Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Biggest Fantasy Questions: RBs and WRs

Date: August 7, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (with Jay Croucher & Lawrence Jackson)
Main Theme:
Dissecting the biggest fantasy football questions about running backs and wide receivers for the 2025 NFL season—including deep dives into player usage, value tiers, and key situations for fantasy drafts.

Episode Overview

The hosts tackle burning questions surrounding top running backs and wide receivers heading into 2025 drafts. They debate Matthew Berry’s controversial RB and WR rankings, scrutinize major backfield and receiving corps across the league, address notable camp reports, and give insight into how evolving roles and team context could reshape fantasy value. Lively discussions—complete with lighthearted ribbing—bring stats, player quotes, and actionable advice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. RB Rankings & Barkley’s Place in the Top 4

(03:51, 04:45, 05:47)

• Berry's Top 10 RBs: Bijan Robinson (RB1), Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley (RB4), Ashton Jeanty, De’Von Achane, Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Bucky Irving, Josh Jacobs.
• Barkley’s Ranking: His 2024 season was historic (over 2,000 rushing yards, Super Bowl win), but concerns linger over passing game usage (only 43 targets—26th among RBs), Jalen Hurts vulturing goal-line work, and the sustainability of long runs and massive touch volume.

  “They don't really throw to the running back … Hurts vultured touchdowns at the goal line … Barkley, only 43 targets last year … but he kept breaking off these 60-yard runs!” —Matthew Berry (05:47)

• Targets vs Carries: Targets are more valuable than carries for RBs; reason why Bijan, Gibbs, CMC are higher—they're expected to catch 70+ passes, unlike Barkley.

  “Targets are more valuable than carries when it comes to running backs … Gibbs, Robinson, and CMC are all gonna be heavily featured in their team's passing attacks, whereas Saquon just isn't.” —Matthew Berry (08:57)

2. Jonathan Taylor’s Vulture Problem & Indy’s Outlook

(09:17, 10:12, 11:20)

• Taylor’s Context: Stellar finish to 2024, yet Anthony Richardson/Daniel Jones both dominate goal-line carries, limiting Taylor’s upside.
• Concerns: Taylor’s not heavily used as a pass-catcher (6% target share). Both QBs project to steal TDs in the red zone.

  “When they get in close, … whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, they’re an option at the goal line.” —Matthew Berry (11:20)

• Taylor’s Rank: Landed at RB8 for Berry.

3. Breece Hall’s 2025 Ceiling Amid a Crowded Jets Backfield

(12:48, 13:17, 14:16)

• Outlook: Hall faces competition from Braylon Allen and Justin Fields’s rushing ability. He’s never hit 1,000 yards or more than 5 rushing TDs.
• Pass-Game Use: Hall’s receiving work is key to RB1 hopes. Catch rate dipped last year (76 to 57 catches after Davante Adams arrived).
• Final Take: Both Berry and Lawrence have Hall as RB14 (RB2 territory), not an RB1.

  “I’m at running back 14 as well, Lawrence, you and I right there together … it just, you know, I don’t think Hall gets the volume we’ve seen previously.” —Matthew Berry (15:04)

4. Seattle Seahawks Backfield: Kenneth Walker or Zach Charbonnet?

(16:25, 17:33, 18:23, 19:43, 20:19)

• Walker’s Health Issues: Missed games every year; when healthy, he dominates snaps.
• Charbonnet as Value: If Walker goes down, Charbonnet is a proven RB1 fill-in.

  “…If you can get him into open space … he has that big play ability. And so he was a top-12 running back in points per game last season.” —Matthew Berry (18:23)

• Drafting Both?: Only worthwhile in deeper leagues or as injury insurance.
• Team’s Likely Approach: Expect run-heavy, low-volume passing O, favoring Walker (if he’s healthy).

5. Minnesota Vikings RB Split: Aaron Jones vs. Jordan Mason

(22:05, 23:36, 24:37, 25:30)

• Expected Committee: Per coach Kevin O’Connell—Jones as passing-down back, Mason as goal-line/short yardage hammer.
• Mason’s Upside: Younger, more explosive, consistently over 5 YPC—could outscore Jones in TDs even if Jones stays healthy.
• Fantasy Picks: Mason a value at RB34 (per Berry); both have standalone appeal, but neither projects as a true bellcow.

  “They think he [Jones] can be a featured back, but they … want to ease the burden … Jordan Mason is a really, really great value this year.” —Matthew Berry (24:37) “If we expect them to get by the goal line … Jordan Mason can score more touchdowns.” —Lawrence Jackson (26:28)

6. Top 10 Wide Receivers & Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Stability

(27:02, 27:28, 28:09, 29:18, 29:56)

• Berry’s Top 10 WRs: Jamar Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers, Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Nico Collins, Brian Thomas Jr., Drake London, A.J. Brown.
• Sun God’s Target Share: St. Brown remains a slam dunk WR1. Williams’s role will not hurt his volume (targets, red zone looks are locked).

  “If Amon-Ra’s healthy … he is not the focal point of this passing game … only two WRs with 100+ receptions each of the past 3 years—him and CeeDee Lamb.” —Matthew Berry (28:09)

7. A.J. Brown's Fallen ADP and Eagles Pass Volume

(30:10–32:10)

• 2024 Recap: Eagles ran excessively, hurting A.J. Brown’s counting stats.
• 2025: Should normalize to “run-heavy but not extreme” offense; Brown is an alpha, and was targeted on 34% of routes last year.

