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Andy's must-have bench stashes and sneaky fantasy football waiver wire adds, sleepers ahead of Week 9 in 2025. Pick up these high-upside players before Week 9.
Stashing high upside players can be the difference between you winning or losing your league. Throughout this weekly series, I have recommended stashing players like Kimani Vidal, Oronde Gadsden, and Jaxson Dart, who have all also become must-start players.
In this week's edition, we will take a look at two must-stash handcuff running backs and two rookie wideouts who are slowly earning a full-time role on their teams.
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!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) rankings
- Quarterback (QB) rankings
- Tight end (TE) rankings
- Defense (D/ST) rankings
- Kicker (K) rankings
- FLEX rankings
- Dynasty rankings
High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Running Backs
Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles
15% rostered
The Eagles are off in Week 9, which is why Bigsby is still widely available in all leagues. However, with the top running back, Saquon Barkley (groin), dealing with an injury, Bigsby is a priority stash in all formats.
Barkley enjoyed his best game of the season against his former team on Sunday, tallying 150 rushing yards and a score on just 14 attempts. He also caught four of his five targets for another 24 yards. However, he exited the game in the fourth quarter with a groin injury. While he stated he plans to be ready after their Week 9 bye, Bigsby is an elite lottery ticket that enters must-start RB2 territory if Barkley faces any setback.
In relief, Bigsby dominated, totaling 104 yards on the ground on just nine rushing attempts. It was promising to see Bigsby dominate the opportunities over Will Shipley, suggesting that he is the clear RB2 to roster on this team.
Last season, Bigsby flashed similar upside in Jacksonville but was never able to truly break out, given that he shared time with Travis Etienne Jr. In 2024, Bigsby posted a promising 4.6 YPC but eclipsed 15.0 PPR points only twice, averaging 10.5 carries per game.
Given Barkley's uncertainty and Bigsby's eye-catching usage and efficiency in relief, he is a priority stash during their Week 9 bye.
Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
10% rostered
The other running back to stash is also on bye in Week 9, but could be in store for a large role in Week 10. Similar to Bigsby, Cleveland lost their starting running back in Week 8, Quinshon Judkins. Judkins sustained a shoulder injury and was deemed "day-to-day" following the contest. While this injury may not be overly serious, Sampson could see his role increase either way.
Following his impressive showing in Week 1, Sampson has reverted to the RB3 on the depth chart as Judkins has dominated early-down work while veteran Jerome Ford has seen passing down opportunities. However, in Week 8, Sampson actually out-snapped Ford for the first time this season, suggesting there may be a changing of the guard in the backfield.
In Week 8, Sampson saw six targets in the passing game and brought in five of them for 29 yards.
With Ford's name discussed in numerous trade rumors, Sampson could become the primary third-down back in the near future. If Judkins were to miss time, Sampson would see three-down upside. Managers in PPR formats should look at Sampson ahead of the trade deadline as Ford seems poised to join a contender, which would open up ample targets for Sampson in the back-half of the campaign.
Dylan Sampson to be in Lead-Back Role After Bye Week? https://t.co/Ngkf3h8dlo
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 30, 2025
Other RBs to Consider Stashing:
- Devin Neal NO
- Ray Davis BUF
- DJ Giddens IND
High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Wide Receivers
Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders
5% rostered
The post-bye week bump for rookie wide receivers is a trend to keep a close eye on, and the next beneficiary could be Jack Bech. Bech opened the season in a reserve role but slowly began to earn playing time, surpassing fellow rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. on the depth chart. In Weeks 1 through 4, Bech never saw more than 23% of the snaps.
However, since Week 5, Bech has seen 53%, 75% and 63% of the snaps, respectively. During this stretch, the rookie has caught just five of his eight targets for 40 yards. While his production is not overly impressive, the increase in usage warrants emphasis.
Bech could be in store for an even larger role as the team's top wideout; Jakobi Meyers appears all but certain to be traded at the deadline. He requested a trade earlier this season, and given their placement in the standings, a trade feels more than likely.
If Meyers were to be moved, Bech could slot in as the team's No. 2 WR opposite Tre Tucker.
Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans
12% rostered
Do you want to guess who the WR11 in PPR scoring has been over the last two weeks? Yes, it's Chimere Dike, and somehow he's available in more than 80% of Yahoo leagues!
With Calvin Ridley dealing with a lingering hamstring injury and struggling to connect with Cam Ward, Dike has emerged as a key player in the offense. Since Week 5, Dike has logged at least 49% of the snaps in every game and is coming off an eye-catching 89% snap participation in Week 8.
In this game, Dike led the team with 93 yards and seven catches (eight targets). In Week 7, Dike caught all four of his targets for 70 yards and his first career touchdown.
Ridley has not returned to practice this week and is set to miss another game, leaving Dike as the WR1. Even though the Tennessee offense has stumbled, Dike is emerging as Ward's go-to option, even over fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor, who enjoyed a hot start but has begun to fade.
Dike is one of the few players in this column who has legit plug-and-play upside along with high long-term potential.
Cam Ward and Chimere Dike connect for a 38-yard TD!
NEvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/e2JoWXjqCh
— NFL (@NFL) October 19, 2025
Other WRs to Consider Stashing:
- Jalen Coker CAR
- Luther Burden III CHI
- Tory Horton SEA
High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Tight Ends
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
15% rostered
Coslton Loveland did not have the most productive showing in his first career start with Cole Kmet (back) sidelined. In this game, Loveland caught three of his five targets for 38 yards. However, with Kmet still dealing with the effects of the injury and wideouts DJ Moore (hip) and Burden dealing with their own injuries, and the latter not suiting up in Week 9, Loveland could still find a path to producing.
Over his last four games, he has begun to earn his QB's trust, seeing at least three targets in each game and at least four in his last two.
While his upside will be determined by the long-term health of the other Chicago pass catchers, the former 10th overall pick should see his role continue to increase in the second half. While Kmet and Moore are slated to play this weekend, their opportunities could take a slight dip due to their recent injuries.
Other TEs to Consider Stashing:
- Isaiah Likely BAL
- Theo Johnson NYG
High-Upside Fantasy Football Stashes - Quarterbacks
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
20% rostered
J.J. McCarthy was a popular sleeper candidate in draft season, but after a slow start and then suffering an ankle injury, the former first-round pick was cut in nearly all leagues. However, with McCarthy set to return in Week 9, he could re-enter high-end QB2 territory.
McCarthy enjoyed a solid showing in the season debut, tallying 23.7 PPR points by going 13-for-20 with 143 yards, a 2:1 TD:INT, and adding 25 yards and another score with his legs. He struggled in Week 2, going just 11-for-21 with 158 yards and two interceptions before suffering the injury.
Given that Carson Wentz averaged 19.9 PPR points in Weeks 3 through 7 as the starter, McCarthy could enjoy similar production and could even have a higher ceiling due to his rushing ability.
With Jordan Addison back from suspension and Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) back from the IR, McCarthy will have a complete offense to succeed. Kevin O'Connell has brought many underwhelming quarterbacks to QB1 status for fantasy throughout his tenure in Minnesota. McCarthy is poised to do the same and could even be the most productive of the bunch, given his rushing upside.
Other QBs to Consider Stashing:
- Tyler Shough NO
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