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Top fantasy football free-agent finds for Week 11

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We've reached a pivotal point on the fantasy football calendar. There is just one more week of teams playing on a regular-season bye, as Carolina, Indianapolis, the New York Jets and San Francisco all have their open weekends in Week 11. In fantasy football, there's a little less roster juggling involved once we pass the bye weeks.

But the conclusion of byes isn't the only notable wrinkle on the upcoming calendar that impacts your roster: The ESPN Fantasy trade deadline is in the middle of next week, at noon ET Nov. 22.

Getting ahead of the curve as it pertains to the trade deadline is smart. If you are well-positioned to make the playoffs, perhaps you can find a maneuver that might assist the trade partner specific to this week but helps you more long term. If you need a win this weekend to preserve playoff hopes, a trade is a good way to improve your roster right away.

Among those teams with a favorable schedule in the first round of the playoffs (ESPN's default playoffs include the semifinals from Weeks 14-15 and the finals from Week 16-17) are the Titans, with Arizona and San Francisco, albeit both away games, on the docket. The Steelers finish up with New England, Houston and the Browns, so quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could be a player to consider acquiring for the homestretch.

With all of that in mind, away we go with the top players to add to your roster ahead of Week 11.

Note: Players rostered in more than 50 percent of leagues are not available to appear on this column.

Remaining bye week is as follows:
Week 11 (four teams): Carolina, Indianapolis, New York Jets, San Francisco

Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers (2.3 percent): With both Aaron Jones and Ty Montgomery leaving the Packers' game because of injury, Williams stepped into a feature role, handling 20 carries for 67 yards in a Green Bay win over Chicago. Unless we get information suggesting Montgomery will be back in Week 11 (Jones is expected to miss three to six weeks, according to Adam Schefter), Williams is a top add, with a projected role of 20 or more touches. Anyone with a running back need should consider rostering him.

Marqise Lee, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (42.7 percent): What more does Lee need to do to prove himself? Over the past four games, he has an astounding 39 targets, hauling in 23 catches and a pair of touchdowns while averaging 71.3 yards per game. He's the clear top target in this passing offense, and though Jacksonville wants to run the football first and foremost, Lee's production speaks for itself. He should be added in any sized league.

Danny Woodhead, RB, Baltimore Ravens (39.4 percent): Woodhead is eligible to play this week after missing extensive time because of a hamstring injury suffered in Week 1. We'll see whether Baltimore opts to activate him, which would open the door to him doing what he does best: dominating in the passing game. I truly believe he has a chance to be a top-20 points per reception running back for the remaining seven weeks of the season if he's activated. He's a must-add in all leagues.

Rex Burkhead, RB, New England Patriots (11.4 percent): The versatile running back has exactly 15.3 fantasy points in each of the past two games, cementing a role in the Patriots' offense. Burkhead had 10 rushes and three receptions in Week 10, as the Patriots appear to have figured out their three-man backfield rotation (more on another back in a moment) that utilizes players who are adept as both receivers and runners. Burkhead should remain a factor, making him an add for anyone who needs running back depth. He'll merit flex consideration weekly.

Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots (38.6 percent): Lewis had another stellar effort in Week 10, scoring two times (including via a kickoff return). He handled 14 carries and appears to be fully entrenched as a weekly staple of the Patriots' offensive attack after a more modest role at the beginning of the season. Although Lewis will continue to share a workload with Burkhead and James White, he has carried the ball 53 times the past four games and should stay steadily involved. Like Burkhead, he's a consideration for anyone needing running back depth and projects to figure into the weekly flex consideration.

Samaje Perine, RB, Washington Redskins (6.0 percent): Starter Rob Kelley went down with a knee injury early in Week 10, leaving Perine as the next man up in the Washington backfield. The rookie had 10 total touches, racking up 60 yards. If Kelley were to sit for an extended period of time, Perine should be expected to see a double-digit workload in terms of touches again. He's a smart add in 12-team or larger leagues.

Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans (34.4 percent): How different would Davis' day in Week 10 have looked if a near touchdown had been six points instead of a fumble that resulted in a touchback? A lot different. But for those looking to acquire Davis, it might have been a silver lining. He saw 10 targets, and his ability continues to pop on film. He's among my favorite adds to stash for further down the line this season. He's getting better by the week.

Elijah McGuire, RB, New York Jets (12.8 percent): The early read on Matt Forte's injury is that it could cost him more than just Week 10, which opened the door for McGuire to hold a productive role. McGuire actually handled more total touches than Bilal Powell (12-11, with a 9.8-2.6 PPR points edge) in Week 10 and figures to stay busy if Forte is unable to go in Week 12, when the Jets return from their bye. He is a deeper league add for someone with running back needs.

Corey Coleman, WR, Cleveland Browns (11.0 percent): The 2016 first-round pick is eligible to play this week after missing a prolonged stretch because of a hand injury. The Browns have struggled in the passing game this season, but Coleman is their best receiver in terms of talent. He had five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. He is a deeper league consideration.

Austin Hooper, TE, Atlanta Falcons (45.5 percent): The lone tight end to make this list, Hooper had one of his best games of the season in Week 10. The 2016 third-round pick is rock solid after the catch and has at least six targets in five of his past six games. The Falcons' offense seemed to gain confidence in the second of half of the team's Week 10 win, which would bode well for Hooper's outlook. Hooper is a consideration for anyone looking for a fill-in for a player such as Austin Seferian-Jenkins or Jack Doyle this week.

Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (1.9 percent): With the Chargers playing a tight Week 10 game that eventually went to overtime, Ekeler saw meaningful fourth-quarter snaps. He had two receiving touchdowns on what felt like nearly identical plays but also had a costly fumble. Yes, Melvin Gordon is clearly still the starter, but if you play in a deep league, Ekeler is a worthwhile speculative add for running back depth in case his role continues to grow.

Brandon LaFell, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (4.0 percent): Looking for a deeper league dart throw for your flex spot? Consider LaFell, who quietly has at least four catches in four of his past five games, with 8.2 or more PPR points in those games. The matchup is poor in Week 11 against Denver, but he is still a name to keep an eye on in 16-team leagues.

Dontrelle Inman, WR, Chicago Bears (0.7 percent): Another player to consider in a deeper league, Inman hauled in six catches on six targets in his most extended work during his short tenure in Chicago. Hey, he's probably the most talented receiver on this roster, and the Bears are going to have games in which they need to throw the ball while playing from behind. He's worth a gamble, as his value will be rooted in volume and the projected expanded role as he gets more comfortable with the offense in Chicago.

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