Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Preseason Week 1 Takeaways: Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter + Jets, Steelers Backfields
Date: August 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into all the major fantasy football takeaways from the first week of NFL preseason action. Matthew Berry, Connor Rogers, and Jay Croucher break down notable rookie debuts, shifting backfield dynamics, and depth chart surprises for fantasy managers. The hosts blend sharp analysis with their trademark humor, spotlighting which players are rising, who’s flying under the radar, and which situations remain muddled.

Key Discussion Points and Takeaways

1. Rookie Quarterback Debuts & Analysis

Cam Ward (Titans)

• Performance: 5-of-8, 67 yards, no rushing attempts; described as “uneventful in a good way.”
• Main Takeaways:
  • Highlighted importance of rookies not overextending in preseason.
  • Plays in a “remade” Titans offense with strong O-line development and Calvin Ridley as a clear top target (43% target share in limited snaps).
  • Matthew Berry: “The Titans sneakily might have the best offensive line in that division… but it’s the weapons for Ward which you worry about.” (06:13)
  • Ward’s fantasy upside is capped due to limited expected rushing, positioning him as a “QB2.”

Jackson Dart (Giants)

• Performance: 12-of-19, 154 yards; 3 carries for 24 yards.
• Impression: Showed playmaking ability and athleticism, unlike Cam Ward’s performance—Dart’s was “eventful in a good way.”
• Status: Not predicted to start right away, but strong odds to take over by midseason due to tough Giants schedule and Russell Wilson struggles.
• Quote: Connor Rogers: “My hot take is Jackson Dart will be starting in New York by week seven.” (16:12)

Shedeur Sanders (Browns)

• Performance: 14-of-23, 138 yards, 2 TDs, 4 carries for 19 yards.
• Praised for composure, accuracy, and throwing a "true NFL throw" for a TD in traffic.
• Has risen in the Browns’ internal evaluation due to performance amid QB injuries.
• Quote: Jay Croucher: “The kid took so much crap in the pre-draft process… but good for him to go out and play well. His touchdown throw in traffic… really impressive. It looked like an NFL throw.” (20:00)
• Prediction is that his opportunity depends on organizational politics and returning QB health.

2. Notable Rookie & Young Skill Position Players

Travis Hunter (Jaguars)

• Usage: Played 88% of snaps with starters, 29% target share, continued high snap counts with backups.
• Coach Liam Cohen: “We wanted to get him up to playing 80% of the snaps on offense.” (29:05)
• Fantasy Outlook: Drafted to be a focal point after Jags traded significant draft capital. ADP is rising fast as WR30, seen as a “love list” lock by Berry.
• Quote: Matthew Berry: “He will be on the love list. I’m just telling you now.” (31:00)

T. Mac (Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers)

• Usage: Massive first-team target share (50%). Chemistry with Bryce Young developing well.
• Take: Panthers have a bad defense, which means more passing game volume.
• Quote: Matthew Berry: “T. Mac might be two tiers above everyone else [on talent] and Bryce Young was a competent quarterback in the second half of last year.” (25:32)
• Bold take from IMK9 on YouTube: “T. Mac is going to finish top 15 this year.” (26:17)

3. Backfield News & Depth Chart Movers

Titans

• Tajie Spears: Sidelined with high ankle sprain; Tony Pollard is now the clear No. 1.
• Fantasy Impact: Tony Pollard profiled as a bounce-back value pick (RB22 in Berry’s ranks).

Buccaneers

• Sean Tucker: With Rashad White hurt, and hype for Bucky Irving, insiders expect Tucker could become RB1 if given the shot. Injury in pre-draft process (heart issue) was the only reason he went undrafted.
• Quote: Matthew Berry: “Sean Tucker is somebody that they think literally can be an RB1 in the NFL.” (11:00)
• Offense as a whole is underrated and is loaded with depth.

Giants

• Backfield: Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary split early work while rookie RBs remain injured, but offensive output will likely flow through the air with playmakers like Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson.

Dolphins

• RB2: Jalen Wright separating after Alexander Mattison’s injury; considered strong insurance behind De’Von Achane.

Rams

• RB2 Battle: Blake Corum slightly ahead of Jarquez Hunter as backup to Kyren Williams.

Broncos

• RJ Harvey: Took all first-team carries, establishing separation in the muddled Denver backfield.
• Note: Don’t read too much into preseason “unofficial” depth charts.

Cowboys & Steelers

• Dallas: RB group is a “blender” with no one emerging yet; backfield likely far less valuable than the passing game.
• PIT: Jaylen Warren getting rest, Kenneth Gainwell working with ones, and rookie Caleb Johnson drafted early—situation likely headed for frustrating committee.

