NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 40s and Free Agents: Position-by-Position Rookie Check-In

Episode Date: November 5, 2025

Gregg Rosenthal and Daniel Jeremiah conduct a position-by-position check-in on the rookie years of the players they were most excited by in the offseason. Plus, they revisit their Super Bowl drafts!NF...L Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:00:20 Upgrade to smooth, high-quality streaming with Intel Wi-Fi 6E and maximize game performance with enhanced overclocking. Win the tech search. Power up at Lenovo.com. We are back on 40s and free agents. The podcast nobody asked for with me and Daniel Jeremiah, a.k.a. Move the sticks, where we build up to the draft in free agency in the off season. But we're sprinkling some shows throughout the course of the season because the fans demand it, DJ.
Starting point is 00:00:57 And we can look back a little bit on that rookie. draft class of 2025 and some of the free agent moves that have really shaped this season good to talk to you again good to be with you buddy i missed that song by the way it's a shame to have that great of an intro song and not uh not use it more often but i'll tell you what you look up and here we are doing the halfway uh point of the season episode and Greg we're going to you're going to blink and we're going to be cranking out you know a lot more 40s and free agents than the off season yes the plan once we get to the new year, we are going weekly and we got a lot of new information this week. Of course, we had our trade deadline episodes over on NFL daily and reaction on move the stick.
Starting point is 00:01:39 So we're going to focus on what we do here during the season, which is look back a little bit on how this draft class is looking and we'll do it position by position. I'll throw in some of the free agency moves that have really changed teams. And why don't you get us going? We might as well start at quarterback, unless you want to start elsewhere. Yeah, no, I'm just going to hit a couple guys on these positions here. So I want to just with the quarterbacks. Let's start with Cam Ward because I just saw him last week live. I prepared for the game with the Chargers and the Tennessee Titans.
Starting point is 00:02:09 So studied him and then seeing him live and in person. And I would just say anybody that's panicked or freaking out, he's going to be fine. You can pull out. My test with a lot of these rookies is, can you pull out to five to ten plays a game that gets you excited? and those flashes of hope that he provides. And he has done that. Now, the arm strength is plenty good enough. He can move around.
Starting point is 00:02:31 He's not going to move around to run. He's going to move around to throw. Everything I get from the folks there is that he's the wiring, great. He's working hard, doing all the stuff you need to do. There's some mechanical stuff to fix. They're not good up front. I like the fact that they're getting the younger guys in play. Chimur, D.K., is really turned into a good player.
Starting point is 00:02:49 We'll see what I.O. Manor can develop into with more opportunities. They need to get the tight end, the ball more helm, who's been a really good rookie for him. But with Cam, when I talk about the mechanical things, when he's on time and throws it, fine. When he's on the move, off platform, change arm angles, fine. Those are two great areas. When he moves and resets, his accuracy is bad. Like, he is really struggled from that standpoint. So to me, it's just getting him a little more comfortable in that environment.
Starting point is 00:03:16 We're moving, being able to, it's like the ability to speed up, you know, urgency, speed up, get away. but then you've got to slow back down to get into your legs and deliver the ball accurately. He's not doing that, and that's why you're seeing some of these misfires, which I think is entirely coachable. Yeah, I've been watching them every week, and it's such a weird situation because I think there's a lot to like about that rookie draft class, but you also have the feeling like we've had with Trevor Lawrence and Caleb Williams last year of these quarterbacks that are kind of wasting the year.
Starting point is 00:03:45 I know it's helpful to be in the NFL and get these reps, but his ultimate coach is not there right now. So that's, that's frustrating. But look, it's not easy to find three pass catchers in the middle rounds. I think they did it. Gunnard Helm, Iow Manor's out there blocking like a tight end. Everyone wants a wide receiver like that. Yeah, no, and we get to those other positions, but I didn't even talk
Starting point is 00:04:05 to some folks with the organization, like they know they need to get a tight end of the ball more. He only got, he had one ball last week against Chargers made an unbelievable catch. They got to figure out a way to get him more involved. He's going to end up being a real value pick for him. And D.K. leading the league in all-purpose yards. He's been awesome. So good find there.
