High-Upside Bench Stashes: Sneaky Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds Before Week 4

September 28, 2025

Andy's must-have bench stashes and sneaky fantasy football waiver wire adds, sleepers ahead of Week 4 in 2025. Pick up these high-upside players before Week 4.

Hey RotoBallers! Week 3 taught us the importance of stashing upside players on our roster, as injuries will always play a key role in the season's storylines. We saw James Conner suffer a season-ending foot injury and top wideout CeeDee Lamb suffer a high ankle sprain, which could keep him out for over a month.

This week, we will give a look at young running backs in Chicago and Kansas City who are making a strong case to take over their backfield. In addition, we take a look at a young tight end who could find himself in a key role much sooner than expected.

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

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears

10% rostered

The Rutgers product entered Week 3 with high expectations, as he logged 41% of the snaps in Week 2. While he saw a slight dip in playing time (seeing 29% of the snaps), he remained the clear RB2 as Roschon Johnson maintained his minimal role on the depth chart.

Facing the Dallas Cowboys, Monangai took six carries for 16 yards and caught his lone target for four yards. In Week 2, Monangai was slightly more effective, taking seven carries for 28 yards while catching one pass for eight yards.

However, despite his underwhelming performance, he remains a top RB to stash as the team's starter, D'Andre Swift continues to produce modest stat lines. Through three games, Swift has posted a 3.5 YPC, which is on pace to be the lowest mark of his career. In addition, leading up to Week 3, he was dealing with a quadriceps injury. While he was able to suit up, it appears he exited that game with a hip injury, as he was limited during Wednesday's and Thursday's practice.

While Monangai will need to improve his efficiency to truly take on Swift's role, given the starter's underwhelming production, the door will remain open for Monangai to take the job.

As a result, he is a top RB to stash in all 12-team formats heading into Week 4.

Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

1% rostered

My other running to stash is also a rookie in a backfield that is ripe for the taking. Through the opening three games, both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have looked very unimpressive and have not made a strong case to take control of the backfield.

Pacheco has averaged just 30.7 rushing yards per game and holds an average of 3.7 YPC. He has only seen double-digit rushing attempts in two games and has yet to find the back of the end zone. The other veteran, Hunt, has also stumbled, posting a low 3.5 YPC and averaging only 27.0 yards per game. However, Hunt has found the back of the endzone once.

In addition, with Pacheco still showing signs from his fractured fibula, which sidelined him for most of the 2024 season, and Hunt unable to take over the backfield, the door remains open for Smith.

Unfortunately, Andy Reid has yet to trust Smith in the game plan. Through three games, he has taken on just three carries and has earned just two targets.

While Smith holds no standalone value entering Week 4, another disappointing showing from Pacheco and Hunt could open the door for Smith to earn a role. If he shows any sign of life out of the backfield, he could earn a prominent role in the near future.

Other RBs to Consider Stashing:

• Chris Rodriguez Jr. WSH
• Jeremy McNichols WSH
• DJ Giddens IND

High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Wide Receivers

Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders

2% rostered

Luke McCaffrey had a limited role as a rookie, but could be in store for a significant increase in snaps due to the numerous injuries in D.C. With top wideout Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) not expected to play this week and potentially facing a multi-week absence, and No. 3 WR Noah Brown (groin) dealing with his own injury, McCaffrey could be the team's No. 2 option in Week 4.

Last weekend, with McLaurin exiting early and Brown not playing, McCaffrey logged a season-high 21 snaps and did not disappoint, catching all three of his targets for 56 yards and a touchdown. He also logged more snaps than rookie wideout Jaylin Lane, suggesting he has the slight edge in opportunities on the depth chart.

This situation is worth closely monitoring, as McCaffrey could be the No. 2 option opposite of Deebo Samuel Sr. for several weeks, as Brown is trending toward missing another game. He is a name to consider stashing in deeper 12+ team, 3-WR formats. If McLaurin were to face an extended absence, McCaffrey would be the primary beneficiary.

