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., Drake Maye, and Isaac Guerendo. 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 15 kicks off. All players will be below a 25% Yahoo! roster percentage. If you have any questions about managing your roster down the stretch, feel free to chat with me on X @A_Smith_FS.
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Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
15% rostered
For the second-straight contest, Blake Corum logged eight carries during Week 14. This is the first time this season Corum matched this total in two consecutive outings.
During Weeks 13 and 14, Corum has averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per carry. However, this past Thursday, when facing the San Francisco 49ers, Corum logged only three attempts but saw three targets.
Still thinking about this nasty move Blake Corum put on an all-pro LB.
Ankles? They're mine. Gimme. pic.twitter.com/QTqbct6Jdv
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) December 9, 2024
While he does not see enough work to be considered a viable flex option, he remains one of the most valuable handcuffs you can have on your roster. If Kyren Williams were to miss time, Corum could be a league-winner down the stretch.
Cam Akers, RB, Minnesota Vikings
5% rostered
Since logging double-digit attempts in consecutive games during Weeks 10 and 11, Cam Akers has reverted to the clear No. 2 role behind Aaron Jones. Over the past three weeks, he has averaged just 4.0 attempts per game but has flashed solid upside, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
However, the No. 3 option in this backfield, Ty Chandler, has not seen an offensive snap since Week 10, further suggesting Akers would be a bona fide workhorse if Jones misses time.
Akers remains a high-upside handcuff that could be a consensus top-12 option if Jones were to miss time, playing on a high-octane offense.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
5% rostered
After not seeing a single touch in Week 13, Gainwell returned to his No. 2 role and logged three carries during their Week 14 victory over the Carolina Panthers. In this game, he tallied 26 yards on three attempts and added seven yards on two receptions. During Weeks 7 through 12, Gainwell logged at least five attempts in all but one contest.
With Saquon Barkley on pace to break records, the Eagles may opt to rest him, especially in the final weeks of the season, to keep him healthy for the offseason. If your fantasy playoffs extend through Week 18, Gainwell is a viable stash, as he could very well get the starting nod if the Eagles already clinched the NFC East.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
20% rostered
Trey Benson saw a drop in opportunities this past weekend as he logged just two carries for 15 yards. He added four yards on his lone reception. Since Week 10, Benson has seen his rushing attempt count drop each consecutive week.
However, in his limited role, the rookie has shown potential, averaging a solid 5.6 yards per carry.
Even with the drop in opportunities, Benson is still being deployed as the No. 2 option behind workhorse James Conner. Fantasy managers looking for a high-upside lottery ticket should grab Benson off the waiver wire.
Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
5% rostered
The rookie running back saw a nice increase in opportunities last weekend during their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. In this game, Vidal logged a season-high carries. Since returning to action in Week 13, Vidal has averaged a solid 4.5 yards per carry, while presumed starter Gus Edwards has posted a mere 3.2 yards per carry.
Kimani Vidal's first NFL touch = TOUCHDOWN
(via @chargers )pic.twitter.com/lwoKyZQZxx
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 13, 2024
While the veteran option in Edwards will continue to operate as the No. 1 option, Vidal could continue to see an increase in opportunities, especially if he continues to produce in his limited role.
Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints
5% rostered
This past weekend, Kendre Miller returned from his four-game absence and tallied 32 yards and a score on ten carries. Miller saw just under half of the total offensive snaps, which is a great sign for his fantasy production, given it was his first game in some time.
Even though Alvin Kamara will see most of the work, Miller could continue to see an increasing role, especially given their current position in the standings.
Devaughn Vele, WR, Denver Broncos
5% rostered
After emerging as the No. 2 option in the Denver passing attack, Devaughn Vele took a step back in their Week 13 victory as he brought in just one of his four targets. However, during Weeks 10 through 12, Vele caught at least four passes in each game and averaged a solid 12.8 PPR points per game during this span.
TOUCHDOWN DEVAUGHN VELE
BRONCOS STRIKE FIRST
— DNVR Sports (@DNVR_Sports) November 10, 2024
Given Bo Nix's continued progression, Vele could be a viable flex option in deeper formats during the fantasy playoffs. If a frustrated manager cut ties with Vele during their Week 14 bye week, swoop in and grab a potential starter.
Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers
2% rostered
After sitting out in Week 13 with a neck injury, Sanders returned to action this past weekend but saw just one target during their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Sanders was on a nice trajectory before the injury and could be an intriguing stash option in deeper formats.
During Weeks 5 through 10, the rookie averaged a solid 4.3 targets per game with 8.3 PPR points per game. With Bryce Young continuing to perform better each week, Sanders has a path to produce as a low-end TE1 during the fantasy playoffs.
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