Starting point is 00:04:21 Jackson Dart will be the other one that I'll hit. Obviously, they feel great inside the organization. They've got their guy. They've got absolutely nothing, you know, with Scataboo goes out, unfortunately. Neighbors is gone. I mean, it's just not a lot for him to work with there. And yet he still finds a way to make plays and brings the energy and enthusiasm and excitement there. He's advanced further than I thought he would be at this point in time.
Starting point is 00:04:48 I love the upside with Jackson Dart. thought you would require some more patience but to be as competitive as he's been with what he has and their offense line has been better but I mean that's all you can hope for when you take a quarterback in the first round no matter where it is is you're hoping after a year there's a calm and an ease of like we're out of that market
Starting point is 00:05:08 and I think they clearly know that they're out of that market and I'll pose this question to you Greg getting it back to you is and I loathe the redrafts I think I'm just not I think it's lazy kind of dumb thing But I would say, I made this statement, I'll see if you are on board with it. In a everything we know now, go back, draft it over again. I said at worst, Cleveland would take him at two, at worst.
Starting point is 00:05:35 They would not do that trade. They would not trade out of two. They would have stuck and picked. If not, and I'm saying that's the worst. If not, he would have been Tennessee's pick at one. I'm saying that Max and Dart would have been the first or second pick based off what we've seen right now. Tell me I'm wrong. I can't because I like Abdul Carter.
Starting point is 00:05:55 I'm still holding on to my Travis Hunter stock. I'm going to buy it up from people who are doubting. But I can't go against you. I would still have Ward personally over Dart, but he has been Dart that is way better, way faster than I expected. And he upgrade, like he's made that team better as a rookie quarterback.
Starting point is 00:06:13 That is not easy to do. So I think you're right. That's a good way to think about it. I had not. So thinking back to, decisions in the off-season like that that you might change around. You know, would Sam Darnold and his agent have asked for more money than $100 million over three years? So we're going to do some of the free agency moves here.
Starting point is 00:06:31 And I kind of wanted almost to focus on the contract of it all because we know how well Sam Donald's taking. I've never taken a bigger L in my entire life as an analyst than seeing him play better this year and seeing him obviously upgrade that team compared to where Gino Smith was. And I think he was the better system fit, which I should have given them credit for. but man he's only making 31 a year over the next two years he might be going back to the table in a year or so but man they have to feel great because he's a legit MVP candidate yeah he's been awesome it's been it's been fun to watch i was looking at their tape from this last week and there was a moment in that game where they end up emptying out the formation so they go empty and you see him go one to two to three and it is so fast they did in that washington game and i wrote it down and i'm like i know you know people will say that's too rich but i'm watching i'm like that was a joe burrow look to it there was a the speed of which he's seeing things but the calm and poise and the
Starting point is 00:07:28 ball placement was pristine like that's what there's you know like he's got to flush that one play he still has one play a game you'd like to have back but i mean it was a perfect first half in last week's game and um let me give you my other exercise that i did here because i want to get your thoughts okay i did this on uh i think we did this on move the sticks the other day but um just to get your thoughts on it. If you look at Sam and the group that they have around them, I know we're focusing on the free agents and the draft picks here, but if you look at Sam with this Seattle team, and I took their top seven to nine players, which is Sam, J.S.N, Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, you
Starting point is 00:08:05 could put Cross, Eamon, Wither Spoon, Zabel, Abe Lucas, you could put Ernest Jones in there. That's like the top tenish guys. And you look at the team that won the Super Bowl last year with Sequan, Lane Johnson, Carter, Aquino, Mitchell, Sack, Bonn, A.J. Brown Hertz, DeVante Smith, Milata. Like, it's a fair fight. Now, you could say it leans Philly, but, like, when people ask,
Starting point is 00:08:26 could Sam Darnold lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl and you look at the top part of their roster, it's not that far off the team that just won it, man. No, I've been saying, I don't know if they're the Super Bowl favorites, but I think they're the team that's played the best football so far, even before before last week. So that Eagles team was so talented.
