Week 11: Deep League Pickups

Back to basics with this week's deep league edition, focusing on players that are likely available in 12-16 leagues for use in Week 11. Now that all bye weeks are done with, every team should no longer need to rely on weekly pickups to fill out their lineup, but a rash of injuries like what happened last week to stars Ronnie Brown, Michael Turner and Brian Westbrook could change the best of plans.

On tonight's Podcast (7pm est), I will be joined by FFToolbox writers Rob Warner and George Bissell as we separate the contenders and pretenders among the free agent running back options, discuss whether Jay Cutler and Matt Ryan are worthy must starts going forward and preview each and every Week 11 game. For those that want to participate, call in at 646-716-9736 (or join our live chat via the link above), email questions to ben.standig@fftoolbox.com, or listen to the podcast in its entirety at itunes

QB Josh Freeman, ---

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Last week I encouraged fantasy owners to sign the Miami Dolphins defense, going up against the rookie Freeman in his first road start. While the Dolphins' side of the equation was ultimately not terrible (though it would have been nice if they had recovered more of Freeman's many fumbles) and the former Kansas State star showed some cracks, he did keep it together and almost help the Bucs pull out their second straight win. Now Freeman goes back home where he faces a decimated Saints secondary, one that will be without starting CB Tracy Porter and perhaps others. Factor in that the Bucs will likely be in catch up mode throughout and Freeman is a good bet to pass at least 28 times for the third straight game, but likely even more as the Bucs may not keep the score as close as they did in his previous two starts. One hopes that you have better QB1 options, but for those in a pinch or seeking a new play in leagues where you start two quarterbacks, Freeman is your guy.

RB Rock Cartwright, ---

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For those that might not have the auction dollars to grab a Jason Snelling or Justin Forsett off waivers this week (or simply have nowhere else to turn after injuries to Ronnie Brown and Michael Turner rocked your backfield), consider Cartwright as a deep fallback position. The buzz around DC this week is that the Redskins will be very careful with RB Clinton Portis following his Week nine concussion, not to mention many observers liked the way the offense looked with Ladell Betts and Cartwright shouldering the load. This fire-hydrant shaped runner has speed to turn the corner (he also serves as the Redskins' kick returner) and power to run up inside. In fact, he may be the Redskins' best short yardage back while Clinton Portis is out, though expect Betts to receive the bulk of the work in all facets. Still, Cartwright will play on all downs and had 50 yards on 11 touches from scrimmage last week. The change of pace option should receive a similar workload as long as the Redskins stay in contact with their arch rival Cowboys this week.

RB Sammy Morris, ---

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Lost in the shuffle of the Patriots SNF collapse was the play of Laurence Maroney, whose fumble at the goal line gave the Colts life and helped spark their comeback. Maroney also averaged a meager 2.4 yards per carry. While he did score for the fourth straight game, that fumble will likely have Bill Belichick tugging at the dread-locked one's already short leash. Enter Sammy Morris, the trusted soldier Belichick has turned to time and time again when injuries (like the knee problem that sidelined him the past few games) do not flare up. Morris is now expected to return for Week 11; do not be at all surprised if he immediately takes over in short yardage situations, with Kevin Faulk remaining the third-down back and Maroney still getting looks on early downs. Morris is not a recommended play for this week with so much uncertainty in his role -- plus the Jets' run defense remains solid -- but the chance he scores makes him worth the risk for those in dire need. The real value with Morris comes down the line when the Pats' explosive offense faces the Saints, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills and Jags in the next five weeks. If he does become the goal line back, Morris could rack up plenty of scores as long he remains upright.

RB Bernard Scott, ---

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This post serves more as a wake up call to owners about having the handcuff to their starting RB more than Scott himself. For some reason, many a Michael Turner or Cedric Benson owner did not have Jason Snelling or Scott on their roster prior to their star back going down with an injury. With trades no longer an option in most leagues, securing your backup is the most effective way to handle potential disaster caused by injury. Would I rather have Darren Sproles than Scott? As a stand alone decision, yes, but Scott is MUCH more valuable to Benson owners than Sproles would be in his current role. The rookie speedster is not worthy of a spot for non-Benson owners and probably would not get all of the work even if Benson were to miss time (which appears unlikely), but he has speed to burn and racked up 54 yards after he became the primary back.

WR Robert Meachem, ---

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Everyone would love a piece of the New Orleans Saints passing game; the problem has been figuring out who you want on a weekly basis outside of Drew Brees and Marques Colston. With three capable receiver targets alongside Colston and TE Jeremy Shockey, plus Brees' penchant for spreading the wealth, it meant neither Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson or Lance Moore was a weekly play you could count on. However, with Moore sidelined the past two weeks more targets are available and Meachem is taking advantage of them, scoring in back-to-back weeks. Henderson is racking up more yards for now and is the better PPR play, but has failed to score a touchdown since the opening week; while Meachem has four total scores to go along with his unreal 23.1 yards per catch. Like Austin Collie or Pierre Garcon with the Colts, Meachem is the type of boom or bust player I can go with as my WR3 (especially against a woeful Bucs secondary that is giving up the third most fantasy points to receivers.)