September 30: Matthew (@MatthewBerryTMR), Jay (@croucherJD), and Connor (@ConnorJRogers) waste no time diving into many options on the waiver wire entering Week 5, beginning with Woody Marks as the top target among RBs. The trio also highlights Romeo Doubs and how injuries to star WRs have opened the door for Malik Washington, Darius Slayton, and Jalen Tolbert. They also discuss Jaxson Dart and Matthew Stafford before looking back on the performances of Garrett Wilson, Ja’Marr Chase, and RJ Harvey on Monday night. The show wraps up with the crew unveiling why they’ve circled Texans-Ravens, Dolphins-Panthers, and Cowboys-Jets on their betting card this weekend.
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Matthew Berry
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Jay Cratcher
Welcome to the fantasy football happy hour to an intimate date with me and Matthew Berry. The rigatoni will be here shortly in our first break as the pastor comes in with the cream shallots and we'll come back and talk weekend warriors and Sunday scaries.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, I think you secretly like this, Jay. You say you don't, but just time alone with me. How lucky are you?
Jay Cratcher
Yeah, arguable. The degree of luck. Raise the flags. Recreating one night in Buffalo.
Matthew Berry
Not recreating so much as just celebrating.
Jay Cratcher
You know, adding another chapter to the story.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, yeah.
Jay Cratcher
A more high end chapter.
Matthew Berry
Before the show, Jay was saying to our producer, Steven, he goes like, you know, I can't believe I. I don't enjoy spending this much time alone with Matthew. And the truth is he does.
Indeed Advertiser
Fantasy football happy hour with Matthew Barry.
Connor Rogers
Welcome to the fantasy football happy hour. Connor Rogers back with the two that just spending time together, Matthew Barry and Jay Cratcher. Where were you guys?
Jay Cratcher
It's quite a scene.
Connor Rogers
It's like from an Italian restaurant.
Matthew Berry
We were. Yeah, scenes from Italian restaurant. It was a romantic hideaway in, you know, in an undisclosed location in Dallas where, you know, Jay and I. Jay and I's, you know, forbidden love can blossom. Yeah, it is, it's, it's Brokeback fantasy is what it is.
Jay Cratcher
Brokeback fantasy.
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah. Jason baby oil Brokeback fantasy. The painting made it for me. Claude Monet behind us, but like, yeah, picture of Dorian Gray stuff. Very confusing.
Connor Rogers
Jstap says. Connor, thank God you're back. I had nightmares of Jay and Matthew's Italian bistro date.
Matthew Berry
We were this close to lady and the Tramp style. Sharing one piece.
Connor Rogers
That's what he said. That was the second part of the comment that I left out. But, you know, you did a good job.
Matthew Berry
Look, look, I. Just to be clear, Jay is married happily. I am married happily. But on the road. Yes, on the road.
Connor Rogers
Oh, that's. There's different rules. Like, there's like a zip code rule.
Jay Cratcher
It's a 300 mile rule. Everyone knows.
Connor Rogers
Oh, 300 mile rule.
Matthew Berry
Nice. Everyone knows that.
Connor Rogers
I bet both of your wives are finding this out as they're watching the show, but I know neither of them are, so it doesn't matter.
Jay Cratcher
Sophia gave me a Matthew Berry hall pass years ago.
Matthew Berry
A thousand percent. Everyone knows because she knows you won't use it. Please. Beth is like. Beth is like, oh, good. One less thing I have to do. Is this something off her list? She's very happy. Love a guy.
Jay Cratcher
Unbelievable.
Connor Rogers
All right, we have an unbelievable amount to go through. Yeah, let's get to it because waiver wires are. You probably need help. There's so many injuries, some breakouts. Listen, we're going to. We're going to recap Monday Night Football, the doubleheader that was interesting and not so interesting for different reasons. We got week five. Look ahead at sides and totals and last call. Let's go right into running backs here. And this time of year, this is how we're going to start. Waiver wires. You need to know who's on a buy. You might be watching this and be like, oh, boy, I actually do need help when I thought I didn't. Bijon Robinson, Josh Jacobs, Jalen Warren, who was hurt last week. So maybe some much needed rest for Jalen Warren. Kenneth Gainwell, who filled in nicely for jalen Warren and DeAndre Swift. So with that, let's take a look at who's actually out there. And I think we have to start with the rookie Woody Marks right now that is taking over the Texans backfield slowly from Nick Chubb.
Matthew Berry
D'.
Connor Rogers
Ameco. Ryan's had a lot of positive things to say about Woody Marks after this weekend's win for the Texans.
Matthew Berry
Exciting to see Woody show up the way he showed up. Like some of the runs he made, like making guys miss in the hole, playing physical. Some of our short yardage runs, him being able to get downhill in the Passing game. Not just the catching the ball and running, but the protection. He has some really good protection clips as well. I thought just overall, like he had a really outstanding game for a rookie to step in and play the way that he played. Really, really proud of what he did. He sparked a lot of excitement for us. Yeah, you heard d' Amico Ryan say it. Just the way Woody hit the hole, really impressive to everyone and obviously that kills the Chub. Yeah, I mean like just nothing, nothing makes a Chub go down. In terms of value, of course. Fantasy value. I'm talking about nothing makes a Chub go down more than like a young Woody showing up.
Jay Cratcher
Yes.
Connor Rogers
There's only so much I could do for this show.
Jay Cratcher
I just want you to know there was only one fully chubbed running back in the Houston backfield and they aint St. Nick. No, it is the great Woody Marks.
Matthew Berry
That's correct.
Jay Cratcher
Was taken over and he should be the number one guy on waivers now. It's strange kind of what happened.
Connor Rogers
I was looking at the comments. I like to see the reaction after bits, see how they're working.
Jay Cratcher
Yes.
Connor Rogers
If it's a six out of ten, a nine out of ten. So it's a two out of ten. I'm listening.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah, no, I think so. The concern about the Texans backfield, outside of the fact that we didn't feel great about any of these guys individually was the offensive line. But the offensive line showed some signs of decency or decency adjacence in the win over the Titans. And Woody Marks as well, just the level of explosion, his ability as a pass catcher. So we see his carry charge going all over the place. Also Woody Marks offering a little bit of pass protection too.
Matthew Berry
Connor.
Connor Rogers
Well, that's the name of his game. That was the thing he was best at in college is catching the ball out of the backfield, playing a heavy pass catching role. That's how you know, his team used him. So that was his skill set coming in that you felt he can contribute. But I think the Texans, Matthew, just don't have a choice. He needs to do everything for them.
Matthew Berry
Well, that's the point, right? I mean like this is an offense that has really struggled to sort of get going and he did, all jokes aside, provide a spark. I mean, you heard Coach Ryan say that right there. And so look, the workload is there, right? 21 touches played, 58% of the snaps he had an 86 utilization score. Again, that is a number on a scale of 1 to 100 created by Duane McFarlane of Fantasy Life to, to let you know how much a player is being used, but more importantly, how much of the underlying data and metrics predict future fantasy success. And so a 86 utilization score tells you this is like a. A mid tier RB2 that has, that has the ability to. To rise up and be a number one running back. 18% target share in week four. That was third most on the team. And to me, this is similar to Trey Benson last week. This is a guy that, like, if you've been holding on to your number one waiver spot, if you've got a bunch of fab and you're. You're struggling, this is a push all your chips into the middle kind of game. Still no timetable for Joe Mixon's return. I think there's a reasonably chance, reasonable chance we don't see Joe Mixon at all this year. And even if he does show up, like, Woody Marks has a real opportunity here. And I think he's going to. To all jokes aside, like, take this ball and run with it. Take this job and run with it. We've been talking about Woody Marks, you know, Woody and Chubb. Jokes aside, we've been. We've been making this joke for, for a couple of weeks now. So if you don't, if Woody Marks has gone in your league, you have only, only yourself to blame. By the way, this week they play the Ravens. No team in the NFL gives up more fantasy points to opposing running backs than the Baltimore Ravens. So great matchup for Woody Marks. Off of his best game of the season. He is the number one pick on all positions. To me this week on waivers, Scott McLory.