Starting point is 00:08:47 I'm still giving the edge to the Eagles. But is that a Super Bowl. Beyond, but that's the strength is that they had eight defensive linemen they could roll all the way through there. Yep. And I think, look, they only got more talented this week with Rashid who I think is a great fit for Sam Darnold. So that's interesting.
Starting point is 00:09:03 The other quick quarterback things. It is interesting. It's supposed to be so hard to get quarterbacks in the offseason. But they got Daniel Jones in Indianapolis for $14 million. and I'm sure they're going to sign him long term and I think Pittsburgh is glad they didn't get Stafford or Darnold but I think they're happy with how the Rogers move ended up
Starting point is 00:09:22 and both those teams got bargained for what they're getting so apparently you can't get quarterbacks in the offseason sometimes no doubt where you want to go next what position I'll just run through the running backs quickly which to me it's just interesting you can still get the guys at the bottom of the barrel that are going to come in and be a bell cow for you and be effective Rico Dado and Javentel and Javante
Starting point is 00:09:42 Williams are making combined $5.75 million, about the same, right around $3 million each. And they'll both be free agents again and they'll get a little more of this offseason. But that's just awesome for those two guys and those two teams. It does show, you know, you can get good bargains, I think, with that second contract for running backs that haven't been used too much. Yeah. And I would say in the draft, you know, it's always been the case. You can find them kind of up and down throughout the draft. We've seen RJ Harvey who popped.
Starting point is 00:10:08 We've had these guys who've kind of had their week or two where they've really popped. was doing great until he was lost for the year, which was unfortunate. Gentie's in a tough spot there. At least he's got a running mate now with Bauer's back healthy. So he's got a chance without everything having to go all through him. He's been solid. I was asked the question of if you could take one running back from this class for the future. So what you've seen thus far and then could carry him into the future.
Starting point is 00:10:34 I actually, and I always preface it, I want to make sure I'm honest and transparent. I do the charger games and I know he's missed time, but I would take Omari. Hampton over any running back in this draft when he's been out there and healthy and considering who is not in front of him blocking, size, speed, the ability to catch the ball, versatility. Now, unfortunately, he's missing a huge chunk of the season with this injury, but he would be the one that I would take out of all these running backs. I hate to agree with you, but I would.
Starting point is 00:11:02 And I thought Genti looked better coming off the by week. I don't know if it was how they used them or just getting a little bit of a break. He had some juice. Yeah, they've got to be a player. They actually have another, somebody actually they have to look at and worry about on the other side of the ball, which is nice. It's a nice help to have that. Four Tuddies for Gino. He's back.
Starting point is 00:11:22 Maybe not. But yeah, I agree with you. Hampton is the complete package. What do you think at wide receiver? Yeah, wide receivers, Abukas, you know, he's been the story. He's been the class of the group. Teteroa McMillan's been solid. This team, and to no fault of his own, but they've realized that their path and their formula to win football games,
Starting point is 00:11:40 is not through the air. It's running the ball with an offensive line that's equipped to run it with backs that they have. Rico Dattle being at the top of that list, they're just more equipped to play that style of football. So you're going to see that impact his numbers. But he's clearly their number one guy and been solid. I mentioned Shemar D.K. a little bit earlier. I wanted to give him some love.
Starting point is 00:12:00 When I was in there at training camp, there was excitement about the young receivers with him in I.O. Manor. And, you know, as a kick returner, he's been awesome. I just saw him take a punt, you know, back for a touchdown last week against the Chargers. leading the league in all-purpose yards, but he's more than that. And a lot of times you've seen receivers young in their career, impactful guys in this role, and you've seen them grow and evolve into more. I think you're going to see that with him. I'm excited about him.
Starting point is 00:12:24 Yeah, it makes you wonder what they were doing, giving those snaps to your buddy, Tyler Lockett, early in the season. The rookies were playing too well, and they had to get Pete Carroll's buddy back to Vegas. I did want to follow up on the T-MAC point. Yeah. You had, and by the way, you had Hampton very high, you know, before the draft too. So I think that's been borne out. I think he's even better than solid.
