• The Las Vegas Raiders‘ offense stands out: Geno Smith threw three touchdown passes to Tre Tucker, leading both to be top waiver-wire targets this week.

• Chris Rodriguez starts for the Washington Commanders: It’s not every day a starting NFL running back is available in more than 98% of ESPN leagues.

• Unlock your edge with PFF+: Access Premium Stats, dominate fantasy with in-season tools and projections and make smarter bets with the new PFF Player Prop Tool. Get 25% off your PFF+ annual subscription with code PFFFANTASYPODCAST25.

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.

Jump to a position group:

QB | RB | WR | TE

QUARTERBACKS

Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders (Rosters in 10.0% of ESPN leagues)

• League Size: 10, 12
• Time Frame: Week 4, Long Term

Most fantasy managers will be better off keeping their current quarterbacks than trying to find a new one. Four of the top six performing quarterbacks who are available on the waiver wire were temporary injury replacements. Marcus Mariota and Tyrod Taylor put up a lot of fantasy points this week, but both could be on the bench as soon as next week. Most of the young quarterbacks who will ideally improve as the season progresses didn’t necessarily do so this past week.

The one exception worth considering is Geno Smith. Smith is grading slightly below average among quarterbacks this year, but the Raiders rank in the top 10 in passing plays because they are often playing from behind. Smith also ranks fourth in average depth of target (9.8 yards). The Raiders’ willingness to attempt big plays has paid off from a fantasy perspective.

Smith completed 19 of 29 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3. He is the one quarterback available off the waiver wire who can be confidently put in fantasy starting lineups when the matchup is right. Unfortunately, Las Vegas’ schedule in October isn’t great, but the team does play the Chicago Bears next week. All three quarterbacks to face Chicago this season have finished in the top half of the league in fantasy points per game, even though only one ranks in the top 20 in fantasy points per game.

Smith is the best option for anyone looking for a quarterback this week — or anyone wanting a safer option over the rest of the season.

• League Size: 10, 12
• Time Frame: Long Term

Browning suffered through his first start of 2025 with the Bengals, but he was facing a stout Minnesota Vikings defense. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 140 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. While two interceptions aren’t great, a lot of the loss wasn’t on him. Five Bengals players fumbled, and three resulted in turnovers. Cincinnati also had a few three-and-outs.But the reasons we liked Browning last week are still true. The Bengals’ defense hasn’t been great, and they will allow a lot of points. The offense should have a lot of passing volume as it tries to keep pace with opponents, and Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins should help Browning’s fantasy value. Cincinnati plays teams with some of the best offenses in the league in the upcoming weeks, including the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens twice and Buffalo Bills. If the Bengals can limit turnovers, they will sustain more drives, leading to much more passing volume. When you mix that with some efficiency, you have a decent fantasy option.