Justin Boone identifies under-the-radar stashes to consider adding to your roster before they become top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups in future weeks.
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While the bar might move occasionally, the general focus is to search among the group of players who are rostered in 15% of the Yahoo leagues or less.
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Michael Carter, RB, Cardinals (23% rostered*)
*Carter is above the usual cutoff to qualify for this article, but I’m making an exception since this situation unfolded after waivers processed in most leagues. Carter is still widely available and can be picked up and started as an RB3/flex option this week.
We were hit with a ton of injury news this week, including Trey Benson joining teammate James Conner on injured reserve. Fortunately for Benson, he’s expected to return this season following a 4-6 week recovery after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on his meniscus. In the meantime, the Cardinals’ backfield will be handed to some combination of Carter and Emari Demercado, with Bam Knight possibly sprinkled in.
As Ben Gretch of Stealing Signals pointed out, it was actually Carter who got work behind Benson in the first half. Demercado’s snaps only picked up late in the game when Arizona was in comeback mode. Carter also referred to himself as the starter on Wednesday. This situation is close enough that touches will be determined by performance to some extent, but Carter profiles as the new early-down back with Demercado handling most of the passing-down work. Keep your expectations for both backs in check, since they’re likely to only offer RB3/flex value. But I’ll have Carter ranked ahead of Demercado in a favorable matchup against the Titans this week.
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Honorable mentions: Sean Tucker, Buccaneers (7% rostered), Brashard Smith, Chiefs (8% rostered), Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders (13% rostered), Jaydon Blue, Cowboys (11% rostered), DJ Giddens, Colts (3% rostered), Isaiah Davis, Jets (3% rostered), Zavier Scott, Vikings (3% rostered)
Isaiah Bond, WR, Browns (3% rostered)
Bond signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in mid-August and has been moving up the depth chart ever since. Over the last two weeks, the 21-year-old has clearly taken over the No. 3 receiver role, playing 51% of the snaps and catching five passes for 74 yards on 10 targets during that span. With Cedric Tillman expected to miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury, Bond will likely see even more opportunity in the offense. While I wouldn’t want to start him for fantasy in Week 5, Bond should be added to see if he can continue to increase his production.
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Honorable mentions: Tory Horton, Seahawks (6% rostered), Luther Burden III, Bears (12% rostered), Jalen Coker, Panthers (10% rostered), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Dolphins (1% rostered), Christian Watson, Packers (5% rostered)
Mason Taylor, TE, Jets (8% rostered)
Though he was drafted a round later than the top tight ends in the class, Taylor is the latest rookie making an impact in real life and fantasy. The 21-year-old is over the preseason high-ankle sprain that delayed his launch and has been earning targets at an impressive rate the last two weeks. Taylor has seen 13 passes thrown his way in the past two games alone, hauling in nine of them for 83 yards. His 5-65-0 stat line in Week 4 was good enough to make him the TE14 in half PPR and the TE11 in full PPR without even finding the end zone. The Jets lack a proven No. 2 wideout, which opens the door for Taylor to see consistent volume. He should be added as a streaming option and potential fantasy starter the rest of the way.
Honorable mention: Isaiah Likely, Ravens (12% rostered), Theo Johnson, Giants (7% rostered), Elijah Arroyo, Seahawks (2% rostered), Oronde Gadsden, Chargers (1% rostered)
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Cooper Rush, QB, Ravens (2% rostered)
Quarterback is the hardest position to find deep stashes, since you don’t really need them in traditional fantasy leagues. So consider Rush more of a two-QB or Superflex stash. Lamar Jackson is reportedly week-to-week with a hamstring injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Jackson will certainly try to avoid missing time, but with Baltimore’s bye approaching in Week 7, it’s possible we might not see him return until Week 8. As an injury-replacement for Dak Prescott last season, Rush went 4-4 in his starts, with three fantasy finishes inside the top-15 quarterbacks and five inside the top 20. He’s a capable streaming option in deeper formats if Jackson is sidelined.
Honorable mention: Spencer Rattler, Saints (6% rostered), Dillon Gabriel, Browns (4% rostered)
This news was originally published on this post .
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