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:

• 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.

• 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:

• 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)

• 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:

• Dalton Schultz (53% available)

• Harold Fannin Jr., Mike Gesicki (especially Thursday streaming)

• Gunnar Helm (Rookie-TE connection narrative for Dynasty).

• 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)

• Jay Croucher’s pick: Panthers under 17.5 points vs. Rams

• Connor Rogers: Texans (+4.5) vs. Colts

• Matthew Berry: Under 47.5 on Steelers-Bills

• 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.