The Must Stash: Week 12

Every Friday I will list some players who I think, if things go their way, will wind up in those waiver articles the following Tuesday. You don’t have to stash all of them – it depends on who you have on your roster, the depth of your benches, the scoring system of your league, etc. But these are guys that should at least be on your radar.

Stashing players is only something that can occur in deeper leagues with large benches, so to make this information worthwhile, I will only be recommending guys that are under 20% owned on both Yahoo and ESPN, and in many cases, you’ll see percentages in the single digits. If you’re in a league where guys like Myles Gaskin (66% on Yahoo, 68% on ESPN), Travis Fulgham (79% on Yahoo, 84% on ESPN), or Justin Herbert (91% on Yahoo, 93.6% on ESPN) are on the waiver wire, you’re either in a league too shallow for stashing, or you should go pick them up right away.

In addition, for those of you in really deep leagues (16+ teams), we will also include some deep cut players that are rostered in less than 3% of leagues on both Yahoo and ESPN in a section at the end to try and give you the best chance of winning your fantasy league.

Week 1 was a success where we advised you to pick up Joshua Kelley, Laviska Shenault, and Jerick McKinnon. Week 2 was successful in getting you to roster Myles Gaskin on your team. Week 3 and 4 were less successful but had a few solid waiver suggestions such as Jeff Wilson, Mo Alie-Cox, and Hunter Renfrow. Weeks 5 and 6 we told you to pick up Trey Burton who has emerged as a legitimate TE1 option in the Colts offense. In Week 7, we advised you to pick up JaMycal Hasty, Giovani Bernard, and Tua Tagovailoa. In Week 8, we recommended picking up Denzel Mims, Jalen Reagor, and Darnell Mooney. In Week 9, our recommendation was that you pick up Jordan Wilkins and Jordan Reed. In Week 10, Kalen Ballage was the big piece that we told you to pick up from ‘The Must Stash’, and if you read the ‘Deep Cuts’ section, you might’ve picked up Salvon Ahmed as well.

 

Week 11 Recap

 

Taysom Hill, QB, New Orleans Saints – Started at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints against the Atlanta Falcons. Hill went 18/23 for 233 passing yards and took 10 carries for 51 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. While the main reason for picking up Hill was his unprecedented tight end eligibility, he played well enough to be a viable fantasy option at quarterback as well. He’s a hold for now, at least through week 13 where he gets the Atlanta Falcons secondary once again.

K.J. Hamler, WR, Denver Broncos – Four receptions on six targets for 35 receiving yards against the Miami Dolphins. While the usage is solid for a game that the Broncos were ahead much of the way, Hamler’s not necessarily a ‘Must Stash’ at the moment. If you need to drop him to stream a position, you should be safe doing so.

Josh Reynolds, WR, Los Angeles Rams – Josh Reynolds had three receptions on six targets for 32 receiving yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While it was a little disappointing to see a mediocre performance from Reynolds while Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp balled out, he’s still shown he’s a borderline FLEX player this year.

Devonte Booker, RB, Las Vegas Raiders – Booker took five carries for 16 rushing yards and caught one pass for three receiving yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s still one of the best handcuffs in fantasy, and fantasy players rostering Josh Jacobs should do their best to make sure Booker is on their roster for the fantasy playoffs.

Breshad Perriman, WR, New York Jets – Last week Breshad Perriman had two receptions on four targets for 54 receiving yards and a touchdown. He’s been very good for fantasy purposes since he returned from his injury, and it’s probably best to hold him as long as he’s hot.

 

Who made the list(s) this week? Let’s dive in!

 

The Must Stash

 

Frank Gore, RB, New York Jets (19% on Yahoo, 13.8% on ESPN)

 

Frank Gore is an ageless wonder who finds a way to be fantasy relevant every season. Through the first 10 games of the season, Gore has taken 123 carries for 447 rushing yards and caught 10 passes on 13 targets for 58 receiving yards. And with rookie running back landing on the injured reserve, it’s likely that Adam Gase and the New York Jets lean on the veteran at the running back position down the stretch.

 

 

If your team has been hit with a slew of injuries at the running back position and you are looking for a player that you can plug in, start, and trust them to get a few points, Gore is your guy in deeper leagues.

