Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Waiver Wire! Colby Parkinson, Jayden Reed, Michael Carter, Risky QB Options
Date: December 16, 2025
Hosts/Analysts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg

Overview

This episode focuses on Week 16 fantasy football waiver wire priorities, with special attention to the unpredictable quarterback landscape, injury-ravaged running back situations, and surging tight end options. Dave, Jamie, and Adam break down top waiver recommendations, examine risky yet enticing QB matchups, and provide actionable advice for different league depths as listeners gear up for their fantasy playoffs semifinals.

Waiver Wire Priorities: Overarching Themes

• Quarterbacks You Don’t Trust... but Must Consider: Several QBs with excellent matchups are available—including Gardner Minshew, Bryce Young, Tyler Shough, Kirk Cousins, and J.J. McCarthy—but all come with volatility.
• Running Back Carnage: With injuries piling up, backs like Michael Carter, Jacory Merritt, and Audric Estime become high-priority adds.
• Tight End Streamer Boom: Colby Parkinson leads a week flush with appealing (but risky) plug-and-play tight ends.
• Defensive Streaming is Tricky: Saints D/ST is a top streamer, but options are thinner than in previous weeks.
• Broader Strategy: Be mindful of your opponents’ needs—blocking them on the wire can be critical in the playoffs.

Segment Highlights with Timestamps

Top Waiver Priorities (04:27 – 07:39)

• Jamie’s top three:

  1. Michael Carter
  2. Colby Parkinson
  3. Jayden Reed

• Dave’s top three:

  1. Michael Carter (emphasizing volume and matchup)
  2. Colby Parkinson (“Five touchdowns since Week 10, 37.8% red zone target share—he’s their huggy bear at tight end.” – 06:20)
  3. Luther Burden (if he plays; high upside, especially with Odunze potentially out)

“It's very much a get what you need type of week or a get what your opponent needs type of week.” – Dave (05:37)

Quarterbacks: Risk and Opportunity (18:54 – 23:18)

A unique week with multiple low floor/high ceiling plays:

• Jamie’s order:

  1. Gardner Minshew (@TEN)
  2. Bryce Young (vs TB)
  3. Tyler Shough (@NYJ)
  4. Kirk Cousins (@ARI)
  5. J.J. McCarthy (vs NYG)

• Dave is highest on J.J. McCarthy:
  “26 fantasy points each of the last two games. The Giants have allowed at least 21 fantasy points to seven of the past nine QBs.” (20:23)

• Both note: These are “boom or bust” options. Starting any of them is as much about comfort with ceiling vs. floor as it is pure matchup.

Other QB insights:

• Tua Tagovailoa and Aaron Rodgers are mentioned as riskier plays than the above five.
• Trevor Lawrence in Denver and Jordan Love at Chicago: possible sits for risky but high-upside streamers.

Running Backs: Sorting through the Rubble (24:07 – 27:20)

• Top Add: Michael Carter (14:1 touch share last week, Arizona's likely lead back)

• Tier drop after Carter:

  • Jacory Merritt (vs PHI): “If the chips are down... he might not get many opportunities”—Dave
  • Audric Estime (“Could lead Saints, but committee is a concern”)
  • Jawhar Jordan: Monitor Woody Marks’ status; immediate value if Marks sits.

• Critical note: “Running back is so thin, you want the guy guaranteed volume, even if the matchup isn't pristine.” – Jamie (09:06)

Wide Receivers: Scratching for Upside (25:44 – 27:45)

• Jaden Reed is the safest add, especially if Christian Watson is out (05:00)
• Luther Burden, if healthy, carries the most upside (06:45)
• Jalen Coker (vs TB): Back-to-back TD games, “not a bad WR3 play”
• Adonai Mitchell and Troy Franklin: Viable if desperate or monitoring injuries.

“This is a week where you look everywhere for help... even defense or another QB. But Reed is the best receiver to go get.” – Jamie (05:07)

Tight Ends: Colby Parkinson Mania (27:58 – 29:12)

• Colby Parkinson (Rams) @ SEA:
  • “Since Week 10, 37.8% red zone target share, five TDs. Huge opportunity here.”—Dave (06:32; 10:39)
  • “Everything spiked after Adams left... Now you get a matchup he's already scored in.” – Jamie (10:50)
• Colston Loveland and Brenton Strange: Good pivots in deeper leagues.
• Darren Waller, Kyle Pitts still strong—check for their availability.
• Context: Parkinson preferred over streaming options like Harold Fannin Jr. or Theo Johnson based on usage and scoring chance.

