Week 10 was interesting in that many of the top-priced running backs fell flat and some lower-priced options topped the league in fantasy points. Entering Week 11, we have four teams on bye and are going to need to pick through to find an advantageous matchup or sleeper to go with on the waiver wires. The four teams on bye this week are Atlanta, Indy, New England, and New Orleans. That leaves us without Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Alvin Kamara. Nothing to fear, though, I have some backs that should be your top priority among available options to play this week.
Best Sleeper Fantasy Football Running Backs Week 11
Devin Singletary Fantasy Football Outlook, Houston Texans
Singletary arguably had the best game of his career in Week 10 against the Bengals. On 61 snaps, he ran for 150 rushing yards on 30 attempts and reached the end zone for one touchdown. With Dameon Pierce having an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the last two weeks, Singletary may have just taken his starting job after that performance.
Devin is one of four running backs to run 30 times in a game this season. He accounted for 91% of his team’s carries and ran a route on over half of C.J. Stroud’s dropbacks last week. This week, the Texans are home hosting the Arizona Cardinals, who have given up 1,342 rush yards, 14 touchdowns, and 4.2 yards per carry to opposing running backs. The Cardinals rank highest in opposing attempts at 319.
We may not know how DeMeco Ryans splits up the work, but regardless of Pierce’s status, Singletary’s matchup is one to exploit this week. If he keeps the lead role, he may be a keeper for the rest of the season.
Ty Chandler Fantasy Football Outlook, Minnesota Vikings
Alexander Mattison left Week 10 with a concussion and will most likely miss Week 11 as a result. This means Chandler may be a one-week start, provided Mattison returns in Week 12.
Chandler has not been a strong or attention-grabbing presence in the Minnesota backfield, but he played 32 snaps, carried the ball 15 times, and led the Vikings with 45 rushing yards and a touchdown in the win over the New Orleans Saints. During the first nine weeks of the season, Chandler was only involved in 34 snaps, totaling eight rushing attempts and a total of 42 rushing yards. With that said, you can see how productive he could be as the starting back in Week 11. Chandler showed burst through the line that was lacking with Mattison throughout the season. With Cam Akers, his main competition for backup duties, out for the season, we may see what he really can do out of this backfield, as he is going to be playing to secure more work when Mattison is able to return.
To put a cherry on top, Minnesota will be in Denver against the worst run defense in the league. Denver has allowed 1,425 yards to opposing back, which is the most in the league. They allow 5.6 yards per carry, which is also the worst in the league, and have given up 10 touchdowns. They just surrendered 109 yards to James Cook and 68 to Latavius Murray on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills. Even if just for one week, Chandler is worth adding and starting this week.
Keaton Mitchell Fantasy Football Outlook, Baltimore Ravens
We all know that the Ravens run a committee backfield, but this kid is special. Going into Week 9, he was barely talked about, let alone rostered in any leagues, but that has since changed after his stunning performances the last two weeks.
In Week 9, Mitchell ran for 138 yards on just nine attempts, averaging 15.3 yards per attempt. In that 138-yard game, he generated two runs of 40+ yards, one of which resulted in a 40-yard touchdown. Last week, while hosting the Cleveland Browns, he ran for a 39-yard touchdown and added an additional 32 yards on a reception.
There is no question that Mitchell will continue to split the backfield with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, but he has shown how explosive he can be when he touches the ball, and that alone should solidify why you need to pick him up if he is available. Look for Mitchell to pick up yardage against the Cincinnati Bengals this Thursday, as they are giving up the second most yards per carry at 5.0.
Brian Robinson Jr. Fantasy Football Outlook, Washinton Commanders
I am writing Robinson up because of the advantageous matchup he gets this week, not necessarily as a waiver wire pickup. He is already around 85% rostered, depending on the site you play on. But The Commanders will host the New York Giants this week, which makes for a nice matchup. The New York Giants have allowed 16 touchdowns to running backs, ranking the most in the league. They have also allowed 1.312 rushing yards and 4.7 yards per carry to opposing backs.
Although Robinson has not been a rushing great this year, he seems to find the end zone a lot, with seven touchdowns this season. In Week 10 against the Seahawks, Robinson produced a career-high 119 receiving yards on six receptions, which included a 51-yard catch and score.
The remainder of the season may be a hit or miss for Robinson, but he is a start this week against the Giants, so get him off your bench. He is going to put up another good week, and I expect a top-10 finish in Week 11.