Connor Rogers
Nothing should kill the Chub. Well, the time might be here.
Matthew Berry
I mean, yeah, it's quivering. I mean, I'm just telling you, like, we, we love the Chubbler. The original.
Connor Rogers
Original Chubbler. The OG Chubbler.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, the OC the original Chubbler.
Connor Rogers
That's right.
Matthew Berry
But again, I'm just. I'm just telling you, like, when you have a Chub and then a young Woody shows up, the Chub goes down. It is what it is. Everyone knows that.
Connor Rogers
Just to keep it rolling, our next player, Rashad White. By the way, Woody Mark, 69% available. I don't want to leave that out.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, 69% available.
Connor Rogers
You don't love it. Unbelievable. Like, you really can't make it up at this point.
Matthew Berry
You know what? God bless you, Peacock, for continuing to air us.
Jay Cratcher
We'll see.
Connor Rogers
We'll see.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah.
Connor Rogers
I was going to say we'll see Rashad White, 59% available. And that's because Todd Bowles, this is per Rick Stroud, who does a great job covering the Bucs for a long time, is concerned about Bucky Irving here. So Rashad White might be needed based on just this is the exact when asked if Bucky Irving was among the injured players he was concerned about, Todd Bowles said, yeah, he's one of them. So Bucky Irving, a smaller running back with a heavier workload and they trust Rashad Wyatt if they need to give Bucky a breather.
Matthew Berry
He's had nine games in which he's had at least 12 touches. This is last year, you know, in basically the same offense and he averaged 16 fantasy points per game. Is, is he as explosive as Bucky Irving? No, he's not. But will he get a bigger role on one of the better offenses in the NFL? Yes, he will. Also want to mention Sean Tucker, who averaged over 7 yards per carry last year. Per touch, I should say. And so I think it would be a bit of a committee between White and Tucker, but both guys would have value if Irving were to miss time. And this is not a shock because that was one of the there were so few anti Bucky Irving arguments, but that was one of them. Coming out of college, did he have the size to be, you know, a guy that could be an every down workhorse back and people didn't think he could be more of a complimentary player and then he just sort of took over that Tampa Bay backfield down the stretch last year and so he's had an incredible workload so far this season. He's been everything you would hope when you drafted him, but banged up MRI today we will see, we'll hope for the best, but there's a chance that he's going to miss some time.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah, the thing too is that you have to learn the language of these coaches and how they speak and Todd Bowles saying yeah, concern, that's DEFCON 5 says anything about any is different. Like Pete Carroll and Carl Shanahan can't trust anything they say about injuries. Todd Bowles is usually pretty vague and doesn't really say much at all. The fact that he says, yeah, he's concerned, it's not we'll see.
Matthew Berry
But again, but, but by the way, again he was asked a question, he didn't come up and bring it up and he's asked a question like are you concerned about Bucky? Everything? Yeah, sure, you know, I mean but like it's not like, like it's you know, does that mean like, hey, I just want to make sure Bucky's okay, or does that mean like, oh, God, if Bucky's out, I'm screwed? Like, there's a wide range of outcomes.
Connor Rogers
Not easy to read. Todd Volt, the voice is always just tone.
Matthew Berry
His blood pressure is zero.
Jay Cratcher
Yes.
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
Jay Cratcher
By the way, Jalen hurts in a big moment.
Matthew Berry
And I just want to say this because I've heard the Internet rumors. I do not believe the conspiracy theories that Todd Bowles actually been dead for three years and this is a Weekend at Bernie's thing. I don't believe it. I know it's out there. I'm just saying it's not true. I don't believe those conspiracy theories. I think he is very much among the living. It is not a Weekend at Bernie's thing with Todd Bowles.
Connor Rogers
Very brave, Matthew. Our next running back, Kenneth Gainwell. Now, this one, you got to be a little careful here because they are on the buy. He's 77% available. And I think the other thing, Jay, that we don't know is what will Jaylen Warren's status be off of the buy. But Gainwell showed at a minimum, when his number is called, two things. One, he'll be fine, and two, that they have no interest in going to Caleb Johnson, who they use the third round pick on.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah. Game was a difficult one to get one's head around because they have the buy coming back from Europe. Suspect that Jaylen Warren kind of showed up on the injury report out of nowhere and then suddenly was scratched, which is brutal timing for Jaylen Warren, a.
Matthew Berry
Manager, given if you're on the west coast, it's. It's 5:30 in the morning.
Jay Cratcher
Screwed.
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
Connor Rogers
But I would say, well, missed it for sure. Some people slept through it.
Jay Cratcher
The expectation would be that he's probably with two weeks and the fact that it was so late that it shouldn't be a major thing. And so if you have Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, you still want Jaylen Warren as the primary guy in the Steelers backfield. But what this shows is that if. If Warren does miss additional time, then Kenneth Gainwell's locked in studies more, I think of a desperation flex guy if Warren is fit.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, I mean, listen, they come out of the buy and they play the Browns, right. So it like. But I think there's a couple of things here we talked about, like, go back a lot. Like, I had Kenneth Gainwell, like on my, you know, on like 10 list of 10 and like on preseason Others receiving votes on the love list as well. Because we talked about this in the preseason. Just like you are going to be annoyed at how much Kenneth Gainwell plays a season. For all of you drafting Caleb Johnson out there, this is Arthur Smith we're dealing with. And oh, by the way, we're also dealing with a veteran quarterback in Aaron Rodgers who has no problem saying, yeah, not that guy. Aaron Rodgers has traditionally shied away from rookie running backs. Like, he wants people that are good in pass protection that do what they say. You know, as Suave man says Arthur Smith and rookie running backs, he gets it. Suave man says, understands that as well. Trying to get onto the power rankings of the regular swap man. It's going to do more. You're going to need to do more than that. But it's a good start, a strong start. My point here though is, is that like Kenneth Gainwell got a bigger opportunity and proved like he's already played more. Like it hasn't turned into production. He had the touchdown two weeks ago, but hasn't turned into massive production. But he's been out there. And so like when they come back after the buy and assuming Jaylen Warren is healthy, will I have Jalen Warren ranked ahead of Kenneth Gainwell? Of course I will. But will I have Kenneth Gainwell ranked? Do I think that there's a chance that, that Kenneth Gainwell can have a Tyler Algier type season in Bijan Robinson's rookie year? I do. Like, I think. And so if you're in a deeper league, I do think Gainwell has some value. And especially by the way, for those of you that have Jalen Orne, he needs to be rostered if he isn't already.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah. I also think, I think Rodgers is pretty cooked.
Connor Rogers
The average depth of target right now is. It's historic.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah, he's gotten away. He should have been picked a lot more the first couple of weeks. I mean, he's getting it done. He slows the arm strength. He can still make throws, but he can't move anymore. There's no depth to the throws, as you mentioned. So this is a team that will need to run the ball right or.
Connor Rogers
Just check it down over and over again. And that goes back to the point of him having six. He caught all six of his targets because that's what they are, check downs.