 

Denzel Mims, WR, New York Jets (6% on Yahoo, 4.8% on ESPN)

 

It’s a mystery why Denzel Mims is still rostered in under 20% of leagues right now. The second-round pick is an athletic freak who ran a 4.38 forty yard dash (96th percentile) at the NFL combine, has an insane catch radius that ranks in the 96th percentile, and possesses high speed (96th percentile) and burst scores (90th percentile). In his draft profile, he was touted for his strong hands, contested-catch ability, and vertical receiving skills.

 

 

This also isn’t just a case of Mims being an elite prospect; he’s backed up his profile on the field. Since making his debut in week 7, Mims has gotten 13 receptions on 25 targets for 213 receiving yards. Against the Chargers last week, he led the team in receiving yards and targets. He’s emerging as one of the primary wide receivers on the team and should be rostered in more leagues.

 

Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks (4% on Yahoo, 2.3% on ESPN)

 

It feels like every other week Rashaad Penny ends up making ‘The Must Stash’ after a comment by Pete Carroll that he’s close to returning, only for Penny to stay on the physically unable to perform list. But while this is a frustrating situation, the moment that Penny is healthy enough to make his return to the team he will be one of the more valuable handcuffs in fantasy football.

Every day Penny gets a little closer to returning from the PUP list, and once he does the former first-round pick should have a role in the offense given his previous effectiveness running the ball. And with starting running back Chris Carson constantly dealing with injuries this season, Penny could be important down the stretch in fantasy leagues.

 

Penny is worth an end of the bench dart throw. And for you folks in keeper or dynasty leagues, Seahawks lead running back Chris Carson is a free agent at the end of the season and could lead to a much larger role for Penny in 2021.

 

Will Dissly, TE, Seattle Seahawks (2% on Yahoo, 1.2% on ESPN)

 

The Seahawks starting tight end Greg Olsen suffered a foot injury against the Arizona Cardinals which is anticipated to keep him out for at least the next 4-6 weeks. This provides an opportunity for the Seahawks’ backup tight ends, Jacob Hollister and Will Dissly, to step up and be fantasy relevant.

 

With #Seahawks TE Greg Olsen is expected to be out a while, who would you lean towards picking up in deeper #fantasyfootball leagues?

— Eli G (@3li_handles) November 25, 2020

 

Of the two players, I lean towards picking up Will Dissly. If you recall, just a couple of years ago Will Dissly started off his career with a few big games, including a three reception for 105 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown rookie debut. This was one of the best debuts in NFL history at the tight end position.

 

According to the @NFLNetwork, Will Dissly of the @Seahawks is the first tight end in NFL history with at least 100 receiving yards and a TD reception in his @NFL debut.

— Elias Sports Bureau (@EliasSports) September 10, 2018

 

But injuries derailed this promising start, and Dissly suffered a torn ACL just four games into his NFL career. When he returned in 2019 he picked up right where he left off, putting up 23 receptions (on 25 targets) for 262 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the first five games of the season before suffering another season-ending Achilles injury in week 6.

His recovery from the injury in addition to the Seahawks signing Greg Olsen has allowed Dissly to float under the radar so far this season, but with Olsen out for the foreseeable future, we could see Dissly emerge as a legitimate fantasy option. Considering the upside he’s displayed in the past, he’s worth a speculative pickup in deeper leagues if you are desperate for a tight end.

 

Willie Snead IV, WR, Baltimore Ravens (3% on Yahoo, 3.2% on ESPN)

 

While it feels strange to be including a Baltimore Ravens wide receiver on this list given the team’s struggles at the position all year, Willie Snead IV has played well enough over the last few weeks to warrant a spot on this list. Since the Baltimore Ravens’ bye week in week 7, Snead has put up 17 receptions on 25 targets for 230 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns over the last four weeks.

 

While the #Ravens wide receivers have been disappointing this year, Willie Snead has been pretty solid since the Ravens bye week. Over the last four weeks he's gotten…

17 receptions, 25 targets, 230 receiving yards, & two receiving TDs

Keep an eye on him in the coming weeks

— Eli G (@3li_handles) November 25, 2020

 

Is Snead likely to win you your league? Probably not. But if you are looking for a player that can be a solid FLEX for your team down the stretch, Snead IV is worth some consideration.

