Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Week 16 Waivers & Streamers + Block It Like It’s Hot!
Date: December 16, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Overview

This episode dives into Week 16 waiver wire priorities and strategies heading into the fantasy playoffs semifinals. The trio give their signature blend of analytical advice and banter, covering news around the league, must-add waiver and streaming options, and the all-important tactic of blocking playoff opponents. A big focus is on key injuries, running back backfields, wide receiver pivots, and which defenses and quarterbacks to stream with your season on the line.

Playoff Semifinals Vibes & League of Record Banter

• Hosts kick off with playful trash-talking about who advanced in their high-stakes league.
• Andy relishes no longer being “roadkill” in the playoffs:

  “As I. When it was you two and I was just... I mean, roadkill, my team. You were garbage.” — Andy Holloway (03:00)

• Discuss their head-to-head matchup and relive last year’s wild playoff moments.

NFL News and Notes

Patrick Mahomes Injury

• Mahomes had ACL and LCL surgery; expected timeline is similar, but expect a brace and less rushing:

  “Mahomes could still be ready by week one, but you should expect a brace on the leg. And that juice we were getting from Patrick Mahomes running... expect that to go away.” — Andy Holloway (10:48 / 11:20)

Joe Burrow’s Rocky Season & Mental State

• Burrow will start rest of season as confirmed by Zach Taylor. Hosts debate whether team or Burrow is more at fault.
• Burrow’s demeanor called out:

  "He literally said, why do this if it's not fun anymore?" — Jason Moore (13:32) "I don't think so. I still saw depressed Joe Burrow in this last press conference. To me, that was less anger... more depression." — Mike Wright (14:58)

• Uncertainty lingers about his fantasy outlook this week.

Key Injury Updates

• Jaden Daniels (WAS) shut down for year.
• More RB injuries: Bam Knight (ARI) out; lots of movement in the backfields.
• Cardinals, Jets, Raiders, and Falcons are all “suck” teams but rife with fantasy opportunity (18:42).
• Devonte Adams (LV) out until playoffs, according to Mike (22:56).

Waiver Wire—Playoff Strategy & Priority Adds

Running Back

• Main takeaway: Most RB targets this week are about plugging injury holes and blocking playoff opponents.
• Washington:
  • Jacori Kryski Merit (23:11, 26:12): Above 90 yards, a TD, great speed.
  • If Chris Rodriguez is out, Kryski Merit is top pickup.

  “He would be the top of the list for me. If Chris Rodriguez is out, he’s still at the top of all those other guys we just talked about.” — Mike Wright (33:16)

• Arizona:
  • Debate between Amari Demercado (Mike) and Michael Carter (Andy). Both viable; Carter possibly higher floor with more snaps, Demercado more explosiveness (27:43-28:32).
  • Not a crystal clear backfield—projected split.
• Saints:
  • Tyler Schuck offense humming, RBs to target: Evan Hull & Audric Estime (29:46–31:40). Estime favored for TD/goal line upside.

  • “He’s a big body back... around the goal line it’s going to be Estime. In my estimation.” — Jason Moore (31:31)

• Texans:
  • Jawar Jordan in case Woody Marks is out (32:03–33:06).
  • Quote: “If we found out Woody Marks is going to miss this week, Jordan would be my preferred play of anyone we have talked about so far.” — Andy Holloway (32:20)
• Other notes: Blake Corum (DET) for upside; keep tabs on Brian Robinson (CLE) midweek.

Wide Receiver

• Light week overall for pickups; most are flex/depth options or injury pivots.
• Jaden Reed (GB):
  • Consistent, more targets with Christian Watson banged up.

  “Felt like Jaden Reed... with Christian Watson and his chest injury, there is more opportunity there now.” — Jason Moore (34:06)

• Matthew Golden (GB):
  • Flashes as Watson’s fill-in, but too risky to trust barring deeper formats.
• Kayshon Booty (NE) & Troy Franklin (JAX):
  • Both boom/bust types, have shown ability to earn targets (38:34-39:39).
• Adonai Mitchell (NYJ):
  • Consistent targets for three weeks, high-upside.

  “Since his trade to the Jets... nine targets, six targets, 12 targets.” — Jason Moore (36:23)

• Jalen Coker (CAR):
  • Under-the-radar: “Three of his last four are top-24 WR games.” — Andy Holloway (41:46)

Other Flex/Longshots:

• Wicks (GB); Jalen Naylor (MIN) (risky but in deeper leagues); DJ Moore isn’t a waiver name but analyzed as a volatile but viable playoff difference-maker if injuries around him pile up (37:23).

