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. Week 5 is in the books, below are some players worth seeking out moving forward. All roster percentages courtesy of Sleeper.
Quarterbacks
Kenny Pickett, Las Vegas Raiders
Roster Percentage: 0
About: I’m not saying Pickett is a good play. I’m not even saying he’ll get in the game. But Geno Smith is leading the league in interceptions with nine through five games. And for the 1-4 Raiders, Head Coach Pete Carroll admitted he considered inserting Pickett on Sunday. He might be worth a pickup.
Running Backs
Michael Carter and Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals
Roster Percentage: 59, 0
About: Emari Demercado, who? That’s how it felt the bulk of the game Sunday as Carter went from Practice Squad to leading the team in running back touches. He should be rostered. Knight is an interesting case. Carter jumped him on the depth chart, but he managed a touchdown Sunday. He’s worth a pickup if you’re an RB-needy team, too.
Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roster Percentage: 58
About: It’s been a week since Gainwell broke out in Ireland. He’s the best running back in Ireland games this year. Jaylen Warren is likely healthier, but Gainwell has looked strong and, no doubt, his work in Week 4 will earn him more touches. He’s worth a roster spot if he’s still out there in your league.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Roster Percentage: 0
About: Vidal was a trendy stash in 2024. He did nothing and lost his spot on the active roster in 2025. He’s been widely released, but it’s time to grab him again. Najee Harris is out for the season, and now Omarion Hampton is going on IR until he can recover. That leaves Vidal as the likely next man up. He should be rostered.
Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Roster Percentage: 17
About: I mentioned Smith last week, but he continues to get touches. He had three receptions Monday night, and he’s been getting more involved. This isn’t a good or productive backfield—Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs in rushing again in Week 5—so Smith should get a shot. He’s worth a stash.
Wide Receivers
Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers
Roster Percentage: 15
About: The 49ers are a MASH Unit. I know, what else is new? But it’s been Bourne, back from his time with the Patriots, who has stepped up. He had an amazing Thursday night. He’s not likely to put up that kind of performance—or see that much volume—every week, but he’s a great pickup for a team that’s hurting.
Isaiah Bond, Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: 26
About: Few players have had the kind of ups and downs of Bond this offseason. A poor showing at the Combine, combined with some legal trouble, saw him go undrafted and unsigned. He was cleared in August and quickly snapped up by the Browns. Now, with Cedric Tillman on IR, he’s getting more snaps and contributing. He should be rostered.
Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys
Roster Percentage: 0
About: With CeeDee Lamb ailing and out of the lineup and KaVontae Turpin missing Week 5, it was Flournoy who stepped up big. He posted 100-plus yards in a win over the Jets. He’s looked good and is starting to get more targets. When Lamb comes back, that volume will diminish, but he’s shown he’s worth a deep league stash.
Xavier Hutchison, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 0
About: Aside from Nico Collins, someone has to step up for the Texans. We’ve seen Christian Kirk and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel get shots, but it was Hutchison who caught a pair of touchdowns in Week 5. With the pecking order seemingly unsettled beyond Collins, Hutchison is worth a deep league stash.
Tight Ends
A.J. Barner, Seattle Seahawks
Roster Percentage: 3
About: When Noah Fant was released pre-season, it felt like wheels up for rookie Elijah Arroyo. Instead, it’s been Barner that’s carved out a bigger role. He finished as TE1 for Week 5, showing he’s making the most of his opportunities. He should be rostered.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants
Roster Percentage: 10
About: Now in his second season, Johnson is carving out a bigger role in the re-shaped Giants’ passing game. He caught six passes in Sunday’s loss, including two touchdowns. With Malik Nabers out, Johnson looks like a player picking up the slack. He should be rostered.
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.
