Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Week 9 Waiver Wire: Trevor Lawrence, Tyrone Tracy Jr. + Saints Name Tyler Shough Starting QB

Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Matthew Berry, Connor Rogers

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into crucial Week 9 fantasy football waiver wire moves, navigating brutal bye weeks and notable trending injuries. Matthew Berry and Connor Rogers offer insightful arguments for key pickups across all positions—especially at quarterback (with major news out of New Orleans), running back, and wide receiver. With their signature blend of inside jokes, playful jabs, and sharp analysis, the hosts provide actionable advice to keep teams afloat amid chaos, including a surprising Saints starting QB decision and the fallout for fantasy managers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Producer Drama Recap and Fantasy League Banter

• The team opens with lighthearted shade at producer Steven and a celebratory nod to Cam Scataboo, wishing him a speedy recovery after injury (02:09).
• Matthew Berry jokes about finally winning a matchup in his league, getting “off the schneid” and ribbing producer Adam over the result (05:07).

Quarterback Waiver Wire: Navigating Bye Weeks & Injuries

Key Bye QBs: Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Justin Fields, Dylan Gabriel (05:25)
Several regulars and potential starters are off the board this week due to bye or injury, creating a big need at QB.

Top Streaming Options

• Trevor Lawrence (“The Trevler”) – Jaguars (vs. Raiders)

  • Availability: 58% (06:41)
  • Has been volatile in real football but sneaky good in fantasy over his last three: 21 PPG, 37 attempts/game (07:03).
  • “For the last six quarterbacks to face the Raiders [they] have scored at least 17 fantasy points.” – Berry (07:51)

• Sam Darnold – Seahawks (vs. Commanders)

  • Availability: 64% (09:38)
  • Berry details the favorable Commanders matchup: “Since week two, my Commanders [are] giving up the second most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.” (10:02)
  • “Two of the last three games, Darnold has finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback.” (11:26)

Superflex/Deep League Darts

• Aaron Rodgers – Jets:
  • 53% available, solid Colts matchup (15:09).
• J.J. McCarthy – Vikings (vs. Lions):
  • For superflex desperation; Lions are giving up 20+ PPG to QBs lately (15:09).
  • Longer discussion on not giving up on young quarterbacks; situation and coaching are key (16:30–19:29).

News: Saints Name Tyler Shough Starter

• Breaking: Saints bench Spencer Rattler for rookie Tyler Shough.
  • “There are just lots of different ways I could get the entire show canceled” [on Shough’s name] – Berry (33:05)
  • Shough offers deep-ball ability; Rashid Shaheed gets a potential boost; not a running QB.
  • “If you have to play one, I would actually take the flyer on Shough in fantasy.” – Connor (35:08)
  • Rest-of-season preference is still J.J. McCarthy for higher ceiling in Kevin O’Connell’s system (35:48).

Running Back Waiver Wire: Injury Fallout & Stashes

Major Bye Weeks: Saquon Barkley, Bucky Irving, Breece Hall, Quinshon Judkins, Rashad White (20:05)

Top Pickups

• Tyrone Tracy Jr. – Giants

  • Availability: 51%
  • Gets opportunity after Cam Scataboo’s season-ending injury (21:06).
  • In games with 15+ touches: 15 FPPG; 49ers are a bottom-10 RB defense (23:10).
  • “He’s the starting running back on a competent offense… I think he’s more of a high-end flex.” – Berry (24:49, 25:11)
  • Projection: RB18–22 range for the week (25:28).

• Tyjae Spears – Titans

  • Availability: 69%
  • Strong PPR value—leads Tennessee in snaps, especially when trailing (26:02).
  • Chargers allow 4th-most points to RBs; “Three straight games with at least three receptions… a double-digit target share in that timeframe.” – Berry (26:02)

• Bam Knight – Cardinals

  • Availability: 80%
  • Trey Benson eligible to return Wk10, but Knight is getting 15 touches/game, has goal-line opportunities (27:32).
  • “Over the last four weeks, only one team’s given up more rushing yards per game than the Cowboys.” (28:41)

Deep Stashes/Insurance

• Notable stashes: Isaiah Davis (potential Breece Hall trade), Sean Tucker, Dylan Sampson (Judkins backup), Tank Bigsby (Saquon insurance) (29:20–29:56).
• Insurance priorities/rank: Algier, Tutin, Manungai, Gainwell, Corum, Perine, Wilson, Ollie Gordon (30:32).

Notable Quote

“If you had Bijan Robinson, would you drop Brashard Smith for Tyler Algier? ...At this point, you have to.” – Berry (32:11)

Wide Receiver Waiver Wire: Breakouts & Bye Fill-Ins

Top Wave Wire WRs

• Kayshawn Boutte – Patriots

  • Availability: 65%
  • Three straight weeks as a top-24 WR, four TDs in three games, developing chemistry with Drake Maye (37:21).
  • “Booty’s now had three straight weeks finishing as a top 24 receiver averaging over 18 points per game in that stretch.” – Berry (37:21)
  • Next three after ATL: at TB, vs NYJ, at CIN — great WR matchups (38:34).

• Christian Watson – Packers

  • Availability: 67%
  • Finally healthy. “His average depth of target this year is 18.2 yards. He got 37% of the Packers’ air yards on Sunday night.” – Berry (39:04)

• Trey Tucker – Raiders

  • Availability: 71%
  • Post-bye, could see more work if Jacoby Meyers is traded; steady 23% target share lately (39:33).

