3 Players to Stash in Fantasy Football Entering NFL Week 9

Players to Stash at a Glance

• Kaelon Black, RB, 49ers
• Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs
• Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints

Staying a step ahead of the competition in your fantasy football league can help you win a title, and this weekly piece aims to give you an edge.

The goal here is to help you identify players who could be hot waiver adds down the road as well as 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 Stashes This Week (Week 9)

Kaelon Black, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Kaelon Black is one of my favorite pure handcuff stashes. He has already shown he can handle a meaningful workload, rushing 12 times for 63 yards and a touchdown in Week 7, and he remains valuable because of the upside attached to the San Francisco 49ers‘ running game.

If Christian McCaffrey were to miss time, Black could immediately push for RB1 (top-12) status.

Emmett Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Emmett Johnson is still buried behind Kenneth Walker III, but he remains an elite stash and is available in nearly 80% of Yahoo leagues.

While Johnson is unlikely to have any standalone value, his receiving role is worth monitoring. He caught all five of his targets for 128 yards and a touchdown in Week 8, including a 73-yard score.

He’s been excellent when given chances, and if Walker has to miss time, Johnson will immediately become an RB1.

Jordyn Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints

Jordyn Tyson — who is out injured — is an interesting stash option, especially if your league has an IR slot.

The eighth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft produced 136 catches, 1,817 yards and 19 touchdowns over his final 21 games at Arizona State, showing the playmaking ability that could translate to immediate fantasy value.

Tyson has yet to play this season, but he could eventually emerge as the No. 2 receiver for the New Orleans Saints behind Chris Olave, giving him significant upside once he is healthy.

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.