NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 40s and Free Agents: NFL Draft Post Mortem... Surprises, Best Fits & Offseason Storylines

Episode Date: April 29, 2025

NFL Network analysts Gregg Rosenthal and Daniel Jeremiah reconnect following the 2025 NFL Draft for the season finale of "40s and Free Agents." The duo shares their most surprising draft moments, as well as what prospects they think fit best with their new teams. Later, Gregg leads a conversation about what current NFL quarterbacks benefitted most from the draft, including Drake Maye, Geno Smith and CJ Stroud. Then, DJ goes on the clock with a few reflections from working the draft for NFL Network. NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Welcome to 40s and Free Agents. We have reached the end of the draft road free agency. It's way back there. Daniel Jeremiah is with us. And at the end of every draft, I'd like send you a text. You probably get a million of them. Just what an awesome job.

But I knew I would see you before we said goodbye to you. So great job on the draft. Congrats on doing it. Well, I appreciate you, buddy. And by the way, I can't tell you the number of people that came up to me and said how much they enjoyed your work on this podcast. The reason I can't tell you that is because nobody did, but I'd like to think that they're out there,

and I just haven't met them yet. So that's what I'm holding on to. I know they're out there. I've heard from them. Adam Shine is one of them. We'll get to that later in the show. Let's just start, just some things, maybe big picture that surprise you. Later in the show, we're going to get to some great fits

and what teams were excited to watch and kind of how the free agency portion of the offseason married up with this draft. But just what big picture surprised you most, when you were on the set there in Green Bay. Yeah, I mean, just the rumors day of that this Travis Hunter Jacksonville thing might happen, that they might trade up with Cleveland. And it's like every year, Greg, I could write a book on the rumors you hear within 24 hours of the draft.

And they're all some of the craziest things you've ever heard. And so it never happened. So I was somewhat reluctant to buy in on this. And then it just kept, the drumbeat kept getting louder and louder. And here it is, it's done. And it sounds like something that had been agreed to for quite some time. So they did a great job of keeping that under their lid. But that one kind of just changed the direction of the draft a little bit and kind of caught us off guard and was, is what makes the draft so compelling and so fun is that you can study it.

You can try and match these things up and then just one thing. And then it just turned the whole draft upside down. And it was he brought so much electricity and energy to the entire, you know, process. I mean, before we even got to the start of the draft, he's out there dancing with the band. It was just like, the guy's got some electricity to him. He's got some, you know, ridiculous charisma. So it was a lot of fun. Yeah, when he was out there dancing to I'm every woman, I was like,

does he know the Jaguars are trading up for him? But by all accounts, it was a surprise to even him. I'm curious, would you have done it? Would you have made that trade? No, no, I would not dance to I'm every woman. Is that what you're asking? No, would you have traded up. I would love to see that.

I look here's the interesting thing about this and I've said this on a couple of shows but in talking to like our friends mutual friends who are Browns fans devastated right as you can imagine they're getting a chance to watch this unbelievably talented player who's unique and what he does on both sides of the ball so on the fan side of it I think there's a lot of disappointment and all my conversations around the league a lot of people said that the Browns had no choice but to accept that trade like it was it was They all feel like that the Browns did well in this and getting a future first round pick to go along with the hall that they got in this particular draft. So that's the interesting side of it.

I try and fall somewhere in the middle where I can appreciate, hey, let's be bold, new regime here in Jacksonville. Let's get some excitement. You know Travis Hunter is going to bring that. The most important objective for James Gladstone and this entire new regime led by Tony Bisselli is we've got to get Trevor Lawrence up and running. so you get him a premier weapon on the opposite side of Brian Thomas Jr. I get that. We'll have to wait a few years down the road to see what that first round pick next year looks like, Greg. But I did find it fascinating that the fan reaction versus the inside of the league reaction was totally, totally opposite. Well, the people inside the league, they're living in their fears. Isn't it your job? By the way, I noticed you didn't really answer the question there. Would you have done it if you were the Jaguars? I'll tell you what my answer would be. I would do it. I would not have done it if I were the Jaggs. I had a feeling. And I get it. To me, that has to be about the evaluation of Travis Hunter.

And I'm just a layman here. And to me, the people inside the league and your job is to evaluate these prospects. And if you believe that this prospect, Travis Hunter, to me, is that special. Really is the Shohei Otani of football, then you do it. Then you stand by that evaluation. And I like that Jacksonville has talked him up like that, seeing him as a boundary-breaking type of player. And apparently, according to you, you, the rest of the league disagrees. I think they're going to look bad in the long run. I think

they're going to look bad. This process only matters so much. If he really is show Heutani, they messed up. So I'll just, I'll put it to you this way. You know how hard it is. We're in a 17 soon to be an 18 game season. How hard it is for anyone to just make it and play the full 17 or what soon will be 18 games. That's a challenge. If you think about it, he's going to be counted on to play 36 games. in one season like that's what the that's what the holdback is from teams around the league and i can understand that is like this is an awful lot to ask of a human being to hold up both sides of the ball and the national football league against grown men for 18 games they don't think he's going to do

that they think he's going to end up majoring on one side and just doing a little bit on the other side but that whole argument if we got the top corner we got the top receiver what they don't think the league doesn't think that he's going to be able to play that number of snaps at the NFL I get that, and I would agree with it, but what if he's just the best receiver in the league or top five receiver in the league? Or top five cornerback in the league? Then he's worth that. And to me, someone that was able to achieve what he did and the way that he moves in college, he's about as good of a chance at a non-quarterback position to come into the league and like have a Hall of Fame type of career. Maybe I'll be wrong. And maybe you're just happy that your guy, Mason Graham, did it wind up going in the top five. Was there even like a second when that happened? Was there even a second when that happened on the set that you thought of me? And you're like, I got to stick it to Rosen. No, but I thought of, not necessarily of you, but I thought of the, I thought of the dad as a dad and thinking of having, say you've got a, you know, my kids are a little bit older, but say you've got a 14 year old son.

