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FFL: Week 11 | NFL: Week 11

WR Strength of Schedule

Fri May 31 10:52am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Lamb could top last season


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the receiver position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to receivers last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the receivers with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the receivers that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  WR SOS  
1. Denver Broncos 531.34
2. Los Angeles Chargers 536.08
3. Miami Dolphins 537.31
4. Kansas City Chiefs 549.96
5. Las Vegas Raiders 552.89
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 554.85
7. New England Patriots 555.93
8. Buffalo Bills 556.13
9. Houston Texans 561.75
10. San Francisco 49ers 565.73
11. New Orleans Saints 566.06
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 566.19
13. Cincinnati Bengals 566.32
14. Jacksonville Jaguars 570.07
15. Baltimore Ravens 571.77
16. Seattle Seahawks 573.41
17. Minnesota Vikings 573.91
18. Philadelphia Eagles 574.46
19. Carolina Panthers 575.49
20. Los Angeles Rams 575.79
21. Washington Commanders 575.91
22. Detroit Lions 576.36
23. Atlanta Falcons 577.76
24. New York Jets 577.99
25. Tennessee Titans 578.06
26. Indianapolis Colts 578.18
27. Cleveland Browns 583.5
28. Arizona Cardinals 586.09
29. New York Giants 586.93
30. Chicago Bears 601.21
31. Dallas Cowboys 608.4
32. Green Bay Packers 610.22

 

The Packers have the easiest fantasy schedule for receivers. Jayden Reed and Christian Watson could be setup for career best seasons with this schedule. These are guys you can get a little later come draft day and mid-round options that could be difference makers for fantasy owners.

CeeDee Lamb is considered the No. 1 overall fantasy receiver for many and his schedule helps make that claim even stronger. Lamb has the second most favorable schedule for receivers. Lamb was huge last year and could improve on that even more, especially since the Cowboys could struggle to run the ball with their current options.

The Bears, Giants and Cardinals also round out the top-five most favorable receiver schedules. Chicago has a great trio of receivers with D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze.  These guys could produce big as long as rookie Caleb Williams gets the job done at quarterback in year one. Moore has more to compete with for targets this year, but you still have to like his chances for a big season in year two with the Bears.

The Giants and Cardinals both have some question marks at receiver, but a couple rookies lead the way for both teams. Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison could have big rookie seasons with their new teams. These guys both have a chance to lead all rookie fantasy receivers in scoring.

On the opposite side of things, the Broncos have the most challenging schedule for receivers. The Broncos have all sorts of questions at receiver outside of Courtland Sutton. This is a unit of receivers you just might want to avoid come draft day. This schedule won’t make anything easier for this group.

The Chargers are a similar team to the Broncos, having openings and questions at receiver. So once again, it might be best to let someone else put Chargers receivers on their roster. Plus, the Chargers could be a lot more run heavy with a new coach running the show. The tough schedule and new offense make taking any Chargers receiver a bit of a risk.

There are two really good offenses on the list that have tough schedules for receivers. Both the Dolphins and Chiefs have a top-five least favorable schedule for receivers. The Dolphins have one of the best receiver duos in football, so it is tough to fade them because of this schedule. Both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should be able to produce big numbers once again in this offense.

The Chiefs are a little more concerning. This offense is a little matchup proof, but don’t have that elite receiver on their roster. Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown lead the way. Brown hasn’t been great in recent seasons and Rice is facing a suspension. These guys will carry some risk come draft day, especially after seeing this schedule.

Davante Adams is usually another star receiver that is matchup proof, but you have to wonder a little this year. He has some question marks at quarterback, which could hurt his production when you pair it with this schedule. Adams is dealing with the fifth toughest fantasy schedule for receivers.

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy receivers. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the receivers with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.

