Deneric Prince, RB KC
The Chiefs don’t have many players that could fit that role regarding deep stashes. Based on history, it seems the Chiefs are great recently in finding value in lesser-named running back. We’ve seen Isaiah Pacheco and others like Darrel Williams, Damien Williams, and Jerick McKinnon do well.
The next running back who could find a role in the Chiefs’ offense is Deneric Prince. Prince was a three-year starter out of Tulsa and produced his best season during his senior year. He had 126 carries for 729 yards and five rushing touchdowns. He went undrafted and was signed by the Chiefs. Prince is interesting as his overall numbers aren’t eye-opening, 700 yards as his best season and just 17 receptions over three years. He averaged five yards per carry on minimal usage on the ground showing potential talent if given more opportunity.
Prince was a power back that used to run over defenders for impactful plays. He was a decisive runner with good speed, running a 4.41 40-yard at the combine. When he was thrown the ball, he showed reliable hands to make catches. Prince’s vision and ball skills left us wanting more from his game hence why he went undrafted; plus, playing for Tulsa doesn’t help. Pacheco was a former seventh-rounder, so not sure how long of a leash he has to make mistakes. McKinnon is an older player, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been a bust. If Price can have a great camp, there is a chance he can make an impact at some point during the season.
Aidan O’Connell, QB LV
O’Connell is the Raiders’ best deep stash that could help you in 2023. O’Connell was a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. I’ve seen him not be considered a bench option for dynasty owners since he is available on waivers in many leagues. O’Connell was a two-year starter out of Purdue as he threw 7,100 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. He was a player that walked on to Purdue and fought his way into the starting lineup for Purdue. O’Connell can do that again at the NFL level because of his hard-working attitude. He is a pro-ready quarterback who is very smart and a decent passer. O’Connell isn’t going to elevate a team with his talent, but he can manage a team to do well with skilled players around him.
Jimmy G’s situation is concerning for the Raiders but great for O’Connell. Even if Jimmy G passes his physical, there is nothing to say that he won’t get hurt at some point during the season. If so, enter O’Connell, as he is a far better option than Brian Hoyer. If owners in your league play based on the depth chart, then O’Connell is shown as the third-string guy. It’s a great time to go and pick him up and stash him. O’Connell may even have an opportunity to start in 2024; I think the Raiders do just enough to push them outside the top 8 picks for one of the quarterbacks in the 2024 draft.
Tyler Badie, RB DEN
Badie was drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Badie had a beast of a senior year at Missouri, posting 268 carries for 1,604 yards and 14 touchdowns. He even managed 54 receptions for 330 yards in the air. Badie’s scouting report was a one-cut runner who could have been more impressive. While he seems to be a natural pass catcher for a running back, he failed at being consistent with pass protection due to his smaller size. This led him to be drafted late and eventually not make the Ravens’ active roster. Denver would subsequently take him off the Ravens’ practice squad and play in just one game. In that game, he did see one catch that went for 24 yards and scored a touchdown.
Badie sits as the fourth guy on the Broncos’ depth chart. That would change if he could show some progression. Head Coach Sean Payton has worked well with pass-catcher backs, especially with a player like Alvin Kamara. Badie has a long road to be considered that, but we all remember Kamara was buried in his depth chart his rookie season and dominated. Javante Williams could take time before returning to the form, leaving Sajamre Perine as the early-season starter. Perine is older and likely shouldn’t be a full workhorse back. Badie could challenge the inefficient Tony Jones for playing time in the early season as a pass-catching threat. He is an excellent stash to throw on your team.
Derius Davis, WR LAC
Davis is the former TCU star being ignored in dynasty right now. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft over plenty of other receivers currently drafted in most rookie drafts. Unfortunately, due to his size of 5’8″ and 185 lbs., it doesn’t seem anyone considers Davis an option in fantasy. While it’s tough to trust Davis due to his size, we’ve seen players like Wes Welker play well at that more petite frame. Davis didn’t produce elite numbers in college; he only had two seasons of 500 receiving yards. He’ll likely make an early impact as a special teams player due to his 4.36 size and twitchy play style. He’ll have to find ways to beat his struggles, as he was poor vs. pressure coverage and had a limited route tree in college.
Davis could find a role in 2023 due to his situation. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are older starting receivers who have dealt with injuries over their careers. It’s not unlikely that one or both will miss some time this year. Davis would likely need to be out Jalen Guyton, who is coming off an ACL tear, to find playing time as a deep threat if opportunity knocks. The new Kellon Moore offense is expected to push the ball downfield more, leading to Davis seeing a few plays where he drives the field with his speed. Davis is a good taxis squad stash to see if he can develop into a full-time receiver for the offense. In 2024, this receiver corp for the Chargers could have new young faces as their starting three.
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