Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Berry’s Most Interesting Things Heard at the Combine + Biggest Winners from Indy
Date: March 5, 2026
Hosts: Matthew Berry, Connor Rogers, Jay Croucher

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with the blockbuster DJ Moore trade to the Bills, then dives deep into the most intriguing rumors and takeaways from the NFL Combine, led by Matthew Berry's famous "Combine Capital-R Rumor Mill." The crew analyzes fantasy implications of major player moves, potential veteran QB destinations, incoming rookie impacts, and wraps it up by identifying big winners and risers from this year's NFL Combine workouts. The episode is fast-paced, rumor-heavy, and packed with wit, actionable fantasy football advice, and memorable banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DJ Moore Traded to the Bills: Fantasy Fallout

(Starts ~03:05)

• Immediate reaction to DJ Moore's trade from the Bears to the Bills.
• Matthew Berry: "If you have DJ Moore in Dynasty, you are thrilled in the last 10 minutes... He's now going to the best quarterback of his NFL career with what should be an increased target share." (03:50)
• Bills desperately needed perimeter wide receiver help. Josh Allen finally has a true outside threat.
• DJ Moore’s current fantasy projection: wide receiver 3/4 range (25-40 overall), but with upside.

Notable Quote:
“This is a wide range because I’m going to update my rankings after all the free agency moves and that, you know, kind of the dust settles. But [Moore]'s in the 25 to 40 range. He’s a wide receiver 3, 4 to me at the moment, but with obviously some upside depending on how it works out. But he’s, you know, wide receiver, 35 or something like that.” – Matthew Berry (11:47)

Jay’s angle: (07:16)

• DJ Moore's "brand" may have outpaced his actual on-field production in recent years.
• Reliability praised—rarely injured, tough as nails, but has not been elite since his first Chicago season.

Connor’s analysis:

• Believes Moore still has plenty of juice, did not see physical decline—blames fit and chemistry issues in Chicago.

2. Matthew Berry’s Rumor Roundup from the NFL Combine

(12:27)

Derek Carr’s Return?

• Berry heard that the Saints expect Carr to “unretire” and get traded—Jets named as the most likely landing spot. (13:03)
  • “I’m not a journalist...these are all just rumors with a capital R.” – Berry (13:16)
• Other teams mentioned: Vikings, Steelers, Raiders.
• Jay: "The Jets are definitely just a Derek Carr away from competing for the Super Bowl, so they should definitely do that." (15:17, sarcastically)
• Questions linger about Carr’s physical state and actual demand.

Geno Smith’s Market & Other QB Dominoes

• Geno Smith likely to be released, with a “healthier market than people realize.”
• Vikings rumored to be particularly interested. (18:15)
• Steelers would prefer Will Howard over bringing in an expensive veteran unless Aaron Rodgers retires.

Malik Willis to Arizona

• Cardinals eyed to pursue Willis aggressively in free agency. Berry: “He is going to be everyone’s sleeper, assuming he has a starting job and if it’s in Arizona…” (23:17)
• Willis expected to command a significant contract.
• “For fantasy, Malik Willis to the Cardinals is about as good an outcome as you could hope for.” – Jay (22:22)

Vikings QB Situation: J.J. McCarthy Under Fire

• Strong likelihood the Vikings bring in serious veteran competition; McCarthy isn’t guaranteed the job at all. (27:18)
• “If I had to bet today…I would take the field over J.J. McCarthy” as Week 1 starter – Berry (27:52)
• Multiple names floated: Kyler Murray, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins (return), even Aaron Rodgers.

3. Veteran WR Market: Evans, Diggs, and More

(33:52)

• Berry: “I feel very strongly…Mike Evans is going to play for another team next year.” (34:31)
• Organizations connected: Bills, Eagles (if A.J. Brown moves), Titans, possibly Seahawks or Washington.
• Notable Seahawks fit: “Sam Darnold…will chuck it up and he’ll give guys a chance in a similar way to Baker Mayfield…” – Jay (37:11)

Commanders WR Room

• Debo Samuel unlikely to return, Terry McLaurin likely in his final year with the team.
• Washington targeting wide receivers in both the draft and free agency, with Carnell Tate frequently mentioned as a high pick (40:25).