  WR PLAYOFF SOS  
1. Los Angeles Rams 501.93
2. Jacksonville Jaguars 515.53
3. Kansas City Chiefs 519.43
4. New York Giants 521.63
5. Miami Dolphins 532.77
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 534.53
7. Houston Texans 538
8. Buffalo Bills 540.87
9. Las Vegas Raiders 541.9
10. Carolina Panthers 549.33
11. Cincinnati Bengals 552.17
12. Detroit Lions 553.73
13. Arizona Cardinals 555.27
14. Cleveland Browns 555.4
15. Minnesota Vikings 560.93
16. New England Patriots 573.03
17. Los Angeles Chargers 573.1
18. Tennessee Titans 575.17
19. Baltimore Ravens 581.27
20. Seattle Seahawks 585.08
21. New York Jets 585.5
22. Denver Broncos 587.2
23. Pittsburgh Steelers 587.8
24. Philadelphia Eagles 589.73
25. Green Bay Packers 590.85
26. Washington Commanders 591.57
27. New Orleans Saints 604.13
28. Dallas Cowboys 609.73
29. Indianapolis Colts 614
30. San Francisco 49ers 641.53
31. Atlanta Falcons 644.93
32. Chicago Bears 647.98

 

The Bears and Cowboys are the teams that make both the top five easiest receiver schedules for both the regular season and playoffs. Chicago has the easiest for the entire playoffs. Once again, their top trio of receivers are looking pretty good come draft day.

Lamb continues to make his case to be the first receiver selected come draft day. He could have a monster season and finish strong as well with the fifth easiest schedule for the playoffs. Lamb might be the most surefire first-round pick come draft day.

The Falcons, 49ers and Colts also have a top-five favorable playoff schedule for receivers. Atlanta receivers were looking up to begin with, getting a legit quarterback throwing them passes this year. And this schedule makes their options look even better, especially Drake London. He could have a breakout season.

San Francisco has great options at receiver in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. They are pretty safe picks come draft day. And they get a very favorable playoff schedule that could make them even more appealing to fantasy owners. These guys both have really solid floors come draft day in this offense.

Michael Pittman keeps getting it done as the No. 1 option for the Colts. If Anthony Richardson can become that true No. 1 at quarterback for Indy, Pittman would look even better. Pittman has produced in recent year despite having some quarterback issues. His game could go to a higher level this year if Richardson breaks out. Pittman could be a league winner if everything breaks his way in 2024.

The Chiefs and Dolphins are two of the best offenses in football but also the only two teams to make the top five most unfavorable receiver schedules for both the regular season and playoffs. This is a tad concerning for both teams, Again, it is tough to bet against Hill, but maybe you drop him down your rankings just few spots behind the other elite guys because of this. You hate to use an early round pick on a receiver to see him maybe not produce what he should come playoff time.

And as mentioned with the Chiefs, their top two receivers already face a few question marks, so maybe their tough schedules make them players to let someone else draft. Both Brown and Rice could be a little erratic.

The Rams actually have the toughest playoff schedule for receivers. They are another team with two of the best receivers in football. It is tough to bet against either Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp, but the playoff schedule is a little scary, especially for Kupp. He seems to be trending down at this stage of his career.

The Jaguars and Giants are the two other teams with a top-five unfavorable fantasy schedule for the playoffs. The Jags have Christian Kirk and Gabriel Davis as their top two receivers. Kirk is normally pretty steady but Davis can be boom or bust. Seeing his playoff schedule should bump him down a few spots in your rankings. It could be more of the same for Davis with his new team.

And the Giants are an outlier here, having an easy schedule for receivers during the regular season but the fourth toughest for the playoffs. This makes it tough come draft day. Their receivers could be good values for the regular season but disappoint when it counts. You do have to just make the playoffs, though, so we aren’t sure we shy away from Giant receivers just because of their tough playoff schedule. You still might be able to get good value with their options that help you win during the season.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Player Notes
Jameis Winston Nov 15 8:40pm ET
Jameis Winston

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston comes out of his bye with a road game against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have been good against opposing quarterbacks this season as they are allowing just the 24th-most fantasy points per game to the position this season. Winston should see plenty of volume as he has made over 40 pass attempts in each of his two starts this year. The veteran is a viable fantasy option as a QB2 heading into Week 11 against New Orleans.

