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
Jacoby Brissett,Arizona Cardinals (Rostered in 23.5% of leagues on ESPN)
League Size: 10, 12
Time Frame: Week 12, Long Term
Brissett set the NFL record for completed passes in a regular-season game, 47, in Week 11. He accomplished the feat on 57 attempts while also recording 452 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Top Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was inactive, and two other role players at wide receiver recently landed on injured reserve. Brissett ranked eighth in fantasy points per game from Weeks 6-10 (21.4), but his performance this week pushed him to fourth since Week 6 (21.9).
The Cardinals play the Jacksonville Jaguars next week, and Jacksonville has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Brissett follows that up with four straight unfavorable matchups, but he finishes the fantasy season with a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Joe Flacco,Cincinnati Bengals (40.8%)
League Size: 10
Time Frame: Short Term
In general, the quarterbacks who should be rostered in fantasy football are rostered. In other words, it’s not ideal if you’re looking for a quarterback off the waiver wire. The quarterback available off the waiver wire who has averaged the most fantasy points per game is Trevor Lawrence (16.6), but he has the fifth-worst schedule for quarterbacks going forward.
Bryce Young had the best week among waiver-wire quarterbacks, but that brought his average to only 13.6 fantasy points per game, which ranks 31st among quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers is another top-25 quarterback in fantasy points per game this season, but he is injured. J.J. McCarthy was frequently mentioned here because of the Minnesota Vikings’ schedule, but he hasn’t shown signs of improvement, and his accuracy issues make it nearly impossible to rely on him. The three quarterbacks listed here have the best combination of recent production, upside and schedule. However, the quarterbacks on your roster currently are likely your best options.
Flacco had a rough showing this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, completing only 23 of 40 passes for 199 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He has been dealing with a shoulder injury, which doesn’t help his cause. He’s averaged 22.5 fantasy points per game since Week 6, which ranks third best among quarterbacks.
Joe Burrow has returned to practice but is unlikely to play this week. We should have at least one more week with Flacco at quarterback, if not more. The Bengals face the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens over the next two weeks, which are generally favorable matchups. They play the Buffalo Bills after that, which would be a week to sit Flacco if he is starting. The Bengals could lose their next few games and then decide not to bring Burrow back. If that happens, Flacco could be a fantasy starter in some playoff matchups.