FantasyPros – Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: 5 Players To Stash Ahead of Week 8 (Ep. 1798)

Release Date: October 25, 2025
Host: Lucas Wentel

Episode Overview

Lucas Wentel dives into his top 5 low-rostered fantasy football players to target as waiver wire stashes before Week 8. The aim is to give fantasy managers a strategic edge by identifying upside players who could break out before the rest of the league notices, particularly in the lead-up to a heavy bye week slate. Each player discussed is rostered in 30% or fewer leagues, providing actionable recommendations across various positions, with context, stats, and actionable analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Burchard Smith (RB, Kansas City Chiefs)

Rostered in: 30% of leagues
Timestamp: [01:22]

• Opportunity Context: Smith had 19 touches in Week 7, boosted by garbage time after the Chiefs dominated the Raiders and a Kareem Hunt injury.
• Potential Value: Lucas notes, “Burchard Smith is someone I've brought up multiple times this year and I do think he needs to be rostered in more than 30% of leagues.” [01:25]
• Skillset: As a converted receiver, Smith’s pass-catching ability is a major fantasy asset. “Three straight games with three-plus catches… That is valuable PPR upside.” [02:14]
• Risk & Reward: While the Week 7 context was unusual, Smith’s upside if Isaiah Pacheco goes down is significant. Lucas urges quick action: “The clock is ticking I think for how much longer you actually have to stash Bashard Smith.” [03:06]

2. Alec Pierce (WR, Indianapolis Colts)

Rostered in: 27% of leagues
Timestamp: [03:24]

• Offense Overview: Colts are currently the league’s top scoring fantasy offense, leading in several advanced metrics.
• Competition for Targets: Multiple skilled players mean volatility, but Pierce’s role is unique: “He is the explosive deep threat for this team.” [04:43]
• Recent Usage: 10 targets in Week 7 was a career high, with more opportunity if Josh Downs remains limited by concussion.
• Flex Appeal: “Alec Pierce is a fair home run swing to play in your flex. And even for the rest of the season, if Pittman or Downs miss any time, it’s very clear that Alec Pierce is next man up.” [05:03]

3. Isaiah Davis (RB, New York Jets)

Rostered in: 15% of leagues
Timestamp: [05:48]

• Situation: With Braylon Allen out, Davis is the clear handcuff to Breece Hall.
• Trade Rumors: Growing buzz about a potential Breece Hall trade before the November 4 deadline. “There is a lot, a lot of noise about Breece hall being traded ahead of the trade deadline.” [06:19]
• Opportunity Outlook: Lucas emphasizes urgency: “Once the trade buzz on Breece Hall becomes deafening, it will already be too late to stash Isaiah Davis.” [07:17]
• Current Production: Minimal so far (14 opportunities in 3 games), but the upside as a potential Jets lead back is reason enough to stash now.

4. Jalen Noel (WR, Houston Texans)

Rostered in: 7% of leagues
Timestamp: [07:45]

• Playing Time Frustration: Lucas is baffled by the team’s choice to prioritize Braxton Berrios and Xavier Hutchinson over their day-two rookie picks, notably Jalen Noel.
• Recent Surge: Saw a big spike in snaps and targets late in Week 7’s hurry-up offense. “Jalen Noel drew seven targets… compiling 77 yards and his 11.7 fantasy points was the most of any Texans wide receiver.” [08:23]
• Efficiency: “Ran 3.08 yards per route… eighth best of all wide receivers this week. He also drew a target on 28% of his routes…” [08:45]
• Path to Opportunity: With Nico Collins likely out (concussion) and Christian Kirk questionable, another solid game could cement a bigger role.
• Team Endorsement: Noted that Texans GM said Noel has “earned his opportunity.” [09:10]

5. Colston Loveland (TE, Chicago Bears)

Rostered in: 23% of leagues
Timestamp: [09:44]

• Injury Watch: Cole Kmet’s back issue opens the door for rookie Loveland.
• Roster Trends: Surprisingly, his roster percentage has dipped even as his opportunity rises.
• Rookie Adjustment Curve: Lucas reminds listeners, “For these rookie tight ends, it always takes time… when in reality it often takes half a season, if not a full entire season…” [10:12]
• Talent & Coaching: Loveland is a “matchup problem at 6'6", 248 with his acceleration.” [10:33] Ben Johnson (new Bears coach) has a proven track record of developing rookie TEs.
• Outlook: As the Bears offense stabilizes, the so-called “expansion pack” could unlock Loveland’s upside, especially if Kmet misses more time.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lucas on Burchard Smith’s PPR Upside:
  “That is valuable PPR upside that Burchard Smith is giving you and if anything does happen to Isaiah Pacheco, who says we don't get more Burchard Smith games like this with double digit carries and high value usage in the receiving game.” [02:31]

• Lucas on Alec Pierce:
  “If we were to strip away the blue and white… and just give you the raw stats for this offense, you would be wanting pieces… Colts are the number one scoring offense in fantasy football.” [03:49]

• Lucas on stashing Isaiah Davis:
  “The Isaiah Davis stash value right now is at an all time high and he absolutely needs to be rostered in more than 15% of leagues...” [06:04]
  “Once the trade buzz… becomes deafening, it will already be too late to stash Isaiah Davis.” [07:17]

• Lucas venting about Texans rookie usage:
  “To me it is inexcusable to take both of these guys with Day 2 picks in the NFL draft and be playing Xavier Hutchinson and now Braxton Barrios ahead of them.” [08:00]

• On Colston Loveland’s skillset:
  “He's a matchup problem at 6 foot 6, 248 with his acceleration. He finished with 35% of Michigan's receiving yards last year. That was the second highest of any FBS tight end.” [10:33]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:22] – Discussion begins on Burchard Smith (Chiefs, RB)
• [03:24] – Breakdown of Alec Pierce (Colts, WR)
• [05:48] – Isaiah Davis stash talk (Jets, RB) and Breece Hall trade rumor context
• [07:45] – Jalen Noel (Texans, WR), rookie usage criticism and breakout potential
• [09:44] – Spotlight on Colston Loveland (Bears, TE), Kmet injury and coaching impact

Summary Table: Top 5 Stash Recommendations

| Player | Position | Team | Roster % | Reason to Stash | |-------------------|----------|------------------|----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Burchard Smith | RB | Chiefs | 30% | High-upside handcuff; pass-game usage | | Alec Pierce | WR | Colts | 27% | Deep threat in highest-scoring offense; spike week potential | | Isaiah Davis | RB | Jets | 15% | Trade buzz for Breece Hall; possible RB1 role opening | | Jalen Noel | WR | Texans | 7% | Rookie with proven efficiency; big opportunity looming | | Colston Loveland | TE | Bears | 23% | Rookie TE with talent; Kmet injury could spark breakout |

Closing Thoughts

Lucas emphasizes the importance of aggressive waiver wire management ahead of Week 8, especially with six teams on bye and potential opportunity shifts due to injuries or NFL trade deadline moves. Each recommended stash offers unique league-winning upside, with in-depth context provided for timing and roster strategy.

Original tone preserved: direct, analytical, and enthusiastically practical for redraft fantasy football managers.