Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 11: Reviewing Fantasy Football's Top Fringe Starters

Drew Brees' cracked ribs and collapsed lung are going to cause the New Orleans Saints quarterback to miss some time. It's still unclear just how much time that will be, but it's likely to have some fantasy implications, especially with some favorable matchups on the horizon for his team.

Over the next three weeks, the Saints have two matchups against the Atlanta Falcons, who have one of the weakest pass defenses in the NFL. That means New Orleans could be poised to put up some big numbers even if the veteran is on the sidelines for both.

It'll just mean bigger fantasy days for other players, such as backup quarterback Jameis Winston and/or do-it-all player Taysom Hill.

Should either of those players be in fantasy lineups in Week 11? They are among the start/sit decisions that managers will face this week.

Here are suggestions for some of those fringe start/sit choices heading into Week 11.

Start 'Em: Jameis Winston, QB, New Orleans Saints

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While Hill is likely to have some opportunities at quarterback (as he does when Brees is in the lineup, too), Winston should be the starter for the Saints. And he's likely to have a strong showing in his first start for the team, especially considering he's going up against a familiar opponent.

Winston spent his first five NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so he's faced the Falcons plenty of times as part of the NFC South. In 2019, he passed for 514 yards and five touchdowns between his two matchups against Atlanta.

And this year, the Falcons rank 31st in the NFL with 310.3 passing yards allowed per game, so they're likely to have trouble stopping the Saints' top offensive players.

In New Orleans' offense, Winston will be surrounded by playmakers such as running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas.

When Brees missed five games last season, Teddy Bridgewater stepped in and played well. Expect Winston to be a strong replacement as well, making him a strong fantasy streaming option in Week 11.

Sit 'Em: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans

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The Titans have been going up against some tough defenses in recent weeks, and that's led to lower fantasy outputs for Ryan Tannehill.

The quarterback passed for only 158 yards and two touchdowns in Week 9 against the Chicago Bears and was held to 147 yards and one touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts last week.

It could be another quiet showing for Tannehill in Week 11, as Tennessee has a challenging road matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, who are allowing only 213.3 passing yards per game (seventh best in the NFL).

That may lead to the Titans relying more on star running back Derrick Henry and not going to the air much, which was the case the past two weeks when Tannehill only had 47 total pass attempts.

Tennessee has better matchups coming down the stretch, particularly in December, so it may be wise to hold on to Tannehill on your fantasy roster. But find a better starting option at quarterback for the next two weeks when the Titans are up against Baltimore and Indianapolis.

Start 'Em: Duke Johnson Jr., RB, Houston Texans

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With David Johnson on injured reserve, Duke Johnson Jr. has assumed the role of being the Houston Texans' lead back.

However, the 27-year-old didn't have a great fantasy day against the Cleveland Browns in Week 10, rushing for 54 yards on 14 carries and recording no catches. That came a week after he scored his first touchdown of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Fantasy managers should stick with Johnson this week, though, as he's likely to again be heavily involved in Houston's running game. And the New England Patriots are beatable on the ground, as they're allowing 129.2 rushing yards per game, the ninth most in the NFL.

Plus, the Miami product could get more targets from quarterback Deshaun Watson with the Pats likely trying to stop the Texans' strong downfield options.

Johnson should have a decently high floor for as long as he remains Houston's starting running back, and he should have better showings than his Week 10 matchup at Cleveland moving forward.

Stick with him in fantasy lineups, as he's more reliable than the streaming options available on most waiver wires.

Sit 'Em: Todd Gurley II, RB, Atlanta Falcons

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Todd Gurley II has been a touchdown machine in recent weeks. He's gotten into the end zone in three straight games (scoring four touchdowns during that span), and he's done so in seven of the Atlanta Falcons' first nine games. However, this could be a week when he's shut down.

The New Orleans Saints rank second in the NFL with only 76.8 rushing yards allowed per game, and they've done a great job of limiting opposing running backs, having not allowed one to rush for more than 89 yards against them this season.

That seems unlikely to change with Gurley, who has been held to 63 or fewer rushing yards in five of the Falcons' past six games.

Unless the 26-year-old scores a touchdown, he's unlikely to be a strong fantasy option this week. It's safer to leave him on the bench.

If you have the roster flexibility to do that, don't start him in Week 11 and wait for a better matchup to reinsert him into the lineup.

Start 'Em: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

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Michael Pittman Jr. has emerged as a strong option in the Colts' passing game, as he had seven receptions for 101 yards in Week 10 against the Titans, both of which were season highs for the rookie wide receiver.

The 23-year-old has also set season highs for targets each of the past two weeks, having had 15 balls thrown his way from quarterback Philip Rivers between the pair of games.

This week, Indianapolis takes on the Green Bay Packers, who were without Jaire Alexander in Week 10. But even if the cornerback returns, it's possible he'll be covering one of the Colts' other receivers, which may lead to more targets for Pittman again this week.

The USC product has yet to score his first NFL touchdown, but it should be coming soon considering his increased role in the Colts' offense of late.

In fact, it could happen this week against the Packers, and fantasy managers should try to capitalize by putting him in their lineups as a potential breakout option for Week 11.

Sit 'Em: Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos

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At times this season, Tim Patrick has been a decent fantasy option. He scored a touchdown in Week 9, marking his third in a span of five games. And he had four receptions for 61 yards last week, one of his higher yardage totals of the year.

It's been worth taking a risk on the 26-year-old receiver in recent weeks, but this weekend won't be one of them. The Broncos are facing the Miami Dolphins and could be without starting quarterback Drew Lock, who is dealing with injured ribs. If he isn't under center, Patrick's fantasy value will take a big hit.

The Utah product should return to being a sleeper flex option in upcoming weeks, assuming Lock is in the lineup, as he's sure to remain a key part of Denver's offense.

That won't be the case in Week 11, though, especially with the likelihood of better streaming options being available on most waiver wires.