Home Viral Media Spotlight 1

Matthew Berry’s 5 Must-Add Waiver Wire Targets To Win Your 2025 Fantasy Championship

• minute read
Contents

The fantasy football playoffs are in full swing, and as of today, December 19, 2025, every single roster move is critical to securing a league championship. Matthew Berry, the "Fantasy Life" guru, has released his final, high-stakes waiver wire advice, focusing on players who can immediately deliver a league-winning performance in the crucial Week 16 and Week 17 matchups. This is not the time for long-term stashes; it is the time for high-ceiling additions who can fill a sudden injury void or exploit a favorable playoff schedule.

Berry's philosophy for the fantasy playoffs centers on maximizing upside and leveraging opportunity. The focus shifts entirely from season-long consistency to weekly ceiling, particularly at the Quarterback and Running Back positions where injuries and role changes are most volatile. Finding a high-volume running back or a dual-threat quarterback on the waiver wire now is the difference between hoisting the trophy and going home empty-handed.

Matthew Berry's Ultimate Waiver Wire Philosophy for the Fantasy Playoffs

The fantasy playoffs—typically Weeks 15 through 17—require a complete shift in strategy compared to the regular season. Matthew Berry and his team at Fantasy Life emphasize a few core principles when attacking the waiver wire in the final weeks, especially with the 2025 season winding down.

Prioritize Immediate Upside Over Safety

In the regular season, you might prioritize a player with a safe floor. In the playoffs, you need a player who can explode. Berry’s advice consistently leans toward players with the highest potential for a 20+ point week, even if their floor is low. This means targeting players who have suddenly inherited a starting role or who are facing a historically weak defense during the championship weeks.

The Quarterback and Running Back Streaming Advantage

The deepest leagues often leave viable streaming options at Quarterback (QB) and Tight End (TE). Berry has highlighted that QBs with rushing upside, even rookies, become elite targets due to their high weekly floor and ceiling. Similarly, Running Backs (RB) who are one injury away from a bell-cow role are worth a massive FAAB bid or a high waiver priority, as they represent the most significant potential positional advantage. The Week 16 and Week 17 matchups are critical, so always check the defensive rankings for those specific weeks before placing a claim.

FAAB Budget Allocation: Go All-In

If you are still holding a significant portion of your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB), Berry's message is clear: spend it now. There is no tomorrow. Any player who can start for you in the championship round is worth 50% or more of your remaining budget. Do not let money burn a hole in your virtual pocket; use it to acquire a league winner.

5 Must-Add Players Headlining Matthew Berry’s Waiver Wire Targets (Week 15/16)

Based on the latest advice from Matthew Berry's "Fantasy Football Happy Hour" and Fantasy Life content, these players were highlighted as the top priorities for fantasy managers heading into the final playoff weeks of the 2025 season. These are the difference-makers who can win you the championship.

1. Shedeur Sanders (QB, Buffalo Bills)

The rookie quarterback has been a consistent waiver wire discussion point, and Berry has often touted his late-season potential. Sanders' value is rooted in his dual-threat ability and the sheer volume of passing attempts his team requires. Even when playing behind a less-than-stellar offensive line, his ability to scramble and pick up points with his legs provides a stable floor that few late-season waiver QBs possess. He is a top streaming option for managers who lost their starter or who are looking for an upgrade at the position.

  • Rationale: Rushing floor and high passing volume provide a great ceiling.
  • Matchup Note: His Week 16 matchup against the Cleveland Browns defense is a potential high-scoring affair.
  • Context: He’s a high-upside play, especially for those in deeper leagues or Superflex formats.

2. Blake Corum (RB, Los Angeles Rams)

Blake Corum is perhaps the most critical running back pickup of the fantasy playoffs. Matthew Berry has specifically mentioned Corum as a key waiver wire RB to target for playoff help. Corum's value is tied directly to the health of the Rams' starting running back, but even without an injury, he has demonstrated a knack for finding the end zone and receiving usage, which is gold in PPR formats. He is the ultimate high-leverage handcuff who has seen increased usage late in the season, moving him toward potential RB2 status.

  • Rationale: Elite handcuff with immediate RB2 upside if the starter is out. He is the Rams' backup, and Berry is looking at him for playoff help.
  • Opportunity: His Week 16 matchup is against the Seattle Seahawks, a game where the Rams will likely look to control the clock.
  • LSI Entity: Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, RB2 status, High-leverage handcuff.

3. Jayden Reed (WR, Green Bay Packers)

Jayden Reed has been a headline add for Berry’s Week 15 waiver wire advice. The Green Bay Packers offense has been explosive in the second half of the 2025 season, and Reed has established himself as a primary target. His versatility and ability to score touchdowns make him an immediate flex-play upgrade for most rosters. He is a high-priority target for managers needing a WR with a championship-winning ceiling.

