Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: TE Tiers + Preseason Week 3 Takeaways
Date: August 25, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Matthew Berry and co-hosts Connor Rodgers and Jay Croucher break down tight end (TE) tiers for the upcoming 2025 fantasy football season, providing robust strategy advice on draft approaches and singling out key players across positions. They also discuss takeaways from Preseason Week 3, rookie standouts, developing backfield situations, and recent NFL news, including Terry McLaurin’s extension.

The episode’s focus is on actionable draft strategies—especially for tight ends—insider notes from team usage in the preseason, and insight into how changing NFL dynamics affect fantasy value. The panel’s trademark chemistry and mix of analysis and banter are on full display.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Approaching the Tight End Position in 2025 Drafts

[04:05-05:21]

• Berry’s 2025 Strategy:
  • “Tight end is one of those positions… you need to talk about how you approach the position… I either want one of the elite ones… or I want to be one of the last guys in my league to draft a tight end.” – Matthew Berry [04:05]
  • Elite targets: Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, George Kittle.
  • If missing out on top-3, prefer to wait for value/late picks such as David Njoku, Tyler Warren, or Evan Engram over middle-tier options (LaPorta, Hockenson, Kelce).
• TE Value Cliff:
  • “Once you get to tight end four, I don’t think there’s a massive difference between tight end 4 and tight end 9 or 10.” – Berry [04:48]

2. Tier 1 Tight Ends: Bowers, McBride, Kittle

[05:21-10:32]

• Brock Bowers:

  • Going within the top-20 overall in drafts, which may be too expensive.
  • “You’re basically taking Bowers a round or two ahead of McBride or Kittle. The argument for that is you feel confident he finishes as the number-one tight end… I don’t think that’s true at all.” – Berry [05:40]
  • Concerns: New coach, new offensive coordinator, new QB, and plenty of variance for the price.

• Trey McBride:

  • Second among TEs last season with only one TD, but a high 29% target share.
  • Strong positive “touchdown regression” expected.

• George Kittle:

  • “No player had more games with 15 or more fantasy points last year than George Kittle.” – Berry [09:32]
  • More valuable given injuries/uncertainty among 49ers' WR group; goes later in drafts.

• Panel consensus: Drafting Bowers at his ADP is risky with similar ceilings possible from McBride or Kittle several picks later.

3. Tier 2 & 3 TEs: Value Shopping

[10:32-18:14]

• Tier 2 (Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews):

  • LaPorta headlines next group, but a big drop-off after Tier 1.
  • Age, red zone target competition noted for Kelce/Andrews.
  • “My favorite target here is Evan Engram. That offense takes a big step this year… PPR cheat code.” – Berry [11:18]

• David Njoku, Tyler Warren, Dalton Kincaid

  • Njoku: Big five-game stretch with Flacco as QB.
  • Tyler Warren: Drafted by Colts; “They're going to use him in such a variety of different ways… I think a monster year is coming for Tyler Warren.” – Berry [13:19]
  • “I would definitely expect him [Warren] to be a top-10, top-8 tight end finish.” – Connor Rodgers [12:43]
  • Dalton Kincaid’s ADP cratered but panel sees value if he can stay healthy and develop further with Josh Allen. “There’s a chance Kincaid is the most targeted player from Josh Allen.” – Jay Croucher [16:33]

• Tucker Kraft (Packers):

  • Loved for his after-the-catch (YAC) ability and red zone usage.
  • “He could be an absolute monster this year.” – Croucher [20:23]

4. Late Round & Deep-League TE Fliers

[18:14-31:38]

• Colston Loveland (Bears):

  • First TE drafted; lands with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams.
  • "If you're looking for a rookie TE, give me Tyler Warren over Colston Loveland, but he's interesting as a second TE stash." – Berry [21:20]

• Jake Ferguson (Cowboys):

  • Dak likes tight ends in red zone, offense expected to pass a ton.
  • “With a healthy Dak and healthy Ferguson, he could easily be a weekly starter.” – Berry [23:04]

• Brenton Strange, Hunter Henry, Zach Ertz, Jonnu Smith:

  • “I tell my daughters, don’t date a boy unless he looks at you the way Arthur Smith looks at Jonnu Smith.” – Berry [25:32]
  • Jonnu Smith could be the No. 2 option in Pittsburgh.
  • Deepest fliers: Theo Johnson (Giants), Mason Taylor (Jets), Kate Otten (Bucs), etc.

• On Kyle Pitts:

  • Atlanta’s O-line injuries and Pitts’ blocking limitations push him further down. “He’s basically an inline wide receiver… not a blocker.” – Berry [26:34]

5. Live Listener Q&A Highlights (Tight Ends)

[12:47, 13:15, 14:18, 18:29, 22:38, 23:46, 31:38]

• On Tyler Warren in round 8?

  • “Absolutely not [too early].” – Berry [13:15]

• Can Kraft be your TE1 in Green Bay?