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Josh Allen Nov 15 8:40pm ET
Josh Allen

Whether on the ground or through the air, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (left hand) delivers 20+ fantasy point performances. He hasn't had a disappointing result since Week 5. Fantasy managers hope that doesn't change in Week 11 against a stout Kansas City defense. The Chiefs are better against the run than the pass, but Allen will also be without two of his primary receivers. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) and wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) will be inactive. Amari Cooper (wrist) is questionable. Allen appeared on the injury report again with a hand injury that hasn't hampered him at all. Despite all that, Allen ranks as a QB1 in what should be a highly competitive game that could determine home-field advantage in the postseason.

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Chris Boswell Nov 15 8:30pm ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell played a limited role in the team's victory last week and will look to make more of an impact against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. While Baltimore has been middle-of-the-road against fantasy kickers this season, Sunday's divisional showdown is tied for the highest over/under of the week. The Steelers should be able to throw and score on the Ravens, but it's hard to imagine Boswell goes another week without a field goal attempt. Boswell has been automatic all season, so he can be expected to produce for fantasy purposes if his number is called. Fantasy managers can lock Boswell in as a top-five option in this potential shootout.

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Kirk Cousins Nov 15 8:30pm ET
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (elbow, shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice after popping up on the injury report earlier in the week. Cousins is coming off of 300-yard passing game versus the Saints in Week 10, but the yardage total came without a single TD and he threw a pick. The only two games this season in which the veteran signal-caller was held without a TD pass both came against the Saints, but Week 11 brings a tough road matchup against the Broncos who have limited QBs to the 11th-fewest fantasy points this season. Denver has been more vulnerable in recent weeks, though, allowing three straight 220-plus yard passers and six touchdowns over the last three weeks, compared to just two 220-yard passers and six TDS over the first seven weeks. View the 36-year-old as a low-end QB2 this week as they could decide to ride Bijan Robinson and the run game instead in a contest that has the Falcons as two-point underdogs with just 44 expected total points.

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Pat Freiermuth Nov 15 8:20pm ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth salvaged his Week 10 performance with a touchdown and will hope to earn more opportunities when facing the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The Ravens, who have been extremely vulnerable to the pass all season, give up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Although Freiermuth is averaging fewer than three targets per contest with Russell Wilson at quarterback, he should be on the fantasy radar this week given this enticing game environment with a 48.5-point over/under. It's difficult to trust Freiermuth as a fantasy TE1, but he can be considered a streaming option or high-end TE2 for Week 11.

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Mike Williams Nov 15 8:10pm ET
Mike Williams

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams made the most of his limited snaps in Week 10 and will look to get more involved in a divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Williams, who caught his only target for a 32-yard touchdown in his Steelers debut, is likely to see more playing time now in his second week with the team and could get a few shots downfield from quarterback Russell Wilson. This is certainly a matchup that Williams and teammate George Pickens can exploit as the Ravens have surrendered the most fantasy points per game to wideouts this season. While fantasy managers shouldn't be starting Williams in most redraft formats on Sunday, he has some upside as a DFS play in what projects to be a high-scoring affair.

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Jonathan Taylor Nov 15 7:50pm ET
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has been highly effective when healthy this season, playing in seven of the Colts' 10 games and averaging 88.0 YPG rushing while adding 12 catches for 108 yards receiving. Along with five TDs on the year, the 25-year-old has been one of the lone bright spots on offense in 2024. With Anthony Richardson back at QB in Week 11, the Colts will likely lean more heavily on the ground attack versus the Jets who have been weak against the run over their past four contests, allowing a pair of 100-yard rushers and five scores during that time. Even so, with the uncertainty at quarterback and the Colts as four-point underdogs in a game with a low expected total, Taylor figures to be more of a fringe RB1 in Week 11.

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Jared Goff Nov 15 7:40pm ET
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and was removed from the final Week 11 injury report, so he will be active on Sunday to face the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. Decker will return to action to protect quarterback Jared Goff's blind side after sitting out the Week 10 win over the Houston Texans last Sunday night. The 30-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2016 out of Ohio State has started in all 120 games he's appeared in over his nine-year NFL career. His return is great news for Goff and the rest of Detroit's offense this weekend in a game that the Lions are favored by two touchdowns.

