
Kacey Kasem's sneaky fantasy football QB-WR stacks worth targeting for the 2025 season. Her favorite undervalues sleepers and targets, including Calvin Austin and more.
One of the best ways to gain an edge over others in your fantasy football league is by stacking a quarterback with one (or more) of his pass-catchers. This is especially true in best ball or deeper leagues. If both players go off in the same week, you've got yourself a combo that can help you win it all.
When examining sneaky fantasy football QB-WR stacks, I wanted to ignore the flashy duos everyone's fighting for. Instead, I pivoted to deeper cuts. They are not putting up huge numbers every week, but they'll give you a few spike weeks here and there. Those boom games are needed, especially in best ball, so you're going to want a few stacks if possible.
I kept the focus on cost-effective QBs; guys you're not grabbing in the first few rounds. Additionally, the wide receivers I explored are those who aren't the first (or sometimes even the second) option in the passing game. They're not going to hit every week, so I get why you might be hesitant. We all know it gets dicey in the last few rounds, so taking a swing on a cheap stack could separate your team from the rest of the pack.
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QB Trevor Lawrence and WR Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars
Last year didn't go the way Jacksonville, or fantasy managers, had hoped. Trevor Lawrence was hindered by a shoulder injury and a season-ending concussion, playing in just 10 games while tossing only 11 touchdowns. It was a frustrating setback after finishing QB8 in 2022 and QB13 in 2023.
Now healthy, Lawrence heads into 2025 with a new head coach in Liam Coen. The coach just helped Baker Mayfield finish as QB4 in Tampa and brings a pass-friendly scheme to Jacksonville.
With a revamped group of pass-catchers, including 2024 first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr. and 2025 first-rounder Travis Hunter, Lawrence has a huge opportunity to rebound. He is currently selected with an ADP of 100.87 in best ball, solidifying him as a QB2 target with top-10 upside if things go according to plan.
Trevor Lawrence ➡️ Dyami Brown.
You love to see it. pic.twitter.com/nKpb4trBB8
— Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) July 23, 2025
Lawrence has two stud WRs to toss the ball to, but he also has a sneaky depth player worth taking a gamble on. Veteran receiver Dyami Brown steps into the WR3 role after putting together an under-the-radar season in 2024.
It was Brown's best season, seeing him finish with 30 catches for 308 yards and a score for the Commanders during the regular season. He got managers' attention in the postseason, hauling in 14 receptions totaling 229 yards and a touchdown over three playoff matches.
Jacksonville rewarded Brown with a one-year, $10 million deal, joining a team that lost Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and Gabe Davis. There is a chance for Brown to carve out a bigger role with those players out of the picture.
If the injury bug hits the team this season or Hunter ends up splitting time on offense and defense, Brown could easily step in as the WR2. With an ADP of 206.2, he's a nice dart throw in deeper formats. Pairing him with Lawrence gives you an affordable, low-risk combo with quiet breakout appeal.
QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers
It could be the last ride for Aaron Rodgers, but you can still squeeze a little fantasy juice out of him. The 41-year-old is coming off a five-win season with the Jets, where he recorded a 63% completion rate and 28 touchdowns.
Sure, he's no longer a "set-it-and-forget-it" QB1, but he remains a useful asset in superflex or best ball leagues. You're selecting Rodgers around pick 146, so you're not breaking the bank to get him.
Pairing Rodgers with Calvin Austin III, the fourth-year wide receiver with flashy speed and a growing connection with the QB, makes sense if you're looking for a late stack. Rodgers has taken note of Austin's quickness, something he'll want to weaponize in this offense.
Calvin Austin III catching footballs whilst holding tennis balls @KDKA pic.twitter.com/Kokd2dwFC1
— Cassidy Wood (@CassidyWoodTV) July 27, 2025
Austin's rookie season (2022) was a washout due to injury, but he is slowly gaining a role in the offense. In 2024, the wideout saw a "mini-breakout" with 36 catches for 548 yards and four scores. He managed those stats with a Justin Fields and Russell Wilson combo.
George Pickens is now in Dallas, and DK Metcalf will be drawing most of the defense's focus. That leaves Austin being overlooked by both defenses and fantasy managers. He won't turn heads until he pops off for a game or two, but once he does, you'll look like a genius taking him at 208.64.
