Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Episode: Week 13 Waiver Wire: Devin Neal, Jayden Higgins, Brenton Strange Headline Top Adds
Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (NBC Sports), with Jay Croucher, Connor Rogers
Episode Overview
This Week 13 waiver wire episode is classic Matthew Berry: a blend of analytical fantasy football advice, banter, self-deprecating humor, and inside commentary about the world of NFL journalism. The crew breaks down top waiver priorities at every position, discusses rookie and injury-related pivots, and shares deep-league targets as leagues head into the fantasy playoff push. Rich on actionable information, audience Q&A, and notable story moments, this episode is designed for fantasy managers looking for an edge heading into the final stretch of the 2024 season.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Usual Banter and Behind-the-Scenes (01:13–05:05)
- Matthew Berry’s Diet Coke Incident: The show opens with a lighthearted segment on Berry spilling Diet Coke on himself, a running gag this season.
- “I just… I’m a moron.” – Matthew Berry (01:57)
- Shout-outs to crew (especially stage manager Kevin “the GOAT” Brady) and the indispensable need for ice water.
- Quick transition: “Waiver wired quarterbacks, let’s get right into it.” – Connor Rogers (05:06)
Waiver Wire – Quarterbacks (05:06–18:21)
C.J. Stroud (64% available)
- In concussion protocol, but Texan beat writer Aaron Wilson is optimistic for his return (06:28).
- Three of last four completed games: at least 18 fantasy points; trending upward as Texans offense gels.
- “He ain't great, but you could do worse… at quarterback this week.” – Matthew Berry (05:28)
Trevor Lawrence (51% available)
- Meets the streaming threshold; gets Titans next.
- “It doesn’t have to be pretty, but he’s getting fantasy points.” – Connor Rogers (12:29)
- Top 12 QB in 3 of last 4; Tennessee allows the fifth-most fantasy points to QBs since Week 7.
Deep League Targets:
- Jameis Winston (monitor Jackson Dart’s concussion),
- Tua Tagovailoa and Marcus Mariota as speculative plays,
- Max Brosmer (possible start for Vikings if J.J. McCarthy sits; Dynasty-league stash).
Q&A:
- “Minus 110 each side: yes/no, J.J. McCarthy is the week one starter [2026].” – Jay Croucher
- “I’ll take the ‘no’… I think they’ll get a vet.” – Connor Rogers (18:28)
Waiver Wire – Running Backs (19:30–28:12)
Top Adds:
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Devin Neal (97% available, Saints)
- Immediate volume with Alvin Kamara down (played 88% of snaps after Kamara’s injury).
- “Five catches for 43 yards… becomes a fringe RB2 on volume.” – Connor Rogers (20:16)
- Split some touches with Taysom Hill; tough matchups ahead (Miami, TB), but roster everywhere.
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Chris Rodriguez Jr. (83% available, Commanders)
- Emerging role (16 touches, 45% snaps in Week 11); possibly a bigger workload post-bye.
Other Names:
- Omarion Hampton, if activated
- “Yes, start him immediately if active.” – Matthew Berry (24:53)
- Tutin, Tyler Allgeier, Tajae Spears, Michael Carter, Jahlil McLaughlin, and Zemir White as deeper-league dart throws.
- Caution flag on Denver backfield (“I want no part of that.” – Berry, 25:52).
Notable Moment:
- “Taysom Hill—torturing fantasy managers since 1973.” – Matthew Berry (21:04)
Waiver Wire – Wide Receivers (28:18–40:14)
Priority Pickups:
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Jaden Higgins (78% available, Texans rookie)
- 9 targets in Week 12; touchdown in 2 of last 3.
- “Legit red zone ability with his size.” – Connor Rogers (28:18)
- “He’s a big part of this offense.” – Jay Croucher (28:35)
-
Christian Watson (52% available, Packers)
- Target share increasing (33% last week); always about health, not talent.
- “He’s healthy now and we don’t know how long it’ll last, but I like this matchup against Detroit.” – Berry (32:00)
- “He is the most talented [WR on team]… one of the freakiest prospects.” – Connor/ Jay (32:48)
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Parker Washington (60% available, Jags)
- “Five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown last week. It’s crazy he’s still out there.” – Connor Rogers (34:18)
- At least 23% target share in each of last four games.
Deeper League Stashes:
- Jamari DK (86% available, Titans; speed, increased route participation)
- Luther Burden (89% available, Eagles; back-to-back five-target games, potential league-winner upside) (33:33)
- Andre Yosivas, John Metchie, Greg Dortch highlighted for PPR/volume upside (“John Metchie is playing very well… this is real.” – Connor Rogers, 40:14)
Audience Discussion:
- Who is the “lead singer of the slot merchants”? (Fun debate, names like Parker Washington and Wondale Robinson thrown around) (35:56–36:41)
Waiver Wire – Tight Ends (41:24–44:32)
Brenton Strange (87% available, Jaguars)
- “Led the Jaguars in receiving yards in 3 of 5 full games.” – Berry (41:43)
- Double-digit points his last 3 healthy games.
