RADIO
Mastering the waiver wire is a crucial skill that can lead you to a fantasy football championship. It's not just about strategically placing your FAAB budget on specific players but also about knowing when to stash players. This dual strategy keeps you engaged and focused on your ultimate goal of winning a fantasy championship.
As the season progresses, injuries occur, or rookies begin to break out. Many of these NFL players are often drafted but dropped after the first handful of weeks due to impatient league managers. This article will pinpoint which players we’d want to stash on our bench as fantasy football waiver-wire pickups to power us down the stretch.
Earlier in the season, we examined some must-have handcuffs and upside players who already showcased their upside in the opening weeks, such as Tyrone Tracy Jr., Jordan Mason, and Drake Maye. This week, we will discuss some more rookies and a few veteran players who could eventually grow into starting roles and who you should consider stashing before Week 10 kicks off. All players will be below a 25% Yahoo! roster percentage.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
17% rostered
The Michigan product saw just one snap and one rushing attempt in their Week 9 victory, while Kyren Williams once again dominated the backfield.
However, for the fourth-straight game, Ronnie Rivers did not log an offensive snap, which shows that although his role is very small, Corum is the bona fide No.2 option.
If Williams were to miss time, Corum could see a heavy workload and have high-end RB2 potential.
Audric Estime, RB, Denver Broncos
3% rostered
Even though he is currently third on the depth chart, the Notre Dame product could see an increased role in this offense during the second half. Head coach Sean Payton has hinted at this possibility in the past, and just this past week, Estime matched a season-high five carries.
While his workload still leaves much to be desired, he performs well in his limited opportunities. Since Week 6, Estime has averaged 6.2 yards per carry, while No.2 back Jaleel McLaughlin has averaged 5.0 yards per carry, and lead option Javonte Williams has averaged 4.0 yards per attempt.
The former fifth-round pick remains a deep league stash for now, as he holds little to no standalone value but could eventually emerge as a flex option.
Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins
7% rostered
The Tennessee product logged just five fewer snaps and four fewer carries than presumed No.2 option Raheem Mostert in their Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Even though Wright was very ineffective on these carries (18 yards), it was a great sign that he is continuing to earn an increased role in this offense. Before this game, Wright averaged an impressive 5.3 yards per carry.
With Miami's frequent use of two running backs in its game plan, Wright could eventually become fantasy relevant.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
18% rostered
The third-round pick enjoyed the most productive game of his rookie campaign last week as he tallied 37 yards and a score on eight carries. He added one catch for 18 yards.
Even though James Conner still dominated the backfield, seeing Benson log more snaps than Emari Demercado for the first time since Week 2 was a great sign.
Trey Benson with his first career touchdown! pic.twitter.com/eDnAwckqvB
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) November 3, 2024
While Benson will be very hard to trust with Conner seeing a heavy workload, if he were to miss time, Benson and Demercado would see a drastic increase in workload and could become league winners down the stretch.
I prefer to stash Benson, as he will likely be used as the short-yardage and red zone option, while Demercado would see most of the pass-catching work if Conner were to miss time.
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens
10% rostered
The 22-year-old was enjoying an impressive breakout rookie campaign before suffering a torn ACL in late December, which has kept him sidelined through the entire 2024 season.
However, Mitchell has begun practicing and just made his 2025 debut on Thursday evening. In this game, Mitchell did not log any attempts or targets as he is clearly being eased into action given the severity of his injury.
While fantasy managers should expect Derrick Henry to continue to be the clear workhorse in the backfield, Mitchell could become a valuable handcuff down the stretch.
During Weeks 9 through 15 last season, Mitchell averaged a stellar 8.4 yards per carry while being the No.2 option behind Gus Edwards. In addition, during this span, Mitchell had at least one of 20+ yards in each game.
keaton mitchell's recovery is going to be generational 🔜 pic.twitter.com/DPID7jjfrg
— johnny ® (@immabaltimoron) April 29, 2024
Even as the No.2 option, Mitchell’s breakaway speed could make him a must-roster asset as we approach the fantasy playoffs.
Other RB stashes (Kimani Vidal LAC, Emanuel Wilson GB, Khalil Herbert CIN)
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
13% rostered
The Holy Cross product was poised for a big showing in Week 9 but fell short as he brought in just two of his three targets for 36 yards. The previous week, Coker caught four of his six targets for an impressive 78 yards and a score.
With Diontae Johnson in Baltimore and Jonathan Mingo being shipped to Dallas, fantasy managers should expect Coker to play a key role in the Carolina passing attack for the remainder of the season.
If a frustrated league mate dropped Coker after his poor Week 9 showing, grab him this weekend and hold a potential WR3 on your bench.
Other WR stashes (Tre Tucker LV, Troy Franklin DEN)
Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers
3% rostered
After posing one of the worst showings of his rookie campaign in Week 8, Sanders bounced back in a big way in Week 9, tallying a season-high 87 yards off four catches.
Nice run by Ja'Tavion Sanders#Panthers pic.twitter.com/dbInIvCM41
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) November 4, 2024
In addition, the rookie tight end has seen the most snaps at the position in all but one game since Week 5, which suggests the Panthers view him as their top option. Sanders is worth stashing in deeper formats as a TE2 with an upside.
Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
10% rostered
Even though Russel Wilson has the starting job in Pittsburgh, Field is still a top stash candidate in Superflex formats.
Field performed very well from a fantasy standpoint in his six starts, averaging 21.4 PPR points per game and ten total scores.
Wilson could have a short leash if he begins to struggle because the Steelers know they have another option waiting on the bench. If Fields can return to the starting role, he could have top-12 upside down the stretch. He is one of the few "backup" quarterbacks that are worth holding on your bench in deeper Superflex leagues.
Drew Lock, QB, New York Giants
1% rostered
My other quarterback stash is Drew Lock. Daniel Jones has relied on his legs to contribute in fantasy, as his throwing production leaves much to be desired. Over his past four games, Jones has averaged just 185 passing yards per game with just two scores.
However, during this stretch, he has tallied 32.8 rushing yards per game with one additional score.
If the Giants continue to lose, they might turn to Drew Lock during the second half of the season. In his two starts last season, Lock averaged 238.5 passing yards per game with three total scores and is worth a flier in deeper Superflex formats.
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