NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 40s and Free Agents: 2025's Rookie Report Card

Episode Date: September 30, 2025

Gregg Rosenthal and Daniel Jeremiah check in on how the latest draft class is holding up through four weeks of the NFL season. Plus, Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto takes exception to Gregg's tweet over the weekend. All that and more on 40's and Free Agents!NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. The NFL is rolling. That's right, and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 60. It's in the name, NFL Daily. So you'll have fresh content in your feed all season long. Join me, Greg Rosenthal, in an all-star cast of co-hosts for previews and recaps of every single game. NFL Daily will keep you up to date with everything you need to know so you can sound smarter than all your friends. Listen to NFL Daily.

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Ends 2.826. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. States and D.C. 18 and over. For complete details, how to enter, prizes, and official rules, visit Toyotas Game Day Giveaways.com. Hey, everybody, Daniel Jeremiah here.

And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the 6, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies. To evaluate team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front-offer. We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else. It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sundays. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.

Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL fantasy football podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL.

Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Welcome to 40s and free agents. You're a regular podcast about the free agent market and NFL draft. I am Greg Rosenthal and I am with Daniel Jeremiah for the first time during this regular season. DJ, we're going to be hitting the listeners each and every week leading into free agency, leading into the draft starting in January. But the fans demanded that we stop by. we're going to do it quarterly during the regular season kind of look back at how last year's draft how the free agency crock is doing right now how are you enjoying your season without me um i miss you i'll be honest with i do miss you but this is like you're like the dermatologist i just need to check in every now and then to make sure everything's okay you know that's that's where i am but uh i'm glad i'm going to happen to wait till the off season because it's fun it's you know you don't just you know go back and and look at it as a whole and it's more fun we're when you kind of check in at the quarter marks and kind of see.

And we can monitor the progress for some of these guys. Who's kind of building up from a free agency standpoint and in a rookie standpoint and who's cooling off as we go through the year? It'll be fun to follow it. Yeah, I'm looking forward to doing this. And it's important too. You know, I'm sure your evaluations are a little more meaningful than mine. People will remember them and you got to work on your process.

I don't know if anyone's really tracking my free agency 101 to see what I did well and what I didn't. But this is going to be a fun exercise. So we thought we just go through each position, go position by position, pick out some of the highlights, maybe who's been a good bargain in terms of a draft pick or a good signing in terms of a free agent. Why don't you get us going? Yeah, I mean, I'm just kind of looking at guys who've played and who've been kind of the top guys and maybe, you know, through some of these positions, they don't have it for all of them because they just haven't been some guys that have played. Some of them all give you a guy who's been a little underwhelming. But the, let's start with the quarterback position, Greg. And if we're looking at the draft, it's only really two guys to talk about.

Cam Ward, it's been a slog. We talked about it in the, and, you know, after the draft and in the run up to the season, it was going to be hard for him with what they had around him. They're not good, you know, really in any department at this point in time. So because of that, you're seeing a ton of sacks. And he's taking 17 sacks. The frustration is starting to bubble up. You've seen that in some of his comments after last week's game.

I still believe in his ability. it's going to require patience and they're going to need to fill a lot of holes on this roster. I don't know if I've learned anything about Cam Ward is what I'm getting at here as the number one overall pick. And maybe in the world's defense, there's a reason why he was the least talked about number one overall pick because the world realized what a cruddy group and situation he was going into. That press conference, which you're alluding to when he said, if we're keeping a a buck we ask which is a classic all-time quarterback quote i um i watch the whole thing and i'm the one thing i feel differently about just because i didn't know enough about like i'm actually impressed about how he's addressing their difficulties and when i watch him on a week-to-week

basis he does things that wow you every single week and i think he's doing as well as you could possibly expect in a really bad situation their offensive line has not played well he just doesn't have the weapons around them. The guys they brought in, for instance, as a free agent, Tyler Lockett, no production whatsoever. So I kind of like where he is as a leader. The problem is I don't know if that coaching staff is going to be there next year. It doesn't feel like it. It does not feel like it.

