MNF Recap + Week 5 Waiver Wire

This episode is a post-Monday Night Football reaction and Week 5 waiver wire breakdown, with Matthew Berry, Moe Hassan, and Michelle Beadle digging into the Falcons' backfield explosion, a flurry of running back committee situations across the league, and streaming options at every position. The through-line is that touches and target share matter more than name value right now — several hosts flagged backup or committee backs who are quietly earning real roles.

The arguments

Bijan Robinson has reasserted himself as the clear #1 redraft running back over Jahmyr Gibbs. Berry cited Bijan averaging 153 yards from scrimmage per game and at least 145 yards in three of four contests, arguing that if drafts were redone today, Bijan would go off the board first. Moe, who drafted Bijan first overall, groused that Brian Robinson's touchdown-vulturing cost him an even bigger fantasy day, which Berry and Beadle mocked as greedy given Bijan's ~28-point outing.

Brian Robinson is more than handcuff insurance — he's a real touchdown-dependent flex. Berry made the case using Atlanta's offensive environment: the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing yards per game and have an 81% red-zone rush rate, and Robinson has hit double-digit touches with 50+ rushing yards in three straight games. He compared Robinson's role to what Tyler Algier was last year and what Blake Corum was supposed to be this season — a ~10-touch back with weekly touchdown equity.

Alvin Kamara is a viable low-end RB2/high-end flex, but his monster game may be a sell-high moment. Berry pointed to Kamara earning 12 of 19 Saints running back touches, a 37% target share on his routes, and 75% of the team's red-zone running back touches, which he said makes Kamara his highest-ranked Saints back once his rankings post. Moe floated trading Kamara now given Etienne's eventual return and CJ Donaldson's late-game snaps, but Berry downplayed the sell-high urgency, noting Donaldson's numbers were skewed by garbage time and that no robust trade market is likely to materialize.

The Seahawks' running back room got scrambled mid-show, elevating Emmanuel Wilson's priority. The hosts initially treated the Joe Mixon signing as a low-impact depth move, with Berry preferring Emmanuel Wilson (51% rostered) given his 24 touches, 100% red-zone/goal-line share, and three straight games leading the Seattle backfield in snaps. Breaking news arrived mid-episode that Mixon failed his physical and won't be signing, which Berry said makes Wilson an even bigger priority add.

Will Shipley is a viable streaming flex against Jacksonville, but the matchup and offense are shaky. With Tank Bigsby on IR, Berry framed the pro-case (Shipley's passing-game role, Jacksonville allowing heavy reception volume to backs) against the anti-case (Saquon struggling, Dallas Goedt out, uncertainty over Saquon and Devonta Smith suiting up for the London game). He landed on Shipley as an interesting PPR spot start, not a must-start.

Backfield committees in New Orleans/Denver and Miami are worth monitoring for deeper-league value. Moe and Berry noted Tyler Algier playing 51% of snaps and 60% of passing-down snaps over Jeremiah Love, a committee they expect to normalize but not immediately. Keaton Mitchell was flagged as a priority add (35% rostered) after back-to-back weeks of double-digit touches and expanding targets in Miami, with McDaniel actively deploying him in space.

With DJ Moore banged up, Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir both see real usage spikes, but with different risk profiles. Berry noted Coleman's 35% target share and 13.6 YPR over the DJ-Moore-limited stretch as the upside/stash play, while Shakir's 21%+ target share and 36% red-zone target share make him the safer floor play in a game with a 54.5 point total against the Rams.

What it means for your roster

• Priority waiver add: Emmanuel Wilson, especially after the Mixon signing collapsed — he's the clear lead Seahawks back for now.
• Add/stash in all formats: Brian Robinson as a weekly flex with touchdown equity in Atlanta's run-heavy, red-zone-dominant offense.
• Flex/low-end RB2 play: Alvin Kamara stays startable until Etienne returns, though expect positive touchdown regression to cool off — gauge trade offers but don't force a sale.
• Speculative bench stashes: Keon Coleman (upside) and Khalil Shakir (floor) both warrant adds while DJ Moore's status is unclear; Keaton Mitchell in deeper leagues.
• Spot-start option: Will Shipley in PPR formats if you need a flex body against Jacksonville, with clear downside if Saquon/weapons are out.
• QB streaming targets: Jacoby Brissett (vs. Lions) and Aaron Rodgers (vs. Colts) were the top plug-and-play options; Kirk Cousins is quietly a top-10 fantasy QB worth rostering in deeper leagues.
• Speculative add: Tyreek Hill is worth a bench stash the moment he signs, with Kansas City floated as the most likely and most fantasy-friendly landing spot.