Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: 4 deep stashes to consider adding heading into Week 8

Justin Boone identifies under-the-radar stashes to consider adding to your roster before they become top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups in future weeks.

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While the bar might move occasionally, the general focus is to search among the group of players who are rostered in 15% of the Yahoo leagues or less.

Brashard Smith, RB, Chiefs (13% rostered)

Smith has been an honorable mention in the space multiple times going all the way back to Week 1. Part of the reason for stashing him is the Chiefs don't have an established lead back this season and instead have gone with a committee approach involving Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and Smith.

With Pacheco and Hunt handling most of the early-down work, Kansas City's rushing attack has struggled - outside of Patrick Mahomes' renewed willingness to run, which has resulted in 250 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Over the last month, we've seen Smith get more involved as a pass-catcher, hauling in at least three receptions in each of the past four outings.

In Week 7, with Kansas City blowing out the Raiders, the rookie was given his biggest opportunity yet and turned 14 carries into 39 yards while catching five passes for 42 yards.

That increased volume was definitely impacted by the game script, but it's a good sign Smith is having plays schemed up to get him the ball. There have been other playmakers like Jerick McKinnon over the years, who've benefited from playing a complementary role in Andy Reid's offense and become fantasy starters because of it.

Smith is never going to be a workhorse, but he can turn into an intriguing change-of-pace and passing-game weapon who offers RB3/flex value in fantasy.

Honorable mention: Ray Davis, Bills (10% rostered), Blake Corum, Rams (10% rostered), Isaiah Davis, Jets (7% rostered), Devin Neal, Saints (3% rostered)

Jaylin Noel, WR, Texans (3% rostered)

With Nico Collins in concussion protocol and Christian Kirk sitting out with another hamstring injury, the Texans have no choice but to get their rookie wideouts Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins more involved this week and moving forward.

Through seven weeks, the team has been hesitant to increase their usage but there have been flashes from both players.

In Week 7, with Kirk sidelined and Collins leaving early, Noel played a season-high 43% of the snaps earning seven targets and finishing with four grabs for 77 yards. Higgins was held catchless on 63% of the snaps in that game.

Noel is a versatile receiver with high-end athleticism who excels out of the slot, but can line up outside as well. Though the Texans' receiving corps will be a bit unpredictable if Collins can't get cleared on a short week, Noel is the best option for fantasy production as a risky WR3/flex.

Just don't be frustrated when you see Xavier Hutchinson and Braxton Berrios playing significant snaps again.

Honorable mention: Luther Burden III, Bears (11% rostered), Jalen Coker, Panthers (8% rostered), Chimere Dike, Titans (4% rostered)

Noah Fant, TE, Bengals (3% rostered)

Fant hasn't been a real fantasy option for most of the season, but that might be changing with Joe Flacco in Cincinnati.

The arrival of Flacco has brought a return to increased pass volume with the veteran QB averaging 46 attempts per game with the Bengals. Even with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins commanding most of those targets, there's enough left over for someone like Fant.

The 27-year-old tight end has at least four catches in the three full games played by either Joe Burrow or Flacco and also scored two touchdowns during those contests. In his most recent outing, Fant had a season-high 44 yards to go along with a score.

That's enough to put him on the streamer radar, especially with bye weeks and injuries ravaging the position.

Honorable mention: Isaiah Likely, Ravens (6% rostered), Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (11% rostered), Gunnar Helm, Titans (0% rostered)

Marcus Mariota, QB, Commanders (5% rostered)

Another Jayden Daniels' injury means Mariota is in play as a QB streamer once again.

In his previous two starts this year, Mariota was the QB6 overall (20.3 fantasy points) in Week 3 and the QB17 (17.2 fantasy points) in Week 4.

While he's not Daniels, Mariota can offer 70-80% of the star quarterback's fantasy production most weeks, including adding value with his legs. That's enough to put him in consideration as a high-end QB2 with upside.

The Chiefs are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, so this might not be a ceiling game for Mariota, but he's firmly in the streamer conversation until Daniels is healthy.

Honorable mention: Tyrod Taylor, Jets (2% rostered), Andy Dalton, Panthers (4% rostered), Spencer Rattler, Saints (10% rostered)