Matthew Berry
I think it would be, I think at full health, I think you'd see like it's 65, 35.
Jay Cratcher
Yep.
Matthew Berry
But that Kenneth Gainwell is going to get 35% of a run heavy, run heavy. Short yard, short passing yardage offense here. And so I think that has value in, you know, in 12 team or deeper leagues.
Connor Rogers
One more signs of life from Kendra Miller, who's 95% available. We've been waiting for this and so have the Saints for a long time in a script that, you know, Alvin Kamara obviously dominated the snap rate. Matthew, but Kendra Miller got a lot of touches when he was on the field.
Matthew Berry
Yeah. And by the way, and not in junk time like they were competitive in this game for quite a while. By the way, Kendrick Miller's snap rate has increased every single week this season. He's got 20 touches over the past two weeks. And by the way, week four, he got two different goal to go rushing attempts. He got 50% of the Saints red zone rushes. It's a nice matchup this week against the Giants, of course with a lot of the third most rushing on some running backs this year. So potentially he's a, he's a viable flex in a week where there's four, four teams on a buy. But the other thing about Kendra Miller, in addition to just being sort of insurance in case anything were to happen to Camara, like I think there is a very real scenario that Alvin Camara is not on this team in November and December that they trade him. Given that, given where the Saints are as an offense, as a team, as a, as an organization and the fact that Alvin Camara would have value to, I don't know, the Chiefs, you know, for example, that's the obvious one that comes to mind. But there are other teams as well that could be in the market, mark it for a running back. So I think there's a couple of different paths to Kendra Miller having a real significant role on this offense. And he has looked, he has looked the part.
Connor Rogers
The touchdown run especially was wildly impressive. Danny Halbing. How much fab we dropping on Kendra? 15%. I think you have to pay a little more right now.
Matthew Berry
It depends how deep a league, who else is on the waiver wire. Do you have Kamara or not? He is more valuable to somebody that has Kamara on their roster than he is to somebody else out there. 15% sounds right, but again it's hard to say in a vacuum without knowing like if you're in a 10 team league where there's a lot of guys out there, then no, no, it's, you should drop like 5%. But if it's a, if it's like the league of assholes where there's like nothing, then you Know Kendra Miller.
Jay Cratcher
He's a chubby leather daddy.
Matthew Berry
Yes, of course he is. Of course he is.
Jay Cratcher
Might actually get some run with a couple guys on by this.
Connor Rogers
There's nothing on our waiver wire.
Matthew Berry
Nothing at all.
Connor Rogers
It is a disgrace.
Matthew Berry
It's brutal. It's absolutely brutal. So anyway, some of the guys that might be available in our league that I'm going to be sifting through later tonight, include these guys. These are all deep league guys that are available in way over 50% of leagues. Let's start with Kareem Hunt, who's available in almost 60% of leagues. How about Rashard Smith? He had an 11% target share in Week 4 season highs and snaps and touches. And by the way, just Kareem Hunt and Isaiah Pacheco. Just. They both look done. They both look dusty.
Connor Rogers
The Chiefs need someone else at running back. Breece Hall, Alvin Camaro, Burchard Smith. I don't care who it is.
Matthew Berry
Something. And so Smith has given them a bit of a spark. He's out there in a ton of leagues. I do think there's a chance that he gets a bigger workload as the season continues to go on. We've talked about Blake Corum quite a bit as well, who got 40% of their backfield touches last week is so important if you have have Kyron Williams, Tasha Spears, by the way, designated for return from ir. I know. I mean, talk about offenses that need a spark. Like the Titans are just brutal and so, you know, maybe he gets some run. And the last one here, Connor. How about Isaiah Davis of your New York Fighting Jets?
Connor Rogers
So here's the thing with Isiah Davis, Braylon Allen, the injury looked pretty serious after the fumble. And then the fact is right now, this is a team that if things go as bad as they've gone, Breece hall is a free agent after this year. They're rotating Breece Hall. Is there a world where the jets trade Breeze hall at the trade deadline? If things continue on like this, you at least pick up the phone, which is a shame because Breece hall has been really good when they use him. But I, I there's a non zero chance Breece Hall's traded. Where if you're stashing Isaiah Davis, if you can, on your roster, you might have a starting running back that catches the ball on a team that all they want to do is run the ball for the last two months of the fantasy season. That's hard to find.
Matthew Berry
And isn't there a scenario, by the way, where just. But like, I mean, Braylon Allen was getting some run like, I mean it doesn't seem like they want Breece hall to be the, you know, the main guy. He gets a decent amount of touches. But again, this is such a run heavy offense that Isaiah Davis could have some standalone value even assuming Braylon Allen is out. Even if hall is still on the roster, right?
Connor Rogers
Without a doubt. And the fact is they keep taking Breece off the field at the goal line. And Isaiah Davis, he's a, he's a pretty big back. Everybody looks small next to Braylon Alamo. This is a 225 pound running back that I think would get goal line touches.
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
Connor Rogers
So deeper Stash, let's go to wide receiver here because once again like this is a, this is a bad bye week for so early in the season.
Matthew Berry
Roman Dunze, you saw Ollie Gordon there as well. Ollie Gordon still out there. We like Ollie Gordon, Roma Dunes Day.
Connor Rogers
Who'S been phenomenal this year in year two. Real breakout star along with obviously his teammate DJ Moore and Cole Comet. But then DK Metcalf who's getting a ton of looks from Aaron Rodgers. Really short area targets making the most out of them. Drake London, Romeo Dobbs who's wide receiver 20 right now. Calvin Austin on, on deeper teams. Tucker Kraft, Kyle Pitts and Johnu Smith.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, Kyle Pitts is a top 10 tight end this year. Just when we were out, we get sucked back in.
Connor Rogers
It's ridiculous.
Matthew Berry
Well, playing the Commanders will do that for you by the way. Just like oh hey, there you go.
Jay Cratcher
It's also good like Penix, despite the terrible interception, at least some signs of life for the.
Connor Rogers
Oh, it's his best game of his career. Yeah, he was, besides that throw. He was throwing lasers.
Jay Cratcher
Yep. So bodes well.
Matthew Berry
So not as bad. I mean there's, there's bigger name running backs on by than there are wide receivers but still there is some. And then obviously of course we have to talk about the fact that like so brutal injury to Malik Neighbors, brutal injury to Tyreek Hill. We'll get to that when we talk about the Monday Night Football thing. But like even with all the players on by, there's, there's a chance that you're going to need a replacement for two of the top wide receivers in the NFL. Can't you know, we already know Malik Neighbors is out for the year. Did not look great with Tyreek Hill. I suspect there's a chance he's done for the year but you know, certainly he's going to miss a significant amount of time if you've been, if you've been riding with Ricky Piersol, he's going to be questionable for Thursday night. Remember, that's a short game. Juwan Jennings left the game early as well. So a lot of injuries to the wide receivers that are typical starters in fantasy as well.
Connor Rogers
Romeo Dobbs, 60% available. They are on a buy, as we just said. But once again, if you're looking, if he's available in your league and you have the ability to at a roster spot here, Romeo Dobbs should obviously be rostered, especially since out of the pie they have the platter that is the Cincinnati Bengals defense right now.
Matthew Berry
We talked about him yesterday, Jay and I did. On a romantic date that you weren't there for. Yeah, you didn't have to third wheel it. But as I was looking lovingly into Jay's eyes, I discussed the fact that even though Dobbs had the three touchdowns, right, he still didn't, you know, he still only had a 22% target share, still didn't manage to get over 30 fantasy points in a game in which, you know, he got three touchdowns. But he does seem to be the most consistent guy when they get in close for Jordan Love. Again, they're on a buy this week as well, but he's had at least one end zone target in three of the four games so far this year. So Dobbs I think is, I think again, there's going to be some variance there, but there is value to be had in Romeo Dobbs.
