I’m not going to lie to you. In terms of quantity, there isn’t a lot out there this week, and that’s fine. I refuse to grasp at straws and make a recommendation to add a player solely for the sake of doing so. The good news is one of this week’s stashes is a potential league-winner at a position where consistent points are scarce.
That being said, it’s worth mentioning that the Jets receivers are available in a significant percentage of leagues. Robby Anderson (38.3) and Jamison Crowder (37.3) didn’t meet the threshold of availability needed for this list (40%), but with Sam Darnold looking like he very well could return in week 6, they’re going to be worth an add.
For those unfamiliar, the goal of Sneaky Stashes is to get ahead of the waiver wire. By identifying valuable players before they break out, we can avoid dipping into that precious FAAB budget or getting beat out by someone with higher priority on waivers. However your league handles it, we get a leg up by stashing fantasy assets on our bench before they become hot commodities.
The players featured below are prospects who either have juicy matchups awaiting them in the weeks ahead, have immense talent that is primed to breakout sooner or later, or possibly a combination of both.
Nonetheless, the guys you’ll see on sneaky stashes are players we recommend considering if you have dead weight at the end of your bench.
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Week 6 Byes: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders
Criteria for sneaky stashes requires players be available in 40% or more of ESPN leagues.
Chris Herndon — Available in 88.4% of leagues
TE — New York Jets
Week 6 Matchup: vs Dallas Cowboys
Had it not been for a four-game suspension to start the season, Herndon would have been right up there with Mark Andrews among the more popular tight end sleepers during draft season. Instead, tight end needy fantasy owners have a chance to nab a talented young player who has an opportunity to break out. At a position where rookies rarely make much of a year-one impact, Herndon posted 502 yards and four scores on 39 receptions last season. His connection with then fellow rookie Sam Darnold was obvious. But how does new coach Adam Gase feel about his young weapon?
“He’s a unicorn type of player,” said Gase in February at the NFL Combine. “I don’t think you’ll find a lot of tight ends that are able to be on the field all three downs. Obviously, he’s a very good receiver, he’s very good in the run game, and he did a really good job in pass protection last year.”
Those kind of remarks certainly bode well for Herndon, who has the skillset of an every-down player. With signs pointing toward a week 6 return for Darnold, Herndon has the talent, opportunity and surrounding talent to be a top-10 fantasy tight end. The 23-year-old should be rostered in every league.
Alexander Mattison — Available in 83.9% of leagues
RB — Minnesota Vikings
Week 6 Matchup: @ New York Giants
I will die on this hill. Mattison is 2019’s most valuable handcuff. The Vikings lead the league in rushing touchdowns (8) and are averaging the fifth most rush attempts per game (29.8). While Dalvin Cook’s individual talent has been shining, Mattison has been impressive as well, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The rookie third-round pick immediately becomes an RB1 should Cook go down with an injury, something past Cook owners are all too familiar with. Stashing Mattison on your bench could prove to be a league-winning move.
Baltimore Ravens — Available in 53% of leagues
Defense & Special Teams
Week 6 Matchup: vs Cincinnati Bengals
It’s never a good feeling carrying two defenses, but in this case, you don’t have to. While the Ravens’ week 6 matchup against the Bengals is mouth-watering, their matchup versus the Mason-Rudolph-led Steelers this week isn’t bad either. The Bengals led the NFL in turnovers coming into this week (10) and have given up the second most sacks (19). Opposing defenses have scored the fourth most fantasy points when playing Cincinnati this season. For those who lack confidence in their defense this week, Baltimore is a sneaky good pickup.