And I do feel for the Browns because, who are the Browns fans, because that dad went to bed telling the son tomorrow, we're going to go get a Travis Hunter jersey. We're going to watch this two-way player. You're going to be one of the most exciting players in the NFL going to the dog pound for the next 10 years. you're going to love it. And then all of a sudden, and then he's like, Dad, who's the,

who's kind of the stubby kid from Michigan that we just took? What happened to this whole promise that you gave me about this two-way show Hey, Otani that was coming our way to the Cleveland Browns? And I say that as someone who appreciates Mason, Grandma, unlike you,

had him as a top five player. He ended up going in the top five. But I can, I can get the tough deal you're in there if you're a Browns fan. Yeah, you have to explain to your kid. It's like, yeah,

he only had five and a half sacks, but there's a lot of pressures. He's really impacting every day. It was like explaining to my daughter. He's never on the ground. Let's talk about balance, son. Let's talk about balance. Yeah, I know.

I had to explain to my daughter. She's a huge ramster. I'm like, you got to trust me. Aaron Donald really is one of the greatest players of all time because you're growing up. You're a kid. You maybe don't see it all. What was another big surprise for you out of the first round? Really the whole draft.

You can go anywhere. Yeah. I mean, I would say just kind of piggybacking on that, that we had another trade for a future first round pick that wasn't for a quarter. Normally when you're parting with next year's one, it's that aggressive, bold move because you need to pay the price to get the quarterback. And this time, it was the Falcons trading next year's one

to the Los Angeles Rams for James Pierce. And this is an example, Greg, of why teams try and guard information and keep information close to the vest because it got out, it was very public that they had done a lot of work on James Pierce and that they really liked James Pierce in Atlanta and we're considering taking him with the 15th pick.

so that then arms less need with the knowledge of how much they value that player and when they want to come back in he can drive a very hard price and it's also probably understanding having worked with Rahim like kind of how passionate he can be and once he sets his sights on something he wants to get it done so look the Rams that is a valuable lottery ticket that they now possess Atlanta if they all stay healthy and all play up to their capabilities that's a team that could they could win that division but it's also a team with quarterback in Michael Pennix, who unfortunately throughout his college career, suffered quite a few injuries. If something unfortunately happened to him early in the year, the Rams could be staring

at a top five pick. So it was a no-brainer move for the Rams to pull that off. Yeah, that was shocking. And it's an underrated aspect of sports fandom that doesn't get talked about that much. If you root for a team, in this case it would be the Rams and you have a future first round pick of another team. It is very fun that year to root against that team. Yes, that's a good point. I remember Celtics, you know, rooting against the Nets back in the day, eventually got them Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown. Like, it's a sneaky fun thing. So like a huge fan. They give you an extra team. You get two teams. It's your team and whoever's playing the Falcons next year. You're locked in. It's a lot of fun. And I think that was a trade that Terry Fontno makes in part because he's been there

for a while. This is a go time type of year. They really focused on the defense all off season, really didn't touch the offense at all. And they need to win now. And they have a pretty good roster chance to do it. Most likely that pick is in the middle of the first round. All right, let's go to some of the favorite picks and fit. We can go back and forth. But since you know more than I do, why don't you get us going? Well, it's not that much more. I'll go, I'll go Warren in the Colts. Tyler Warren to me, one of my favorite players in the draft come out of Penn State. And it was classic case of value because I thought he was higher rated than where he went. It was a fit.

I can see him fitting in with Shane Steichen knows how to use a player like this. And then you look at, you know, the opportunity of where he was in the draft. Like it all just came together perfectly for them, for him to fall in their lap. It was one of those ones. As soon as they went on the clock, you're like, I'll be shocked if this isn't Tyler Warren. And he's going to be a fun player to watch. And he just the fact that he wore 44 going to the place for that Dallas Clark wearing 40. for is kind of fun as well. I love that. He was someone, I wanted to see where he landed

before I thought about what he's going to be at the next level. And thinking him with Shane Steichen in that offense, it's really exciting. I don't know what this Colts team is, but I do want to watch it. Think about the group that they have now put together in terms of what they do after the catch. Tyler Warren is an absolute menace with the ball in his hands. Josh Downs to me is one of the most underrated receivers in the league. If you watch them last year, he took a big leap. And he's a great young player. Michael Pittman is obviously terrific. Alec Pierce, you know, per catch was one of the best deep receivers in the entire NFL last year. You still have A.D. Mitchell. You have the home run ability of Jonathan Taylor. And then you got all these quarterbacks, Anthony Richardson,

in theory, Daniel Jones, maybe even Riley Leonard, who can run the ball, who can do a few different things. I don't know what this team is going to be. They need to get it going now. Chris Ballard has been there for, I believe, nine years, and they got to have a winning team. But I just think they're going to be box office, which you don't. really say a lot. I think it was a sneaky good weekend. If you think about a big picture, DJ, of the entire AFC South. Like, you added Travis Hunter. You added Cam Ward. The Texans added some firepower, like a division that doesn't get a lot of pop. All right, I'm going to move on. And speaking of your tight end, I'm going to talk about another tight end, Mason Taylor, who I know