Starting point is 00:12:48 And I know the numbers aren't crazy, but just eye test. He reminds me a little bit of Drake London where maybe the numbers aren't going to be crazy, but he's a one. They found it. Like, he's, I think he's awesome. I'm convinced he is going to be like a top 15 type of receiver in the league. Like, he's really good as a rookie. It's just a situation.
Starting point is 00:13:07 and maybe keeping his numbers down. Let me, I'm pulling it up because I wanted to see my report on him, as you mentioned that. Here we go. The end of it. Okay, McMillan is, this is the first line. McMillan is a tall, rangey receiver with a Drake London-like skill set. And the last thing I said, overall,
Starting point is 00:13:30 I thought London played with a little more urgency as a prospect, but McMillan has the potential to provide a similar impact at the next level. So there you go. And I can't pretend I'm breaking down the all 22 of every single one of his snaps. But he has played aggressive. He is out there fighting for balls. Not a lot of like perfect location passes. And he looks pretty awesome to me.
Starting point is 00:13:50 So I think they're happy. I think about the wide receivers in terms of free agency. And it's a, it's, you know, a trend of all the rest of these positions. There's a lot more misses than hits. And Devante Adams is what the Rams wanted him to be, of course. But I think about Josh Palmer, like those mid-tier wide receivers, it doesn't often work out Christian Kirk for the Texans. And I do think about how the Patriots might have dodged one.
Starting point is 00:14:16 And this is just injury-related. But Chris Godwin coming off a really serious injury at his edge, they wanted to give him a lot of money. The reports from our guys, Ian Rapport, were that he passed down more money from the Patriots to return to Tampa. So they end up in the end, quote-unquote, settling for Stefan Diggs, who's been a really nice fit for them at a little lower price and has been healthy, got back from his injury.
Starting point is 00:14:39 So that ended up working out well for them. I think that'd be a different Patriots team right now if they did not have Stefan Diggs. Yeah, sometimes it's the guys you don't get, right? That ended up being the good moves. And they've gotten younger there. And again, I know we're not going to sit here and talk about your Patriots the whole time, but like you said it at the time that they,
Starting point is 00:14:58 that was my favorite draft. and you look at the young core that they've got assembled, it's going to be fun, man. You're kind of set up for a decade of fun with the Patriots. You know, unfortunately, who's the only rookie on the team that I still believe in, but isn't really contributing. John Henderson hasn't got cranked up yet. No, that wasn't even the guy I was mentioning because he looked great last week,
Starting point is 00:15:17 was my favorite guy in the draft, Kyle Williams. There's too many good guys ahead of him. Kayshan Boodie. You can't get him off the field? That's right. I mean, there's only one Kishon Bouti in this league. Can we do my favorite position in this entire draft? right now? Tight ends.
Starting point is 00:15:33 Tyler Warren has been an elite player. He's already kind of playing like a top five player at his position in the league. He's done it the whole year. It's run after catch. It's the physicality. It's the instincts. All that stuff's been excellent.
Starting point is 00:15:46 So start there. But then I'm telling you, who's nipping at his heels is a Ronde Gadsden, seeing him every week with the charger. And he's on a heater. He's on about a four-week heater. And I don't think it's going to slow down. And I don't know if it's the
Starting point is 00:15:59 86 that he's wearing, but I'm like, this gives me like prime Zach Ertz vibes of someone who's just got the trust of his quarterback. And it sounds hard to describe, but he presents such a good target where he, you know, he gets in and out of breaks. He presents himself well. It makes it very inviting for throws and catches everything. He can catch it. Nice catch radius over his head back. If it's behind him, he's been excellent. So he kind of, that's the role I could see him kind of playing. And I wouldn't be surprised as great as Warren is if we looked up in three to five years because he's getting a chance to play
Starting point is 00:16:35 with Justin Herbert that you're going to see statistically he could be at or eclipse where Tyler Warren is. So that's my fun one there. You sound like you want to jump in here, Greg. No, that's awesome and outrageous. It just shows how crazy draft value can affect
Starting point is 00:16:51 things because there was that one week after his first big game that he's on every single fantasy football waiver wire. I remember talking about with my kids and seeing and other people. And a lot of people were like, eh, I don't know, that's probably a flip. Like, I mean, like meanwhile, if he had gotten
Starting point is 00:17:07 drafted where Goldston Loveland got drafted, everyone I think would be talking about him as a legit rookie of the year candidate and it's a good offensive rookie of the year class. There's a lot of fun options, including the guys we've talked about like Dart. But Gadsden's got a chance. I mean, that's crazy to get an
Starting point is 00:17:22 undrafted guy that could be, he was undrafted, right? No, no, he's like fifth round. Okay, my bad. Right as I'm studying that, that's insane. There's not much to talk about the tight end position in terms of free agency. Evan Ingram got in there. I bought that. Okay, I told you that before.
