FFT Express - Beat the Waiver Wire! MUST-STASH Players Before Week 3! (09/11 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today Express – Beat the Waiver Wire! MUST-STASH Players Before Week 3!

Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Adam Aizer
Guest Analyst: Dave Richard

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Episode Overview

In this express edition, Adam Aizer and Dave Richard dive straight into “Beat the Waiver Wire” advice, preparing fantasy football managers to grab the best under-the-radar players before Week 3. The focus is on players who are widely available in most 10-team leagues and could have value soon—covering each position with actionable recommendations and strategy insights.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The “Must-Stash” Headliner

[02:21 – 03:45]

• Adam and Dave agree the top must-stash player is Cedric Tillman (WR, Browns).
  • Available in 57% of leagues.
  • Averaging 18.1 PPR points per game over his last five starts, hitting at least 16 PPR points in four of those.
  • Key Browns schedule: Green Bay, Detroit, Minnesota—all projection-friendly for pass-catchers.
• Quote:

  “He’s a pretty big component of the Browns offense. I’d rather have him just for a random roster spot on the bench...than Harold Fannin.” — Dave Richard [02:42]

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Quarterbacks to Stash

[03:45 – 05:33]

• Michael Penix (41% available) vs. Carolina in Week 3:
  • Favorable matchup for streaming or as insurance.
  • “Penix would be my favorite one...” — Dave Richard [03:56]
• Other QBs to consider:
  • Aaron Rodgers at New England (Week 3)
  • Daniel Jones at Tennessee (Week 3)
  • Sam Darnold vs. Saints (“Don’t know how confident you’ll be in him, but...”)

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Running Backs to Stash

[05:33 – 06:10]

• “This list stinks… there aren’t a lot of running backs I really love or want to stash.” — Dave Richard [03:56]
• Shallow leagues:
  • Basil Tootin (26% available)
  • Braylon Allen (27%)
• IR-eligible:
  • Tajé Spears (63% available) — “He’s a good IR stash.”
  • Marshawn Lloyd
• Deeper stashes:
  • Rashard Smith (Kansas City, 94% available) — contingency if Pacheco struggles.
  • Woody Marks (83%) — possible if Nick Chubb struggles or in case Joe Mixon is out long-term.
  • Ray Davis (51%) as an important handcuff to James Cook, who’s already dealing with a minor injury.

    "If he [Cook] aggravates it, then you're going to wish you had picked up Ray Davis." — Adam Aizer [05:33]

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Waiver-Wire Philosophy (RBs vs. WRs)

[06:10 – 06:27]

• Adam notes it’s usually harder to find RBs than WRs on waivers unless injuries strike.
• “Every year it’s so hard to find running backs off the waiver wire...” — Adam Aizer [06:12]

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Wide Receivers to Stash

[07:02 – 08:52]

• Beyond Cedric Tillman:
  • Josh Downs (37% available) — more widely rostered but still a target.
  • Rashid Shaheed (vs. Seattle, Week 3) — upside with Seattle's corner turnover.
  • Wan’Dale Robinson (PPR vs. Kansas City)
  • Romeo Doubs (available in ~66% of CBS leagues)
  • Calvin Austin (Pittsburgh vs. NE, Week 3)
  • Josh Palmer (Buffalo vs. Miami, Week 3)
  • Eligeo Manor (Titans, 89% available, vs. Colts)
  • Kayshon Boutte (stash for later, not for Week 3)
  • Marvin Mims (IR stash)
• Potential returning/injured stashes:
  • Brandon Aiyuk (44% available)
  • Christian Kirk (43% available):
    • Adam singles him out as a priority stash:

      "That was the one I said. Yeah, I want to see if Dave gets to this guy. I was drafting him in a lot of leagues… I think they could desperately need him. I don’t know when he's coming back, but they got Jacksonville in Week three, baby." — Adam Aizer [08:52]

• Deep leagues:
  • Isaac Tesla (83%)
  • Kyle Williams, Patriots (86%)
  • Isaiah Bond, Browns (97%)

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Tight Ends to Stash

[09:23 – 09:52]

• Harold Fannin: mentioned as a more rostered stash (61%).
• Juwan Johnson: coming off a big game, 57% available.
  • Favorable matchups next few weeks: Seattle, Buffalo, Giants, Patriots.
  • "You could see Juwan Johnson have some decent games there..." — Dave Richard [09:23]

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DSTs to Stash (“Defense/Special Teams”)

[09:57 – 10:38]

• Arizona Cardinals: 45% available; schedule of “quarterbacks to attack”:
  • SF, SEA, TEN, IND, NYG (Weeks 3–7)
  • “Could end up being really good for like the first half of the fantasy season.” — Dave Richard [09:57]
• Other DSTs with good future matchups:
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Indianapolis Colts

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Cedric Tillman:

