Top five fantasy football stash players for NFL Week 9

Fridays are for Five Lists of Five here at DKNetwork, and we’re officially halfway through the NFL season. And Puka Nacua has officially aggravated his knee injury a second time. Mercy for this Rams fan, please. And fantasy football sleepers for all of you guys, am I right?

I digress!

A reminder of the premise behind this specific series of lists: All I want is for you to be better than your friends. You’re going to be surrounded by them on Sunday, probably. How sweet would it be if you could be sure you’ve checked every box possible that might guarantee you a resounding victory this week? Some kick-your-feet-up insights? I’ve got some.

Again—I know my audience. The smoke-break audience. The quick-scan-of-the-phone-on-the-way-to-the-fridge audience. The give-me-as-much-info-as-possible-as-fast-as-possible audience. I’m a man of the people.

And so, once more: Five Lists of Five. Think of these as byte-sized, two-minutes-to-yourself lists to scan during your weekend as you foam at the mouth for any competitive fantasy edge. As much relevant analysis as I can fit into, like, 250 words per player.

Keeping it rolling this week with top five fantasy football stashes and sleepers.

Also available from my NFL Week 9 Friday’s Five Lists of Five:

Stash ‘Em

Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers (2.0% rostered)

He’s not just a stash for this week; he’s a potential smash start. Coker was on this list last week, as well, and for good reason: he finished Week 8 with six targets, four receptions, 78 yards and a touchdown.

And he’s still this widely available?

I get it. Bryce Young is no good. But Coker is an absolute monster. Check out Zach Thompson’s article on him this week (both for the stats and for the nutso highlight reel).

I truly think he belongs on every standard-sized-league roster. If he’s on your waivers, get him now. And start him at FLEX this week confidently.

Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams (17.0% rostered)

This is the week. Seattle has the eighth-worst scoring defense against running backs in the league. Kyren Williams is averaging 22 touches over his last two games. That’s not exactly a ton, but that victory against the Vikings changed the entire course of the season for this team. It begins in Seattle.

Look for Corum to split more time with Kyren Williams, who’ll likely have a great game himself. And note that Stafford has felt comfortable using Corum in the passing game, too. He’s such a worthwhile stash, especially as a handcuff.

I’ve written extensively on stashing Corum before, here, in case you want more info on this pick.

Jordan Whittington, WR, Los Angeles Rams (2.9% rostered)

It’s concerning that Puka’s knee injury is so easily aggravated. I wrote a while back about Jordan Whittington’s route tree in his best professional game yet: he ran the Nacua route tree. TuTu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson have yet to do so.

Whittington is banged up with a shoulder injury, but the poetic shine of his potential boom alongside Cooper Kupp has faded. Don’t let it. He’s an elite athlete, and is well worth a stash.

Puka’s knee injury is nagging at him in the way injuries have formerly nagged at Christian McCaffrey, huh?

You might not want to start Whittington this week, but I did write up a column on who might be the Rams wideout you should start if Puka sits here.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (20% rostered)

News just broke that Johnston is off the injury report and will play Sunday against the Browns. We know exactly what sort of talent he can be in this 2024 Chargers offense when he’s healthy. Go beat your league to picking him up. Ladd McConkey’s and Will Dissly’s emergence as solid pass-catchers over the middle for Justin Herbert is only going to open up the vertical game more.

I like Johnston’s upside more than I do Josh Palmer’s.

Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears (12.8% rostered)

D’Andre Swift sure looks like a fantasy football league-winner! But Roschon Johnson will absolutely be the goal line back for this currently-inconsistent Chicago offense.

Should Swift get injured, and/or should this offense ever find its total groove, Roschon might be a weekly FLEX play with his touchdown-railroading ways.

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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is thegreatdansby9) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information