Stash List: 4 Players to Stash in Fantasy Football Entering NFL Week 8

Players to Stash at a Glance

• Seth McGowan, RB, Colts
• Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs
• Fernando Mendoza, QB, Raiders
• Carson Beck, QB, Cardinals

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 Stash Candidates: Week 8

Seth McGowan, RB, Colts

With some trade rumors swirling around Jonathan Taylor, Seth McGowan is a quality stash.

The Indianapolis Colts have very little going for them right now. They’re 2-5 and don’t own their 2027 first — which is currently sixth overall — due to the Sauce Gardner trade. One way for Indy to recoup some draft capital is to tear it all down and ship out some of their vets for picks. Taylor would surely have plenty of suitors if the Colts put him in the shop window — hence the trade rumors.

If Taylor is moved and the Colts don’t get a running back as part of the return package, McGowan would probably get the first crack at being the team’s RB1 as he and Taylor are the only backs on the Colts to receive a carry in 2026.

There’s certainly a chance — maybe a strong chance — Taylor isn’t traded, but with the trade deadline coming up on November 10th, McGowan makes sense as a speculative add right now.

Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs

I continue to list Emmett Johnson in this article, and while maybe I’m doing you all a disservice by repeating the same guy each week, I feel strongly that the rookie is the best handcuff in fantasy football.

Johnson is available in almost 80% of Yahoo leagues. He continues to flash when given chances. In Week 7, he racked up two catches and 17 receiving yards but did not handle any carries. However, he also had 81 return yards.

In short, when he’s gotten the ball in his hands, Johnson has looked good, and his pass-game skills give him a chance to operate as a three-down back if Kenneth Walker III ever misses time.

Fernando Mendoza and Carson Beck, QBs

I’m lumping these two together because their situations are very similar. Both rookie QBs are sitting behind veterans on losing teams and will likely get a shot to play at some point this season.

Fernando Mendoza is the one I’d prioritize simply because there’s more pressure on the Las Vegas Raiders to get the first overall pick into the game than there is with the Arizona Cardinals to force Carson Beck — a third-rounder — into action.

Kirk Cousins isn’t playing poorly and Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said they’re sticking with Cousins this week. But their patience with Cousins is being tested as Vegas has dropped four in a row. They may be trying to wait it out until their Week 13 bye to give Mendoza two weeks to prep for his first start. I’m not sure they’re going to make it that long, though, and in two-QB formats, Mendoza is a good stash.

Beck is in the same boat. With the 2-5 Cards likely to have a very early 2027 first-round pick, it makes a lot of sense for them to at least see what they have in Beck. In some ways, Beck might be set up better than Mendoza to have immediate fantasy success given Arizona’s weapons.

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.