Colston Loveland (Bears)
- “Route participation and target share increasing 3 straight weeks.” – Connor Rogers (42:25)
Other Names/Deeper Stashes:
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Dalton Schultz (53% available)
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Harold Fannin Jr., Mike Gesicki (especially Thursday streaming)
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Gunnar Helm (Rookie-TE connection narrative for Dynasty).
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Quick note: Darren Waller back soon; “just might have gotten dropped” (44:33).
Streaming Defenses (44:55–45:43)
- Chargers vs Raiders (top pick; 61% available)
- Jaguars vs Titans
- Falcons vs Jets
- Colts vs Texans
- Dolphins vs Saints (“the Taysom Hill Red Zone offense” — Connor Rogers)
Game Review: Brock Purdy & Niners Offense (47:48–52:26)
- Discusses rough Week 12 showing, Purdy’s postgame attitude:
- “The greats and the good quarterbacks…don’t dwell on the past.” – Brock Purdy (47:48)
- Analysis: Not worried long-term; more concerned about matchup vs. Cleveland in Week 13.
- “Christian McCaffrey having the greatest 3.7 yards per carry season in NFL history.” – Jay Croucher (50:37)
Quick Stat:
- CMC: 83 missed tackles forced (leads NFL by 10); “Perhaps the most valuable player in fantasy.” – Berry (51:28)
Last Call: Early Bets & Closing Thoughts (54:35–56:22)
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Jay Croucher’s pick: Panthers under 17.5 points vs. Rams
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Connor Rogers: Texans (+4.5) vs. Colts
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Matthew Berry: Under 47.5 on Steelers-Bills
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Season trends: “Season of unders. Season of fibulas.” – Berry (56:14)
Notable Quotes
- “Taysom Hill torturing fantasy managers since I think, you know, 1973.” – Matthew Berry (21:04)
- “He ain’t great, but you could do worse… at QB this week.” – Matthew Berry (on C.J. Stroud) (05:28)
- “Find somebody that looks at you the way any coach ever looks at Taysom Hill.” – Berry, discussing Saints RB situation (21:05)
- “It’s a good time to remind everybody…start stashing Jaden Reed. He’ll be the #1 WR for this team with some good matchups down the stretch.” – Connor Rogers, on Packers WRs (33:28)
- “Christian McCaffrey having the greatest 3.7 yards per carry season in NFL history.” – Jay Croucher (50:37)
- “He’s a professional… he knows what he’s doing.” – Berry, on Purdy (48:22)
- “The Traveler is the Hunter Henry of quarterbacks for waivers every week.” – paintforlife (viewer comment, 14:41)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |:---------------------------------------- |:-----------:| | QB Waiver Priorities Begin | 05:06 | | C.J. Stroud analysis | 05:28–06:28 | | Beat reporter questions & combine story | 07:08–12:28 | | Trevor Lawrence analysis | 12:29–14:37 | | Deep league QB targets | 15:21–18:21 | | RB waiver priorities begin | 19:30 | | Devin Neal breakdown | 19:48–22:24 | | Chris Rodriguez, Hampton, deep RBs | 23:06–28:12 | | WR waiver priorities begin | 28:18 | | Jaden Higgins & Texans pass game discussion | 28:18–31:35 | | Christian Watson debate | 31:58–33:42 | | Parker Washington, slot WRs | 34:18–36:41 | | Deeper WRs, Luther Burden, Yosivas, Metchie| 36:47–40:14 | | Top tight end priorities | 41:24 | | Brenton Strange, Colston Loveland | 41:43–42:57 | | Streaming defenses | 44:55–45:43 | | Brock Purdy/Niners analysis | 47:48–52:26 | | Early bets, final jokes, last call | 54:35–56:22 |
Memorable Moments
- Diet Coke disaster replayed, with crew jokes about "The Iceman Spilleth" (01:45–05:05)
- Matthew Berry’s “how I insulted Coach Stefanski at the Combine” story (09:07–12:12)
- Audience Q&A: Parker Washington as “lead singer of the Slot Merchants” (35:56–36:41)
- Running gag on Taysom Hill’s eternal fantasy villainy (21:04)
Takeaways
- Devin Neal is a must-add if Kamara is out, but monitor Taysom Hill’s usage.
- Jaden Higgins and Christian Watson headline a shallow WR waiver pool.
- Matthew Berry and crew remain cautious on rookie QBs, prioritizing proven fantasy volume.
- Streaming tight end and defense is more viable than ever in a volatile late-season landscape.
- Game flow, injuries, and “just getting on the field” are critical in late-season lineup setting—a recurring theme throughout the discussion.
For full breakdowns, last-minute waiver pivots, and in-depth matchup analysis, catch Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry weekdays on Peacock and NFL on NBC YouTube Channel.