3 Players to Stash in Fantasy Football Entering NFL Week 7

Players to Stash at a Glance

• Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs
• Mike Washington Jr., RB, Raiders
• Cincinnati Bengals D/ST

Staying a step ahead of the competition in your fantasy football league can help you win a title, and this weekly piece aims to give you an edge

The goal here is to help you identify players who could be hot waiver adds down the road as well as to point out week-ahead pickups who could prove useful.

Here are some players to consider adding now and stashing on your bench for the future.

All fantasy football projections via our numbers at FanDuel Research, and NFL odds references are to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Fantasy Football Stash Candidates This Week (Week 7)

Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs

I’m going to continue to write up Emmett Johnson because I think he’s the best bench stash by a mile.

Johnson is not going to provide any value unless Kenneth Walker III goes down, but if that happens, Johnson will likely jump straight into the RB1 ranks. There have been only six snaps taken by a Kansas City Chiefs RB other than Walker or Johnson all year, so it seems like Johnson would shoulder a big-time workload sans Walker.

With KC on a bye in Week 5, Johnson has been dropped in a lot of leagues as his roster rate sits at just 13% on ESPN. If he’s available in your league, I think he should be a priority add.

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Raiders

Mike Washington is similar to Johnson in that an injury to Ashton Jeanty would send his value skyrocketing. He just doesn’t have as much upside as Johnson because he’s on the Las Vegas Raiders.

A rookie, Washington has looked sharp in his limited chances, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and hauling in three of five targets. He played 35% of the snaps last week, so he’d likely have a meaty role if Jeanty missed time. That makes him a quality bench stash.

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST

Rarely is it worth grabbing a D/ST a week early, but I think it makes some sense in this situation.

The Cincinnati Bengals host the Tennessee Titans in Week 8. That’s about as good of a D/ST matchup as there is, with Cameron Ward tossing a pick in four straight games, and the Cincy D/ST will be an elite play next week.

While I usually prefer to use a bench spot on a higher-upside asset, in leagues where I have a bench spot to play with, I am grabbing the Bengals’ D/ST.

Fantasy Football Stashes FAQ

What is a stash in fantasy football?

A fantasy football stash is a player who may not have much immediate value but could become a useful fantasy starter later in the season. Stashes are typically backups, rookies, or players whose roles could grow as the year progresses. Stashing them allows you to acquire the player before he becomes a hot waiver wire pickup.

What types of players should I stash in fantasy football?

Prioritize players with clear paths to larger roles. Backup running backs, talented rookies, and wide receivers earning increased playing time are often strong stash candidates because their fantasy value can rise quickly.

How many players should I stash on my fantasy football bench?

That depends on your league and roster size, but using one or two bench spots on high-upside players is generally worthwhile. The deeper the league, the more valuable it becomes to identify potential breakout players before they become popular waiver-wire additions.

When should I drop a fantasy football stash?

Consider moving on if the player's path to playing time disappears or if a more valuable option becomes available. Stashes should offer meaningful upside, so there is little reason to hold a player whose role or opportunity is trending in the wrong direction. As we get closer to the fantasy playoffs, you may need to prioritize winning now over stashing someone for the future.

New customers can get up to $350 in Bonus Bets — guaranteed — when you bet $5 every day for seven days. Place your first wager now! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today's other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Which NFL bets stand out to you this week? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's latest NFL odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.