We are heading into Week 5, and that means if we want to spotlight some players who will be available when First Come, First Served is available, we’ll have to go deep. Whether it’s the bevy of injuries and questionable availability that plague this part of the season or the first round of teams on bye week, pickins’ are becoming increasingly thin. In turn, we must be willing to jump on the first signs of uptick and have to demonstrate some patience while circumstances improve around the players we’ve decided to stash.
Brashard Smith, RB, KC (2% Rostered)
If you read this article for either of the last two weeks, you likely already have Woody Marks on your roster and are looking pretty solid in the running back department. If you did not and want to find the next Woody Marks, look no further than Kansas City. The Chiefs have been looking for someone to give them a spark out of the backfield, as evidenced by a non-running back leading their team in rushing yards each of the first 4 weeks, and we’re starting to see some signs of who they believe that player to be. Brashard Smith is a speedster out of SMU who converted from wide receiver before being drafted by the Chiefs in the 7th round. In a backfield largely filled with plodding between-the-tackles runners who don’t contribute much with their hands, Smith sticks out like a sore thumb. The rookie saw a season-high 19 snaps and was the first read on 66.7% of his targets this year. Smith is the type of player that can capitalize on additional playing time, and when his opportunity reaches the breaking point, you’ll be glad you grabbed him on the cheap after waivers ran in Week 5.
Kendre Miller, RB, NO (6% Rostered)
It’s been difficult to evaluate Kendre Miller as a prospect because much of his young career was spent on the sidelines, in Dennis Allen‘s doghouse. Now that there’s been a regime change for the Saints, it appears that Miller came into the year with a clean slate and is making the most of his opportunity. The former 3rd-rounder is seeing his opportunity expand, increasing snaps and touches each week of the season, and looked very explosive on an 18-yard touchdown score that displayed incredible contact balance. Unfortunately, that touchdown will likely mean that many of the box-score-watchers will chase those points and prioritize Miller on waivers this week. Should he make it through to the following morning, you can add one of the league’s premier running backs who is actively playing his way into an expanded role. I’d want to see more involvement as a pass-catcher before sounding the “must-add” alarm, but those with a bench spot available could do far worse than stashing Miller.
Isaiah Bond, WR, CLE (0% Rostered)
Isaiah Bond was already starting to ping our radar after seeing the field for 65% of snaps in the Browns’ upset of the Packers in Week 3. Week 4 brought Bond similar playing time, but an injury to Cedric Tillman opened the door to increased usage against the Lions. Bond’s route participation spiked up to 71.1% last week, leading to 6 targets and a team-high 58 receiving yards. Most exciting about his expanded role is his 83.3% first-read target rate, signaling that the Browns are prioritizing getting the ball into Bonds’ hands. Bond was once believed to be one of the more talented prospects at receiver in this year’s rookie class before off-the-field issues tanked his draft stock. Now, with Tillman headed to IR and slated to miss at least a month with his hamstring injury, there is ample time for the rookie to show off his skillset and establish rapport with fellow rookie (and newly minted starter) Dillon Gabriel. I have concerns about the overall effectiveness of this passing game, but Bond could carve out enough of a role to be worth a spot on your bench for the next few weeks.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, IND (1% Rostered)
The case for Adonai Mitchell is an interesting one. Mitchell was, reportedly, a couple of bad interviews away from being a 1st-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft after stuffing the stat sheet in college with the Longhorns. The Colts, as they’re one to do, took the value that the board presented them and drafted Mitchell in the 2nd round that year. His size/speed combination, ability to stretch the field, and knack for winning contested catches make Mitchell a unique talent within the Colts’ receiving corps, but his young career often finds him mired in a rotation with several capable receivers. Last week, with Alec Pierce sidelined due to a concussion, Mitchell saw his playing time expand and was a clear priority in the passing game. He caught 3 of 4 passes for 96 yards and was a boneheaded fumble away from converting a highlight-reel catch for a touchdown. I’m hoping that miscue keeps him off the fantasy radar and available for the FCFS lot on Wednesday morning. This stash might call for a bit of patience as Pierce is likely to return in Week 5, but I have to believe that the Colts will be interested in seeing if Mitchell can sustain his game-breaking performances and will likely give him more opportunities as the season carries on.
Photo by Scott Winters | Adapted by Parker McDonald (@CarbonFoxGFX on Twitter/X)