DST Streamers & Kickers (30:23 – 33:40)

• DST:
  1. Saints (favorite streamer vs struggling Jets)
  2. Vikings and Lions: Viable, but not inspiring.
  3. Chiefs, 49ers, Bills: Grab them if available, but may be rostered.

“The Saints have top five upside. Great opportunity this week.” – Jamie (30:23)

• Kickers:
  1. Eddie Pineiro (vs IND)
  2. Zane Gonzalez (vs ARI)
  3. Andres Borregales (vs BAL)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s one of those weeks: a lot of QBs who make you nervous, but the matchups are so good, you have to consider it.” — Adam (04:15)
• “If you want to take a chance on Luther Burden... it’s easier this week because WR is so thin on the wire.” — Dave (07:39)
• “You should always look at your opponent’s roster and block—don’t even hesitate.” — Jamie (07:39)
• “Parkinson is their huggy bear at tight end.” — Dave (10:39)
• “Michael Carter is a volume play, not a layup, but at RB, volume rules.” — Jamie (09:06)
• “There are 15 tight ends each week you can make a strong case for—or against.” — Jamie (37:12)

Strategic Waiver Tips (Ep. Themes)

• Don’t ignore game scripts: For RBs and QBs especially, blowouts or trailing scripts can severely hamper upside.
• Monitor injury reports: Especially at WR (Luther Burden, Christian Watson, Romo Odunze) and RB (Woody Marks, RJ Harvey).
• Roster-blocking logic: It's fair competition to pick up an opposing manager’s needed player—just no excessive “add-drop cycling” to game the waiver process (51:48).

Detailed Priority Lists

Quarterbacks (consensus order varies by host)

• Gardner Minshew (TEN)
• Bryce Young (TB)
• Tyler Shough (NYJ)
• Kirk Cousins (ARI)
• J.J. McCarthy (NYG)

Running Backs

• Michael Carter (ARI)
• Jacory Merritt (WAS/PHI)
• Audric Estimé (NO)
• Jawhar Jordan (HOU, if Woody Marks is out)
• Deep stashes: Jaleel McLaughlin, Chris Rodriguez (if healthy)

Wide Receivers

• Jaden Reed (GB)
• Luther Burden (MIZ — monitor ankle)
• Jalen Coker (CAR)
• Adonai Mitchell, Troy Franklin (deeper)

Tight Ends

• Colby Parkinson (LAR) — “plug-and-play top 10 upside”
• Colston Loveland (MICH)
• Brenton Strange
• Arande Gadsden (if Quentin Johnston out)
• Kyle Pitts, Darren Waller (if dropped in shallow leagues)

DSTs

• Saints
• Chiefs (if available)
• Bills (if available)
• 49ers (if available)
• Vikings/Lions (deeper stream)

Kickers

• Eddie Pineiro
• Zane Gonzalez
• Andres Borregales

Fun Moments/Listener Interaction

• Friendly banter about FFT Open semifinals and cherished league rivalries (12:58, 50:56)
• “Add/drop etiquette” debate about playoff blocking and fair play (51:32–53:28)
• Nostalgia tangent on iconic TV cars—Knight Rider, Starsky & Hutch, A-Team van (64:52–66:44)

Closing Recap (65:46)

• Re-affirmation of priorities at each position, distinctions in approach for shallow vs. deep leagues.
• Major plug for paying attention to injuries through Thursday and Sunday.
• Reminder: check for top players who may have been dropped in shallow leagues—Pitts, Waller, Schultz, etc.

Conclusion

This week’s waiver wire is about managing risk and upside, hunting for volume at running back, streaming tight ends with touchdown equity, and navigating murky QB waters with high-ceiling matchups. Pay special attention to your league’s and opponent’s needs: blocking can mean the difference at this stage. Be aggressive, stay nimble, and trust the volume and matchups as you press toward your fantasy championship!

Key Quotes Highlighted with Timestamps:

• “It’s very much a get what you need type of week or a get what your opponent needs type of week.” — Dave (05:37)
• “Parkinson is their huggy bear at tight end.” — Dave (10:39)
• “If you want to take a chance on Luther Burden... it’s easier this week because WR is so thin on the wire.” — Dave (07:39)
• “There are 15 tight ends each week you can make a strong case for—or against.” — Jamie (37:12)
• “You should always look at your opponent’s roster and block—don’t even hesitate.” — Jamie (07:39)

For Further Playoff Tools:

• Check host projections/columns midweek for final injury and depth updates.
• Remember to avoid "add-drop cycling" but aggressively block where you can.
• Revisit the Thursday and Sunday injury reports before finalizing lineups.

Good luck in your semifinals!