Connor Rogers
How about Elokayo Manor, who we bring up every single week and he's still 69% available. This is a number one wide receiver on his team. I mean, yes, you're going to have some weeks like we just had where Tennessee just can't get anything going because they are a struggling team with a young quarterback. But Jay, at the end of the day, the targets don't ever change. Target shares high and he gets red zone looks.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah, it's been a tough schedule as well, having to play the Broncos in week one and their defense, Texans, Week four, two, it's going to get easier. Coming up at the Cardinals, that decimated secondary that you mentioned, Vegas New England Colts. So it'll get better. And the main thing with Elico Manor, it's not so much even about him is the fact that Calvin Ridley is not getting better at all. So he is the clear number one guy. This offense, they can't get any worse. Like Ken Ward is young, they're going to get better as the season goes on. And Ella Kyo Manor will be the biggest beneficiary in the past game 60%.
Matthew Berry
Of the Titans end zone targets to the extent that they have any. But you know, like, you know, but. But seriously like they don't get in close that often but when they do, they are looking for IO Manor.
Jay Cratcher
I was going to say. Well, they had five and he's at three of them.
Matthew Berry
Feels like entirely possible. Right. But Ridley is. Ridley's banged up. Ridley played only 54% of the snaps like Titans are.04.IO Manor is the future. He's going to continue to get work. So I have been a lot of leagues is electric IO Manor the Hunter Henry the season. Pick him up folks. That's David B. On YouTube. It feels like that we've just, we keep talking about him. You know, I feel we've talked about Woody Marks of a number of weeks. We've talked about I.O. manor. You know. Hunter Henry finally is over 50% roster. Thank God he's.
Connor Rogers
He's finally off waivers.
Jay Cratcher
He's on a late tie.
Matthew Berry
I'm worried once a year and a half to get him there.
Connor Rogers
I'm worried one bad week though and he's back. He's like 52%. But yeah, Hunter Henry at least Kenyon.
Jay Cratcher
Drake's not in the NFL anymore.
Connor Rogers
Oh my goodness. That was season one or two of this show. I think it's very great. All right, our next one. Matthew, you've been hinting at this player for a long time over summer in case that Tyreek Hill was moved at some point this season. Unfortunately, Tyreek Hill is instead now injured for the season. Malik Washington, 96% available. A guy that they like those, you know, reverses and these manufactured touches touches to. Now he gets a bigger role in.
Matthew Berry
The offense crazy fast. I mean you can talk more about him from. From a college perspective and what he, what he was like when he came into the league, but just on a one to one basis. He's the closest thing they have to Tyreek Hill being able to replace Tyreek Hill in that offense in terms of the speed. Like you see it like they give him rushing attempts, right? They've had. He's had three straight games now with multiple rushing attempts where they give him reverses or they try to get the ball in his hands to take advantage of that explosive speed. Right. He was targeted on over 20% of his routes each of the last two weeks. His 8.1 yards after catch per reception is third best among wide receivers. Like if they can get the ball in his hands in Space in space. He is off to the races. Obviously that's what McDaniel's offense likes to do. And so he's competed with Nick Westbrook at Kenneth Fantasy football legend Nick Westbrook Akina. But I do believe Malik Washington, who has continued to carve out sort of a third wide receiver role for himself. I think he's the biggest beneficiary. We never want to root for anyone's injuries and we we wish Tyreek well friend of the podcast Tyreek Hill. But still it feels like Malik Washington, his role is only going to increase and we like the talent.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah. And also the Dolphins offense the past two weeks has looked much more what we hoped it would look like. Mike McDaniel, it feels like he's been a bit more in his bag. And they go and tours looked a little bit better. Wasn't amazing. But they at least are able to score, I mean the top 20 points the past couple of weeks. It's looking up there. Target out is obviously a huge blow, but they should still be able to manufacture touches. And there's still talent on this offense too.
Matthew Berry
And they're at Carolina this week.
Jay Cratcher
Yes.
Matthew Berry
Which, which does. In fact another wide receiver aided by.
Connor Rogers
A season ending injury is Darius Slayton. He's 98% available. Jay Malik neighbors unfortunately done for the year. Somebody has to be out there catching passes for Jackson dart.
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
Jay Cratcher
That's just the reality is that Jackson Dart his passing prop each week is going to be, I don't know, like 210 and a half. Those two 10 yards have to go somewhere. Yeah. Yeah. It might actually be lower with the amount that he runs the ball too. But the yards have to go somewhere. And it's really just Darius Slayton and Wandale Robinson. Those are the two guys. And Wandell Robinson, after that hot game against the Cowboys, he's probably owned in or rostered in a lot of leagues. So Darius Slayton might be your best option there. And Darius Slayton, you know, he's had stretches before. He's shown signs of life for sure.
Matthew Berry
Wando Robinson is available about 51% of leagues. Darius Slayton 98% available. I would prefer Wando Robinson over. If both guys are available in your league, I would rank Robinson over Slayton just because a longer track record of success and just, you know, more the, you know, he's less dependent on any one type of play. We've seen him now go deep. He obviously gets the underneath stuff. But I do think Slayton has a chance here. 20% target share, 73% route participation last week and obviously that's going to increase with Neighbors now fully out and for them to game plan for a season without Malik Neighbors. But both guys I think are interesting, especially they're on the road at New Orleans this week and we like this offense. At least we like it more than we did before. With Jackson Dart under center, I think the offense is going to be. I don't know if that's going to be amazing, but I think it's going to be competent. I think it's going to be competent and I think it's going to be better than it was under Russell Wilson. So Slate and Wando Robinson, there's value we had there and at the tight end position, which we'll get to in.
Connor Rogers
A minute over in Dallas, who showed that the offense actually was fine without Ceedee lam, who needs CD Lamb, right? Jalen Tolbert, 96% available. Kamante Turpin 85% available. Barry and I think the big thing is here, the next three matchups for them, the jets, the Panthers, the commanders you should be able to throw on all three of those teams.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, there's no question. 55% utilization score or number 55 utilization score for. For Jalen Tolbert. Turpin just 38. And so I would rank them that way. I would rank. It would be Tolbert and then Turpin. Turpin, of course, such a value on special teams to the Cowboys. So he doesn't play a full complement of snaps. But you know, Tolbert 83% route participation, 16% target share, had the one big catch. They also took a deep shot to him that almost connected as well. So Tolbert I think is sort of interesting here. As long as they're without CD Lamb Turpin for deeper leagues. And to your point, the schedule gets a lot easier here. Three next three weeks are pretty good.
Jay Cratcher
The key is it's stunning that this is the case, but I think you could make the argument that Dak Prescott has played as well as any quarterback in the NFL.
Connor Rogers
I would agree with you all the.
Jay Cratcher
Way he might be. I mean they've won one game.
Matthew Berry
Great. But.
Jay Cratcher
And so you know, he's not going to be the team is too bad or like too mediocre for him to be in the MVP mix, I think. But that's more a reflection of what's around him as opposed to his level. But he played incredible against the Eagles, obviously the Giants game to. To win that. And then against the packers, he played basically a flawless game. He might just be so Good. And at such a level where the receiving talent. He's just going to make it work. The pass, the Talbot down the right sideline was one of the best plays I've seen in my entire life.