• Troy Franklin – Broncos

  • Availability: 62%
  • Two TDs vs DAL; significant usage if Marvin Mims (concussion) is out (40:28).

Rookie Duos

• Chimere Dike (Titans) & Elijah O. Manor

  • Titans' offense testing young players with Calvin Ridley hurt. Dike’s finishing plays, solid long speed (41:23–42:30).

• Jaden Higgins & Jalen Noel (Texans)

  • Noel: “Back-to-back games with 60 yards, targeted on 29% of routes. ...Targets are earned.” – Berry (43:11)
  • Quick separator, targets trending upward.

Recap of Top WR Targets

“Booty and Christian Watson looking really good for both of their quarterbacks… Trey Tucker’s opportunities could go upwards if Jacoby Myers is moved.” – Connor (44:44)

Tight End Streamers

• Juwan Johnson – Saints

  • Availability: 68%
  • “Back-to-back games now with double digit fantasy points; finished as a top-13 tight end five of eight games this season.” (44:15)
  • Tyler Shough news doesn’t dampen streamer outlook.

• Harold Fannin (Browns) & Mason Taylor (Jets)

  • Both on bye but strong stashes:
    • Fannin: Top-9 TE last four weeks, 20% target share (45:10).
    • Taylor: 6+ targets/game and an athletic threat (45:16).

Notable Quote

“If you get 10 points from a streaming tight end, you are probably pretty happy about that.” – Connor (44:35)

Defense/Special Teams Streamers

• Options for desperate weeks:
  • Rams vs. Saints (rookie QB shenanigans: Shough)
  • Jaguars vs. Raiders (“Raiders have just been really miserable.”)
  • Bears vs. Bengals (approach with caution if Flacco heating up) (45:39)

Chiefs vs Commanders Recap & Additional Fantasy Takeaways

• Chiefs:

  • “Rashee Rice, awesome. Patrick Mahomes, awesome. Travis Kelce. It’s hard to do a lot better in tight end land.” – Connor (49:27)
  • Berry: “My takeaways here are that huge game for Kelce, awesome. ... Worthy is closer to all the other guys… than he is to Rice and Kelce who are the top of that pecking order.” (51:20)

• Commanders:

  • Deebo Samuel: “I think you have to keep rolling them out here... It’s been two tough weeks. I’m hanging with him at least one more.” – Berry (51:42)
  • Jaden Daniels’ return will boost skill players, especially Deebo.

Early Betting Lines: Matthew’s Last Call

• Colts -3 vs. Steelers & Under 50.5
  “Steelers don’t look good. Colts look unstoppable. ... I think I’d take the under.” – Berry (55:46)
• Connor: “Colts minus three for me as well. This is the line that jumped out right away... Only a field goal? I wouldn’t be shocked if this closes at four and a half, five.” (56:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (by Timestamp)

• “How does Cam Scataboo not drink free? ... Honestly, we love Scataboo here. A miss by producer Steven.” – Berry (00:50)
• “For the last six quarterbacks to face the Raiders have scored at least 17 fantasy points.” – Berry (07:51)
• “Is it amazing? No. Can you get by with it? Sure. It’s a little bit like me as host.” – Berry (24:26)
• “We’re entering Week 9 ... you don’t want to be caught going to the waiver wire hoping you get the guy.” – Berry (31:38)
• “I do morph into a different character when it’s just a two man show.” – Connor (08:44)

Deep league / rookie patience lesson:

• “This is way too soon to write off JJ McCarthy.” – Berry (17:03)
• “Sean Payton was right because it’s for his system ... Mahomes is Mahomes now, but Mahomes in his draft was not viewed that way.” – Connor (18:53–19:26)

Producer Interludes & Show Humor:

• “Producer Adam says there is breaking news… The future is now in New Orleans with the Saints making rookie quarterback Tyler Shough their starter... lots of ways I could get the entire show canceled.” – Berry (33:00)
• “Let’s stop talking about shucken and let’s talk about Kayshawn Booty.” – Berry (36:12)

Structured Segment Timestamps

• Quarterback Waivers Discussion: 04:13–15:48
• Tyler Shough to Saints (Breaking News): 32:23–35:48
• Running Back Waivers: 20:05–32:23
• Wide Receiver Waivers: 36:20–44:44
• Tight End Streamers: 44:15–45:16
• DST/Streamers: 45:39–45:56
• Chiefs–Commanders Recap: 48:59–53:15
• Early Betting Lines/Last Call: 55:20–56:41

Summary for the Waiver-Hungry

This lively episode arms you with reasoned pickups at every position—Trevor Lawrence, Sam Darnold (QB); Tyrone Tracy, Tyjae Spears (RB); Kayshawn Boutte, Christian Watson (WR); Juwan Johnson (TE)—and serves reminders about how situation, coaching, and depth chart volatility drive upside. Injury watch and “insurance” are the week’s buzzwords amid a punishing bye schedule. Lastly, big breaking news on the Saints’ new starting QB and side arguments about patience with young passers highlight the rich “real football meets fantasy” analysis that keeps the show on top.

For visual cues, memes, more takes, and host banter, check the video version on Peacock and YouTube.