Justin Boone identifies under-the-radar stashes to consider adding to your roster before they become top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups in future weeks.
While the bar might move occasionally, the general focus is to search among the group of players who are rostered in around 15% or less of the Yahoo leagues.
Note: This is the final edition of stashes for this season.
Audric Estimé/Evan Hull, RB, Saints (7%/0% rostered)
The Saints were one of the backfields I highlighted in Monday’s waiver wire column after Devin Neal suffered a hamstring injury over the weekend.
We now know Neal has been ruled out for Week 16, paving the way for someone else to step up in an extremely favorable matchup with the Jets.
New York has permitted the second most fantasy points to running backs this season, including a mind-boggling 14 total touchdowns to RBs over their last five games.
Once Neal was out of the lineup last week, Estimé saw the better part of a near 55-45 split with Hull.
Estimé gained 50 scrimmage yards on six touches, with the majority of his production coming through the air. Hull had just 12 yards on four carries.
While either back could get the hot-hand treatment, I lean Estimé as the more enticing fantasy option given his role in the passing game.
Either way, Estimé should be added as a startable RB3 this week and Hull as a riskier RB3/flex.
Honorable mention: Jawhar Jordan, Texans (7% rostered), Malik Davis, Cowboys (2% rostered), Isaiah Davis, Jets (3% rostered)
Jalen Coker, WR, Panthers (9% rostered)
Coker has been a regular in this column and it seems fitting to acknowledge him again given his recent surge in production.
The 24-year-old wideout has topped 50 receiving yards in three of his last four games and found the end zone two weeks in a row.
In addition to becoming a reliable second option in the Panthers’ passing attack, he’s emerged as a WR4/flex for fantasy with some upside.
We’ll also need to monitor the health of star wideout Tetairoa McMillan, who sat out Wednesday’s practice due to a foot/ankle injury ahead of an intriguing matchup with a banged-up Buccaneers’ secondary.
Honorable mention: Chimere Dike, Titans (15% rostered), Tre’ Harris, Chargers (2% rostered), Jalen Nailor, Vikings (2% rostered)
Tyler Shough, QB, Saints (11% rostered)
Shough has posted at least 18 fantasy points in three straight games as he gets more comfortable starting in an NFL offense.
While his recent increase in production isn’t going to win you a fantasy playoff matchup, it makes him a serviceable streaming option for those in need.
One notable reason for Shough’s improved fantasy stat lines has been his rushing numbers, with seven carries for 55 yards and two TDs in Week 14 and eight carries for 32 in Week 15.
The rookie also gets the benefit of taking on a Jets defense that may already be thinking about the offseason. New York is allowing the eighth most fantasy points to quarterbacks and just let Trevor Lawrence beat up on them for 330 passing yards and five passing touchdowns, as well as 51 rushing yards and a score.
While I still have my doubts that Shough can be the Saints’ long-term answer under center, he’s turned into a decent QB2 fantasy streamer down the stretch.
Honorable mention: Kirk Cousins, Falcons (10% rostered), Marcus Mariota, Eagles (9% rostered)
Mike Gesicki, TE, Bengals (4% rostered)
We’re digging deep at tight end this week, so hopefully you have better options that you can start in the fantasy semifinals.
Gesicki has had a tough string of opponents the last three weeks and only managed one quality fantasy outing during that stretch — a six-catch, 86-yard, one-touchdown performance versus the Bills.
However, he’ll get a much more friendly spot this week versus a Dolphins defense allowing the third most fantasy points to tight ends.
With Tee Higgins’ status uncertain as he tries to clear concussion protocol and Noah Fant dealing with an ankle issue, Gesicki should be a big part of the passing attack in Week 16.
Even so, he’s still a risky streamer for desperate fantasy managers until we know for sure if Higgins and Fant will suit up.
Honorable mention: Isaiah Likely, Ravens (14% rostered), Gunnar Helm, Titans (0% rostered)
