New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Three players to stash in fantasy football

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 8:52 PM ET

While they may not light up the Week 1 scoreboard, these players could pay dividends down the road. It’s all about timing, and right now, these free-agent options are available in most fantasy leagues.

Fantasy stats via Yahoo Sports.

TE Theo Johnson | New York Giants

You’ll have to forgive Johnson for last year’s uninspired stat line (29 catches, 331 yards, one touchdown) as only four teams passed for fewer yards (189.9 per game) than the Giants in 2024. He also suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 13, ending his rookie season after 12 games.

At 6-foot-6 and 264 pounds, Johnson was a revelation at the 2024 NFL Scouting combine, where he ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and posted a 39.5-inch vertical leap. Giants’ quarterbacks did him no favors last season, but new starter Russell Wilson is a far better passer than Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito.

Still available in 93% of leagues, Johnson will go quickly if he shows any chemistry with Wilson.

RB Bhayshul Tuten | Jacksonville Jaguars

Neither Travis Etienne Jr., the team’s first-round pick in 2021, nor Tank Bigsby, a third-round selection in 2023, has been able to lock down the No. 1 running back spot in Jacksonville. The duo rushed for a combined 1,324 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024, which could open the door for Tuten, Jacksonville’s fourth-round pick in this year’s draft.

BHAYSHUL TUTEN DID NOT GIVE UP ON THE PLAY

He powers his way in for the TD

Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/sQ5iIMUSLh
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025

Tuten averaged 6.7 yards per carry and scored 17 touchdowns for Virginia Tech last season, and with 4.32 speed, the 5-foot-9, 209-pound running back could be one big play away from overtaking Bigsby and Etienne.

QB Tua Tagovailoa | Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is rostered in 69% of leagues despite missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury, mostly because he’ll throw to Justin Jefferson, the NFL’s second-leading receiver in 2024.

Meanwhile, Miami’s quarterback sits on 25% of rosters despite a pair of talented wide receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the roster. Two years ago, Hill and Tagovailoa lit up NFL defenses with career-high yardage totals for receiver (1,799) and quarterback (4,624).

Of course, both were healthy in 2023, something Tagovailoa wasn’t with head and hip injuries that cost him six games in 2024. Miami selected Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round of the draft and added veteran guard James Daniels in an effort to upgrade the team’s offensive line, and on paper, Tagovailoa should have more time to throw in 2024.

Through all the injuries, Tagovailoa still led the league in completion percentage (72.9%) last season, and while he’s much too risky to warrant a Week 1 start, his surrounding talent makes him a fairly high ceiling, if healthy.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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