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
Jay Cratcher
Insane. The fade away throw. So Dak Prescott, I think you just want to buy shares of that offense.
Matthew Berry
I will just say this just so you know. So. And I'm probably revealing a little bit too much, but Jay and I were canoodling and when he saw that, when he saw that Tolbert, he like, he leaped out of my arms. It was just like, holy crap. He's like, hit me. I'm like, catch him. I'm kind of like half asleep, you know, like kind of watch, you know. And like Jay like totally woke me up and just like told us. It was, it was a. It was, it was exciting for a minute there. Sorry, man.
Connor Rogers
I only got Monday off, not Tuesday as well. Where's Stephen anyways?
Jay Cratcher
Steven's dead.
Connor Rogers
Yes.
Matthew Berry
Yes.
Connor Rogers
It's backup producer Pete tomorrow, by the way, to really boost morale. Top wide receiver waiver targets here, guys, just to recap. Romeo Dobbs, El Kyle Manor, Malik Washington, Darius Slayton. Both of those guys because the injuries to the wide receiver ones of those teams. Wanda Robinson, Jalen Tolbert, Camonte Turpin. But now let's flip to the deeper league wide receiver waiver targets. If none of those guys are available in your league, you're probably looking over here somewhere with the Broncos with Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims. Matthew. And then a list of a lot more high variants.
Matthew Berry
We'll talk about Franklin and Mims when we get to the Monday Night Football reaction in the next segment. But Franklin has led the team in target share two of the past three games. How about Isaiah Bond? Season highs in route participation and target share last week club said unfortunately closed for the next few weeks his injury. So Bond is huh.
Jay Cratcher
Renovation.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, renovation something. I don't know. It's tough. We love you Club said hopefully you get open soon. But at the moment Isaiah Bond feels like he's the. The guy that will replace him in that offense. Bond was an interesting guy coming out of College. Your guy A.D. mitchell. If Alec not my guy anymore. Yeah.
Connor Rogers
After he tarnished your reputation.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah. The fumble was one thing. The hold the hold to call back the Jonathan Taylor gab when he's six touchdown. That would I really not enjoy that.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, I'm sure.
Jay Cratcher
Screen some insanities at a bar in Dallas watching that touchdown run, that beautiful touchdown run get called back. But alas, he might get benched based on all the comments because the fact that this happened last year with the Colts too. And I don't know, I don't know what Saigon will do. Like they don't have the. I don't think they have. If Alec Pierce is back, he's just probably not going to play anyway. But even so, I mean, obviously it wasn't a great look for Eddie Mitchell.
Matthew Berry
It was definitely not a good look. But yeah, if Alec Pierce of course missed last week with the concussion, he's in the protocol. We'll see how that goes. But also say Alec Pierce is out there in a decent amount of leagues. If Alec Pierce is, you know, if somebody that you could potentially smash.
Jay Cratcher
My whole take about the Colts being a deep very much a Colts man now and a fan of the AFC South, I think Alec Pierce is the most talented receiver on that team. Michael Bateman to get more receptors. Alec Pierce, with the strides that he showed in the first three weeks, he's not just the deep ball guy now is much more sophisticated around.
Matthew Berry
True. Finally, Luke McCaffrey. Both McCaffrey brothers scored last Sunday as well, but he was targeting 26% of the routes over the last two weeks. So he's still a part time role. But like they're looking for answers there in Washington with Terry McLaurin out. And listen, we just talked about Ricky Piersol and Juwan Jennings. Both can be questionable Thursday night. So if they can't go and it's the, it's the early game this week, it's the Thursday night game and you're truly desperate. Kendrick Bourne, DeMarcus Robinson, both out there for the 49ers. They're going to have to throw to somebody and they're playing the Rams.
Connor Rogers
Let's go over to the tight ends guys and we start with Brenton Strange, who's kind of taken the Hunter Henry role. I feel like this year he's 72% available. We talk about him a lot. And Matthew, week in and week out, this guy is getting targets that probably match a lot of people that are starting at tight end in fantasy.
Matthew Berry
Yeah. For everything that's broken about the Jacksonville passing offense, Trevor Lawrence likes to look for Strange Breton. Strange had a season high 2023% target share last week. Back to back games with six catches. He's led the team in receiving yards two of four games this year. So Brenton Strange, we kind of like, I feel like that's another guy. He might be this year's Hunter Henry because I feel like we've talked About Breton Strange. And I've made that looking for Strange joke like, you know, for a month straight now, but like, yes, you. Yeah, well, that's. Listen, you know, it's on brand for me. You know, I run jokes in the repeat.
Jay Cratcher
Yes.
Connor Rogers
Feed a fed horse.
Matthew Berry
Yes. Of course.
Jay Cratcher
This was supposed to be the year that Trevor Lawrence takes a leap in a new offense. BTJ is a legit wide receiver. 1. Travis Hahn's a potential wide receiver too. Like Breton Strange might be their best fantasy option relative to position, for sure. It's really insane. I don't know what has gone on with this passing. Also, they're 3 and 1 and apparently their defense is elite. It's the most strange team in the league.
Matthew Berry
All right. Exactly. I mean, Lawrence has been bad. I mean, he just has been bad. And I just. And if you're Jacksonville, I don't know what you do with him. Like, you know, he's got the big contract.
Connor Rogers
Hire another coach to figure it out.
Matthew Berry
That's what they'll do.
Connor Rogers
Aloha bricks. Brenton Strange is looking like BTJ out there. Again, not what we were hoping for.
Matthew Berry
No, it's not. But again, like, it's the one. It's the one thing that is working in this passing offense. He's led the team in receiving yards in two or four games this year. That's like a crazy stat that Brenton Strange on a team that has. Travis Hunter And Brian Thomas Jr. Could lead them in two out of four games. 50% of the games. He's their leading receiver.
Connor Rogers
Our next tight end is Harold Fannin, who we often say is really just a big wide receiver. He's 63% available with this one. Jay, listen. Yes, the targets should go up because Cedric Tillman's injury. He had six last week, but it kind of feels like he's just killed Njoku's value. It doesn't feel like either of them have true standalone value at the moment. They just kind of eat into each other.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah. Which is a shame because there was that early season game where they both did produce simultaneously, though I think that was against the Bengals.
Connor Rogers
That's right.
Jay Cratcher
A lot of people can simultaneously produce against the Cincinnati Bengals. How do you think? Because it feels like we are ending. Much to my chagrin, we're ending the end of the Joe Flacco era based on what he has shown. Do you. How do you think that he. Fannon's skill set would mess with mesh with Dylan Gabriel?
Connor Rogers
Well, they've probably gotten enough work over summer together when Gabriel was Healthy because that's usually how the rookie practice reps go. So that's a positive. And then you look at him, he's basically a big slot. And you would think a young quarterback is going to lean on the big slot where it hasn't happened lately. But Joe Flacco was typically, typically a guy that will throw the seam to Joku off in line. So I would if I'm picking one for the long term of the season, it's Fannin for me. But with Gabriel eventually taking over. But I just don't feel good about either right now, honestly, which is fair.
Matthew Berry
But just given the state of the tight in position. Fannin had a 71% route participation last week. Again, it hasn't translated into big fantasy production, but he's out there quite a bit. He's running a lot of routes. And so if we think, and it's been kind of a tough stretch for the Browns in terms of the defenses they faced as well. But this week it's the London game. They're playing Minnesota in London, then they're at Pittsburgh, home to Miami, at New England. So the schedule gets easier for Cleveland here over the next four games. None of those are defenses that truly scare you. Right? So Fannin I think is interesting at 63% available. But how about let's move on to the next tight end, which is Darren Waller. Again, you know, last night Darren Waller came back from a long absence. From a long absence.