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Tee Higgins Nov 15 7:30pm ET
Tee Higgins

Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack (groin) did not practice all week and is listed as questionable for the Week 11 contest on Sunday night against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, defensive back Deane Leonard (hamstring) is also questionable after being limited in practice all week. Mack was active for the Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, but he played only four defensive snaps in the victory. The 33-year-old veteran pass-rusher will probably be active again on Sunday night, but there's a good chance he'll be on a limited snap count yet again, making him one to avoid in starting fantasy lineups in IDP setups. The Bolts defense has been a popular streaming unit in recent weeks with a string of excellent matchups, but they should be faded in Week 11 against a rising Bengals offense that is getting receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) back.

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George Pickens Nov 15 7:30pm ET
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been highly productive for fantasy recently and should continue to find success on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have been the single-best matchup for fantasy wideouts this season and were eviscerated to the tune of 11 receptions, 264 yards, and three touchdowns by Ja'Marr Chase last week. Through three games with Russell Wilson under center, Pickens has garnered a 26% team target share and found the end zone twice. Although Mike Williams should be more involved in Pittsburgh's offensive game plan this week, Pickens will undoubtedly remain the top weapon in the passing game. The third-year pro is a must-start fantasy option as a WR1 with upside in Week 11.

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Brandon Aiyuk Nov 15 7:20pm ET
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) had surgery on his right knee earlier this week to fix a torn ACL and other damage. In addition to tearing his ACL, Aiyuk also tore his MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and will miss the rest of the season. He should have already been dropped in single-season fantasy leagues. It remains to be seen if the 26-year-old will make enough progress in his rehab in the offseason in order to be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season next fall. For the rest of 2024, receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jauan Jennings and tight end George Kittle should be the most-targeted pass-catchers, with rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall also seeing an expanded role in the passing attack. Aiyuk was an absolute fantasy bust this year, finishing with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games.

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Russell Wilson Nov 15 7:20pm ET
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will hope to tally a fourth consecutive victory in a Week 11 bout with the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens. Although Baltimore's defense has been stingy against the run this season, it is the second-best matchup for fantasy quarterbacks and surrenders the most passing yards per contest in the NFL. The Ravens have given up a top-12 quarterback performance in six of 10 games. This divisional clash is tied for the highest-projected point total of the week, so we should see plenty of scoring in what could become a shootout. Wilson has been incredibly effective through three starts with a 105.9 passer rating and seven total touchdowns to one interception. Outside of the elite tier of fantasy quarterbacks with rushing upside, there aren't many options that should be started ahead of Wilson this week. The 35-year-old can be viewed as a solid QB1 in all formats on Sunday.

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Lamar Jackson Nov 15 7:20pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) missed practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 11 showdown against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. In addition, cornerback C.J. Henderson (neck) is out, while defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring) is questionable. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that Highsmith is week-to-week, meaning he could miss additional time, including the Week 12 tilt on a short turnaround next Thursday night against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. It certainly will make things more difficult for the Steelers defense against two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and the explosive Ravens offense. Pittsburgh's defense/special teams should be faded in fantasy this week. With Highsmith out, Nick Herbig should take on a bigger role at linebacker.

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Nick Westbrook-Ikhine Nov 15 7:00pm ET
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will face the Vikings in Week 11 NFL action this Sunday. The career Titan has really stepped up as the second wide-receiver on this team when DeAndre Hopkins left, leading the team in receiving touchdowns with four. Calvin Ridley is still far and away the top option in the passing game for whoever is quarterbacking the Titans, but Westbrook-Ikine has been a sneaky reliable play for the most part since Week 7, finishing as a top-36 fantasy WR three times. The Vikings have not been great at stopping opposing wideouts, as they currently rank 30th against the position, but quarterback Will Levis will likely be under heavy pressure all game which does not bode well for his #2 receiver. The Indiana product is only a flex option in deeper formats for Week 11.

