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Andy's must-have bench stashes and sneaky fantasy football waiver wire adds, sleepers ahead of Week 8 in 2025. Pick up these high-upside players before Week 8.
With Week 8 just hours away, several rookies are beginning to find their footing and slowly climbing to the top of the depth chart, which means it is more important to stash a high-upside player who can be a league-winner.
Last weekend, I highlighted Oronde Gadsden and Brashard Smith, who have been two of the most sought-after players on the waiver wire following Week 7. I hope you stashed them early and saved your FAAB!
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 75% of all Yahoo! leagues. Let's dive in!
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High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Running Backs
Isaiah Davis, New York Jets
10% rostered
I wrote about Smith last weekend, and if he is available in your league, he should be viewed as your priority RB to stash. However, instead of repeating names, let's take a look at Isaiah Davis of the New York Jets. Davis opened the campaign as the RB3 on the depth chart behind workhorse Breece Hall and the potentially emerging RB2 Braelon Allen.
However, Allen suffered a knee injury in Week 4 and was later placed on the IR. While he could return late in the season, it appears he will face an uphill battle to do so, leaving Davis as the clear RB2 to Hall going forward.
Since Week 5, Davis has seen a drastic increase in workload, logging over 40% of the snaps in the last three games. During this three-game stretch, Davis has seen at least four targets in two games and run at least 20 routes in two as well. However, his increased opportunities have yet to translate into fantasy production, as the fifth-round rookie from the 2024 NFL Draft has averaged just 4.2 PPR points per game.
However, injuries open doors for backup running backs; just look at Kimani Vidal. Leading up to their Week 8 tilt against the Bengals, Hall is listed as questionable with a knee injury. Hall suffered this injury during their Week 7 loss but eventually returned to the game.
Given their 0-7 record, the Jets do not appear to be rushing Hall into action as they have already ruled out top wideout Garrett Wilson (knee) for his second-straight game.
While an injury to Hall would open up massive short-term upside for Davis, a trade could make him a solid RB2 for the second half of the season. Hall has had his name mentioned in numerous trade discussions as the Jets appear to be prime sellers at the deadline. Given that they chose not to extend him in the offseason, this suggests that they do not view him as a long-term piece of their franchise.
If you have a lackluster RB2, Davis should be a priority stash.
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8% rostered
My other running back to stash is a target for deeper leagues. Bucky Irving (foot) has been on the shelf since suffering a left foot sprain during their Week 4 loss to the Eagles. Since suffering the injury, Irving has yet to take the practice field and does not appear to have made any significant progress. While the Buccaneers opted not to place him on IR, his lack of progression is not a positive sign.
Irving's next potential return date would be in Week 10, following their Week 9 bye. However, given his current status, managers who roster Irving should begin to make other arrangements, as their RB1 could be facing an extended absence.
Rachaad White has dominated the Tampa Bay backfield in the meantime, logging at least 77% of the snaps in each of the last three games. White has taken 13.7 rushing attempts per game and has seen 4.3 targets per game through the air. This has left the team's new backup option, Sean Tucker, to see 18.3% of the snaps during this stretch.
However, Tucker has now entered high-upside handcuff territory and should be on the radar of those deeper formats. White has not been effective in the starter's role, posting a low 3.5 YPC, and is only producing on volume. Earlier this week, head coach Todd Bowles had already emphasized that the team wants to increase Tucker's usage going forward.
#Bucs HC Todd Bowles says that they want to get RB Sean Tucker more snaps. RB Rachaad White cannot continue getting 90% of them, and it’s something the coaches have talked about.
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) October 22, 2025
In case you forgot, Tucker posted an elite 6.2 YPC on 50 attempts last season and punched in his first rushing score of the 2025 campaign in Week 6. If Irving's injury and White's struggles continue, Tucker will hold standalone value.