was one of your favorite players in the entire process. And he goes to the Jets. And this continues a theme that I started on last week's show of 40s and free agents. I love what the Jets are doing this offseason. So really their first two picks are two of my favorite fits. Armand Membue, a right tackle that completes that offensive line. And then, yes, Mason Taylor. Later on in the show, we're going to do a segment, DJ, rookies that they're going to have to have a big role early. Mason Taylor would fit in that segment too, because if you look at that roster, he could be the number two receiver on that team. He's going to have a role right away. He'll have the opportunity to start right away, very reliable. And then you add Membue on the offensive line.

he's really completing an offensive line that I think Joe Douglas finally got right at the end of his tenure as the GM and now the next regime comes in and kind of completes it. I really love what the Jets have done all offseason. Yeah, a couple things on that. One is you knew they wanted a tight end and they wanted a tackle. And so when you looked at it, and we think we might even discuss this on the show, it just makes more sense, order of operation. When you look at this draft class, it's a lot deeper tight end class than it is a tackle class. So get the tackle first. Even if you would have had. had, you know, Tyler Warren or Loveland graded a little bit above Mimbu. I thought it made sense to get the tackle on board and then know there's going to be a tight end waiting for you. And they

ended up kind of pulling that thing off. And this will give you a little bit of a peek behind the curtain. So, you know, you're trying to figure this out before the draft of, you know, who, you know, who's going where. And I'm calling people all around these, you know, colleges as well as teams. You still talk to some agents, trying to get all this information together. I'm talking to somebody at the University of Missouri. And I'm talking about how, you know, where I think these guys could go. We're talking about different places. And I was actually trying to figure out about the Saints because you have Kirby Moore

is the offensive coordinator at Missouri, his brother Kellan Moore as a head coach of the Saints. So I was trying to fish around there, see if I could find out anything about what's going on the Saints. And would the Saints take Membo? And it's like, you know, I don't know. Yeah, they could absolutely. That wouldn't shock me. You know, everybody likes him and stuff.

But he was on a, he was on a Zoom with the Jets head coach and GM. this morning and this is like the day before the draft like oh he's going to the Jets. Okay let's just let's just keep the train moving here. Membo's going to go there and that kind of all just kind of worked out work together. See this is why you have such a good mock draft it's unfair. It's not it's not the

hit rate is not high this year but it's little you get little you get little nuggets around the way and you kind of helps with some of that stuff. I'm annoyed at what a like smart looking organization the Jets look to be this offseason. We'll see. Give me another by the way real quick before you before you leave

the Jets. Don't you think also just trying to Aaron Glenn that his time in Detroit informed what they did. Big heavy right tackle is a little bit better in the run game than the past game coming into the league. Pena Sewell. Athletic tied in kind of range you can stretch the seam Sam LaPorteur. Like it is I went through a bunch of these picks and was trying to figure out what informed those decisions and I'm telling you where you come from does inform a lot of what you try and do. And what also informs me thinking about the Jets in general is Aaron Glenn's got a lot of juice. I'm not saying that Darren Moody, their new GM, is an important part of the new administration, but I think you can look at different teams and think about, is it top down,

is it coach-led? This is an Aaron Glenn organization. I think you look at the offense with Tanner Engstrom. I think all around, he's a veteran of coaching that is ready for this opportunity, and I'm with you. I think he's not going to out of the park and trying to be like the lions. All right, let's go to another favorite pick for you. Yeah. I'm going to go Jalen Walker going to the Falcons. We talked a little bit about my surprise that they, you know, they made that bold move for Pierce to trade next year's one. This one was a no-brainer. This was 14-15 back-to-back. It was Tyler Warren going to the Colts. It was Jalen Walker going to the Falcons again. Their biggest need, tremendous value with him being there. And I think there's not only the ability to rush the passer, he plays off the ball. I can do a lot of different things with them creatively. Greg, to me, it's the fact that this guy's won a ton at John. Georgia. And the guys played on great defenses and he's a leader. Like they need some guys to kind of pull this group up. I don't think it's a, I don't think it's a mystery how Philadelphia got their defense up and running. And everybody talks about, oh, they just keep going and getting all

these Georgia guys. Well, that's a hyper competitive environment where they've done nothing but win and play great on that side of the ball. So I like that. And obviously you save on the airfare. Just get in a tank of gas. Come on over. I love that. And I love that they finally, you know, they get some juice. We'll see James Pierce seems like a boom or bust type of player. Would you rather, if you just need a pass rush, would you rather have Michael Williams at 11 to the 49ers? And I know they were maybe looking for a different type of player, maybe more of a run stopper. Or would you rather have Jalen Walker between those two? I take Walker. I mean, I kind of went back with, you know, focusing on those guys. I think Walker's just more dynamic. I think he's going to make

more plays. That's another whole conversation, different topic on the Niners who was fascinating to me that they kind of philosophically shifted a little bit with all the guys they got, they focused on guys who can stop the run, which maybe speaks to their belief that, hey, the Rams, you know, the Rams are a smash-mouth team. And if we have to get through the Eagles and the playoffs, they're a smash-mouth team. They put a heavy emphasis on guys who can set the edge and a real firm point of attack players versus maybe some more, you know, more talented pass rushers. Yeah, they weren't the only ones. Like nose tackles are back. Like, Kenneth Grant is a defensive tackle. The lions did it. A lot of team. Omar, Norman

Lott going to the Chiefs, a lot of run stoppers getting taken high. I'll go with the pick right after Jalen Walker and just go with Walter Nolan to the Cardinals. It completes an awesome offseason, I think, for making this defense go from really exciting to watch schematically to just talented. Walter Nolan, I said it on this show. If you just watch this top 20 plays, I think it'd be the top defensive player in this class, maybe other than Travis Hunter. So the potential is there and you just hope he lands in the right situation that can use his flexibility. That's Arizona. And then next to some good veterans who, You can show them the way.

