Week 11 IDP Free Agent Focus
I make these waiver-wire recommendations with a variety of league formats in mind. Make sure to check your Free Agent Finder for the best available options in your specific league.
Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Steelers
Highsmith seemed to benefit from Sunday’s return by T.J. Watt. He delivered 2 sacks in the win over New Orleans, his most since Week 1 – the last time Watt played. Highsmith also tallied 5 total tackles, his 1st game with more than 2 since Week 3. That matched his combined total for the previous 5 contests.
Next comes a rematch with the Bengals, who afforded Highsmith 3 sacks, 4 QB hits, 9 tackles and a forced fumble back in Week 1.
Josh Sweat, EDGE, Eagles
Sweat left for a stretch of Monday night’s loss to the Commanders but returned to the game. That’s why he finished the night with his smallest snap share of the season. But he also finished with his 1st sack since Week 3 and 1st forced fumble of the year.
After a downturn in production, this contest followed 2 more encouraging outings. Sweat tallied 3 QB hits in the Week 8 win over the Steelers. Then he matched his season high of 5 tackles – including 1 for a loss – at Houston.
Week 11 brings a matchup with the league’s friendliest scoring matchup for D-linemen: the Colts. Assuming he’s good health wise, Sweat will carry multi-sack upside.
DeMarcus Walker, DL, Titans
Walker garnered his largest snap share of the season with Jeffery Simmons (ankle) out Sunday against Denver. He responded with 1.5 sacks in the victory. That marked 3 straight games with at least 1 sack. Walker has delivered QB hits in 4 straight contests, including 5 total over just the past 2 games.
Thursday night brings another positive matchup for DL scoring in the Packers. We’ll see whether Simmons is ready to return, which would hinder Walker’s outlook.
Bobby Okereke, LB, Colts
Okereke ranks among the top 10 fantasy LBs for the season and might already be rostered in most places. But he’s worth including here just in case some leagues found him dropped amid Shaquille Leonard’s return.
Okereke dipped to 61% playing time in Week 8 and then 46% in Week 9, with the team ramping up Leonard. But the latter landed on IR ahead of Sunday’s win at Vegas. That returned Okereke to full playing time, and he delivered 9 tackles and defensed a pass against the Raiders.
He belongs on a roster in nearly all IDP leagues.
Frankie Luvu, LB, Panthers
Luvu got back to full playing time Thursday night for the 1st time since his Week 4 shoulder injury. And he took advantage, delivering a season-high 12 tackles (8 solo) and 2 sacks in the win over Atlanta. That should get Luvu picked back up in most IDP leagues ahead of a Week 11 visit to the Ravens.
Jack Sanborn, LB Bears
Perhaps his Week 10 stat line will wind up being a mirage, but we kinda have to include him after the numbers he delivered in the narrow loss to the Lions.
Chicago’s undrafted rookie LB racked up 12 tackles (9 solo) and 2 sacks against Detroit. He finished 5 tackles ahead of his nearest teammate, accounting for 20% of the team’s solo stops and more than 20% of the total tackles. That followed a solid 7 solos in Sanborn’s 1st start the week before, following the Roquan Smith trade.
Next comes a trip to Atlanta to face a run-heavy offense that will keep the tackle upside coming.
Jayon Brown, LB, Raiders
LB Denzel Perryman’s deactivation for Sunday’s loss to the Colts makes him no guarantee for this week’s visit to Denver. Even if Perryman returns, Brown looks like the best bet to join him in the team’s top 2 at the position.
Brown was 1 of 3 Raiders to play every defensive snap Sunday, in the 1st game since Divine Deablo landed on IR and Blake Martinez abruptly retired. Brown managed a decent 8 tackles in that game and has a history of solid production from his starting days with the Titans.
Denver presents the 5th most friendly scoring matchup for LBs on the Week 11 slate by our adjusted fantasy points allowed. We’ll see whether Brown can be an IDP option beyond that.