5 Dynasty Startup Deep Stashes
- Brittney Foxworth
- Jul 2, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 17, 2023
1. WR- Tyler Scott (Age 21/ Bears) - Drafted in the 4th round to the Chicago Bears as a speedster who can make catches, make guys miss, and take off downfield. One thing that stood out to me about his college tape was his route-running ability. Chicago may not be the best landing spot as they were ranked dead last year in passing play percentages, but if you look closely at the analytics you'll see an increase in passing production over the last stretch of the season when Justin Fields was allowed to open the offense up a little more. Fields went from a terrible passer rating of 72.7 through the first 6 games of the season to a 92.4 passer rating over the last 11 games. Although this is promising, I’m not projecting a giant leap in passing from the Chicago Bears. Instead, I'm betting on Chase Claypool not being a factor and Darnell Mooney potentially moving during free agency next year. This young star could see good production behind DJ Moore if that becomes the case, so I'm betting on the talent here. Chicago has been last in the league in YAC each of the last two seasons, so they could definitely use it.
2. WR - Kyle Philips (Age: 24/ Titans) - If you want to believe training camp hype, Philips has "a shot for a big role in the Titan's offense this year," or at least that's the word on the street in Nashville. Well, saddle up, because I think we're going to be in for a fun ride. Derailed by a shoulder injury his rookie year, Philips has spent the offseason recovering, bulking up, and becoming more antiquated with the Titan's offense. "More comfortable," is how Philips described the difference between coming in last year as a rookie, to now having a year under his belt. "Quickness, great route runner, and agility were the words Titan's quarterback used to describe the sophomore Titan's quarterback Ryan Tannehill used to describe the sophomore. Now let's take a look at his opportunity. Yes, the Titans are a run-first offense that relies on Derrick Henry to hammer his way through defenses, but he's 29. In RB years that's getting dangerously close to a production decline. Top that with the fact Henry led the NFL in carries in 2019 and 2020 and was on pace to do so in 2021 before suffering an injury. The bottom line, they can't continue to rely on Henry with that amount of usage for much longer. The receiving core will have to step up if the Titans want to compete. So let's take a look at the receiving core: Treylon Burks, Westbrook-Inkhine, Chig Okonkwo, and Kyle Phillips. Last year when healthy, Philips showed a stronger connection with Tannehill than Burks. His ability to separate, start-stop against defenders then accelerate, tip-toe sidelines, and still come down with underthrown balls, let's just say it compliments Tannehill well. Even with Burks as the one drawing defenders, Philips can add a complimentary role to this offense. But what about Chig Okonkwo? Yes, Chig is rising up draft boards and into the hearts of fantasy analysts everywhere. And with good reason. He is an absolute monster who commanded increased targets, many in the red zone, especially during the last stretch of his rookie season. Still, I feel Philips will be able to carve out a substantial role in this offense as the slot guy, a position that has seen a rise in fantasy football and NFL production over the past couple of years especially. There will be enough targets to go around for all three of them to eat, but if Burks or Chig heaven-forbid suffers an injury, Philips has the talent and perception to be a huge contributor early and often. That's why I'm stashing Philips on all my dynasty rosters. Now we just have to hope Tannehill can stay healthy, Will Levis can be NFL relevant, and they don't sign DeAndre Hopkins.
3. RB- Eric Gray (Age: 23/ Giants) The opportunity for fifth-round running back Eric Gray to have an early role in this ascending offense makes him a prime candidate for a dynasty stash. First off, Saquon is unhappy with his contract negotiations and threatens to hold out if he is franchise tagged on Monday. Barkley has even said he is willing to "sit out the entire 2023 season" if a deal isn't made. Even if he only sits out training camp and preseason, studies show running backs (especially older ones) who jump right into gameplay have a higher injury risk. Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell are the only guys standing in the way of Gray and both have had their opportunity but with very little success. Giant's coach Jeff Nixon is on record saying what he "likes most about him is the potential for Gray to be a true three-down running back." He also sings his praises for how fast Gray has learned the offense and playbook. Although Gray dropped to the fifth round, he finds himself in the perfect position to make an early impact on this team. With a pedigree of being coached in college by former Dallas Cowboys running back Demarco Murray, Gray is as pro-ready as they come. That my friends, may be sooner than later. STASH!
4. TE- Noah Grey (Age: 23/ Chiefs) Let's get one thing straight. I'm still all in on Travis Kelce in Dynasty. In fact, I just drafted him in a recent startup in the 3rd round when he fell. Kelce is a difference maker; even at 33 years old, he still has that dog in him. This man is different. He's never missed a game for injury (only once for covid) and has the physical dominance to withstand what most could never. But Fox, I thought this was an article on Deep Stashes, why have you spent all this time hyping up Kelce as a Dynasty asset if you're stashing his backup Grey? Well my friend, let me tell you. Even with Kelce dominating the team in targets and putting up WR1 numbers at the TE position, Grey still played 60% of the snaps during the last stretch of the 2022 season. He not only had a catch in every single game from Week 5 through the playoffs. but this offense target opportunity opens up with the departure of Juju Smith-Shuster and the muddy receiver room of an always injured boom/bust Kadarius Toney, sophomore Skyy Moore who has the talent but has yet to really show it or command any target share, and rookie Racheed Rice who has yet to take an NFL snap. He's learning behind the absolute best to have ever done it and still commanding a target share. Yep I'd invest.
5. QB- Sam Howell (Age: 22/ Commanders) Look we all know Jacoby Brissett is an efficient game manager who can keep a team afloat when called upon. Is he the future of the Washington Commanders? Absolutely not. I'm gonna bet on their 2022 fifth-round draft pick 2nd year QB Sam Howell. Howell only got one start last season in Week 18, and although his performance is nothing exciting to talk about, I believe he's mobile and skilled enough to be a fantasy asset for years to come. With weapons like Scary Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, whose analysts and drafters have been pushing up boards all summer long, how could you not want to invest in their presumed QB? These guys can make big plays happen and did so with a mirage of whoever was throwing to them last year. No offense Wentz. Howell also spent an entire season and offseason working with the team, developing chemistry, and learning this offense. Insert new play-calling expert Eric The Enemy and I think we could have the perfect combination of skilled players, smart play-calling, mobility, and the advantage of sitting out your first year and truly learning the pace of the NFL game and system. He's practically free in most Dynasty Leagues, so why not take the shot and COMMAND your dynasty league this year? See what I did there? COMMAND. Command-ers. I'll be here all season.
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