That's Callais Campbell. That's Dalvin Tomlinson. So those are two new additions. Here's some more guys that are back, DJ, for this Cardinals team, wrapping up the whole offseason. Darius Robinson, their first round pick, basically missed most of the last year. He'll be back. B.J. O'Jolari, a pick from two years ago, who looked great as a rookie and missed all the last year.

He'll be back. And then you sign Josh Sweat. You draft Will Johnson. Baron Browning was a guy you added midseason and you kept. So I just look at Nolan as part of an entire influx of talent. And I think he's in a good situation. seed. And for those that are listening and not watching this show right now, we've got to get a bigger hat for Walter Nolan. That's the first takeaway. The second takeaway is that I don't know

if you're allowed in the building in Arizona if you don't have a red tie on. Like, God forbid, somebody wore like a purple tie in that room. I mean, they just send them, they just send them right home. Like, you do not come in this draft room unless you have a red tie on. But I do like the fit. I do, I do love it. And I like, I like the Cardinal. I like the teams that have been kind of ignored lately nationally, Jaguars, Cardinals. I like it when they kind of pop back up as national teams. I think the Cardinals could be good enough to do that. Let's wrap this up your

your last favorite fit. Oh, I mentioned the Purple Tie. It would be welcome in the Ravens draft room. And this is one of those ones. We've talked about it. I feel like for months, Malachi Stark just made so much sense for them. It just frees up Hamilton to be able to play closer to the line of scrimmage.

You get someone who can play as that high safety who's got tremendous range. The intelligence and the communication is off the charts when you talk to the folks at Georgia. It just, look, he's, I'm never going to compare anybody to Ed Reed. I was there with Ed Reed. He's in the conversations with the best safeties that ever walked the planet. But just some of the characteristics, the body type, the fluidity, the intelligence, the

communication, the leadership, like he does have a lot of those things going in his favor. So it just felt very Ravens-like. And they had, overall, had a really good draft. Yeah, in general, your favorite fits are just the teams that did what you would have done. You know, that did what you predict. Well, yeah, that's what that. I always, I always laugh at that, by the way. And it's, I don't thankfully have to do draft grades.

But it is. And people go, like, you're just saying that because you like to make, well, yeah. Yeah, that's how it works. Like, you just kind of go like, this is the players I like and whatever teams take them. I'm going to praise those teams for taking the players I like. That's the whole, this is the whole cycle of how this whole thing works. It makes a lot of sense. We are going to take a quick break.

We'll see if we have a cliffhanger here on the season finale of 40s and free agents. 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.

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All right, we are back on 40s in free agents, and I'm trying to recover from the break where DJ said he wanted to read the promo because he would be better at it than me. I mean, what's the scouting report? I don't have the base. I don't have the timber. What are you James Earl Jones over? over there what's going on it's not about me being good at it Greg and I'll just leave it at that you know next segment on the clock is going to be uh quarterbacks who who had a good draft

and I don't mean quarterbacks that that were drafted but just kind of some quarterbacks who watch this draft and we're probably at home and in the happiest and uh I there's an obvious first answer I'm going to see if you're if you'll get to it I'm going to go to New England let's go I love the Patriots draft and it wasn't just offensive they had some good defensive as they added as well. But when you look at Drake May, how stoked are you? When you're going to get a back in Trayvion Henderson, who's someone, I can not only throw the ball to and give me some easy completions, he's the best pass protecting back, maybe in the last decade. So I'm going to get better protection. So that's a huge, that's a huge win. We've upgraded the left tackle. People can argue about Will Campbell and debate him within this class. There is no argument that he's a much better option than what they were playing with last year. So you've upgraded the left tackle. Jared Wilson, one of the most athletic centers, in fact, the most Most Athletic Center in this draft class. You bring him in. I think he's got a chance to be a long-term starter.

And then Kyle Williams, someone that I think we both had an affinity for. Greg, I know you brought him up in the past. I love his ability to win. He can win at the line of scrimmage. He can separate at the top of routes. I think he was 57-ish, 53-ish, somewhere around that on my list. So they got tremendous value there as well. So for my money, Drake May was the big winner of the week.

I mean, I don't have to make a big board, but he would be in my top 25. I didn't see what was wrong with him. You know who you reminded me a little? I saw this comp, and then it stuck. Greg Jennings. I think he could have a Greg Jennings. Ooh, nice. Kind of runs up on his toes like Greg Jennings.

Yeah, and can do a little bit of everything. Sneak up on you. I love me some Kyle Williams. And look, Drake May was my favorite player in last year's class. The Patriots, maybe they're watching 40s and free agents and just trying to make me happy. I'm going to go with J.J. McCarthy. This was for a few reasons. They focused so steadfastly all offseason on their offensive line.