Carnell Tate's combine 40-time debate:

• Connor: “He wins with the size, the detail, some physicality as well. So I don’t think it’s going to affect him too much.” (41:47)

4. Kyler Murray's Next Destination

(42:42)

• Cardinals notify Murray of pending release.
• Fantasy fits proposed: Vikings, Jets, Colts, Dolphins.
• Jay: “Of all the available quarterbacks, I think that he [Murray] is by far the most appealing in terms of where I would like to see him land from both a fantasy and NFL perspective. I think Miami is interesting.” (43:29)
• Berry: “For fantasy purposes, I’d be fine with the Jets. Junk time still counts, you know.” (46:52)

5. Franchise Tag & RB/WR Carousel

(53:10)

• Franchise tags placed:
  • Cowboys – George Pickens
  • Jets – Breece Hall
  • Falcons – Kyle Pitts
  • Colts – Transition tag on Daniel Jones
• Jay: “Just re-racking it, running it back with Daniel Jones is always going to be the most likely option for Indianapolis.” (53:50)
• Berry on Pitts: “When you think you’re done, we’re gonna have to be back IN on Kyle Pitts.” (55:54)
• Joe Flacco rumored for another go-round, reunion with Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta floated.

6. Biggest Winners from the 2026 NFL Combine

(57:12)

RB Jeremiah Love

• “He is not just a running back. He is an offensive weapon…you are going to hear a lot of fantasy style projections that are similar to what Jameer Gibbs was going into his rookie year.” – Connor (58:14)
• Titans rumored to have Love as their #1 player on the draft board, regardless of position.

RB Mike Washington (Arkansas)

• Mega-athlete, posted insane combine numbers, expected to rocket up draft boards and be a “name to know for redraft and early waivers.” (60:37)

WR Skylar Bell (UConn)

• “He gets the big picture... most underappreciated wide receiver in this group.” – Connor (61:45)

TE Eli Stowers (athlete), Kenyan Sadiq (Oregon)

• Both called out for combine wins and fantasy relevance potential, landing spot dependent.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On DJ Moore Trade:
  "He's now going to the best quarterback of his NFL career with what should be an increased target share." – Berry (03:50)

• On Rumors from the Combine:
  "I'm not reporting anything you're about to hear as news. I haven't double checked any of this. These are all just rumors with a capital R." – Berry (13:16)

• On Malik Willis’ Fantasy Upside:
  "If he does end up in Arizona...this team has real weapons...Fantasy wise, Malik Willis to the Cardinals is about as good an outcome as you could hope for." – Jay (22:22)

• On Vikings' QB Situation:
  "If I had to bet today... I would take the field over J.J. McCarthy [to start Week 1]." – Berry (27:52)

• Joe Flacco's Longevity:
  "You call him Joe Flacco, I call him Jason Voorhees. Can't kill this bloke, keeps coming back..." – Jay (56:34)

Important Timestamps

• 03:05 – DJ Moore trade fallout and initial fantasy reaction
• 12:27 – Berry’s Combine Rumor Roundup begins
• 22:22 – Malik Willis to the Cardinals, fantasy implications
• 27:18 – Vikings QB battle, McCarthy’s insecure job
• 34:31 – Mike Evans expected to leave the Buccaneers
• 41:47 – Carnell Tate’s 40-yard dash discussion
• 43:29 – Kyler Murray potential landing spots
• 53:10 – Franchise tag news and impacts
• 57:12 – Combine winners: Jeremiah Love, Mike Washington, Skylar Bell, more

Overall Tone & Style

The episode maintains the hosts' characteristic humor, rumor-mongering (with Berry's "not a newsman, rumors with a capital R" refrain), and deep dives into actionable fantasy football opinions. There's a playful, insider-y vibe, but every segment is directed at helping listeners anticipate off-season changes and make smarter fantasy moves.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode offers a breakdown of the landscape-shifting DJ Moore trade, reveals 2026’s hottest NFL Combine rumors (via Berry’s famous “drunken Combine chatter”), outlines veterans' fantasy prospects amid team changes, and spotlights rookie risers you need to know. It’s a must-listen for dynasty players and anyone prepping for 2026 fantasy drafts, packed with actionable insight and sharp-tongued fun.