FFT Express - Beat the Waiver Wire! MUST-STASH Players Before Week 16! (12/20 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today Express - Beat the Waiver Wire! MUST-STASH Players Before Week 16!

Date: December 20, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard

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Episode Overview

This special championship-week "Express" episode is all about giving fantasy football managers a crucial edge: which players to stash or add from the waiver wire before Week 16 (with an eye to Week 17 matchups). Hosts Adam and Dave run through each key position, spotlighting players available in most leagues who could become fantasy playoff heroes, especially in light of recent injuries and late-season lineup volatility. The episode is rapid-fire, actionable, and assumes listeners are playoff-bound and looking to make smart, forward-thinking roster moves.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Waiver Wire Strategy and Philosophy – [03:29]

• Adam: Urges managers to "ensure you have options if your starters go down," especially with back-to-back games and critical matchups pending.
• Dave: “These players are also going to hopefully help you out in week 17 if you get there.” [04:01]

2. Running Backs to Stash – [04:11]

Top Names:

• Michael Carter (Arizona, 47% available)
  • Has shown flex appeal in games with 10+ touches: “11.4 PPR points in three of the four, 8.4 in the fourth. So he's got some upside.” – Adam [04:32]
  • Recommended for managers with RB injury issues, especially looking at Week 17 vs. Cincinnati.
• Emmanuel Wilson
  • Handcuff if Josh Jacobs sits out: “Pick up Emmanuel Wilson if [Jacobs] ends up not playing.” – Adam [05:23]
• Jawar Jordan (Houston, 78% available)
  • Speed is attractive; could get opportunity if Woody Marks is out.
• Audric Estimé
  • Physical RB, but only a one-week rental due to bad matchups in Week 17.
• Devin Singletary
  • Last-resort depth option for desperate managers.

3. Quarterbacks to Stash – [06:35]

• “If you're not starting these guys, you can move on from CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Gardner Minshew, Kirk Cousins.” – Adam [06:35]
  • Tough late-season matchups make them cuttable.
• Best Stash Options:
  • Tyler Shough (65% available)
    • Week 16 vs. Jets, Week 17 vs. Tennessee: “I like that matchup for him.” – Adam [06:40]
  • Marcus Mariota
    • Unfavorable matchups (Dallas/Philly), but might be forced into lineups in Superflex.
  • Aaron Rodgers
    • “Has Detroit this week. He should have to throw a lot.” – Adam [06:53]
• Deep/Desperation Superflex Darts:
  • J.J. McCarthy (possible if he continues hot streak)
  • Geno Smith, Cam Ward, Quinn Ewers — only for the most desperate playoff scenarios.

Notable Quote: “It is late in the year and it is a Superflex league.” – Adam [07:18]

4. Wide Receivers to Stash – [09:25]

• Adonai Mitchell (60% available)
  • “Had at least 17 PPR points in two of three games…maybe I could trust that guy as a flex or No. 3 WR.” – Adam [10:00]
• Jalen Coker (82% available)
  • “He has 11 PPR points or more in three of his past four games.” – Adam [10:38]
  • Good Week 16 matchup vs. Tampa Bay.
• Darius Slayton
  • “He has 11+ points in three of his past four games with Jackson Dart.” – Adam [11:00]
• Luther Burden
  • Out Week 16. Dave likes stashing for Week 17, but Adam warns: “There's no guarantee he’s going to play ... it's really a nuisance." [09:43]

5. Tight Ends to Stash – [11:03]

• Colston Loveland
  • “As long as Burden and Romo Dunes are on the sideline, I imagine we’re going to see an uptick in playing time and targets.” – Adam [11:12]
• Theo Johnson
  • With Jackson Dart, has 10.2+ PPR in 7 games; “feels like a safe floor.”
• TJ Hockenson
  • “Nine to about 12 PPR points in each of his past three games…they’re using him a little bit more.” – Adam [11:36]
• Mike Gesicki
  • Very boom-or-bust, “but he’s got the Dolphins…and Arizona after that.” (only if desperate).

