Sports

Justin Boone identifies under-the-radar stashes to consider adding to your roster before they become top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups in future weeks.

While the bar might move occasionally, the general focus is to search among the group of players who are rostered in around 15% or less of the Yahoo leagues.

Michael Wilson, WR, Cardinals (16% rostered)

Marvin Harrison Jr. was finding his rhythm with veteran Jacoby Brissett under center, but he’s now set to miss Week 11 after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.

Fellow wideouts Zay Jones and Simi Fehoko were placed on injured reserve this week, which leaves the Cardinals’ receiving corps very shorthanded.

Fortunately for them, tight end Trey McBride is the Alpha pass-catcher in the offense but someone else will need to step up in Harrison’s absence.

Wilson, who hadn’t topped 20 yards in a single outing through the first five games, has seen his numbers rise with Brissett starting. It led to stat lines of 4-44-0, 3-40-0, 3-61-0 and 4-34-0 while playing a complementary role behind McBride and Harrison.

With Harrison sidelined, Wilson will now be the No. 1 wide receiver, giving him a chance to return WR3/flex value in fantasy. It’s also possible this bump could last more than one week, depending on how fast Harrison recovers.

Honorable mention: Luther Burden III, Bears (8% rostered), Jayden Higgins, Texans (15% rostered), Chimere Dike, Titans (13% rostered), Tyler Lockett, Raiders (3% rostered), Jalen Coker, Panthers (3% rostered)

Blake Corum, RB, Rams (14% rostered)

Highlighting Corum in my waiver wire column and backup running back rankings this week wasn’t enough to get him over the 15% rostered mark, so I feel almost forced to feature him again.

The 24-year-old back has been given 13 touches in three consecutive games and has gone over 40 scrimmage yards in each of those contests.

Since the Rams’ bye, Corum put up 58 yards on the Saints and most recently 56 yards on the 49ers while getting on the field for a season-high 39% of the snaps. We’re even seeing a drive-by-drive rotation develop lately, which has turned this into a near 60-40 split with starter Kyren Williams.

That means Corum has reached RB3/flex status, while also offering league-winning RB1 upside if Williams gets hurt at any point.

Honorable mention: Sean Tucker, Buccaneers (16% rostered), Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders (6% rostered), Keaton Mitchell, Ravens (2% rostered), Tyler Badie, Broncos (1% rostered), Phil Mafah, Cowboys (0% rostered)

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers (16% rostered)

There are a few tight ends we could focus on this week, with Brenton Strange having his 21-day practice window opened, Luke Musgrave getting an easier opponent in his second start since Tucker Kraft’s injury and Dawson Knox potentially getting a larger role with Dalton Kincaid banged up.

However, we’re going to shine the spotlight on Freiermuth, whose best game of the season came against the same Bengals’ defense he’s meeting in Week 11.

Freiermuth went off in their last encounter with five receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

With cornerback DJ Turner doing an excellent job of slowing down opposing No. 1 receivers, the Steelers will likely need to rely heavily on their backs and tight ends.

That makes Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith playable this week as streaming options.

Honorable mention: Brenton Strange, Jaguars (12% rostered), Luke Musgrave, Packers (11% rostered), Isaiah Likely, Ravens (5% rostered), Dawson Knox, Bills (2% rostered)

Davis Mills, QB, Texans (3% rostered)

C.J. Stroud remains in concussion protocol and didn’t practice on Wednesday because he’s still experiencing symptoms.

That suggests he’s not on track to be cleared for Week 11, which points to another start from Mills.

Though most of his production occurred while in comeback mode, Mills finished last week’s contest as the top-scoring QB overall thanks to 292 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, as well as 20 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

This week’s opponent, the Titans, have allowed the last three quarterbacks they’ve faced to finish inside the top-10 at the position. While it would be bold to project Mills that high, he’s certainly in the streaming conversation given the matchup.

Honorable mention: Geno Smith, Raiders (15% rostered), Jameis Winston, Giants (3% rostered)

The complaints about the New England Patriots playing a soft schedule won't lessen this week when critics see who the Patriots face on Thursday night. 

The Patriots are 8-2 and are big favorites to beat the 2-7 New York Jets. The Patriots have played the easiest schedule in the NFL this season via DVOA, though they have passed two huge road tests by beating the Bills and Buccaneers. 

Realistically, this week shouldn't be a big test. The Jets have won two in a row after an 0-7 start, but also recently traded away defensive stars Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner before the deadline. Justin Fields has 54 or fewer passing yards in four of his eight starts this season. The Jets are a bad football team, but at least they aren't winless anymore. 

The Patriots have come along fast in Mike Vrabel's first season as head coach. Drake Maye is a legit MVP candidate in his second season. An infusion of talent through free agency and the draft has paid off. They have won seven in a row. And for those who continue to assume it's the product of a soft schedule, consider this: The Patriots have the second-easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, via DVOA. 

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Who needs it more?

Jets fans have probably moved onto hoping the team loses to improve its draft position and maybe select a quarterback of the future, though Aaron Glenn probably doesn't agree with that assessment. Either way, it's pretty obvious that the Patriots need the win more. The Buffalo Bills aren't intimidating this season but they're still lingering in the AFC East. The Patriots can probably win he division simply by winning all the games they should win that remain on the schedule, including this one. 

Key player: Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson

Henderson, a second-round rookie, had a good preseason but then a slow start to the season. He made some rookie mistakes and found playing time hard to come by. But with Rhamondre Stevenson out with injury, Henderson has taken advantage of his opportunity. Last week the explosive rookie had 147 rushing yards on 14 carries, and his two long touchdown runs were a big difference in a win over Tampa Bay. Stevenson will miss Thursday's game, which gives Henderson yet another chance to solidify a large role over the remainder of the season. 

Betting market watch, by Ben Fawkes

On paper, this is a complete mismatch between a 2-7 Jets team and an 8-2 (!) Patriots team on a seven-game winning streak. We've seen the same thing in the betting market, with this game opening New England -10.5 and steaming as high as 13.5 at some books before there was buyback on the Jets. With Garrett Wilson out for New York, this seems like a blowout waiting to happen — but crazier things have happened on Thursday Night Football.

Check out more of Ben’s work at the Yahoo Sports betting hub.

Fantasy football storylines, by Scott Pianowski

Although the Patriots are 13-point favorites over the Jets on Thursday night, we know sometimes these divisional games can be surprisingly competitive. Here are three fantasy angles to watch for as the teams meet in Foxboro.

Can TreVeyon Henderson keep the momentum going? Henderson posted a solid RB20 showing two weeks back, then exploded for an RB4 finish in Tampa Bay last week, scoring on two long touchdown runs. The Jets rushing defense has adequate grades, though it obviously traded star lineman Quinnen Willams two weeks ago.

Will Breece Hall find any running room? The Patriots haven’t allowed a running back past 53 yards rushing all year, and only five backs have scored double-digit fantasy points against New England. Hall averages a solid 4.8 yards per carry and the New York offense is down top receiver Garrett Wilson.

What’s the second pitch in the New England passing game? Stefon Diggs continues to spread his wings and is the first read for MVP candidate Drake Maye, but there’s room for more against a struggling New York pass defense. With Kayshon Boutte out another week, perhaps Mack Hollins or Kyle Williams will come through as a Week 11 sleeper.

Check out more of Scott’s work at the Yahoo Sports fantasy hub.