  • Rationale: High-volume target in an ascending offense, strong touchdown upside.
  • Context: His consistent usage, even with other healthy receivers, confirms his role as a key component of the Packers' passing attack.
  • LSI Entity: Green Bay Packers, Flex-play upgrade, Touchdown upside, Passing attack.

4. The High-Upside Rams Running Back Depth

Beyond Blake Corum, Matthew Berry’s focus on the Rams backfield signals a belief in the team’s overall offensive scheme and favorable playoff schedule. The overall depth of the Rams running backs is a major talking point. If you cannot secure Corum, any other back who is next in line for a significant workload is a worthwhile stash. This strategy, known as "zero-RB" or "handcuffing," is vital for playoff success, ensuring you have a contingency plan for the most injury-prone position.

  • Rationale: The Rams' offense is built to run the ball, making any starting RB a high-end fantasy asset.
  • Strategy: Secure the backup in case of a late-season injury to the starter.
  • LSI Entity: Zero-RB strategy, Handcuffing, Contigency plan, Offensive scheme.

5. Deep Sleeper Streamers: Colby Parkinson (TE) & J.J. McCarthy (QB)

For managers in need of a last-minute streamer at Tight End or a deep-league QB, Berry’s analysis often includes lower-owned players who have seen a recent spike in usage or who have a pristine matchup. Colby Parkinson, a tight end, has been mentioned as a potential Week 16 waiver target. Similarly, J.J. McCarthy is a quarterback who has appeared on Matthew Berry's waiver wire lists. These players offer a very high risk/reward profile, perfect for a one-week playoff fill-in.

  • Colby Parkinson (TE): A potential red-zone threat or volume play if other pass-catchers are injured.
  • J.J. McCarthy (QB): A streaming option for managers desperate for a QB with an easy Week 16 matchup.
  • LSI Entity: Colby Parkinson, J.J. McCarthy, Red-zone threat, Streaming option.

The Matthew Berry Playoff Stash: Who to Drop and Who to Hold

The waiver wire is a two-way street. To add these league-winners, you must be ruthless with your roster cuts. Berry advises dropping any player who is on a Week 18 bye or any player who has a brutal Week 16/17 matchup that you would never start. Do not hold onto players simply because you drafted them highly; their past performance is irrelevant now.

The focus should be entirely on the players who can help you in the next two weeks. For example, if you have a running back like Ashton Jeanty who is struggling with volume or a tough matchup, it is time to cut the cord and pick up a high-upside option like Blake Corum or a deep sleeper QB. Every bench spot must be weaponized for the fantasy championship.

Key Entities and LSI Keywords for Topical Authority

To ensure topical authority, the discussion must revolve around key fantasy football concepts and players relevant to the 2025 playoffs. The most relevant entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords include:

  • Fantasy Football Playoffs 2025: The core context.
  • Waiver Wire Pickups: The primary action.
  • FAAB Strategy: How to bid.
  • Rushing Upside: Key QB/RB metric (e.g., Shedeur Sanders).
  • High-Leverage Handcuff: Critical RB strategy (e.g., Blake Corum).
  • Streaming Quarterback: A common playoff tactic.
  • League Winner: The ultimate goal of the add.
  • Green Bay Packers Offense: Context for Jayden Reed.
  • Los Angeles Rams Backfield: Context for Blake Corum.
  • Player Names: Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen, DK Metcalf, Daniel Jones, Davante Adams, Michael Carter, Ashton Jeanty, Colby Parkinson.

By prioritizing Matthew Berry’s latest advice, particularly the high-upside targets like Shedeur Sanders, Blake Corum, and Jayden Reed, you are positioning your team for a championship run. Spend your FAAB, secure your difference-makers, and win your league.

matthew berry waiver wire
matthew berry waiver wire

Detail Author:

  • Name : Dr. Magdalen Corkery PhD
  • Username : kunde.quentin
  • Email : candice.lemke@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1981-12-26
  • Address : 788 Marvin Views Suite 732 East Eula, NV 10430
  • Phone : 1-726-855-5256
  • Company : Johnston and Sons
  • Job : Dancer
  • Bio : Laborum minima iste distinctio dolores rerum. Autem molestiae ratione adipisci facere iusto veniam ea tempora. Aut soluta et est tempora.

Socials

instagram:

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/reymundo5182
  • username : reymundo5182
  • bio : Eveniet tempora praesentium repudiandae ut. Cum omnis nostrum non sint quae.
  • followers : 6334
  • following : 2403

facebook:

Random Posts