They get the center and the guard from the Colts, of course. And then in the draft, you get Landon Jackson, who to me was maybe the best last, or Donovan Jackson, all season long. I keep getting the wrong Jackson. Donovan Jackson, probably the best last, like, starting offensive linemen that you felt good about. And it was perfect. He felt to them at 24. And they really attacked that position.

They've improved. You add a wide receiver. in the second round, a little bit of a third round, rather, after catchability. But I also thought the trade for Sam Howell, DJ, and let me know what you think about this, was perfect for J.J. McCarthy. It's like, okay, here's a guy who's not really going to challenge you at all. We fully believe in you. Cut to this week.

He's already out there throwing passes to Jordan Addison. J.J. McCarthy is healthy. And I just feel like they've spent this off season quietly supporting all the pieces around them. Yeah, I mean, they revamped the interior of that offensive line. And the tackles, when they get Darrasaw back healthy, he's a great player. So their entire front five, I think you've got a chance to have one of the best offensive lines in the league. So I like what they did for J.J. McCarthy. I'm with you on that.

I support that. I'll go to Seattle and Sam Darnold, their new quarterback, having a nice draft. When you think about the pieces they add, let's start Gray's Zabel. I think one of the most consistent players in this draft, someone who you talk about acing the process, the tape was great at North Dakota State. He dominates the senior bowl, has a really good combine. The interviews, everybody said, were outstanding. They're excellent. So you get a plug-in-play guy who has legit five-position flexibility.

So as you have some injuries that are coming your way during the season, he's going to help you out with that versatility. So I like that pick. And then you look at a couple other pieces they got. Tori Horton, to me, was a tremendous value out of Colorado State. He would have gone much higher. There was some injury stuff there that kind of pushed him down the board a little bit. But I think he's a perfect compliment to what they have in Cooper Cup and JSN.

someone who can play outside and can get vertical and make some plays down the field. And then Elijah Arroyo, to me, this is one of those funny things that happens during the draft as you start hearing, well, you know, Noah Phant might get traded. They're going to move on from him. And then the guy that I compared as a younger, better version of Noah Fant is the guy that they picked. So you get somebody, again, that can really run and can get some big plays. They're going to be, you know, this would be an interesting assignment for you, Greg, is to go through and try and find out which teams are inside out teams. the NFL. Like who, who are the teams that are really built slot receivers, tight ends, backs that can really just win in the middle of the field? The Seahawks have a really, really good group

for Sam Donald working in the middle. It's interesting because when I think of Sam Darnold, though, like probably his weakness. It's not over the middle of the field, but it's probably the intermediate level as a pro hasn't been where he's won. He's won deep. But I'm with you. They got extremely good athletes. Of course, Jalen Milrow might be popping in there. I'm hoping for some Taysom Hill like package, that would be a lot of fun. I got to go to Las Vegas and talk about my guy, Gino Smith. Not only did they not draft a quarterback early, which they were looked at as a possible Shadur Sanders team, and that didn't happen.

But they take five of their first six picks on offense. You start with Ashton Genti, it's going to be able to keep them ahead of the sticks. Like that'll be Gino Smith's best friend. And then they take your guy, Jack Besh, in the second round. I love Jack Bish. your favorite player in the draft, so a guy who they can really trust, and maybe you're not incredibly explosive at wide receiver,

but you have an explosive tight end, you have an explosive running back, and you have some reliable threats, hopefully DJ and Jack Bess and Jacoby Myers, who's still there. So I like that, and they took a couple flyers on some tackles in the third round as well, which I notice a lot of the smart teams took multiple flyers on tackles late in this draft because it's just so hard to take offensive linemen

or to find them. Yeah, it's hard, man. And I was talking to Bucky. I think we might have on path to the draft, but we were talking about Gentie and was like, what's his role going to be? And he's like, man, they're going to give him like 20 carries a game.

And I'm like, well, that's like half time at Boise. So he's going to feel like that's a walk in the park. You feel like, where's my workload going here? I'm going to go to Houston and C.J. Stroud is another kind of sneaky winner from the week. They went to Iowa State and got him a pair of receivers. We talked a lot about these guys in the run up to the draft. But Higgins to me, Jaden Higgins was one who, reminded me of Nico Collins, like a big, kind of a power forward body,

but someone who can run small man routes because of his quickness, ability to get in and out of breaks, can track the ball really well, got a ton of penalties drawn on him. A lot of defensive pass interference penalties that would have inflated his stats if we could throw those yards in there. So you get him as a field stretcher, and then with Tank Dell's injury, you get Noel, his teammate. So Jalen Knoll, who can win in the slot with speed and with strength. He's got a lot of power to him. So think of a stronger version of Tankdale, maybe not quite that top speed, but I think

he'll be able to slide into that role. So I like those two fits. You go get Woody Marks at a USC who's one of the best past catching backs in this draft. So that's going to be a nice checkdown option for him to fit into that running back room. And then look, Ursary, I wasn't quite as high on the big tackle from Minnesota. But again, you know, they needed to address that offensive line. It's a little bit of a boom bus pick for me. But at least they took their shot there. That's the only thing about this Texan's team. I know they wanted to move on from Tunsel and they wanted to kind of remake that room.

I'm not, I need to see it. I want to see how this offensive line comes together. But when you look at this skill position talent that C.J. Stroud has, that's going to be fun. It's so deep. It's a team that's built to withstand an injury or two if they haven't. And the thing I liked about Higgins and Noel, like they complimented each other very well in college, like two very different skill sets. They can complement each other very well with the Texans. All right.

