Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry — Week 10 Waiver Wire & Trade Deadline Special

Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (with Connor Rodgers & Jay)
Episode Theme:
A comprehensive look at the Week 10 fantasy football waiver wire, impact of major midseason NFL trades (Jacobi Meyers, Rashid Shaheed, Sauce Gardner), key injuries, and strategic pickups at every position. The hosts break down recent Monday Night Football developments, evaluate trade deadline news as it happens, and offer their signature mix of sharp analysis and playful banter.

Main Themes & Episode Purpose

• Waiver Wire Priorities: In-depth coverage of the best fantasy pickups at QB, RB, WR, TE, and D/ST for Week 10, given numerous key players on bye (Mahomes, Dak, Chase, Lamb, etc).
• Trade Deadline Fallout: How recent trades (e.g., Jacobi Meyers to Jacksonville, Rashid Shaheed to Seattle, Sauce Gardner to the Colts) impact fantasy value and team situations.
• Rest-of-Season Outlooks: Evaluations of talented rookies (J.J. McCarthy, Colston Loveland, Torrey Horton), breakout players, and injury replacements.
• Actionable Advice: Start/sit debates, waiver priorities, deep league stashes, and defense streamers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Impactful NFL Trades and Fantasy Implications

Jacobi Meyers traded to Jacksonville Jaguars

• Initial Reaction: Decisive move for Jacksonville wide receivers, especially given uncertainty with Travis Hunter's injury.
• "The Jags wide receiver room just got a little more crowded with the trade of Jacobi Meyers." — Matthew Berry [26:26]
• Fantasy Outlook: Parker Washington's role is secure in the slot, but Meyers should command outside targets once acclimated. Upgrades overall opportunity compared to Vegas.

Rashid Shaheed moves to Seattle Seahawks

• Analysis:
  • Shaheed will likely split field-stretching duties with Torrey Horton and contribute on special teams.
  • Potential for slightly lower target share, but more effective touches thanks to Seattle's pass game.
• "If you have Shaheed, you probably prefer the move to Sam Darnold and the Seahawks…even if the target share is less, it’s more effective." — Matthew Berry [54:06]
• Concerns about Cooper Kupp’s injury status surface as a possible driver of this trade.

Sauce Gardner traded to the Colts

• Major Defensive Shift:
  • Colts instantly boast a top-tier CB tandem with Sauce and Charvarius Ward.
  • "The Colts go from diabolical corner situation…to the best corner room in the league." — Jay [51:10]
• Jets Perspective:
  • Indicates a shift towards rebuilding; expect more moves and shifting priorities.
  • "This is a signal the Jets are building the infrastructure for a rookie quarterback." — Connor Rodgers [50:31]
• Opens up fantasy opportunity for opposing wideouts (e.g., Cedric Tillman).

2. Week 10 Waiver Wire Analysis

Quarterbacks

• Sam Darnold (SEA) — 50% available

  • Top priority with byes (Mahomes, Dak, Flacco, Cam Ward).
  • "Statistically, Sam Darnold's been the best quarterback in football this year on a per play basis. …He's just been an absolute monster." — Jay [05:28]
  • Stresses Darnold's evolution beyond previous missteps: "This is a wildly different quarterback than what we saw with the Jets and I would argue he's better now than he was with Minnesota last year." — Matthew Berry [04:35]
  • Darnold’s "love list" repeat, favorable upcoming schedule (Arizona, Rams, Tennessee, then Minnesota).

• J.J. McCarthy (BAL) — 71% available

  • Rushing upside (TDs in 2/3 starts), top 3 in deep ball rate/average depth of target (small sample).
  • Cautions: Only ~22 passing attempts/game, game script skews run-heavy.
  • "He does feel like the casted, movie quarterback in 'Remember the Titans' or 'Friday Night Lights'." — Matthew Berry [10:32]
  • McCarthy ranked lower among streaming QBs but has upside in likely shootout vs Ravens.

• Deep League/Streamers:

  • Marcus Mariota — Negative game script, 20+ ppg allowed by Lions QB, rushing floor [14:19].
  • PJ Walker, Jacoby Brissett (if starting): Consider for desperation upside.

Running Backs

• Devin Singletary (NYG) — 95% available

  • Lead back in snaps/touches following Cam Scataboo’s injury.
  • "It’s the best of a bad lot…You like this matchup with Chicago; they've given up at least 20 fantasy points to backfields five times this year." — Matthew Berry [18:13]
  • Low upside, desperation flex.

• Isaiah Davis (NYJ) — 86% available

  • Usage increasing (40%+ snaps in 3 of last 4); Jets are 3rd in RB target share.
  • Would become the #1 priority if Breece Hall is dealt.
  • "Davis is a nice pass catcher…He had 12 touches in his last game, played 71% of the snaps." — Matthew Berry [22:32]

• Other RBs for Deep Leagues:

  • Bashal Tootin (Texans), Blake Corum (Rams, next man up), Tank Bigsby (in case of Barkley injury), Sean Tucker (Bucs, increased workload), Terrell Jennings (Patriots, red zone carries).

• Trade Watch: Breece Hall, if moved, totally reshapes the NYJ backfield.

Wide Receivers

• Parker Washington (JAX) — Now with Meyers, but injury to Travis Hunter may secure role

  • 27% target share last week, slot usage, high utilization.
  • "In his career, when he sees at least 15% target share, he's averaging over 13 fantasy points per game." — Matthew Berry [27:35]

• Torrey Horton (LAR) — 95% available

  • Major TD upside, downfield role with Cooper Kupp out.
  • "Torrey Horton has earned a larger role in this offense." — Matthew Berry [33:12]
  • Meyers and Shaheed trades diminish OR enhance his value rest-of-season depending on usage.

