Sneaky Starts, Pivot Plays, and Waiver Wire Stashes for Week 6 Fantasy Football (2025)

October 12, 2025

Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 6 of 2025. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.

We have reached the point in the fantasy football season where your managerial skills are really going ot be put to the test. Not only are the byes here, but injuries are quickly piling up. Some teams are decimated, but here is the thing: you just have to squeak out some wins.

Last season, I had a team that was absolutely decimated with injuries. I managed to go 3-3 over a six-week span, and then my team got healthier. I managed to sneak into the playoffs and made it to the finals. If you can survive this stretch, you can still reach fantasy glory.

Sometimes that involves your opponent not having a huge fantasy day. Nothing matters, though, if you are putting a poor product on the virtual gridiron. Every week, this article gives you options you can elevate from your bench or waiver wire into your starting lineup.

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for QB

Matthew Stafford has been balling out as of late. He has thrown for 375-plus yards and three touchdowns in each of his last two games. He faces a very banged-up Ravens defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to QBs, which includes the second-most yards and most touchdowns. He is a strong play in a fantastic matchup.

Bryce Young is my favorite streaming QB option this week. He faces the Cowboys, who have allowed the most passing yards and the second-most touchdowns. QBs have averaged 27.9 fantasy PPG against them in the last month. Each QB who has faced them all season has scored at least 24 fantasy points, and all have finished in the top eight. Plus, Young may be in catch-up mode for much of the second half. He brings a ton of upside.

.@_bryce_young made sure his squad was locked in for the comeback win vs. Miami 💯@insidetheNFL Week 5 Mic'd Up on X pic.twitter.com/gucrT6eztF

— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2025

Jaxson Dart can run. He is the fourth QB ever to run for over 50 yards in each of his first career starts. He scored 16 fantasy points despite three turnovers last week. I do not love starting him this week in a tough matchup against Philly on a short week. If you need to stream, though, his legs keep him in play.

Sam Darnold is coming off his best game of the season with 28 fantasy points. He threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns. It was his first game with over 17 fantasy points, but he has shown a very safe floor. I do not love his matchup this week, but if you are streaming, he is safe.

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for RB

Michael Carter played 60 percent of the snaps with 18 carries and, surprisingly, was the most targeted Cardinals RB. I would expect him to be the lead back once again after everything that happened in Arizona this week. The Colts' numbers against RBs also seem inflated, as they have often been ahead against bad teams. They are above league average in many metrics, such as yards per carry, explosive run rate, and yards before contact per carry.

Rico Dowdle is a must-start option if Chuba Hubbard is out this week. Even if he suits up, Dowdle is in play as a flex option in the ultimate revenge spot. The Cowboys have allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to RBs and allow explosive runs at the fourth-highest rate. They have also allowed the most receiving yards to backs. You know, Dowdle wants to stick it to the team that let him walk for the same contract as the guy they signed. In this fantastic matchup, he just may get that chance.

Rico Dowdle said he has a good relationship with Brian Schottenheimer and heard his comments.
Reiterates: “Get your seatbelt and buckle up.” pic.twitter.com/5R5uSNvKFX

— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 8, 2025

Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins are both in play as streaming options, with Omarion Hampton now on IR. We do not have an idea yet of how the backfield touches will be distributed. Last week, Haskins played over Vidal, but last season, Vidal played over Haskins. I personally am leaning towards Vidal as I believe he is the more explosive of the two. Both are low floor, upside plays until we get this backfield figured out.

Tyler Allgeier is in play this week. As good as Bijan Robinson is, Allgeier has not gone away. He has seen double-digit carries in all but one game this season. This week, he faces the Bills, who struggle mightily against the run. They’ve given up explosive runs at the third-highest rate in the NFL. The floor may be low, but he brings upside in this one.

RJ Harvey is on a lot of fantasy benches. I think he is a sleeper this week if you are in need. Last week, he wasn’t used much, but my thinking is that it was because the Broncos were in catch-up mode. I do not think that’ll be the case in London against the Jets. It could look more like the game against the Bengals, when the Broncos looked to showcase their young talent.

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for WR

Troy Franklin is a sneaky option this week. He continues to be the Broncos' number two receiver. In fact, he has the second-highest red zone target share of all receivers. The Jets' defense has been cooked all season, giving up at least 27 points in every game, so there will be plenty of scoring chances. Franklin’s floor may be low, but he brings upside this week.

Troy Franklin's development so far this season has been arguably the most enjoyable aspect of the team. Went from being an incredibly boom or bust piece to one of the more reliable weapons on the offense. pic.twitter.com/sMyyWPT0Qn

— Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm) October 7, 2025

Josh Downs tied his season-high with eight targets last week. He has not produced huge yardage, but volume keeps him in play as a streaming option. Especially against the Raiders, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG to WRs.

Isaiah Bond saw seven targets last week, the second most on the Browns. He did not turn it into much production, but the volume from Dillon Gabriel stands out. The Steelers have allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to receivers. The speedy receiver has a chance to go boom in a favorable matchup.

Deeper Options:

Ryan Flournoy and Kendrick Bourne are in play if the starters ahead of them remain out. Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall started the week by not practicing - if they are out again this week, Bourne becomes a high-upside play. Flournoy saw nine targets last week and turned them into 114 yards. KaVontae Turpin missed practice to start the week. If he is out, Flournoy becomes a high upside, low floor streaming option.

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for TE

Mason Taylor saw a team-high 12 targets last week and has 19 targets in the last two weeks. The Jets are often in catch-up mode, and when they are, it has meant a ton of underneath targets for Taylor. It helps keep the chains moving and leads to a solid fantasy floor for Taylor. If Patrick Surtain II can limit Garrett Wilson this week, it could mean more volume for Taylor.

Every Mason Taylor target - Week 5 pic.twitter.com/AV9uzkMIXG

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) October 8, 2025

A.J. Barner went off last week. The eye grabber is the two touchdowns, but the seven targets stand out to me. Barner has proven to be a reliable force in the red zone for the Seahawks. He has four touchdowns in the last four games. If he sees volume like last week, though, he could be an every-week starter. At the very least, he has a chance to score a touchdown.

Theo Johnson saw seven targets last week after seeing five the week prior. He has three touchdowns in that span. With Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton out, Johnson is becoming a more consistent target for Dart. He could also be the go-to guy in the red zone. It is a tough matchup on a short week, but he is in play. At the worst, hope for a touchdown.

Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.

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