One of the one I'll hit quickly. I was there for Jackson Darts first start. And it's one of those things where if you box score scout and look at it, like, I didn't throw for that many yards. He got sacked a bunch of times. But I'm telling you, the first thing you notice is when he jogged onto the field, it lit up the whole stadium. He brought a ton of energy.

a ton of juice and inspired not only the stadium, but his teammates, he ran the ball extremely well even after he got nicked up. So the toughness and the athleticism was there. Some huge third downs, you know, with his arm and with his legs, being able to go get some of those. So they're not protecting him with kid gloves, as you would think, in your first overall start. And, you know, Chargers gave him a couple gifts. They ended up with a couple possessions starting inside the Chargers 10. But they cashed it. They cashed the chips. And he did a really nice job. And I think it's, exciting. And I always go back to what we said. I've tried to put you on this line of thinking, which is the cardinal sin is to be bad and boring. Don't be both. And now the giants are exciting.

They're not a boring team. And unfortunately, neighbors went down. But Jackson Dart's going to bring some fun to that franchise. That's a good thing. Yeah, it was a Tim Toot T. Bowian kind of game for him, at least in terms of the box score and like the way that they won it. But obviously, I think he's going to have more skills throwing the ball than team up man you were you were kind of the bad luck charm this weekend not to not to pick on you you're at the rider cup on Saturday and then tough day so i will explain that so i'm as you know a man of faith and i was on the plane heading over uh to new york and i said lord i would love for the u.s rider cup team to win and i would love for the Padres to beat the cubs and he said i can only give you one and so i apologize to all the american golf fans out there

you had that sort of a direct line. Another quarterback who also is a man of faith. Russell Wilson, just since you're talking to Jackson Darry transitioning to the free agents. If you think about how this free agent, you know, quarterback market went and you think, well,

the Steelers kind of chose Fields over Aaron Rogers initially, like they supposedly wanted him. But then Aaron Rogers ends up obviously with Pittsburgh because Fields gets paid more. by the Jets and then Russell Wilson was kind of the last in that little group he ends up going to New York I never bought the argument and we talked about this on the show that he was going to be some sort of upgrade even on what they had a year ago that proved to be true and then dart gets in there initially I think the Steelers are ultimately happy with Aaron Rogers

even if he's not a top level quarterback and Justin Fields has has kind of been what you expected some ups and some downs I will point out though DJ and I will eat some humble pie that the... Let's go to the Pacific Northwest, ladies and gentlemen. So I'm taping this in London. That's the dedication I have for 40s and free agents. I'm at TalkSport 2, where I'll be calling the game, by the way, like Daniel Jeremiah on Sunday, game over in London.

So I woke up Friday morning to watch that Seahawks game, and it was just another great Sam Darnold performance. He's giving them everything that they want. They're not putting too much on his plate, but I also won't pretend that he's not making at least four to five. high level plays each week. So he's really cut down on the mistakes and he's made some wow plays without needing to throw 25 to 30 times a game because they have such a good defense. That has really worked out for them. He's been excellent. To me, I was I was watching

Bears tape the day and I brought this up with somebody. I said this sounds interesting. I guess would be the word I would use. But I would have Caleb watch Sam because some of the Sam's issues that he had when he was really young in the NFL was he was too frenetic it was too fast and then now you look at there's a poison a calm and a quietness to him like especially from his lower body he kind of just gets relaxed gets his cleats in the ground he's comfortable and it's made him more accurate with that um i think caleb could learn a lot from sam which is pretty incredible that sam from where he was a couple years ago with somebody i would recommend his teaching tape for a young quarterback who's been on a little bit of a roller coaster ride um the uh the other thing

I was going to give you just because you mentioned you're going to be calling the game. I'm thinking you can take advantage of this because this will be on in Europe, right? This will be on. Yeah. It's not an American broadcast, correct? Am I right? Yeah. I mean, it's radio.

