Keagan Smith outlines three must-start players with smash potential for NFL DFS lineups in Week 11, including Joe Flacco, Rico Dowdle and Ladd McConkey.

Yet another NFL Sunday is upon us, meaning it’s time for the latest edition of our weekly must-starts column.

As we enter Week 11 with the crisp November air surrounding us, we know who’s hot and who’s not with plenty of data points — after crunching the numbers, we’ve got another three must-start players. Whether a standout talent to build lineups around or an intriguing value with matchup and salary, these are guys who can smash and win you a contest this week. Let’s jump right in.

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QB Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals ($5,500)

While not a flashy name whatsoever and about as mobile as a tortoise, Joe Flacco looks like one of the top options at quarterback in Week 11 once more. He’s 13th on the salary sheet at just $5,500 but averages 27.2 FPPG over four games as the Bengals’ starter. A true gunslinger, the 40-year-old has thrown for 313.5 yards per game with 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions over his time with Cincinnati. The veteran and his elite weapons, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, head to Pittsburgh for their second game against the division rival Steelers. That defense ranks 22nd in total EPA and has given up the second-most passing yards this season while allowing 15 touchdowns through the air. Last time these teams played, Flacco posted 29.0 points with 342 yards and three TDs in a 33-31 win for the Bengals. With two poor defenses squaring off, this becomes a potential shootout game script with plenty of points. So, is Flacco flashy? No, but he’s a great value here.

RB Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers ($6,800)

For the second straight week, I’m rolling with Rico Dowdle as a must-start running back. It’s wild to think about, but veteran delivers elite results whenever he sees a starter’s workload with an average of 25.86 FPPG. While last week’s numbers weren’t game-breaking by any means, he posted a respectable 15.3 fantasy points against the Saints and saw 18 rush attempts along with three targets in the receiving game. That’s an elite workload and Dowdle has clearly flashed the ceiling of a real difference maker with three games above 30 points. As I wrote last week, this is no flash in the pan — he’s third in the NFL in rushing yards with 788 while averaging a clean 5.3 yards per carry. The Panthers face the Falcons this week, who sit 29th in defensive EPA/rush with the sixth-most rushing yards allowed. This should be a competitive game, so as long as Dowdle gets his 20-ish touches, we’re looking at a realistic projection of 20 points or more.

WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers ($6,500)

The start of the season caused plenty of panic around Ladd McConkey’s value across all fantasy football formats, but following a sluggish start, the second-year wideout looks like himself once more. Since Week 5, the Georgia product has produced 18.45 FPPG with at least seven targets and 56 yards in all but one game. That leads to a stable floor, and with three games over 88 yards and four total touchdowns in that same span, McConkey’s ceiling is fully back. He’s posted 20+ points in three of those outings with a high of 26, so he slots in as a great WR2 option in DFS lineups this week. The Chargers face the Jaguars, who are 24th in passing yards allowed with the third-most passing touchdowns given up and a defensive EPA/pass in the middle of the pack. With Travis Hunter out for the year, Jacksonville is down a top cornerback as well. Justin Herbert should look McConkey’s way often as Los Angeles looks to air the ball out.