- Alec Pierce reaches 115 receiving yards: The Indianapolis Colts’ deep-threat wide receiver has been among the top waiver wire options at wide receiver for more than a month, and his numbers continue to improve.
- Keep an eye on the trade deadline: The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday. This article will be updated if a transaction affects who you need to add via the exemption thread.
Another week of the 2025 NFL season is in the books. These are the players to target in your fantasy football leagues, including options for smaller leagues and deeper leagues, and players to avoid.
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QB | RB | WR | THE
QUARTERLY BACKS
Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (Recorded in 32.8% of leagues on ESPN)
- Competition size: 10
- Time frame: Short term, long term
Flacco completed 31 of 47 passes for 470 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in the Bengals’ shootout loss in Week 9. He has averaged 25.5 fantasy points per game since becoming the team’s starter in Week 6. Flacco is still available in league play because there was some concern about him not playing in Week 9 due to injury and because the Bengals have a bye next week.
In Week 11, they face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. The Steelers gave the Indianapolis Colts a lot of problems this week, but Daniel Jones still racked up 342 passing yards. Three of their next five games are against opponents in the top quarter of the league, with fantasy points awarded to quarterbacks. There are two rough matchups in there, and there’s a chance Joe Burrow is back in the fantasy championship bracket. However, Flacco should be viable for your fantasy starting lineup for four of the final eight weeks of the fantasy football season.
JJ McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (25.3%)
- Competition size: 10, 12, 14
- Timeframe: Week 10, Long Term
Making his third NFL start, McCarthy played well early in the game and did enough to give the Vikings the victory over the Lions. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 143 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran nine times for 12 yards and a touchdown. He accomplished that despite facing a Lions defense with the second-highest PFF grade in the NFL.
Each of the Vikings’ next eight opponents ranks in the top 17 in allowing fantasy points to quarterbacks. Their three opponents in Weeks 14-16 all rank in the top four in allowing fantasy points to quarterbacks. Ideally, McCarthy will build on his momentum from this match.
He also has the best matchup among waiver-wire quarterbacks next week, facing the Baltimore Ravens. Although the Ravens offense is starting to play better, McCarthy is still the best desperation play of the week. However, he is mentioned here mainly in hopes that he can be a league winner during the fantasy playoffs, more so than for his potential in Week 10.
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