Welcome to TheFantasyFix.com’s week 11 fantasy football waiver wire. Injuries continue to decimating teams and matchups are becoming easier for us to recognize and exploit. This week the Rams and the Cowboys are on a bye, so a few fantasy footballers could be cruising the wire for some bye week magic. We’ll be looking at players like Andre Brown, Shane Vereen and Riley Cooper that should already be owned, as well as potential fill-ins in the Tampa Bay backfield.

Before we get to this week’s potential waiver wire pickups, it’s important to note that I indicate below each name what type of waiver priority I would use on said player as well as the amount of FAAB I’d be willing to use to acquire their services. Despite the lack of high profile names that may be available this week I’m being as aggressive as ever, not only to build the depth of my own team for a playoff run, but to prevent other teams from adding crucial pieces where possible.

You may notice that a few of these names are making their second appearance on this list, but that’s because those players are not yet owned in as many leagues as they should be. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Andre Brown | Giants, Shane Vereen | Patriots and Riley Cooper | Eagles

Each of the three players listed above have appeared in past editions of this column. However, none of said potential impact players have eclipsed 55% ownership in Yahoo! leagues and I thought you could use a reminder. You won’t find these names on the wire in your deeper leagues, but for those in shallower leagues, do yourselves a favor and comb the wire for these guys to determine if they’re eligible to be added or not.

Brown returned the Giants’ backfield in week ten and was supposed to be “eased” back into the team’s rotation. Thirty carries, 115 yards and a touchdown on the ground later, Brown appears to be ready for some “real” work in week 11. Brown is the type impact back that could make the difference between you making the playoffs and you raising a flag at season’s end. Burn your number one waiver on the bruiser, if he’s available.

Like Brown, Vereen is returning from an injury suffered in week one’s performance. Unlike Brown, Vereen will be sharing touches with multiple other skill position players on the Patriots. If Tom Brady can find ways to get Vereen the ball like they did in week one, he could be an extremely valuable fantasy football asset down the stretch, especially in points-per-reception leagues. Consider burning a number one waiver on the Patriots all-purpose-back if you’re in desperate need of someone to fill your RB or Flex slots going forward.

Eight catches on 11 targets for 241 yards and five scores in the past two weeks. Yes, that’s Riley Cooper. Apparently he and Nick Foles have been bunking together or something, because the immediate rapport is apparent. I bet they’d easily win an episode of the Newleyweds Game. The Eagles have a great matchup against the Redskins in week 11, a tough game against the Cardinals in week 12 but then gets the Lions and Vikings in weeks 13 and 14 respectively. Is your mouth watering yet? It should be. Make the add.

Consider in leagues: 10-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 1 or lower
Spend this much FAAB 25-30%
Players I’d drop for him: Mike James, Arian Foster, Doug Martin

Bobby Rainey | Buccaneers and Brian Leonard | Buccaneers

If we’re basing our adds on how the Buccaneers coaching staff called Monday night’s game against the Dolphins, we’d be looking at Brian Leonard first, followed by newbie Bobby Rainey. However, this could be a case of Schiano and company leaning on the bell-cow more familiar with the playbook, in Leonard over the newcomer.

Leonard carried the ball a career-high 20 times for 57 yards (2.9 yards/carry) and added two receptions on three targets for an additional 13 yards. Rainey carried the ball eight times for 45 yards (5.6 yards/carry) and a touchdown, then added one reception on one target for 11 yards through the air. Rainey appears to be the more explosive of the two, leading me to believe he has the higher ceiling. With that said, I’m adding Rainey first, then Leonard if I have to knowing there will likely be a timeshare

Consider in leagues: 10-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 1 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 20-25%
Players I’d drop for him: Mike James, Arian Foster, Doug Martin

John Carlson | Vikings

Filling in for fellow Notre Dame alum Kyle Rudolph, John Carlson hauled in seven passes on seven targets for 98 yards and found paydirt once to boot. This outing was Carlson’s best since his December 20, 2009 effort against the Buccaneers during his tenure with the Seahawks. But that was a lot of injuries ago, and now that he’s healthy once again, he’ll have the chance to show why he was a second round selection out of college. If Ponder is healthy, Carlson’s stock rises. If someone other than Ponder is under center for the Vikings, he’s still worth a start if your other options fail to give you that funny feeling.

Consider in leagues: 12-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 6 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5-10%
Players I’d drop for him: Kyle Rudolph, Garrett Graham, Jermaine Gresham

Rishard Matthews | Dolphins

The chemistry between Ryan Tannehill and Rishard Matthews on Monday Night Football was serious. I mean “casual encounters” on Craigslist serious. The two connected 11 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the losing effort to the Bucs, but boy did all of this make me hot under the collar. We may have seen Matthews’ best game of the season, but one would be wise to roster him for depth purposes.

Consider in leagues: 12-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 8 or lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: <5%
Players I’d drop for him: Greg Jennings, Dwayne Bowe, Nate Washington

Dennis Johnson | Texans

We discussed Johnson in last week’s edition of the wire while speculating about Arian Foster’s back injury. Now that we know Foster is out for the season, unfortunately, Johnson should be added in most formats. Ben Tate will likely continue to get the lion’s share of carries in Houston, but can his health hold up? He’s been dealing with some cracked ribs — which I love to eat, but would hate to play with — so consider adding the handcuff to the handcuff despite his lackluster performance in week ten, if that makes any sense?

Consider in leagues: 12-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 6 or lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5-10%
Players I’d drop for him: Your least valuable asset

Buffalo D/ST

The Bills face a New York Jets teams that has surrendered the fourth most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season. And you may want to hang onto the Bills after week eleven since they face the Falcons, Buccaneers, Jaguars and Dolphins through week 16. Feast on it.

Consider in leagues: 10-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: N/A
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5%
Players I’d drop for him: Dallas, Miami, Washington