2025 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Stashes

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2025 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Stashes originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 Fantasy Football Guide. Order your copy today online or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]
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Every year, fantasy football managers are looking for those hidden gems in the later rounds who can emerge from the shadows and help them take home a title, and dynasty leagues are no different.
Each rookie class features a handful of promising prospects who have the talent to shine at the next level, and they are just an injury away from making the most of an increased role. There are also unheralded veterans who are still flying under the radar, who could benefit from a new team and expanded opportunities.
If you're looking for a few players to stash on your dynasty roster heading into the 2025 season, here are our picks:
Ja'Lynn Polk
WR, Patriots
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk at OTAs.Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Polk's rookie season in New England was painfully forgettable, as the former Washington Husky caught 12 passes for only 87 yards, averaging a measly 7.3 yards per reception. He did find the end zone twice, but it was a terrible shock to see a top-40 draft pick perform so poorly in his first season. That said, Polk is still a talented player, and even though he might face an uphill battle with a new regime taking over, the Pats have a legitimate franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, and Polk could surprise by making a leap in his second year. Even if that doesn't happen in New England, another team that liked Polk during last year's pre-draft process could try to get him for cheap and give him a fresh start elsewhere, and fantasy managers could also be wise to try and acquire him for minimal compensation in hopes he'll deliver on his potential.
Keaton Mitchell
RB, Ravens
Keaton Mitchell gets a handoff from Lamar Jackson.Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
After going undrafted in 2023 and starting his rookie season on short-term injured reserve, Mitchell exploded over eight games with 396 yards on just 47 carries (8.4 yards per attempt) and a pair of touchdown runs, adding 93 yards on nine receptions. A knee injury ended his rookie campaign early and limited him to only five games in 2024. Too small to be a full-time featured back, Mitchell nevertheless has the speed and versatility to be a valuable weapon, whether that's in Baltimore or with another team that wants to give him a bigger role elsewhere. Regardless of where it happens, Mitchell's explosiveness and big-play ability give him a ton of upside that's worth banking on if he's available in your league.
Brenton Strange
TE, Jaguars
Yes, the Jags already have Brian Thomas Jr. and No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, and they also signed Dyami Brown in free agency. But the departure of Evan Engram leaves Strange as the default starter at tight end, and he showed flashes down the stretch last season that highlighted the athleticism and upside that made him a second-round pick in 2023. New management might favor the targets they've acquired since taking over, but Trevor Lawrence already has a connection with Strange that clearly improved throughout the 2024 campaign. While opposing defenses are busy trying to slow down Thomas and Hunter, Strange could prove to be a reliable target for Lawrence when it's time to move the chains in the short/intermediate areas of the field — and especially in the red zone.
Joe Milton III
QB, Cowboys
Joe MiltonDallasCowboys.com
Deep-league dynasty stashes are all about upside and high-end physical traits, as well as a situation that could provide a promising opportunity. The Cowboys acquired Milton from the Patriots this offseason to replace the departed Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, leaving the former Tennessee quarterback as the primary backup to Dak Prescott. While Prescott is often a high-quality starter when healthy, he's coming off yet another season-ending injury, and he'll turn 32 this summer. Milton showed flashes of elite athleticism and arm talent in limited work for the Pats last season, and while he still needs a ton of development, any time that Prescott misses this season and beyond would put Milton in charge of an offense that features wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, which would be a situation full of potential.
Malik Washington
WR, Dolphins
On the surface, the Dolphins have one of the league's better wide receiver tandems in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but both have struggled to stay healthy, and Hill could still be a potential trade target for other teams. Waiting in the wings is Washington, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft who picked up steam late in his rookie season, catching 16 passes for 169 yards over the final four games of the year. If Hill or Waddle miss more time due to injury, or if Hill is sent elsewhere, Washington could be in line for a much bigger role in the passing game. It won't be surprising if he builds on the success he found down the stretch last year as he develops an even stronger rapport with Tua Tagovailoa.
Jacob Cowing
WR, 49ers
The 49ers just spent a first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall last year, and Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings give them a strong starting tandem. But with Aiyuk's return from last year's devastating knee injury still somewhat of a question mark, and after the departure of Deebo Samuel to Washington, there's room for a young talent like Cowing to emerge. Undersized but explosive, Cowing didn't see much action in the offense last year, but he made the most of his few opportunities, catching four of his six targets for 80 yards. That 20-yards-per-catch average could earn him more downfield looks from Brock Purdy this season, especially if Aiyuk struggles to return to form and/or San Francisco needs someone to replace Samuel's big-play presence after the catch.
Sean Tucker
RB, Buccaneers
Tampa Bay has one of the league's best 1-2 backfield punches in Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, but Tucker is lurking in the shadows with sky-high dynasty potential. After Tucker's heart condition was discovered at the NFL Scouting Combine, he went from a likely mid-round pick in 2023 to going undrafted. The Bucs scooped him up as a rookie free agent, and after a quiet rookie campaign, Tucker flashed his three-down skill set in a blowout win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 6 last season, racking up nearly 200 total yards and scoring on the ground as well as through the air. A well-built back who can run with speed and power and catch the ball out of the backfield, Tucker could push White for RB2 snaps in Tampa Bay, or another team could come calling with a more significant role if the Bucs are willing to part with him. Either way, the 23-year-old has his arrow pointing way up.
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Related: 2025 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rookie Rankings
Related: Athlon Sports 2025 Fantasy Football Preview Magazine Now Available
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.