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It’s finally that time of the fantasy football season, playoffs time! For those managers who have successfully guided their team into the tournament, congratulations, and may you have the best of luck in trying to reach the promised land.
At this point, deeper league waiver wire additions may not be as impactful as your core starters, but could certainly provide great depth or be a solid backup for your team.
This week, let’s look at some players who you should consider stashing for the playoffs. Players mentioned will be rostered at or below 15% in Yahoo leagues as usual.
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Free Agent Quarterbacks
Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys - 15% rostered
Dalton now has thrown for over 200 yards in three of the past four games and has an eight to three touchdown to interception ratio. The veteran has proved serviceable for the Cowboys and could serve as great depth for your fantasy team.
Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears - 11% rostered
Don’t look now, but much-maligned Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky has been… kind of sensational lately in reality. The 26-year-old has thrown for at least 242 yards in the past three contests and has seven touchdowns to two picks in that stretch. You could do worse than store Trubisky on your team at this point. The QB has been playing decent enough to merit fantasy consideration if needed.
Gardner Minshew II, Jacksonville Jaguars - 10% rostered
Minshew will start in Week 15, and he could likely start the rest of the season. He came in during Week 14 for 178 yards and a touchdown. Overall, the QB can produce as he had five straight games with at least 243 yards during a stretch from September to October. This is Minshew’s last chance to prove he is worthy of being the Jags’ starter next year so expect a fired-up version of him.
Free Agent Running Backs
Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons - 4% rostered
Even though Todd Gurley II is the RB1 for Atlanta, he has been hampered by a knee injury recently, and that has paved the way for Ito Smith to show off some of his talents. The back has had double-digit carries and over 40 yards rushing in two of the past three games. He’s a rather sneaky add.
Free Agent Wide Receivers
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons - 11% rostered
With Julio Jones hobbled, Gage has stepped up behind Calvin Ridley and become a big part of this offense in recent games. The WR has at least four receptions, seven targets, and 51 yards receiving in three of the past four games. If Jones misses more time, Gage is worth picking up and potentially starting considering his numbers and role are on the rise. He’s one of the best adds of this week.
Tre'Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints - 9% rostered
Smith now has three receptions, six targets, and at least 42 yards in the past two contests. While he has been rather inconsistent this season, the past two weeks offer some encouragement. He’s worth stashing at this point as depth.
Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills - 7% rostered
Davis had three receptions for 19 yards and a score on eight targets in Week 14 and while that may not seem impressive, his target share has picked up lately. The rookie has seen at least four targets in four of the past five games. He also had at least 68 yards in three of the past five games. The Bills are streaking right now and so is Davis, so grab him while you can.
James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers - 5% rostered
Washington may not have the biggest role on this team, but he has seen at least four targets and gotten a touchdown in the past two games. He also had 80 yards in Week 13. All it takes is a glimmer of success for a player to be noticed. Washington has been quietly effective in the past couple of weeks and it couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s solid depth at this point.
KJ Hamler, Denver Broncos - 3% rostered
Hamler had a stellar Week 14 in which he hauled in two receptions for 86 yards and two scores on three targets. The rookie isn’t a weekly stud, but he does have solid performances from time to time. He’s worth adding, but he’s not quite in the starting tier unless absolutely needed because he has not proved his consistency.
Damiere Byrd, New England Patriots - 3% rostered
Byrd has quietly emerged as a solid option for Cam Newton this season. He has seen at least seven targets in six games and has posted at least 48 yards in three of the past five games. Byrd is showing he can be a factor in this weak Patriots offense and is worth adding at this point.
Danny Amendola, Detroit Lions - 2% rostered
The 35-year-old is still showing he has it on the field, as he has gotten at least four targets and 54 yards in five of the past six games. He has the recent numbers and consistency to merit starting status for fantasy, so grab him as he could be of flex value to close out the season.
Free Agent Tight Ends
Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings - 6% rostered
Smith had four receptions for 63 yards and a score on four targets in Week 14 and has emerged as a decent option at TE for the Vikings. Though he hasn’t been consistent this season, Smith does offer upside as evidence of Week 14. He’s worth storing on your team for depth purposes.
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills - 2% rostered
Knox has been mostly a non-factor on the Bills’ offense this season, but he has gotten at least four receptions, four targets, and 27 yards in the past two weeks. Though modest overall, he’s worth stashing as the TE position offers very few elite names in fantasy.
Dan Arnold, Arizona Cardinals - 1% rostered
Yes, the Cardinals do have tight ends though it never seems like they do…at least until now. Dan Arnold now has at least three targets in the past three games. He had a 61-yard performance in Week 13 and now has four touchdowns in the past four weeks. He’s getting streaky at the right time and it’s even better that he plays TE, a position in which it’s hard to find very solid fantasy players. Arnold is a strong add this week.
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