Fantasy Football Stashes: Michael Penix, Jaylen Wright, Miles Sanders, Eric Gray

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.

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.