Starting point is 00:17:40 I got sold to bill of goods on that one. You know what? He's like a lot of Broncos receivers, like there's one or two plays every week where he's wide open and they just miss hitting him for like a long touchdown last week. And so he's been, I'm not giving up on him. He's been close. But man, that's exciting. By the way, Colson Loveland coming off his big game. So hopefully he's coming on.
Starting point is 00:18:03 Harold Fanning's been good for Cleveland. I mentioned Helm needs to get the ball more in Tennessee. It's shaping up to be an excellent tight-in class. That's why I think it's, you know, as I mentioned, it's my favorite of all these groups. Just I think there's a really good group of guys there. There's a really good group of free agent tight ends that we'll hit on next year. But as we wrap up the offense, who stands out to you in terms of the offense of line picks?
Starting point is 00:18:28 so far. Yeah, I'm just going to hit Zabel. I mean, the two tackles have had their moments and played well. Will Campbell, you know, like you run into Miles Garrett, it is what it is. Memboos been solid. Those guys have been solid. You know, Simmons hasn't been out there. Unfortunately, for the Chiefs played well when he was out there, but haven't got to see more of him.
Starting point is 00:18:47 But Gray Zabel, to me, has been a real difference maker as an interior offensive lineman on that Seattle team. We were just talking about a little bit earlier. He's been awesome. This is the position more than any other where, man, you just be able. you need to be able to draft and develop them because when I'm looking for the list of the best offensive linemen that changed teams like last offseason, it's a pretty short list. Like Jalen Moore got paid a lot from the Chiefs.
Starting point is 00:19:12 I think he's been okay. He's supported the idea that they needed that insurance when Josh Simmons left and they haven't fallen apart. But the guys who got big money like Dan Moore from the Titans, I don't think the Vikings are really loving the experience they've gotten out of Will Fries. and Ryan Kelly, Kelly's been hurt, but that was part of the risk when you sign them. It's just not a lot of quality guys that changed teams.
Starting point is 00:19:36 And you look at the signings that have already happened this season that are kind of under the radar, like guys like Colton McKivitz and Luke Geddke, they have already been re-signed. So you're just not going to find solid to good offensive linemen in free agency. Why don't we take a little bit of break unless you got something to say about offensive line? No, no, I'm tapped out there. Okay, let's take a quick break and we'll talk about defense after this.
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Starting point is 00:20:42 40s and free agents with my guy Greg. Greg didn't know this was coming, but I wanted to bring this back. We had a Super Bowl draft before we get to the defense. We'll get to the defensive players, just wait. But we had a Super Bowl draft. We went teams. You pick teams.
Starting point is 00:20:56 We went through every team in the AFC, every team in the NFC, thought this would be a good time to revisit. We're at the halfway mark, Greg. You want to see where we landed with that draft and tell me where you feel great and where you don't feel great? Well, I know that you're sneak attacking me here,
Starting point is 00:21:09 and the only way you would possibly do that is if your draft looks better than mine. This would not be a segment. This would not be a segment if my draft was good. Well, I'm just, I'll leave that to the viewers to see, or the listeners to see what they say there. Let's start with the AFC. Let's go back through that draft, okay?
Starting point is 00:21:26 you went Ravens first overall pick how you feeling there okay I'm not great but we're not we're not out of it yet I still think they could win that division and the playoffs are what matters but yeah not great I want bills with my first pick feel fine there okay you went chiefs with the next pick feel great that would be my number one overall pick I think right now even though they're five and four I think I would take them yeah I went with the chargers obviously the injuries of the two tackles not helping but they're you know their playoff team. You went with Texans with your fifth pick. How are you feeling about that one? That's a cross-off. Well, I'm going to be able to come right back with you because I went with the Cincinnati Bengals with my. Okay. Don't love that at all.
