Taxi squads are a big part of traditional dynasty fantasy football leagues. While taxi squads are optional, if you do have a dynasty squad, it’s very likely that you have a taxi.
Rookies are notoriously difficult to taxi due to their unknown value at the pro level. You can absolutely hit big, but misses are just as common, leading to a higher turnover rate. To avoid all this, assuming your league settings allow it, you might prefer to taxi second-year players. The group of players I’ll cover here have situational concerns, but their talent is not in question.
If you missed my latest article, on Dynasty Fantasy Football Taxi Squad Players To Stash, read that now.
Will these players get a chance to shine? Can they continue to develop? Will they eventually contribute meaningfully to your weekly point totals? Stashing them is the only way to find out. Now, let’s dive into the Year 2 I’d stash on my taxi squad in dynasty football leagues. Find out where to draft these players in our updated Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings now.
Quarterbacks
Matt Corral, Carolina Panthers
Matt Corral is an interesting case, especially given the fact that he’s not even projected to be the Panthers’ QB2 in 2023. A third-round draft pick out of Ole Miss, Corral missed all of last season due to a preseason Lisfranc injury. Now healthy, he’s hoping to find some way to beat out Andy Dalton for backup honors. We know Corral is never starting above the number one overall pick, Bryce Young. But it is certainly possible he is dealt by the Panthers. If so, Corral has got the tools to master and eventually become an NFL starter if the opportunity presents itself down the line.
Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots
Despite what you might think, Bailey Zappe was actually good in limited action as a rookie. With Mac Jones sidelined, Zappe managed solid numbers in two full-time relief appearances. He went 65 of 92 (70.6% completion percentage) and threw five touchdowns to just three interceptions. Zappe even looked good enough for many to speculate that Jones could have a short leash with such a competent quarterback waiting in the wings. Needless to say, I’m stashing Zappe in case he gets that chance.
Running Backs
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
The secret is out. Jerome Ford is pretty much locked into the Browns’ RB2 role this season. But the fact is, he’s not locked into production, just yet. Ford has a lot to like about his situation and potentially increased role behind an excellent runner in Nick Chubb. Fortunately, Chubb is not much of a receiver out of the backfield, so Ford can use his abilities as a pass catcher.
Best case scenario… Ford adopts the Kareem Hunt role and becomes a weekly Flex option. If so, you can trade or start him almost immediately.
Malik Davis, Dallas Cowboys
Inexplicably, the Dallas Cowboys have yet to sign a veteran running back since the NFL Draft. During the draft, they managed to add only the diminutive Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round. With the addition of Vaughn and Rico Dowdle back from injury, Dallas is healthier at the position than they were a year ago. There’s even still talk of signing a veteran like Leonard Fournette or welcoming Ezekiel Elliott back on a cheaper deal.
Either way, I still like what Davis brings to the table in 2023 and beyond. He can be a Tony Pollard replacement in the event of injury or work alongside him out of the gate.
Wide Receivers
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
With a healthy Michael Thomas and breakout stud wideout Chris Olave manning the outside, Rashid Shaheed is projected to start in the slot for the New Orleans Saints. Say what you will about Derek Carr, but he’s always been able to keep multiple receiving options relevant for fantasy football purposes. While I don’t have incredibly high hopes for Shaheed this upcoming season, he’s shown he can perform in the NFL. He’s even getting plenty of buzz in camp already this season. Once Thomas ages out, he could easily become the number two option in the passing game in a year or two.
Kyle Philips, Tennessee Titans
Kyle Philips was well on his way to fantasy relevance last year before soft tissue issues derailed his season. He was one of the buzziest NFL players in all of camp and quarterback Ryan Tannehill kept finding him wide open in the middle of the field. Even in Week 1, Philips caught six balls for 66 yards in a one-point loss to the Giants. Philips has the potential to keep the chains moving in an offense devoid of receiving talent outside of Treylon Burks. And while many ignore him on waiver wires across dynasty leagues, I’m scooping and stashing to see what he can do when healthy.
Tight Ends
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
In my previous article, I mentioned that I’m stashing the Cowboys’ second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker. Well, I’m also stashing incumbent and presumed starter Jake Ferguson.
Ferguson acquitted himself well, earning playing time even when Dalton Schultz was healthy last season. In the one game Schultz missed, Ferguson ended up the TE9 on six targets, catching four for 40 yards and a score. Dak Prescott has always loved him a safety blanket in the middle of the field. Furthermore, with CeeDee Lamb getting his, Michael Gallup back from injury on the outside, and Brandin Cooks now stretching the field, Ferguson can have relevance in the short-to-intermediate passing game. All things considered, I’m stashing him to find out if it materializes.
Daniel Bellinger, New York Giants
Daniel Bellinger has been left for dead in the dynasty streets now that Darren Waller has come to New York. But the Giants’ brass has already stated they’re happy to develop the talented second-year tight end behind the All-Pro. Bellinger looked good immediately last season, earning a starting role from day one. And if it weren’t for a freak eye-poking incident, he might have played himself into TE1 territory. Signing a freak athlete like Waller isn’t necessarily an indictment on the talent of Bellinger. And we all know Waller’s injury history is long and sordid. I’m taking on Bellinger where I can to see what he can do once given the starting role again.
I’ve got a lot of these guys stashed on my taxi squads, but their availability will absolutely depend on the size of your league. If they’re hanging around on your wire, don’t be afraid to scoop them up before your league-mates do. I’m sure many of them will pay dividends soon, once they get the opportunity to show what they can do.
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