FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Week 11 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1837)
Date: November 12, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmorris ("Fitz"), Andrew Erickson
Episode Overview
This episode is a deep dive into the FantasyPros Week 11 Wide Receiver rankings, tiers, and key storylines. The hosts unpack "studs, sleepers, and must-starts," dissect the latest breaking news, and discuss players to prioritize, bench, or stash as fantasy playoffs approach. Spirited debate touches on ranking philosophy, statistical trends, injury updates, and how team and quarterback changes affect WR projections.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Breaking News: Marvin Harrison Jr. Out (Appendicitis)
- (00:52) Podcast opens with urgent news: Marvin Harrison Jr. is out, "likely more than one week."
- Fantasy Fallout: Hosts discuss the ripple effect on the Cardinals offense and possible pickups like Michael Wilson or Greg Dortch. Heavy boost for Trey McBride at TE.
- Pat Fitzmorris (01:36): "I'm going to have to check the Cardinals depth chart and practice squad to see who else they can suit up...it seems like it would work out to the benefit of Trey McBride."
- Rest-of-season value: Is Marvin Harrison Jr. still worth a roster spot?
- Erickson (02:42): "If you have Marvin Harrison Jr., you’re circling Week 17 and hoping he’s back for the matchup against the Bengals...but otherwise, I can’t really do much with him."
- Fitz (04:17): "I think I’d keep him around just in case it’s only a one or two-week absence...just as a bench piece if nothing else."
- Debate: Is it worth stashing him, or should he be a “poison pill” dropped to waivers for someone else to gamble on? (04:48)
- Notable Quote, Andrew Erickson (04:48): "At this point...if there's someone good [available]...I would trade Marvin Harrison just to get Alec Pierce on my team."
2. Rankings Accuracy & Shoutouts
- (06:51) The team celebrates top expert rankers for Week 10:
- Jamie Calandro (Roto Baller) – #1 for the week
- Joe Pepe, Dennis Sosik
- Special mention: Mike Mayer – Top 25 finish as a new dad (07:12): "If anything, your ranks should be amazing—Mayor, expectations are high because you're up at all hours of the night!"
3. Top 12 Wide Receivers (WR1 Tier)
ECR Top 12 for Week 11:
- Jamar Chase
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- Puka Nacua
- CeeDee Lamb
- Drake London
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Justin Jefferson
- Rashee Rice
- Emeka Egbuka
- Nico Collins
- Jaylen Waddle
- Davante Adams
Key WR1 Debates:
Justin Jefferson vs. Emeka Egbuka
- Erickson (09:37): Prefers Egbuka due to "ceiling" and consistency with Baker Mayfield, noting J.J. McCarthy’s struggles as Minnesota's QB.
- "Jefferson has zero top 8 fantasy finishes this season...the consistency with McCarthy, it is an absolute wild ride."
- Fitz (10:57): Sticks with Jefferson for matchup and historical "elasticity," betting on a bounce back vs. a weak Bears secondary.
- "Only the 12th time Jefferson’s been held under 40 receiving yards...I wouldn’t be surprised if we got an eruption from him this week."
- Memorable moment (11:18): “It just seemed like the Ravens were getting away with some pretty handsy coverage... maybe that set the tone." – Fitz
Jaylen Waddle: Is he a confident WR1?
- Fitz (13:38): “Waddle's getting all the downfield targets for the Dolphins…he gets to face probably the worst pass defense in the league [Washington].”
- Erickson (15:00): “Waddle season’s activated. Start him as a top-10 WR—basically what he’s been without Tyreek Hill.”
4. Wide Receiver 2s (WR13–24 Tier)
Key Players and Debates
T. Higgins: Wide Range of Outlooks
- Fitz (17:08): High on Higgins ("top 12 WR") due to chemistry with Joe Flacco, recent production, and Steelers' vulnerability to outside receivers.
- Erickson (18:13): Slightly more cautious, citing Bengals’ O-line play and tougher matchup on the road.
Stefon Diggs (now on Patriots): Bounce-back Candidate?
- Erickson (18:57): Bold on Diggs after recent efficiency with Drake Maye; "Alpha in Patriots passing attack...25% target share last 7 games...top 15 WR easy."
- Fitz (20:27): Notes hyper-efficiency but questions volume ("only 59% of snaps last week...hard time putting Diggs in the top 20 when he's being used as an ensemble cast member").
DK Metcalf vs. Jauan Jennings (23:07)
- Fitz: Slightly prefers Metcalf, but not a "smash" play given tough matchup vs. DJ Turner. Historical note: Turner shadowed Metcalf on 78% of routes in their last meeting, limiting him to 45 yards.