  “He’s a pretty big component of the Browns offense. I’d rather have him on my bench than Harold Fannin... Tillman’s averaged 18.1 in his last five games.” — Dave Richard [02:42]

• On how shallow the RB list is:

  “This list stinks… there aren’t a lot of running backs I really love or want to stash.” — Dave Richard [05:33]

• On waiver wire running backs:

  “It’s so hard to find running backs off the waiver wire… unless there’s an injury and in which case everyone’s going after the same running back and you’ll be lucky to get them.” — Adam Aizer [06:12]

• Friendly banter about Giants games:

  “Just realizing now I’m gonna have to watch the first half of the Chiefs Giants game with Heath on the air. That’s gonna be tough.” — Adam Aizer [10:38]
  “I got news for you, Giants fan. It’s gonna be tough whether he’s there or not.” — Dave Richard [10:47]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cedric Tillman as headliner (Beat the Waiver Wire): 02:21 – 03:45
• Quarterbacks to stash: 03:45 – 05:33
• Running backs to stash: 05:33 – 06:10
• Waiver-wire philosophy (RBs vs. WRs): 06:10 – 06:27
• Wide receivers to stash: 07:02 – 08:52
• Christian Kirk stash discussion: 08:52 – 09:07
• Tight ends to stash: 09:23 – 09:52
• DSTs to stash: 09:57 – 10:38
• Memorable Giants banter: 10:38 – 10:53

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Final Takeaways

This express episode is densely packed with actionable advice for fantasy managers wanting to get ahead of the competition. The strongest stashes are Cedric Tillman, Michael Penix, and secondary pieces at WR and TE with upside and opportunity due to injuries or schedule. The analysts reiterate the unpredictability and scarcity of RBs on waivers and recommend stashing smartly, especially prioritizing depth at running back if you can.

Bottom line:
Jump on these widely available players and DSTs before everyone else realizes their value—giving yourself the best shot at season-long bragging rights!

Transcript

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[B]

What's up? I love doing these shows. I'm sorry we didn't do one last week, but glad to be back doing one this week and definitely excited about some names that I think are available in most 10 team leagues and probably a bunch of Yahoo and ESPN leagues, but I even found some that are available in CBS leagues. Oh, yeah.

[A]

All right. If there was one guy, if you're right in the beat the waiver wire column, who's the headshot? Who's the. What do we call that?

[B]

The lead.

[A]

No, like the guy, the image that we'd use. You know, like the lead guy.

[B]

The first guy that we would talk about.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, there was a name. Yeah. Well, who would it be? Sure.

[B]

But I still think Cedric Tillman is under rostered. He's available in 57 of leagues. We know in his last five games that he's finished. He's averaged 18.1 PPR points per game. I am not making these numbers up. This is what he has done 16 or more PPR points in four of the five. Looks like he's a pretty big component of the Browns offense. I'd rather have him just for random roster spot on the bench. I'd rather have him than Harold Fannin because I don't know if Harold Fannin is going to continue doing what he's been doing. Fannin's played one NFL game and so if I've got to take the chance on one of those two it would be Tillman. But Fannin's right behind him. He's more rostered. I think it's because he's tight end eligible obviously 61%. Next three games for the Browns are starting in week three. Green Bay at Detroit, Minnesota So they take a tour of the NFC North. It's not going to be easy but they're going to throw a lot every week. The volume is going to be pretty good for all the past catchers involved.

[A]

Okay, I'll let you. I'll see if I have a name in mind too and I'll see if you have him on your list. So we'll go through a position by position. Give me your quarterbacks to stash right now.

[B]

Michael Panix plays at Carolina in week number three. He's 41 available. So if you're streaming quarterbacks this early in the year or if you're just looking for somebody as insurance in case you're not happy with your starting quarterback. Penix would be my favorite one because of that matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Other quarterbacks that I don't mind Aaron Rodgers. He's at New England in Week 3. Daniel Jones at Tennessee in Week 3. Sam Darnold's against the Saints in Week 3. Don't know how confident you'll be in him. But the other two names behind Pennix, Pennix, Rogers, Jones, all of them could be in consideration if you're looking for a second quarterback for your team. Running back Dave this list stinks. There aren't a lot of running backs that I really love or want to stash. I have to mention Basil Tootin and Braylon Allen. The shallowest of leagues are available on cbs. You can double check your leagues on Yahoo. ESPN sleeper on CBS. Tutin 26 available. Braylon Allen 27 available. You could stash them and just see where things go if you're looking for running backs. Otherwise, we still have a couple of weeks left with Taj Spears and Marshawn Lloyd before they come off of ir. Obviously, Taje Spears would be the one that you'd want to have available in 63% of leagues. He's a good IR stash. Some deeper running backs to look at. Rashard Smith In Kansas City, 94% available. If Pacheco struggles, Rashard Smith could get some opportunities. If Nick Chubb struggles, Woody Marks might get some opportunities. He's available in 83% of leagues.

