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Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 10 of 2025. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.
Have you had trouble finding a streamer this week? You are likely not alone. Many of the defenses you look to stream against are on bye this week. Or the options you look to stream at times are in terrible matchups.
Some weeks, the pivot options are easier to find than others. This was one of the tougher weeks. That does not mean they are not out there, especially if you are in need at tight end. There are options to be had there.
Each week, this article offers you sneaky starts and pivot options to get your fantasy football lineups right!
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Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for Week 10
Jacoby Brissett is the Cardinals starter for the foreseeable future. Brissett has scored 20 points in all three of his starts. He has thrown for multiple passing touchdowns in each game and adds a little value with his legs. This week, he faces Seattle, which is not the best matchup on paper, but it could mean the Cards are chasing points. Brissett is the top pivot option this week for those in need of a QB.
"If you see him doing it, you gotta go across the middle and you gotta be able to you know hold on to the ball and do the same thing for him."
Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. says QB Jacoby Brissett taking hits in the pocket inspire him to play with toughness. pic.twitter.com/0zQtUzTtsn
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) November 5, 2025
Marcus Mariota can run. That is enough to have him in play as a streaming option in most weeks. He has started three games and scored 20, 16, and 11 in those games, showing that he has a low floor, solid median, and some upside. He ran for at least 20 yards in each of those starts, though, and is always a threat near the goal line. That rushing upside has him in play.
Michael Penix Jr. faces the Colts, who have allowed the fifth-most passing yards in the NFL. Plus, the Colts offense has put up a ton of points this season, and if that is the case, it could lead to Penix being in catch-up mode. We saw that last week, and he scored nearly 23 fantasy points. If you are going a little deeper at QB, he is in play.
J.J. McCarthy threw for a pair of scores while running for another, finishing with nearly 19 fantasy points in a very impressive win over the Lions. I think he is a bit of a trap this week, as the Ravens defense seems to have found its footing. However, Lamar Jackson and Co. are likely to score a good amount of points. That could mean we get to see McCarthy air it out more in catch-up mode.
Kyle Monangai would be a must-play if D'Andre Swift is out once again this week. Last week, he got the Bengals for 198 total yards and was the RB3 on the week despite not scoring a touchdown. He has shown he can take advantage of good matchups, and he gets that this week against the Giants. New York has allowed the second-most rushing yards and fantasy PPG to backs. It allows explosive runs at the highest rate in the NFL. If Swift suits up, Monangai would still be in play as a flex option.
TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings would become options if Rhamondre Stevenson is once again out. They get Tampa Bay this week, which has allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG to opposing RBs. That includes the third-most yards before contact per carry, and most receiving yards to RBs as well. Henderson would be the preferred play, but Jennings would be a deeper league flex option as well.
First NFL TD for Terrell Jennings 👏
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/hR5dHUQPrj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 2, 2025
Devin Singletary played 55 percent of the snaps last week with more carries and routes than Tyrone Tracy Jr. We are unsure if that will continue, but it is enough to have him in play as a deeper league flex option. This week, he faces the Bears, who have struggled against the run, allowing the third-most yards before contact per carry. That means Singletary and Tracy should have running lanes. Both are in play as flex options this week.
Ray Davis would only be an option if James Cook, who missed practice on Wednesday, sits. It doesn’t sound serious, but the Bills may opt to be cautious. Davis carried the ball 20 times last season when Cook sat. I think we would see a lot more of him as the early down back, while Ty Johnson would keep his role as the passing down back. He could see some ground usage as well, so he would be in play, but my lean would be toward Davis.
Jameson Williams has been demoted to many fantasy managers' benches. This week, though, I think you take the upside swing with him. Last week, he had six targets as the Lions started to throw to him more in the second half. That is when they started moving the ball more. Plus, the Commanders have allowed the fourth-most yards on deep passes to receivers. Speed has given them trouble, and Williams is the speed option.
Troy Franklin leads the Broncos in targets, air yards, and end-zone targets. He may not have the safest floor, but he has had some big weeks. He could have one this week as the Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG to WRs. They have allowed the seventh-most yards to outside receivers. Franklin splits his time out wide and in the slot.
Tez Johnson has averaged 11.6 fantasy PPG in the last month. He has scored at least nine PPR points in each game in that span, so the floor is safe. This week could be a week the Bucs have to throw more than usual, though. The Patriots are elite at stopping the run. Plus, they can put up points quickly due to their QB. Johnson is in play as a flex this week.
Alec Pierce saw 13 targets last week. He has scored 10-plus fantasy points in four of his last six games, so the floor is getting higher. He always brings a high ceiling due to his downfield usage. He has averaged 20 air yards per target. This may not be the best matchup on paper, but as always, it only takes one long catch for Pierce to hit. When in a pinch, shoot for upside.
Alec Pierce Emerging as a More Reliable Weapon in Indianapolis https://t.co/BkxISlzl9q
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 5, 2025
Colston Loveland had the second-most targets on the Bears last week. He turned those seven targets into 118 yards and two scores, including the game-winner. Hopefully, that earns him more opportunities moving forward. While he doesn’t get the Bengals this week, he gets the Giants, who have consistently been tormented through the air this season.
Dalton Schultz has scored eight or more PPR points in all but one game since Week 3. That is a solid floor for a tight end. He has also scored 11 or more in three of his last four. Now, he gets the Jags, who have allowed the fourth-most yards, second-most touchdowns, and second-most fantasy PPG to tight ends.
Cade Otton brings a solid floor with at least eight fantasy points in each of his last four games. He has double digits in three of those. With the Bucs beat up, he has been more involved. I expect that this week as the Patriots have allowed the seventh-most yards to tight ends. As stated above, this could be a game where the Bucs have to throw more.
Theo Johnson has the second-most targets on the Giants since Week 6. He has scored double digits in four of his last six games. The Bears are a middle-of-the-pack matchup for tight ends, but they allow a ton of production through the air. This game has the possibility to be a sneaky high-scoring one as well.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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