Other RBs to Consider Stashing:
- Brashard Smith KC
- Jaydon Blue DAL
- Devin Neal NO
- DJ Giddens IND
- Ray Davis BUF
High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Wide Receivers
Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
10% rostered
Jalen Coker made his season debut last weekend and did not catch any of his two targets. If a manager dropped Coker this week, I would suggest adding him, as his underwhelming debut should not greatly affect his long-term outlook.
Last season, as an underrated quarterback, Coker quickly climbed the depth chart and became a reliable option for Bryce Young by the second half. Over his last seven games, Coker would average 10.6 PPR points per game and would tally 52.9 yards per game during this stretch. He saw six or more targets in four of these games as well.
BRYCE YOUNG TO JALEN COKER. 83-YARD TD.
📺: #DALvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9DdQnhGIEP— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
Leading up to the start of the campaign, the Panthers announced that Coker would be the primary slot wideout, and they even opted to trade Adam Thielen to Minnesota, opening an even larger role for Coker. While his quadriceps injury put a halt to his breakout second-year season, Coker could return to form this Sunday.
While Xavier Legette appears to be potentially producing as a former first-round pick, the slot role is still wide open in this offense, as Hunter Renfrow has seen his role decline significantly.
Coker should possess high-end WR3 upside in PPR leagues in the near future.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
8% rostered
The 26-year-old has been mentioned in this column before, and it appears he could finally be making his season debut this weekend. Watson has been on the shelf since suffering a torn ACL last season, and after several weeks of limited sessions, Watson carries a questionable tag into Week 8.
Watson will join a WR room that lacks a true WR1 and, more importantly, a deep threat. With Jayden Reed (collarbone) on the IR and likely out for the remainder of the season, Watson could see a large target share quite early in his return. First-round pick Matthew Golden has shown flashes at times but has yet to emerge as a consistent contributor.
Romeo Doubs has instead taken on the WR1 role but has seen the vast majority of his fantasy production come in the red zone, evidenced by his four receiving touchdowns on just 24 receptions. Before catching at least five passes in each of the last three weeks, Doubs caught just 2.3 receptions in each of the first three weeks.
With Jordan Love playing at a high level, Watson could be the deep threat this offense needs to take it into second gear.
Other WRs to Consider Stashing:
- Jack Bech LVR
- Luther Burden III CHI
- Tory Horton SEA
High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Tight Ends
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
20% rostered
Colston Loveland narrowly meets the parameters of this article, and this may be your final chance to stash him. Loveland was a popular late-round sleeper at the TE position, but has failed to showcase any expectations. Through five games, Loveland has caught just eight passes for a mere 78 yards. However, he is coming off a three-catch performance and is currently slated to finally operate as the team's TE1 this weekend.
On Friday, the Bears announced that Cole Kmet (back) would not suit up in Week 8, leaving Loveland as the clear TE1. With his current stat line may not be overly impressive, don't forget that he was once considered one of the top prospects at the TE position in recent history.
At Michigan, Loveland won a National Championship and tallied at least 580 yards in each of his last two seasons. The Bears selected him at 10th overall for a reason (and ahead of Tyler Warren as well).
Other TEs to Consider Stashing:
- Isaiah Likely BAL
- Ja'Tavion Sanders CAR
- Theo Johnson NYG
High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
10% rostered
Marcus Mariota is slated to make his third start of the campaign with Jayden Daniels (hamstring) sidelined once again. In his first two starts, Mariota was a viable low-end QB1, averaging 21.2 PPR points per game. While he tallied just 181.5 passing yards in these games, Mariota tallied 60 total yards with his legs and had four combined touchdowns (three through the air and one with his legs).
While reports suggest Daniels may only miss one week, acquiring a QB with legit rushing upside who could have his top wideouts, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr., back in action this weekend is well worth the investment. Managers in deeper 12+ team leagues with an underwhelming QB1 should look to start Mariota ahead of Week 8.
While he's a low-end starter this weekend, facing tough Kansas City defense, he has easier matchups going forward and would be a low-end QB1 if Daniels were to have a setback.
Other QBs to Consider Stashing:
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