You can get it on YouTube if you were a big fan. You can use, you can recycle all of the great American calls. And this guy is the greatest broadcaster of all. Like, how about like, there's, there's, do you believe in miracles? Yes. And then you can come back with, I can't believe. what I just saw and then finish it off with there are no flags on the field it's a miracle and you can just recycle all of them and just claim them all as your own like nobody over there

is going to know DJ's got bits I love it I I do wonder you know if you're an American football fan over here I find them to be better fans than the casual ones back home and and they have been listening to American broadcast so they might they might catch on to that but I'll give it a shot and see if I get any response one last thing on the quarterback cycle and then we'll move you mentioned getting quieter feet getting a little better under pressure i'm not seeing daniel jones is all the way there yet but he is a much calmer quarterback uh for the colts and thinking back to hit he was a backup with with the vikings they didn't want to pay him that top level backup money it was sort of in between 14 million dollars obviously that's been

a transformative decision by the indianapolis colts to get get get him on a 14 million dollar deal and he's playing the way that he is. I think he has looked a little calmer when he's been under pressure this year. Yeah, and it's been the theme if you're looking for the recycled quarterback escape from New York, man. It's, it's, it's, Gino was able to do it. You've seen Sam do it, and now you're seeing Daniel Jones do it. So there's a lot of pressure that comes with that market, and we've seen some guys leave there and have success outside of it. Let's jump to the receivers, and I'll, I'll pick up the pace for us here, Greg. The three guys, I'm going to hit on real quick. Tedroa McMillan has been clearly the number one.

The team stinks. Carolina Panthers aren't any good. But he's had a couple drops. But overall, he looks the part of, you know, someone who has picked where he was picked. I feel very good about that one. If you were the Panthers. Abuka has been awesome. I mean, he's been, to me, the most impressive overall.

He's, I think, what, about eight yards behind McMillan, but with all the different guys they have there in Tampa, I think what he's done has been more impressive, some big time, big time, impressive catches. And then Travis Hunter was the third one. just you know the production hasn't jumped off the screen yet 13 for a buck 18 um but he to me everybody's like he needs to decide one or the other i i hear that argument just to me he just needs time he needs time he's not you know just just let it settle in brian thomas junior can't catch the ball he's been you know gosh i thought he was going to have a monster year that has not happened uh but just be patient with travis hunter on uh on that side of the ball he's been good

on defense from what i've seen and then the one i put one that i'm just a personally a little disappointed in and maybe there's more to come here. But like, Jaden Higgins has five for 89. And I know they have guys there, but he's had one target. He's only throwing the ball once in each of the last three games. Like, I thought he would be more a piece of their offense and a focal point. Now, I did get in the end zone, but he has not been really any type of feature guy there. Yeah, they don't have a lot going on offense in terms of their passing game.

But you're right, even in the first couple games where Christian Kirk was not out there. His snaps were like in half, you know, they were somewhat limited and not getting a ton of targets. Agbuka might be, he's got a chance to be rookie of the year. He has been that good. So I need to do some self-scouting, DJ, because all off-season, you know, who is atop my free agency wide receiver list. If you didn't count T. Higgins, who ended up resigning, he was not signed by any team

in the NFL. It was Amari Cooper. In the preseason, they kept putting it across the bottom line of NFL number. Best available. Best available. I had him like number. But that's where, you know, I didn't know that the game just maybe wasn't in him anymore. He got back to the Raiders and ended up retiring quickly.

So I will point out, Stefan Diggs in this last week for the Patriots, got a big deal. It's kind of a year-by-year deal where you got about $18, $20 million a year. He's still less than a year away from his ACL surgery, and he's not a burner by any means. But he is the best receiver on that roster, and he's smart enough to know where the openings and zone coverage are. And I think ultimately they're going to be happy with Stefan Diggs. I think that signing, like a lot of their signings is working out, right? now. Yeah, I don't know how long term wise if he's going to be in their plans is they kind of get these young guys to develop and continue to add to that core as they go forward. But they need

