Fantasy Football Alert: Top Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 11)

RB, New York Jets
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 1.0%

Like many of the options this week, McKnight is a conditional pickup based on other people’s injury statuses. Shonn Greene took a hit to the ribs in Thursday’s game against the Broncos, and LaDanian Tomlinson is dealing with a bum knee. Consequently, McKnight saw plenty of time and had a nice overall performance with 16 carries for 59 yards and six catches for 62 yards. According to Jenny Vrentas, Jets beat reporter for The Star-Ledger in Newark, Tomlinson suffered a setback, while Greene returned to practice on Tuesday. McKnight would be the change-of-pace back if Tomlinson can’t go, and there’s still a high possibility Greene could aggravate his injury, so pick him up as a safety.

RB, Buffalo Bills
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 51%

Fred Jackson, the man who has contributed 40 percent of the Buffalo Bills’ offense this season, isn’t practicing right now. He suffered a calf bruise that was severe enough to require x-rays (they came back negative) against the Dolphins. His coach Chan Gailey stated that he seems pretty banged up, and isn’t sure about his status this weekend. Even with Jackson out, the Bills were pass-heavy due to the throttling they took from Miami, so we didn’t get to see much of Spiller, but he will be the starter if Jackson can’t go. So far this season, Spiller has carried the ball only 21 times for 115 yards.

RB, Minnesota Vikings
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 1.7%

Adrian Peterson has a high ankle sprain. He’s a durable guy, and he insists that he wants to play this upcoming weekend, but we’d hope the Vikings are smart enough not to allow that. There is literally no reason for him to force playing time when nothing is on the line. If he doesn’t go, Gerhart will be a happy man as the main rusher. He’s barely seen any action this season (why would he with Peterson up front?), but his impressively brutal running style at Stanford just a couple years ago has us believing he can be a decent source of yards.

QB, Tennessee Titans
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 0.3%

Could there be a changing of the guard here? We don’t think it’s that simple, but Locker had the Titans offense moving much better than Matt Hasselbeck. The veteran quarterback was forced from the game with pain in his throwing elbow, but further examination showed no structural damage to his elbow or forearm. In his time, Locker looked sharp and threw for 140 yards and two touchdowns. The Titans should feel comfortable starting Locker if Hasselbeck isn’t ready this weekend.

RB, Detroit Lions
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 0.8%

To start, just realize that the Carolina Panthers are giving up 140.7 rushing yards per game. Smith isn’t going to automatically be giving owners 150 yards and a touchdown every game, but he sure made his case to remain the starter with 201 total yards and three touchdowns. Smith was supposed to be the future for the Lions back in '08 and posted 976 yards and eight touchdowns that season, but his play diminished the next couple years, he had knee injury issues, and the Lions eventually cut him. He was resigned two weeks ago when Jahvid Best started missing significant time due to his head injuries. Out of everybody on this list, Smith has the most potential to continue a consistent amount of carries.