Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Week 3 Waiver Wire: Daniel Jones, Quinshon Judkins, Troy Franklin Headline Top Adds

Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry with co-hosts Jay Croucher & Connor Rogers

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Week 3 waiver wire pickups, strategy for fantasy managers struggling with injuries or poor starts, and in-depth analysis of emerging QB, RB, WR, and TE options—most notably Daniel Jones, Quinshon Judkins, and Troy Franklin. The hosts deliver rapid-fire banter, practical advice, and trade secrets to help salvage seasons and maximize roster moves.

Table of Contents

1. Fantasy League Check-In & Banter
2. Week 3 Quarterback Waiver Targets
3. Running Back Waiver Adds
4. Wide Receiver Pickups
5. Tight End & Defense Streamers
6. Panic Meter & Recent MNF Takeaways
7. Notable Quotes & Moments
8. Recommended Bets (DraftKings Segment)

1. Fantasy League Check-In & Banter [01:01–06:15]

• Opens with league misadventures: Matthew Berry struggling at 0-2, getting "crushed like a grape" by backup producer Pete.

• Joking about fantasy karma, the “League of Assholes,” and intra-podcast rivalries.

• [04:00] Matthew Berry: "If I was weak of mind, weak of heart...I would be like these two losers and fold it up. But you know what? I have the heart of a champion. Never say die."

• Jay Croucher touts his “juggernaut” team loaded with Daniel Jones, Quinchon Judkins, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and more.

• Quick fun aside about the “League of Ankles” and playful derision over unusual fantasy league formats.

2. Week 3 Quarterback Waiver Targets [06:28–22:08]

Major QB Injuries

• Updates on Joe Burrow, Justin Fields, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy.
• "I may very, very much need a quarterback." —Matthew Berry [08:15]

Top Waiver QB Adds

A. Daniel Jones (“Danny Dimes” / “Indiana Jones”)

• 82% available (in most leagues)
• Averaging 26+ fantasy PPG (top 5 in both weeks).
• Rushing upside: 57% of goal-line rushes, 3 TDs via tush-push–style plays.
• “He’s airing it out... we thought he was a dink and dunker, but he's third among QBs in yards per attempt.” —Matthew [09:59]
• “This is a Shane Steichen production, and Daniel Jones is the vessel.” —Jay [10:32]
• Debate: Daniel Jones vs. Caleb Williams as a pickup—a close call, but Jones gets the nod for floor, comfort in the scheme, and rushing role.

B. Trevor Lawrence

• 54% available.
• Upcoming schedule: Houston (favorable), then tougher stretch @SF, KC, SEA.
• Pass-happy offense, but riskier schedule after this week.

C. Jake Browning (“The Brownler”)

• 99% available.
• Superflex/deep league option.
• Played well in 2023 and has strong surrounding weapons, but faces a tough next four games (Vikings, Broncos, Lions, Packers).
• “He was actually QB7 in seven starts during the 2023 season.” —Matthew [17:43]

D. Geno Smith, Carson Wentz, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones

• Geno Smith: 70% available, decent schedule, but less upside than Browning.
• Wentz: Pure desperation/2QB play, can pepper Jefferson.
• Mac Jones: Cardinals up next, worth a deep league look.

Waiver Wire QB Rank (Consensus):

1. Daniel Jones
2. Trevor Lawrence
3. Jake Browning
4. Geno Smith / Carson Wentz / Mac Jones

3. Running Back Waiver Adds [22:08–30:00]

Top RB Recommendations

A. Quinshon Judkins (Browns)

• Top pickup despite 40% availability (should be 100% rostered).
• Immediate impact: 13 touches on 19 snaps; led backfield in touches and yards in NFL debut [23:17].
• “As soon as his legs are ready... he's going to be the workhorse back.” —Connor [23:02]
• Caution for this week: “He does nothing against Green Bay; could be a buy-low if so.” —Matthew [24:22]

B. Cam Scatterboo (Giants)

• Only 41% rostered.
• Higher snap count, 13 touches, 71% red zone rushes, clear RB1 edge over Tyrone Tracy.
• “Scatterboo looks just like the more explosive running back.” —Matthew [25:24]

C. Bashal Tootin (Jaguars)

• Rising usage; potential to be "this year’s Bucky Irving"—the dynamic midseason timeshare winner.
• “Shot out of a cannon. If ETN gets hurt, he’s a league-winner.” —Matthew [27:00]
• Nickname: “The Tootler.” [27:43]

D. Deep League/Committee & Notable Mentions

• Rashad White (Bucs): Trusted in pass-pro, could have a locked-in role.
• Woody Marks (Texans), Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez (Chargers), Miles Sanders (Cowboys): all viable deep league stashes.

4. Wide Receiver Pickups [30:00–40:40]

A. Darnell Mooney (Falcons)

• 49% rostered, clear WR2. Played every snap, 19% target share.
• “Drake London’s the workhorse, and Darnell Mooney’s the deep threat." —Jay [31:20]
• Not high ceiling, but solid bye-week flex.

