8 Fantasy Football Stash Candidates Ahead of Week 11
With the fantasy postseason only a handful of weeks ahead, now is the time to really look forward and stash some players who may be advantageous down the stretch. These stashes may be based on potential injuries, pecking order, favorable remaining schedule or any combination of things.
Clear out those benches (check out my Dead Weight Report on who to drop) and make room for this week’s crop of emerging fantasy assets.
Will Fuller, WR – Dolphins
We’ve been down this road before, but it does look like Will Fuller could be back this week. DeVante Parker is out until at least Week 12, so if Fuller does return, he’ll immediately be part of a passing corps that has basically been comprised of Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki.
Miami has a really juicy schedule throughout the fantasy playoffs as they get the Jets, Saints and Titans in Weeks 15-17, who sit 23rd, 30th and 32nd, respectively, in WR schedule-adjusted fantasy points (aFPA). With Tua Tagovailoa back and plenty of targets to be had in this offense, Fuller could walk back into fantasy relevancy either this week or next if his finger isn’t ready.
Wayne Gallman, RB – Falcons
This could be a shorter stash depending on the extent of Cordarrelle Patterson’s injury. Patterson injured his right ankle in the first quarter of the game in Week 10, returned for a few plays in the second quarter, but was then shut down for the remainder of the contest.
Wayne Gallman saw 15 carries for 55 yards, plus two targets, which he caught one for 21 yards. The fifth-year RB has never been the sexiest back and still probably won’t be, but with Mike Davis ineffective and Patterson possibly not 100%, Gallman could see an increased role moving forward. Tilts with the Patriots and Jaguars in the next two weeks sweeten the pot.
Ray-Ray McCloud & James Washington, WRs – Steelers
With Chase Claypool on the shelf with turf toe, both Ray-Ray McCloud and James Washington saw increased usage with fill-in QB Mason Rudolph. McCloud was just one target behind Diontae Johnson with 12, while Washington’s six balls were fourth among Pittsburgh pass-catchers.
It’s looking like Ben Roethlisberger will be out again in Week 11, and if Rudolph is at the helm, he seemed to vibe more with McCloud, but both could be decent stashes until Claypool returns, which may not be until Week 13.
Robby Anderson, WR – Panthers
It’s understandable if you’re rolling your eyes right now, as some of you may have just gotten rid of Robby Anderson. However, he did show some signs of life without Sam Darnold under center, posting a 4-37-1 line in Week 10 on six targets.
Up ahead for the Panthers are the Football Team and Dolphins, who sit 31st and 28th, respectively, in WR aFPA the next two weeks. It also helps that Carolina ends the season with two tilts against the 27th-ranked Bucs, with the Saints (30th) in between in Week 17, which is most likely your fantasy championship game. Stashing Anderson now in the event he becomes more of a regular contributor with Cam Newton as QB may benefit your squad long term. If not, he’s easily sent packing, again.
Godwin Igwebuike, RB – Lions
Mostly a special teams guy, Godwin Igwebuike’s number was called in the past two games due to an injury to Jamaal Williams. Before Jermar Jefferson left the game with an ankle issue last week, the Lions rotated both backs behind D'Andre Swift and they combined for 21.7 half-PPR points, with Swift posting 15.0 himself.
In Weeks 9 and 10, Igwebuike has a combined 114 yards and a score. In an offense devoid of playmakers, we could see more of the 27-year-old back moving forward if these backfield injuries linger. The Lions’ upcoming schedule isn’t particularly soft, but if Igwebuike becomes a regular contributor, he could be a difference-maker come the fantasy postseason, as Detroit gets two defenses ranked in the bottom-four units in RB aFPA in Weeks 16 and 17.
Los Angeles Chargers Defense
Rostered by only 24% of Yahoo! Managers, the Chargers have a really favorable path through the next few weeks, and the remainder of the 2021 season, actually. This week they’ll get a Steelers offense sans Ben Roethlisberger, followed by the Broncos and Bengals, who allow the 27th- and 24th-most fantasy points to opposing defenses.
The fantasy playoffs in Weeks 15-17 consist of the Chiefs, Texans and Broncos again, who sit 21st, 20th and 27th in DST aFPA. If you need an available defense to ride out the season, the Chargers could be just what you’re looking for.
Jake Elliott, K – Eagles
Coming off a K1 outing in Week 10 with 14 fantasy points, Jake Elliott has smooth sailing ahead after this week’s matchup with the Saints and a pesky bye in Week 14. His opponents in all of the remaining matchups rank 24th or worse in kicker aFPA. If you don’t want to deal with streaming for the rest of the season, grab Elliott now and hold him. Of course, you will have to find a replacement for Week 14.
