The time for fantasy football stashes is virtually over. If we were going to be able to trust players to break out naturally, it almost certainly would have happened by now.

What’s left for us here is focusing on things like handcuffs or matchups. So that’s what we’re going to lean into.

 

 

 

Best Fantasy Football Stashes For Week 16

We are ideally going to look at players that are rostered in less than 50% of leagues on Yahoo, ESPN or Sleeper Fantasy as those are the guys that are generally actually available.

We know there are leagues of varying sizes and depths, so we’ll try to cover our bases. And we’ll obviously let you know what it is that makes these players the best fantasy football stashes in Week 16. So, let’s dive in!

 

 

 

NFL Week 16 Quarterback Stashes

Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts, Yahoo: 55% | ESPN: 52% | Sleeper: 54%

Denver was a terrible matchup. We talked about it last week. And it didn’t go well. But Tennessee is a better one. And championship week against the New York Giants is a MUCH better one. We mentioned Aaron Rodgers and Drake Maye in the main article as well but Richardson is more of the bench stash in case you need it type. 

 

 

 

NFL Week 16 Running Back Stashes

Kimani Vidal - Los Angeles Chargers, Yahoo: 12% | ESPN: 15% | Sleeper: 21%

Despite him not getting a on of touches, Kimani Vidal quietly played 67% of the snaps this week. He might be one of the few options that could carve out a role without the starter going down (well technically the starter JK Dobbins did go down, but Gus Edwards has been the de facto starter). So, he remains at the top. 

Blake Corum - Los Angeles Rams, Yahoo: 14%| ESPN: 14% | Sleeper: 20%

This strategy has not changed all year, but it also hasn’t hit because Kyren Williams has been healthy. If Kyren goes down, Corum immediately becomes the top option. Sean McVay loves using one RB. 

 

 

 

NFL Week 16 Wide Receiver Stashes

Ricky Pearsall - San Francisco 49ers, Yahoo: 23%| ESPN: 21% | Sleeper: 38%

This is really only the guy that feels like he has the talent and the situation to be considered a true WR handcuff. When Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel were healthy, Jauan Jennings was the part-time slot guy. And, when one of them was hurt, he’d come in and play a full-time role. That’s how he had the three touchdown game. 

And it’s how he got his current role with Aiyuk out. Ricky Pearsall is now in that Jennings role which means he’s one injury away from a top spot. This offense uses the fullback, so the targets end up being highly consolidated among the top two pass-catchers. Just think about how good Jennings has been.

 

 

 

NFL Week 16 Tight End Stashes

*For those looking for it, our updated Yin & Yang Tight End chart is in our Week 16 Waiver Wire Article

Ben Sinnott - Washington Commanders, Yahoo: 2% | ESPN: 0% | Sleeper: 7%

This one may have come too little, too late. But, after Zach Ertz suffered a concussion last week. Ben Sinnott ran 26 routes to only 10 for Jake Bates. He’s a talented player that we love in dynasty but it’s tough to trust him right from the rip in redraft.

If Ertz misses this week, he will be on the DFS radar at least and, if Ertz were to miss Week 17 as well, maybe we consider him against Atlanta. 

Noah Gray - Kansas City Chiefs, Yahoo: 21% | ESPN: 6% | Sleeper: 25%

This one serves a dual purpose. Given his usage lately, you could start him in a pinch. But the bigger upside comes if something were to happen to Travis Kelce. When he started Week One last year with Kelce out, he had essentially a full-time role. 

 

 

 

Why Do We Stash?

Obviously it would be nice if our entire roster was just chock full of stars. Maybe your lineup is (some of my dynasty leagues certainly are). But, for most of us, there will be holes. That’s why we highlight the Top Waiver Wire Adds each week as well as the Best Streamers to get you by. 

The best fantasy football stashes though? These are the guys that win you the title. That came out of the woodworks down the stretch like rookie Odell Beckham. or Amon-Ra St. Brown. And it’s our job to find them BEFORE they break out!