6. Defenses (DSTs) to Stash – [12:13]

• Top Targets:
  • Steelers (vs. Cleveland), Patriots (Jets), Jaguars (Colts), Saints (Titans) – most rostered already.
• Chargers Defense:
  • “Ten or more fantasy points in seven of their past nine games, 15+ in three straight…this is a good defense.” – Adam [12:40]
  • Great Week 17 matchup vs. Houston; avoid this week vs. Dallas.
• Others:
  • Buccaneers (Dolphins), Lions (Minnesota) — more speculative, monitor injuries.
  • Rams (77% rostered) — “They’re at Atlanta on Monday night to close out Championship Week.” – Dave [14:14]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On late-season desperation:
  • “Week 16, week 17, desperate times, desperate measures.” – Adam [09:44]
• On the importance of defense streaming:
  • “Sometimes where you win your league…” – Dave [12:13]
• Playoff flexibility tip:
  • “Pick up [a handcuff] and if your starter plays, you can cut him and free up the roster spot before the week starts.” – Adam [05:23]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Week 17 Schedule Chat: [03:32]
• Waiver Wire RBs: [04:11–06:34]
• Quarterbacks to Stash: [06:35–07:35]
• Superflex QB Deep Dives: [07:35–08:22]
• Wide Receiver Stashes: [09:25–11:03]
• Tight End Stashes: [11:03–12:13]
• Defenses/Special Teams: [12:13–14:18]

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Final Takeaways

• Be proactive: Waiver adds for Weeks 16 and 17 require balancing immediate need with future upside.
• Stash handcuffs and backups at every position—especially if your team is healthy and you can cut depth.
• DST streaming could determine championships this year with some premium matchups available.
• Monitor injuries closely, especially those impacting opportunity (e.g., Josh Jacobs, wideouts like Luther Burden).

“Good luck in Week 16 … and we'll talk to you tomorrow on Fantasy Football Today.” — Dave [14:20]

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Transcript

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[Adam]

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[Host/Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Adam]

Week 17.

[Dave]

Three games on Thursday. That's Christmas day. Dallas at Washington, Detroit at Minnesota, Denver at Kansas City. Stinker. Stinker. Stinker.

[Adam]

What's up, Dave? Adam, you can't be excited about week 17 until we get through week 16. And I know that we're supposed to be talking about the players who can help you in week 17, but I couldn't help myself. There are players who I think you can pick up now and potentially use if you've got problems with your fantasy team.

[Dave]

Hey, I can deal with that. And these players are also going to hopefully help you out in week 17 if you get there.

[Adam]

Ideally, yes.

[Dave]

Yep. All right, what do you want to start?

[Adam]

Let's start with the best name that I think you can add last week was Emmanuel Wilson. I don't want to go back to Emmanuel Wilson, but Josh Jacobs is banged up. We know what to do with Emmanuel Wilson in the event Josh Jacobs doesn't play. You should take a look for Emmanuel Wilson, but he's not the guy that I would go get if I just needed to make sure I had somebody. If you need to make sure that you need a running back and you need him to play, Michael Carter's your guy, 47% available. He's got Atlanta this week, Cincinnati next week. I prefer to evaluate and not use them in week 16 and wait until week 17. But you know, we've got problems in fantasy land and if we've got running backs that are hurt and we need a replacement, Carter could be the guy he has four games this year with 10 or more touches. 11.4 PPR points in three of the four, 8.4 in the fourth. So he's got some upside. He's also got a little bit of downside. 8.4 ppr points isn't great, but he shouldn't crush you. And I think he will be the lead running back for Arizona.

[Host/Advertiser]

Okay. Yeah.

[Dave]

Josh Jacobs will be questionable for Saturday's game. I would assume even if he doesn't play on Saturday that he'll be good for week 17, but, I mean, who knows?

[Adam]

We don't know. Let's just make sure he gets through week 16 first. And so the idea is you can pick up Emmanuel Wilson if he ends up not playing. You start Wilson, he being Josh Jacobs. If Jacobs does play, you can potentially cut Wilson before the week starts, and then you've got a roster spot open. You can do something with that.