 

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Deep Cuts

 

(Less Than 3% owned in ESPN and Yahoo)

 

Samaje Perine, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (3% on Yahoo, 1.2% on ESPN): With Joe Mixon on the injured reserve for the foreseeable future, Giovani Bernard and Samaje Perine have to step up in the meantime. In addition, with the recent news that Giovani Bernard is in concussion protocol, Perine could be given a bell-cow workload this week.

 

Jacob Hollister, TE, Seattle Seahawks (1% on Yahoo, 0.3% on ESPN): With Greg Olsen out a while, Jacob Hollister should get more opportunities in the passing game. Prioritize picking up Will Dissly if he’s available, but Hollister isn’t a bad option if you miss out on that sweepstakes.

 

Darrynton Evans, RB, Tennessee Titans (1% on Yahoo, 2% on ESPN): Darrynton Evans is currently on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury in week 5, but should be back at some point in the near future. When he makes his return, he could be the primary backup for Derrick Henry, which would be one of the best handcuffs still available on the waiver wire.

 

Rodney Smith, RB, Carolina Panthers (0% on Yahoo, 0.2% on ESPN): Since Christian McCaffrey got injured again in week 9’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Rodney Smith has been the primary backup to Mike Davis. Last week against Detroit, Smith took eight carries for 29 rushing yards. In deeper leagues, he could be worth a dart throw.

 

Anthony McFarland, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (1% on Yahoo, 1.3% on ESPN): The Pittsburgh Steelers starting running back James Conner has been disappointing the past couple weeks despite easy matchups on paper. Their rookie running back, Anthony McFarland has been hyped up as a playmaker and potential running back of the future with James Conner being a free agent after this season. Keep a close eye on this situation.

 

Brandon Allen, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (1% on Yahoo, 0.1% on ESPN): The Cincinnati Bengals announced that Brandon Allen will be the starting quarterback for the team this upcoming Sunday. While he shouldn’t be rostered in most leagues, he’s worth a shot in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.

 

D’Onta Foreman, RB, Tennessee Titans (0% on Yahoo, 0% on ESPN): D’Onta Foreman has gotten 18 carries over the last four weeks. Derrick Henry‘s handcuff has value, so it’s important to monitor who is in control of the job between Foreman, Darrynton Evans, and Jeremy McNichols.

 

Ty Johnson, RB, New York Jets (0% on Yahoo, 0.2% on ESPN): La’Mical Perine landing on injured reserve has created an opportunity for the Jets running backs to have bigger roles going forward. Ty Johnson should be the primary pass-catching back for the team going forward.

 

Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Chicago Bears (1% on Yahoo, 1% on ESPN): Nick Foles was injured near the end of the Vikings game and the timeline for him to return is currently up in the air. If Foles can’t go, Trubisky will jump back into the starting quarterback role for the Chicago Bears. With his rushing ability, he’s worth monitoring in deeper leagues.

 

Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens (2% on Yahoo, 0.5% on ESPN): The Ravens running backs are going to be a little shorthanded on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers with both Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins landing on the COVID list. While Gus Edwards should get the lion-share of the carries, Justice Hill will also be utilized.

 

Josh Gordon, WR, Seattle Seahawks (1% on Yahoo, 0.8% on ESPN): There are probably people out there who are sick of the Josh Gordon hype. I get it. But his god-given talent combined with MVP candidate Russell Wilson potentially throwing to him makes it worth monitoring when he makes his return (currently no timeline on when this might be).

 

KhaDarel Hodge, WR, Cleveland Browns (0% on Yahoo, 0.1% on ESPN): Despite the horrible weather conditions against the Philadelphia Eagles, KhaDarel Hodge led (or tied for the team lead) the Cleveland Browns in receptions, targets, and receiving yards. While it’s likely he’s a one-hit-wonder, this performance puts him on the map in deeper leagues.

 

That’s it for week 12. Feel free to weigh in and mention any players you believe should be on this list.

 

Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)