dudes. They just needed some help at this point time. And the quarterback has played really well. I do want to point out the best bargain at this position plays for your Los Angeles Chargers. Oh, Keenan Allen, man. I mean, the production that they are getting from Keenan Allen. I say it every year. The best values in free agency are always the year by year guys in their. early to mid-30s. You think, okay, that's the end of their career. I mean, he's going to produce better than a lot of these $20 million guys. He has been excellent for them. Yeah, and as proof of concept, you know, I always said, oh, you want somebody that's been in the system or maybe he has a relationship with the quarterback or in this case, you get a guy who's, you know, the greatest,

you know, arguably the greatest receiver in the history of the franchise comes right back and picks up right where he left off. So he's been awesome and well received inside the locker room as well. You want to talk any running backs? Yeah. Your old guy, J.K. Dobbins, is doing a good job in Denver. He's really the one that that stands out to me as a guy who I think they got a good value. It's that year two after the surgery, and I think he fits that system really nice. Yeah, I just hope he can stay healthy. If he stays healthy, he's always been productive. It's just a matter of being able to get him out there each and every week. I would, to me, I like the idea of lighten this load as you go through, kind of manage him so that you have him as you get to the more meaningful

of the season. The running backs from the draft, it's a really good group. Gentie, both him and Hampton had big games last week. They're both, you know, playing well. Judkin, since he's got signed, he's been excellent. Ascadaboo, the numbers aren't wowing, but just again, seeing it in person, he brings a lot of juice and energy and toughness. Watch him as a lead blocker now, with Jackson Dart running the ball a little bit. He's like a, to me, he's like a Mike Allstot, you left in the dryer too long, like just like a little shrunken down version of that. But he's fun he is a fun watch with what he's done the one that i wrote down that's been just a little bit of a bummer and it's not that he's been terrible but i really thought dravion henderson was going to

pop more than he has so far he's got 105 yards on the ground it's coming you know a little more each week he had a couple really bad pass blocking reps which i was thinking about he was the best pass blocking back in the that i i remember that and and i remember rabel getting on him in a post compressor so i decided to go back and watch it It was only three reps, DJ. And he had, like, catastrophic mistakes on all three. And then they just didn't play him for a couple weeks on passing downs because of it. He had a penalty.

He had missed assignment where he, like, gave up a sack and another pressure. And then back, they played him again more this week. He looks explosive to me. So I'm not too worried. One other great value that I just did not expect was Giovante Williams is running really hard for the Dallas Cowboys. So some of these mid-career cheap backs that you always say, like, you can find a back. And you really can. Giovante Williams has been good for the Cowboys.

And to be honest, before he popped his Achilles, Najee Harris was running the ball well for the Chargers as well. Another one of those kind of mid-career guys. Do we have, let's go tight ends real quick. Tyler Warren has been everything as advertised. Harold Fanon has been awesome with Cleveland. Both those guys are, you know, key parts of their offense focal points. And then the disappointment would be Colston Lovell and three catches through four weeks.

Like that, you know, you take a guy in the first round that high, even with all the other pieces they have. he hasn't really been a factor at all. Not an exciting position at free agency at tight end. So I'll just throw the Warren thing back at you. You are so high on Warren. And he's one of those guys that even watch him in the preseason. I think you could realize, oh, this is going to work.

And I kind of think he's the most important player on their offense, I guess other than quarterback. But it seems like so much of their offenses around him. He is a special player, another possibility to win offensive rookie of the year. And I think he's one of those weird guys that like you got to watch a ton of him to appreciate him, you know, because if you're just looking at like who's the silky smooth, like a dynamic, like he doesn't fit any of those narratives. He's just a really, really good player who understands how to play in space.

He understands how to keep guys on his back when he's going to get the football. He's tough to get on the ground after the catch. He's a really, really, really good football player. So that was a perfect fit. That's one of those things. We said it in one of the first episodes we did right after the draft, which was this was the ideal need and value marrying up for them with where they were in the draft. And Chris Ballard nailed that one.

You want to do some offensive linemen, Greg? I only have bad news for offensive linemen, but some of my strongest takes. Basically, you do not want to find offensive linemen in free agency. Now, this isn't every single year, but you do tend to overpay. And if you think about the teams that win in the most, it was the Vikings and it was the Bears. and I don't think either one of them are feeling too good about their investments. Will Fries has been okay. Maybe I'm sticking in my head because I was at the game.

