Week 11 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups and Drops

If for some strange reason this player is available in your league, you should snag him immediately...

More than a few players in this article could be introduced with that statement. It's getting harder and harder to identify sleepers as the season progresses, but there are quite a few players who might be available in your league, either because they are returning from injury or they've somehow managed to slip under the radar.

Below, I'll review those players and break down a few players you can safely drop. 

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers

Harry How/Getty Images

With Ryan Mathews set to return this week, he should absolutely be your waiver priority if he's available. Any concerns about Branden Oliver seizing the starting gig have been alleviated by Oliver really wearing down, as he saw his rushing yardage decrease for a whopping five straight weeks, culminating in a 19-yard performance in Week 9.

Mathews and Oliver could form quite the dynamic backfield combination, however, a la Mathews and Danny Woodhead. But much like that pairing, expect Mathews to get the majority of the touches.

C.J. Anderson, RB, Denver Broncos

This one gets complex. Let's see if we can trace the bread crumbs, however.

Here's the skinny: On Sunday, Ronnie Hillman left the game due to injury and C.J. Anderson exploded, finishing with 163 yards from a scrimmage and one very brilliant touchdown run. With Hillman potentially down and out, Anderson is sure to be the guy, right?

Well, maybe. While Mike Klis of The Denver Post reported that Hillman would be out two weeks, head coach John Fox offered a less serious prognosis, per Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com:

So there's that uncertainty.

That second comment is particularly important, as Montee Ball could also be set to return this week. And if that happens, one would guess the best Anderson could hope for is a platoon situation even if Hillman is out of action.

Still, on Denver's explosive offense, the mere possibility that Anderson could see plenty of work this week makes him a must-own player. He's speculative, sure, but he certainly showed his upside against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. 

Terrance West, RB, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns backfield is a straight-up committee, which is always a very dangerous situation to enter into as a fantasy owner. Still, it would appear that Terrance West is now at the head of the committee, leading the Browns running backs in rushing yards, rushing attempts and fantasy points the past two weeks.

It's tough to trust any Cleveland running back given the split in the workload, but if you are going to start one, West would appear to be that guy.

Tre Mason, RB, St. Louis Rams

Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

You can basically copy and paste much of the above into this section about Tre Mason. The St. Louis Rams are mired in one of the dreaded backfield platoons, but Mason appears to be at the forefront, leading the team in rushing attempts and rushing yards the past three weeks. 

He's probably not a player you want to be starting outside of really deep leagues, but he should be owned in all formats. 

Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cliff McBride/Getty Images

This is a pretty speculative addition, as Bobby Rainey seemingly remains the starter, but Charles Sims actually led the team in rushing attempts and rushing yards on Sunday. That's not really saying much—he finished with eight carries for 23 yards and a fumble and also added two catches for 17 yards—but it is an indication that the Bucs want to get him involved in the offense. 

With the season lost and Doug Martin well out of favor even when he returns to injury, the Bucs may give Sims the chance to prove he can be the guy. You'll be glad you picked him up if he proves just that. 

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants

Seriously, if Odell Beckham, Jr. is available in your league, thank the fantasy gods. All he's done is score 10 or more fantasy points in four of the last five weeks, essentially filling in the giant hole in the passing game created by the season-ending injury to Victor Cruz. 

This is the type of pickup that could save your season if you are hurting at wide receiver. Martavis Bryant is the name on everybody's lips right now when it comes to waiver MVPs, but Beckham has been quite impressive himself. 

John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

John Brown is about as streaky as they come, but man, is the rookie dangerous when he gets a step deep down the field. Don't fret about Carson Palmer's season-ending injury here—it was Drew Stanton who found him for a 48-yard touchdown on Sunday.

Brown is extremely hit or miss, something to keep in mind. But if you don't mind gambling on a weekly basis, he's certainly worth a spot start depending on the matchup. 

Mychal Rivera, TE, Oakland Raiders

Ben Margot/Associated Press

In the past three weeks, Mychal Rivera has 21 receptions for 185 yards, three touchdowns and 35 fantasy points. He's clearly developing a healthy rapport with rookie quarterback Derek Carr and has been one of the few positives of late for this Oakland team.

No, he's not a TE1, but he's a high-end TE2 you can utilize in favorable matchups. If you are hurting at tight end, he should be a priority. 

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

With Kyle Rudolph potentially returning this week following his sports hernia surgery, you could be snagging a player with TE1 upside the rest of the season. Sure, he's hugely touchdown reliant—I've never particularly trusted him—but if you haven't been getting production from your tight end, Rudolph could be an instant upgrade.

Not too shabby for a waiver addition, right?

Players to Drop

Scott Kane/Associated Press

You can say goodbye to Doug Martin and Zac Stacy if you haven't already. Martin is hurt but his days with the Bucs are numbered, while Stacy has been totally phased out in St. Louis' offense.

Marques Colston can be dropped like a bad habit. He has nine receptions for 121 yards in his past three games with no scores. He simply isn't a priority target for Drew Brees at this stage in his career. 

Shonn Greene's fumble on Sunday has hopefully ended any ridiculous committee situation between he and Bishop Sankey in Tennessee. Drop him faster than it takes Greene to finish one of his patented two-yard runs.

Oh Jordan Cameron, what ails you? What misfortune has become you? Why aren't you freaking playing better? 

I know he's been hurt, but that doesn't change the fact that he's exceeded double-digit fantasy points just once this season. The combination of his injuries and poor play means he can absolutely be dropped in all formats at this point.