Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

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

Overview

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.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Impact of Bye Weeks & Injuries (03:19)

• The hosts highlight notable RBs on bye—Bijan Robinson, Josh Jacobs, Jalen Warren (injured), Kenneth Gainwell, DeAndre Swift—and discuss the resulting scramble for viable replacements.

2. Running Back Waiver Priorities

Woody Marks Takes Over Texans Backfield (04:10–07:58)

• Woody Marks is taking over the Texans’ backfield from Nick Chubb, with coach DeMeco Ryans praising his physicality and versatility:
  • “Some of the runs he made … 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.” – Matthew Berry, relaying Ryans’ comments (04:19)
• Marks’ profile:
  • 21 touches, 58% snaps, 86 utilization score (Duane McFarlane metric).
  • Massive 18% target share in Week 4 (third highest on the team).
  • 69% available on waivers.
  • Baltimore (Week 5 opponent) gives up most RB fantasy points.
  • “If you've been holding onto your number one waiver spot … this is a push all your chips into the middle kind of game.” – Matthew Berry (06:16)
• Comical banter on Chubb vs. Woody Marks as the go-to back, but all agreed Marks is the clear top add.

Rashad White as Bucky Irving Insurance (08:24–10:25)

• Rashad White (59% available): Next up if Bucky Irving misses time.
  • “If Irving were to miss time, I think it’d be more of a committee between White and Sean Tucker, but both would have value.” – Matthew Berry (09:09)
  • Todd Bowles’ "concern" on Irving’s injury taken seriously by the hosts.

Kenneth Gainwell – Handcuff & Bye Week Stopgap (11:13–13:52)

• Gainwell (77% available) performed well filling in for Jalen Warren, who may return post-bye. Emphasis on Gainwell’s secure secondary role and veteran preference from Aaron Rodgers in this offense.

Saints’ Kendre Miller Flashes (14:35–16:26)

• Kendre Miller (95% available): Earning a growing share, especially if Kamara is traded.
  • “There is a very real scenario Alvin Kamara is not on this team in November or December that they trade him … so I think Miller has a real significant role coming." – Matthew Berry (15:51)
  • Recommended FAAB: ~15%, higher if you already roster Kamara.

Deep League Stashes

• Kareem Hunt (~60% available), Rashard Smith, Blake Corum, Tyjae Spears, Isaiah Davis (Jets): All mentioned as deep stashes, especially with injury uncertainty and potential for trades.
  • “There is a world where the Jets trade Breece Hall at the deadline … I think [Isaiah] Davis could have a standalone role.” – Connor Rogers (17:45)

3. Wide Receiver Waiver Targets

Navigating Big WR Bye Weeks + Injuries (18:58)

• Bye absences: Roman Odunze, DK Metcalf, Drake London, Romeo Doubs, Calvin Austin, among others.
• Major injuries: Malik Nabers (out for year), Tyreek Hill (potentially out for season).

Key Adds This Week:

• Romeo Doubs (60% available): #1 red zone guy for Jordan Love, at least one end-zone target in three of four games. Great post-bye matchups.
  • “He does seem to be the most consistent guy when they get in close for Jordan Love.” – Matthew Berry (20:48)
• Elikayo Manor (69% available): Titans’ clear WR1 with consistent targets and red zone looks, especially as Calvin Ridley remains banged up.
  • “He is the clear number one guy. This offense, they can't get any worse. ... IO Manor will be the biggest beneficiary.” – Jay Cratcher (21:49)
• Malik Washington (96% available): The closest replacement for Tyreek Hill in Miami’s offense—speed, manufactured touches, trending up for targets.
  • “He’s the closest thing they have to Tyreek Hill ... his role is only going to increase.” – Matthew Berry (23:35)
• Darius Slayton (98%) & Wandale Robinson (51%): Next men up for the Giants after Nabers’ injury; Berry prefers Wandale’s versatility and track record but both see increased routes and targets.
• Jalen Tolbert (96%) & KaVontae Turpin (85%): Dallas’ fill-ins for CeeDee Lamb's absence. Tolbert is the priority (higher utilization, more routes).
  • Praise for Dak Prescott: “He might just be so good … you just want to buy shares of that offense.” – Jay Cratcher (27:43)

Deeper League WR Options

• Troy Franklin & Marvin Mims (Broncos): Franklin has led the team in target share repeatedly.
• Isaiah Bond (replacing injured Club Sed), Alec Pierce (if back from concussion), Luke McCaffrey (Washington), Kendrick Bourne / Demarcus Robinson (49ers, if Piersol/Jennings are out).

