18 Fantasy Football Stash Candidates Ahead of Week 9

Nov 03, 2026

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The trade deadline is a week away, and a few fantasy bench spots could become considerably more valuable before we get another Sunday box score. Injuries are creating opportunities elsewhere, while players returning from byes give us another chance to get ahead of a changing role.

The goal is to find those opportunities before they become everybody’s first waiver claim. Some of this week’s candidates already offer help in deeper lineups. Others need a trade, an injury update, or more responsibility before we’d consider starting them.

Editor’s Note: Check out the Week 9 Waiver Wire Watch!

Seth McGowan, RB — Colts (32%)

Seth McGowan’s rostership has climbed considerably, but a potential Jonathan Taylor trade keeps him near the top of this week’s list. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Indianapolis is open to trading Taylor and discussions are ongoing. Nothing has been completed, so McGowan remains a bet on what could change before November 10.

He played 14 snaps and handled five carries in Week 8. DJ Giddens had six rushing attempts, but John Paulsen noted that all six arrived on the Colts’ final two drives after the game was out of reach. McGowan was the first backup involved while the offense was still competing.

Taylor remains the lead back until Indianapolis actually moves him. And even if that happens, McGowan would inherit work in a rebuilding offense that just traded Quenton Nelson. The opportunity could become substantial without producing anything close to Taylor’s usual fantasy value.

At 32% rostered, McGowan is one of the more obvious names here. He’s also one of the clearest examples of why waiting for confirmation can make a player much harder to acquire.