In this weekly column, we will examine players that you should be stashing or keeping an eye on in your dynasty leagues. The idea of dynasty is to form a team that you have week to week, season to season, decade to decade. So each offseason we draft young players. However, throughout each season we need to find those gems. Each of us can be a Bill Belichick if we just look and see the players who both have the talent and the opportunity.
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Donnel Pumphrey – RB, Eagles
Let’s be honest here, the Eagles backfield is a dumpster fire. They signed the LeGarrette Blount and proceeded to show the world the Belichick knows what other people do not. In 2016 they drafted Wendell Smallwood who has yet to shine. And now, in 2017 they took Pumphrey in the 4th round. The thing to note here is that the Eagles organization looks at Pumphrey to be the lead candidate to take over for Darren Sproles. At 5’8” and 176 lbs, this guy is all kinds of small. He is as agile as they come. I would look to stash Pumphrey early because come, this time next year he may have a larger role than you think.
Rashard Higgins – WR, Browns
It seems that you can’t trust Corey Coleman. He is injured once again. The Browns have placed Coleman on the IR. The next man up, you would think, is Kenny Britt, a recent acquisition from the LA Rams. Well, if week 2 was any indication, young DeShone Kizer likes anyone but Britt. And that anyone is Rashard Higgins. A 2016 addition to the Browns, he did much of nothing last season after having a good camp. Just to illustrate how silly his situation is, the Browns waived Higgins in the offseason and signed him to the practice squad. Then before week 2, the signed him to the 53-man roster. Then in week 2, he exploded, leading the team in receptions and yards. This may be the future for the Browns, or at least 2017, with Coleman look to miss significant time.
Chester Rogers – WR, Colts
Yes, the Colts look like they might just beat out the Jets for the worst team in the NFL this season, but remember, Andrew Luck won’t be hurt forever. And when he returns I expect, every Colts offensive player to receive a huge bump in fantasy value. Chester Rogers is one of those offensive weapons that will be nothing until Luck comes back, but when he does, he may become a great steal now. In 2016, Rogers had 19 receptions for 273 yards. That’s not really stats that jump off the page, but what does is his agility and his burst, He is a ready-made route runner that can do serious damage over the middle of the field. Frankly, with Donte Moncrief always being injured, Rogers may become the WR2 by default. And if not, he has the talent and the QB to make him very fantasy relevant. Stash him now or forever hold your peace.
Chad Williams – WR, Arizona
No one drafted Chad Williams in your league?!?! What are you waiting for? Williams is a 3rd round talent out of Grambling State. He is a guy who plays got the ball, who plays bigger than his size. The thing to note here is that he was the Cardinal’s star of the camp. Everyone, from coaches to players, were gushing over Williams. Called most improved, he worked all offseason on his route running skills, his weakest point. Not only that, but it seems like he is in a prime position to become relevant fast. With an aging Larry Fitzgerald, and an ever injured John Brown, Williams may find himself in the mix as early as this season or be primes as the WR2/3 come next season when Fitz hangs it all up. Either way, I would be looking to get Williams sooner rather than later if you can.
Kasen Williams – WR, Cleveland
Everything said about Rashard Higgins, but more of a sleeper. Again, the Browns are looking for any receiver that is not named Kenny Britt. Williams started his career in Seattle for 2 years doing nothing. He was waived in 2017 and was picked up by the Browns in the offseason. He had a great camp with Seattle and was thought to make the team again but the Browns won with this one. He is expected to have a bigger role starting in week 3 as Coleman is out, and Britt is finding less and less favor with Kizer. Williams has already supplanted Ricardo Louis on the Depth Chart, so he is definitely a name to keep an eye on as the weeks go by. If you have a spot on your roster or taxi squad, this may be a great stash.