  “If they go back to just being kinda run-heavy … A.J. Brown, because he’s such an alpha, gets right back up there. I think he’s a value this season.” —Matthew Berry (32:10)

8. Garrett Wilson’s Range of Outcomes with Justin Fields

(32:49, 34:23)

• Talent + Opportunity: Minimal target competition, new mobile QB—projected to be a 30%+ target share guy.
• Likely Outcomes: Should approach or surpass previous career-highs (best is 1,104 yards).

  “When they throw, they're throwing to Garrett Wilson … DJ Moore was the 9th best WR in fantasy with Fields. He can support a WR1.”—Matthew Berry (34:24)

9. Chiefs Receivers: Rashee Rice vs. Xavier Worthy

(35:20, 36:55)

• Rice vs. Worthy: On a per-game basis, Rice offers more, but Worthy’s likely to play more games (Rice faces suspension).

  “If you’re asking me, on a points-per-game basis, which wide receiver would I rather have, give me Rashee Rice.” —Matthew Berry (36:55)

• Role/ADP Note: Worthy may be the better season-long redraft pick due to availability.

10. Sleepers & Breakouts: Chris Olave, Packers WRs, Giants & Niners RB Backfields

(37:48–39:42, 43:27, 44:07, 45:05, 46:02, 47:35, 48:35)

• Chris Olave: Productive when healthy, QB concerns, but target and volume secure; “health is the big question.”
• Packers WRs: Jaden Reed preferred for slot/volume, but Romeo Doubs and rookie Matthew Golden are in the mix:

  “If you’re asking me to pick one Packers WR—give me Jaden Reed.” —Matthew Berry (43:27)

• Giants RBs: Tyrone Tracy favored over Cam Skattebo for now—Tracy getting first-team, projecting as committee lead.
• Niners RBs: Isaac Guerendo injury opens opportunity for Jordan James as prime backup to CMC.
• Depth Chart Oddities: RJ Harvey listed absurdly low in Denver (rookie depth chart bias), but expected to be major factor soon.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the importance of pass-catching RBs:

  “Targets are more valuable than carries when it comes to running backs.” —Matthew Berry (08:57)

• On Saquon Barkley’s 2024 usage:

  “He touched the ball a ton. He’s not involved in the passing game. He gets vultured at the goal line.” —Matthew Berry (05:47)

• On Kenneth Walker’s home run ability:

  “No one had a higher avoided tackle rate last year than Ken Walker. He was at 40%.” —Matthew Berry (18:23)

• On Chris Olave’s sleeper status:

  “He is a really good sleeper and Spencer Rattler has a little bit of that f-it, Chris Olave’s down there somewhere heat, right? Exactly. He’ll chuck it deep and we love to see that.” —Matthew Berry (40:16)

• On Travis Hunter’s potential:

  “If you knew he was playing 80% of snaps on offense, Travis Hunter should be going inside the top 20, maybe top 15. He is that good.” —Matthew Berry (51:10)

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

• RB Rankings Overview / Barkley Debate: 03:51–09:17
• Jonathan Taylor & Indy’s Situation: 09:17–12:00
• Breece Hall/Jets Backfield: 12:48–16:25
• Seattle Backfield (Walker/Charbonnet): 16:25–21:49
• Minnesota RB Split (Jones/Mason): 22:05–26:28
• Wide Receiver Rankings & Amon-Ra St. Brown: 27:02–29:56
• A.J. Brown/Philly Passing Volume: 30:10–32:33
• Garrett Wilson’s Breakout Odds: 32:49–34:37
• Chiefs WRs (Rice vs. Worthy): 35:20–37:48
• Chris Olave & Saints QB Battle: 37:48–40:16
• Packers WR Debate: 43:27–45:05
• Giants Backfield Update: 46:02–47:35
• 49ers RB Depth Clarification: 47:35–48:35
• Depth Chart Oddities: 48:35–51:10

Player News & Depth Chart Takeaways

• Packers WRs: Jaden Reed preferred for slot security, Romeo Doubs has rapport, rookie Matthew Golden a dynasty sleeper.
• Giants RBs: Tyrone Tracy leads, Cam Skattebo a backup (for now).
• Broncos RBs: RJ Harvey’s low listing a rookie chart mirage—expect a climb.
• Steelers RBs: Jaylen Warren listed as starter, Najee gone; Caleb Johnson pegged as high-upside stash.
• Niners RBs: Guerendo out, Jordan James the backup to know behind CMC.

Closing: Rushing Leader Picks

• Berry: Josh Jacobs; “would be Josh Jacobs, who has also previously done this.” (54:48)
• Jay Croucher: Ashton Jeanty at +1800, “I don’t think [he’s] less likely than Jahmyr Gibbs in a timeshare.” (54:31)
• Lawrence Jackson: Jonathan Taylor, “last 5 games … 28 rushes, 144 yards per game, 1.2 TDs.” (54:31)

Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, the hosts provide actionable context for fantasy managers on evolving depth charts, contested player situations, and how to approach both RB/WR breakouts and value picks. Harnessing advanced stats, insider camp reports, and their signature banter, the episode equips drafters with informed, nuanced strategy for the 2025 season.