Justin Boone identifies under-the-radar stashes to consider adding to your roster before they become top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups in future weeks.
While the bar might move occasionally, the general focus is to search among the group of players who are rostered in 15% of the Yahoo leagues or less.
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Keaton Mitchell, RB, Ravens (3% rostered)
Mitchell is an explosive change-of-pace back who often appears like he’s moving at a different speed than everyone else on the field.
The 5’8″, 190-pound playmaker was carving out a legitimate role in the offense before suffering an ACL tear near the end of the 2023 season. During that rookie campaign he averaged 8.43 yards per carry and 10.33 yards per reception.
However, when returned from the knee injury at the end of last year, he wasn’t fully back to form. Now he is and fantasy managers should take notice. In his lone preseason appearance this summer, Mitchell turned nine carries into 68 yards and a score.
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He likely will never be a big volume guy, but he’s the perfect complement to a 31-year-old power back like Derrick Henry.
The Ravens would be wise to sprinkle in Mitchell for 8-12 touches a game just as they were doing before he got hurt two years ago. If that happens, Mitchell will be a weekly flex option with the potential for more if Henry ever misses time.
Honorable mention: Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders (8% rostered), Kyle Monangai, Bears (5%), Dameon Pierce, Texans (4%), Brashard Smith, Chiefs (2%)
Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, Raiders (10%)
It appears as though the Raiders got a steal in the fourth round this year with Thornton, who posted a 4.3 second 40-yard dash and a 100th percentile speed score at 6’5” and 205 lbs.
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His college stats don’t jump off the page, but a closer look shows impressive averages in a variety of categories — which combined with his size and off-the-charts athleticism is enough to hold my attention.
It’s also not surprising that he seemingly earned a starting job immediately when he arrived in Las Vegas and began making plays in the preseason.
With Chip Kelly’s uptempo scheme and desire to push the ball downfield, Thornton could make noise right away as a big play threat against defenses gearing up to stop Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.
Honorable mention: Elic Ayomanor, Titans (5% rostered), Tory Horton, Seahawks (3%), Isaac TeSlaa, Lions (9%), Pat Bryant, Broncos (3%), Adonai Mitchell, Colts (2%)
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Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Browns (1%)
There are a lot of rookies on this list and Fannin is the deepest recommendation of them all since he’s barely being drafted in most fantasy leagues.
That’s understandable considering he was taken by a team that already has a star tight end in David Njoku, but there’s a good chance Fannin isn’t used like a traditional tight end.
In his final season at Bowling Green, Fannin led all of college football with 117 catches and 1,555 yards, which were more than any receiver had in the FBS last year. He also had 10 touchdowns and forced 34 missed tackles, while being deployed in a variety of ways on offense.
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The Browns coaches have hinted at similar usage as a mismatch piece around the formation.
With Diontae Johnson gone, it’s possible Fannin could serve as the de facto No. 3 receiver in an offense without many proven playmakers after Njoku and Jerry Jeudy.
Fannin is a long shot to become a starter in regular leagues, but it doesn’t take much to get into the low-end TE1 conversation. He’s one of the rookies I’m most excited to see in Week 1.
Honorable mention: Mason Taylor, Jets (12% rostered), Darren Waller, Dolphins (11%), Theo Johnson, Giants (7%), Ja’Tavion Sanders, Panthers (2%)
Jaxson Dart, QB, Giants (6%)
There aren’t many quarterbacks worth stashing heading into the opening week, since players are as healthy as they’ll be all year and there aren’t any byes to deal with.
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We’ll take a longer view on this one and discuss Dart, who performed well in the preseason and made a strong case for getting on the field at some point this season. Russell Wilson is expected to start in Week 1, but from Weeks 3-9 the Giants face the Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos, 49ers and the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles twice. It’s hard to imagine Russ will be cooking after that stretch.
Meanwhile, Dart flashed some intriguing fantasy potential in August. The first-rounder completed 68% of his passes for 372 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed six times for 52 yards and a score.
That production with his legs is what could make him a sneaky fantasy option when he gets under center.
Unless you’re in a league where people roster multiple QBs, you probably don’t need to stash Dart yet. But keep him at the top of your watchlist for when Wilson begins to falter.
Honorable mention: None
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