We mentioned some rookies. I mentioned Mason Taylor might be a guy who has a big role right away. But I was trying to think of like some players. We just bounce back and forth with a couple just that are going to have to matter right away. And the first one that popped to my mind was Kenneth Grant. They were taking a position of need. And I mean they had no one at this position. And I don't think it was a reach because I think Kenneth Grant was a good prospect and has a lot of upside.

But he is a guy who I think is. going to have to play right away for the Dolphins, a significant role. And whether he can step into the NFL right away and matter, I think is going to make a big difference for their defense this season. I don't know if you saw him more of a developmental guy or whether he'll be able to go there and contribute right off the bat. Yeah, I had him in the 20s, I believe. I want to pull that up. Kenneth Grant was my 31st player. That was one talking to people around the league when they were like, what surprised you, him going that high was a little bit of a surprise around the week. So I do think there is a little bit of development there, but the, you know, the raw tools,

the upside, the size, you can see why, you know, Miami was excited about him. I look at guys you need to step in right away and I'll go stay on the defensive line. I'll go Derek Harmon going to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's a good football player, someone who kind of lives on the other side of the line of scrimmage. But we had a chance to have Mike Tomlin on the broadcast on day three and kind of almost, caught me off guard because of how quick his answer was but I asked him I said look I don't think I said the 299 number but the Ravens ran the ball down their throats in that playoff game and I said you know you've kind of you look at this draft and they got a lot of big bodies edge setters

run stuffers and I said how quick after that game before you turned your attention to try and rebuild this front or fortify this front so that something like this doesn't ever happen again and he just looked right in the camera and said before I got in the shower and then he'd Did not say another word. Okay. All right. Yep. I think that was a, that's why you go out and get him and Y.A. Black and Jack Sawyer, like big point of attack guys.

You know, that was kind of funny. But when you look at Pittsburgh now, look at their front seven in the depth that they have, not just the starters. Like their backup outside linebackers are going to be Jack Sawyer and Herbig on the other side. Those are good players. But you've got Highsmith and then you've got T.J. Watt. Like, they've got four guys there. They've got depth at linebacker. Now, quarterback, we'll see how that all comes together.

But that defense has a chance to be really, really deep and really, really talented. Yeah, they, their front seven on paper or certainly their defensive line. Peyton Wilson's a good player. Like the absolute best in the league. That's why you have Mike Tomlin on it. I know you guys do it every day three. Like, he always delivered. He's great.

I'm going to go with a guy, and I've made this opinion after watching some of the press conferences, reading some of the local coverage. and it's Demetrius Knight Jr. for the Bengals, who was a bit of a surprise second round pick for them. And they expect them to start, point blank. They've made it clear. He better he's 25 years old. Right.

I get it. But he wasn't a guy who necessarily was expected to go that early. They still have Jermaine Pratt on the roster. He is not expected to be on the roster. So he is not long for that team. And Knight Jr., who kind of profiles as a similar type of player, I think, to Jermaine Pratt, is going to enter the league. I mean, starting for a team that wants to compete for the Super Bowl at maybe the toughest position

other than quarterback to adjust right away. So I think that's a risky pick. I know they love him as a person, as a leader, his story. It's amazing. But he's going to be under pressure to play and play a lot. And then I'll just throw a couple of running backs at you. Go ahead. Well, let me just piggyback on that real quick.

One thing I didn't get a chance to say this when he got picked, but one of the things I loved about him. It's like an old thing that I've always watched with players. I'm always curious to see what happens after turnovers with defensive players. It sounds weird, but there's always been a little connection there with great players. Like, great players, when they get the ball in their hands, the A, they score. Like, that's just

one thing. And then if a teammate gets it, you watch the effort with which they block to try and make plays. And there was a play, he had two pancakes on a pick. Like, his teammate makes the interception. He goes and hunts up two different guys. It just shows like kind of a, there's like a dog like want to thing.

there when you watch guys after turnovers. So the wiring with him is legit. Like he's absolutely wired the right way. He's a good player. The coverage thing is going to be a little bit of the thing he's got to work on. That showed up at the senior bowl. Yeah, quietly the Bengals draft in general, because you could talk about their third round guard,

Dylan Fairchild, their Shamar Stewart, their first round pick. Among good teams, they kind of need the most out of this rookie class. All three of those guys kind of have slots where you want them to come in and contribute quite a bit right away. We'll see if that happens. And then, yeah, I mentioned the running back. RJ Harvey for the Broncos. Like, he's the huge fantasy football winner.

Like, there's a wide open path to a big role there. And then Quid John Jenkins. They're in Sproles. Let's go. But like more, like, do you think it could be more? Because you watch them more than I do, and he's an exciting player. Do you think, like, no one ever wanted to give Sproles 20 touches the game. Do you think Harvey could get that?

I don't think you want him to touch it that many, quite that many times. But I think the Bucky Irving, a faster Bucky Irving, you know, with how he was utilized last year, especially coming down the home stretch. I think that's a pretty good, yeah, that's a pretty good way to use him. But the past game stuff,

like I'm just going to see him, I already know, doing the charger games. I'm going to see him catch about 15, 20 of those angle routes. Getting ready for those games. Just, Sean Peyton's just going to have a field day with that. Yeah. And then I mentioned Quinshot Junkins going to the Browns.

