3 Players to Stash in Fantasy Football Entering NFL Week 3

Players to Stash at a Glance

• Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs
• Chris Bell, WR, Dolphins
• Pat Bryant, WR, Broncos

If you're consistently a step ahead of the competition in your fantasy football league, it can help you win a title, and this weekly piece will aim to help you stay ahead of the pack.

The goal here is to help you identify players who could be hot waiver adds down the road as well as to point out week-ahead pickups who could prove useful.

Here are some players to consider adding now and stashing on your bench for the future.

All fantasy football projections via our numbers at FanDuel Research, and NFL odds references are to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Fantasy Football Stash List Week 3

Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs

Emmett Johnson was included in the stash article a week ago. He’s rostered in just 27% of Yahoo leagues, so I’m mentioning him again.

Johnson hasn’t gotten much playing time behind Kenneth Walker III, but when he’s gotten the rock, he’s looked good — especially as a pass-catcher as he’s hauled in all four of his targets for 64 yards.

While Johnson is likely just a top-tier handcuff, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid opened the door to Johnson potentially being more when he said Johnson was going to start getting more touches.

If Walker misses time, Johnson can flirt with RB1 (top-12) numbers, and he is a fantastic bench stash that you should try to make room for regardless of whether or not you have Walker.

Chris Bell, WR, Dolphins

With Caleb Douglas going down in Week 2, Chris Bell becomes an interesting stash.

Bell, a rookie, generated some buzz this offseason. It hasn’t happened for him yet as he’s run as the Miami Dolphins‘ third WR, playing 52% and 41% of the snaps through two weeks. After suffering an ACL injury in college last year, Bell was probably always ticketed for an ease-him-into-things role early on in 2026, but the injury to Douglas could thrust him into a lot of snaps.

The 94th overall pick in last spring’s NFL Draft, Bell makes for an intriguing bench stash right now as he could wind up being Miami’s top wideout by the end of the season.

Pat Bryant, WR, Broncos

After a busy Week 1, Pat Bryant saw only one look in Week 2. I still like him as a deep-league stash, though.

Bryant handled six targets in Week 1 and has played 59% and 66% of the snaps through two games. He hasn’t been on the field as much as Jaylen Waddle or Courtland Sutton, but he’s out-produced Sutton, who has totaled just five grabs for 36 yards so far this campaign.

While Bryant would likely need an injury to Waddle or Sutton to become a weekly fantasy starter, I’m not fully ruling out that he could overtake Sutton at some point this season. Bryant, a 2025 third-round pick, has looked good when given opportunities, and he’s an interesting player to have at the end of your bench if you can make room.

Fantasy Football Stashes FAQ

What is a stash in fantasy football?

A fantasy football stash is a player who may not have much immediate value but could become a useful fantasy starter later in the season. Stashes are typically backups, rookies, or players whose roles could grow as the year progresses. Stashing them allows you to acquire the player before he becomes a hot waiver wire pickup.

What types of players should I stash in fantasy football?

Prioritize players with clear paths to larger roles. Backup running backs, talented rookies, and wide receivers earning increased playing time are often strong stash candidates because their fantasy value can rise quickly.

How many players should I stash on my fantasy football bench?

That depends on your league and roster size, but using one or two bench spots on high-upside players is generally worthwhile. The deeper the league, the more valuable it becomes to identify potential breakout players before they become popular waiver-wire additions.

When should I drop a fantasy football stash?

Consider moving on if the player's path to playing time disappears or if a more valuable option becomes available. Stashes should offer meaningful upside, so there is little reason to hold a player whose role or opportunity is trending in the wrong direction. As we get closer to the fantasy playoffs, you may need to prioritize winning now over stashing someone for the future.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.