CFB DFS DraftKings Main Slate Breakdown: Week 11

by Jordan Vanek (vanekjordan) Last Updated 2024-11-09 14:46:44 Premium Content Part of the product CFB Premium

Using his experience as a former scout and staff member at Central Florida under Josh Heupel, Jordan Vanek takes an in-depth look at the upcoming CFB DFS main slate on DraftKings. Formerly of The 33rd Team and 4for4 Fantasy Football, Jordan will do a deep dive into the best stacks, running backs, and wide receivers before giving his overall thoughts on some slate strategy.

Week 11 features heavy pOWN% concentrated at the running back position, leaving a wide range of wide receivers at sub-5% pOWN% that I’m excited to target. This ownership disparity creates the perfect setup for my preferred lineup-building strategy. By focusing on low-pOWN% WRs, I can construct unique lineups while still incorporating popular RB plays without losing leverage if the chalk hits. The availability of under-owned stacks and WR options makes it easy to pair high-ceiling plays with more predictable options, creating a strong yet differentiated lineup foundation.

There are 2 games with massive spreads, and identifying the boom player from those games will be key for the slate, in my opinion. Texas features a chalk RB who has been the go-to option in recent weeks but hasn’t been the top performer over the course of the season. Meanwhile, Ohio State holds a significant advantage over Purdue, but the critical questions remain: how much do they score, and how do they score? Answering these questions accurately will be vital to building winning lineups.

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CFB DFS DraftKings Picks: Top Stacks, Running Backs, & Wide Receivers for Week 11

There’s enough data available to make predictive analyses about why a team might lean toward certain coverages or schemes against a specific matchup. By studying how these teams have performed against top competition or in comparable scenarios, we can draw meaningful insights.

On this slate, the only team I believe has significantly skewed statistics due to the level of competition they’ve faced is Army. Their numbers may not fully reflect how they will perform against a good opponent, but that’s about to change as we learn more about this undefeated military academy in a pivotal matchup. It’s an exciting opportunity to analyze their true potential.

Single High vs. Two High

Single-high coverage is a defensive scheme where one safety plays deep in the middle of the field, tasked with defending against deep passes and providing over-the-top support. This setup often leaves cornerbacks isolated in one-on-one matchups with wide receivers, creating potential for big plays if the receivers can win those matchups. Teams like Purdue, Virginia Tech, Colorado and Clemson frequently employ single-high coverage for its versatility in both pass and run support.

Ohio State is poised to dominate against Purdue’s heavy reliance on single-high coverage, which creates an ideal environment for big plays in the passing game. This matchup is a perfect opportunity to rebuild Will Howard’s confidence, as he is the cornerstone of Ohio State’s playoff hopes. With Purdue ranking among the worst pass defenses in the country, Howard is set up for a highly efficient day with a high completion percentage. I also anticipate multiple explosive connections with true freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith, who has the talent to capitalize on Purdue’s defensive vulnerabilities and deliver game-changing moments.

In contrast, two-high coverage positions two safeties deep, each responsible for one half of the field. This alignment strengthens protection against deep passes but can leave the defense more exposed to runs, short passes underneath, or intermediate routes along the sidelines—particularly against a Cover 2 setup, where defenders stay closer to the flats. Teams like Georgia, Florida, Army, and West Virginia often rely on two-high coverage to minimize explosive passing plays.

West Virginia can stick to playing all the two-high coverages they want, but it hasn’t stopped opponents from producing big passing performances. The only two starting QBs they’ve held under 9 yards per attempt this season are Jalon Daniels and Alan Bowman—two of the least effective passers in college football. This sets up a fantastic matchup for Brendan Sorsby, who has the tools to exploit their defensive scheme. I’m anticipating a massive performance from him and his passing game at low ownership, making this an exciting and potentially profitable contrarian play.

Man vs. Zone

Man coverage tasks defenders with shadowing specific offensive players throughout the play, requiring physicality, tight coverage, and elite tracking ability. Teams like Colorado and Purdue frequently rely on man coverage schemes, with Purdue also leaning heavily on single-high safety looks. This combination makes them particularly vulnerable to big plays against high-level offenses.

Good luck to Purdue trying to contain Ohio State’s pass catchers under those conditions. This is the perfect opportunity for Ohio State to make a statement through the air, and I hope they fully commit to showcasing Will Howard’s arm and boosting his confidence with a standout performance.

In contrast, zone coverage tasks defenders with protecting specific areas of the field instead of following individual players, though one-on-one matchups can naturally occur when offensive players enter their zones. The primary responsibility of each defender is dictated by the defensive call, prioritizing spatial awareness and teamwork over individual assignments.

Teams that heavily rely on zone schemes—such as Army, West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan, and Texas—are unlikely to deviate from these strategies this late in the season. By maintaining their established identities, they rely on consistency and disciplined coverage to disrupt opposing offenses and limit explosive plays.

While some of these zone defenses, like Indiana’s or Texas’s, operate at an elite level, others, such as West Virginia’s, have noticeable vulnerabilities. West Virginia has been leaving gaps in their coverage, and opposing teams have been quick to exploit those weaknesses. This makes them a prime target for offenses that can effectively attack soft spots in zone alignments.

Stacks

Brendan Sorsby ($7,900, QB, Cincinnati)

Xzavier Henderson ($6,700, WR, West Virginia)

Joe Royer ($4,000, WR, West Virginia)

Jahiem White ($4,600, RB, West Virginia)

There are 3 games this season where Brendan Sorsby has faced zone coverage at high rates—against Pittsburgh, Texas Tech, and Towson—and his performance in those matchups has been exceptional. He averaged 369 passing yards and 3 touchdowns per game. In contrast, against Colorado, a team that employs primarily man coverage, Sorsby managed only 180 passing yards. This highlights how effective he can be against zone defenses, and I anticipate another big game through the air for him this week.

In those 3 zone-heavy games, Xzavier Henderson and Joe Royer have been key targets for Sorsby. Henderson received 10 or more targets in every one of those games, while Royer averaged 6.7 targets and 68 receiving yards per game. Henderson is a volume monster, but Royer is particularly appealing in the red zone, making him a strong candidate for passing touchdowns in a Sorsby stack. While Tony Johnson is another intriguing option, Royer’s red-zone presence gives him the edge in this matchup.

On the other side, I love Jahiem White in this game. With Donaldson coming off an injury before the bye and a backup QB in play, the game plan should focus on getting White into space through screen passes and designed runs. White’s explosive playmaking ability matches up well against Cincinnati’s defense, which has been average overall against the run but has struggled against speed backs. Notable performances have come from players like RJ Harvey, Tahj Brooks, Desmond Reid, and Cameron Skattebo, all of whom had standout games. Among these, Harvey and Reid—whose speed mirrors White’s style—averaged 6.58 and 9.41 yards per touch, respectively. White has the tools to replicate those explosive outings, making him a fantastic option in this matchup.