FFT Express - Beat the Waiver Wire! MUST-STASH Players Before Week 14! 49ers DST, Strange, Mitchell, Higgins, Corum, & Others! (12/04 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

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Fantasy Football Today Express – Beat the Waiver Wire! MUST-STASH Players Before Week 14! (12/04/25)

Episode Theme
This concise, high-urgency episode of FFT Express with Adam Aizer and Dave Richard is all about “beating the waiver wire” ahead of the fantasy football playoffs. The hosts break down exactly who you need to stash—defenses, quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends—to set your roster up for success in the coming weeks. The focus is on actionable, forward-thinking moves, especially for managers on playoff bubble or those prepping for Weeks 15-17.

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DST Stashes: Prioritizing Playoff Matchups

• 49ers DST = Top Priority
  • Dave Richard (02:41):

    “The best stash that you can make right now for your fantasy team for week 15 is a DST. The 49ers DST taking on the Tennessee Titans. It does not get any better than that ... I would just pause this video right now, find some schlub on your bench, cut them, pick up the 49ers DST.”

    • Available in ~50% of CBS leagues.
    • Great matchup vs. Titans, ideal for Week 15/start of playoffs.
• Don’t Fear Roster Depth at DST
  • Adam (03:18):

    “Don’t be afraid to roster two DSTs right now.”

• DSTs to Pivot Away From (Week 15 Matchups Not Favorable):
  • Browns (vs. Chicago), Lions (vs. Rams), Rams (vs. Lions), Commanders (vs. Giants), Ravens, Patriots, Bills (all tough or even matchups), Chargers, Steelers (iffy vs. Miami).
• Alternative DST Streamers (Week 15):
  • Bears (vs. Browns), Jaguars (vs. Jets), Cowboys (vs. Vikings), Buccaneers (vs. Falcons) – worth adding if top DSTs aren’t available.

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Quarterback Options: Limited Upside This Late

• Slim Pickings
  • Dave Richard (05:05):

    “Where have all the quarterbacks gone? Don’t ask me again. Tyrod Taylor is as good as it gets.”

• Waiver QBs to Consider (if desperate):
  • Tyrod Taylor (at Jacksonville), Bryce Young, Tyler Shough (face each other), Aaron Rodgers (vs. Miami), Kirk Cousins (vs. Tampa), J.J. McCarthy (vs. Dallas) — all require desperation and a little luck.
• Situational Usage
  • If you’re streaming and planning ahead (e.g., you have Jordan Love who faces Denver, or Caleb Williams facing Cleveland), look for a pivot early.
• Jaden Daniels (Washington)
  • Adam (06:02):

    “One guy, 71% rostered, I believe, is Jaden Daniels. ... He’s got the Giants next week. So please check your leagues and make sure he’s not available.”

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Running Back Stashes: Handcuff SZN

• Free Agent RBs: Not Exciting, Still Useful
  • Blake Corum, Tyjae Spears (available in about half of leagues), Chris Rodriguez (about a third).
• Handcuff Rankings & Philosophy
  • Dave Richard (06:50):

    “Most of all, you’re going to want to get the handcuff to your own stud running back. Not all backups are created equally.”

    • If you have a clear RB1, prioritize their direct backup.
• Best Handcuffs To Target:
  • Bijan Robinson → Tyler Allgeier
  • Kyren Williams → Blake Corum
  • Christian McCaffrey → Brian Robinson Jr.
  • James Cook → Ray Davis
  • Devon Achane → Ollie Gordon
  • Saquon Barkley → Tank Bigsby
  • Travis Etienne → Bhayshul Tuten
  • Josh Jacobs → Emmanuel Wilson
  • Note: Not all backups are true handcuffs (e.g., Keaton Mitchell is not a direct Derrick Henry replacement).
• Other Possible Adds:
  • Devin Singletary (pending injury status), only 43% rostered.

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Wide Receiver Targets: Stash Now, Start Soon?

• High-Value Stashes & Fringe Starters
  • Dave Richard (09:39):

    “These are guys that you can not only stash, but you could start them this week. ... It’s just surprising that they’re still on the waiver wire.”

• Top WR Stashes:
  • Greg Dortch (85% available, monitor injury). If healthy, top PPR option.
  • Adonai Mitchell (58% available; strong volume since Tyrod Taylor took over; playable matchups).
  • Jaden Higgins (playing well, safe PPR floor, has Chiefs/Arizona coming).
  • John Metchie, De’Von Vele (deep-league PPR stashes, emerging target volume).
• Breakout Watch Candidates:
  • Luther Burden (Bears):
    • 57% route run rate last three weeks and five+ targets in three straight.
  • Pat Bryant (Broncos):
    • 61+ routes last four games, six+ targets last two.
• Usage Guidance
  • Some stashes are “hold and see,” others (Dortch, Mitchell, Higgins) could be flexed immediately.

