The NFL is notorious for being a “next man up” league, where backups are thrust into the spotlight at a moment’s notice. In the world of fantasy football, astute managers must adopt the same mentality to succeed. With Week 10 in the books, a surprising hero has emerged from the quarterback position – Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Herbert Answers the Call
Heading into last week, the fantasy football community was rocked by major QB news. The Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott was ruled out for the season, likely opting for surgery on a partially torn hamstring. This dealt a crushing blow to the fantasy value of CeeDee Lamb and the entire Cowboys offense.
Over in Jacksonville, rising star Trevor Lawrence suffered a significant AC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder. While his season isn’t definitively over, the injury opens the door for Herbert to be the top quarterback pickup.
When one door closes, another one opens. Injuries are never good news, but as a fantasy manager, you have to be ready to pivot and find the next opportunity.
– A veteran fantasy analyst
Enter Justin Herbert. The third-year pro has flashed elite talent but struggled with consistency at times this season. Still, he’s rostered in just 47.8% of ESPN leagues as of Tuesday morning, making him one of the top quarterback options on waivers.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s take a closer look at Herbert’s Week 10 performance against the Tennessee Titans. The Chargers signal-caller completed 15 of 18 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns, good for 19.7 fantasy points. He accomplished this without needing huge volume, showcasing his efficiency.
This isn’t a one-week wonder either. Since Week 5, Herbert has scored 16 or more fantasy points in five of six games. That includes two games over 20 points. With weapons like Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston at his disposal, Herbert has the surrounding talent to keep producing.
Favorable Schedule Ahead
Perhaps the most enticing reason to add Herbert is his upcoming schedule. Check out the Chargers’ next four opponents:
- Week 11: Arizona Cardinals
- Week 12: Atlanta Falcons
- Week 13: San Francisco 49ers
- Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals
Outside of a tough matchup against the 49ers, Herbert will face three defenses ranked in the bottom 12 in terms of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. The Cardinals just surrendered four passing touchdowns to the Steelers’ Russell Wilson, while the Falcons have given up the third-most QB points on the season.
Other Waiver Wire Options
While Herbert is the priority add, there are a few other quarterbacks to target if you miss out on him:
- Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (47.8% rostered): The veteran has thrown 3 TDs in back-to-back games.
- Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (50.5%): The dual-threat rookie gets a juicy Week 11 draw vs Atlanta.
- Trey Lance, Dallas Cowboys (0.2%): Deep league stash as the potential new Cowboys starter.
Ultimately though, Herbert stands out as the top option. His talent, weapons, and upcoming schedule make him a potential league-winner for the home stretch of the fantasy season. If he’s available in your league, put in a hefty FAAB bid or use that #1 waiver priority. He’s worth it.
Bolts’ New Aerial Attack
It’s not just Herbert who stands to benefit from this situation. The entire Chargers passing game gets a boost with him under center. In particular, rookie receiver Quentin Johnston is developing into a dangerous red zone threat.
Johnston may not see huge volume, but he’s quickly becoming one of Herbert’s top targets near the goal line. With five touchdowns already, the rookie is a smart pickup for receiver-needy teams.
– An NFL scout familiar with the Chargers
So in summary, whether you just lost Prescott or Lawrence, or are simply looking to upgrade your QB spot, Justin Herbert needs to be your top waiver wire target in Week 11. His fantasy arrow is pointing up in a big way. Grab him now before it’s too late!
