Week 11 Starts

Here are 5 guys with the best fantasy matchups this week and why they need to start … in two minutes or less.

QB: Geno Smith (LV) vs. DAL

Geno Smith’s last few outings have been a rollercoaster, but this week sets up for the rebound spot. He struggled through a quad injury against Denver and still managed to keep the Raiders in it, but the context here matters: Dallas has been the ultimate “get-right” matchup for quarterbacks all season, giving up the most fantasy points to the position. The Raiders’ passing offense looked sharper when Brock Bowers returned, and that connection gives Geno a real ceiling if his mobility holds up. The Cowboys’ defense has been getting torched every week, so if you’re streaming quarterbacks, Geno has legitimate spike-week upside in what could turn into a sneaky Monday night shootout.

RB: Jaylen Warren (PIT) vs. CIN

Warren has logged 15-plus touches in four straight games and just piled up 91 of Pittsburgh’s 221 total yards in Week 10, but the scary part for defenses is that Mike Tomlin is explicitly saying his workload could grow if the Steelers simply stay on the field more on third down. The Bengals, meanwhile, are an absolute disaster against the run, giving up the most fantasy points per week to opposing RBs and getting carved up in shootouts, so this is exactly the kind of matchup where Warren’s steady volume and efficiency can explode into a ceiling week. Aaron Rodgers and this offense have had plenty of shaky stretches and struggled to sustain drives at times, but even in those ugly games Warren has been the one constant, soaking up touches and yardage while the passing game sputters. So with the coaching staff openly talking about giving him more opportunities and a defense on deck that bleeds RB production, you’re confidently plugging Warren in as a start with real top-12 upside in Week 11.

RB: Woody Marks (HOU) @ TEN

Marks was supposed to be just a late-round passing-down flyer, but he’s turned that into a full-on breakout with efficiency numbers that have him first among running backs in yards per reception and top-15 in yards per touch on a modest opportunity share. He’s been the clear juice in this backfield for weeks, stacking four straight games with double-digit carries and most recently turning 14 rushes into 63 yards and a touchdown plus two catches for 18 yards and out-snapping Nick Chubb again after already holding a 35-26 edge in snaps in Week 9. Houston’s offense just showed it can light it up by storming back from a 29–10 fourth-quarter deficit to win 36–29, and the Titans are in full-on “fix your RB spot here” mode after a run of ugly losses and allowing the third-most fantasy points to running backs, so you lean into the hot hand and lock Marks into your Week 11 lineups with confidence.

WR: Jaylen Waddle (MIA) vs. WAS

Without Tyreek Hill,  Waddle has maintained a solid leading role this season, piling up over 80 yards in five of six games without Hill and flashing real upside with long touchdowns and steady volume along the way. Tua can still swing between sharp and shaky, but we just saw Miami drop 30 on the Bills after some ugly weeks, so when this offense clicks, the ball is funneled straight through Waddle. Washington has been getting carved up through the air all season, giving up top-five fantasy production to quarterbacks along with one of the highest passing yard totals and 19 passing scores, so this is exactly the kind of matchup where Waddle’s recent usage and downfield shots can turn into another WR1-type week.

WR: George Pickens (DAL) @ LV

George Pickens is coming out of the bye with momentum and a prime spot to keep it rolling. He’s been Dak Prescott’s go-to vertical weapon, posting a few big games and drawing steady volume even when CeeDee Lamb is active. But the real setup here is the matchup. The Raiders have dropped four of their last five and have allowed top-five fantasy production to opposing wideouts. So after a week to recalibrate, Dallas’ passing attack is in position to explode again, and Pickens is the big-play piece you want exposure to when that happens.

So that’s the list. 5 players to put into lineups if you have them on your roster… as promised, in 2 minutes or less.

If you're ready to actually win your league this year, and need more help… The Fantasy Accelerator is my year-round fantasy system designed to help sharp players crush waivers, win more trades, and stack championships.

See you tomorrow,

-Joe

P.S. You can get $50 after playing just $5 on DRAFTKINGS Pick6 if you sign up using code HOLKA