Jaguars

• Travis Etienne: Played 100% of snaps with starters, “most fantasy pertinent thing” of preseason (46:15).
• Berry: “If Travis Etienne is going to get work in the passing game… suddenly Etienne is a bounce-back candidate for sure.”

Chiefs

• Backfield: Burchard Smith buried for now; mix of Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, and others makes situation risky.

Texans

• RBs: Joe Mixon leads, but uncertainty with Nick Chubb’s health and Woody Marks as a pass-catching rookie. Damian Pierce has apparently fallen out of favor entirely.

4. Wide Receiver Depth Chart Developments

• Tampa Bay: Mike Evans still undervalued;, Ameka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan highlighted as future contributors if Chris Godwin’s recovery lags.
• Arizona: Zay Jones outsnapped Michael Wilson as WR2 across from Marvin Harrison Jr.
• Buffalo: Dalton Kincaid still set for breakout despite only 60% route participation; role expected to increase, especially with K. Shakir (injury) and departure of Gabe Davis.
• Carolina: Bryce Young connecting with T. Mac and emerging Jalen Coker (plus Adam Thielen, Xavier Leggette).

5. Memorable Quotes and Moments

• Berry on Fantasy Draft Strategy: “When in doubt, you want to skew to the team that you feel good about their offense. And I think that’s going to be Tampa Bay a lot.” (12:25)
• Jay Croucher on Travis Hunter: “[The Jags] gave up a boatload… Their first big move as GM and head coach is all-in on Travis Hunter. He has to work… [He] is going to play a ton on offense and I think he’s going to be phenomenal.” (29:22)
• Matthew Berry on Etienne: “The single most fantasy pertinent thing out of this weekend... Travis Etienne played 100% of the snaps with Trevor Lawrence under center. Really material and also very surprising.” (46:15)
• Jay Croucher on Breece Hall’s Outlook: “He’s not a workhorse anymore… The days of Breece Hall being this RB1 runaway with carries—I just don’t see it.” (43:22)

6. Notable Fantasy Advice & Opinions

• Don’t overreact to preseason stats; focus on player usage (who’s running with the 1s).
• Key preseason injuries are reshaping backfields—monitor situations for players like Tajie Spears (Titans), Rashad White (Bucs), Mattison (Dolphins), Kyron Williams (Rams), and Chubb (Texans).
• ADP values are lagging on players like Travis Hunter, T. Mac, Etienne, and Bucky Irving.
• Some rookie/young QBs (Dart, Sanders, Ward) offer more value as supporting cast upgraders rather than fantasy starters.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cam Ward Breakdown/Titans Offense: 04:22–08:04
• Jackson Dart’s Debut/Future Outlook: 13:58–18:00
• Shedeur Sanders Analysis: 18:05–22:13
• Sean Tucker/Buccaneers RB Spotlight: 10:58–12:25
• Travis Hunter Usage and Jaguars Offense: 27:25–32:11
• T. Mac and Panthers Receivers: 23:30–26:39
• Jalen Wright/RB News (Dolphins, Rams, Broncos): 36:11–36:31
• Jets Backfield/Breece Hall Outlook: 41:24–43:37
• Steelers & Cowboys RB Committees: 44:09–45:28
• Jaguars’ Etienne Snap Count Bombshell: 45:31–47:28

Tone and Banter Highlights

• The episode keeps a lighthearted and fun tone, with playful ribbing (especially around Berry’s guest spot on The Tonight Show), fantasy in-jokes (like the “Cokehead Hive” of Panthers Jalen Coker fans), and listener questions that prompt creative hypotheticals (like which Bond villain Berry would resemble).
• Frequent interactions with live YouTube commenters demonstrate the show’s embrace of its community, injecting real-time reactions and hot takes.

Final Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Closely watch preseason usage trends, not box scores.
• Travis Hunter is rising fast; draft him sooner rather than later.
• Don’t overvalue Breece Hall or any RB in a swirling committee with significant RB/coach churn (Jets, Steelers, Cowboys, Texans).
• Upside picks: Tony Pollard, Sean Tucker, T. Mac, Tyrone Tracy, and rookies with first-team snaps.
• Etienne’s workload in the opener might be the single most actionable “buy” signal at RB this summer.
• Expect rookie QBs—Dart, Ward, Sanders—to impact their teammates more than become top-12 fantasy starters themselves (in 2025, at least).

For more preseason analysis or questions, join the Fantasy Football Happy Hour live on the NFL on NBC YouTube channel.