Last season, Matt Ward’s “Stashes and Sleepers” series famously brought you players like Elijah Mitchell, Khalil Herbert and Davis Mills. This year we are back with 32 names for you to stash on your dynasty rosters. Dynasty fantasy football is not just about the stars. It is about depth, patience and getting young, budding talent that flies under the radar of consensus. Identifying opportunities to acquire upside players at low costs can help you create that dynasty juggernaut you have always wanted. Next up, the AFC West.
Catch up on the AFC East here.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Isiah Pacheco - Running Back
Former Rutgers star and 2022 seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco plays faster than his competitors. The 5’10” 212 lbs burner ran a 4.37s 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine, resulting in a speed score in the 98th percentile. Pacheco is a walking big play waiting to happen and has tangible upside as a dynasty stash with the potential to produce in his first year. The Chiefs are beginning to sour on 2019 first-round draft pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, bringing in Buccaneers' castaway Ronald Jones to compete for between-the-tackle duties. Interestingly, managing editor for the Chiefs Wire and local beat reporter Charles Goldman projects Jones to be cut before the season begins, leaving Pacheco and Jerrick McKinnon as the only active backs to complement Edwards-Helaire. If Pacheco can crack the final roster before the regular season, he could find himself in a wide-open backfield in one of the league’s top offenses.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Foster Moreau - Tight End
Sports Illustrated
Foster Moreau is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2022 season. During his time with the Raiders, Moreau has proven to be a starting-caliber tight end, filling in seamlessly for Darren Waller during any absences. Since being drafted in 2019, Moreau has amassed eight TE1 finishes as a secondary option and spot-starter in Waller’s stead. He is a well-rounded athlete with speed (83rd percentile), agility (84th percentile), and burst scores (84tth percentile) generously above his positional peers. The young 24-year-old tight end has undoubtedly earned a future starting gig with an NFL franchise and will likely be a priority target next offseason. If you have the flexibility to stash Moreau, I suggest you get ahead of the market.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Donald Parham - Tight End
While other managers rush to collect the Chargers' supposed WR3 options in the form of Jaylen Guyton or Josh Palmer, I propose you take a deeper look at the roster for a young tight end on the rise. Donald Parham was a popular addition to dynasty rosters in the offseason of 2021 and showed promise during the middle portion of the season with two top-eight fantasy finishes. Unfortunately, Parham’s second-season campaign ended with an indefinite stint on injured reserve after suffering a nasty concussion. The Chargers signed veteran tight end Gerald Everett during the offseason as added depth after releasing Jared Cook. Everett has had minor success in previous years but is on a minimal contract with no sustainable future with the franchise. Parham, on the other hand, has been slowly developing into a number one option in a high-paced offense led by the charismatic gunslinger Justin Herbert. Parham has a legitimate opportunity to win the starting role against Everett this season. Should the younger option break free, his dynasty value would see a meteoric rise in an already shallow tight end market.
DENVER BRONCOS
KJ Hamler - Wide Receiver
The Broncos will, unfortunately, be without one of their critical wide receivers this season as 28-year-old Tim Patrick will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL. Patrick recorded a 17.3% target share in 2021, with a route participation of 87.3%. His opportunity share will likely be split evenly throughout the offense. However, his sizable route participation role will almost certainly be filled by KJ Hamler. Hamler is coming off a similar knee injury sustained at the beginning of the 2021 season. Offseason reports from training camp suggest that Hamler is fully healthy and has maintained his blazing 4.32 speed. The former second-round draft pick enters his third season at just 23 years of age with a clean slate and a chance to slot in as the number three receiver for the Broncos. All Hamler needs is one big game to entice managers to buy high on the once highly desired asset.
Check out the complete Heat Wave Cheat Sheet for the AFC West!
If you would like to look back on last year’s Stashes and Sleepers series, it is available here:
Dynasty Deep Dive: Stashes and Sleepers- AFC Edition
Dynasty Deep Dive: Stashes and Sleepers- NFC Edition
Much respect, thank you for reading. If you have any continued thoughts and would like to share, I am always available for an open conversation on Twitter: @PsychWardFF or Instagram: @psychwardff.
You can find my other works as the Lead Writer and DOC at Broto Fantasy Football.
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By Matt Ward
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.