The fantasy football schedule is moving into Week 11 and that means it's time to look at the top free agent players to pick up off the waiver wire and some of the best names include Bobby Rainey, Mark Ingram, Brian Leonard, Rishard Matthews and Bernard Pierce this week as the playoffs draw closer.
The Buccaneers lost running back Mike James to a fractured ankle and while it's unclear how long he will be out, Rainey and Leonard appear to be the top players to take over. Rainey had one touchdown and 45 yards on eight carries after James left the game on Monday night, while Leonard ended up with 57 yards on 20 carries and both players could be very good pickups.
Mark Ingram rushed for a career high 145 yards against the Cowboys and he could be a solid addition after he scored a touchdown as well and Matthews comes in after a huge game. The Dolphins WR had a best of 11 catches and 14 targets for 120 yards this season and he also scored two touchdowns. Pierce has been solid and he should be getting more carries down the stretch.
Other top names includes Roy Helu, Jordan Reed, Jarrett Boykin and John Carlson as well as Rueben Randle and Harry Douglas. A recap of James and others from right before: Mike James was the top sleeper and waiver free agent pickup heading into Week 10, as he had the potential to get some starting carries after the injury to Doug Martin. According to ESPN.com, Martin injured his shoulder in the game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and while the team thought he could be lost for the season, either way, fantasy football owners who have Martin need to add James and anyone looking for free agent options after other injuries could add him as well. The team also brought in Bobby Rainey according to Pro Football Talk, claiming him on waivers from the Cleveland Browns to add depth behind James, Brian Leonard and Jeff Demps and those players are solid to pick up as well.
Rainey has not had many chances this season despite Trent Richardson getting traded from the Browns and he had just 34 yards this season with 19 carries on the ground and he has four catches in six games this season and while it could take some time, if Martin is out for a while, he could be a deep option in some leagues. James is an interesting player to watch going forward, as he showed some nice speed against the Falcons and he finished that game with 45 carries and the team was not afraid to give him the ball with 14 carries on the day in relief.
Martin was one of the most productive backs in football last season with over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns, but the poor play of the Bucs this season has kept him from being as productive this year. This season he is ranked ninth in the NFL in rushing yards and yards per game this season and he finished the game on Sunday with 47 yards on the ground and he now is out indefinitely with a torn labrum in his shoulder and that could keep him out for the season. Martin hasn't scored a touchdown on the ground in his past five games and he has rushed for 100 yards just once over that span as well.
James did not have much production this season with Martin starting and he has rushed for 57 yards on 17 carries in six games while also making four catches for 10 yards and that could be one place where he comes through, as he made three catches on Sunday, making him a good pickup in PPR leagues as well, especially since Mike Glennon is a rookie quarterback. Roy Helu surprised everyone with three touchdowns on Sunday and while he isn't taking the starting job away from Alfred Morris, he could see more touches going forward. Jarrett Boykin has been solid since coming in for Randall Cobb and James Jones and he had over 100 yards last week against the Browns in the victory for the Packers.