They did take Dylan Samson, who I liked a lot in the fourth round too. So it's maybe not all Judkins all the time, but I think it's going to be a lot of Quinchon John Junk. It's and unfortunately probably the end of Nick Chubbs run in Cleveland, some buzz that he might end up going to the Chicago Bears. Let's talk just quickly if any spots that weren't filled stand out to you. You get to the end of the draft. You can't get everything done. Anything stand out. Just the Niners O line. I'm just, you know, they went all defense,

heavy defense, which kind of surprised me a little bit, just because you're getting ready to pay purdy. I thought maybe try and, you know, double down and invest in there. Like, Poonie's a really good young player. I think he's got a chance to be a perennial pro bowler. They got a real good one there. It's just how much longer is Trent Williams going to play and trying to fill some of those other spots and provide some more

depth up front? I just, you know, I thought they could have upgraded the right tackle position. But it just didn't, you know, the draft didn't really fall that way. So they adjusted, they pivoted. But I think going into next offseason, free agency in the draft, which again, what a time to have a great show that combines

both things. We'll be focusing on the 49ers trying to get better up front. Yeah. Here's the thing, though, every year I do this exercise, you know, the projected starter series where I look at the team. And every year I'm like, man, are the 49ers? Like, is their offensive line talented enough?

Is it good enough? And then at the end of the year, and I know last year wasn't their best year, but at the end of the year, their first in all the yards per attempt and all the metrics. And they just seem to find a way at that position and cornerback where they just coached the heck out of it. And so I always, I always air

on the side of Kyle Shannon and they'll figure it out. I don't air that way when it comes to the Cowboys in their skill position weapons. And I love their draft, but they didn't take a wide receiver. What do you think about Golden, Matthew Golden, being on the board and they go with Tyler Booker there because they could have done it in the other spots, but especially right there, I was a little surprised because they are very thin there. There's some talk. Maybe Amari Cooper comes back to the Cowboys. Yeah, I just, you know, I'd heard early on the process and we talked about on a bunch of our shows. They were kind of dialed it on

interior offensive lineman, and then it was, if Tederoa and McMillan was there, they liked him. So it was going to come down to that. So I had them taken, I think I had taken Gray's Abel in one of them. I knew they would,

if they were going to take an interior lineman, they prefer to trade back. But what looks like what happened is McMillan's gone. He goes to Carolina, and they couldn't get out. So you're stuck and you just make the pick. And then the other thing I was told,

which makes a lot of sense. I mean, this organization values, guards. I mean, this is the home of Larry Allen. This is the home of Zach Martin. They put a premium on that. And they think if they're really good with that interior, that unlocks the run game. That's going to be crucial in terms of giving a nice deep pocket to the quarterback. So compared to some other organizations, like the Saints that we always talked about with Sean Peyton, we're an interior offensive line factory. And they believed in investing in that. I think

the Cowboys would fall in that same vein. But I am with you. I am concerned about where else you're going to throw the football. Yeah, Dak Prescott has not been on a list of quarterbacks that are getting a lot of help in the offseason, and he's coming off another major injury. That worries me. Another position that stuck out to me was just the Dolphin secondary, partly because Jalen Ramsey didn't get traded, but then after the draft, and I know you've been in a little bit of a bunker, Chris Greer is talking, their general manager, and he said, well, we'll still handle that at the appropriate time, Jalen Ramsey. He did not make it sound like he is going to be on that roster.

And then if you look at the details, they can save a ton of money against the cap if he's traded after June 1st, whereas they would have lost a bunch of money against the cap traded before. And suddenly I realized, oh, I shouldn't have expected him to get traded this weekend. So he's not expected to be there. And then if you look who's there at cornerback for them, their top three cornerbacks, DJ. Kater Kohu, probably a slot guy. Storm Duck, great name.

And then Cam Smith and Artie Burns, they'll probably bring in some veterans. But man, that is a position group that I think Josh Allen, for instance, is going to look at and think, like, we can target that position group. I want to say Storm Duck at one point time might have gone to Appalachian State. That name sounds very familiar. I have to double check my work on that one. He looked good in training camp and look good in the preseason last year. Had some injuries. Storm Duck was a big sensation.

I will remind you. And I'm not saying this because this would petition us to get more episodes of the. limited series run that we're on right now. But we're not done with the acquiring season. You know, there's trades you can make going forward. There's guys still out there on the street. I think last year, the Chargers, for example, it was a trade for Elijah Molden,

who ended up being a good player for them. They think they traded a six-round pick. Bud Dupree was hanging out there. They brought him in, played a nice role. There's still some guys out there. I just saw Bobby Trees just got signed. Yes. You know, so where'd he go?

Pittsburgh, maybe? He is with the Steelers. I like that. It's giving Alan, Robinson on the Steelers last year vibes, but I hope not, because one of my, one of my favorite players of the last decade or so. I like Robert Woods. I love, I love me some Robert Woods, one of my kids' favorite players as well. But you're right. There's about 15 guys left on my top 101 list. So, you know, people got to go to work in terms of my free agency. Go check it out. Go

check out that list. NFL.com slash Greg knows best, I believe, is the website. Rosal Douglas, I believe, was like 76 on that, which I thought was actually conservative, but he's out there. I think Miami has talked to him a little bit. 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 Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, podcast 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 NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones. and Drew Franklin on the I Heart 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 Fiorio, 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. Yes, we are wrapping up here on 40s and Freedans, but before we do that, we got to, uh, we got to put you on the clock. This is, this is the segment that's been a lot of buzz all, all over the internet. Adam Shine has been love, it's his favorite segment.