It's a beautiful view when you're calling the game. You can really see it. I know what DJ experiences every week. Man, they were getting caved in even before Ryan Kelly left the game. And he's had a couple concussions now early. Will Fries has struggled. And then the Bears, you remember we thought, well, did they fix their offensive line? They got Tuni and Drew Dalman and Jodin Jackson.

I would say all three to varying degrees have strong. struggled two and he's been okay and the other two in general their offensive line not really playing well on the interior so it is tough to buy an offensive line is kind of my my takeaway especially on the interior how old were you and you got married gregg pretty young for this generation although i'm not in this generation anymore i think 27 27 okay yeah i was i was 22 but i remember i used to always hear people say like oh so you better you better find your person you don't want to be looking shopping when you're 40 there's not a lot of there's a reason why people are single in their 40s. You don't want to marry them. And I'm sitting here going like, that's offensive line. Like if you're a decent offensive lineman, you don't get the, nobody lets you out of the building. So if you're out there and available, for the most part, there's a pretty good reason for it.

And it's a little bit of a buyer beware there. Dan Moore is another one, which we criticized at the time, wondering why he got so much money. And he's struggled for the Titans at Lived tackle. Not good enough. For the rookies, uh, look, Will Campbell, uh, Memboo and Josh Simmons. I saw Josh Simmons live in person. He's going to be, we've said it. he's going to be really, really good, provided he can be out there and be healthy.

He is very talented. I think he's the best left tackle the Chiefs have had. I don't even know how long. It goes way back with how well he's played. And then, you know, one that I wasn't in love with at the time and who struggled as ursery. You know, I was not an ursery guy coming out. You know, even some of the statistical stuff, it shows that.

It's pressure rates over 10. He's given up four sacks. He's played on the left and the right side, which isn't really fair to a young player to have to bounce around a little bit. So sometimes it takes long. Big guys, DTs and OTs, there can be a little bit longer development process there. So you never want to give up on somebody early. And we've only been four games in.

So let's track him as he goes through the year. Hopefully he gets better. Yeah, there's a lot of offensive line stories. Andrew Thomas really sticks out to me as a guy who, after his rookie year, Giants fans thought he was a bust. He turned into one of the best players in the entire league at its position. and I've seen that quite a bit. All right, let's go to defense.

You want to, let's do edges. You go first with your draft pick edges. Yeah, we're going to jump into edges. But before we do that, let's hear, let's hear this amazing advertisement. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from Scouting Reports and player

development to team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give

you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sixth podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Matt Jones.

I'm Drew Franklin, and this is NFL cover zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my.

We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL fantasy football podcast.

Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL fantasy football podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet. We've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL.

Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. We are back on 40s and free agents, and I'm here in shame in London because DJ is the one on top of things and actually threw it to the break. Well, it's hard. I mean, look, you're not playing a home game. You're on the road. And you've got to step up, got to help out your team.

It's something the U.S. Rider Cup team wasn't able to do. You know, you hit it in the woods and I got us back. I got us back in the fairway, man. That's all I'm trying to do. I wish I knew more about what went on there, but I was not. I was not locked in like a lot of the players. Oh, all right.

Hold on. Hold on. Before you start, can I show you who am the favorite person I saw at the Ryder Cup? Ken Griffey Jr. He was doing his photographer thing walking around. I'm like, hey, it's King Griffey. Came over.

Niceest guy in the world. And to be honest with you, last golf take of the day. If Ken Griffey Jr. played instead of Scotty Sheffler, we would have scored the same amount of points. So, unfortunately. Why do so many great all-time athletes become professional photographer? You got Marcia. Randy Johnson does it.

Marshawn. Yeah. It's a fun hobby. It's a fun job for these guys. All right. I'm going to throw out the defensive end that sticks out to me the most. And it's actually a combination of the two Cardinals pickups, Callias Campbell and Josh Sweat. They have both delivered.

