Fantasy: 5 last-minute additions poised for big games in Week 11
Each week, we take a look at five last-minute additions for your fantasy team heading into Sunday.
DJ Chark Jr., WR, Jaguars
vs. Steelers
Chark caught eight of 12 targets for 72 yards over the Jaguars' two games prior to Week 10 before the Indianapolis Colts held him off the offensive scoresheet (he recorded 108 yards on three kick returns against Indy).
The second-round rookie hasn't scored a touchdown this season, but he could start taking work away from Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole as the Jaguars' No. 2 passing-game option behind veteran Donte Moncrief. The two more experienced wideouts have recorded just 79 receiving yards over Jacksonville's past two games, including a target-less outing for Cole against the Colts.
The Steelers' defense ranks 19th in the NFL while allowing 245 passing yards per game, and only seven teams have given up more touchdowns through the air. There could be scoring opportunities for the grossly underwhelming Jaguars' passing attack.
Jaylen Samuels, RB, Steelers
at Jaguars
Samuels, the Steelers' 165th overall selection in 2018, scored his first career touchdown last week during a rout of the Carolina Panthers. The rookie received his first work of the season in a Week 8 win over the Cleveland Browns, rushing four times for 17 yards.
He's been a non-factor as a runner, but Samuels has started to display some of the pass-catching skill he routinely showed at NC State, recording three catches for 22 yards and a touchdown in Week 10.
Lead back James Conner is on track to play on Sunday after a brief stint in the concussion protocol. However, the Steelers could expand Samuels' workload to preserve Conner now that Le'Veon Bell officially isn't coming back.
Jonnu Smith, TE, Titans
at Colts
Smith has caught all five of his targets over the Titans' last two games while scoring a touchdown in each outing.
Tennessee's third-round pick in 2017 has played the most offensive snaps among the team's tight ends following Delanie Walker's season-ending injury. Overall, he's hauled in 10 of 17 targets for 122 yards and two scores.
The Colts have allowed the 11th most fantasy points to tight ends. Their defense ranks 25th in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric against the position, giving up 72.7 receiving yards per game. Marcus Mariota should look to Smith early in his progressions and take advantage of the Colts' defensive weakness. Smith's effectiveness in the red zone should make him a target there, too.
Brandon LaFell, WR, Raiders
at Cardinals
LaFell is one of the last men standing on the Raiders' wide receiver depth chart after Martavis Bryant and Jordy Nelson were both ruled out for Week 11 on Friday. That leaves LaFell as the team's No. 1 wideout.
The 32-year-old received a season-high six targets in Week 10 and he should see that number increase, albeit in a tough matchup against the Cardinals' secondary. Arizona has allowed just 11 passing touchdowns, which is tied for the league low.
LaFell's upside is capped in standard formats, but he receives a boost in PPR scoring because quarterback Derek Carr has few other options.
Aldrick Robinson, WR, Vikings
at Bears
Robinson's role has been highly inconsistent since he scored two touchdowns in Week 4 and added a third in Week 7. He's caught seven of 13 targets on the year for 115 yards.
While both Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are expected to play on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears despite battling injuries coming out of a bye, Robinson could take on a larger role in the red zone, where he's received the fourth-most targets on the team.