[Dave]

You know, it's kind of messed up, but I'm just really realizing here. Dallas and Washington play on Thursday and Washington has a Saturday game this week, so they have an extra day to prepare for Dallas. Dallas will be on this on the even shorter week. Okay, who else? Give me quarterbacks, Quarterback system.

[Adam]

Well, I can finish with a couple of other running backs. Jawar Jordan in Houston. We know that Woody Marks hasn't been practicing. This is through Thursday. Nick Chubb has been practicing. I kind of liked Jordan's film. He's fast. They need that in Houston. He will probably end up splitting two, if not three ways in that backfield, but he's available in 78% of leagues. Audric estimate has been a name that we've talked about all week. Physical running back, not necessarily a fast running back. Does have a good matchup this week against the Jets. Actually a tough matchup next week against Tennessee. So I don't love him long term. And if you're still desperate, Devin Singletary is a name that you can turn to. All right, quarterback. You want to go to quarterback next?

[Dave]

Yeah.

[Adam]

Okay. So if you're not starting these guys, you can move on from CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Gardner Minshew, Kirk Cousins. They've got tough matchups in week 17, so get them off your team. You can use these quarterbacks this week and potentially next week. This is not a pretty list, but we're trying to replace Patrick Mahomes. We're trying to find a backup quarterback in case our starter does get hurt. I would go right to Tyler Shuck. 65% available. He's at Tennessee in week 17. I like that matchup for him. Not to mention he's got the jets in week 16, so you could potentially start him. Marcus Mariota, he's got Dallas in week 17, Philly in week 16. Not too crazy about that one. Aaron Rodgers has Detroit this week. He should have to throw a lot. He's at Cleveland. He had a good game against Cleveland earlier this year. Those are the three quarterbacks that you can turn to if you're in a super flex league and you're desperate. We're talking about J.J. mcCarthy, Geno Smith, Cam Ward, Quinn Ewers. These are names you don't want to trust, but you might be desperate. Hello. It is late in the year and it is a super flex league.

[Host/Advertiser]

Okay.

[Dave]

And let's take a little break here and come back and talk about wide receivers. Although, honestly, if J.J. mcCarthy has a good game against the Giants and is coming off three straight good games and then gets Detroit at home, sure, I think you might, you might want to start him.

[Adam]

I. I am with you on that. And I would have been interested in maybe starting J.J. mcCarthy this week, but the offensive line has injuries again in Minnesota. Yeah, and we saw it earlier this year. When that line is banged up, it doesn't matter who the quarterback is. It's a mess.

[Dave]

You know, Jason McCarthy has 19 rushing yards, which isn't a ton, but it's almost two fantasy points. 19 rushing yards or a rushing touchdown in six of eight games this year.

[Adam]

It's like a mini Jackson Dart.

[Dave]

Yeah, mini. Yeah, mini. Mini Josh Allen. Let's go. All right, we'll be right back on.

[Adam]

What Jackson Dart is.

[Dave]

There you go. We'll be right back on Fantasy Football Today Express.

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[Adam]

All right.

[Dave]

It's been a year where there's been so many good wide receivers to stash. I think I know who the first one you're going to recommend is, but tell me.

[Adam]

I think it is. Who do you think? Who do you think?

[Dave]

Luther Burden.

[Adam]

Well, I mean, we've talked about him a lot, but he's not going to play in week 16. So why would I stash him? Because.

[Dave]

Because you might want him for week 17.

[Adam]

