- Troy Franklin scores twice for the Denver Broncos: Several waiver-wire wide receivers had big games, but Franklin was the best of the bunch and has the best schedule for wide receivers over the rest of the season.
Another week of the 2025 NFL season is just about in the books. Here are the players you should be targeting in your fantasy football leagues, including options for smaller leagues and deeper leagues, as well as players to avoid.
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QUARTERBACKS
Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (Rostered in 36.1% of leagues on ESPN)
- League Size: 10
- Time Frame: Week 9, Long Term
Four NFL teams are on bye next week, and fantasy managers who typically start Jalen Hurts or Baker Mayfield may be looking for a temporary quarterback. Joe Flacco can fill that role — both as a short-term replacement and a potential long-term option.
Flacco joined the Bengals in early October and has quietly been one of fantasy football’s most productive quarterbacks in recent weeks. Over the last three games, he’s scored the sixth-most fantasy points at the position, averaging 23.0 per game. He’s done it through sheer volume and a strong supporting cast of receivers. Flacco’s 126 pass attempts are the most by any quarterback over that span. While his 6.2 yards per attempt isn’t elite, he’s thrown seven touchdowns and added one on the ground in that stretch.
The Bengals draw a favorable matchup next week against the Chicago Bears and have the third-best remaining schedule for quarterbacks this season, including four games against defenses that rank in the top five for fantasy points allowed to the position — two of which come during the fantasy playoffs. Most of Cincinnati’s remaining opponents also boast high-powered offenses, meaning Flacco should continue to throw at a high rate. Given his volume and schedule, Flacco projects as a viable fantasy starter for much of the rest of the season.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (25.7%)
- League Size: 10, 12, 14
- Time Frame: Short Term, Long Term
J.J. McCarthy hasn’t played since Week 2 due to an ankle injury. He was originally listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football, and there’s a decent chance he’ll be ready to return in Week 9. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has confirmed that McCarthy will start for the Vikings if healthy. He draws a favorable matchup this week against the Detroit Lions, though it’s understandable if fantasy managers hesitate to start him immediately after the injury.
The Vikings also have one of the league’s most favorable schedules for quarterbacks over the rest of the season. Their toughest remaining matchup is against the Seattle Seahawks, who rank 15th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. During the fantasy playoffs, Minnesota faces the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Detroit Lions — all favorable matchups. While there’s a chance McCarthy and the Vikings’ offense could struggle, if McCarthy can deliver even average-level quarterback play, his schedule, supporting cast and offensive system could make him a viable fantasy starter down the stretch.
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