We are about three-quarters of the way through the 2024 fantasy season, and it’s hard to believe how quickly it has gone by. Thanks to the demanding task of managing a fantasy team, most managers are nearing a crucial point in the season where they’ll assess what their teams are truly capable of. Our metrics in week 11 focus on four specific players that shined bright while another makes his case for 2024’s biggest bust.
Metrics That Matter in Week 11 of Fantasy Football
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Perfect Performance
For a team that enjoys scoring, Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the luckiest wide receivers in the NFL, at least from a fantasy perspective. The Detroit Lions feature a three-headed monster of fantasy stars: St. Brown, David Montgomery, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite the crowded offense, St. Brown, the current WR2 Overall, consistently maintains his fantasy relevance. Metrics indicate that he is one of only two wide receivers in the fantasy realm to have recorded at least seven touchdowns in the last six weeks, alongside the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase. His connection with quarterback Jared Goff, who occasionally struggles with passing, is exceptional, instilling confidence in fantasy managers regarding St. Brown’s value.
In Week 11, St. Brown delivered a remarkable fantasy performance. He caught 11 passes on 11 targets, amassing 162 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Depending on your league’s scoring system, his performance could have yielded between 38 to 46 fantasy points. St. Browns’ involvement in the offense is extremely high, and his route-running skills consistently allow him to get open on the field, making him a true fantasy gem. St. Brown is an elite WR1 option for the remainder of the season.
League of His Own
When Taysom Hill, the New Orleans Saints’ gadget player retires, he will likely be remembered as one of the most versatile offensive weapons in NFL history. Over the past seven years, Hill has been a significant asset for the Saints due to his effectiveness in the run option game, his contributions in the short passing game, and his ability to deliver accurate passes when called upon. His diverse skill set has made him a sneaky-good fantasy football option over the years.
In Week 11, Hill had one of the best performances of his career, finishing with 35-40 fantasy points, depending on league scoring. He achieved 7 carries for 138 rushing yards, 8 receptions for 50 receiving yards, and 3 total touchdowns during a win against the Cleveland Browns. Hill, started by just 8.3% of fantasy teams per NFL Fantasy, had the ultimate “told you so” performance. Not only did he have an impressive fantasy outing, but he also recorded the 12th-best single-game fantasy output in NFL history. Furthermore, Hill became the first player in NFL history to achieve 25 rushing touchdowns, 15 passing touchdowns, and 10 receiving touchdowns throughout his career.
For those seeking further validation of Hill as a fantasy stud, he has quietly ranked among the top 15 tight ends in fantasy points over the past five seasons. Overall, while Hill might not be the flashiest name in fantasy football, his unique skill set is undeniably exceptional when he’s healthy.
Steady Stafford
In today’s NFL, there are some impressive wide receiver duos, particularly in fantasy football. Among them are Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, as well as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. However, the Los Angeles Rams’ duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua may very well be the best of the bunch. Unlike the other pairs mentioned, both Kupp and Nacua possess similar skill sets characterized by their expansive route trees, strong hands, and excellent chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford and Kupp have formed a solid partnership over recent years, and with Nacua sharing similar attributes, he also connects well with Stafford.
Metrics indicate that both wide receivers can be valuable fantasy options when playing alongside each other. In many ways, Kupp and Nacua resemble the David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs of the wide receiver position. Observing their performance, Kupp and Nacua have played together for four weeks, achieving two 100-yard games, at least seven catches, and multiple touchdowns. Their advantage lies in Stafford’s tendency to target them more frequently than any other QB-WR pairings in recent years. Both players are considered target hogs, ranking in the top 10 for targets.
With a favorable schedule for the Rams over the next couple of months, fantasy managers can confidently place both players in the elite WR1 category. Concerns about injuries throughout the season may have deterred some managers, as Kupp and Nacua were among the top 10 players traded in fantasy during the first six weeks. However, for those who held onto either wide receiver, the rewards are significant right now.
Michael Pittman Jr.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has had a disappointing season, to say the least. Drafted between rounds 4-5 in most fantasy drafts, he has struggled within the current offensive scheme. One major factor contributing to his struggles is the inconsistency at the quarterback position. In the five games where Anthony Richardson has started, Pittman Jr. has never recorded more than 4 catches or topped 60 receiving yards. Additionally, he has averaged a wide receiver finish between WR35-42 during those weeks. The chemistry between the two players appears to be lacking, as Richardson tends to favor short and intermediate targets—especially targeting Josh Downs—rather than connecting with Pittman Jr. on his out-and-up route tree.
Metrics indicate that, alongside Richardson, Pittman Jr. has only a 21% target share and has become a non-factor in the red zone, an area where he has traditionally excelled. However, when Joe Flacco has thrown to him (over five weeks), Pittman Jr. has been more effective, catching at least 5 passes and scoring in both games. Still, overall, he is having a worse season than players like Ray-Ray McCloud III, DeMarcus Robinson, and Jalen Tolbert. Pittman Jr. could very well end up being one of the biggest busts of the 2024 season.
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