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Tight End Streamers: Playoff-Ready Options

• Dave Richard (12:10):

  “There’s a lot of them. This is good. Brenton Strange and Dalton Schultz are the highlights. You can add them now off the waiver wire and start them this week.”

• Waiver TEs To Add:
  • Brenton Strange (35% available; Colts this week, then Jets)
  • Dalton Schultz (chiefs, then Arizona – both good matchups)
• If You’re Trying to Replace These TEs:
  • Harold Fannin, Hunter Henry, Oronde Gadsden, Darren Waller, Cade Otton (unappealing matchups or volume; Otton is being faded rapidly).
  • Adam (13:05):

    “Yeah, I’m done with Cade Otton, Dave.”

• Week 15 Stashes:
  • Isaiah Likely (80% available; at Cincinnati; “gross” but effective streamer)
  • T.J. Hockenson (49% available; vs. Dallas)
    • Both are “stash and see” for favorable playoff matchups.
• Cautious Optimism for Schultz/Strange:
  • “I’d rather have Strange, I’d rather have Schultz, but if I’ve got one of those other tight ends ... maybe I’m stashing Likely or Hockenson.” (13:36)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Playoff Nerves:
  • Adam (14:19):

    “It’s crazy and it’s nerve wracking. It is. You know, our reputations are on the line.”

• On Roster Churn:
  • Dave Richard (06:52):

    “Look to your bench. If there’s a player that you’re just not going to start, doesn’t have a lot of upside, you can cut them now to pick up the handcuff to your stud running back.”

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Key Takeaways & Strategy Guidance

• Be Aggressive Now.
  • Stash second DSTs or speculative flex contributors NOW, even at the cost of depth elsewhere.
• Handcuff Season is Here.
  • Prioritize the handcuff to your stud RB above random backups elsewhere on your roster.
• Wide Receiver/TE Breakouts Still Hiding on Waivers.
  • Several ascending talents remain under-rostered; keep an eye on usage upticks.
• Think Ahead—Not Just About This Week.
  • Especially if you’ve clinched a playoff berth or have little to play for in Week 14.

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For the full playoff push, use this cheat sheet to beat your league-mates to the best remaining waiver wire stashes.

Transcript

[Adam]

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[Adam]

Let'S beat the waiver wire playoff edition right now on Fantasy Football Today Express.

[Dave Richard]

Welcome.

[Adam]

Welcome to the show. Adam and Dave here. I don't know. Oh, it has been a little while since we've done this because you weren't here last week.

[Pre Alcohol Advertiser]

Okay.

[Adam]

That's why it feels that way.

[Dave Richard]

Welcome back. Thank you.

[Pre Alcohol Advertiser]

It's.

[Dave Richard]

It's a joy to be here. It's a joy to help people prepare for the fantasy playoffs. It beats a real job, like being a boss of accountants, for example.

[Adam]

Okay, Dave, who should we be? I think we ought to said you wanted to start with dsts.

[Dave Richard]

I do. Because the best stash that you can make right now for your fantasy team for week 15 is a DST. The 49ers DST taking on the Tennessee Titans. It does not get any better than that. I know that they don't have a ton of talent, they've been beaten up by injuries, but here they are coming off the bye, taking on the lowly Titans. I would just pause this video right now, find some schlub on your bench, cut them, pick up the 49ers DSC. They're out there in about half of CBS leagues whether you make the playoffs or not. Go grab them because you'll want to have the 49ers on your team in week 15. That's great.

[Adam]

I like that, actually. And yeah, I think a lot of people, you know, don't be afraid to roster two DSTs right now. And also if you're. If you've clinched the first round by this show is not going to be very helpful for you. Just take a look at week 16 and whoever Tennessee is playing there or. Or just some good ds.

[Dave Richard]

Kansas City.

[Adam]

Okay. Yeah, they're.

[Dave Richard]

Well, New Orleans in week 17, if you're daring.

[Adam]

Yeah. I mean, some people, it doesn't matter if you win this week, so don't worry about the fantasy points you're going to score. Just do what's best for your lineup in week 16. If that's the case. Now, speaking of week 15, who are the quarterbacks we should be rostering?

[Dave Richard]

Well, I was going to talk about the DSTs. You want to go quarterbacks or DST.

[Adam]

DST is fine.

