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Andy's must-have fantasy football bench stashes and waiver wire sleepers ahead of Week 9 (2024). He picks high-upside NFL players to stash on your fantasy teams.
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., Jordan Mason, and Jalen Tolbert. 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 9 kicks off. All players will be below a 25% Yahoo! roster percentage.
Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.
Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
15% rostered
Last Thursday evening, the reigning National Champion continued to serve in his No. 2 role in the team's victory over the Minnesota Vikings. In this game, Corum saw four rushing attempts and one target.
Even though his box score leaves much to be desired, this was the third straight game where Ronnie Rivers did not log an offensive snap, suggesting the Michigan product is the clear backup to Kyren Williams.
If Williams were to miss any substantial time, Corum would immediately become a high-end RB2 with league-winning potential.
Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
11% rostered
After finding the end zone in his professional debut, the sixth-round rookie has been in a stuck reserve role over the past two weeks. In this span, Vidal has totaled just 26 yards on nine carries, with one catch for nine yards.
During this stretch, Vidal has surpassed Hassan Haskins as the bona fide No. 2 option, as Haskins has seen just three or fewer snaps in each of the past three weeks.
.@Chargers rookie RB Kimani Vidal's first touch in the NFL is a 38-yard TD catch!
📺: #LACvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/WEwr9AE9iW— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
J.K. Dobbins has continued to be deployed as the clear lead in the backfield. He has logged at least 40 snaps in each of the past three games and carried the ball at least 14 times in each game.
Given Dobbins’ injury history, Vidal could eventually find himself at the top of the depth chart. Currently, he remains a high-value stash with no standalone value in his current role.
Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins
5% rostered
The Miami running back room is quite crowded, but Jaylen Wright has found opportunities to get on the field when Raheem Mostert (chest) and De'Von Achane (concussion) were sidelined. However, this past weekend, both dominated the snaps, as Wright saw only two attempts.
The rookie running back has been very efficient on the ground, averaging an impressive 6.8 yards per carry over the past three weeks.
I’ll keep saying it until I’m blue in the face…
Jaylen Wright is the most talented back on this football team 💪🏻😤pic.twitter.com/VXObPJ9SM4
— The Kevin Harlan Effect (@KevHarlanEffect) October 20, 2024
The 21-year-old has flashes of potential with the few opportunities he has been given. With how often Miami uses more than one running back in their weekly gameplan, Wright could find himself in a more permanent role sooner rather than later.
Other RB stashes (Audric Estime DEN, Trey Benson ARI, Keaton Mitchell BAL, Emanuel Wilson GB)
Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos
4% rostered
After leading the team in receiving in Week 7, the Oregon rookie took a step back in Week 8, catching just one pass for six yards.
However, given how much his quarterback Bo Nix has been progressing throughout his rookie season, Franklin should be in an excellent position to enjoy success during the second half of the season.
The @oregonfootball connection!
Bo Nix finds Troy Franklin for his first career TD catch!
📺: #LACvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/FU4T8eKNT8— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
Since Week 3, Franklin has seen at least four targets in three out of the six games and five or more in two of them. Without a proven No. 2 pass catching option in this offense, Franklin could emerge as a viable flex option late into the season.
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
1% rostered
With Diontae Johnson (ribs) sitting out last week, Jalen Cooker enjoyed the best game of his young career as he brought in four of his six targets for 78 yards and a score. Since Week 5, Coker has averaged a solid 46.5 yards per game and seen at least three targets in three out of the four games.
First career TD for the rookie Jalen Coker!
📺: #CARvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/eX1RwOTzp9— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
In addition, with Johnson being shipped to Baltimore, Coker could see a significant uptick in opportunities in a matter of weeks.
Other WR stashes (Tre Tucker LV, Mike Williams NYJ)
Erick All Jr., TE, Cincinnati Bengals
1% rostered
The 24-year-old looked poised to enjoy a solid rookie campaign, catching at least four passes in three straight games in Weeks 2 through 4. However, during Weeks 5 through 7, he caught only four passes for a mere 20 yards.
Last weekend, All started to get back on track as he tallied 32 yards off two receptions, matching a season-high in yards. In addition, the Iowa product has been deployed as the 1A/1B tight end alongside Mike Gesicki, and they have almost split snap opportunities throughout the season.
All remains a deep league stash if you want an upside-tight-end option. If he has another productive week, he could eventually surpass Gesicki for the lead role.
Other TE stashes (Ja'Tavion Sanders CAR)
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
5% rostered
After hitting the bench after two lackluster performances to open the campaign, Young got the starting nod in Week 8 with Andy Dalton (thumb) injured.
Expectations were low for the former number-one overall pick facing a tough Denver defense, but he had a solid outing. Young went 24-for-37 for a season-high 224 yards, two scores, and two interceptions.
Young has had trouble adjusting to the NFL in his young career, but this was an encouraging performance against a top defensive unit. If you are in a deeper Superflex league, take a flier on Young, as he may be able to build off this performance.
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