Let's, let's give Adam what he wants here. Uh, all right, five minutes on the clock, some questions for DJ before we get out of here. Uh, during the draft. Oh, I just love those chimes. How many guys were taken while you were on the set where you kind of like, look through your notes and you just hope they didn't go to you asking for anything. So I think all total there was four or five, not more than that, four or five. And that's usually about normal, about four or five guys who got picked, none within the first

five, six rounds. I think they were all in the seventh round, just some random flyers, including Mr. Irrelevant. But I'm always straight up honest on that. There's no, there's no upside and trying to fake your way through an evaluation. Like, I'm never going to do that. I'm just going to be like, look, here's if we, like, we didn't have a. bio on the guy who got picked last like that was out of left field but most of them you'd have a bio and uh and you know we're not going pick to pick at that point in time in the draft either but if

they come to me on it i'd be like look this is a guy who's 6 1-205 he ran 445 he caught 65 balls i'd be honestly that i i did not watch him so that's how i handle that although i wouldn't have known on mr irrelevant mr irrelevant you you had some information when i was watching and uh your entire top 150 got drafted which is crazy so along those lines when you're top top 150 came out. I was actually talking to someone else and their immediate reaction to your top 150 was who is Keandre Lambert Smith and who you had around 125, a wide receiver. Then five days later, the Chargers, the team you work for took him in the fifth round. Are they just drafting off your list or are you now the Shadow GM of the Chargers? No, that's a coincidence

in a big way. That is a coincidence. There was one player who was drafted. It will remain name us that I had a chance to talk to a coach who had not seen this player late. And I talked to him about a week ago. And I said, you got to watch this guy. And then lo and behold, they, and not because of what I said, but other people in the building liked him, but then this coach watched him. He's like, I do kind of like him. And then they picked him in the seventh round. Wow. I want to find out. It was kind of fun. After the show, I'm going to find out. Speaking of the Chargers, just Hampt, Omari and Hampton over Matthew Golden and over trading down. It was reported they had an offer from the Eagles.

to trade down. I'm just curious what your thoughts were on that. I would have liked to trade. I mean, look, I love Hampton. And the funny thing is Hampton was my 13th player. Golden was my 14th player. So I would have been just fine either way. I mean, they're both really, really good players.

But I thought if they could have pulled off the trade, I believe it was with the Eagles. I thought they were in a pretty good shot where your fallback is, man, maybe we get Hampton, probably gone. But if we don't get him, we've got Trayvion Henderson, who I love as well, as an option there. And maybe that gives you an opportunity. As you know, I was a big Mason Taylor fan. So I thought maybe that could have freed you up to

try and to pull that daily double off there. But I'm not going to, I'm not going to fault the charges at all. They got my 13th player with the 22nd pick. All right. Two minutes left here. You're always so nice in your draft coverage. If you were a GM, which is the draft hall you'd least have wanted to have. If I was a GM, the least, the draft hall, basically your least favorite draft class. You got to put someone out on Front Street here. I mean, I didn't love the Bengals draft.

I didn't love it. I think they got some good solid players, but it's just how I had them stacked. I would have gone in a little bit different direction. But hey, they've got Joe Burrow and they'll make it all work. Did you have a favorite one out there? And by the way, yeah, now Duke Tobin's not going to return your calls for the next year. Duke does a great job.

I love Duke. So you have a favorite draft all. Favorite draft all? Yeah, it was New England. New England was my favorite draft all. I love what the Patriots did. Yeah, I was fired up for them. Are you aware that last week an article was written about this show that called us, quote, the NFL draft tag team champions?

And in the article, this is a quote, DJ, it said that I, Greg Rosenthal, have a draft intellect that is through the roof your thoughts i didn't know you wrote under an alias that would be my thought that's amazing i mean i had i had a few options to choose from i mean very kind how long did it take you to write that thing by the way it was very long yeah check check out barrett sports i loved it i want to compete next year at 2026 hopefully we're doing this again uh who are some names you're excited about that i should check out oh for next year sure draft wise uh i'll I'm always looking at the quarterbacks. Lenore Sellers at South Carolina.

I'm excited to watch him. Drew Aller, I know of the year didn't finish up the way he wanted to in his final game, but he's big, strong, got a lot of ability there. So I'm curious to see him. Caleb Downs is going to be a lot of fun, the safety at Ohio State big time player. All right.

And then finally, did you enjoy this show? And will we do it again? You have five seconds. I did love it and I hope that it comes back. Oh, look at DJ. That's why he kills me all season. I think there's something here, man. I'm not even joking.

There are a lot of people. There are a lot of my friends inside the league that have really enjoyed this. They've gotten to know you through this process and they've enjoyed the heck out of it. And then I'm sure, you know, there's, you've got your legion of fans, you know, worldwide that always have hated me because you've talked so poorly about me over the years on all your shows. And I think they're realizing like, hey, he's not terrible, you know, he's not terrible. And I think that means we got something. I think that means we really have something. To all those people inside the league, where are you been?

Let's get going. I'm with you. This has been a ton of fun, 40s and free agents. We will try to find a way to keep this thing going. Thanks for all that you do, DJ. And yeah, we'll see you next draft season, hopefully before. Yeah, I'll come out then. See you, buddy.

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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 6th, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies to evaluating 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 Sunday. 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.

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