Connor Rogers
A rap career in between.
Matthew Berry
Yes, yes, former. You know, it's not often you see a rapper turn into an NFL star, but that's what's happened here with Darren Waller. 16% target share, gets only four targets, catches only three balls for 27 yards, but two of those three receptions were in the end zone. He catches two touchdowns here and he was targeted on 40% of his routes. Again, like so he wasn't out there that often, but he, when he was out there, he was targeted quite a bit. And what a return. Darren Waller drinks for free today. You know, if you know Darren Waller's story at all, and I've written about it, I've had him on the podcast. I've interviewed him multiple times. I've been on his podcast. One of my favorite players in the NFL. If you know his story, he is an easy, easy guy to root for. And for him to come out of retirement and have that kind of game on Monday Night Football in his first game back I think is just an awesome story. I don't know how he's, if he's Going to be able to stay healthy for the entire year. And it's, it's a part time role at the moment. But certainly I think first game back they clearly were looking for him. There's targets available with the injury to Tyreek Hill and so I, you know, that wasn't like just especially the first touchdown, you know, with the toe tap in the back of the end zone.
Connor Rogers
Yeah, was, was a really nice play.
Jay Cratcher
Vintage healthy. I would make him the favorite to lead the the team and receiving touchdowns. I think he would be the guy like the.
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
Connor Rogers
Waddle doesn't catch enough touchdowns.
Jay Cratcher
Like it's what Waller will be their target now.
Matthew Berry
Yeah. So anyway, Dylan Waller I think is pretty interesting. He's 94% available at Carolina this week as you mentioned, then home to the Chargers at Cleveland at Atlanta. So a mixed bag there as well. But we expect his workload to continue to ramp up, especially given the injury to Tyree Kill the last one with.
Connor Rogers
A lot of availability. Mason Taylor, 94% available for Mason Tay after his best career game against Miami where you know, it was kind of a homecoming for his family. Had a lot of family members there. And Mason Taylor went off. He had seven targets, five catches, 65 yards. This is the jets number two wide receiver. They're not good at throwing the ball.
Matthew Berry
Right.
Connor Rogers
But this is now officially the jets number two wide receiver.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, again we can. We'll get into this a little bit more in the next segment. But it just, it, it felt like again that passing offense, a little bit out of rhythm. Didn't feel like it got going till the fourth quarter. But still it's also, it's also Justin Field's first game back.
Connor Rogers
What it felt like watching Army a little bit.
Matthew Berry
Right?
Connor Rogers
That's what it felt like.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, a little bit. Yeah. It was definitely a military school type offense. But when they did throw, if it wasn't Garrett Wilson, it was Mason Taylor. I know that, Connor, because you and I talked about him at the draft. I know coming out of lsu really liked him. I think he was your number three tight end.
Connor Rogers
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it would have been Arroyo at 2 and then of course, oh, Tyler Warren and yeah, so probably four. But definitely warranted of a top 50 pick. A guy that can play on the line of scrimmage. He's got really good hands. He's a good player. Like you could see it last night, even in all the dysfunction of the jets, how consistent he was every time they threw him the ball in the target. And Aaron Glenn spoke a lot this week. Like we need to get him more involved and coaches usually they don't live up to what they say and that that's one that's going to live up to it for the Jets.
Matthew Berry
Let's go to some deep league guys as Vale. If those four guys are not available, how about Dalton Schultz, who's now had five or more targets in three or four games this season? 18% target share. Isaiah likely in his first game back last week ran only three fewer routes than Mark Andrews. He's younger. Mark Andrews is not. We mentioned Theo Johnson again with Malik Nabors and that massive target share no longer available for Jackson Dart. Theo Johnson, who's gotten a red zone target in every single game this year, had a 25% target share last week. Got into the end zone. They designed like a quick little shovel pass for him. That worked out. I do think Theo Johnson will be a bigger part of the offense moving forward, especially with Jackson Dart under center. And somebody we mentioned last week as well, Arande Gadson, you know, my guy from syracuse, Ronnie Gadson II, 46% snap rate last week up for 25%. Will Disley is banged up. We like this Chargers passing offense. They're clearly not passing to McConkey, so you know what I mean. It's going to go somewhere. And anyway, Gadson at the end of a long list in terms of deep league mentions, but it's worth mentioning him as well.
Connor Rogers
Let's go to the quarterbacks and quite a few big ones on the bye. Caleb Williams and Jordan Love, very notable. Aaron Rodgers and Michael Pennock in deeper leagues or super flex leagues. Which means you might be looking for a streamer this week and that pivots us to Jackson Dart, who won his first NFL regular season start. Really on his legs, 54 rushing yards. That rushing touchdown on his first drive of the game. Brian Davil spoke on Jackson Dart's debut. He made some really, really good plays on some scramble plays and loose plays and kept the offense in really good favorable situations for most of the night. You know, as good as we've had all year relative to just playing on time, you know, first down, second and short.
Matthew Berry
But again, there was a lot of.
Jay Cratcher
Things we need to clean up with.
Connor Rogers
Him and that's what we're doing right now. I'm sure he'll be the first to say that, but you know, I was very pleased with the command that he had, the decisions that he made.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, it was a good debut. It was, it was a good debut. It was an encouraging debut. That was, that was the word I used on our date yesterday with with Jay. An encouraging debut, right? He finishes as a top 10 fantasy quarterback last week. He's still available in about 77% of leagues. He is a QB1 the rest of the way. Like if I'm in a QB needy league, if I need a quarterback, like if I went into the season thinking like I was going to, you know, Trevor Lawrence or whatever or Joe Burrow and I've been sort of trying to piece it together. Like I, I think Jackson Dart is a top 12 fantasy quarterback the rest way. I prefer him to Daniel Jones who's like the other big sort of free agent quarterback that's emerged so far this year.
Connor Rogers
You agree with that?
Jay Cratcher
Well, the thing with Daniel Jones is that I think so the thing with Dot is that I think there's going to be a bigger gap between his real life NFL value and his fantasy value than any other player in the sport. I think Daniel Jones be a much better quarterback. The issue with Daniel Jones. Yeah, yeah, that's right. So the issue with Daniel Jones is that he's not running the ball as much. I think they want to keep him healthy and upright. And also the weird thing with the Colts as well, a big like possible appeal of Daniel Jones was that he was going to get these tush push snakes at the goal line. There's three guys who get carries at the one for the Colts and they play three different positions. There's a quarterback, a tight end and a running back. We're all getting those. So yeah, I think it's close. I think the issue is, is that his schedule is going to get brutal after they play My Saints. My Saints, by the way, favored in an NFL game in the year 2025, just narrowly. But after that it's Philadelphia at Denver at Philadelphia. But he's going to be in throw scripts or at least he's going to be in drop back scripts where he can run the ball.