Tight End

• Darren Waller (NYG): The top add (44:00–44:41).

  “Darren Waller, to me, is like the pickup of the week... I’m all in on playing Darren Waller this week.” — Jason Moore (44:00)

• Colby Parkinson (LAR): TD streak continues; Tyler Higby’s return would muddy waters (43:08).
• Loveland & Schultz:
  • Loveland (CHI) for volume if available.
  • Dalton Schultz's steady floor: “He’s the tight end 10 right now on the year.” — Jason Moore (45:03)

Defense & Special Teams

• Houston Texans: Play Raiders this week, then Chargers; top streaming defense for playoffs (46:31).
• Buffalo, New Orleans, Minnesota: All have good matchups the next two weeks (46:21–46:40).
• Kansas City: Good matchup with Titans but hosts are less bullish since elimination (47:21–48:00).

Streamer QBs for Week 16

• CJ Stroud (HOU) vs. LV:

  “He should be good for two touchdowns, big plays, Nico is a dominator.” — Mike Wright (49:32)

• Jacoby Brissett (ARI):

  “Only quarterback who has not been outside the top 12. He’s not stopping.” — Jason Moore (49:55)

• Bryce Young (CAR) vs. TB:

  “This is going to be a fun game… Tampa is dead last in schedule adjusted fantasy points to the quarterback position.” — Andy Holloway (50:19)

• Tyler Shough (NO) vs. NYJ:
  • Athletic, running ability, and playing well. “He’s extremely tough, he’s extremely smart and he has elite arm talent.” — Mike Wright (52:00)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On playoff roster management:

  “If you hear us talk about a name and you don’t need that name, but your opponent might…block it like it’s hot.” — Mike Wright (25:13)

• Cardinals are a “fantasy football championship value...jam packed of players that could win your title.” — Mike Wright (19:08)
• On Jacori Kryski Merit:

  “He would be the top of the list for me. If Chris Rodriguez is out, he’s still at the top of all those other guys.” — Mike Wright (33:16)

• On Saints RBs:

  “If you get around the goal line, it’s going to be Estime. In my estimation.” — Jason Moore (31:31)

• On the Chiefs’ defense rest-of-season:

  “They haven't played, have they? This will be the first game out of playoff contention in 10 years.” — Mike Wright (48:16)

• On Darren Waller:

  “He’s the pickup of the week.” — Jason Moore (44:00)

Key Segment Timestamps

• [05:43] – Steelers backfield outlook: Warren vs. Gainwell
• [09:20] – DK Metcalf usage & Seahawks offense
• [10:34] – Patrick Mahomes injury breakdown
• [11:57] – Joe Burrow woes and mental state
• [19:08] – Cardinals & other “bad” teams loaded with fantasy options
• [26:11] – Running back waiver priorities
• [29:46] – Saints backfield: Hull vs. Estime
• [34:05] – Wide receiver waivers: Jaden Reed, Golden, and others
• [41:46] – Deep cut: Jalen Coker
• [44:00] – Tight end waivers: Waller, Parkinson, Loveland, Schultz
• [46:21] – Streaming team defenses
• [49:23] – Streamer QBs: Stroud, Brissett, Young
• [52:00] – Tyler Shough analysis and upside

Takeaways for Week 16

• Running back remains the position most likely to swing fantasy playoff matchups due to injuries and committee shifts.
• Cardinals’ and Commanders’ backfields are major priorities; monitor Washington’s injury reports closely.
• Use waivers just as much for blocking as to fill starting spots—be proactive in denying streamers to likely opponents.
• At WR, prioritize targets with secure roles or who benefit from contingent injuries.
• Tight end is thin, but Waller and Parkinson top the list; streamers like Loveland and Schultz are solid.
• Defenses like Houston and Buffalo could be playoff-difference makers with cupcake schedules.
• Don’t get cute: stream QBs with both floor and upside, especially in plus matchups (Stroud, Brissett, Young).
• Monitor injury news throughout the week to adjust rankings and claims as needed.

This episode is essential playoff listening—packed with actionable advice, hotly debated RB priorities, and trademark Fantasy Footballers humor. Their blend of stats and strategic blocking approaches will give fantasy GMs the edge in navigating the critical semifinal round.