FantasyPros – Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: 5 Players To Stash Ahead of Week 7 (Ep. 1782)

Host: Lucas Wentzel
Date: October 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is all about beating your fantasy football league to the punch by identifying five high-upside players to stash before Week 7 waivers. Lucas Wentzel breaks down emerging opportunities and strategic waiver wire moves, focusing on players rostered in under 30% of leagues who could see breakout opportunities due to injury, changing team dynamics, or upcoming schedule advantages.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Importance of Stashing Players

• Lucas Wentzel (00:33):
  “The most strategic ways you could continue to improve your fantasy football roster isn't just by making trades or adding players off the waiver wire after a week... it's actually stashing them before they break out.”
• The hosts emphasize that savvy fantasy owners get ahead not just by reacting, but by anticipating value before others catch on.
• Example given of recent breakouts like Kymani Vidal and Woody Marks as league-winners for proactive managers.

1. Luther Burden, WR – Chicago Bears

Rostered in 28% of leagues
Segment: 01:31–03:30

• “Luther Burden... needs to be rostered in way more than 28% of leagues, and I'm honestly shocked his roster ship didn't skyrocket after Monday Night Football.” (Lucas Wentzel, 01:47)
• Stats highlights:
  • 4 receptions, 51 yards after the bye
  • 3.92 yards per route (8th among WRs last week)
  • 31% target rate on routes run (13th among WRs)
• Opportunity: Low snap share (23%) is due to team usage, not talent.
• Key context: DJ Moore’s injury could open up more snaps and targets.
• “I wouldn't be surprised if the Bears actually take it slow with [DJ Moore’s] recovery, considering they do have Luther Burden...” (02:41)
• Upcoming schedule: Saints, Ravens, Bengals, Giants—all favorable for WRs (“Top 12 in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs this season,” 03:05)
• Advice: Stash before the breakout; ideal upside pickup if Moore’s injury lingers.

2. Jaden Higgins, WR – Houston Texans

Rostered in 24% of leagues
Segment: 03:30–05:12

• Rookie coming off the bye, team needs playmakers behind Nico Collins.
• Last game:
  • Season-high 56% snaps, 4/4 targets for 32 yards
  • 25% target rate on routes run
• Lucas predicts more usage after bye: “I want to chase the rookie bump on an offense that desperately needs another playmaker...” (03:41)
• Beat writers and Texans’ GM are bullish: “It seems like when you throw him the ball, he catches it. Something positive happens then.” (Texans GM Nick Caserio, 04:50)
• Advice: Not a hot name yet, but stash now to get ahead of the breakout “when your league mates will start to notice” (04:59).

3. Tez Johnson, WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rostered in 18% of leagues
Segment: 05:12–06:48

• “The injury woes man in this Buccaneers wide receiver room right now are just something else.” (Lucas, 05:17)
• Multiple Buccaneers WRs are out or questionable (Mike Evans, Mecha Igbuka, Chris Godwin). Johnson played a season-high 72% of snaps last game due to injuries.
• Out-snapped veteran depth options: “Sterling Shepard and Cameron Johnson only played 49% of snaps compared to that.” (06:09)
• Short-term opportunity, with potential for longer if injuries persist—"This is definitely a short term stash with long term potential." (06:34)
• Advice: Priority add for teams needing immediate help, with upside if injuries stretch into future weeks.

4. Jordan Whittington, WR – Los Angeles Rams

Rostered in 7% of leagues
Segment: 06:51–08:29

• Highly dependent on Puka Nacua’s health ("It’s 100% possible... Rams could take things cautiously here as well." 07:11)
• Whittington led Rams in snaps after Puka exited last week (49/53).
• “As of the recording ... we don’t have a clear timeline [for Puka].” (07:29)
• Reminds listeners of previous situations where Rams underplayed injury timelines.
• Previous year: Whittington had 8 and 10 target games when filling in for injured starters.
• “I want to chase upside in the Rams offense that clearly has capacity to support multiple fantasy relevant wide receivers.” (08:12)
• Advice: Stash Whittington now; could be a waiver rush if Puka Nacua is ruled out longer.

5. DJ Giddens, RB – Indianapolis Colts

Rostered in 7% of leagues
Segment: 08:32–09:55

• Colts run game "white hot"—lead league in success rate, EPA/rush, rushing TDs.
• Jonathan Taylor is the clear superstar, but “has only played one fully healthy season in his entire career.” (09:01)
• “If JT does miss any time at any point during the season, DJ Giddens instantly, instantly becomes the number one waiver wire act.” (09:37)
• Giddens stepped into RB1 duties briefly in Week 1 after a JT injury scare.
• “Those are the kind of players that I want to make sure I beat my league mates to.” (09:48)
• Advice: High-upside handcuff for Taylor managers or anyone with bench space in deeper leagues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The point of these stash videos is that you snag these players before they break out and all it takes is for one game for your league mates to finally pay attention.” – Lucas Wentzel (03:12)
• “I want to be sure that all of my bases are covered... If you have the extra spot, go ahead and stash DJ Giddens.” – Lucas Wentzel (09:36, 09:50)

Stash Candidates: Quick Summary Table

| Player | Team | % Rostered | Rationale | Segment | |------------------|---------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------| | Luther Burden | Chicago Bears (WR) | 28% | DJ Moore injury, favorable matchups | 01:31–03:30| | Jaden Higgins | Houston Texans (WR) | 24% | Post-bye rookie usage bump | 03:30–05:12| | Tez Johnson | TB Buccaneers (WR) | 18% | Injured WR room, high snaps | 05:12–06:48| | Jordan Whittington| LA Rams (WR) | 7% | Puka injury, high target upside | 06:51–08:29| | DJ Giddens | Indy Colts (RB) | 7% | Elite handcuff + hot run game | 08:32–09:55|

Closing Recommendations

• “Go like Sprint to the waiver wire right now. Make sure none of these guys are still available.” – Lucas Wentzel (10:00)
• Be aggressive with stashes, especially in deeper leagues or if you have bench flexibility.
• Monitor injury reports closely leading into Week 7 to capitalize on news before your league does.

Use this summary to make quicker, smarter moves on your fantasy football roster – before your competition catches up!