Campbell makes my point that I said earlier. The best values in free agency are often these guys. towards the end of their career. They only have to pay him $5.5 million. I mean, he's playing like a pro bowler. He's helped really win their two games that they won, where largely because of Clayas Campbell and Josh Sweat. Josh Sweat has had consistent pressure.

Sacks basically been exactly what they wanted. They got other issues on that team, but those two guys together. And Campbell, who is a guest on NFL Daily this week, with Jordan Roderig doing the interview. Just thought I'd give him a plug, but he's been incredible again. Well, there you go.

These veteran guys making an impact, and I think it's been good so far from the rookies as well. Abdul Carter, I saw him in person, and that get off is real. You know, he had to play off the ball the previous week because of injuries, but I'm curious to see. I think I don't know for sure, but I believe Tibado's, I don't think they picked up his fifth-year option. I think he's up after this year. It'll be interested to see what they do there because it is the best part of their defense is their front when Dexter Lawrence is starting to play a little bit better. but man it's like every rep you can get abdul carter off the edge and on the opposite side of burns is it's fun to watch and tibodos playing well too i don't get me wrong but abdal carter's got 21 pressures nine more than any other rookie like he's been clearly the best defensive pass rusher he won that game for them i just watched that today and he was he was impressive they did pick up tibidot's fifth year option which i think they'll feel good about you know some games they've they've used carter uh at linebacker they're rushing them on the inside side and some games he's been at edge. I mean, that's a great trio to be rushing the

passer. It's fun. I just, to me, I wish they could just let him just purely just rush outside and get comfortable. He can win so many different ways. He's been awesome. James Pierce, you know, I think probably the most pressure of anybody, not that pass rush, but the most riding on a selection would be James Pierce because they traded a future one with the Rams to go get a second pass rusher after Walker, who they took, who's been good. But Pierce's got 12 pressures he's got a 21% pressure rate which is incredibly high so if you're just looking at some of the numbers and stuff he's been good there michael williams has been good with san francisco uh your favorite in mind mason graham has been excellent as a defensive tackle that i think that's i think that's

uh overselling it because we have uh something on the line here he's been he's been fine he's been fine okay so he only has seven pressures that is tied for the most among defensive tackles he does have three tackles for loss which is also uh the most among amongst all rookies so i mean yeah i mean technically he's first and everything but um you know for gregg's point he wants to make and he's going to die on this hill is it somehow this wasn't a good pick but that's that's that's where we are if you i mean the numbers and the tape doesn't match that but that but that's you know that's your take because i'm locked into this and emotionally connected i'm tracking it and he had a really good week three that was against green bay people notice that was against

backups but you know green bay the other games he's been quite quiet um and if you look at like PFF grades for what for what it's worth the pass rush win rate the overall grade for better he's he's been okay I don't think he's one of the top three rookies on the Browns I mean we're gonna get we're gonna get to we're gonna get to some of these other guys Judkins it's been even better last what I'll say on the lineman Milton Williams has come as advertised he has really been consistently pushing the pocket and I was thinking in that game against Carolina that was really the Milton Williams Bowl they they wanted to pay him and he has helped out that

whole line. Really, their big ticket signings have worked. Terrell Landry's played very well for the Patriots too. So they're happy and then again, it's in my head because I was watching it. But Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen really struggled in that game against the Steelers on Sunday. And in general this year, not a ton of

production from those two guys that the Vikings signed on their defensive interior. Yeah, they were very active the Vikings were. The one disappointment, I would say on the pass rush side and again, I kind of just grouped all the pass rush inside, outside, all those guys altogether. Shemar Stewart, just because you had the contract, so he's late getting there,

then he has an ankle injury. So it just hasn't really got off the, you know, off the mat yet. So just kind of a slow start there. But hopefully he comes back. He's healthy and makes an impact for them. I did want to give one shout out, by the way. It was a trade. I don't know if it counts in frequency, but Bryce Huff.

