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Fantasy Football 2018: Waiver wire targets for Week 11

By Donnie Druin

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Vance McDonald #89 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs upfield after a catch during the second half in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Vance McDonald #89 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs upfield after a catch during the second half in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 11: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins drops back for a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 11: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins drops back for a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Quarterbacks

Alex Smith vs. Houston 

2018 Stats: 193/301 (64.1%), 2,045 yards, 10 TD, 3 INT
ESPN Ownership: 50.8 percent

If you’ve learned anything from reading these articles the entire season, you’ve likely come to two conclusions: I need to stick to my day job, and I value safe plays in fantasy football. Last week, I was high on Baker Mayfield due to his safe fantasy floor, and Alex Smith carries that trend into Week 11. In his last six games, Smith has averaged a nice and cozy 15.3 fantasy points. During that stretch of time, Smith has just one game with a turnover and one game with no touchdowns thrown.

Smith and his ultra conservative ways will play host to a Houston pass defense ranked in the middle of the league (15th) in passing yards allowed per game. Although the Redskins favor moving the ball on the ground, the Texans sixth-ranked run defense may force Smith to air it out more than usual. Admittedly so, Smith is by no means on deck to drop a phenomenal 30-point performance. However, if you’re in need of a safe waiver option at the quarterback position this week, look no further than Smith.

Marcus Mariota at Indianapolis

2018 Stats: 136/203 (67%), 1,498 yards, 7 TD, 5 INT, 238 rushing yards, 2 TD
ESPN Ownership: 15.5 percent

Is it time to hop back on the Marcus Mariota train? A few years ago, Mariota was trending to be one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. Fast forward to 2018 and, for the most part, his play has been extremely streaky. Yet the last two weeks have suggested Mariota may have found his groove once again (back to back 26-point performances) and with a limited pool of available quarterbacks, I’m willing to buy Mariota’s stock another week.

With the Colts pass defense in the bottom third of the league, Mariota is again positioned to see solid numbers through the air. With the Colts seeing a resurgence on offense, this game is taking shape in form of a shootout, which bodes well for the Titans offensively. Mariota and company laid waste to much better defensive units against Dallas and New England, and his ability to gain yardage with his legs is attractive enough to plug him once again in Indy.

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