The 2025 season is upon us. Are you ready? Hopefully you’re in for a winning campaign. But those of us that play Dynasty know it’s a 365-day a year endeavor. So, this is the time to make pickups and stashes that could pay off this season. We’ve finished the pre-season and made it through the initial roster cuts. Below is a list of survivors, all of whom could have value as we go through a long NFL season. All roster percentages courtesy of the NFL.
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
Roster Percentage: 0.1
About: Wentz sat out all of the pre-season after serving as backup for the Chiefs in 2024. Now, he’s signed with the Vikings, who subsequently dealt Sam Howell to the Eagles. Wentz is the veteran backup, but if J.J. McCarthy gets injured or struggles, he could become interesting.
Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: 0
About: While many were grabbing Shedeur Sanders late in rookie drafts, it’s Gabriel who seems to be in the best spot behind starter Joe Flacco. That’s especially true after Kenny Pickett was dealt to the Raiders on Monday. Gabriel should be rostered.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
Roster Percentage: 0.1
About: Matthew Stafford is back at practice. That’s good news for the Rams and for those who have him in fantasy. But his back issues are no joke, and they haven’t magically disappeared. Garoppolo is next up for the Rams, and at this point, he should be rostered in deep leagues.
Running Backs
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 0.3
About: Miller was once a Third-Round draft pick with upside. But he spent two years in Dennis Allen’s doghouse. Allen’s gone now, and Kellen Moore is in. Moore has led some good rush offenses over the years, and Miller appears to be the next man up behind Alvin Kamara. That puts him in a good spot to contribute.
Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles
Roster Percentage: 0.7
About: Saquon Barkley is the show in Philadelphia, and the Eagles added A.J. Dillon. But if Barkley misses time, it’s fair to assume it would be a split in the backfield. That makes Shipley and an interesting stash. He should be rostered, especially given the history of backs in a year following the kind of workload Barkley had in 2024.
Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders
Roster Percentage: 0.6
About: The Commanders made a significant change at running back, sending Brian Robinson, Jr., to the San Francisco 49ers. Austin Ekler and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt are the presumed lead backs for now. But Rodriguez should be a key piece of the new backfield, and he’s more readily available. He’s worth a roster spot.
Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Roster Percentage: 0.2
About: Smith is a Seventh-Round pick for the Chiefs who’s made a splash in the pre-season. Stop me if you’ve heard this story before. While Isaih Pacheco and Kareem Hunt lead the backfield, Smith is an intriguing stash, especially for a team that has no problem playing the hot hand.
Tyler Badie, Denver Broncos
Roster Percentage: 0.1
About: Badie has been a player that Sean Payton has liked for a couple of seasons. Injuries and missed opportunities have hindered his progress. But this off-season, he made his presence felt in a new way. While Audric Estime got cut, Badie is on the roster. R.J. Harvey and J.K. Dobbins are the lead backs, but Badie has a sneaky way of contributing. He’s worth a stash.
Wide Receivers
Isaiah Bond, Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: 0.5
About: A bad combine and some pre-draft accusations caused Bond’s stock to fall. He went undrafted by the NFL and likely in your rookie drafts. But he’s been cleared of charges and signed with the Browns, who seem interested in having him contribute. While veterans like Diontae Johnson were released, Bond remains. He’s worth a flier.
Devaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 0.1
About: Vele was traded from the Broncos to the Saints before the final pre-season game. You don’t spend a Fourth and Seventh Round pick on a player without seeing the vision. Yes, the Saints have Chris Olave, Rasheed Shahid, and Brandin Cooks, but they also have massive questions at quarterback. But Vele offers some size, youth, and upside. It’s worth having him on your roster.
Ray-Ray McCloud, Atlanta Falcons
Roster Percentage: 0.4
About: McCloud isn’t a sexy name, but he had a productive 2024 season with the Falcons. Now, he rolls into the 2025 season under the radar on a pass-heavy team with little depth. Darnell Mooney is still banged up, which makes McCloud worth a stash.
Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roster Percentage: 0.3
About: Wilson was a non-factor as a rookie, but he’s gotten some buzz this offseason. He’s also a young option with potential on a team with no depth, especially with Robert Woods released. And now he’s got Aaron Rodgers. He deserves to be rostered.
Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
Roster Percentage: 0.4
About: The Panthers have a young, emerging offense. Rookie Tet McMillan is the top option, but what happens beyond that? Adam Thielen is on the trade block, and Xavier Legette has yet to establish himself. Coker looked good in 2024 and has some sneaky upside with Bryce Young and this young offense.
Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks
Roster Percentage: 0.5
About: There are questions about the Seahawks’ pass offense and whether Sam Darnold can do it again. But it’s also a group that lacks depth beyond Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. Horton has been one of the stars of the off-season, a reason they cut Marquez Valdes-Scantling. He’s worth a stash.
Tight Ends
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars
Roster Percentage: 2.5
About: Strange flashed a bit behind Evan Engram in 2024, and now he’s the starter. We’ve seen Liam Coen use a tight end well before. Brian Thomas, Jr., and Travis Hunter are the flashier parts of the passing game, but Strange is a tight end with upside.
Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders
Roster Percentage: 0.3
About: Mayer was a Second-Round pick in the 2023 draft. He hasn’t had a significant impact on the field in his first two years, but he seems to be more involved with Pete Carroll’s offense in 2025. He’s no Brock Bowers, but the Raiders are short on weapons. He’s a decent stash.
Harold Fannin, Jr., Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: 0.2
About: Plenty of people likely stashed Fannin in rookie drafts in your league. But if he’s on the waiver, I’d stash him. David Njoku is the starter, and the Browns have plenty of questions on offense, but he has upside, especially if Njoku is out.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
