Sneaky Starts, Pivot Plays, and Waiver Wire Stashes for Week 12 Fantasy Football (2025)

Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 12 of 2025. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.

Four. That is how many teams are on bye this week. There are also a lot of injuries that are leaving fantasy managers' starting lineup a little thin this week.

Three. That is how many games are left in your fantasy football regular season. If you are fighting for a playoff spot, every week is extremely important. You need to prioritize making your starting lineup as strong as possible each of those three weeks.

Bye or injury excuses will not get you into the playoffs. Sneaky starts and pivot options may just do the trick, though!

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for Week 12

Jacoby Brissett made NFL history last week. I have been advocating for Brissett since he became the starter, and really for years now, but he still remains available in far too many leagues. Since becoming the starter, he has averaged 21.3 fantasy PPG. That number is only exceeded by Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Jaxson Dart in their starts. He has thrown multiple passing TDs and scored over 19 fantasy points in every game. He has a great chance to stay hot against the Jaguars, who are top-5 in passing touchdowns and fantasy points per game allowed to QBs.

Jacoby Brissett threw for 452 yards and 2 TDs (2 INTs) while completing 82.5% of his passes on an NFL record setting 47 completions - He is the only player ever with an 80+ completion percent in a game with over 50 attempts

Multiple TDs in each start and 21.3 fantasy PPG!

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) November 17, 2025

Bryce Young is coming off a franchise record-setting performance. He has fooled us before, and the floor is usually low, but he has a great chance to stay hot against the 49ers this week. The Niners have allowed the second-most yards and fourth-most touchdown passes to QBs. Six of the last seven quarterbacks to face them have topped 19 fantasy points. They generate pressure at a league-worst rate, so Young should have time to throw, like Brissett did last week. Plus, he could use his legs more than he typically does.

Many managers have to dive deep at QB this week. My favorite of those deeper options is Tyrod Taylor. In his lone start this season, he threw for 197 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and ran for 48 yards. The Jets often trail and have relied on QB runs all year, so I do not expect that to change. While his ceiling is lower than Fields, his floor seems safer, as he is the better passer of the two.

Kenneth Gainwell could be in play as Jaylen Warren left early last week and missed practice to start the week with an ankle injury. Gainwell put up nearly 30 fantasy points last week. He scored two touchdowns and had eight targets. He was heavily involved last week before Warren was injured, so even if he suits up, Gainwell is in play in deeper leagues.

If Warren is out, Gainwell is a start against the Bears, who have allowed 5.0 yards per carry. They’ve allowed 1.5 yards before contact per carry to RBs, the second-highest in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. Volume, especially in the passing game, and a favorable matchup make him an RB2 or strong flex option with no Warren.

Joined @MikeGarafolo in The Insiders to discuss Week 12 waiver wire targets! pic.twitter.com/znGAWqylPW

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) November 19, 2025

Emanuel Wilson is in play if Josh Jacobs is out this week. Last week, when Jacobs left early, Wilson was the workhorse back for Green Bay. He played 71 percent of the snaps, saw all but one RB carry, and ran all the routes. The Vikings are not a slam-dunk matchup, but gamescript has often been on their opponents' side. It is why the Vikings have the second-most carries against them in the NFL. He would be an RB2 or flex option with no Jacobs.

Sean Tucker was recommended here last week, and he went off for 140 yards and three touchdowns. My hope is that he has permanently surpassed Rachaad White in the RB pecking order. The bigger concern is Bucky Irving. If he is once again out this week, Tucker would be an RB2 play. If Irving suits up, Tucker would be more of a big-play reliant flex option against the Rams, who have been extremely tough against the run.

Bhayshul Tuten started his week with a limited practice, which is a very positive sign. Tuten last week played 32 percent of the snaps and turned 15 touches into 74 yards. That sort of volume and his explosiveness would have him in play against the Cardinals, who are top 10 in most fantasy PPG allowed to RBs.

#Jaguars Week 11 RB Usage

- Travis Etienne: 51% snaps, 19 carries, 8 routes, 2 targets (73 yds, 2 TDs)
- Bhayshul Tuten: 32% snaps, 15 carries, 4 routes, 0 targets (74 yds, TD)

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) November 16, 2025

Also, worth mentioning that last season around this time, Liam Coen turned the Bucs backfield to the more explosive rookie in Irving, and he became a league winner. There is no guarantee that happens with Tuten, who is faster and more explosive than Etienne, but it is worth trying to get him on your roster while the value is still down.

Christian Watson is my preferred option of the Packers receivers, but Romeo Doubs is also in play. Last week, Doubs saw a team-high eight targets, catching four for 53 yards. It may have been a one-game blip, but Watson took over as the WR1 in terms of snaps and routes. That would be significant if it continues.

Watson is the more explosive option, bringing a higher ceiling, and if he is getting the most playing time, that would help elevate the floor. That role has previously belonged to Doubs, but these are clearly the top two options moving forward with no Tucker Kraft.

Christian Watson’s two scores came on a pair of tough contested grabs 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6Qzqr4wjEu

— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2025

Michael Wilson is a strong play this week with no Marvin Harrison Jr. this week. Last week, Wilson saw 18 targets, finishing with 15 catches for 185 yards. With no Harrison, Wilson ran out wide more, with 83 percent of his snaps coming out wide. The Jaguars have allowed the fourth-most yards and second-most touchdowns to outside receivers. He once again brings a very high ceiling.

Rashid Shaheed saw his targets jump to over 50 percent last week, and he had five targets. I expect him to be even more involved this week as he gets acclimated to his new offense. The Titans have allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG to WRs. They also struggle to get after the QB, so Sam Darnold should have time, and that could lead ot some more downfield throws. This is a great opportunity for Seattle to try and get their QB and new WR some in-game chemistry together. The floor may be low, but the ceiling is very high in this one.

Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III are in play for those diving deeper this week. Last week, Mitchell had a team-high six targets, showing the capability to get open even against one of the league's top corners in Christian Gonzalez. He had drop issues, though. Metchie only saw three targets, but he led the Jets in yards and scored a touchdown. Metchie led the receivers, playing 83 percent of the snaps. The hope is that the passing game improves with Taylor. Plus, the Jets trail often, so they will have to throw often.

Dalton Schultz has an extremely tough matchup this week as the Bills have allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to tight ends. I still think he is worth starting, as he has been extremely consistent. He has scored at least eight PPR points in seven of his last eight games, with 11-plus in five of his last six. He has averaged 10 targets and 14.7 fantasy PPG in the last two games with Davis Mills. Volume and recent production keep him in play in a game the Texans may have to throw.

Hunter Henry has been seeing a bit more usage lately, with six targets in two of his last three games. That is not why he is a great streaming option his week, though. Cincy has allowed the most yards, touchdowns, and fantasy PPG to tight ends. In fact, the Bengals have allowed a top-12 fantasy tight end in every game they’ve played since Week 5. That includes some huge performances. Henry is a strong streaming option this week.

Chig Okonkwo sneakily leads the Titans in catches and receiving yards. Now he gets the Seahawks, who have allowed the third-most fantasy PPG to tight ends this season. I expect the Titans to be trailing in this one and having to throw. They should look to take advantage of the one weakness in the Seahawks' defense, which has been covering tight ends.

Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.

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