- Erickson: Also prefers Metcalf but flags red-zone volatility, possibility the touchdowns go elsewhere. “If he doesn't find the end zone...that's when you get concerned.”
5. Wide Receiver 3s/Flex Options (WR25–36 Tier)
Consensus and Differences on Key Flex Plays
Jameson Williams (25th ECR)
- Erickson (33:09): “Start him every week from here on out...the ceiling he can offer on a week-to-week basis, especially in dome games, is huge.”
- Fitz (35:01): Largely agrees; play-action success and Dan Campbell’s play-calling have rejuvenated Williams’ usage and outlook.
Wandale Robinson (32nd ECR)
- Major update: Jameis Winston to start at QB for Giants.
- Fitz (37:06): No change in ranking, projected Winston to start: “He’s always a bonanza for his pass catchers…he just has zero compunction about pushing the ball downfield.”
- Erickson (38:08): “Anytime Jameis Winston is your quarterback, he just invites fantasy scoring. The ceiling is just so high.”
Tez Johnson (33rd ECR)
- Both hosts are below consensus.
- Erickson (40:24): “He had a 12% target share, and one touchdown came in garbage time...I'm just concerned about the target floor.”
- Fitz (41:31): “Always wary of touchdown-heavy production...he hasn’t had any big blowup game with yardage.”
Trey Tucker (34th ECR)
- Both low, Fitz especially harsh ("in the 50 range").
- Fitz (42:53): "I don’t think Trey Tucker is that good...I think Tyler Lockett is going to be the lead receiver for the Raiders, but that doesn’t mean much."
- Erickson (44:11): "I think this is going to be a really tough spot for the Raiders…not bullish on anyone on their team this week."
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Marvin Harrison Jr. injury fallout:
- "If you have Marvin Harrison Jr., you’re circling Week 17 and hoping he’s back for the matchup against the Bengals." – Andrew Erickson (02:42)
- On Jaylen Waddle’s opportunity:
- "Great usage, great matchup, great outlook for Waddle in Spain this weekend. I think the Commanders might be his personal tapas platter this weekend." – Pat Fitzmorris (14:41)
- On Jameson Williams rest-of-season:
- "Don’t be afraid of the matchup at Philadelphia. It’s going to look red…Don’t do that. You have to start him every single week." – Andrew Erickson (33:09)
- On Jameis Winston effect:
- "When Jameis Winston is your quarterback, I almost don’t care who you’re playing because he just creates an environment where it could be the ’85 Bears and he’s going to find ways to get fantasy points." – Andrew Erickson (38:08)
- On DK Metcalf volatility:
- "He has to play a little bit better, but in this matchup, where do the touchdowns go? …If he doesn’t find the end zone, that’s when you get concerned.” – Andrew Erickson (25:17)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:33 – Show start, Marvin Harrison Jr. injury news
- 01:36 – Fantasy ripple effect on Cardinals & Trey McBride
- 02:42 – Rest-of-season philosophy on Marvin Harrison Jr.; drop vs. hold debate
- 06:51 – Accuracy contest shoutouts
- 09:37 – Justin Jefferson vs. Emeka Egbuka ranking debate
- 13:38 – Jaylen Waddle as WR1: Why the hosts are high
- 17:08 – T. Higgins ranking debate (high-end WR2 vs. mid-tier)
- 18:57 – Stefon Diggs (Patriots) optimism/pessimism
- 23:07 – DK Metcalf vs. Jauan Jennings vs. the Bengals/Cardinals
- 33:09 – Jameson Williams “start him every week” take
- 37:06 – Jameis Winston starting for Giants: impact for Wandale Robinson
- 40:24 – Tez Johnson’s floor/ceiling
- 42:53 – Trey Tucker’s rest-of-season viability (or lack thereof)
Final Thoughts
The show is packed with actionable takeaways, contrarian stances, and streaming/waiver advice at a crucial midseason juncture. Not only do the hosts break down the week’s most volatile rankings, they offer insight into roster strategy (when to stash/cut), how to exploit defensive matchups, and what injury news really means for fantasy playoff bids.
If you want to win your league, these discussions on WR tiers—especially in a crucial Week 11—give a clear roadmap for who to prioritize, trust, or fade.
Listen Notes:
- Skip promo segments: actual content runs from around 00:33 to 45:40.
- Tone: Friendly, fast-paced, with entertaining moments and sharp analysis.
- Full rankings updated at fantasypros.com/rankings.