  • “Yes… there’s a real scenario he could be the second option, maybe the first some weeks.” – Berry [18:29]

• Are we sleeping on Jake Ferguson?

  • “With a healthy Ferguson and healthy Dak, could be a reliable floor at TE.” – Berry [23:04]

6. Preseason Week 3 Notables: Rising Value and Watchlist Players

Isaac Tesla (Lions WR) [38:13-40:32]

• Scored in third straight preseason game, earning praise from Dan Campbell.
• “If an injury happens, you could see a waiver wire Tuesday talking up Isaac Tesla quite a bit.” – Berry [38:59]
• “He’s got a Cobra Kai action figure kind of look going on.” – Connor [40:25]

Roma Dunze (Bears WR) [40:39-43:04]

• 27% preseason target share from Caleb Williams.
• “Where is there a chance he could be the wide receiver one in the offense? There has to be that chance.” – Croucher [40:57]
• ADP outside top-30 WRs is undervaluing upside.

Cortland Sutton (Broncos WR) [45:17-46:42]

• “Cortland Sutton is the most boring guy going in the middle rounds that is going to have just a monster year.” – Berry [46:22]

Terry McLaurin (Commanders WR) [46:44-48:11]

• Signed a 3-year extension; immediate positive impact for Commanders' offense and Jaden Daniels.
• “He’s a top-30ish wide receiver… Basically right inside the top 30. Wide receiver three this year.” – Berry [47:04]

7. Backfield Rotations & Rookie RB Watch

[48:11-52:37]

• Browns: Sampson/Ford split carries, Judkins remains a stash (legal matters unresolved).

• Colts: D.J. Giddens locked as RB2 behind Taylor.

• Saints: Kendre Miller impressing coaching staff as Kamara’s top backup; “He runs really, really hard. He’s a physical player. We like what we’ve seen.” – Kellen Moore [49:50]

• Chiefs: Rashard Smith as RB3, potential McKinnon-type pass game role.

• Commanders: Jakory Croskey-Merritt held out of preseason game (like a starter), hype growing.

• Houston: Nick Chubb rested (starter status implied), Pierce played with starters.

• Rams: Blake Corum held out—currently backup to Kyren Williams.

8. AFC West Division Odds (DraftKings) & Quick Bets

[55:00-55:49]

• Chiefs favored at -115, but tough start to schedule.
• “At some point the Chiefs' run has to end… Broncos +350, if we think Bo Nix takes another step.” – Berry [55:49]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tight End Strategy:

  • “I either want one of the elite ones… or I want to be one of the last guys in my league to draft a tight end.” – Berry [04:05]

• On Jonnu Smith’s usage:

  • “Don’t date a boy unless he looks at you the way Arthur Smith looks at Jonnu Smith.” – Berry [25:32]

• On late fliers:

  • “No one will be excited when you draft Jonnu Smith, but in deep leagues… I’m very happy about it.” – Berry [27:41]

• On the Bears WRs:

  • “You’re just betting on Ben Johnson. You’re betting on a better year out of Caleb Williams, betting on talent…” – Berry [43:04]

• Listener playful banter (about draft spelling errors):

  • “Misspellings all over the place.” – Berry [22:56]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-------------------------------------------|:------------------:| | Core Tight End Draft Strategy, Tier 1 | 04:05 – 10:32 | | Tier 2, Value TE Targets | 10:32 – 18:14 | | Listener Q&A on Late-Round TEs | 12:47 – 31:38 | | Colts, Packers, Bears – Rookie TE Deep Dives | 18:14 – 21:20 | | Wide Receiver Risers: Tesla, Odunze, Sutton, McLaurin | 38:13 – 48:11 | | Backfield Updates & Preseason Week 3 RB Takeaways | 48:11 – 52:37 | | AFC West Picks, Closing Bets | 55:00 – 55:49 |

Summary Table — Tiered Tight End Targets

| Tier | Players Highlighted | Draft Strategy/Comments | |:--------:|:----------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------| | 1 | Bowers, McBride, Kittle | Worth early pick; if missed, wait until late | | 2 | LaPorta, Hockenson, Kelce, Andrews| Drop-off; prefer specific value (Engram, Njoku)| | 3 | Warren, Kincaid, Kraft | Love late; league winning potential | | Deep | Ferguson, Loveland, Strange, Ertz, Jonnu Smith, Theo Johnson | Useful as late/dynasty fliers; focus PPR/TD upside |

Conclusion

Berry and team reinforce that tight end is a draft-shaping position in 2025. They urge early aggression for true elites or patience for undervalued breakouts (Warren, Kraft, Ferguson). They temper expectations on rookies at cost and dissect backfield and receiver shake-ups from preseason, emphasizing volume opportunity and draft value over name brand. The show offers humor and chemistry, but their tiered analysis and practical insight are what set fantasy managers up for a winning draft.

For more insight, tune in to tomorrow’s wide receiver preview episode.