Sneaky Starts, Pivot Plays, and Waiver Wire Stashes for Week 5 Fantasy Football (2025)

Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 5 of 2025. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.

This is the time of year when fantasy football managers are put to the test. We have our first week of byes with the Bears, Packers, Falcons, and Steelers on bye. Injuries are quickly piling up as well.

This is one of those weeks where some fantasy managers may feel like their team is stacked, and others are searching for players they can plug in to help them sneak out a victory. If you are one of those players, this article is for you!

Every week, this article provides sneaky starts and pivot options you can elevate from your bench or the waiver wire to your starting lineup.

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for QB

Jaxson Dart was using his legs, and that greatly matters in fantasy football. He finished with 111 passing yards, one touchdown, and 54 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown still equates to nearly 20 fantasy points. He had three red zone carries and a near 40-yard run called back due to a penalty. He has a good matchup against the Saints, who have allowed the third-most pass TDs and are top 11 in QB rush yards. Dart brings upside.

Sideline went crazy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ykMmV2Ewhj

— New York Giants (@Giants) October 1, 2025

Sam Darnold has shown to be a safe floor fantasy option. While the Seahawks are running too much for Darnold to have a high ceiling each week, this could be a game where he is tested. With Baker Mayfield and the Bucs on the other side, the Seahawks have to pass more than usual if they are in catch-up mode or having to match points. At the least, you should expect 15-plus points from Darnold.

Bryce Young is the opposite of Sam Darnold. He does not bring a safe floor, but he does bring upside. He faces the Dolphins, who have allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to QBs. They may be outside the top 10 in passing yards allowed, but every metric shows this is a defense you can throw on. They have also struggled with running QBs, as Justin Fields showed last week, so hopefully Young runs a bit. Safe managers can go Darnold, but if you need some upside this week, Young is the play.

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for RB

Rachaad White is a very strong start if Bucky Irving is out this week, which is the way we are currently trending. Not only would he be the lead back for a good Bucs offense, but he get the Seahawks, who have allowed the most catches and receiving yards to running backs this season. The Bucs have always utilized a second RB, which has Sean Tucker in play as a flex option. He is definitely more boom-or-bust, but he is an explosive runner who we have seen put up big days before.

Emari Demercado and Michael Carter are both in play this week with Trey Benson on IR. While we are unsure of exactly how the work will be distributed, we do know Emari Demercado will handle passing downs. I suspect we see both get a chance on the ground. Both are in play as flex options against the Titans, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards to RBs. Game script should be on their side as well. I lean toward Demercado because of the passing down work, but it is certainly up in the air.

Arizona Cardinals RB drills order:

1) Michael Carter
2) Emari Demercado
3) Bam Knight
4) Jermar Jefferson

📹 @AZSportspic.twitter.com/gleMPi23mK https://t.co/bcCMoEACuy

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 1, 2025

Zavier Scott is playing the Aaron Jones role, at least the passing downs, for the Vikings. He split reps with Jordan Mason last week, but he had eight targets, the second most on the team. He was second in catches (six) and third in receiving yards (43) and scored one of their two receiving touchdowns. Plus, the Browns are the toughest run defense in the league, so perhaps the Vikings opt to throw it as an extension of the run game. Scott is a sneaky PPR play.

Isaiah Davis will be the Jets' RB2 while Braelon Allen is out. Last week, we saw Davis have three carries, to go along with 11 routes and two targets. I expect more usage to go his wa,y and he clearly can be used as a receiver if the Jets are in catch-up mode. This is a roll of the dice against a Cowboys defense that has given up a ton of production.

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for WR

Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson are both in play with Malik Nabers sadly out for the season. We know Robinson will be a short, safe target that has a consistent role in this offense. He is the floor play here. Slayton is the upside play. He led the Giants in receiving yards in Dart’s first start last week. In two games without Nabers last year he saw 11 targets in both and finished with 11 and 26 PPR points. He will be the deep threat going forward as well.

Isaiah Bond is the new WR2 in Cleveland. He was second in snaps and targets last week and led the Browns in receiving yards. Bond has a ton of speed, can win downfield, and thrives after the catch. I wouldn’t bank on a safe floor with Dillon Gabriel, but there is big play upside here with Bond.

Who do you need to look for on the waiver wire heading into Week 5?@MichaelFFlorio joined @TomPelissero and @MikeGarafolo on The Insiders to highlight the players you should target to give your @NFLFantasy team a boost 🎯 pic.twitter.com/UtG8gFeav7

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 1, 2025

Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims are in play in a game where they could be chasing points and having to throw more. Franklin continues to be the number two receiver and is coming off an eight-target game. He is the safer option and the one I lean towards using. Marvin Mims though, is the home run play. Not only did he see six targets last week, but he was two overthrows away from a monster fantasy day two weeks ago.

JuJu Smith-Schuster had six targets and scored a touchdown last week. He saw six targets, but what stood out to me is where the targets are coming. He saw a league-high four red zone targets in Week 4. He is always a threat to score a touchdown with that sort of usage.

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for TE

Darren Waller scored two touchdowns, 17 fantasy points, and finished as the TE4 in his first game in nearly two years. He did so on limited snaps, but I expect that to climb as he gets more and more reacclimated. I also expect him to be the go-to guy in the red/end zone. The tight end was heavily utilized last year for Miami. Plus, there are targets up for grabs with Tyreel Hill out. This week, he is in play as the Panthers have allowed the most yards to tight ends.

Darren Waller Week 4

- 25% snaps
- 10 routes
- 4 targets, 3 catches, 27 yards, 2 TDs
- 17.7 fantasy pts - TE4 on the week

I expect his snaps to increase over time. But top option in red zone, targets up for grabs. Get ready to grab him off waivers!

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 30, 2025

Mason Taylor was the Jets' number two target last week, finishing with five catches and 65 yards. I expect he will continue to play that second-fiddle role behind Garrett Wilson. That will keep him in the fantasy mix, but this week is especially a week to get him in your lineup. The Jets face the Cowboys, who have given up a ton of production through the air. The Jets could be in catch-up mode and forced to throw more. Taylor is a nice streaming option.

Brenton Strange has seen seven targets in two straight games. He has topped double-digits in PPR leagues each week. He may not bring the highest ceiling, but he certainly brings a safe floor. Especially if the Jags have to throw more to keep up with the Chiefs.

Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.

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