Fantasy Football Today Express – Beat the Waiver Wire! Must-Stash Players Before Week 12

Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer (A), Dave Richard (B)
Topic: Must-stash players and waiver wire strategies heading into Week 12

Episode Overview

This episode zeroes in on critical add/drop and stash advice to help fantasy football managers "beat the waiver wire" before Week 12. Adam and Dave break down must-stash candidates at every position, considering bye weeks, injuries, and recent player performances. The tone is urgent and practical, reflecting the fantasy playoff push and emphasizing actionable takeaways for listeners eager to maintain a competitive edge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage & Bye Week Reminders

• Adam highlights the urgency with Week 12 approaching and key teams (Denver, Chargers, Dolphins, Washington) on bye, amplifying the need to preemptively manage rosters ([01:25]).

2. Headline Waiver Stash: Luther Burden III (WR, Minnesota)

Dave:

• “The headliner is Luther Burden III... 77% available, has Minnesota this week and Pittsburgh next week.” ([02:00])
• Burden’s usage is increasing (“season high 49% route run rate”), and coaching staff quotes suggest more involvement is coming:

  "Ben Johnson openly said, 'there's a strong argument that we should get the ball to him more.'"

• DJ Moore’s status is uncertain, but Burden is a prime speculative add, potentially flex-worthy by Week 12.

3. Quarterback Stashes: Navigating Bye and Tough Matchups

([02:53]–[04:14])

Recommendation Hierarchy:

• Double-Check:
  • Brock Purdy (vs. Carolina, 70%+ rostered)
  • Aaron Rodgers (at Chicago, 70%+ rostered)
• Prime Stash:
  • Jacoby Brissett (vs. Jacksonville, 61% available)
    • Jaguars “have allowed at least 30 fantasy points to quarterbacks in three straight games.”
    • If Marvin Harrison Jr. returns, Brissett could be a plug-and-play.
• Other Options:
  • Trevor Lawrence (same game as Brissett)
  • Desperation Adds:
    • Jameis Winston (if Dart is out)
    • Michael Penix, Tyler Schuck (Falcons/Saints)
    • Chadur Sanders (as speculative 2QB league add if Browns change QBs)

“If Dak and Baker have bad games this week, you might not be excited to start them next week in tough matchups.” ([02:53])

4. Running Back Market: Slim Pickings

([04:17]–[05:41])

• “Yeah, LOL is right because there’s nothing really there that’s good.” ([04:17])
• Double-Check:
  • Tyler Allgeier, Amari Demercado (if still available)
• Best of What’s Left:
  • Sean Tucker, Donovan Knight (both contingent on other injuries)
• Deep-League Stash:
  • Devin Neal (Saints; 88% available; possible pivot away from Alvin Kamara)

    “I would rather speculate on Luther Burden for example. And there's some other tight ends that we'll talk about that I'd rather speculate on. But for those that are running back hungry... Devin Neal is an option.” ([05:07])

  • Chris Rodriguez Jr. (if he becomes lead)

    “If Chris Rodriguez is the starting running back...could do worse. I've seen people pick him up in my leagues.” ([05:41])

5. Wide Receiver Stashes

([07:12]–[09:00])

• Christian Watson (Packers)
  • “Might end up being the number one wide receiver for the Packers...you can move Watson ahead [of Burden], but he’s already rostered in 2/3 of CBS leagues.” ([07:18])
• Parker Washington (“40% available; at Arizona in Week 12. May be usable Week 11 as well.”)
• Speculative names:
  • Jaden Higgins (Texans), Roman Wilson (Steelers - has shown scoring upside), Calvin Austin (Steelers; behind Wilson in priority)

    “Wilson especially: 11.5 or more PPR points in two of his last three. Maybe he’ll play more soon.” ([08:13])

• IR Stash: Brandon Aiyuk, Jaden Reed, Jalen McMillan (“If you’ve got IR spots, go ahead and plug them in.”)
• Chris Godwin (33% rostered, may return Week 12) ([09:00])

6. Tight End Targets

([09:15]–[10:47])

Challenging Matchups: Next week could be tough for Dalton Schultz, Jake Ferguson, and Juwan Johnson.

• Harold Fannin (available in 30% of CBS leagues—gradually gaining traction)
• Brenton Strange

  “Jaguars team reporter expects him to play in week 11...could pencil him for 10 PPR points.”

  • Arizona matchup in Week 12 is favorable (Cardinals allow lots of TE points)
  • “Almost nine half PPR points to a tight end in six of nine games.” ([09:39])
• Others of Note:
  • Pat Freiermuth (Steelers: good vs. Cincinnati and Chicago next)
  • Theo Johnson (if Darius Slayton stays out)
  • Luke Musgrave (“78% available,” decent IR stash)
  • Darren Waller (potential returnee for Dolphins matchup)

“I will drop David Njoku for Brenton Strange...he's gonna be my second tight end.” – Adam ([10:52])

7. Defense/Special Teams (DST) Streamers

([11:10]–[12:24])

• Teams to Replace: Denver, Chargers (bye)
• Tough Matchups: Texans (Buffalo), Patriots (Bengals), Rams (Bucs)
• Widely Rostered but Check: Falcons, Eagles, Bills, Browns
• Week 11 & 12 Streams:
  • Chiefs (vs. Denver)
  • Indianapolis (good defense, though matchups tough)
  • Vikings (53% available; vs. Chicago, Green Bay)
  • “Look for a spirited effort from the Cowboys defense...especially their first game with Quinn and Williams this week against the Raiders, 56% available.” ([11:37])
    • Only a one-week play
• Deep desperation:
  • 49ers (vs. Carolina)
  • Cardinals (vs. Jaguars)
  • Raiders (vs. Browns—Browns prone to allowing DST scores)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The headliner is Luther Burden III...77% available... seems like a good stash candidate to me.” – Dave ([02:00])
• “Yeah, LOL is right because there’s nothing really there that's good.” – Dave, on RB stashes ([04:17])
• “Brenton Strange... could pencil him for 10 PPR points.” – Dave ([09:39])
• “If Chris Rodriguez is the starting running back... could do worse. I've seen people pick him up in my leagues.” – Adam ([05:41])
• “I will drop David Njoku for Brenton Strange...he's gonna be my second tight end.” – Adam ([10:52])

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:00–02:00 – Episode setup, Week 12 bye teams, urgency to “beat the waiver wire”
• 02:00–02:42 – Luther Burden III analysis
• 02:53–04:14 – QB replacement strategies for Week 12
• 04:17–05:41 – Running back stash landscape and deep league options
• 07:12–09:00 – Wide Receiver priorities, speculative adds, and IR stashes
• 09:15–10:47 – Tight end streamer/stash discussion (focus on Brenton Strange)
• 11:10–12:24 – DST streaming and desperation pickups

Takeaways

• Get ahead of your league: Focus now on stashing likely Week 12 impact players, not just Week 11 fill-ins.
• Top priority stashes: Luther Burden III (if available); check for Christian Watson and Brenton Strange at TE.
• QB and RB depth: Options are thinner—monitor injury news for deep stashes like Devin Neal and Chris Rodriguez Jr.
• DST streaming: Have a plan for Week 12 (Chiefs, Vikings, Cowboys as one-week fill) and look for matchups vs. struggling offenses like the Browns.
• Be speculative and proactive: This is the critical window to gain a roster edge with playoffs on the horizon.

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