Intro
I just wanted to give you all a quick look at some of my favorite early offseason dynasty stashes. If your league allows transactions at this time of year, I recommend picking up some of these players. Every player I’m listing here is likely on your dynasty waiver wire, or they at least could be there.
On the other hand, if your league doesn’t allow add/drops right now, talk to your leaguemates. The best dynasty leagues have year-round activity. Having action all year keeps everyone engaged 100% of the time. With that said, let’s jump into the stash candidates.
Cam Sims
I don’t blame dynasty owners for mostly ignoring the Washington passing game. Outside of Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas, and J.D. McKissic, Washington’s poor quarterback play failed to support any consistent weapons. However, I believe that Washington cannot proceed with Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, or Taylor Heinicke as their solution at quarterback. They must try to find some upgrade, whether in free agency or the 2021 NFL Draft.
After McLaurin, Sims was Washington’s clear #2 receiver. He played 100% of offensive snaps in their final three games, including their playoff loss to the Buccaneers. In Week 7, Sims became a starter, and he never relinquished that role, totaling 32 receptions on 48 targets for 477 yards and a touchdown in 2020. I’m not saying that Sims is an exceptional talent or anything like that, but he shouldn’t be on a single dynasty waiver-wire. Add him to your team right now.
J.J. Taylor
Unlike Sims, Taylor is more of a “what-if” acquisition. He didn’t do much in 2020, appearing in six games and totaling 23 carries for 110 yards. Taylor added just one reception for four yards, which is a bit odd considering that he’s supposed to be a smaller, pass-catching type of running back.
However, I think we can all see that the Patriots have a mess in their running back room. Both Damien Harris and Sony Michel struggled with injuries throughout 2020, although both players actually performed well when healthy. Harris and Michel combined for 216 carries, 1,140 yards, and three touchdowns, solid overall statistics. But, unfortunately, both players couldn’t stay healthy.
Both the Patriots’ pass-catching backs, James White and Rex Burkhead, are free agents after 2020. Burkhead suffered a torn ACL late in the season, and I expect that his career is likely over. The Patriots could re-sign White, but they phased him out of the offense later in the season. I believe that White might sign with the Buccaneers in free agency, reuniting him with Tom Brady.
Either way, White and Burkhead’s departures will leave a void in the Patriots’ backfield. I’m not saying that Taylor will fill that role, but he has a shot. Therefore, he makes an excellent early-offseason stash.
Donald Parham
As some of my readers know, Parham was an XFL star for the Dallas Renegades. Parham had 24 receptions, 307 yards, and four touchdowns in five XFL games, and he was one of the biggest storylines during the XFL’s short life in early 2020. After his time in the XFL, Parham signed a contract with the Chargers for the 2020 NFL season.
Parham saw almost no playing time through the first 15 weeks, playing in 11 games while recording five receptions on 13 targets for 75 yards and two touchdowns. He never exceeded 36% of offensive snaps in any of those games. However, before Week 16, Hunter Henry went on the COVID-19 list, opening the door for Parham to see additional playing time. Parham took advantage of this opportunity, as he caught five of his seven targets for 84 yards and a touchdown over the final two games.
Going into 2021, Henry is an unrestricted free agent after playing 2020 on the franchise tag. A second franchise tag would cripple the Chargers’ salary cap, and I doubt the Chargers are the team willing to pay Henry the highest salary. Therefore, I expect Henry to sign elsewhere, opening the door for a new tight end in this Justin Herbert-led offense. For that reason, Parham is an excellent dynasty stash right now.
Thanks for reading this article. You can find me on Twitter at @DFF_Karp. I love to interact with anyone in the community, so reach out at any time! I take fantasy questions and help with all formats, so keep sending those questions my way.