Maybe, but there's no guarantee he's going to play. What if I need a wide receiver this week and next week? I'd rather carry that wide receiver than Luther Burden. Sure, in a perfect world, Luther Burden makes a lot of sense. But we don't know if he's going to be ready to go. He got hurt last week. It's changing all of our plans. It's really a nuisance. So let's take a look at names that you've heard before on this show that you can't feel necessarily great about. But again, week 16, week 17, desperate times, desperate measures. Adonai Mitchell. I thought he looked pretty good last week. 60% available. He's got New Orleans this week, New England the week after that. New England's defense is banged up right now, Adam, and there is a chance that if he comes through with another big game, he's had at least 17 PPR points in two or three games. Yeah, maybe I could trust that guy as a flex or a number three wide receiver. And I can say the exact same thing for Jalen Coker in Carolina. No one raced to pick him up off the waiver wire this week. He's still 82% available. He's got Tampa. That's a good matchup in Week 16 against Seattle in Week 17. I don't want to use them. So he might be more of a one week rental. He has 11 PPR points or more in three of his past four games. And then your guy, Darius Slayton, he's got Minnesota this week and then Las Vegas the week after that. He has 11 PPR points or more in three of his past four games with Jackson Dart.

[Dave]

Okay, tight ends to Stash Colson Loveland.

[Adam]

Should be a name that you look for. Don't know if he's going to be there. He's available in about a third of CBS leagues. He's got Green Bay, he's got San Francisco. As long as Burton and Romo Dunes are on the sideline, I imagine we're going to see an uptick in playing time and targets for Colson Loveland. The upticks might be small, but I think he's proven that he can be a capable fantasy tight end. Theo Johnson's another giant that you can look at. The matchups are good. He's available in a little more than a third of CBS leagues. In nine starts with Jackson Dart. Theo has 10.2 PPR points or more in seven games. So that feels like a safe floor. TJ Hawkinson, available in half of CBS leagues. He's got the Giants, then he's got the Lions. Nine to about 12 PPR points in each of his past three games. Two of them are with J.J. mcCarthy. They're using them a little bit more. And then I always get squeamish when I recommend Mike Kasecki because we know that he's capable of just having a two catch, 15 yard game. But he's got the Dolphins and that defense looks like they might check out. They've got Arizona after that. These are favorable matchups if. If T. Higgins is sidelined. Mike Kasicki is safe. He's available in almost every CBS league. Cool.

[Dave]

Dst. This is, you know, sometimes where you win it, where you win your league.

[Adam]

Absolutely.

[Dave]

It's worth stashing a DST for next week if you can afford to do it. And who do. Who do you like?

[Adam]

The problem is a lot of fantasy managers have already done that. There are a lot of DSTs on rosters right now. So let's just do a double check for the Steelers, the Patriots, the Jaguars and the Saints. All them are already rostered in 70% or more of CBS leagues. The Steelers have the great matchup against Cleveland. The Patriots have the Jets. Hopefully they're healthier for that game. Jacksonville's got Indianapolis. We'll see how the Colts offense looks. And then the Saints, they've got the Titans. That offense has really struggled. If you don't see any of those four, the one that might be available might be the best defense, but not necessarily the best matchups. And that's the Chargers. They've taken on Dallas this week. Houston. The week after that, they've had 10 or more fantasy points. This is a traditional type of scoring system. Seven of their past nine games, 15 plus and three straight against the Chiefs, the Eagles, the Raiders. This is a good defense. They might be the second best defense in the afc and we could use them as a potential dst. Other ones that you could speculate on. The Bucks, the Lions, but they also have a lot of injuries, sort of favorable matchups. At least the Bucs have the Dolphins, it's Devon Hham, but it's also Quinn Ewers. The Lions, they've got Minnesota in week 17. We'll see what that offensive line looks like and what J.J. mcCarthy looks like. You could speculate on either of those two.

[Dave]

Yeah, and I'm glad you brought up the Chargers, because the Chargers, you said some of the matchups they just had that they did well. And I'll also throw in the Steelers. The Steelers are a tough matchup for DSTs. They're not a great offense, but they don't give up a lot of points to dsts and the Chargers. DST had a great game against the Steelers recently, so I don't like them this week against Dallas, but yeah, next week against Houston, I think definitely in play. And also check to see if the Rams are available. They're 77% roster. They're at Atlanta on Monday night to close out Championship Week. Okay, Dave, thank you very much.

[Adam]

You got it. Good luck in week 16.

[Dave]

Yes, sir. Luck to you. Good luck to everybody watching and listening and we'll talk to you tomorrow on Fantasy Football. Today.

[Host/Advertiser]

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