Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 16 Waiver Wire: J.J. McCarthy, Michael Carter, Colby Parkinson Headline Top Targets

Date: December 16, 2025

Host: Matthew Berry (w/ Connor Rogers & Jay Croucher)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into Waiver Wire strategy for Week 16 of the fantasy football season, identifying the top pickups at each position to help managers advance in their playoffs. Matthew Berry, Connor Rogers, and Jay Croucher break down which quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends stand out, discuss the key injury updates, and analyze tricky start/sit situations. The tone is classic "Happy Hour"—irreverent and fast-paced, punctuated with pop culture references, but always grounded in sharp, actionable fantasy advice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pop Culture & Banter (00:01–03:28)

• Keanu Reeves Tangent:
  The trio opens with a lively Keanu Reeves debate, comparing his acting "modes" (from Bill and Ted to Point Break), with humorous suggestions about starting Keanu over Mercedes Lewis in the fantasy flex.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Keanu has two modes. He either is like wooden, cool Matrix Keanu…or he tries to act and can't really do it. But in Point Break, he really gives it a crack.” — Jay Croucher (03:28)
• Sets a playful, relaxed tone before pivoting to fantasy content.

2. Waiver Wire Quarterbacks (04:08–13:47)

Top QB Streamers

• C.J. Stroud vs. Raiders (04:08)

  • Stroud is available in over 50% of leagues, making him a strong candidate given the Raiders’ defensive struggles, especially versus QBs since Week 11.
    • "CJ Stroud, I think, has looked good…he's still available in over 50% of leagues." — Matthew Berry (04:42)

• J.J. McCarthy vs. Giants (07:47, 09:12)

  • McCarthy has shown tangible growth, and the Giants are a favorable matchup.
    • “It’s not just he’s played the past two weeks…they are going to let him fling it.” — Jay Croucher (09:12)

• Deep Streamers

  • Tyler Shough (“vertical element,” Saints), Marcus Mariota (against the Eagles), Bryce Young (Bucs), Kirk Cousins (Arizona).
  • Discussion on the Saints’ playoff scenarios and Tyler Shough’s sleeper value.
  • “He's more likely to run in a touchdown. Also the matchup…I’m not sure there's any matchup more favorable than the Jets at this point.” — Jay Croucher (13:05)

QB Start/Sit Questions

• Stroud or Dart? Both offer value, but preference leans toward Dart for his rushing upside (06:44).
• JJ McCarthy or Shough in deep leagues? Both rank as high-upside desperation plays (13:05).

3. Waiver Wire Running Backs (16:32–32:58)

Top RB Options

• Blake Corum (Rams, 16:32)

  • Surprising availability given his emerging split with Kyren Williams and red zone usage.
    • "He’s had four rushing touchdowns over the past three games...if I had Kyren Williams, I would want to make sure I had Blake Corum." — Matthew Berry (17:53)
  • Upside for playoff and Week 18 stashes.

• Michael Carter (Cardinals, 19:49)

  • With Bam Knight likely out, Carter becomes the preferred option in a messy committee over Amari DiMercado.

• Other Notables:

  • Jecory Croskey-Merritt (Commanders, if Chris Rodriguez is out, 20:54)
  • Audric Estime (Saints, if Devin Neal is sidelined)
    • "If Devon Neal's not healthy…I would think it would be Estime that becomes the guy." — Matthew Berry (27:05)

Pro Tips

• Emphasize adding insurance backs as we close the season:
  • "You need to have your workhorse running backs insured." — Connor Rogers (32:25)
• Discusses how team context and coaching can make or break RB value (example: Andy Reid’s role in Mahomes’ success, 28:48).

4. Waiver Wire Wide Receivers (33:23–38:16)

WR Picks

• Jaden Reed (Packers, 33:23)

  • Boosted by possible Christian Watson injury; Bears are very susceptible to slot receivers.
    • "I think Jaden Reed is the Packers pass catcher that you most want." — Jay Croucher (34:10)

• Luther Burden (Bears, 36:14)

  • Ascending if Roma Odunze sits, high target share.
    • "Seven targets last week, 26% target share." — Matthew Berry (37:41)

• Deeper Targets:

  • Adonai Mitchell (Saints)
  • Jalen Coker (Bucs)
  • Darius Slayton (Giants) — sneaky with 28% target share last week.