Bryce Huff has been fantastic for the 49ers. He's right back to being like Robert Sala, Bryce off, and the Jets. Yeah, it's perfect in terms of the value. phrase we use the phrase in the personnel department like sponsors like you got to have a sponsor and you can see it with guys you'll see it with backup quarterbacks like a backup quarterback that has the sponsor like they could hang around forever man because you just got a coach that loves him and he'll always have work um and saying in this case it is a great fit because it's just all get off just that is how bryce huff wins we're not worried about you holding up and and uh play in the point of attack just get off the rock and uh and go and that's where he's been excellent you want to go to linebackers yeah let's do it i think it's been good for the rookies. Swetsinger's been the best one. As you referenced, he's been awesome. And it's everything. He can run in cover. He's got range. His eyes work well. He's got great instincts. He's been awesome. Jihad Campbell has done some stuff in coverage that's been outstanding. Was a favorite of ours coming through the draft process with the Eagles. And he gets to play

next to an absolute stud. There's no better person for him to play next to in Zach Bond to learn from him. And Demetrius Knight, I think,'s done a nice job as well. So there's three off the ball linebackers for rookies, which is not always easy to do. I think all three of those guys have played really well. I feel like offball linebackers are back. We're seeing some young, really good players in the league when you think about Edger and Cooper. You seem like you're underselling Jahad Campbell. I feel like for a rookie in that position, he's impressive. He's impressive. He's impressive. The only thing he's got going against him is the guy he's playing next to who makes, you know, twice as many incredible wild plays. Not, none of his fault, but just that's how good Bonn is.

But he's, he's been really good. Yeah. There weren't a lot of big splashes in, of the free agent market. Drake Greenlaw, that was a risky contract that they brought him into Denver with. And he has not been healthy. He was not healthy a year ago. So that's kind of an incomplete. But right now, it's not working out well for them. Jamie and Sherwood is a guy who I've noticed been on the wrong end of a lot of bad plays

against the Jets this year. They re-signed him to pretty good money. And then on the positive side, that way, I thought the Ernest Jones contract for Seattle was quietly important for what they're doing. and he is right in the middle of one of the best defenses in the league. So in terms of the money that they gave him, which was not too much, I thought that turned out to be a really good value so far. I love Ernest Jones.

I've always one. I didn't understand why he kept bouncing around because everywhere he was, I felt like he played really well, but we got to get rid of 13. Something about an off-the-ball linebacker word 13. It's just not a good look. Okay, so you're using the term off-ball linebacker, and I've used that term a long time.

And then some guy on Twitter, I don't know when it was, replied to something I said, you know, recently and was like, Greg, you're sounding like you're not a ball noer. Nobody says off ball linebacker anymore. That's not a term that like real football people use anymore. I was like, did I miss the meeting? Did I not get invited that we're not using that term anyway? You're using it. How much more real football can you get? Well, everybody I know, everybody I know and talk to in the NFL used it.

So maybe, maybe Greg's putting a little too much emphasis and credence into what's being said online, which I wouldn't think you would do after Nick Benito just tried to drag you on social media. That thing has over a million views right now. For those of those three days ago, Greg, the Vikings defense is so good. Jake Browning will be relieved to face the Broncos. Then after the game, you get Nick Benito retweeting it with the crying laughing emoji. Do we have an updated number on the views? Can Gavin give me an update?

Because the screen grab I got was from an hour. hour ago it was only at a million so i don't know if we've maybe got another hundred thousand since then or not you are breaking this news to me you did not know this i did not know this oh yeah nick benito he he had and he had to have had its story it's at 1.1 he had to have had that store it was three you said it three days ago i did notice i haven't been online you're just like a troll you're this like a you know your hot take troll guy now i don't even know who you are I did notice there were a decent, like there were a handful of Broncos fans in my mention, but they're always chirpy anyways, and I haven't been too locked in.

You know, it was really more about the Vikings defense. The point was this. Nick Bonito didn't see it that way. It's so great that like the Broncos, what I didn't consider DJ is that Jake Browning and the Bengals offense is actually the common denominator here. If you want to see what the best defense in the NFL is, it's whoever's playing Jake Browning. and the Bengals, at least the last two weeks, literally the best two defensive performances of the entire season are against Jake Browning and that Bengals offense.

