Week 11: Pickups of the Week

WR Danario Alexander, SD

Signed by the Chargers in mid-October, Denario Alexander drew the start this week and wasted no time putting his stamp on game. He snagged the first pass thrown his way and ran it 80 yards for a touchdown, putting to bed any threat of a time share on the day with Robert Meachem. Alexander has long been considered a plus talent who just can't stay healthy. As long as you're not counting on him to finish out the season, Alexander has sky-high upside now that he's running with the starters and catching passes from Phillip Rivers.

WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, IND

Though he still has a long way to go if he hopes to erase the "bust" label that has plagued him since the Raiders made him seventh overall back in the 2009 draft, Heyward-Bey has been performing at a high level this season and is earning back some lost respect. Last week, in his finest performance so far, he logged a TD and 82 yards on five catches. His role in the offense looks to be growing and at just the right time: two of his next three games are against teams who rank near the bottom of the league at stopping opposing wideouts. He first faces the Saints who, despite getting the win, gave up 100-yard receiving games to two Falcons last week. Then in Week 13 he'll look to exploit a Cleveland Browns team that is conceding nearly a touchdown and a half per game to wide receivers.

TE Dennis Pitta, BAL

Pitta snapped a five-game stretch of disappointing fantasy performances with a solid scoring day against the Raiders. Owners willing to take a risk on him will be hoping he can re-create the magic of his early season play when for a short few weeks he led all NFL tight ends in targets. He could be worth stashing on the bench, considering his team's schedule during the fantasy playoffs. Washington (Week 14), Denver (Week 15) and New York (Week 16) have all been thoroughly victimized by opposing tight ends this year.

PK Kai Forbath, WAS

Between them, Olindo Mare and Josh Brown played as many seasons in the NFL as Forbath has seen years on this earth. But with youth on his side, it was the former UCLA Bruin who out-duelled the grizzled vets to win Washington's mid-season kicking contest and the right to a job. Kai Forbath was signed to replace the ineffectual Billy Cundiff, whose five misses in the first five games were enough to get him kicked to the curb. Since taking over full-time kicking duties, Forbath is a perfect eight for eight on field goals, though he did have an extra point blocked back in Week 8. No matter. In a high-scoring role the rookie Redskin is a sneaky source for fantasy points and remains low on people's radar following his team's Week 10 bye.

Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings