Fantasy Football Today Express — Beat the Waiver Wire! MUST-STASH Players Before Week 5

Episode Date: September 25, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer and Dave Richard

Episode Overview

This FFT Express episode is all about staying one step ahead in your fantasy football league by beating the waiver wire heading into Week 5. With key teams going on bye, hosts Adam Aizer and Dave Richard break down 'must-stash' players at every position, discuss which roster-clogging players you can cut, and provide insights into defenses, quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers who could pay off over the next two weeks. The focus is on making strategic adds now, before your league-mates realize who’s about to become valuable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roster Management Going Into Team Byes

[01:52] - Dave Richard:

• Falcons, Bears, Packers, Steelers all have a Week 5 bye.
• Opportunity to cut underperforming or injured players from these teams to free up roster spots for possible breakouts.
• Cut Candidates: Michael Penix, Aaron Rodgers, Kyle Menungai, several WRs (Romeo Doubs, Jaden Reed, Calvin Austin, Luther Burden, Darnell Mooney) and tight ends (Colson Loveland, Jonnu Smith, even Kyle Pitts in shallow leagues).

“These are all players that you can cut...if you want to try and use that roster spot for someone who might break out in week four or five.” — Dave Richard [01:56]

Defense/Special Teams (DST) Adds & Cuts

[02:51]

• Adds:
  • Colts DST (75% available): Great matchups vs. Las Vegas (Week 5) and Arizona (Week 6).
  • Cardinals DST (for Week 5 vs. Tennessee).
• Cuts: Falcons, Steelers DSTs are fine to drop. Packers DST worth holding if possible. Texans DST could be bold drop — great Week 4 matchup but poor for Week 5 and on bye Week 6.

2. Tight End Targets to Stash

[04:22]

• Must-Stash: Ronde Gadsden II (Chargers, 95% available)
  • See expanding role and favorable matchups Weeks 4–6.
  • “He could certainly see more routes, get more targets. This is a great offense in LA. Gadson's a name that I'm interested in.” — Dave [04:22]
• Darren Waller is also worth a look for the coming weeks.
• Harold Fannin (against Lions, 46% available) as a week-to-week option.

3. Quarterbacks to Target Before Week 5

[05:39]

• Key QBs with upcoming byes or bad matchups: Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, Drake Maye, Baker Mayfield, Bo Nix, Brock Purdy.
• Top Waiver Options:
  • Bryce Young (69% available): Playing the Dolphins, who have given up the second-most fantasy points to QBs.
  • Jackson Dart (55% available): Facing Saints, who have allowed 20+ points to every QB faced.
  • Other viable names: Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford.
• Reminder: Always check the current waiver pool — don’t force a stash if decent alternatives exist later.

4. Running Backs: Stash These Players

[09:14]

• Woody Marks (Houston, ~50% available): Ascending behind Nick Chubb, young with pass-catching skills.
• Taje Spears (Tennessee): On IR but spotted walking; could slot in as a flex or replacement soon.
• Washington’s Three-Way Split: Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols — both widely available, potential for opportunity due to injury or performance.
• Blake Corum (Rams, 44% available): Premium handcuff if Kyren Williams gets hurt.
• Tyler Allgeier: Worth a stash if you roster Bijan Robinson.
• Other Mentions:
  • Devin Singletary (Houston RB2, 4% rostered)
  • Brashard Smith (Chiefs), though Andy Reid seems cautious about overusing him.

“Two more running backs and then just kind of like a PSA at the position...it's okay to grab your best running backs handcuff as long as that handcuff is good.” — Dave Richard [11:46]

5. Wide Receivers: Sneaky Adds Before They Break Out

[12:24]

• Ellic IO Manor (Titans, 53% available): After tough matchup vs. Houston, easier games follow—potential to become the WR1.
• Torrey Horton (Seattle, 76% available): Could emerge as team’s WR2 with high route rate and versatility.
• Troy Franklin (Denver, 52%): Trending upwards, high usage, wait another week if you already stashed.
• Parker Washington (Jacksonville, 97%): 11 targets and increased route rate, could be top pickup from JAX.
• Jalen Coker (Panthers, 88% available, IR stash): Worth stashing in IR for a potentially significant role upon return.

“It's the people like you, me, and whoever’s watching. We’re a step ahead. We’re those chess masters here.” — Adam Aizer [08:16]

Notable Quotes / Memorable Moments

• On being proactive:

  “There aren’t a lot of people who think about beating the waiver wire. They’re just playing fantasy and going through the motions. It’s the people like you, me, and whoever’s watching. We’re a step ahead.” — Adam Aizer [08:16]

• Waiver wire chess moves:

  “If you’re gonna have to drop someone to beat the waiver wire, take a look at the waiver wire at quarterback especially and see if there are other options.” — Adam Aizer [08:56]

• Why stash now:

  “You can do that now before your backup becomes the next Trey Benson and everybody’s running to the waiver wire to pick them up and it’s not you who gets them.” — Dave Richard [11:46]

• RB depth philosophy:

  “It’s okay to grab your best running backs handcuff as long as that handcuff is good.” — Dave Richard [11:46]

Key Segment Timestamps

• [01:52] Bye weeks, cut and stash candidates, DST recommendations
• [04:22] Tight ends to target
• [05:39] Quarterbacks to target and QB strategy
• [09:14] Running backs with stash value, handcuff philosophy
• [12:24] Wide receiver must-stash options
• [14:16] Final notes: Brandon Aiyuk injury update; close of episode

Final Takeaways

• Take advantage of bye weeks to free roster spots and stash high-upside options before Week 5.
• Prioritize DSTs, tight ends, QBs, RBs, and WRs with favorable upcoming matchups or expanded roles—especially those with low rostered rates.
• Don't be afraid to cut underperformers or make risky adds: being proactive is what separates contenders from league-mates who just “go through the motions.”

“You could have a running back who could fall into a decent role sooner than later. Just because of how things are going...” — Dave Richard [10:06]

Stay aggressive on the wire, and you'll stay ahead in your league. For more start/sit advice, catch tomorrow's FFT episode!