[A]

James Cook practiced in full on Thursday. But I still think Ray Davis at 51 rostered, is a handcuff worth having. You know, you've already got some, some type of minor injury for Cook. What if he aggravates it? Then you're going to wish that you had picked up Ray Davis and I would say Woody Marks, you know, you just never know what's gonna happen. We have no idea if, if at all. Joe Mixon is coming back this year. So it's a long term play for Woody marks, but he's 17 roster right now. All right, we're gonna take a break and talk about wide receivers. And by the way, Dave, you know, this conversation is kind of why I don't. I'd rather have better running back depth than receiver depth when I leave my draft.

[B]

Definitely. We talked about this.

[A]

Yeah. It's just every year it's so hard to find running backs off the waiver wire. Unless there's an injury and in which case everyone's going after the same running back and you'll be lucky to get them. Okay, we'll take a break, come back, talk wide receivers to beat the waiver wire with after this.

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[A]

Nationwide Investment Services Corporation Ember Finra, Columbus, Ohio. Welcome back. All right, who are the best wide receivers other than Till man, I'll just.

[B]

Give you some names. These are guys that are available in at least. Well, let's let me start over. Josh Downs, 37 available. So he's already rostering a bunch of leagues. Everybody else that I'm going to tell you is at 50 or more or around 50 or more. Rashid Shahid plays against Seattle in week three. Seattle shuffling their cornerbacks. Maybe Shahid has a good week too, and you can roll with him. Wanda Robinson and PPR leagues against Kansas City. Doubt that the Giants will be able to run much in that game. If you're watching this on Thursday, Romeo Dobbs is available in 2/3 of CBS Sports leagues. Some other names that are available widely Calvin Austin in Pittsburgh. He's got New England in Week three. Josh Palmer of the Bills. He's got Miami in Week three. All bets are off as to just which Bill's pass catcher will be the worst against the Dolphins. They could all have outstanding games and we talked a little bit about the Titans passing game and how Cam Ward has looked. Eligeo Manor 89 available gets the Colts in week three. Colts secondary banged up heading into week two. Maybe they still will be some other names K Sean Booty More of a stash because I don't like the matchup form in week three against Pittsburgh. Marvin Mims ir stash is Brandon Ayuk. He's available in about 44 of leagues. Christian Kirk don't know if I love the idea of keeping him on my bench, but as a stash who could be decent PPR whenever he comes back for Houston, he's available in 43% of leagues. Three last names at wide receiver Deep leagues these guys are available everywhere. Isaac Tesla 83 available Kyle Williams of the Patriots 86 available Isaiah Bond of the Browns 97 available. Two or all three of those guys might come in handy a month, month and a half from now. But if you're in a deep league, you could stash them asap.

[A]

Okay, I'm glad you said Kirk. That was the one I said. Yeah, I want to see if Dave gets to this guy. I was drafting him in a lot of leagues. I think he's, you know, top 120 type of player and I think they could desperately need him. I don't know when he's coming back, but they got Jacksonville in Week three, baby.

[B]

Christian if he's active and playing.

[A]

Christian Kirk revenge game if he's ready. I didn't think the initial report was he might miss one to two weeks. Obviously it could be longer than that, but I think, you know, Week three could be in play for Christian Kirk. All right, any tight ends to stash?

[B]

There are definitely some tight ends to stash. I already mentioned Harold Fan and what about Juwan Johnson? Big game in Week 1. Not everybody's buying it. He's still available in 57 of leagues. Here's who he's playing. Week 3 at Seattle. Week 4 at Buffalo. Week 5, the Giants. Week 6, the Patriots. These aren't impossible matchups. I think that you could see Joanne Johnson have some decent games there and you'll feel really good about it, especially if he does well in week two against the 49ers.

[A]

Okay, well, that'll do it, Dave. Anyone else you want to talk about? Are we good?

[B]

We should absolutely talk about DSTs. Arizona Cardinals still available in 45 of CBS leagues. Here's who they have starting in week three at San Francisco. Mac Jones, a quarterback versus Seattle. Sam Darnold, a quarterback versus Tennessee. Cam Ward, a quarterback at Indianapolis. Daniel Jones, a quarterback, Cardinals DST could end up being really good for like the first half of the fantasy season. Other DSTs that I like with some good matchups. Seattle, they've got New Orleans in week three at Arizona in week four. Chiefs have the Giants in week three, Cowboys at Chicago in week three, and the Colts at Tennessee in week number three.

[A]

Just realizing now I'm gonna have to watch the first half of the Chiefs Giants game with Heath on the air. That's gonna be. That's gonna be tough. That's gonna be tough.

[B]

I got news for you, Giants fan. It's gonna be tough whether he's there or not.

[C]

That's true.

[A]

All right, folks, that's beat the waiver wire on FFT Express. We'll talk to you tomorrow.

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