4. Tight End Streamers & Deep Stashes

• Brenton Strange (72%): Jaguars’ target hog, leading team in receiving yards 2 of 4 games. “He led the team in receiving yards two of four games this year. ... Feels like this year's Hunter Henry.” – Matthew Berry (31:39)
• Harold Fannin (63%): Browns’ ‘big slot’ whose opportunity (six targets last week) comes with Tillman’s injury; volume split with Njoku.
• Darren Waller (94%): In his return, caught two TDs, targeted heavily when on the field. “There’s targets available with the injury to Tyreek Hill ... Waller will be their [main] red zone guy.” – Jay Cratcher (36:27)
• Mason Taylor (94%): Jets’ new #2 receiving option after a breakout game; praised for hands and reliability.

Deeper TE Flyers

• Dalton Schultz, Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson (with Nabers target share up for grabs), Arande Gadson II.

5. Quarterbacks: Waiver, Deep, & Streaming Options

Jackson Dart Emerges as a Top-12 Rest-of-Season QB (39:14–44:12)

• Jackson Dart (77% available): Dual-threat, solid debut, top-10 finish last week.
  • “He is a QB1 the rest of the way … a top-12 fantasy quarterback the rest of the season.” – Matthew Berry (40:14, 41:44)
• Discussed in relation to Daniel Jones and the running QB archetype:
  • "There’s going to be a bigger gap between [Dart's] real-life NFL value and fantasy value …" – Jay Cratcher (40:51)

Other QBs to Consider

• Matthew Stafford (57%): Three straight games with multiple TDs; solid floor for 12+ teamers.
• Tua Tagovailoa (vs. Panthers), Sam Darnold: Safe floors, decent matchups.
• Marcus Mariota: Hold until Jaden Daniels returns to full health.

6. Defensive Streamers (44:12)

• Cardinals (vs. Titans), Browns (vs. Vikings), Giants (vs. Saints), Colts (vs. Raiders).

7. Rapid Fire Betting Picks (“Last Call,” 55:16)

• Jay: Texans ML (+140) at Ravens — expects Lamar may miss, likes Houston momentum with Woody Marks.
• Matthew: Dolphins (+1.5) at Panthers — sees Miami’s ceiling much higher, even without Tyreek.
• Connor: Cowboys/Jets over 46.5 — “Does anyone get a stop in this game?”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Woody Marks: “Nothing makes a Chub go down more than like a young Woody showing up.” – Matthew Berry (04:19)
• On Kyle Manor: “He is the clear number one guy [in Tennessee] ... They can't get any worse.” – Jay Cratcher (21:49)
• On Malik Washington: “The closest thing they have to Tyreek Hill ... his role is only going to increase and we like the talent.” – Matthew Berry (23:35)
• On Jackson Dart: “Jackson Dart is a top-12 fantasy quarterback the rest of the season. It's not always going to be pretty … But fantasy points count all the same.” – Matthew Berry (41:44)
• On the Bengals: "He's now like a top 15-ish wide receiver at the moment ... and that's just banking on talent and volume." – Matthew Berry on Jamar Chase (51:58)
• On Dak Prescott (and Dallas pass catchers): “He might just be so good ... you just want to buy shares of that offense.” – Jay Cratcher (27:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:19] Waiver Wire & Bye Week Context
• [04:10–07:58] Woody Marks Breakdown
• [08:24–10:25] Rashad White, Bucky Irving Injury Impact
• [11:13–13:52] Kenneth Gainwell as handcuff
• [14:35–16:26] Kendre Miller Deep League Value
• [18:58–21:28] Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Priorities
• [23:12–24:38] Malik Washington as Tyreek Replacement
• [26:39–28:16] Dallas WRs Tolbert & Turpin
• [31:39–33:09] Brenton Strange as TE Streamer
• [39:14–44:12] Quarterback Streams and Breakouts
• [44:12] Defense Streaming Picks
• [55:16–56:27] Early Week 5 Betting Picks
• [47:54–52:25] Monday Night Football Recap & Injury Fallout (Tyreek Hill, Malik Nabers, Bengals' collapse)

Final Recommendations

Top Waiver Adds by Position

RB:

• Woody Marks (must-add)
• Rashad White (monitor Irving news)
• Kenneth Gainwell (handcuff, deep leagues)
• Kendre Miller (stash, especially if you roster Kamara)

WR:

• Romeo Doubs
• Elikayo Manor
• Malik Washington (must stash with Tyreek out)
• Darius Slayton, Wandale Robinson
• Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin

TE:

• Brenton Strange
• Harold Fannin
• Darren Waller (deep leagues)

QB:

• Jackson Dart (top-12 rest of season)
• Matthew Stafford (steady floor)

Summary

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.