Week 11 Wide Receiver Rankings - PPR Leagues

This is the last week of byes for the season. But the week off for teams isn't what concerns me this week, it's the quarterback situations some teams have. Denver is starting Brock Osweiler for the injury and ineffective Peyton Manning. Bryan Hoyer is still in concussion protocol, leaving the Texans with T.J. Yates if he can't go. Andrew Luck is sidelined with a lacerated kindney. The only one I'm not concerned about is Dallas who has Tony Romo returning from the IR.

I would love to stay high on Demaryius Thomas he has had at least five catches for 50 yards in every game this season, but with Osweiler under center it limits his ceiling. Maybe this could be a blessing in disguise for Thomas as Osweiler will probably rely on him to get things going. But until I can see actual proof, I can't put as much stock as I'd like to into Thomas. I don't think Hopkins will be affected too much because he has been the Houston offense all year, but I'd rather have Hoyer than throwing to him than Yates. T.Y. Hilton is hit or miss this week. I know Hasselbeck was effective in his two starts this season, but he lacks the deep threat arm that Luck possesses. Hilton thrives on being a vertical threat and if he doesn't get a big play he will have a mediocre day.

Let's get to the rankings and then talk about a few players that I do like this week.

BYE WEEK: Cleveland, New Orleans, New York Giants, Pittsburgh

The biggest rise in the rankings this week is Danny Amendola. He goes from a borderline top-50 option to just outside of the top-20. With Julian Edelman's season likely over (fantasy season that is), the Patriots' receiving core will have to make up for his lost production. Amendola is going to be the guy that leads the operation. In a PPR league, that is especially valuable considering Edelman is first in targets on the Patriots roster. Last week when Edelman went down, Amendola had ten receptions (a season high) for 79 yards. Expect him to keep up with a high-volume of looks. Also look for other receivers to get in on the action like Brandon LaFell.

The Chargers wide receiver depth chart is thinning. Keenan Allen is out for the season and now Malcolm Floyd's future is also in question after suffering a torn labrum in Week 9. That leaves San Diego with one main option, Stevie Johnson. In one of the leagues most pass-heavy offenses, Johnson should get a lot of balls thrown his way. All signs point to Johnson being a PPR gem this week, especially against a Chiefs defense that has given up the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, according to ESPN Fantasy.

In the last two weeks, Davante Adams has had 11 and 21 targets respectively. Adams had a disappointing start to the season and then missed four games due to injury. But, it looks like he's starting to become the Jordy Nelson replacement we thought he would be at the beginning of the year. He works well in this offense and it's clear Aaron Rodgers trusts him to throw that much to him. With James Jones simply not a factor as this point, Adams should only have to really compete with Randall Cobb for targets. Even against a tough Minnesota defense on the road, peg Adams as a WR2 in your lineup.