Week 11 Waiver Wire: C.J. Anderson, John Brown Highlight Pickups to Know

Just when fantasy owners begin to think about playoffs, the Week 11 waiver wire seems rather bare bones. 

To those who do not want to put in the work to unearth the gems, of course.

This is the time of year when the champions put in the hard work that eventually leads to a title. In the playoffs, that owner who had a star back go down with an injury but miraculously has a genius stash on his bench that allows him or her to not skip a beat is the one who takes down any and all challengers.

So feel free to be that guy or girl and hit the homework early and often in Week 11. It is a trickier week than normal, which only makes it more fun.

C.J. Anderson, RB, Denver Broncos (2.8 percent owned)

Like clockwork, a new running back stepped up to handle the load behind Peyton Manning in Week 10 and did quite well thanks to great vision, soft defense and softer hands to reel in passes. 

Except this time, C.J. Anderson broke out and possibly stole the starting gig for good.

With Ronnie Hillman hobbled and Montee Ball still out of the lineup, Anderson put on a show best described by NFL.com's Dan Hanzus:

Anderson found room for 90 yards on 13 carries and rattled off another 73 yards and a score through the air to finish with a strong 22 points, placing him among the top five scorers at the position by the end of Sunday night.

This was obviously Anderson's biggest outburst of the season, and he is quite the tricky add. But the coaching staff saw what owners did, too—he might just be the best back for the current offense. Hillman had his moments when healthy, while Ball was a rather large dud—whether most want to admit it or not.

Anderson is a risk, but nagging injuries and his arguably being the best back in Denver make him worth a stash to analyze on a week-by-week basis.

Joseph Randle, RB, Dallas Cowboys (4.4 percent owned) 

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Owners know it is a soft week in the waiver-wire department when DeMarco Murray's backup is getting action, but so it goes. 

Joseph Randle is arguably the most important handcuff in the realm of fantasy football this season, especially when one takes the time to recall that Murray has never played in a full 16-game season due to a shaky injury history.

Randle made a case for more playing time this past weekend with seven carries for 56 yards and a score, which landed him with a cool 11 points. Cowboys Nation notes that Randle has been quite productive when given a chance:

This in itself may help the backup to secure more playing time. Even Murray's injury history may mean the coaching staff elects to ease off its best runner a bit until the postseason.

Regardless, it is time to nab Randle in all leagues for the postseason. He is a proven producer at this point with a strong ceiling should he take over as the starter. At this stage of the season, he is an exemplary forward-looking add to prevent the unexpected in the postseason. 

Tre Mason, RB, St. Louis Rams (45.7 percent owned)

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Until his ownership percentage gets to a respectable level, owners will continue to be beaten over the head when it comes to St. Louis Rams rookie back Tre Mason. 

Mason only scored seven points in Week 10 against a strong Arizona Cardinals defense that entered the weekend surrendering the second-fewest points to backs this year, but it was his usage, not the production, that owners should keep in mind moving forward.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher has been quite shy in revealing what his backfield will look like, but Sunday only confirmed what 45.7 percent of owners already know—Mason is the starter in St. Louis.

Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus put it best:

Benny Cunningham vultured a touchdown but only had six touches, while Zac Stacy had none against the Cardinals.

Opportunities continue to equal production at the position, so ride with Mason as a flex play in the coming weeks. As the 3-6 Rams play this season out, younger players such as Mason will only continue to see high snap counts to get more experience under their belt while the front office evaluates the roster.

John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals (7.7 percent owned)

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There was a time not too long ago when fantasy owners feasted with a wideout by the name of T.Y. Hilton thanks to a friendly scheme employed by Bruce Arians.

Arians is still producing elite fantasy receivers, but this time in Arizona with an underrated rookie by the name of John Brown.

Brown did his usual thing in Week 10, catching five passes for 73 yards and a score. The effort marked his third trip to double digits this season and his second in three games. For those owners afraid of the serious injury to Carson Palmer, per NFL.com's Chris Wesseling, as it pertains to Brown, ESPN Stats & Info provides a reassuring nugget:

On a week-to-week basis, few wideouts in the NFL have upside as high as Brown's at this point.

Keep in mind, though, that Brown's next two opponents (Detroit, Seattle) actually took up the top two slots in the NFL for fewest points surrendered to wideouts entering the weekend.

That said, Brown is another week-by-week play with alarming upside for when the postseason rolls around. His clear rapport with his backup quarterback and recent production is only an added bonus.

Mychal Rivera, TE, Oakland Raiders (39.7 percent owned)

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A reliable friend to a rookie quarterback is the same thing for fantasy owners in need at tight end.

Over the course of the past few weeks, Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera has had the best stretch of his career that has coincided with his most looks ever as a pro:

WK	OPP	REC	YDS	TD	PTS
8	@Cle	7	83	0	8
9	@Sea	8	38	2	15
10	Den	6	64	1	12

There is something to be said for the fact that rookie Derek Carr now turns to Rivera with regularity. Not only that, but it is safe to say the Raiders will spend most of their time playing from behind and leaning on the passing game, meaning plenty of future looks for the talented tight end. 

Next up is San Diego, a team that in its last game allowed 13 points to tight ends, but Rivera is a great long-term add, too. Consistent production from a tight end is elusive, but even more so come playoff time.

Honorable Mentions

Player	Pos.	Team	Percent Owned
Josh McCown	QB	TB	3.9
Michael Vick	QB	NYJ	5.2
Isaiah Crowell	RB	CLE	23.7
Carlos Hyde	RB	SF	20.3
Bryce Brown	RB	BUF	6.3
Theo Riddick	RB	DET	3.1
Preston Parker	WR	NYG	0.1
Jarvis Landry	WR	MIA	7.7
Austin Seferian-Jenkins	TE	TB	1.2
Andrew Quarless	TE	GB	2.1

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats as of 1 a.m. ET on Nov. 10. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.