RADIO
Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 15 of 2025. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.
If you are reading this, you have made your league's fantasy playoffs. Congratulations! That in itself is an accomplishment. Of course, no one is satisfied with just making the playoffs; you obviously want to win it all.
You could also be competing in a consolation bracket for draft picks or to avoid a punishment. Either way, you have to deal with a wild and chaotic Week 15. Even with no teams on bye, things are getting weird in the NFL!
There are also some terrible matchups for some players who helped get you into the fantasy playoffs. These sneaky starts and pivot options can help you avoid those.
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Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for QB
Marcus Mariota is a sleeper I like a lot this week that I am plugging into several spots. Not only have they allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to QBs and have been lit up through the air, but they also struggle against running QBs. They’ve allowed the third-most rushing yards and fifth-most TDs to QBs this season. Mariota brings sneaky upside due to his rushing ability.
J.J. McCarthy threw for three touchdowns and finished as a top 10 fantasy QB last week. That shows that he can put up numbers in a favorable matchup, although it's no guarantee. He gets a better matchup this week against the Cowboys, who have allowed the most fantasy PPG and pass TDs to QBs. They’ve allowed the third-most fantasy PPG to QBs in the last month, showing it is still an issue. If you are in a two-QB league or have to dive deeper, McCarthy brings some upside.
J.J. McCarthy to Josh Oliver for an early Vikings lead!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/aYPAgIUbYD
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 7, 2025
Shedeur Sanders went off for 364 passing yards, three touchdowns, 29 rushing yards, and a touchdown last week, finishing as the QB2 with over 30 fantasy points. While I do not expect that again this week, he does have another favorable matchup against the Bears. Chicago has allowed the second-most touchdown passes and ninth-most fantasy PPG to QBs. The Browns could also be chasing points in this one, meaning more throwing for Sanders.
Shedeur Sanders found Jerry Jeudy in stride for a 60-yard house call 🎯@wingstop pic.twitter.com/V0efnuZmLc
— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2025
Tyler Shough is coming off a career-best fantasy performance. You cannot bank on two rushing touchdowns each week, but he has been using his legs more, and that raises his fantasy ceiling. He has topped 17 fantasy points in three of his last four games. The Panthers' defense is not a slam dunk matchup, but if you have to dive deep, he brings a bit of upside.
Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for RB
Kenneth Gainwell has averaged 17.6 PPR points in his last four games. That is more than Jaylen Warren (12.3). The two continue to split opportunities, but Gainwell is getting those valuable targets. He has six-plus targets in three of his last four games. A target is nearly three times more valuable than a carry in PPR leagues. On top of that, he gets the Dolphins, who are top 10 in rushing and receiving yards allowed to RBs.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. has continued to be the lead back for the Commanders. They still do mix in their other backs, and his QB is also a threat to steal some rushing production, particularly touchdowns, which makes him more of a safe floor play. However, this week, he brings more upside than usual against the Giants. New York has allowed the second-most rushing yards and fantasy PPG to RBs,
Chuba Hubbard was more utilized in the Panthers' last game. He turned 19 opportunities into 124 yards and a touchdown against a tough Rams defense. Rico Dowdle also missed practice to start the week, which is concerning, considering they are coming off the bye. If Dowdle sits, Hubbard is a strong start. If they both suit up, the usage is uncertain, but Hubbard would be a high-upside flex option.
Devin Singletary continues to be highly involved in the Giants' backfield. He has averaged 14 carries per game in the last three weeks. He has been seeing the goal line work for the Giants and gets sprinkled into the passing game. It has led to him scoring over 17 fantasy points in two of the last three games. He brings sneaky upside this week against the Commanders, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG to RBs.
Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for WR
Wan'Dale Robinson has averaged 10.6 targets per game with at least eight in each game since November. He has averaged 14.9 PPR PPG in that span. Now he gets a great matchup against the Commanders, who are top five in yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points allowed to receivers. They have allowed the third-most yards to slot receivers. He is a strong start this week that you can elevate from your bench.
Devaughn Vele has been the Saints' leading receiver in each of the last two games. Since the Saints' bye week, Vele has a 21 percent target share, a 34 percent air yard share, and is tied for the team lead in end zone targets. The floor is not super sturdy, but he brings upside this week against the Panthers, who have struggled against wideouts more as of late.
Waiver wire pickups at this time of year can make or break a championship run...
So @MichaelFFlorio joined @MikeGarafolo to share the names you should be targeting in @NFLFantasy 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ucox76JtCu
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 10, 2025
Jordan Addison is in play solely because of the matchup. He does have seven or more targets in four of his last five games, showing he gets volume. That has not translated to much fantasy success, but this week against the Cowboys makes him a deeper flex option worth throwing a dart at. The Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy PPG, yards, and touchdowns to receivers this season. They’ve allowed most of each to receivers on deep passes, which bodes well for Addison. And while Dallas has been tougher to run against lately, they are still top four in fantasy PPG allowed to WRs in the last month.
Chimere Dike has seen at least seven targets in two of his last three games. He scored a touchdown in each of those as well. Looking over his gamelogs, you see that the floor is low, but he has some upside. The 49ers are top 12 in fantasy PPG allowed to WRs, and will likely score a good amount of points, meaning the Titans will have to throw a bunch.
Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for TE
If Harold Fannin Jr. was on waivers or your bench, he is very much so in play as a start. He has averaged 15 fantasy PPG with a 28 percent target share in three games with Shedeur Sanders. He is the TE6 on the season. He is very much so in play this week against the Bears.
Isaiah Likely is very much so in play this week. In the last three games, he has out-targeted Mark Andrews (15 to 14), has more catches, yards, and touchdowns. He also has lost two touchdowns in that span (fumble out of the endzone, controversial no catch call). On top of that, he gets the Bengals, who have allowed the most catches, yards, touchdowns, and fantasy PPG to TEs. Plus, Likely was the Ravens' leading receiver against Cincy with 95 yards two weeks ago.
Brenton Strange disappointed last week, but the positive is that he saw the most targets in a game since he returned. He has shown to be a relatively safe floor option and gets a favorable matchup this week against the Jets. They have allowed the fifth-most touchdowns to receivers.
Darren Waller disappointed last week, but that does not change the fact that he remains a streaming option for those in need. Starting Waller is hoping for a touchdown. He is their go-to option in the red and end zone. Plus, it's a favorable matchup as the Steelers have allowed the sixth-most yards and third-most touchdowns to tight ends.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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