• Alec Pierce (IND) — 74% available

  • Surging as field stretcher; 13 targets/115 yards vs Steelers.
  • "He's no longer just a deep ball threat... developed more sophistication to his route tree." — Jay [34:49]

• Troy Franklin (DEN), Christian Watson (GB), Darius Slayton (NYG), Tez Johnson (ORE), Jack Bech (LV): Noted as deep league stashes or flex desperation.

Tight Ends

• Colston Loveland (CHI) — 76% available

  • Four straight weeks with RZ or end zone target, potential for increased role if Cole Kmet is out.
  • "Four straight weeks with a red zone target…Last two weeks, 76% route participation." — Matthew Berry [37:01]

• Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) — 57% available

  • Top-10 TE since Week 5; Jets one of the friendliest defenses to TEs.
  • If Njoku is traded, Fannin rises to must-add.

• Other TE Streamers:

  • Dalton Schultz (solid usage), Cade Otton (20% target share since Week 5), Juwan Johnson (3 straight 10+ point games), Theo Johnson, Luke Musgrave (increased routes with Kraft injury).

DEFENSE

• Week 10 Streamers:
  • Browns vs Jets (67% available): "The Browns might be my number one waiver claim." — Matthew Berry [42:32]
  • Bills vs Dolphins (57%)
  • Panthers vs Saints (97%)
  • Jets @ Browns
  • Bucs vs Patriots

Timestamps for Highlights & Notable Quotes

• Sam Darnold Waiver Priority: [03:20–07:59]
• J.J. McCarthy Streaming Appeal: [07:59–13:15]
• Devin Singletary/NYG RB Outlook: [17:04–20:38]
• Isaiah Davis/Jets RBs and Breece Hall Trade Impact: [22:08–23:40]
• Deep League RB List: [24:49–25:52]
• Parker Washington and WRs Waiver Run: [26:26–30:18]
• Torrey Horton, Alec Pierce, and deeper WRs: [30:18–36:06]
• Tight End Targets: [36:46–42:14]
• Defense Streaming: [42:14–42:46]
• Marvin Harrison Jr. MNF Recap/Trade Talk: [45:21–49:21]
• Jets trade Sauce Gardner, live reaction: [50:01–52:10]
• Rashid Shaheed to Seahawks — fantasy fallout: [52:27–54:10]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Statistically, Sam Darnold’s been the best quarterback in football this year on a per play basis. …Number one in EPA per play, number one in PFF grade, second in QBR. Just been an absolute monster.”
  — Jay [05:28]

• "This is a wildly different quarterback than what we saw with the Jets."
  — Matthew Berry [04:35]

• "If you’re Jonathan Gannon, why would you go back to Kyler Murray?"
  — Matthew Berry [48:39] (on potential for Jacoby Brissett continuing as ARI starter)

• “All he does is catch touchdowns.”
  — Connor Rodgers [31:18], on Torrey Horton

• “[Torrey] Horton has earned a larger role in this offense."
  — Matthew Berry [33:12]

• "Sauce Gardner is one of the premier corners in the league and I think this signals that the Jets are like—they're not going to. I don't think they're going to trade Garrett Wilson or anyone like that, but they are trying to build the infrastructure for a rookie quarterback."
  — Connor Rodgers [50:31]

• “The Colts go from this diabolical corner situation to… the best corner room in the league.”
  — Jay [51:10]

• “...I actually think this hurts Shaheed’s fantasy value...less targets because now he's competing with JSN.”
  — Matthew Berry [53:09]

• "If, if N’Joku does get dealt, I would move Fannin above Loveland. I’d feel better about his role moving forward."
  — Matthew Berry [38:49]

Additional Notes and Running Gags

• League Banter: Numerous nods to their deeply competitive main league ("Nothing’s available in our league—it’s always Alan Lazard." [31:28]).
• 'Bunny' Reference: Jay tries to introduce a cricket term for a player who always gets bested — “He’s your bunny.” [07:10]
• Dinner Bets: Ongoing food wager between Mariota and Daniel Jones as Week 10 QB starts [13:35].

Useful Quick-Reference: Top Week 10 Adds

QB: 1. Sam Darnold, 2. Mariota, 3. J.J. McCarthy
RB: 1. Devin Singletary, 2. Isaiah Davis (if Breece dealt), 3. Bashal Tootin
WR: 1. Parker Washington, 2. Torrey Horton, 3. Alec Pierce
TE: 1. Colston Loveland, 2. Harold Fannin Jr., 3. Dalton Schultz
D/ST: 1. Browns, 2. Bills, 3. Panthers

Conclusion

This episode delivers the fantasy football essentials for a turbulent waiver week: urgent pickup recommendations, nuanced breakouts, in-the-moment trade analysis (with Sauce Gardner and Rashid Shaheed’s surprise deals), and practical advice for navigating critical byes and injuries. The signature interplay between Matthew, Connor, and Jay ensures deep insights are blended with the rambling (but charming) banter loyal listeners expect.

Whether you’re in a 10-team standard league or scraping the bottom of the barrel in a 16-team deep dynasty, this episode tells you who to prioritize, who to stash, and who to drop (RIP, Tyron Tracy). It’s trade deadline season, and the show makes sure you’re ready for every curveball.

(If you need segment-specific recommendations, lists, or further detail on any one player/trade, let me know!)