You may have read my weekly fantasy football waiver article discussing notable names to add to your roster. If not, you can find it here. But what must be done when adding players? You must drop one! Every Wednesday, panicked fantasy football players will drop a player who either got hurt or had a bad game. Some of these drops may still have promising value. This is where this article comes into play.
I will be highlighting potential drop candidates that should be picked up for stashing until further notice. Whether they had a bad game or are looking at an injury that will keep them sidelined for a few weeks. Add some of these players, if you have the roster spot, for winnings later on in the season. All roster and start percentages are via ESPN Fantasy Football
Add and Stash
Evan Engram, TE (35.1% Rostered / 1.1% Started)
Not the name you thought would be here, I know. But the fact is, Evan Engram had the fourth most targets last year at the tight end position. Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard got their fair share of opportunity, but this doesn’t mean the targets will go away. It means others had to step up when a freak athlete was not on the field. When healthy, Engram will see 6-10 targets on a weekly basis. If I am streaming the tight end position, volume is king. Look for impatient people to drop Engram to the curb so you can scoop him up.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR (95.8 % Rostered / 43.7% Started)
Brandon Aiyuk had a great rookie year, averaging 15.4 points per game in PPR leagues. Here is a list of complications during Aiyuk’s off-season: He dealt with a hamstring injury during the preseason, Trent Sherfield out-performed him in camp, and Kyle Shanahan said he was still learning to be a pro. With a donut on the scoreboard for week one, look for fantasy football players to look for other methods of winning. It is a long shot, but if Aiyuk is on your waivers Wednesday morning, he is a MUST add.
Javonte Williams, RB (93.4% Rostered / 23% Started)
When drafted with such high capital, people expect high performance. Javonte Williams showed that he is not the guy just yet. As a fantasy football community, we knew it would not be Williams’ backfield until at least half-way through the season. But some managers were ambitious. Those who got burned may be sending Williams to the waiver wire. If you find him there, he is a must add and stash moving forward.
Ryan Tannehill, QB (90.6% Rostered / 47.3% Started)
With a fluke of a game against the Cardinals, Ryan Tannehill should bounce-back sooner rather than later. We can’t be sure of what caused a collapse with this offense, but three out of the next four games have very favorable match-ups for Tannehill and the Titans. The Seahawks, Jets, and Jaguars are all upcoming games. If you are streaming the quarterback position and find Tannehill on your waivers, grab him immediately.
Injury Reserve
These players are dealing with injury, but if you have an open IR spot should be added and placed there until further notice.
Curtis Samuel, WR (72.7% Rostered / 0.7% Started)
Curtis Samuel is on the short-term IR and is eligible to return in week four. With his injury, and Ryan Fitzpatrick now being placed on IR, people may think twice about keeping Samuel on their roster. Look for him to make a statement when he comes back from injury. If you have an extra IR spot, Samuel is worth the add.
Jerry Jeudy (93.7% Rostered / 26.9% Started)
Jerry Jeudy is going to miss at least eight weeks after being placed on IR. If you have an extra IR spot, Jeudy is worth the stash for a potential playoff-winning schedule in Weeks 14-17, should you find him on your waivers.
Michael Thomas (89.9% Rostered / 1.2% Started)
Michael Thomas should not be on your waivers come Wednesday morning. But, I would be kicking myself in the butt if he is and I didn’t tell you to get him at all costs. He can, and most likely will be, a league winning player in the back half of the year. Keep him on your IR until he returns.
