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Sleepers to Stash Before Week 1

Travis Kelce (TE) Chiefs

“It’s only a matter of time before his superior receiving skills make him a large part of the Chiefs passing attack.” – Russ Bliss

 

Drafts have been completed for most of you all and there’s a good chance that one player on your team should probably be on the waiver wire. There’s also a good chance that there’s a player on the waiver wire that wouldn’t be a bad sleeper pickup.

 

With that in mind, we asked a few of our experts which player is on on the waiver that you should stash now. In order for the player to make this list, he must be owned in less than 25% of Yahoo! leagues.

 

Get Start/Sit & Waiver Wire Advice

 

Q. Give us 1 player that fantasy owners should stash for their team.

 

Travis Kelce (TE) Chiefs

Ownership: 21%

 

“It’s flabbergasting that Travis Kelce is unowned in 79% of Yahoo leagues. We’re talking about a huge, fast, hypercompetitive beast who has a chance to quickly ascend to the upper stratum of the TE position. Andy Reid’s love of the passing game, the Chiefs’ dearth of talent at wide receiver and Alex Smith‘s penchant for throwing between the hashmarks are among the many good reasons to invest in Kelce.”

– Pat Fitzmaurice (The Football Girl)

 

“When reviewing Yahoo! fantasy football players owned in less than 25% of leagues, Travis Kelce leaps off the page. The Chiefs’ tight end is poised for a breakout year. Kelce demonstrated unique playmaking ability throughout the preseason, finishing first in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The Chiefs’ lack of depth at wide receiver and tight end bode well for Kelce as well.”

– Pat James (Fantasy Council)

 

“I know that Anthony Fasano stands in his way currently, but Kansas City TE Travis Kelce should be owned in more than 20% of the fantasy football leagues. His upside is as a legitimate fantasy TE1, especially since the WRs are suspect and QB Alex Smith doesn’t throw the ball deep barely at all. Kelce has special traits and while he’ll start the season playing behind Fasano, it’s only a matter of time before his superior receiving skills make him a large part of the Chiefs passing attack. Stash him now.”

– Russ Bliss (Fantasy Football Starters)

 

 

Benny Cunningham (RB) Rams

Ownership: 6%

 

“When filling the end of your roster, you’re looking for talented players who are just a change in context away from significant contributions. Benny Cunningham is one such player, and that he remains unowned in almost 95% of leagues is criminal. All reports coming out of Rams camp have been glowing, the team was always going to be run heavy and now even more so with the loss of Sam Bradford, and the man in front of him isn’t all that inspiring. An injury vaults Cunningham into the starting role (Tre Mason is a player of interest, but sits behind Cunningham on the depth chart right now) and fellow sophomore Zac Stacy wasn’t all that exciting as a runner in 2013 despite posting gaudy fantasy numbers. As such, a changing of the depth chart isn’t out of the realm of possibility. He’ll net a handful of carries per game to start, but that could change quickly making Cunningham a valuable lottery ticket stash.”

– Jon Collins (Fantasy Sports LR)

 

 

Lance Dunbar (RB) Cowboys

Ownership: 10%

 

Lance Dunbar has the potential to be a viable flex play for fantasy owners this season. Scott Linehan made two RBs worth owning in Detroit last year, and he could very well do the same in Dallas. Joique Bell carved out nearly 1,200 total yards and eight touchdowns last season — expect that to be Dunbar’s ceiling behind an improved Dallas line.”

– R.J. White (FFCafe)

 

 

Cody Latimer (WR) Broncos

Ownership: 8%

 

“For a pure upside stash, and not a safe pick (that should be owned anyway) like Dexter McCluster, I would say Cody Latimer. While Wes Welker is on track for Week 1, there are obvious concerns over his health, and Emmanuel Sanders is better suited in the slot if Welker misses time. That’s where Latimer steps in (or, out…side) and immediately becomes a significant part of a nuclear-level offense. Latimer has great size and hands, and he’ll have bye-week value based on some red zone looks even if Welker plays 16 games.”

– Jake Ciely (RotoExperts)

 

 

Antone Smith (RB) Falcons

Ownership: 0%

 

“Here are his first/only five carries from 2013 (in the order he took them): 8-yard run, 50-yard TD, 38-yard run/near TD, 11-yard run, 38-yard TD. Five carries for 145 yards (29.0 YPC). This preseason he had a 75-yard TD run called back, a 40+ yard catch & run called back, and wrapped up the preseason with a 66-yard screen pass TD. He is ‘special’, and I have no idea why he cannot get more touches. You take Jacquizz and Devonta in the not-SJax sweepstakes, I’ll take Antone.”

– R.C. Fischer (RC Fischer – Fantasy Football Metrics)

 

 

Jermaine Kearse (WR) Seahawks

Ownership: 3%

 

Jermaine Kearse has a knack for making the big play and Russell Wilson totally trusts him. When Percy Harvin goes down he will play a significant role in a Seattle passing game that may open things up some more this year. Even when Harvin is healthy, Kearse will make some Fantasy noise.”

– Scott Engel (RotoExperts)

 

 

Miles Austin (WR) Browns

Ownership: 18%

 

Miles Austin is easily the best WR on this Browns football team now that Josh Gordon is OUT. We are only a few years removed from Miles Austin being ranked as a Top 15 WR in Fantasy Football. As long as his hamstring is 100%, he is dominant. Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel will need to depend on Miles as the true #1 once defenses start to double-team Jordan Cameron. Andrew Hawkins is a nice player, but the Jay Gruden offense in Cincy last season really made him the player he was. Miles Austin needs to walk a mile in Josh Gordon’s shoes this season as he owns a similar size and has been a star before. The ‘Kardashian Curse’ will begin to fade.”

– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

 

 

Jacquizz Rodgers (RB) Falcons

Ownership: 9%

 

Jacquizz Rodgers stands out to me, owned in only 9% of leagues. Let’s all be honest with ourselves here, nobody is really believing in Steven Jackson this year being able to stay healthy or return to star running back form. Devonta Freeman has looked OK in the preseason, but still is buried on the depth chart. When Jackson struggles, or can’t suit up, Quizz is going to be the guy they look to the most. Even if Jackson can put together a decent season, Quizz will hold value as a change of pace, flex type of back, especially in PPR leagues.”

– Joe Bond (Fantasy Six Pack)

 

 

Thanks to the experts for stopping by to give us their opinions on players to stash. You can get more of their advice by visiting their sites and by following them on Twitter:

 

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