The top three scorers in fantasy football, not including quarterbacks, are running backs DeMarco Murray (Tennessee), David Johnson (Arizona), and Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas). It’s not surprising they’re all having big years, but Murray is the biggest surprise, as he’s had health issues in the past, and he’s no longer playing behind that solid offensive line in Dallas.
Here’s my most important Week 11 recommendation: pick up each player’s backup, better known in fantasy circles as “handcuffs.’’ Murray’s is rookie Derrick Henry, Johnson’s is Andre Ellington, and Elliott’s is Alfred Morris. Some of these players are available and they should be owned, just in case.
Three up:
Eddie Royal, WR, Chicago: Royal is worth a mention because of Alshon Jeffery’s four-game suspension. Royal isn’t flashy but he’s capable: During his nine-year career, he’s had four seasons with more than 600 yards receiving, and he’s averaging 52 yards per game this season.
Miami Dolphins defense: The Dolphins play in Los Angeles and will face the Rams’ rookie quarterback, Jared Goff. If you saw HBO’s “Hard Knocks’’ prior to this season, you probably don’t have much faith in Goff, the No. 1 overall pick this year. Beyond this excellent matchup for Miami, get your hands on the Dolphins defense, because their two opponents following the Rams — 49ers and Ravens — won’t remind anyone of the 2007 Patriots.
Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City: The Chiefs are home against a Tampa Bay defense that allows the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Smith will be a cost-effective option in daily fantasy and he’s available on most waiver wires in season-long leagues.
Three down:
Kenny Britt, WR, Los Angeles: Britt has been a revelation, averaging 12 fantasy points per game and accumulating 27 points in his last two. With Goff under center, though, I’d recommend a wait-and-see approach.
James Starks, RB, Green Bay: Starks is showing up as a must-add on a lot of waiver-wire lists, but this tells you how thin the waiver wire is for running backs. Green Bay is a mess and will likely be playing from behind, which means Starks will see limited opportunities.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona: This is an indictment of Fitzgerald’s quarterback, Carson Palmer, who is going to be under siege against the Minnesota defense. At least in daily fantasy, stay away.
Ed Ryan can be reached at edward.ryaniii@globe.com. Follw him on Twitter @EdzoRyan.
