The best part about playing in dynasty leagues is there is always something you can do to improve your team.

In redraft, once you're eliminated from the playoffs, you have to wait for next summer before you get a chance to build a better fantasy team. In dynasty, when you're eliminated from the playoffs, it's time to start building for the future.

Most people think of trading as the best way to improve your dynasty team, but it's important not to overlook waiver wire gems who have a path to contributing to your team in the future. Every dynasty league is different and the deeper ones may truly have nobody available on waivers, but the players I'm discussing in this article should be available in the shallower and medium-depth fantasy leagues.

A Backup QB To Stash In Dynasty Leagues

Sam Howell - QB, Seahawks

It's easy to forget that Sam Howell threw for nearly 4,000 yards and had 21 passing TDs for Washington last season. Sure, he turned the ball over and took too many sacks but that isn't super relevant for week-to-week fantasy production. When Howell plays, he puts up fantasy points.

I'm pretty confident that Howell has plenty of starts left in his NFL career. I don't expect any team to want to make him the face of the franchise, but he is one of the best backups in the league and he is just 24 years old. Howell could easily have a Jameis Winston, Sam Darnold, or Gardner Minshew type of run where he provides serviceable play as a bridge QB or injury fill-in. As someone who has been starting Sam Darnold for most of the season in one of my dynasty leagues, I can tell you just how valuable it is to get that kind of production off of waivers.

Howell still has one more year left on his rookie deal so he won't get a chance to hit the market until after the 2025 season, but even if he doesn't get a chance to start in Seattle, he could be a trade candidate for a team that loses their starter to injury. As one of the few backup QBs that I would actually be excited to see on the field again, I want to make sure Howell is rostered in all my dynasty leagues.

Two RBs Worth Adding In Dynasty Fantasy Football

Sincere McCormick - RB, Raiders

You might have had some competition for McCormick on waivers this week following his 12-carry, 64-yard performance in Week 13 so be sure to get those bids in. After going undrafted in 2022 McCormick spent the last couple of years on Las Vegas's practice squad before finally getting some run in their last two games. During that time he has looked significantly better running the ball than any other RB they have given playing time to this season.

The Raiders have lots of holes on their roster so they may not prioritize the RB position this upcoming offseason. I expect them to add some competition via the draft or free agency but if that is a late-round pick or an aging veteran, then a player like McCormick could carve out a role for himself.

Las Vegas should (and probably will) give McCormick an opportunity to see what they have over the remainder of this season. If he performs well it seems reasonable to me that they would keep him around to be part of a committee situation next year.

Hassan Haskins - RB, Chargers

The resurgence of J.K. Dobbins was one of the best stories of the year, but unfortunately, he suffered yet another knee injury that landed him on IR. Hopefully, he can make it back later this season but in the meantime, his absence will open up more opportunities for the other RBs on the roster. Gus Edwards will get the first chance, but he has been inefficient this season at just 3.4 yards per carry and is approaching 30 years old.

Looking at 2025 and beyond, the Chargers RB depth chart doesn't have a lot going for it. Dobbins may be back as the starter but his struggles with injuries make the backup role in LA very valuable and put his long-term viability in doubt. Enter Hassan Haskins.

Haskins played for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and was drafted in the fourth round by Tennessee back in 2022. He played sparingly in his rookie season and then didn't record a touch in 2023 but has popped up again this season. He's appeared in nine games this season and scored a rushing TD back in Week 10. He's mostly been used in short-yardage situations so far but I'll be watching to see if he gets more opportunities with Dobbins out.

The nice thing with Haskins is you should have a good idea if he is still someone you want to roster before the 2025 season starts. If you add him now and he goes into next year as the backup RB on the Chargers that would be a huge win. If they invest at the RB position or move on from Haskins then he is an easy cut candidate, but it's worth seeing how this backfield situation plays out.

TEs To Stash In Your Dynasty Leagues

Lucas Krull - TE, Broncos

Another player who has started to flash in recent weeks is TE Lucas Krull for the Broncos. Krull is one of many former Saints players to join Sean Payton in Denver, and it looks like it was the right move for his career. The Broncos TE depth chart is wide open after they released Greg Dulcich and Krull has been splitting time with Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins but in recent weeks it is Krull who has been running the most routes. 

Week 13 was the fifth time this season that Krull has recorded multiple catches in a game. It's not a lot, but it's something to build off of. Unless Denver makes a major addition at the TE position before next season there is a real chance Krull could be their starter. With an exciting young QB running the offense, we are going to want pieces of the Broncos in 2025 which makes Krull a great bet if you can get him off of waivers.

Darnell Washington - TE, Steelers

Of the players on this list, Darnell Washington is rostered more than anyone else in my dynasty leagues. However, I did find two where he was available so I decided to include him (after placing my waiver bid, of course). In his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers Washington's role has grown in a promising way. He has always been a dominant blocker, and that has continued in 2024, but he is also seeing more work in the passing game.

Washington has run approximately 30% of the available routes in Pittsburgh's offense, a slight increase from last year, but the real change has come in his targets-per-route-run number which jumped from 7% in 2023 to 18% in 2024. This is a really encouraging development for a second-year player at the TE position where it is notoriously difficult to transition from college to the pros. 

The Steelers did give Pat Freiermuth an extension before the start of this season so Washington is unlikely to ascend to the top TE spot, but there is still room for his role to grow. With Arthur Smith serving as OC, there will be lots of opportunities for the TEs. It's not hard to imagine Washington getting to 50% route participation next season which would almost certainly result in some usable weeks for fantasy and make him a strong contingent bet if Freiermuth misses time.

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