This is more of an NFL daily topic, but would you trade for Jamis? If I was the Bengals, watching Jake Browning play every week, yeah. It really seems like it's more, though. James would not, James would help them, but it's the offensive line. He'd be like Jamar Chase,

I'm going to give you 15 targets every game. Let's see what happens. offensive line it's the system and then it's the defense it's it's everything there is is not good really except for the receivers all right let's wrap it up with the uh defensive backs go ahead i'll uh i'll just rip through three guys here real quick um the couple safeties there with zavier watson and billy bowman have been excellent so they're fun like those guys will johnson um slipped because he didn't run fast uh but has been a good player got his hand on a bunch of footballs he's played well on what I've seen of him.

So those are three names, not, you know, not first round picks, but three good secondary players for you right there. Honestly, I'm still just scrambling. And now I'm looking, you know, I want to find this Nick Benito tweet. I'm all over the place. I got you off. I got you off guard a little bit there. I didn't know.

I'm on tilt and I'm annoyed, too, because I've used every platform that I have, DJ, NFL daily, NFL game debut to talk about how great Nick Benito is this year, that he was. that he was, I think, second or third in defensive player of the year last year. And I think he's taking it to another level. He might be like the best pure press rusher in the NFL along with Micah right now. He doesn't care. Yeah, none of that's going to matter. The defensive backs, you know, a couple signing stuck out with me for the giants that really

haven't turned around their defensive backfield. Paulson Adibo was a big risk. And Javon Hallen really hasn't helped their secondary out too much. I feel like that's another position that it's very difficult to find like a great value in free agency. But I do like what the Indianapolis Colts did. Chris Ballard has really had like a great offseason. If you look at their secondary, Charverius Ward and Cambinam have been extremely competitive, especially Charverius Ward and overall has upgraded a group that without them would really be struggling.

So give the Colts some credit there. Yeah, they've done a nice job. not only what the moves they've made in the offseason with the draft and free agency that have been heralded in our conversation but it's just translated overall how they played on the field and I think you've got to give the combination of

Chris Ballard gets a lot of grief and I thought you did a nice job this offseason and I actually think Shane Steikin's one of the best in-game coaches of how he can design things and call plays he's done a really, really good job well you know who they used to say that about too Louis and Arumo

you know their defense boarder he's back he's back maybe so overall it's a much more talented uh group i would say and it's funny i'm looking at this free agency list out there and then you realize like asante samuel junior he's not even on a team stephan gilmore is not even on a team some of these guys i thought that were pretty good pickups that never even got signed so free agency never ends you you know that you were in the front office the pro personnel department is scouring for picks right now think about it if we were um in the same type of environment as a teams are like say you know for instance hypothetically if you were a podcasting free agent you know like hey we don't we don't we don't like you enough to just

give you the contract but we'll give you come in and work out for us a little bit let's just come in here workshop a couple segments um and we'll see you might be on our ready list you might just be on the ready list that if in the future we feel like you know we need an extra podcast we would uh we'd bring you in this would not be the tape that i would submit dj it isn't Were you getting crushed by Nick Benito? That's not the audition tape. I've been until ever since that moment happened. It was a pleasure.

We are going to do this again, like I said, about halfway through the season. I think it's on the books for the beginning of November. So keep studying, keep listening to Move the Sticks, everyone out there. We'll be back with another NFL daily very shortly. And yes, we'll be on a one-month break from 40s and free agents. We'll see you next day. The NFL is rolling. That's right, and you should be listening to NFL Daily

as we march along to Super Bowl 60. It's in the name, NFL Daily. So you'll have fresh content in your feed all season long. Join me, Greg Rosenthal, in an all-star cast of co-hosts for previews and recaps of every single game. NFL Daily will keep you up to date with everything you need to know

so you can sound smarter than all your friends. Listen to NFL Daily on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Ends 2-826. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. States and D.C. 18 and over.

For complete details, how to enter, prizes and official rules, visit Toyotas Game Day Giveaways.com. Hey, everybody, Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the 6, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookie To evaluate team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters.

We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else. It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sundays. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Lev Florio. and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?

Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL, Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more.

This is an IHeart podcast.