Thursday Night Football is here, so let’s get those lineups set! I mentioned this earlier in the week but now is when most teams are in must-win mode. If there was ever a time to spend a ton of time focusing on your start/sits, now is the time to do it. In order to guide you through these decisions, I’m going to be sharing my week 11 rankings, which are constructed through statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data, and film.
Week 11 QB Rankings
Tier 1
1. Lamar Jackson @ PIT
2. Jalen Hurts vs WAS
3. Josh Allen vs KC
4. Jayden Daniels @ PHI
Tier 2
5. Joe Burrow @ LAC
6. Brock Purdy vs SEA
7. Jordan Love @ CHI
Tier 3
8. Patrick Mahomes @ BUF
9. Russell Wilson vs BAL
10. C.J. Stroud @ DAL
Tier 4
11. Drake Maye vs LAR
12. Bo Nix vs ATL
13. Kirk Cousins @ DEN
14. Geno Smith @ SF
15. Jared Goff vs JAC
16. Justin Herbert vs CIN
Tier 5
17. Matthew Stafford @ NE
18. Caleb Williams vs GB
19. Tua Tagovailoa vs LV
20. Sam Darnold @ TEN
21. Anthony Richardson @ NYJ
Tier 6
22. Aaron Rodgers vs IND
23. Jameis Winston @ NO
24. Will Levis vs MIN
Must Start: QB
Drake Maye vs LAR
ESPN Projection - QB12
For the FTR start of the week, the players that will be eligible for this list are all close to being ranked as a back-end QB1/TE1 based on ESPN’s PPR projections. Drake Maye has crushed expectations this year, even with a very bad supporting cast. What makes Maye an appealing fantasy option every single week, though, is his rushing upside. We saw this on full display in week nine when Maye scored 15.74 points due to his 95 rushing yards.
Maye’s week 11 matchup is extremely natural as he takes on the Rams. So far this season, the Rams have allowed the 16th most fantasy points to quarterbacks with 155.5. If I wanted to predict who exactly would be the QB12, I would move Maye down because of his low floor. However, my rankings are done in order of who I would start each given week. Once you get near the back-end QB1 range, give me Maye and his upside.
Week 11 TE Rankings
Tier 1
1. George Kittle vs SEA
2. Travis Kelce @ BUF
3. Brock Bowers @ MIA
Tier 2
4. David Njoku @ NO
5. T.J. Hockenson @ TEN
6. Kyle Pitts @ DEN
Tier 3
7. Evan Engram @ DET
8. Mark Andrews @ PIT
9. Dalton Kincaid vs KC
10. Tucker Kraft @ CHI
11. Dallas Goedert vs WAS
12. Sam LaPorta vs JAC
Tier 4
13. Taysom Hill vs CLE
14. Hunter Henry vs LAR
15. Jonnu Smith vs LV
Tier 5
16. Jake Ferguson vs HOU
17. Pat Freiermuth vs BAL
18. Zach Ertz @ PHI
19. Mike Gesicki @ LAC
Tier 6
20. Cole Kmet vs GB
21. Dalton Schultz @ DAL
22. Will Dissly vs CIN
23. Tyler Conklin vs IND
24. Dawson Knox vs KC
Must Start: TE
Sam LaPorta vs JAC
ESPN Projection - TE13
It’s no secret that Sam LaPorta has been one of the biggest busts in fantasy football this year based on his ADP of 33 on FantasyPros. With LaPorta, he’s been very boom or bust this season. In LaPorta’s last four games, he’s scored more than 15 points in two and less than five in two. LaPorta gets to take on the Jaguars this week, though, which is a fantastic matchup.
The Jaguars have allowed the 7th most fantasy points to tight ends this season with 143.9 points. Taking a look at PFF’s TE Matchup Tool, LaPorta has a green matchup advantage of 14%. Although LaPorta hasn’t been great this year, he has a great matchup to pair with his pre-existing upside.