High-Upside Bench Stashes: Sneaky Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds Before Week 2

September 13, 2025

Andy's must-have bench stashes and sneaky fantasy football waiver wire adds, sleepers ahead of Week 2 in 2025. Pick up these high-upside players before Week 2.

Hey RotoBallers! With the first week of football in the books (and the first game of Week 2), it is time to begin planning ahead on the waiver wire. Last week, several recommendations, like Michael Penix Jr., became highly sought-after assets on the wire. If you have stashed them before you, you likely saved some FAAB, which is the purpose of this weekly column.

This week, we will look at three intriguing handcuff running backs who may have roles sooner than expected and two emerging No. 2 WRs who are quickly climbing their depth charts.

However, these suggestions are not meant to be your "one-week" replacement players. The vast majority of these players hold minimal standalone value but could become must-start players as soon as they receive a boost in the depth chart. All players suggested are available in at least 70% of all Yahoo! leagues. Let's dive in!

High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Running Backs

DJ Giddens, Indianapolis Colts

5% rostered

The fifth-round rookie was given a surprisingly high workload in their Week 1 victory over the Colts. While much of this was in the second half as the Colts were running up the score, it is still worth noting as the rookie appears to be the clear RB2 to the workhorse, Jonathan Taylor.

On 12 attempts, Giddens racked up 41 yards. He ran one route but was not targeted. Overall, Giddens saw 24% of the team's snaps, while Taylor led the way with an impressive 74%.

Giddens was also given a decent workload in this game as Taylor exited due to a minor neck injury. While Taylor would have likely continued to play if the game was close, seeing the coaching staff trust their rookie this early in the season is very promising for his outlook.

For now, Giddens carries low standalone value, given that he will unlikely see double-digit carries weekly. However, in 2024, Taylor appeared in just 14 games and played in only 10 the season before, which could open a path for Giddens to see a larger role given his injury history.

Managers who roster Taylor should consider stashing Giddens on their bench, as this Indianapolis offense appears to have some solid upside with Daniel Jones under center.

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears

5% rostered

Kyle Monangai made my column last week as Roschon Johnson (foot) was dealing with an injury and was eventually held out of Monday's opener. This allowed rookie Kyle Monangai to operate as the No. 2 back to D'Andre Swift. Unfortunately for Monangai, the Rutgers product had a limited role in this contest.

He logged just nine offensive snaps. He did not earn a carry but did see one target in the passing game. Meanwhile, Swift dominated the backfield, seeing 17 attempts and five targets.

Despite his minimal workload, Monangai deserves a spot on this list due to Swift's inefficiency. In this game, Swift posted a low 3.1 YPC with a 4.0 YPR. This is even lower than the modest 3.8 YPC he posted last season, which was the lowest mark of his career.

If Swift continues to struggle in the Chicago offense, the coaching staff, led by Ben Johnson, may opt to pivot to the running back they specifically drafted earlier in April. For now, Monangai is an intriguing stash option in 12+ team leagues for managers who are looking for a late-season upside play at the RB position.

Kyle Monangai Enters Week 1 with Chance to Contribute https://t.co/GiBU1jSMeA

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 6, 2025

Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints

8% rostered

My final running back is also another handcuff, but with more upside than managers may believe on the surface. Miller sits behind a workhorse in Alvin Kamara. In Week 1, Kamara took his typical workload, seeing 81% of the team's snaps. However, his usage was down in comparison to previous seasons. He ran the ball just 11 times and only saw two targets.

In this game, Miller was operating as the No. 2 option, seeing 13% of the snaps while rookie Devin Neal was in a reserve role. Miller took five carries for 24 yards and ran two routes (but was not targeted).

Similar to Taylor, as mentioned above, while Kamara dominates the backfield when healthy, he is prone to missing time, especially late in the season. In 2024, Kamara missed the final three games and only logged five carries in his final game of the season in Week 15.

With Miller finally being deployed as the clear backup to Kamara, he would be the likely beneficiary if Kamara were to miss time. In addition, seeing Miller average nearly 5.0 yards per carry is a great sign, as he battled lingering injuries throughout the first two seasons of his career.

While he is the clear No. 2 in the running back, he is best left for managers with an extra bench spot in deeper formats, as he will likely have the lowest standalone value out of the running backs mentioned above.