[Dave Richard]

You can stay on that because you might want to bench or cut. The Browns, they play Chicago. The Lions, they play the Rams. The Rams will play the Lions. The Commanders, they take on the Giants. These are all highly rostered DSTs. I've got more of them. I got more names. So if you hear a DST you've got on your team, you might want to find a second one for week 15 at least. I already went through the Browns, Lions, Rams, Commanders, Ravens, Patriots and Bills, they play each other. The Chargers, the Steelers. If the Steelers stink it up this week, I don't know how good you're going to feel about them. Going one on one against Miami. So in addition to the 49ers being the top stash to get the Bears, DST takes on the Browns, the Jaguars, DST takes on the jets, the Cowboys, DST takes on the Vikings, and if they're out there, the Bucks DST against Atlanta. So there are some DSTs that can help you out in week 15. If you're watching this and someone else in your league has already started watching this and they already beat you to get the 49ers on their team.

[Adam]

All right, you ready for quarterbacks?

[Dave Richard]

Yeah, but it sucks. Yeah.

[Adam]

All the good ones are rostered already.

[Dave Richard]

Where have all the quarterbacks gone? Don't ask me again. To Rod Taylor is as good as it gets. 70 available at Jacksonville. The other names are Bryce Young, Tyler Schuck. They play against each other. Aaron Rodgers against Miami, Kirk cousins against Tampa. J.J. mcCarthy against Dallas. I. I mean, look, if one of those last three quarterbacks ends up doing well this week, then maybe you'll say, okay, I can be convinced to start them in a favorable matchup in week 15. But those are a lot of steps and you've got to be really desperate to need a quarterback in Week 15. Maybe you're in a spot where you're starting love this week and you don't have a plan for after this week because he takes on Denver, Caleb Williams takes on Cleveland, that's not going to be easy. Brissette at Houston, Is that where the Brissette magic ends? I don't know if we've got the guts to sit him against Houston. But bottom line is that if you are desperate for a quarterback, you're kind of out of luck. There aren't a lot of good ones on the waiver wire in most leagues.

[Adam]

I gotta say, one guy, 71% rostered, I believe, is Jaden Daniels. So that's a little.

[Dave Richard]

Yeah, if he's out there. I mean, he's. It looks like he's going to play this week.

[Adam]

Week 1476 roster, Jaden Daniels, and he's got the Giants next week. So please check your leagues and make sure he's. He's not available. If he is. Any running backs?

[Dave Richard]

Not really. I mean, Blake Horum and Ty J. Spears are as good as it gets. They're available in 48 leagues. Maybe Chris Rodriguez is out there. We've talked about him before as a stash guy and he's available in about a third of leagues. But they're not exciting running backs. So I thought I would use this time to tell you to get your handcuffs. And I even made a rank list of the best handcuffs for you to get.

This is where you say, okay, Dave, tell us.

[Adam]

Yeah, so the best handcuffs, I just don't know how to prioritize them. Dave, can you help?

[Dave Richard]

I. I sure can, Adam. And most of all, you're going to want to get the handcuff to your own stud running back. And not all backups are created equally. But here's what I got. Obviously, if you've got Bijan Robinson, you want Tyler Algier. If you've got Kyron Williams, you want Blake Corum. If you've got Christian McAffrey, go get yourself Brian Robinson Jr. James Cook, Ray Davis, Devon Achan Ali Gordon, Saquan Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Travis Etien, Basal Tutin, Josh Jacobs, Emmanuel Wilson. And then you should be able to figure out some of the other running backs that are behind the starters. But let me just give you two examples of backups that aren't necessarily good handcuffs for the stud in front of them. Derrick Henry, if. If he goes missing because he never gets hurt, he'd have to go missing. Keaton Mitchell would probably see a big uptick in playing time, but he wouldn't get all the work. So I wouldn't feel comfortable having Keaton Mitchell ready to go in case something happens to Derrick Henry. And if Chase Brown misses time, then is it going to be Samaj P. Ryan? Will P. Ryan pair with another running back? It doesn't feel equal. The running backs that I told you about before, those guys feel like they can give me 70% of what the running back in front of them does. And that's why I want to carry them on my team. So again, look to your bench. If there's a player that you're just not going to start, doesn't have a lot of upside, you can cut them now to pick up the handcuff to your stud running back.

[Adam]

And look, we. We think that Devin Singletary will be back in week 15, but we don't know this. So. Single. I'm sorry. Tyrone Tracy will be back single. Singletary is a guy that you could add. He's only 43% roster. All right, we'll take a break and talk about wide receivers when we come back on FFT Express.

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[Adam]

Dave Richard who are the wide receivers to get to Stash?

