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Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 8 of 2025. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.
If there was ever a week for sneaky starts and pivot options, it is this one! The Cardinals, Jaguars, Lions, Raiders, Rams, and Seahawks are all on bye this week. Injuries have started to pile up, making it even tougher to get those lineups ready.
Luckily, it is also a good streaming week. There are options at each position that can be picked up from waiver wires and plugged into starting lineups. The good news is that this is the only week with six byes. Fantasy managers in need of a win this week do not care about that, though.
Each week, I give you sneaky starts and pivot options that can be elevated from your bench or waiver wire and into your starting lineups!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) rankings
- Quarterback (QB) rankings
- Tight end (TE) rankings
- Defense (D/ST) rankings
- Kicker (K) rankings
- FLEX rankings
- Dynasty rankings
Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for QB
The Jets have yet to officially name a starting QB, but all indications are that Tyrod Taylor will be the guy this week. If so, he is in play this week. If it is Justin Fields, he is in play this week. The Bengals have created pressure at the lowest rate since Week 4. We have seen them get lit up through the air, and QBs have scored the sixth-most fantasy PPG against them in the last month. Taylor may not run like Fields, but he can run. He is my favorite streaming option this week.
Aaron Rodgers has played well as of late. He averaged 20 fantasy PPG in his last two games, and this is the ultimate revenge spot. The Packers' defense is tough, but they have allowed the most fantasy PPG to QBs in the last month. Plus, I expect them to throw anytime they get near the goal line. Rodgers is certainly in play.
Aaron Rodgers says he doesn’t view Sunday against the Packers as a “revenge game.”
“There’s no animosity toward the organization. Obviously I wish things had been better in our last year there.”
Rodgers said he saw the “writing on the wall” when the org drafted Jordan Love. pic.twitter.com/yRGBfxI6qo
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 22, 2025
C.J. Stroud has been up and down as of late, but he is at his best when he is not constantly under pressure. That can be said for many QBs, but it has been true about Stroud dating back to his college days. The 49ers have created pressure at the second-lowest rate since the Nick Bosa injury. In a game, the Texans could be in catch-up mode, Stroud is in play.
Marcus Mariota has averaged over 18 fantasy PPG in his two starts this season. He averaged 30 rushing yards per game in those two and added a goal-line rushing TD in one. I hate the matchup and would opt to use the above names over him, but Mariota is in play for those who are desperate.
Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for RB
Woody Marks played 61 percent of snaps with 10 of 15 RB carries, while leading the backfield with 20 routes and five targets last week. He was heavily used in the red zone. He gets a better matchup this week against the 49ers, who have allowed 4.6 yards per carry, including 1.5 yards before contact per carry (sixth-highest) since the Nick Bosa injury. I am streaming Marks in a couple of spots, and you could as well.
Woody Marks punches it in for 6.
📺: @espnnfl pic.twitter.com/RWAxfqB7VK
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 21, 2025
Kyle Monangai played 46 percent of snaps last week with 16 opportunities. He turned that into nearly 100 yards, a touchdown, and 17 fantasy points. He could build on that against the Ravens, who have allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to RBs. With the Bears running the ball the third-most since their bye week, Monangai is in play.
Brashard Smith saw 14 carries and five targets last week. Granted, it was in a blowout, but there is a possibility this matchup goes the same way. He turned those 19 opportunities into 81 yards and 13 fantasy points. The Chiefs like to give their rookies more work as the season goes on. Smith could be Jerick McKinnon 2.0 here. He is sneaky this week as the Commanders have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards to RBs. They have also allowed explosive runs at an above-average rate in the last four weeks.
Tyler Allgeier has double-digit touches in four of six games this season. This could be a matchup where the game script is on his side as well. The Dolphins have allowed the fifth-most fantasy PPG and allow explosive runs at the highest rate in the NFL.
Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for WR
Wan'Dale Robinson has thrived with Jaxson Dart. He has a 26 percent target share (7.8 per game) and a 21 percent air yard share and has been the first read on 25 percent of dropbacks, per Fantasy Points Data, with Dart as the starter. In the last two games, he has averaged just under 90 yards per game and 18 fantasy PPG. That includes 20 PPR points against the Eagles in Week 6. He’s definitely in play with all the byes.
Romeo Doubs is my preferred option of the Packers receivers, but Matthew Golden is also in play. Doubs has at least eight targets in three straight. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in each and is averaging nearly 18 fantasy PPG. The Steelers have allowed the fourth-most yards to outside receivers, and Doubs runs 82 percent of routes from out wide. The Steelers have allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to receivers and have struggled against the deep ball. That is where Golden comes into play. He is a bit more boom-or-bust, but the upside is there.
Romeo Doubs Cementing Role as Packers' WR1 https://t.co/IcNE3jEPWN
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 22, 2025
Tez Johnson played 68 percent of snaps and saw nine targets last week, catching four for 58 yards and a touchdown. His route tree was more versatile this week as well, which I like. Johnson has trust from Baker Mayfield, and with the Bucs so banged up, that is huge. He is a bit more boom-or-bust, but the volume and downfield ability have him in play.
Alec Pierce always brings a high ceiling as he can stretch the field with the best of them. The issue typically is that he only sees a handful of targets, so the floor is very low if he does not connect on a deep ball. That changed last week as he saw 10 targets and went for nearly 100 yards. Perhaps it was just a one-week thing, but given how well he has been playing, he remains in play.
Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for TE
Oronde Gadsden II went off for 164 yards, a touchdown, and 29.4 PPR points. That was the most any tight end has scored in a game this season (well, tied with Trey McBride). It was also the most yards by a rookie tight end since 1985 (Mark Bavaro). Plus, he has 17 targets in the last two games combined and seven-plus in three of five. That usage and production are too good to ignore.
Who should you target on the waiver wire this week for your @NFLFantasy squad?@MichaelFFlorio shares his list with @RapSheet and @MikeGarafolo on The Insiders 🎯 pic.twitter.com/H4g0OLrAK9
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 22, 2025
Kyle Pitts Sr. saw 10 targets last week, tied for the most on the team. He turned that into seven catches for 62 yards. He could build on that against Miami, which has allowed the fifth-most yards to tight ends. They’ve also struggled guarding players lined up in the slot, and Pitts leads Atlanta in slot snaps.
Cade Otton has scored double-digit fantasy points in each of his last three games. He has averaged 66 yards per game in that stretch. Plus, Mike Evans is out, and Chris Godwin looks unlikely to return. Otton is tied to a good QB and offense, with targets up for grabs.
Mason Taylor has a 21 percent target rate since Week 3. Plus, the Jets have a QB who can complete a pass now, just ask their owner. This is all about the matchup, as the Bengals have allowed the most yards, touchdowns, and fantasy PPG to tight ends.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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