Matthew Berry
That's, that's the thing. I agree with you. I think if, if I was starting an NFL franchise for this year, you'd rather Daniel Jones than Jackson Dart. I think long term actually Dart has some real upside as an NFL franchise quarterback. But fantasy wise is what I talk about. He is going to run and honestly I'm not worried about just like we saw Justin Fields last night. I'm not worried about him playing the Eagles, the Broncos. Will he be running for his life? Yeah, probably. Will that turn into fantasy points? 100%. Jackson Dart is a top 12 fantasy quarterback the rest of the season. It's not always going to be pretty. A lot of it's going to be in junk time. But fantasy points count all the same. And so Dart certainly has a nice matchup with New Orleans this week. Saints have allowed the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Connor Rogers
One more just because he meets our threshold. Matthew Stafford is 57% available. They have the short week against the Niners on Thursday Night Football, so. So worth checking. Unlikely, but worth checking.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, three straight games with multiple touchdown passes. Puka and Adams both, you know, both healthy, both looking awesome. Again, he doesn't run, so there's a ceiling there. You know, I mean, he needs the kind of game he had this week where he's throwing, you know, over 300 yards, three touchdowns, that kind of thing. But that's within the range of outcomes from any given week because it is such a narrow offense that likes to throw the ball. He's got two elite wide receivers. He's as good a quarterback as there is in the NFL from a skill standpoint. Matthew Stafford can make all the throws. He's veteran quarterback. So yeah, I mean, like you could do worse than Matthew Stafford.
Connor Rogers
All right, the top quarterback targets, just to quickly recap here, Jackson, Darton, Matthew Stafford. But the deeper league targets include Tuatanga Vailoa. They have The Panthers Week 5 and as Jay pointed out, there's some signs of life from Mike McDaniel's offense at least in recent weeks. And that might be matchup dependent, but that's not changing this week against the Panthers. And then how about Sam Darnold there? Matthew, who's been really good when they actually let Sam throw the ball second.
Matthew Berry
In yards for pass it up this season. He's had three straight games with at least 15 fantasy points. Is there a ceiling there? Not really, but there's a. It seems there's like there's a decent floor. Darnold has played well and then finally I'll just mention Marcus Mariota. It's worth holding on to him until we know for sure that Jaden Daniels is back. We just don't know. Like we thought he'd be back last week he wasn't the expectation, yeah, the expectation is that he will return this week for Washington on the road to the Chargers, but we just don't know yet. So I would hold on to Mariota at least until, you know, we have, you know, for sure that Daniels is definitely back this week. By the way, Carolina, bottom two in the NFL in terms of pressure rate two is going to have a clean, clean pocket.
Jay Cratcher
He needs it.
Connor Rogers
Yeah, if you need a defense, the Cardinal have the Titans. Brian Callahan's team just not going very well. The Browns are playing the Vikings and we'll see.
Matthew Berry
You know, obviously Carson Wentz is going.
Jay Cratcher
To show 14 times.
Connor Rogers
Yes he will. The Giants are playing the Saints and the Giants defense looked good last week against the Chargers. You got to tip your cap to them. Much improvement from Shane Bowen's defense. The Colts have the Raiders Geno Smith throwing a lot of interceptions this year or would should be interceptions as well. Yep, we're gonna take our first break. Still to come, how low is too low for ranking Jamar Chase and T. Higgins after another ugly outing. We recap Monday Night Football right after this.
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Matthew Berry
A limited time at McDonald's. Get a Big Mac Extra Value meal for $8. That means two all beef patties, special lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun and medium fries and a drink. We may need to change that jingle. Prices and participation may vary.
Connor Rogers
I know it was a dislocation. He was probably in the best spirits of any player that I've ever. You know, it's such a terrible experience when you go out and see guys when they have issues like that. But he was, he immediately had wide eyes and was talking. I'm good. Just make sure the guys get this win. That man coached a win over the Jets. I just, I don't even know how to explain it. Mike McDaniel just feels like the lights are on in no one's home during the cops conversation. I mean anyway. Tyreek Hill torn multiple Liz from Ian Rapoport Tyreek Hill has torn multiple ligaments in his dislocated knee. That's including the acl. Obviously ends the season and listen to this guys giving him a long road ahead for 2026. A source said he's going to have surgery today to repair this significant injury. So about as bad as it gets for Tyreek Hill. This is beyond a normal season ending ligament.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, that's a tough one. I mean like again friend of the podcast, we wish him a speedy recovery. This is brutal. But look, we are a fantasy football show and we have to address there is there are fantasy football implications to the injury. So we wish Tyreek a speedy and healthy recovery. That will be a story in the offseason. Will he be ready for next year and what happens with his career. But as we talked about in the previous segment, I think the fantasy beneficiaries of the vacated target share here are Malik Washington and Darren Waller. Like maybe you see some more Nick Westbrook Akine but again the offense has started to look better. Tuas look better. And you like the matchup this week against Carolina.
Jay Cratcher
Yep. Jalen Waddle as well just inevitably has to see his stock go up a little bit. They're going to throw. Can they throw even more to Devon Hn out of the backfield too? As we look at the notable fantasy performances out of that game. Justin Fields to shake on. You're right. They're probably the biggest gap between fancy and real life value is you look.
Connor Rogers
Up and you're like oh, Justin fields got me 30 points again in a game where the jets didn't look pretty.
Matthew Berry
No, no.
Jay Cratcher
Garrett Wilson as well after a very rough first half just ridiculously gets that touchdown wiped off for the alleged opi.
Connor Rogers
But it should have been a bigger night. Right? You should have had the two touchdowns.
Matthew Berry
Ridiculous.
Connor Rogers
They never call that.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah, it was insane. Even in real time it's just like what am I looking for here? But but Garrett Wilson, I think that look, it's encouraging that he is able to have those type of games. If you do kind of retrospectively give him the second touchdown that he should have had, then it looks like a much better night. I think that you just have to hold on to him for now. Unless.
Matthew Berry
Conor, would you try to trade high like because looking at the like that offense was so bad and like I'll tell you why the box score looks better than the NFL game.
Connor Rogers
I'll tell you why I wouldn't. And this isn't homer or bias or anything. I think the jets defense is so bad that they are going to live in these scripts where Garrett Wilson might have a career year across every catches yard, maybe not catches because of the lack of volume throwing but yards and touchdowns. The defense is this bad.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah. Worse than the league where.
Connor Rogers
And even if, if they don't try, if they just lose all faith in fields. Tyrod showed you last week he can get the ball to Garrett Wilson.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, that's true.
Connor Rogers
So I think it's at the point where I don't want to sell. I'm not saying that like he's this huge buy right now, but I think this is sustainable because of how awful the scripts are that they play in.
Matthew Berry
We talked in the previous segment about Isaiah Davis with the Braylon Allen injury. We've talked about Mason Taylor as well, his emergence sort of the number two pass catcher for this offense. And I think Miami we've talked about ad nauseam. So I think the biggest story out of Monday night just overall from the two games is just like the Bengals look brutal, dude.
Jay Cratcher
Yeah, they can't do much right.
Matthew Berry
Again, like it's on the road to Denver, which is tough. They've had a tough stretch of defenses here. That was one of the things we said when Burrow went down. It's like, oh boy, this upcoming stretch of defenses, it's pretty bad. But. But yeah, man, like they're home to Detroit next week and it's not like, I mean Detroit, it's not like double.
Jay Cratcher
Digit dogs in that game. And I don't think the guy game script might not even matter. They just might be too bad. Like you just can't. You still have to get first downs when you're playing from 20 behind and they may not be able to do it. So all of these guys, I mean.
Matthew Berry
Chase Brown averaged 4 yards per carry, but he only got 10 carries because they couldn't control, couldn't sustain any runs. I think again, sort of. I don't know, man. Demar.