Other RBs to stash - Jeremy McNichols WSH, Woody Marks HOU

High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Wide Receivers

Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers

18% rostered

A popular waiver wire pick for those in deeper leagues on Tuesday, Austin still sits under 20% rostered in all Yahoo! leagues. However, after Week 2, he may enter must-roster territory.

In the season opener, Austin established himself as the clear No. 2 WR in this offense as he logged 81% of the team's snaps. In this game, leader DK Metcalf logged 94%, while Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek saw just 19% each.

In this contest, Austin caught four of his six targets for 70 yards and a touchdown. While he had had a limited role in 2024, he showed big-play upside, posting an elite 15.2 YPR and catching three passes for greater than 40+ yards.

With 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers looking quite productive in the season opener against a strong Jets defense, the Pittsburgh offense may look more conducive for fantasy production than many expected. Managers in three-WR leagues should check their waiver wire for Austin before Week 2 kicks off.

If he has another productive day with Rodgers under center, he would carry WR3 upside in Week 3.

Calvin Austin III Emerging in Pittsburgh https://t.co/otP5fTrzAY

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 10, 2025

Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos

10% rostered

My other WR was featured in last week's edition, but still remains very under-rostered in relation to his potential upside. In Week 1, the second-year wideout out of Oregon was operating as the team's clear No. 2 WR. During the preseason, it appeared Marvin Mims Jr. secured this job, especially after his impressive conclusion to the 2024 season.

In their victory over the Titans, Franklin logged 58% of the team's snaps, second-most among Denver WRs. In this game, Mims saw just 51% of the snaps. Franklin was targeted six times and brought in four of them for 44 yards, while Mims was able to catch just three of his four targets for a mere 12 yards.

Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this depth chart. Over the final five games of the 204 season, Mims was on the fast track to a breakout, averaging 17.5 PPR points per game, but may have lost a step to Franklin in the competition. It's still early, but Mims' workload in Week 1 was very surprising.

If Franklin can establish himself as the No. 2 opposite of Courtland Sutton, he could have flex appeal in deeper leagues this season.

Other WRs to stash - Isaac TeSlaa DET, Dont'e Thornton Jr. LV

High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

15% rostered

Unlike the previous names above, the tight end spot will be occupied by a player who is currently injured and a more traditional "stash" option. Likely was unable to play in Week 1 due to a foot injury and has yet to return to practice this week, suggesting he will remain sidelined in Week 2. Despite this, he has yet ot be put on the IR, which means the team is not expecting him to miss an extended period.

As a result, Likely has seen his rostership plummet to just over the 10% mark on Yahoo! However, seeing the Baltimore offense in Week 1, managers should look to acquire the potential "co-TE1" of this offense.

Last season, Likely enjoyed a breakout game in Week 1, but saw his opportunities limited throughout the season due to Mark Andrews. However, despite the Ravens scoring 40 points in Week 1, Andrews had a minimal role, catching just one pass on his lone target. In 2024, Andrews was a force in the red zone, scoring 11 touchdowns, but caught only 55 passes.

In this game, Zay Flowers led the way in terms of targets and is emerging as Lamar Jackson's go-to option. The 30-year-old tight end appears to be losing his role as a top option in the offense and is potentially past his most dominant seasons.

If Likely can return to the practice field in the near future, he could finally overtake Andrews, as he appears to be falling out of favor in this offense. Given the upside Likely has flashed, if he can see consistent targets, he has a path to produce low-end TE1 numbers playing in this potent offense.

Other TEs to stash - Mason Taylor NYJ, Ja'Tavion Sanders CAR

High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Quarterbacks

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

10% rostered

Rounding out this list, we will be a must-stash for managers in two-QB formats, Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants. Even though the Giants have made it clear that Russell Wilson is their QB1 for now, Dart's time in New York appears to be in the near future.

In Week 1, the Giants looked lost as they scored just six points against the Commanders. In this game, Wilson went 17-for-37 with 168 yards and no passing scores. He added 44 yards on eight carries.

With the Giants already reportedly creating packages for Dart to see the field even while serving as the team's QB2, another rough showing by Wilson and Brian Daboll may have no other choice but to turn to their future franchise QB to not only save their season, but potentially his head coaching job.

Managers in the one-QB leagues should pay close attention to Dart, as he would be worth adding as soon as he is named the starter. However, managers in two-QB formats should opt to get ahead of their league mates and stash him before the move is made official.

Giants Rookie Jaxson Dart Could Debut In Week 1 https://t.co/9oG6ZR4Vmr

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 7, 2025

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