RADIO
Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 7 of 2025. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.
Last week was a weird week. A lot of top teams in leagues took losses, and a lot of teams toward the bottom of the standings got much-needed wins. It was a good week for league balance, unless, of course, you were one of the teams that took a loss; then you are just frustrated.
The reason for that was that a lot of players who had been carrying teams just had a bit of an off week, or in some instances, like with Puka Nacua and Emeka Egbuka, they were injured. Now, those managers are left with having to replace one of the best players on their roster. As are managers with Bills and Ravens players.
Every week, I write about sneaky starts and pivot options that you can elevate from your bench or the waiver wire and into your starting lineup.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
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Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for Week 7
Sam Darnold is the QB3 in the last two weeks. Only Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes have scored more fantasy points. Only Prescott has thrown more touchdown passes. That is partly because Seattle has done a great job limiting pressure; in fact, he has been sacked just once in those two games. The Texans are a tough matchup, but Darnold has shown a safe floor. If you need a streaming option, he is in play.
Waiver wire time!@MichaelFFlorio is back on The Insiders with @TomPelissero and @MikeGarafolo to give you some Week 7 targets 🎯 pic.twitter.com/WxvviIOJwq
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 15, 2025
Bryce Young has been up and down this season, but he does have five touchdown passes in his last two games. The floor is low, but he has shown upside. He also adds value with his legs. Plus, the Jets have allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG to opposing QBs. This also could be a higher-scoring game than anticipated. Young is in play.
Aaron Rodgers has been mostly floor this season, but we have seen he can take advantage of a favorable matchup. That is exactly what he gets this week as the Bengals have allowed the second-most passing yards and sixth-most touchdowns. The QB to face them has finished as a top-12 fantasy QB in three of the last four weeks. Rodgers is a streaming option.
Deeper options: Michael Penix Jr. has been a bit of a roller coaster for fantasy purposes this season. He has shown some big weeks, though, and that could be in store against a very nagged-up 49ers defense. They have generated pressure at the lowest rate and allowed the sixth-most passing yards and seventh-most touchdowns since the Nick Bosa injury. Plus, they lost Fred Warner last week. If you are diving deep, Penix is an option.
Let's get weird! If you are in need in a Superflex, dynasty, or a deep redraft, Dillon Gabriel is in play. The Dolphins have allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to QBs. Not only have they struggled against the pass, but QBs have been able to run all over them, especially near the goal line. He scored 16 fantasy points a couple of weeks ago, and I think his best game is on tap this week.
Michael Carter and Bam Knight are in play this week, with the former being the preferred option. Last week, Knight played 34 snaps, compared to Carter’s 32. It was Knight who had the slight carry advantage, 11 to nine, and got the goal-line look. Carter, though, ran more routes (20 to 14) and saw more targets (five to two). It is a tough matchup against the Packers, but if you are in a pinch and looking for a flex option, these guys are at least getting volume.
Tyjae Spears played nearly 60 percent of the snaps last week. While he is still the secondary option on the ground, he seems to be the preferred option in the passing game. That is big because the Titans are often going to be trailing this season. Plus, they get the Pats this week, who have been great at stopping the run. Perhaps Tennessee looks to use the explosive Spears in the passing game.
Tyjae Spears scores his 2nd TD!
📺: #CINvsTEN on FOX pic.twitter.com/VMqeigPiQb
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
Kenneth Gainwell played 35 percent of snaps last week with six carries and six targets. In most weeks, I would say his involvement is more of a ding to Jaylen Warren’s fantasy value than anything else. However, the Steelers get the Bengals this week, who have allowed the most fantasy PPG to RBs. They can be had on the ground or through the air. Gainwell is a flex option for those in deeper formats.
Tyler Allgeier has double-digit touches in all but one game this season. He is also the back the Falcons often turn to when they get near the goal line. He has now scored a touchdown in three of his last four games. This week, they get a depleted 49ers defense. He is more of a floor player than an upside player, but the volume keeps him in play.
Matthew Golden was available in far too many leagues this week. He has taken over as the No. 2 WR, playing over Dontayvion Wicks. He led the Packers in receiving yards last week and continues to be targeted downfield by Jordan Love, so he is always a big-play threat. Romeo Doubs saw nine targets last week and is always going to be the Packers receiver who plays the most snaps. The Cardinals are a middle-of-the-pack matchup, but this is more about trusting the talent and Packers offense.
The Bucs are very banged up and have the MVP front-runner slinging the ball. Plus, they have the Lions this week, who are for sure going to score points, but also are extremely banged up in the secondary. Sterling Shepard is the top option for me. He will play primarily in the slot but can bounce out wide at times. Plus, he is a veteran and has chemistry with Baker Mayfield, and I think the Bucs will rely on that, especially if Mike Evans is out. Obviously, Shepard is much more appealing without Evans, but his slot presence keeps him in play as a flex option even if he suits up.
If Evans is out, and only if Evans is out, then the Johnsons come into play. Both Kameron Johnson and Tez Johnson are boom-or-bust options. Most people are leaning toward Tez because he played more snaps, but I lean toward Kam. Not only did he see four targets, but he was used at every level. Tez is more of a downfield boom-or-bust threat. Then there is Cade Otton, who has been more and more utilized the last two weeks. He is a streaming option and one I would use over the Johnsons.
"Imma tell y'all a funny story..."
Bucs WR Tez Johnson thought he was getting MVP chants after his first career NFL touchdown.
Sterling Shepard had to let him know it was for Baker Mayfield.#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/YoCFiAXe7P
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) October 13, 2025
Jordan Whittington played 92 percent of the snaps and finished with three catches for 23 yards on four targets. Those numbers are not going to blow you away, but with Puka Nacua likely out, I believe he is best suited to handle those catch-and-run targets. A lot of his routes were over the middle of the field, an area where Nacua usually thrives. No one can replace Nacua, but Whittington could be the one running those routes this week. Tutu Atwell is a boom-or-bust option if he can return, with targets now up for grabs.
Jordan Whittington Set Up For Expanded Role in Week 7? https://t.co/HudiHpHAIZ
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 15, 2025
Jalen Tolbert is in play if the Cowboys receivers do not play. As of Wednesday, both CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin were limited at practice. If the team decides to hold them another week, that would leave Tolbert as the lead slot option against the Commanders, who have allowed the second-most yards to slot receivers.
Harold Fannin Jr. played 81 percent of snaps with the second-most targets on Cleveland (10). He led the Browns with seven catches and 81 yards. He also has continued to play all over the field. Plus, David Njoku is now dealing with a knee injury. This week, Fannin gets Miami, which has allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG and third-most yards to tight ends.
Mason Taylor should be in store for a bounce-back performance against the Panthers. Not only do they generate pressure at the lowest rate in the NFL, which should allow Justin Fields some time to throw, but they have also allowed the most yards, third-most touchdowns, and second-most fantasy PPG to tight ends. If Garrett Wilson sits, Taylor could be the top target for Fields. Give him another shot.
Evan Engram was available in a surprising number of leagues this week. Last week, he led the Broncos in targets, catches, and receiving yards. He has been a top-2 target for the Broncos in three straight games. This week, he gets the Giants, who have also allowed the fourth-most yards to players lined up in the slot. Engram lines up in the slot a team-high 56 percent of the time.
Oronde Gadsden II saw eight targets last week. It was his second game with seven or more targets. He has been up and down, but he is tied to a good offense and QB. The Colts are middle of the pack against tight ends, but this should be a game where the Chargers have to put up some points. The floor is low, but he brings upside at a thin tight-end position.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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