B. Troy Franklin (Broncos)

• 97% available.
• Leads team in targets/receptions/yards, 30% target share, 88% route participation.
• “The concern was that he’d be a one trick pony... route tree looks fantastic." —Matthew [32:34]
• Emerging as true WR2 with established chemistry with Bo Nix.

C. Wandale Robinson (Giants)

• 10 targets, 25%+ target share both weeks.
• “Wandale is in some ways part of their running game with short passes.” —Matthew [36:18]
• Preferred over running backs like Scatterboo by both hosts.

D. Romeo Doubs & Other Deep Targets

• Doubs (Packers): 84% available, best weekly floor among Packers WRs.
• DonTayvion Wicks: If shooting for boom weeks.
• Elikio Manor (Titans): “Probably your last chance to get him.”
• Hunter Renfrow (Panthers), Dyami Brown (Jaguars), Tyquan Thornton (Chiefs): Various deep-league plays.

5. Tight End & Defense Streamers [40:40–42:51]

Tight Ends

• Juwan Johnson (Saints): 56% available, huge Week 2 (5-49-1), 27% target share. “He leads the Saints in red zone targets.” —Matthew [41:09]
• Harold Fannin (Browns): 58% available, steady TE2, 10+ PPR points per week.

Defenses

• Streamers:
  • Seattle vs Saints
  • Colts vs Titans
  • Atlanta vs Panthers (“Panthers have been down 20–3 at halftime both games.” —Connor [57:19])
  • Bucs vs Jets (depending on Jets' QB situation)

6. Panic Meter & Recent MNF Takeaways [46:04–53:26]

• Chargers–Raiders MNF recap:
  • Slow game, little fantasy excitement, but reassuring for Keenan Allen/Quentin Johnston owners.
  • Concern over RBs: Amarian Hampton/Ashton Gentry struggle behind bad O-lines.
    • “I'm nervous about Hampton... but ride or die means you stick with him all year long.” —Matthew [50:01]
    • “With the Raiders, there might be something terminal about their offense.” —Jay [51:37]
  • Texans: “Nico Collins the only guy in the Texans offense that you're starting.” —Connor [51:56]
  • Worry over C.J. Stroud’s development so far—“He seems rattled by pressure... ripple effects across that offense.” —Jay [53:01]
  • “Bucs are as expected—Bucky Irving was fine, Rashad White got more carries, Mike Evans will be OK.”—Matthew

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Motivation Despite Losses

• [04:00] Matthew Berry: “If I was weak of mind, weak of heart...I would be like these two losers and fold it up. But you know what? I have the heart of a champion. Never say die. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No."

On Daniel Jones' Fantasy Profile

• [09:59] Matthew Berry: “He’s doing it both with his legs ... he's got three rushing touchdowns ... they're not scared to do the tush push with Daniel Jones.”
• [10:32] Jay Croucher: “This is a Shane Steichen production, and Daniel Jones is the vessel for that.”

On Bashal Tootin’s Future

• [27:00] Matthew Berry: “He very easily could be this year’s Bucky Irving—a running back that's in a timeshare at the start ... takes over and wins fantasy managers a bunch of titles.”

On Wandale Robinson’s Role

• [35:56] Connor Rogers: “If these are the options you're giving me here, Kyle S. I'm going to take Wandale. Giants offensive line is getting no push in the run game ... Wandale is not going to get game-scripted out."

On Jake Browning’s Nickname

• [18:34] Matthew Berry: “The Brownler stuntman Chuck 85 says ... I like it. The Brownler. 100%. Jake Browning, The Brownler. We love the Brownler here.”

On Chargers WRs

• [50:01] Matthew Berry: “It’s McConkey, Allen and QJ in that order ... if they're going to pass this much, they can support three WRs and not really a tight end.”

8. Recommended Bets (DraftKings Segment) [56:51–57:56]

• Jay: Colts -3.5 at Titans — “I believe in this Colts team... offense is going to keep rolling against the Titans.”
• Connor: Falcons -5.5 vs Panthers — “Panthers have been down 20–3 at half both games. They're lost.”
• Matthew: Bengals-Vikings over 41.5; Packers-Browns under 42.5 — “Packers are not going to have to score much to beat the Browns.”

Episode Summary: At a Glance

• Primary Waiver Targets: Daniel Jones (QB), Quinshon Judkins (RB), Troy Franklin (WR), Juwan Johnson (TE)
• Secondary Adds: Cam Scatterboo, Bashal Tootin, Darnell Mooney, Wandale Robinson, Romeo Doubs
• Panic Meter: Mild alarm for Gentry/Hampton; maintain confidence for now. Texans' skill players aside from Collins/Chubb are avoidable.
• Actionable Advice: Be aggressive on rookie RB/WRs with expanding roles. Use remaining FAAB for Judkins/Franklin in shallower leagues.
• Best Line: [04:00] Matthew Berry: “Never say die. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No.”

This episode was a humorous, fast-paced rundown of Week 3 waiver priorities, with actionable analysis and strategies for all fantasy managers—especially those needing to shake up their underperforming teams. The hosts use their own teams’ struggles and successes to frame every recommendation, keeping the tone authentic, relatable, and data-driven.