noted this week:
Starks has played well when given a chance, totaling 218 yards from scrimmage over the past two games. However, with Eddie Lacy back in the lineup, he is certain to take away a bunch of touches and possibly some near the goal line.
Of course, the bigger problem is the Packers offense in general against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense allowing the second-fewest points per game in the NFL this season. After Green Bay struggled to move the football against the Detroit Lions, this could be a rude awakening.
Limited opportunities and a tough matchup are not a good recipe for a big fantasy game.
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears
After a few huge games in a row, injuries limited Alshon Jeffery to just three catches for 23 yards in Week 10. Based on what we have seen this week, it doesn’t seem like he is getting much healthier heading into Week 11.
Jeffery was limited in practice Wednesday and then did not participate Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson. Even if he does play, he clearly won’t be at full strength. This is not ideal against a Denver Broncos defense that has been among the best in the NFL this season.
With Aqib Talib back in action to add to cornerbacks Chris Harris and Bradley Roby, there are multiple options available to keep Jeffery from piling up yards. Considering only one receiver (Mike Wallace) has a receiving touchdown against this unit in 2015, Jeffery is not a strong play this week.
Start ‘Em
Case Keenum, QB, St. Louis Rams
To be clear, Case Keenum should not be started over Philip Rivers, but if you have better options you should keep Rivers on your bench. If you have few good options at quarterback due to injuries or byes, Keenum could be a worthwhile sleeper.
The former star at the University of Houston hasn’t done much in his professional career, but St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has faith in his newly named starter to provide a jolt, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com:
He’s won games at Houston with a team that had significant injuries around him and he found ways to win games. We’re going to trust his mobility and his ability to extend plays and things and just give us an offensive spark that we need. […]
He’s going to play, we’re going to use his legs and going to make some plays.
Keenum has weapons around him who can make plays after the catch like Todd Gurley and Tavon Austin, and the matchup is certainly a favorable one. The Baltimore Ravens have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season and will likely create even more openings down the field if they try to stack the line against Gurley.
Starting him will certainly be a risk, but the upside is there for a quality game.
Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Ryan Mathews will miss Week 11 with a concussion. Although he did state Kenjon Barner will get some touches, this likely also means a boost in playing time for Darren Sproles.
The dynamic running back has been limited this year while third on the depth chart behind DeMarco Murray and Mathews, but when Murray was out in Week 3, Sproles finished with 11 carries and four receptions to go with his only touchdown of the season.
Sproles also caught four passes on five targets once Mark Sanchez came into the game last week. With the backup starting in Week 11, according to the Eagles, you can expect a few more check-down passes and some more production for Sproles, especially in points-per-reception leagues.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The initial excitement has worn off for Stefon Diggs with the Minnesota Vikings spreading the ball around more in recent weeks. Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus noted the targets have dropped quickly for the rookie:
However, the positive news is that no one has really taken his place. The Vikings have been content running the ball more and the fact is no receiver had more than two targets for the team in Week 10.
Diggs is still the team’s best option and has led all Minnesota receivers in snaps in each of the last five weeks, per PFF. With the offense potentially forced to throw the ball a bit more against the Green Bay Packers, Diggs could get back to putting up the big numbers that put him on the fantasy radar.
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