Week 11 is here and the waiver wire is buzzing with opportunity, particularly at quarterback and running back. Between quarterback battles heating up in Minnesota and Atlanta, injury concerns rattling star receivers, and role expansions worth exploiting, there is plenty to work with this week. PlayCaller's beat reporter signals have been tracking several of these situations closely, and the picture is coming into focus. Here are the pickups worth targeting before your waiver priority disappears.
Tua is in the middle of a legitimate starting quarterback competition with Michael Penix, who is nursing a knee injury that may tip the scales. Atlanta is a solid offense with Kyle Pitts and a healthy run game, and if Tua wins the job he walks into immediate QB2 value with upside. His availability in fantasy leagues is likely high, and the risk-reward here is compelling given Penix's health uncertainty.
Love is being described as the Cardinals' featured back with legitimate big-play ability as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Yes, the backfield is crowded with James Conner and Tyler Allgeier in the mix, but Trey Benson is a strong trade candidate before the season and Love projects as the primary receiving back at minimum. His upside as a potential RB2 or flex makes him worth a waiver claim in all formats.
Pitts just posted an 88-928-5 line and is locked in at $15 million for 2026, which tells you everything about how the Falcons view him. The only question is which quarterback will be throwing him the ball. If Tua wins the job, Pitts has upside given their familiarity from offseason reps. If Penix returns healthy, the connection was already productive. Either way, Pitts is a high-floor tight end worth rostering in all leagues.
McCarthy deserves a mention not as a pickup but as a hold with caution. Kyler Murray's arrival in Minnesota has created genuine competition, and McCarthy's grip on the starting role is no longer a certainty. If you are rostering McCarthy, keep a close eye on how this battle develops. If Murray wins out, McCarthy becomes a streaming option at best and a drop candidate at worst.
Daniels is working his way back from injury and head coach Dan Quinn specifically praised his mental sharpness upon return, which is an encouraging sign. If he is trending toward a Week 11 start, Daniels is a strong streamer with legitimate dual-threat upside for managers in need at quarterback. Monitor his practice status throughout the week before making a move.
Robinson joins Atlanta as Bijan Robinson's primary handcuff, and while that limits his standalone ceiling, he is a high-quality insurance policy worth stashing in deeper leagues. He projects for a workload similar to what he produced in San Francisco last season, meaning he could be a low-end flex if Bijan were to miss any time.
Branch had an impressive college season and brings slot, gadget, and return value to Atlanta's receiver room as a rookie. His role depends heavily on how quickly he builds chemistry with whichever quarterback wins the starting job. The off-field arrest from Sunday adds risk, so proceed with caution and treat him as a speculative stash in dynasty or deep redraft leagues only.
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