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., Zach Charbonnet, and Jordan Mason. 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 11 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
15% rostered
The Michigan product remained in his clear No. 2 role in Week 10 as he saw just two carries compared to Kyren Williams' 15. However, once again, presumed No. 3 option Ronnie Rivers did not see a single offensive snap.
If Williams were to miss time, Corum would immediately become a must-start option given the heavy workload he would likely see. He should be stashed in all formats.
Tyler Goodson, RB, Indianapolis Colts
1% rostered
While Jonathan Taylor dominated snaps in Week 10, Tyler Goodson saw the edge over presumed No. 2 running back Trey Sermon.
Goodson logged eight snaps compared to Sermon’s two. While Sermon logged two rushing attempts, Goodson saw three targets and brought in two for nine yards and a score.
While both Goodson and Sermon have minimal standalone value, both could become viable flex options if Taylor misses time.
First NFL TD for Goody and we're all tied up!
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/sbuIdZX17r
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 20, 2024
Seeing Goodson log more snaps and be used in the receiving game suggests that he has a higher ceiling and is worth stashing over Sermon.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
3% rostered
Another high-upside handcuff to target is Kenneth Gainwell. While Saquon Barkley has enjoyed an RB1 campaign, Gainwell has quietly secured the No. 2 role.
Over the past two weeks, Gainwell has logged at least 20 snaps in each game and seen at least five rushing attempts in each contest. No. 3 running back Will Shipley has seen just 12 total snaps in the span. Gainwell tallied 30 yards off seven attempts last weekend against the Dallas Cowboys and caught his lone target.
If you have Barkley on your roster and an open bench spot, stashing Gainwell could provide some security in case Barkley misses time later in the season.
Cam Akers, RB, Minnesota Vikings
2% rostered
Cam Akers saw an increased workload last weekend as Aaron Jones (chest) had to leave the game for a significant period. Jones reportedly avoided a significant injury and had negative X-rays following the game. However, fantasy managers should monitor his status during the week if he faces a setback.
In Jones’ absence, Akers ran the ball 13 times for 38 yards. He added one catch for nine yards on his lone target.
Despite the underwhelming output, Akers is a high-upside stash, given Jones’ injury history.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
21% rostered
The Florida State product continued to impress even in a reserve role and has begun to emerge as a must-stash option.
In Week 10’s decisive victory over the Jets, Benson tallied an impressive 62 yards off just ten attempts. He added 25 yards off two receptions. Even though No. 1 running back James Conner led the backfield in total yards, Benson tallied the most yards exclusively on the ground.
In addition, he has seen at least eight carries in each of the past two games, which suggests that he is slowly earning standalone value.
Trey Benson TD! pic.twitter.com/pruWGJsD99
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) November 3, 2024
Fantasy managers with an open bench spot should strongly consider stashing Benson, as he could be a league-winner if Conner were to miss any significant time.
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens
10% rostered
The 22-year-old did not touch the ball and logged only one offensive snap in his 2024 debut last Thursday evening. However, fantasy managers should expect the sophomore running back to be eased into action over the next few weeks slowly.
Mitchell missed the entire first half of this season after suffering a torn ACL late into the 2023 season. Before the injury, Mitchell showcased elite breakaway speed as he tallied at least one run of 20+ yards in six straight games and scored double-digit PPR points in four of those six games.
Even though Derrick Henry will lead this backfield, Mitchell could enter flex territory in deeper formats once he is brought up to speed.
Other RB stashes (Jaylen Wright MIA, Emanuel Wilson GB, Khalil Herbert CIN)
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
15% rostered
The Holy Cross product enjoyed a modest bounce-back showing in Germany, catching three of his eight targets for 41 yards. Despite the underwhelming box score, it was promising to see Coker see a hefty target share and suggest better days could be ahead.
Coker is now firmly slotted in as the No. 2 wideout in Carolina behind Xavier Legette. Over the past three weeks, Coker has seen an average of 5.7 targets per game and 51.7 yards per game.
In addition, sophomore QB Bryce Young has begun to show signs of improvement, which will benefit the entire offense.
Fantasy managers in 3WR formats should look to stash Coker this weekend before he fully breaks out.
Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, New England Patriots
4% rostered
The second-round pick has had a rough start to his NFL career. Over a nine-game sample size, he has averaged just 1.2 receptions per game and a mere 3.4 PPR points per game.
However, after logging only eight snaps in Week 9, Polk saw his snap count jump up to 25 this past Sunday and found the back of the end zone for the second time this season.
Even though Polk has not been anywhere near fantasy relevant this season, he could be a name to monitor down the stretch. If Polk can continue to see his snap count increase in a wide receiver room that lacks proven playmakers, he could become a viable option in the stretch run.
Patriots Rookie Wide Receiver Ja’Lynn Polk scores his second career touchdown off of a block and release.
Good confidence boost for the Rookie Wide Receiver.
Love to see it!
— New England Sports Review (@nesportreview) November 10, 2024
For now, Polk should only be stashed in 14+ team formats but could eventually be considered in shallow leagues if he can string together some consistent showings.
Other WR stashes (Jalin Hyatt NYG, Troy Franklin DEN)
Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers
3% rostered
Ja’Tavion Sanders continued to showcase his upside as he found the end zone for the first time in his NFL career last weekend.
Sanders has now scored at least 8.0 PPR points in four of his past five games. During this stretch, He has caught at least four passes in three of the five games and averaged 9.0 PPR points per game.
With Diontae Johnson shipped to Baltimore and Adam Thielen (hamstring) sidelined, Sanders has a path to being a viable low-end TE1 for the time being.
If you are looking for a depth tight end with the upside to continue to improve, Sanders is a great target.
Other TE stashes (Tyler Conklin NYJ)
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
More Fantasy Football Analysis
