RADIO
Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 4 of 2025. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.
Week 3 was not kind to our fantasy teams. Big-name players have been taken away from us. If you are 0-3 with an injured player, you may need to consider selling low on them as you need to start picking up some wins. If you are 3-0, you are on the opposite side of this and can look to buy low.
Either way, some fantasy managers out there need to replace those players in their starting lineups. The waiver wire is a bit thin in the majority of leagues, but there are still some sneaky options out there.
Each week, I will write about sneaky starts and pivot options that can either be added off the waiver wire or elevated from your bench.
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Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for Week 4
Matthew Stafford is more of a floor play, but if you need to grab a QB off the waiver wire, a floor is not a bad thing. Stafford has thrown multiple passing TDs in two straight games. He gets the Colts this week, who create pressure at the sixth-lowest rate so far this season. No disrespect to the Colts' secondary, I am taking the Rams' receivers against any team that gives Stafford time in the pocket. Plus, the Colts' offense could force him to throw a bit more.
Sam Darnold has thrown multiple passing TDs in two straight games as he looks more comfortable with his new team. He has shown a safe floor and gets a Cardinals defense that really has not been tested yet. They did give up a big fantasy day to Bryce Young. The other games were against Spencer Rattler and Mac Jones. Darnold can be streamed by those in need this week.
Geno Smith put up a big fantasy day last week, but much of it occurred in garbage time. Still, he has thrown for 362 and 289 yards already this season. He has topped 17 fantasy points twice and showed upside last week. The Bears have struggled this season, especially on the deep ball. He is a bit boom-or-bust, but the matchup has Smith in play.
Jaxson Dart is a QB I want on my roster, but ideally not in my starting lineup in his first NFL game against what has been a very impressive Chargers defense. However, if you are in a pinch, Dart brings upside. He led the FBS in yards and TDs on deep passes last season. We have already seen that he can use his legs. It’s a roll of the dice, but he brings the most upside of the QBs listed here.
Kareem Hunt may be the RB2 on the Chiefs, but he is the only Chiefs RB to reach double-digit fantasy points in a game this season. That is because he gets the valuable goal-line TDs. That could come in handy this week as the Ravens have allowed a league-high five rushing TDs to backs. He also sees some involvement in the passing game, and Baltimore has allowed the most catches to RBs. He is more floor than ceiling, but Hunt is definitely a sleeper this week.
Woody Marks is a real sneaky option this week. Last week, he split snaps with Nick Chubb pretty much down the middle. He had six carries to Chubb’s nine, but the duo split routes with Chubb running 17 to Marks’ 17. It was not a big fantasy day, but this week could be different. The Titans have allowed the third-most rushing yards to RBs and are tied with the Ravens for the most rushing touchdowns allowed. He is a sneaky pivot option and a back you certainly want on your bench.
1st career catch for Woody Marks goes for 37 yards!
TBvsHOU on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/JttFoMqixS— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2025
Bhayshul Tuten’s role did not increase in Week 3, but he did see a goal-line carry that he converted into a touchdown. That was encouraging. If he is seeing goal-line looks moving forward, he could become a more consistent flex option. Right now, he is a touchdown or big play-dependent option. The 49ers are not the best matchup, but recent usage has him in play for those in a pinch.
Ollie Gordon II is still the clear-cut second fiddle for the Dolphins, but he has seemed to carve out a valuable role. He saw the Dolphins' lone goal-line carry and had three of the four carries from within the 12-yard line. If you are diving deep, Gordon gives you the chance at a touchdown or two. He is an old-school vulture type.
Darnell Mooney saw 11 targets last week. He has been the Falcons' top target in general and in the red/end zone the last two weeks. We saw last season that he can be a very useful fantasy piece. The difference this year is that Michael Penix Jr is not afraid to air it out and throw downfield. That means more upside for the pass catchers. Especially in a game where they could be playing catch-up against the Commanders, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy PPG to receivers.
Tre Tucker went boom in a big way last week. While that was likely a career day, he could have the chance to have another big one against the Bears this week. Chicago has allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG and fifth-most receiving yards to receivers. They have also struggled against the long ball, which is a good thing for Tucker. What I especially like is that he has seen eight and nine targets the last two weeks, showing he has the trust of Smith. I am plugging in Tucker in a couple of leagues, and you could do the same.
Could this be another boom week for Tre Tucker? pic.twitter.com/5scC5LbPBW
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 24, 2025
Troy Franklin was held in check last week, but his participation was what we wanted to see. He played the same number of snaps as Courtland Sutton, showing he is a clear-cut top two receiver for the Broncos. That did not translate to a big day, but it could this week against the Bengals. They have allowed the eighth-most passing yards and fifth-most touchdowns. A receiver who never leaves the field has a good shot of paying off in this one.
Elic Ayomanor has scored a touchdown and topped 13 PPR points in two straight weeks. He has chemistry with Cam Ward and is seeing a good amount of usage. He is the number two WR and has seen at least five targets every game. Given his usage in the red zone, that is enough to get him in play.
Every Elic Ayomanor reception through his first two games so far. Huge steal for the Titans in the 4th round. pic.twitter.com/sR57aNoGsn
— 𝓝𝓲𝓬𝓴 ⚔️ (@CamWardQB1) September 15, 2025
Hunter Henry had 90 yards and a touchdown last week on a team-high 11 targets. We saw Henry be a very reliable fantasy option down the stretch last season as Drake Maye’s go-to guy. It is looking like Henry might once again be that for Maye. Especially in the red zone, where Henry saw three targets last week. Last season, 30 percent of Maye’s red zone looks went to Henry. There may be some dud weeks, but the median and ceiling are high enough to ride with Henry.
Harold Fannin Jr. continues to be a true joker, playing snaps from the backfield, slot, out wide, and as a tight end. It may create some fantasy volatility, but it also ensures weekly usage. We have yet to see a high ceiling, but Fannin does bring a safe floor. That is enough to be in play at tight end.
Harold Fannin Jr Week 3 usage
- 61% snaps
- 4 snaps from backfield, 19 as TE, 7 from slot, 5 outwide
- 19 routes
- 4 targets, 3 catches, 25 yards
- 5.5 fantasy pointsNot the best fantasy day, but continues to be used as a joker
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 21, 2025
Chig Okonkwo has seen six targets in back-to-back games. He is the TE9 in PPR leagues in that span. There is no high ceiling, or at least we have not seen that so far. The floor though, is safe, and when you are streaming tight ends, that is enough to be in consideration. Okonkwo is my backup plan for Evan Engram in a league this week.
Brenton Strange has seen his targets climb each week. He finished with seven last week, turning that into six catches for 61 yards. It was the second time in three games he had 59 or more yards. He has scored 9.9 PPR points or higher in two of his games. Again, it is not a ton of upside, but with tight ends, you are more looking for a safe floor.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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