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Dameon Pierce Nov 15 7:00pm ET
Dameon Pierce

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) was a full-go in Friday's practice session after being listed as a limited participant on Thursday. Pierce has missed the team's last two games with his groin injury, but barring a setback in Saturday's practice, he could be cleared to play on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys. The 24-year-old's return would push Dare Ogunbowale back to the RB3 role. If Pierce is able to return in Week 11, he'll return to backup duties in the backfield behind Joe Mixon, who has been excellent in his first year with the team. Pierce has been very efficient (career-high 7.0 yards per carry) in his four games in 2024 after a disastrous second season in 2023 that saw him average just 2.9 yards a tote. However, he hasn't seen enough volume behind Mixon when healthy to give him standalone fantasy value.

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Tyjae Spears Nov 15 6:50pm ET
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears avoided the injury report for the first time since Week 6 and will take on the Vikings in Week 11 action. Spears missed Weeks 7-9 with a hamstring injury but returned for last week's contest vs. the LA Chargers, playing a healthy 46% of snaps. The shifty back still ran behind Pollard in opportunity share, but was able to garner 10 in the game, averaging his highest YPC mark of the season at 6.7. Unfortunately he faces an even tougher run-stopping unit this Week in Minnesota, who are fourth-best at limiting opposing backs. The only saving grace here is that the Vikings are middle-of-the-pack in receptions allowed to RBs, which is a strength of Spears' game. Even so, Spears has a small share of a dysfunctional offense that will have a tough time moving the ball this weekend. He is merely a desperation play in deeper formats, with a slight upgrade in full-PPR.

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Jake Ferguson Nov 15 6:50pm ET
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (illness) returned to a full practice on Friday after being held out of the first practice of the week on Thursday. The Cowboys play the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football in Week 11, and Ferguson should be ready to roll by then. There's a good chance he'll be removed from the final injury report entirely on Saturday if he can put in another full practice. The real concern for Ferguson's fantasy managers shouldn't be his illness, but rather the fact that quarterback Cooper Rush is now leading Dallas' offense with Dak Prescott (hamstring) out for the season. In Rush's first game under center in last week's blowout loss to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, Ferguson caught four of five targets for only 24 yards. Ferguson is now more of a low-upside, touchdown-dependent TE2 rather than a weekly TE1 option.

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Calvin Ridley Nov 15 6:40pm ET
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley will take on the Minnesota Vikings in a Week 11 matchup. It's been a roller coaster season for the 29-year old who has been the most negatively impacted by the Titans inept offense from a fantasy standpoint, ranking as the WR60 through the first seven weeks. After Hopkins was shipped off to Kansas City, Ridley has been an all-star fantasy asset as the WR2 since Week 8, highlighted by a two-touchdown performance last week against a tough Chargers defense. While Ridley always carries a fair bit of risk given the poor play of the Titans offense overall, he's become a must-start player after commanding 31 targets over the past three weeks. Minnesota is a formidable defensive unit, but are much more susceptible through the air, ranking as the 3rd-worst defense at limiting opposing WRs. Consider Ridley a risky WR2 with some upside this week.

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Noah Fant Nov 15 6:40pm ET
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight ends Noah Fant (groin) and Brady Russell (foot) have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers in Week 11. It will be the second straight game that Fant has missed after suffering a groin injury in practice two weeks ago. The bye in Week 10 apparently wasn't enough to get him back on the field. With Fant missing another contest, the Seahawks will likely elevate either Tyler Mabry or the recently signed N'Keal Harry from the practice squad to provide depth behind rookie AJ Barner and Pharaoh Brown. Barner played over 90 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams with Fant out and caught four of his seven targets for 27 yards in his first career NFL game. Barner will once again be a TE2 sleeper with Fant out again in Week 11 against the Niners.

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Davante Adams Nov 15 6:40pm ET
Davante Adams

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (illness, wrist) was a full-go in practice on Friday but is listed as questionable to play on Sunday against the visiting Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. Adams was under the weather this week and didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and he's also dealing with a minor wrist injury. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said on Friday that Adams is expected to play, so fantasy managers should keep the 31-year-old All-Pro wideout in their lineups and check back on Sunday morning to make sure he's officially active. Adams has a strong matchup this weekend, too, as he'll be facing a Colts defense that has surrendered the sixth-most half-PPR points to receivers in the last three weeks, including three touchdowns. In four games since joining the Jets, the six-time Pro Bowler has a 20-206-1 line on 39 targets.

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