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

10% rostered

My other wide receiver to stash is a "traditional" stash, given that he is currently on the injured reserve. Managers in leagues with IR spots should pay close attention to Watson.

With Jayden Reed (collarbone) out for the foreseeable future, Watson could immediately emerge as the team's primary WR1 once he is cleared to return. According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Watson could begin practicing as soon as his window opens following Week 4, which could set him up to return before the midpoint of the regular season.

More importantly, Watson is a top stash because the Packers have yet to find a reliable option with Reed sidelined. While Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks have seen consistent targets, they have yet to truly produce as starting WRs in their career. Rookie Matthew Golden finally saw an increased role in Week 3 (seeing a season-high four targets), but appears to still have work to do regarding his development.

In 2024, Watson showed flashes at times but struggled to produce consistently. However, in the game in which he saw four or more targets, he averaged a solid 11.5 PPR points per game with 68.0 yards per game. As a rookie, Watson found the back of the end zone seven times and tallied 611 yards.

Without a true WR1 in Green Bay, Watson has a path to be a league-winner down the stretch and finally emerge as Jordan Love's go-to option. He is a top stash in leagues that have IR spots.

Christian Watson "Chomping at the Bit" to Return https://t.co/OvstaZkwtY

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 16, 2025

Other WRs to Consider Stashing:

• Malik Washington MIA
• Jalen Coker CAR
• Luther Burden III CHI
• Tory Horton SEA

High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Tight Ends

Oronde Gadsden, Los Angles Chargers

9% rostered

There may not have been a player last weekend to see their fantasy stock increase as much as Oronde Gadsden. The fifth-round rookie was a healthy scratch in the first two games and was available on almost every waiver wire (outside of deep dynasty leagues with taxi squads). However, he made his professional debut in Week 3 and quickly carved out a role in a crowded passing offense.

During their victory over the Broncos, Gadsden caught five of his seven targets for 46 yards. Despite logging fewer snaps than Tucker Fisk and matching Tyler Conklin's 26% snap share, when on the field, Gadsden was heavily involved.

While Will Dissly (knee) was unable to play in this game, Gadsden made a strong first impression that could earn him more playing time. His head coach, Jim Harbaugh, already noted that he will see more opportunities due to his strong showing.

With Dissly already trending toward missing another game, Gadsden is a priority tight end to stash as he could be the clear starter in Los Angeles by next weekend.

Oronde Gadsden has Earned More Playing Time, Could Push for Starting Role https://t.co/3FyiRWQlQl

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 24, 2025

Other TEs to Consider Stashing:

• Chig Okonkwo TEN
• Isaiah Likely BAL

High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Quarterbacks

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

5% rostered

Rounding out this list will be an intriguing upside option for deeper one-QB leagues. After being reserved for a stash option in superflex formats in the opening weeks, the Giants officially announced that Dart will be taking over QB1 duties, which puts him on the radar for all league types.

In the preseason, the former Ole Miss product looked very impressive, going 32-for-47 with 372 yards and three passing touchdowns. During his final season at Ole Miss, Dart led the SEC in passing yards (4,279) and threw 29 scores. He also led the conference in yards per attempt and passer rating.

While Russell Wilson struggled in two of his three starts in New York, given the upside, Dart flashed in the preseason; he could carry low-end QB1 upside in most weeks. Playing alongside superstar Malik Nabers and emerging No. 2 Wan'Dale Robinson will keep his floor and ceiling relatively high.

While he's not worth starting this weekend, facing a tough Los Angeles Chargers defense, he is a prime stash candidate as he could break out in Week 5, facing the New Orleans Saints. If you have a disappointing QB1 like Bo Nix or lost Joe Burrow (toe) or J.J. McCarthy (ankle) to injuries, Dart should be a priority stash target before his NFL debut on Sunday.

Giants Name Jaxson Dart Their Starting QBhttps://t.co/9MjJdrrXBr

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 23, 2025

Other QBs to Consider Stashing:

• Jake Browning CIN

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