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Fantasy Football: Trade targets, pickups ahead of NFL Week 11 – Metro US

Fantasy Football: Trade targets, pickups ahead of NFL Week 11

Victor Cruz Giants Victor Cruz is poised to have some big weeks down the stretch. Credit: Getty Images

Procrastinators unite. That laundry, that resume and that shower can all wait. We’ve put off making a fantasy trade for long enough, and now, the deadline is here. The pressure to make a deal that will put us over the top is on.

Some of the most important things in society get done because of deadlines. We now know that a better deal won’t be coming along, so the trigger finger gets looser. Here are guys to target right now.

CRIMINAL UNDERUSE
Dez Bryant saw two targets in Week 10 and is averaging just 6.3 targets per game over the last three weeks. It’s criminal and the Cowboys know it. They head into their bye pledging to find ways to get Dez off double coverage and more involved, likely via some new formational wrinkles and plays. The Weeks 12-16 schedule (at NYG, vs. OAK, at CHI, vs. GB, at WAS) is as good as it gets. Take advantage of this lull from Bryant and buy low.

ROWDY RODDY
Playing for the first time since Week 5, Roddy White had just one catch for 20 yards while facing Richard Sherman and the Seahawks last week. Still, the signs were good. He played on 95 percent of the snaps and came out healthy. White will be a poor bet to break out against Darrelle Revis this week, but then the schedule softens up in a big way. With Julio Jones (foot) out for the year and Tony Gonzalez (toe) hobbled, White will be a target monster.

CRUZING USA
Victor Cruz doesn’t have a 100-yard game or a touchdown since Week 4, leaving owners in a tizzy. Pounce. With the running game springing back to life under Andre Brown, Cruz will find more space to work the slot. Plus, he gets to face the Packers, Cowboys, Redskins and Chargers over the next four weeks. None of those teams are ranked in the top-20 in pass defense.

Week 11 Matchups
Make sure to get these borderline wideouts in your lineups this week:
1. Harry Douglas, Falcons – Expect Revis to shadow a healthy White, leaving Douglas to feast out of the slot.
2. Hakeem Nicks, Giants – Looking healthier of late, Nicks would have gone off against the Raiders if Eli needed him to.
3. Percy Harvin, Seahawks – Harvin won’t play all the snaps in his return, but the Seahawks will feature him against his old team.

NFL News
To anyone with two eyes, it makes sense for the Cardinals to bench Rashard Mendenhall and ride Andre Ellington. But coach Bruce Arians doesn’t see it that way. He said 13 touches for Ellington is “plenty” and defended Mendy’s critical Week 10 fumble. Adjust accordingly.

NFL Pickups
Brian Leonard, RB, Bucs – A more complete back than Bobby Rainey, Leonard will be a featured player going forward.
Rishard Matthews, WR, Dolphins – The Dolphins throw to the slot a ton because their offensive line can’t protect.
Josh McCown, QB, Bears – With Jay Cutler out multiple weeks, McCown will shine at the controls of Trestman’s scheme.