Connor Rogers
Chase, this was a comment at first and I was like, there's no way Jamar Chase is watching.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, it'd be amazing. But proud fantasy life investor Jamar Chase tweeting, man, y' all better leave me alone, man. I get it. Leave Jamar alone. It's not his fault. It's not Jamar's fault at all. Jamar's always open. You just got to get him the ball. Guy had a 36% target share in week four. But just like, they're not getting him the ball. Wide receiver, 39. Wide receiver, 53. That's. Those are his finishes over the last two weeks, right? Finished like he wasn't a top 50 wide receiver this week. And I get the Pats are tan stuff, but still, I believe in his talent. I'm not sure I believe in Jake Browning's or this offense. He's probably more of a, you know, he's a, from a guy that was drafted number one overall and the number one wide receiver, I think he's now like a top 15ish wide receiver at the moment. And that's, that's just banking on talent and volume and banking on them getting a new cold.
Connor Rogers
That's the case. They have to make a move. They have to make a move.
Matthew Berry
Higgins. I'm ranking probably in the 30 to 35 range. And Chase Brown is like in the 20 to 25 range. He's more of a high end flex. But just Jake Browning and that offensive line have just killed this entire offense. It just, it looks bad and hopefully better at home against the Lions this week, but that's better than being on the road to Denver. But it's not. It's not.
Connor Rogers
Lions are on a war path.
Matthew Berry
I know, man. Like, and then they're at Green Bay and then home to Pittsburgh. Like, you know. Oifa.
Connor Rogers
Sunday night, it's an AFC east showdown when Josh Allen and the Bills defend their home against Drake May and the Patriots in primetime. Coverage of the battle begins at 7:00pm Eastern on NBC. And Peacock, we got one more break, but last call is next. Find out which sides in totals. We're betting for early line alert right after this.
Matthew Berry
Morning. Zoe got donuts.
Jay Cratcher
Jeff Bridges, why are you still living above our garage?
Matthew Berry
Well, I dig the mattress and I want to be in a T Mobile commercial like you teach me. So, Dana.
Connor Rogers
Oh, no, I'm not really prepared. I couldn't possibly AT T Mobile get.
Matthew Berry
The new iPhone 17 Pro on them. It's designed to be the most powerful iPhone yet and has the ultimate pro camera system. Wow, Impressive. Let me try T Mobile is the best place to get iPhone 17 Pro because they've got the best network. Nice Jeffrey.
Jay Cratcher
You heard them.
Matthew Berry
T Mobile is the best place to get the new iPhone 17 Pro on us with eligible traded in any condition. So what are we having for lunch? Dude, my work here is done.
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Connor Rogers
He's Kenny Maine, the.
Matthew Berry
Funny guy from ESPN.
Jay Cratcher
Formerly he's Cooper Manning, the more intelligent and handsome of the Manning brothers. And he's Brian Baumgartner. But to me, he'll always be Kevin from the office.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, you and everybody else together. We're the hosts of the new comedy golf podcast We Need a Fourth from.
Jay Cratcher
Smartless Media and Sirius xm.
Matthew Berry
Him.
Jay Cratcher
It's like a cold beer after a round. You hear the strangest and most bizarre golf stories from our friends, athletes, celebrities and comedians. It's all about how much we love golf and how much we hate golf. New episodes are out every week. Listen now and subscribe. Wherever you get your podcast could just be anywhere, just on a couch. Doesn't matter.
Matthew Berry
For a limited time at McDonald's, get a Big Mac Extra Value meal for $8. That means two all beef patt, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun and medium fries. And a drink. We may need to change that jingle. Prices and Participation may vary.
Connor Rogers
DraftKings Sportsbook is an official sports betting partner of the NFL and new customers can bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets. If your first bet wins, download the app, use promo code FFH when you sign up. DraftKings sportsbook the Crown is yours.
Matthew Berry
The crown is yours.
Jay Cratcher
The crown is yours.
Connor Rogers
The crown is yours.
Matthew Berry
This crown is yours.
Connor Rogers
The crown is yours. It's time for last call. Jay, what do you got? As we look at the early early lines for week five.
Jay Cratcher
Okay, so this is the strangest game of the week and I'm going to lean into it. I'm taking the Texans money line at +140 to win in Baltimore. This line. So the line right now is plus three and a half. It's not going to be plus 3.5. It's going to be something else based on whether Lemar plays or he doesn't play. I am banking on the fact that Lamar that one, he doesn't look right for the past couple of weeks even before he came out of that game with the injury. There's no reason Lamar Jackson should have been sacked seven times by the Lions, but I think there is a big chance that he misses that game and this line closes much smaller and the Texans win.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, I like that. I was thinking of Texans plus three and a half as well just because again, that defense is brutal, the Ravens defense and they have a spark with Woody Marks. I'm going to take the Dolphins plus one and a half. Carolina is a one and a half point favorite which basically means Vegas is saying hey, this is a pick em and I do not think Carolina and Miami are equal in terms of talent. The Dolphins have more talent even without Tyreek Hill. Give me the Dolphins plus one and a half off the nice win Monday night.
Connor Rogers
Mine shouldn't surprise anyone when you're up working till 3am for whatever the jets defense did last night. Cowboys jets over 46 and a half. Does any does anybody get a stop in this game?
Jay Cratcher
Yeah, maybe the Cowboys.
Connor Rogers
Maybe the Cowboys.
Jay Cratcher
Maybe the Cowboys.
Matthew Berry
Be a fumble or something like that.
Connor Rogers
46 and a half. I think this will be 50 and a half by Friday.
Matthew Berry
Real quickly. Hey, NBC and YouTube are in a negotiation right now. The agreement between YouTube and NBC ends tonight at midnight. And so if a new deal is not reached between NBC and YouTube, we will not be on YouTube tomorrow. We will be available on NBCSports.com wherever you get your podcasts and of course on Peacock. So if we're not here tomorrow, please find us there. It's closing time. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. For Jay and Connor, I'm Matthew. Peace out.
Connor Rogers
Get the deal done, Matthew.
Matthew Berry
Get it done. He's Kenny Maine, the funny guy from espn.
Jay Cratcher
Formerly, he's Cooper Manning, the more intelligent and handsome of the Manning brothers. And he's Brian Baumgartner. But to me, he'll always be Kevin from the office.
Matthew Berry
Yeah, you and everybody else together. We're the hosts of the new comedy golf podcast.
Jay Cratcher
We need a fourth from Smartless Media and SiriusXM. It's like a cold beer after a round. You hear the strangest and most bizarre golf stories from our friends, athletes, celebrities and comedians. It's all about how much we love golf and how much we hate golf. New episodes are out every week. Listen now and subscribe wherever you get your podcast. Could just be anywhere, Just on a couch. Doesn't matter.
Matthew Berry
Hello.
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Matthew Berry
How can you put the greatness of.
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Episode: Week 5 Waiver Wire: Woody Marks, Malik Washington, Jaxson Dart headline top adds
Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (NBC Sports) with Connor Rogers & Jay Cratcher
This episode is dedicated to navigating the pivotal Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire. With a slew of injuries, surprise breakouts, and four teams on bye, Matthew Berry and crew break down the best waiver priorities, top streaming pickups, and provide detailed context for the shifting landscape at running back, wide receiver, tight end, and quarterback.
RB:
WR:
TE:
QB:
This episode is loaded with practical, actionable advice for navigating one of the toughest waiver periods so far, with in-depth profiles on top adds, breakout potential, and a shifting picture from injuries across the league. Woody Marks is the runaway top target across all positions; Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert headline WR pivots following devastating WR injuries. At QB, Jaxson Dart is branded a rest-of-season starter. Tight ends remain thin but Strange, Fannin, and Waller stand out for volume chasers. Throughout, the hosts mix their trademark humor and banter with data-backed insights and clear explanations, making this a must-listen (or must-read) for any fantasy manager confronting a roster in flux heading into Week 5.