Now that we’re finally deep into the 2025 NFL season, in most leagues you only have a couple of weeks left to make your final playoff push. Failing that, you likewise don’t have long to make those final stashes and position yourself for the 2026 season.
Like always, dynasty waiver wires have more to offer in the form of emergency depth than true difference makers, but there are a couple of options with non-negligible upside floating around this week. Let’s get into it.
Probably Gone, but Double Check
Devin Neal, RB, New Orleans Saints
In all but the most shallow dynasty leagues, Devin Neal is already owned. If he is available however, he stands out as the highest priority waiver add of the week. With Alvin Kamara suffering a knee injury, he can be expected to miss some time, and Neal stands to benefit as the next running back in line.
I believe in Neal as a player. His footwork is incredibly efficient, which causes defenders to miss in tight spaces. Last week, Neal didn’t get a ton done on the ground, but he did rack up 43 receiving yards on five receptions in a negative game script. Expect more of the same on a Saints team that projects to lose most of its games.
All owner types should prioritize Neal.
Waiver Adds
Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy’s concussion will open the door for Max Brosmer for the next week or two. As noted in a previous waiver article, the Vikings might opt to play the long game with McCarthy. His play on the football field hasn’t produced a sense of urgency to rush him back from the concussion protocol, after all.
We are always interested in Kevin O’Connell quarterbacks, and all owner types should make a claim for Brosmer in case he pleasantly surprises us.
Devaughn Vele, WR, New Orleans Saints
Brandin Cooks’ release opens the door for Vele, who could rack up targets in a passing offense that should be in negative game scripts with regularity. He’s not great, but he’s the clear WR2 on a team that should throw the ball plenty.
Only teams in need of emergency depth should target Vele.
Brock Wright, TE, Detroit Lions
With Sam LaPorta hitting IR during midweek, this might be your first opportunity to add Wright on waivers. He stepped right in as the Lions’ starting tight end in week 12, earning a whopping 88% of the snaps. Only competing teams in need of depth should be interested.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
While Gesicki was owned in most leagues to start the season, he was actually dropped in all of my dynasty leagues once he hit IR. Gesicki is at best a spot starter, but he’s not a bad one. While he can’t be trusted to start every week, it’s always in his range of outcomes to put up a big game and reward your trust in the occasional spot start.
Both competing and retooling owner types should make a claim for Gesicki, since he can be a reasonable depth option next year too. Teams that are outright tanking will want to keep his fantasy points off the roster.
Deep League Stashes
Xavier Restrepo, WR, Tennessee Titans
Don’t look now, but Xavier Restrepo finally got into a game, seeing 25% of the snaps last week. In my opinion, he has a shot to stick in the NFL, as he has great hands and makes good things happen when he’s targeted, despite some athletic limitations. Don’t forget, Restrepo was Cam Ward’s preferred target in college at Miami.
Teams in deep leagues with room to stash Restrepo should add him and see if he sticks.
Konata Mumpfield, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Rookie Konata Mumpfield saw a 40% snap share in Week 12, and he may be inching his way towards a WR3 role on the explosive Rams offense.
While we can’t project Mumpfield’s role to grow much beyond that, I believe in his route-running ability and would love to see him stick in the NFL. He is an option for the end of your taxi squad.