FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: 5 Players To Stash Ahead of Week 16 (Ep. 1911)

Release Date: December 20, 2025
Host: Lucas Wenzel

Overview

This episode is dedicated to helping fantasy football managers get an edge in the playoff push by highlighting five under-rostered players worth stashing ahead of Week 16. Host Lucas Wenzel breaks down each pick, analyzes key stats, potential opportunities, injuries, playoff matchups, and adds a bonus defense to consider for the fantasy championship run.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sean Tucker (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Rostered in 25% of leagues

• Role: Primary handcuff to Bucky Irving, but with expanding responsibilities.
• Usage:
  • "Sean Tucker has 100% of the team's carries inside of the five yard line over the last two weeks. That is why he has two touchdowns in his last two games." (02:11)
  • Despite only achieving RB30 and RB41 finishes in PPR, his value lies in red zone usage.
  • If Bucky Irving were to go down, Tucker has proven he can handle 12+ carries per game.
• Outlook: Potential flex play in Week 17 even vs a tough Miami defense, thanks to goal line opportunities.
• Comparison: Not quite the priority handcuff like Blake Corum or Tyler Allgeier, but "the path is clearly there for Sean Tucker to maintain high value touches while also increasing his workload should anything happen to Bucky Irving." (03:36)

2. Jalen Coker (WR, Carolina Panthers)

Rostered in 25% of leagues

• Current Production: "It's now been three of the last four weeks that Jalen Coker has given you a top 25 finish at the position in PPR formats." (04:03)
• Concerns: Low roster percentage because of inconsistent quarterback play from Bryce Young, though recent touchdown production has bolstered his stats.
• Upside:
  • "We just have to let the fantasy points speak for themselves though and hope that Bryce Young returns to his pre-bye week form." (04:32)
  • Panthers tied atop the division; high stakes mean continued opportunity.
  • "Tampa is a great matchup...they get to play twice over the final three weeks." (05:13)
• Matchup: Buccaneers’ defense gives up significant points to QBs and slot receivers—Coker could easily provide another top-30 week.

3. Jalen Wright (RB, Miami Dolphins)

Rostered in 20% of leagues

• Why He's Dropped: "People have dropped Jalen Wright like a bad habit after Devon Achan suited up last week and that's just a flat out mistake." (06:06)
• Insurance Policy: Essential handcuff if you have Devon Achane. In Week 14 after Achan injury, Wright "got 24 carries for 107 yards and a score." (06:35)
• Metrics: Third in Yards After Contact, Top 10 in Rushing Success Rate.
• Matchup: Week 17 vs Tampa Bay, a friendlier defense for RBs.
• Strategic Note: Even if you don’t have Achane, "this is your opportunity to be an absolute menace and stash Jalen Wright," (07:24) who could be a top-20 RB start if injuries strike.

4. Aldric Estimé (RB, New Orleans Saints)

Rostered in 13% of leagues

• Situation: With Devin Neal ruled out and Alvin Kamara sidelined at practice, Estimé and Evan Hull are the main RB options.
• Usage Split: Hull 31% snaps, Estimé 39% snaps—Estime handled more receiving work, which boosts PPR appeal.
• Script:
  • "If they're going to split the backfield down the middle and Estimé is going to be getting the receiving work, I would just rather chase the additional PPR upside." (08:30)
• Matchups: End of season schedule is a plus—Jets (this week), Titans (Week 17), Falcons (Week 18).
• Recommendation: Both are stashes, but Estimé favored for PPR.

5. Malik Davis (RB, Dallas Cowboys)

Rostered in 6% of leagues

• Injury Opportunity:
  • "No running back had played more snaps in the entire league than Javonte Williams, and in week 15 we got an injury scare... Malik Davis came in to play cleanup and scored a touchdown in the process." (09:23)
• Current Status:
  • Javonte Williams dealing with a neck issue for Week 16—if he’s out or limited, Davis inherits lead duties.
  • Miles Sanders is on IR; "Jaden Blue has been a healthy inactive week in and week out this year." (09:57)
• Runout: Weeks 17-18 the Cowboys face the Commanders and Giants—prime matchups for an RB.
• Clarification: "Don't hear what I'm not saying...Jaden Blue and Hunter Lueke would certainly filter in as well if Javonte were to miss week 17, but you are looking at some wonderful matchups for the Dallas Cowboys." (10:18)
• Takeaway: If you have bench space, Davis is a high-upside stash if Williams aggravates his injuries.

Bonus Stash: New York Giants Defense

Rostered in 4.4% of leagues

• Reasoning: "Look, this is a ballsy play. I completely get it. The New York giants are the 32nd ranked fantasy football defense and special teams unit this year, but it might not matter when the Giant defense gets a chance to feast on the 31st ranked offense in total EPA this year in the Las Vegas Raiders." (10:42)
• Upside: Giant's pass rush vs terrible Raiders offense could lead to 4+ sacks, turnovers.
• Tactical Move: "Sometimes it just makes sense to play a bad defense against a potentially even worse offense." (11:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sean Tucker’s red zone value:
  “Sean Tucker has 100% of the team's carries inside of the five yard line over the last two weeks. That is why he has two touchdowns in his last two games.” (02:11)

• On Jalen Coker breaking out:
  "At some point we just have to let the fantasy points speak for themselves though and hope that Bryce Young returns to his pre-bye week form..." (04:32)

• On Jalen Wright’s upside:
  "If I'm a Devon HN manager, I am 1000% making sure I have the insurance policy for my top five fantasy football running back this year... Even if you're not the Devon H and manager, this is your opportunity to be an absolute menace and stash Jalen Wright for yourself..." (07:14)

• On the Giants’ defense as a risky but calculated play:
  "I know picking the defense to scoring only 2.6 points per game this year is a ballsy, ballsy pick, but sometimes it just makes sense to play a bad defense against a potentially even worse offense." (11:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:48] - Episode theme and intro to stashes
• [01:35] - Sean Tucker discussion
• [04:03] - Jalen Coker deep dive
• [06:06] - Jalen Wright analysis
• [08:10] - Aldric Estimé debate
• [09:23] - Malik Davis opportunity
• [10:42] - New York Giants defense as a championship stash
• [11:08] - Wrap-up and call to action

Summary Table: Stash Recommendations

| Player/Defense | Team | Roster % | Key Reason to Stash | Ideal for | |----------------------------|---------------------|----------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------| | Sean Tucker (RB) | Tampa Bay Bucs | 25% | Red zone/goal line back, handcuff | RB-needy, handcuff | | Jalen Coker (WR) | Carolina Panthers | 25% | Recent PPR production, good matchups | WR depth/flex | | Jalen Wright (RB) | Miami Dolphins | 20% | League-winning handcuff, major upside| Achane insurance | | Aldric Estimé (RB) | New Orleans Saints | 13% | Receiving back/committee play, PPR | RB depth, PPR leagues | | Malik Davis (RB) | Dallas Cowboys | 6% | Next man up, injury potential | Deep benches, upside | | New York Giants (Defense) | Defense | 4.4% | Plays Raiders’ offense in fantasy finals | Streamers |

Final Thoughts

Lucas Wenzel delivers a concise and actionable list of stashes, emphasizing the importance of looking ahead for both injury handcuffs and favorable matchups—especially in the fantasy playoffs. He pushes managers to be proactive, noting that each recommended player is available in over 70% of leagues and could provide a crucial edge when a key injury or a great matchup emerges.

Action Item:
“Sprint to your waiver wire right now and make sure none of these guys are still available.” (11:03)

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