FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast – "5 Players To Stash Ahead of Week 14" (Ep. 1880)

Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Lucas Wentzel
Podcast: FantasyPros (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

As Week 14 approaches, host Lucas Wentzel spotlights the crucial last-minute waiver wire additions that can give you a decisive edge heading into your fantasy league playoffs. The episode is laser-focused on actionable advice: five under-the-radar players (plus a bonus DST option) you should stash now to secure roster depth and, possibly, steal a league-winning playoff play away from your competitors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brian Robinson Jr. (RB, San Francisco 49ers)

Rostered in 31% of leagues
Timestamp: 01:23 – 02:42

• Top Handcuff Stash: “Brian Robinson is as premium of a handcuff stash as they come.” (Lucas Wentzel, 01:33)
• Even though Christian McCaffrey dominates the Niners’ backfield (75%+ snapshare in all but one game), Robinson has been seeing increased usage: 7+ carries in 5 of his last 7 games, and 4 straight games at that mark.
• Impressive Efficiency: Robinson is averaging 4.9 yards/carry recently, better than McCaffrey’s 4.0 over the same stretch.
• Playoff Upside: If McCaffrey goes down, Robinson “immediately enters the high end running back 2 conversation” (02:42).
• Notable Quote: “Even if you’re not a Christian McCaffrey manager, I like making sure Brian Robinson is on at least 50% of rosters, and honestly, it really should be more.” (Lucas Wentzel, 02:42)

2. Luther Burden (WR, Chicago Bears)

Rostered in 19% of leagues
Timestamp: 03:02 – 04:42

• Persistent Breakout Candidate: Lucas repeatedly features Burden as a stash and says, “Luther Burden is probably going to be my most frequently talked about player in these episodes.” (03:11)
• Role Expanding: 4 straight games with 44%+ snapshare, back-to-back with 51%+. Increasing use of 11 personnel by Chicago (as pointed out by Nathan Yonke at PFF) enabled a season-high in snaps on Black Friday.
• Outperforming Expectations: Over the last four games, Burden has outpaced DJ Moore in target share.
• Elite Efficiency: 2.32 yards/route—11th among WRs (min. 75 routes), and earning a target on 24% of routes.
• Ready for Takeoff: “All it’s going to take is one singular bounce in Luther Burden’s favor, and we’re looking at the number one waiver wire pickup, an extremely viable lineup option as well.” (04:34)

3. Ray Davis (RB, Buffalo Bills)

Rostered in 9% of leagues
Timestamp: 04:45 – 06:38

• Quiet but Essential Handcuff: “The box score for Ray Davis this year has been pretty dang desolate...But as you can guess, I’m not interested in Ray Davis for the standalone value here.” (04:58-05:01)
• Handcuff Logic: Should anything happen to James Cook, Davis is likely the primary replacement, with Ty Johnson sticking to a pass-catching role.
• Backup with Proven Upside: Reminds listeners Davis posted 20 carries for 97 yards and 3/55 as a receiver (18.2 PPR points, RB13) the last time Cook sat out.
• Strategic Advice: “Why wait until your star running back…potentially gets hurt during the most important stretch of the fantasy football season? Get your insurance policy stash now—or be a menace and stash your league mates’ handcuffs…” (06:21)

4. Samaje Perine (RB, Cincinnati Bengals)

Rostered in 9% of leagues
Timestamp: 06:38 – 08:07

• Return from Injury: Perine resumed play on Thanksgiving after a high-ankle sprain, immediately seeing 16 touches.
• Role Projection: While unlikely to see 10+ weekly touches if Chase Brown is healthy, he would see a substantial workload increase in the event of an injury.
• Key Stat: While Perine was out, Chase Brown saw 96%, 82%, and 89% snap shares, averaging nearly 25 touches per outing—those would be redistributed with Perine first in line for about half the increase.
• Premium Schedule: Bengals have what Lucas calls “the easiest running back schedule rest of season,” plus a returning elite QB.
• Quote: “I want the potential handcuff value for the team that has the easiest running back schedule rest of season that also just had their elite franchise quarterback return to action last week.” (08:04)

5. Pat Bryant (WR, Denver Broncos)

Rostered in 6% of leagues
Timestamp: 08:07 – 09:35

• Emerging from a Crowded Depth Chart: Surpassed Troy Franklin in snaps, routes, and targets last week.
• Usage Peak: Bryant’s 70% snap share was a season high, and he’s drawn 6+ targets in back-to-back games.
• Rookie Adjustment: Post-bye-week, the Broncos increased Bryant’s role, especially in 11 personnel.
• Cautious Optimism: “I’m hesitant to say that this is the new norm for the deployment of the Denver Broncos wide receivers…But based on what we saw, I’m inclined to keep Pat Bryant stashed…” (09:04, 09:14)
• Upcoming Opportunity: Faces the Las Vegas Raiders next—Bryant could soon be the week’s top waiver add.
• Actionable Tip: “This is your chance right here to beat your league mates to that punch.” (09:33)

6. Bonus: New Orleans Saints Defensive/Special Teams

Rostered in 11% of leagues
Timestamp: 09:35 – 10:30

• Stream for Playoffs: Saints’ upcoming schedule: Carolina (Week 15), NY Jets (Week 16), Tennessee Titans (Week 17); all feature struggling offenses.
• Not About Talent: Lucas admits “this defense in and of itself isn’t very good, but neither are the offenses they’ve got lined up.”
• Proactive Stash: “The Saints are going to be one of the more popular stream defenses come playoff time...stash them now so your league mates can be disappointed later when they’re looking for them.” (10:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On stashing key handcuffs:

  “Get your insurance policy stash now—or be a menace and stash your league mates’ handcuffs to elevate your championship odds even further.” (Lucas Wentzel, 06:21)

• On Luther Burden’s breakout:

  “All it’s going to take is one singular bounce in Luther Burden’s favor, and we’re looking at the number one waiver wire pickup.” (04:34)

• On the importance of preparation:

  “Every edge matters now more than ever.” (00:36)

Key Timestamps for Segment Reference

• Top handcuff stashes intro: 00:36 – 01:23
• Brian Robinson breakdown: 01:23 – 02:42
• Luther Burden analysis: 03:02 – 04:42
• Ray Davis handcuff case: 04:45 – 06:38
• Samaje Perine/Cincy backfield: 06:38 – 08:07
• Pat Bryant/Wide receiver depth: 08:07 – 09:35
• Saints DST preview: 09:35 – 10:30

Summary: Waiver Wire Action Plan

• RB Handcuffs: Prioritize Robinson, Davis, Perine—especially if you (or your rival) roster the premier starters for their teams.
• Breakout WR: Luther Burden is peaking in usage and efficiency—stash him before a big game.
• Emerging WR: Pat Bryant’s role is climbing in Denver’s high-volume pass offenses.
• DST Streamer: Saints have the ideal schedule for a playoff DST stash.

Closing advice:

“Go sprint to your waiver wire right now. Make sure none of these guys are available in your league.” (Lucas Wentzel, 10:37)

This episode is a can’t-miss for anyone needing last-minute roster shoring before the playoff push. Clear, focused, and high on actionable intel—exactly what you need with the season on the line.