Look, we’ve officially reached that "grind" phase of the season. Your roster is likely a patchwork of players you drafted in August and dudes you frantically scooped up on Tuesday nights. With the 2025 season heating up, looking at fantasy football rankings for week 11 isn't just a casual hobby anymore—it’s basically a survival tactic.
By now, you've realized that the big names aren't always the safe bets. Honestly, if you told me in September that we’d be debating starting Joe Flacco over some high-pedigree rookies, I would’ve laughed. Yet here we are.
The Quarterback Chaos: Old Vets and New Blood
The top of the board looks somewhat "normal," but don't let that fool you. Josh Allen is sitting at the QB1 spot as the Bills prepare to host the Buccaneers. It’s a classic high-total game. But let’s talk about the weird stuff.
Joe Flacco is currently ranking as a top-10 option for many experts as he continues to fill in for the Bengals. He’s going up against a Steelers defense that is usually terrifying, but the volume is just too high to ignore. If you’re a C.J. Stroud manager, you’re likely sweating. Stroud missed last week with a concussion, and while Houston has a juicy matchup against the Titans, Davis Mills is lurking if Stroud can't clear protocol.
Week 11 QB Hierarchy
- The Elite Tier: Josh Allen (vs TB), Jalen Hurts (vs DET), and Lamar Jackson (at CLE).
- The "Trust Your Gut" Tier: Justin Herbert has been sneaky good lately. He’s facing a Jaguars secondary that basically acts as a revolving door for passing yards.
- The Deep League Savior: Aaron Rodgers. Yeah, I know. But playing for the Steelers against a struggling Bengals defense? The projections actually like him as a QB17 with massive upside.
Running Backs: Is the "Bellcow" Dead?
Christian McCaffrey is the RB1. Obviously. He’s facing Arizona, and the 49ers are leaning on him like a crutch. But after CMC, things get murky fast.
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De’Von Achane is coming off a monster 40-point performance and gets a Commanders defense in Madrid that has been... well, let's just say they've been generous. The interesting name this week is Rico Dowdle. The Panthers' offense is a mess, but Dowdle has averaged over 27 fantasy points in his four starts. That’s elite production from a guy who was likely a mid-round afterthought.
Then there's the Jonathan Taylor situation. He just put up nearly 50 points in Berlin. He’s the reason people are winning leagues right now. The problem? He’s on a bye. If you own him, you’re currently staring at your bench trying to figure out if you can actually trust someone like Tyjae Spears or Tyler Allgeier.
Allgeier is a touchdown-dependent play, but he’s getting all the red-zone looks in Atlanta. Bijan Robinson managers are rightfully frustrated. It’s one of those "it is what it is" situations where the talent is there for Bijan, but the goal-line carries just aren't.
Wide Receivers: The Matchups That Actually Matter
If you have Ja’Marr Chase, you start him. He’s averaged over 26 points against the Steelers in his last five outings. It’s basically a law of physics at this point.
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However, the real value in fantasy football rankings for week 11 often hides in the mid-tier matchups. CeeDee Lamb is back from his bye and gets a Raiders secondary that is currently ranked 6th worst against receivers.
Start/Sit Decisions for WRs
- Must Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He’s become the alpha in Seattle. Facing a Rams team that has been vulnerable to explosive plays makes him a WR1 lock this week.
- The Rookie Watch: Emeka Egbuka is the guy in Tampa with Mike Evans out. He’s going to see a "shadow" matchup against Buffalo’s rookie Maxwell Hairston. It’s a high-pedigree showdown, but Egbuka’s volume makes him a WR1/2 regardless.
- Sneaky Flex: Alec Pierce. The Colts are on a bye, so don't make that mistake, but keep an eye on Tre Tucker for the Raiders. With Dallas giving up tons of points to wideouts, Tucker is a prime "boom" candidate for Monday Night Football.
Tight Ends: A Total Wasteland (Mostly)
Let’s be real: unless you have Trey McBride or Brock Bowers, you’re probably miserable at this position.
McBride is the TE1 this week against the 49ers. He’s been "unlocked" by Jacoby Brissett and is seeing a target share that would make most WR1s jealous. On the flip side, the model is fading Travis Kelce. He’s been a Pro-Bowler forever, but he’s barely cracking the top 10 in some rankings this week.
If you’re desperate, look at Cade Otton. Baker Mayfield is peppering him with targets—12 last week! Even in a tough matchup against Buffalo, that kind of volume is rare for a tight end you can find on the waiver wire.
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Injury Report: Who to Watch
The "War of Attrition" is real.
- Brock Purdy: Dealing with a toe injury. If he sits, the 49ers' entire offensive projection takes a hit.
- C.J. Stroud: Concussion protocol is tricky. Houston is being cautious, so have a backup plan.
- Bucky Irving: Missing practice with foot and shoulder issues. This could lead to a massive Rachaad White or Sean Tucker game.
- Secondary Issues: The Bears and Giants are missing multiple starters in the defensive backfield. This is why Justin Jefferson and Jordan Love are ranked so high this week.
Making the Final Cut
When you're finalizing your roster, don't just chase the highest projected number. Look at the game scripts. The Cowboys-Raiders game has the highest over/under (49.5), which usually means plenty of fantasy points to go around. Meanwhile, the Packers-Giants game is projected to be a low-scoring slog (42.5).
Fantasy football is basically 40% research, 40% luck, and 20% screaming at your TV on Sunday afternoon. You've got to play the percentages.
Next Steps for Your Roster:
- Check the Friday injury reports for C.J. Stroud and Bucky Irving before locking in your flex.
- Scoop up Alec Pierce or Parker Washington if they're still sitting on your waiver wire as high-upside depth.
- Pivot away from Travis Kelce if you have a top-tier alternative like McBride or Bowers.