[Dave Richard]

So these are guys that you can not only stash, but you could start them this week. There's an asterisk with the top guy. It's Greg Dortch, 85% available. He's on the injury report with a chest injury. Obviously if he doesn't practice this week, he's probably not going to play against the Rams. Can't use him in that case. But he is somebody that I've ranked the highest in full ppr, the next guy. And these are all names that you've heard of within the last seven to 14 days as a fantasy manager. So none of these names should surprise you. It's just surprising that they're still on the waiver wire. Adonai Mitchell, 58% available. People aren't buying it. Maybe it's because he's a Jet. Maybe it's because he screwed up in Indianapolis. The targets have been there for him for really ever since Tod Taylor has taken over. I can buy into that, especially with matchups against the Dolphins and the Jaguars in his next two games. Jaden Higgins in Houston is somebody who's been playing very well, has a safe floor and full ppr. He's got the Chiefs this week. That stinks. Arizona the week after that. That's pretty good. Jaden Higgins is someone that I'd be real interested in adding. And then John Mechi, Devon Vale, you know, they've both been running a lot of routes lately and they've been getting some good target volume lately. So you can carry them. I don't know if I would start them maybe in deeper leagues and they'd have to be PPR for me to go with them. But Mechi's got the same opponents over the next two weeks as Adnai Mitchell, Devon, Vale, Tampa this week, Carolina next week. If he sticks, I'd say if he has a good game again this week, has good target volume again this week, then next week against Carolina, I'd be okay trying him as the number three receiver. So baby steps with Vale, we're going a little bit faster. We with guys like Dortch, Mitchell and Higgins. I also went on a mission, Adam. I wanted to find the next AD and I Mitchell and what does that mean? It means somebody who's playing a lot, getting targets, just hasn't had that breakout game and it's a name that we've talked about on the show before and another name that we haven't luther burden in Chicago 57% route run rate each of the last three weeks. Five plus targets in three straight games. I wonder if he continues to see his involvement go up for the Bears, but Pat Bryant for the Broncos, 61 or more routes run each of the past four for Denver, six or more targets in each of his last two. Everybody was excited about him last week he had 7.2 PPR points. The week before that or the game before that he had 13.2 PPR points. So those are two other receivers that you can stash on your team thinking long term, thinking that they might have their breakout moment and then that they can become fantasy starters in the playoffs.

[Adam]

All right, we'll finish up with tight ends.

[Dave Richard]

There's a lot of them. This is good. Breton Strange and Dalton Schultz are the highlights. You can add them now off the waiver wire and start them this week. Strange 35 available. He's got the Colts, then the Jets. Schultz has Kansas City and then Arizona. And we know Arizona, 11 or more half PPR points. Forget about full PPR, half PPR to two of the past three tight ends that they've gone up against. They should give up a number to LA's tight ends this week and then Dalton Schultz does his thing next week. And the reason why those two are very interesting. You might need a tight end now to stream or if you've got Harold Fannin, Hunter Henry around a Gadsden, Darren Waller or Kate Otten. I don't know if I like the matchups for them in week 15 and I don't know how badly I want to start most of those guys in week 14. Hunter, Henry. I'm not even starting in week 14.

[Pre Alcohol Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Dave Richard]

Talk yourself into moving on from them and getting Strange and Schultz in your tight end spot this week.

[Adam]

Yeah, I'm done with Kate Otten. Dave.

[Dave Richard]

I think most people are, but he's still rostered very highly.

[Adam]

Yeah, I think he should be. I think. I think you should move on from him. Fantasy managers, especially if Mike Evans plays this week, I mean, it's just they're not throwing the ball a lot and they're not throwing the ball. They're averaging about 185 passing yards per game in their last five or six games. It's insane. That's Tampa Bay, you know, Otten, it's just feels like it's starting to fade. He has one or two end zone targets all year. He never scores.

[Dave Richard]

What's going to happen when Evans comes back and McMillan comes back? He's going to be. He's going to turn to dust. Hey, two more names at tight end. These are stashes for week 15. Isaiah, likely 80% available at Cincinnati. And I feel a little gross saying this, but T.J. hawkinson, 49 available. He's got Dallas. So these are two tight ends that have favorable matchups in Week 15. I'd rather have Strange, I'd rather have Schultz, but if I've got one of those other tight ends that I mentioned, Fan and Henry, Gadson, Waller, Otten, maybe. I'm stashing Likely in Hawkinson. See what they do this week and potentially start them in favorable matchups in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. Adam, we're here. Fantasy play. Playoff time.

[Adam]

I know.

[Dave Richard]

Yeah.

[Adam]

You know, it's crazy and it's nerve wracking. It is. You know, our reputations are on the line. All right, well, thanks for watching and listening to FFT Express. Go beat that waiver wire. Go beat your opponent. Go win your league. Talk to you later.

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