• Notable Weekend Games

  • “Seattle, L.A. on Thursday night…an unbelievable game.” — Matthew Berry (34:46)

5. Waiver Wire Tight Ends (38:16–40:40)

TE Pickups

• Dalton Schultz (Texans, 38:16)

  • Super consistent, yet perennially unclaimed.
    • “Since week five, he’s the ninth best tight end in fantasy football…all volume driven.” — Matthew Berry (38:22)

• Colby Parkinson (Raiders, 38:56)

  • Benefits from Devante Adams’ likely absence; Seahawks are vulnerable against TEs.

• Colson Loveland (Bears)

  • Gaining momentum as a middle-of-the-field option; good for deeper leagues.

• Deep League Dart Throws:

  • Darren Waller (Bengals are terrible versus TEs), DJ Johnson, Gunnar Helm.

6. D/ST Streamers (40:40)

• Saints (Jets), Vikings (Giants), Cowboys (Chargers), Bucs (Panthers) all recommended.

7. Recap: Monday Night Football — Steelers Backfield Frustrations (41:20–47:46)

• Jalen Warren:
  • "Brutal" luck — had two goalline carries stuffed, while TDs go to random Steelers’ tight ends.
  • "Jalen Warren now, guys, has been under 13 fantasy points in five of the past six…just hasn't translated into fantasy points anytime in the near future." — Matthew Berry (44:17)
• Kenneth Gainwell:
  • Now a top-10 fantasy RB since Week 11; Arthur Smith's creative offense opens doors.

8. WRs & RBs — Rest-of-Season Outlook & Start/Sit

• Jalen Waddle:
  • Disappointing run, but scheduling could help; still a start vs. Bengals and Bucs.
    • "Waddle doesn't have a game with more than 52 receiving yards since week 10…The one note I will make though…is D.J. turner for the Bengals has had a great year and he's actually done a pretty good job of shutting down number one wide receivers." — Matthew Berry (48:14)
• Arthur Smith’s Offensive Mind:
  • "Arthur Smith is an offensive genius. Could you imagine Mercedes Lewis in this offense?" — No. Suzaki in chat, discussed at (47:17)

9. Early Bets & Lines (“Last Call”) (50:20–51:51)

• Connor & Jay: Both back the Saints to cover -4.5 vs. Jets due to Jets’ depleted secondary.
• Matthew Berry: Likes Vikings-Giants over 44.5; bonus Chiefs-Titans over 37.5.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Keanu Reeves:

  • "He's universally beloved…Keanu. Everyone loves Keanu, but you can't ever say like, you know, where he was great." — Matthew Berry (01:42)

• On the Waiver Wire Desperation:

  • “Sometimes these are desperate times and so for deeper leagues, you know, it’s interesting.” — Matthew Berry, on running backs (27:05)

• On Fantasy Playoff Heartbreak (re: Steelers MNF):

  • “The three most random, useless touchdowns in fantasy football history.” — Matthew Berry (42:35)

• On Injury Handcuffs:

  • “At this point in the season, you need to have your workhorse running backs insured.” — Connor Rogers (32:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Keanu Reeves Banter: 00:01–03:28
• Waiver Wire QBs: 04:08–13:47
• RB Waiver Breakdown: 16:32–32:58
• WR Waiver Breakdown: 33:23–38:16
• TE Waiver Breakdown: 38:16–40:40
• Defense Streamers: 40:40
• Steelers MNF/Backfield Woes: 41:20–47:46
• Jalen Waddle Start/Sit: 47:53–49:07
• Early Line Alert “Last Call”: 50:20–51:51

Tone & Style

• Breezy, conversational, and sprinkled with pop culture and football history references.
• Plenty of side chatter, inside jokes, and listener questions, but main waiver advice is clear, actionable, and always grounded in data/recent performance.

Summary

This episode blends the show's characteristically entertaining energy with a thorough, practical rundown of Week 16 fantasy football waiver priorities. The advice leans on forward-looking strategy (insuring RBs, targeting injury replacements), with strong insight into team context and playoff outcomes. Though peppered with digressions—from Broadway reviews to NFL history—the hosts continually steer back to thoughtful analysis, giving listeners both a laugh and the edge they need for their fantasy playoff pushes.