The Rodgers to Austin connection gives you a low-risk, high-reward stack in deeper formats. If you miss on Metcalf early, pivoting to Austin is a great idea. Don't expect this pair to carry your team, but they will have impressive weeks together.
QB J.J. McCarthy and WR Jalen Nailor, Minnesota Vikings
There's no way Jalen Nailor is going to be a weekly fantasy stud, but that's not why I'm writing about him. In best ball formats or deeper leagues, going with the duo of Nailor and J.J. McCarthy could be a brilliant move.
Nailor is the WR3 on a pass-heavy Vikings offense posting a 14-win season under Kevin O'Connell last season. Currently, Justin Jefferson is nursing hamstring tightness while Jordan Addison potentially faces suspension. Nailor's stock should be quietly climbing; he has a dirt-cheap ADP of 314.34, basically a freebie in fantasy drafts.
He flashed in limited opportunities last year, catching 28 balls for 414 yards and six scores while starting in seven contests. Nailor filled in perfectly for Addison when he missed time early in the season, including a two-TD stretch in Weeks 2 and 3.
This was the most notable J.J. McCarthy throw from yesterday. Up and over. In the window only Jalen Nailor could catch it. Seeing him do this twice in three days was very encouraging. pic.twitter.com/f4onmwQVUb
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 29, 2025
Looking at the end of the season, Nailor had a season-high 81 yards and 19.1 PPR points. The 26-year-old proved he deserves the "Speedy" nickname and has even added muscle in the offseason. He's working as the WR2 in practice with Jefferson sitting out.
J.J. McCarthy, meanwhile, is coming off a lost rookie season due to a torn ACL. The team spent the 10th overall pick on the QB in 2024 for a reason. Now, the youngster steps into one of the best offensive setups of his life.
He's got an elite WR duo in Jefferson and Addison to go along with a strong offensive line. The coaching staff is a fan of airing out the ball, so McCarthy should attempt plenty of passes.
McCarthy's ADP is currently 98.84, but that should climb as training camp progresses. He's known for making throws on the run and quick decision-making, fitting well with his speedy receiving trio. If you're drafting Jefferson or Addison, Nailor is a savvy choice as a late-round insurance policy and an easy way to layer in the stack.
QB Dak Prescott and WR Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys
For those looking for a mid-round QB with bounce-back potential and easy stacking options, Dak Prescott is your guy. He is fully healthy heading into the 2025 season after a hamstring injury cut 2024 short.
His ADP of 79.79 gives you a shot at a player who tossed 36 touchdowns and was the MVP runner-up just two seasons ago. Prescott has all the pieces around him to make him a fantasy stud, including CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson.
Going down the depth chart, we get to Jalen Tolbert. He is one of the sneakiest pieces of the Dallas passing game, especially after his career season last year. Tolbert enters 2025 as Dallas's WR3, a role he's more suited for than the WR2 role of last season.
Dak find Tolbert on back to back plays pic.twitter.com/Ov74gWngBi
— SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) July 23, 2025
After being taken in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Tolbert struggled to find a role early in his career. In 2024, he was finally able to break out, leading all Dallas WRs in snaps and setting career highs in catches (49), yards (610), touchdowns (seven), and targets (79). He's a legit red-zone option, catching five scores within the 10-yard line.
Now that Pickens is a Cowboy and Ferguson is back to full strength, Tolbert's volume should dip. That dip is built into his ADP of 340.25 in best ball. Late in the draft is the perfect time for backup WRs to pair with QBs you picked up earlier. If you're investing in Lamb or Pickens, Tolbert makes for a solid security piece who's free.
Prescott will rely on his receiving weapons if the run game struggles again. Last season, the team had the sixth-fewest rushing yards in the league. The backfield remains one big question mark with Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and rookie Jaydon Blue all competing for touches.
Tolbert is a sneaky pick in the last round and will benefit if injuries hit; he's worth a selection. He filled in nicely in Week 18, posting 98 yards while Lamb was on injured reserve. If Lamb, Pickens, or Ferguson miss time, Tolbert should expect a significant bump in usage.
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