Andrew Hall | Fri, Aug 16th 2024, 7:08am EDT

8 Fantasy Football Bench Stashes & Waiver Wire Pickups (2024)

As we head toward redraft fantasy football season it’s time to start mock drafting. If you’re not already using the FREE FantasyPros mock draft simulator then take this as your sign to start. In fantasy football mock drafts, you can often try different strategies and see who falls where. I love seeing who’s left at the end of my draft. Here are some players I’m targeting in fantasy football leagues I can stash on my bench in case they blow up early in the year. Here are top fantasy football bench stashes and players to consider adding as waiver wire pickups after your draft.

8 Redraft League Stashes

Michael Penix (QB – ATL)

Whether you’re in a 1-QB or Superflex league, keep your eye on Michael Penix. The Falcons spent a lot more draft capital than anyone predicted to get him. We all expect Kirk Cousins to get the starting job in Week 1, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Penix gets a chance to shine at some point. Whether it’s bad play from Cousins or a losing record through 10 weeks, Penix should get the call at some point. His current redraft expert consensus ranking (ECR) of QB37 makes him rosterable in Superflex leagues and a perfect option for your watch list in 1-QB leagues.

Jaylen Wright (RB – MIA)

If you haven’t heard about Jaylen Wright by now then let me be the first to tell you that he’s fast. He posted a 4.38 40-yard dash before being drafted by the Dolphins in the fourth round. He joins De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert on a roster that adores speed. Sure, he’s buried on the depth chart for now, but I can’t imagine it stays that way for long. His ranking of RB56 makes him a perfect stash option. In keeper leagues where drafted rounds matter, he’s someone I’m targeting wherever possible.

Miles Sanders (RB – CAR)

On the other end of the spectrum from Wright is none other than Miles Sanders. The veteran in Carolina could see some playing time early with rookie Jonathon Brooks on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and Chuba Hubbard potentially nursing his own injury. I’m not saying Sanders will be good. However, his RB69 ranking makes him stash-worthy in deeper leagues.

If Brooks takes longer than expected, or the team is worse than expected, Sanders could be leaned on to save wear and tear on the rookie. If Hubbard’s injury ends up lingering, Sanders would be the best option remaining. I’m not happy about it, but his dirt cheap price makes him attractive for me on teams that need RB depth.

Eric Gray (RB – NYG)

I remember exactly where I was when I got the injury alert heard around the fantasy world recently. Specifically, the Giants’ rookie RB Tyrone Tracy suffered what appeared to be a serious injury. Tracy has been a solid rookie target for many, partially because the RB room in New York is wide open. It turned out that Tracy’s injury wasn’t as severe as predicted, but it reminded me that at RB it’s always next man up. For the Giants, that’s Eric Gray.

Gray didn’t perform too badly last year in limited time. His ECR of RB79 means he’ll probably go undrafted in many leagues. I’d much rather put him on my bench in deeper leagues to avoid giving anyone else the chance to stash him. He could be a league winner if he ends up getting the chance. I’m not saying he’s super talented, but at RB, all that matters is opportunity, and he’s one and a half injuries away from a great opportunity now.

DeMario Douglas (WR – NE)

The Patriots are a mess this year, there’s no other way to put it. They are leaning hard into rebuild mode and their roster shows it. Rookie QB Drake Maye will be looking for someone to lean on, and I think that’ll be DeMario Douglas in 2024. Along with Maye, the team took two receivers in April’s rookie draft: Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. However, as the Patriots themselves have seen in recent years, rookie receivers are far from sure things. Douglas’ ECR of WR64 is the highest of the Patriots’ receivers, but it’s far from your starting lineup. That being said, he could end up being the No. 1 WR on his team and crack your Flex spots in some weeks, making him worth stashing.

Adonai Mitchell (WR – IND)

As previously stated, rookie receivers are far from sure things. However, getting snaps early in the season with a second-year quarterback isn’t a bad place to be. Colts WR Josh Downs could miss the first few weeks of the year, opening the door for rookie Adonai Mitchell to make a name for himself. QB Anthony Richardson will probably have a chip on his shoulder and fellow WR Michael Pittman should warrant plenty of defensive attention.

There’s a chance Mitchell outperforms his ECR of WR71. If nothing else, you should know what you have within the first few weeks. Meaning if he doesn’t put up numbers you can drop him for someone else. Either way, he’s worth a stash as we open the season. Sometimes that alone can be valuable as you decide who to select in the later rounds.

Xavier Legette (WR – CAR)

The last rookie on my list, and teammate to Sanders, is currently ranked at WR74 in ECR. Xavier Legette was a first-round draft pick and was expected to see the field early and often for the Panthers. He’s playing alongside veterans like Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson, both of whom are very likely to miss some time. QB Bryce Young should be better than last year, too, or at least that’s the hope. All of this makes me very excited to see if Legette can be the team’s top wideout or not. Much like Mitchell, I love taking players like this with my last pick in redraft leagues. Low risk, high reward.

Cade Otton (TE – TB)

Tight end may be deeper than ever this year, letting a lot of fantasy managers wait at the position. I know in some leagues I even take two players past the top 12 at their position. This is right where Cade Otton fits in. I have no problem adding Otton, who is the TE20 in ECR, as my TE2 on deeper teams. He’s ranked right behind others like Tyler Conklin and Hunter Henry, but I believe he’s got way more top-12 upside than them. If you miss out on drafting one of the big boys, don’t worry, guys like Otton later on can help put your mind at ease.

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