Fantasy Football Today Express – Beat the Waiver Wire! MUST-STASH Players Before Week 7

Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Adam Aizer
Analyst: Dave Richard

Episode Overview

This episode centers around beating the waiver wire ahead of a tricky stretch in the fantasy football schedule. With top teams like Baltimore and Buffalo on bye in Week 7, and an impending “bye-mageddon” in Week 8, host Adam Aizer and analyst Dave Richard share their must-stash players at every position. The goal: help listeners prepare now for upcoming roster holes and stay a week ahead of their league mates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Stashing Ahead (01:16)

• With back-to-back weeks featuring major bye weeks (Week 7: two teams, Week 8: six teams), now is the time to plan for holes in your roster—especially at quarterback, running back, and tight end.
• Dave: “It wouldn't be wrong to get ahead of things and start preparing for that now.” (01:44)

2. Headliner Stash: Colston Loveland, TE (01:39–02:49)

• Availability: 76% available on CBS leagues.
• Coming off a bye and looks ready to return from injury.
• Sixth-best projected TE schedule for Weeks 6–9 and no more byes.
• Dave: “He's going to be my favorite stash candidate out of everybody that we talk about.” (02:42)

3. Quarterback Stashes (02:59–05:19)

Top Names to Target:

• C.J. Stroud (Texans):
  • 32% available (could rise by weekend as teams tweak rosters for byes).
  • Week 7 matchup at Seattle: not ideal, but still viable.
• Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars):
  • 46% available.
  • Faces Rams in Europe in Week 7; matchup might look better after another week’s results.
• Josh Allen & Lamar Jackson Managers:
  • Likely in need of Week 7 fill-ins since both are on bye.
• Other Deep Options:
  • Sam Darnold (vs. Houston)
  • Tua Tagovailoa (at Cleveland)
  • Both have upside, though both under 50% available.
• Bryce Young (Panthers):
  • Weekly streamer for those desperate. Tough Week 6 vs. Dallas, but a good matchup with Jets next week—only if he shows signs of life this week.

Memorable Exchange:

"Would you trust Bryce Young if he doesn't have a big game this week against Dallas?"
—Dave (04:34)
"No. But… you might have to make the decision before that."
—Host (04:39)

4. Running Back Stashes (05:22–07:14)

• Availability Crisis: Hard to find upside on the wire—Dave jokes you’ll need to “hold your nose” when making moves.
• Top Speculative Adds:
  • Kendre Miller, Kareem Hunt, Kenneth Gainwell, Nick Chubb — typically rostered in most leagues.
• Chargers' RBs: Kamani Vidal & Hassan Haskins—few leagues have them available.
• Desperation PPR Hopeful: Tajae Spears (faces Patriots in Week 7, tough matchup).
• Under-the-radar gem: Trey Benson —
  • 34% available and dropping because of injury, but a top IR stash and upside play.
  • “If you see Trey Benson on your waiver wire, pick him up.” —Dave (06:26)
• Host’s Take: Tre Benson is ten times more desirable as a bench stash than Joe Mixon at this stage (06:38).

Quote:

“You’re going to need [your thumb and pointer finger] to hold your nose as you go pick up these players because they absolutely stink.”
—Dave (05:23)

5. Wide Receiver Stashes (08:38–10:18)

• Better depth/post-bye options at WR than RB.
• Top Check-Fors:
  • Matthew Golden
  • Juwan Jennings (returning to practice)
  • Rashid Sheed
  • Trey Tucker
  • Calvin Ridley
• Depending on injuries and byes, these could all see a usage bump.
• Other Key Stashes:
  • Kendrick Bourne (Pats): 45% available, faces TB (Week 6), ATL (Week 7)
  • IR stash: Jalen Coker — 77% available, monitor activation status.
  • Isaiah Bond (Browns): 87% available, faces Pittsburgh (bad), Miami (great matchup next week).

6. Tight End Stashes (10:19–11:58)

• Mason Taylor
  • 57% available, faces Panthers this week, Cincinnati next.
  • Justin Fields’ checkdown guy, excellent schedule.
• Other Names:
  • Harold Fannin (67%)
  • Jonnu Smith (77%)
  • AJ Barner (78%)
  • Jatavion Sanders (limited practice, worth watching)
• Taylor vs. Loveland:
  • If you need a starter now, go Taylor (“makes all the sense in the world”).
  • Want upside for later? Go Loveland.

Quote:

"Taylor really jumps out because… three of his next five matchups are against teams that are bottom five against tight ends."
—Host (11:18)

7. Defense/Special Teams (DST) Streamers (11:58–13:21)

• Patriots DST:
  • Possibly the top DST streamer—great matchups ahead: New Orleans, Tennessee, Cleveland, Atlanta.
  • “Man, the Patriots DST has been really good.” —Dave (12:05)
• Other Options:
  • Bears DST: 83% available, great form and favorable schedule.
  • Jets & Panthers: Less talent, but Jets getting healthy and face Carolina—upside noted.
  • Chiefs: Dropped in nearly half of leagues; get Raiders next week after facing Lions. “Great call.” —Dave (13:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the challenge of Week 8:

  "We're a week, two weeks away from the big Binato week… you better start planning now." —Dave (01:42)

• On RB options:

  "You’re going to need [your fingers] to hold your nose as you go pick up these players because they absolutely stink." —Dave (05:23)

• WR Upside:

  “Just make sure [Jalen Coker’s] off IR before you put him in your lineup. It’s pretty simple…” —Dave (09:20)

• Tight End Guidance:

  “If you're already good at tight end and you want to shoot for upside, that would be Loveland… [he] has more upside rest of season than Mason Taylor…” —Dave (11:32)

Key Timestamps

• 01:16 – Beating the waiver wire for Week 7 & 8; impact of byes
• 01:39 – Colston Loveland as the headliner stash
• 02:59 – Top quarterback stashes & bye week planning
• 05:22 – Desperate RB pickups & key IR stash (Trey Benson)
• 08:38 – Top WR adds, injury/buy-low candidates
• 10:19 – Tight ends to target: Taylor vs. Loveland
• 11:58 – DST streamers for Week 7 and beyond

Conclusion

The episode delivers a fast-paced, strategic rundown of every position for managers needing to get ahead on waivers and plan for the next two critical weeks. “Beat the waiver wire” is the central mantra, with actionable names and clear logic behind every recommendation. Whether you’re stashing for next week’s byes or swinging for high-upside bench plays, this guide will help you dominate your league’s waiver wire before your competition.