Starting point is 00:22:12 Here's a great back and forth here. You went with the Steelers at seven, right? They're in. I'll take it. Value picked. Good value. I got the Denver Broncos at eight. That's a fantastic value.
Starting point is 00:22:25 better value all of those teams could have home games in the playoffs how about you come back with the Patriots at 9 okay I thought I thought I was going to get
Starting point is 00:22:35 taken to the woodshed here let's go I want Jacksonville at 10 don't love that and now we get to the ugly part I mean that's good that's good for a 10 pick they're in the playoffs
Starting point is 00:22:46 if it ended today you go Miami at 11 no Bueno I go Raiders at 12 no Bueno you go New York Gets at 13 gross but here we are with the 4th
Starting point is 00:22:55 Pick in the draft, I got the Indianapolis Colts, home to Sauce Gardner and a newly revamped defense to accompany the league's best offense. Without question, the best value pick of this draft. You go Titans at 15. I go Browns at 16. But that's the AFC. So you feel good about the fact you've got KC that, like, legitimately you think could win it. Like, you still feel like Baltimore, if they could get in, they'd go on a run, they could win it. Sure.
Starting point is 00:23:23 And the Patriots are a good dark course. I do regret a lot about our Colts predictions, at least I'm talking on our show, NFL daily. Because there was more there to see. If we got to just seen the vision, they're actually kind of a win now team with a bunch of good players, continuity in their prime. That was a good value pick, but you.
Starting point is 00:23:40 All right. So let's get to the NFC. I go Eagles at one field. Okay. Fantastic about that. You go Detroit at two. I'm fine with that. I know it's been a little rocky,
Starting point is 00:23:53 but the defense is better than I thought. I'm fine with that. I go Rams at three. Love that. That's pretty good. But you came back with Tampa at four. I think we're doing pretty good here. I think those first four picks are all legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Starting point is 00:24:06 I came back with Green Bay at five. A little bit of a up and down roller coaster here. Minnesota at six. I don't think you're feeling great about that, are you? I don't feel good about that. And this was, I remember now was made before the Micah Parsons trade, by the way, that you got Green Bay. Yeah, those top five teams. they could all make the Super Bowl.
Starting point is 00:24:26 The NFC is so good. So then I go, you know, last year in the NFC championship game, I thought I was getting a good value with the commanders at 7. They're a sell team right now, not a bite team. So no there. You go nineers at eight good value. Solid, but I was hoping you would say Seahawks. Not as good as mine because I went Seahawks at nine.
Starting point is 00:24:46 That's, I mean, that's the value pick of this whole thing. You go Cowboys 10. Then we get to the, I go Cardinals 11. You go Falcons 12. Then we go, I got bears at, 13. Feels like they could be a playoff team. You go Giants at 14, nothing. I got
Starting point is 00:25:01 the Carolina Panthers at 15. I mean, are we going to brag about that? You think they're going to the Super Bowl? These picks at the end don't matter. 15? I got the Colt. You took the Commander's 7th. You're going to be happy. You're going to be... No, it's about the collection. I just need
Starting point is 00:25:17 one of them to get it done here. I feel like the teams that I have, I'll give you the teams that I have that I feel like Ken could win it right now in the NFC. I think the Eagles could win a Super Bowl I think the Rams could win a Super Bowl I think the Packers could win a Super Bowl and I think the Seahawks could win a Super Bowl
Starting point is 00:25:34 so I've got four legit teams I think can win a Super Bowl I think for you the Lions could win a Super Bowl the Bucks could win a Super Bowl I don't know do you think the highest I don't think you won it that's four to two You won the NFC draft
Starting point is 00:25:49 What do you want? The FC was pretty fair but it's good it's a good half point just remember what the expectations were and see where we are, not just talking about the individual players, but actually from a team standpoint. All right,
Starting point is 00:26:00 you want to do your defense? Go ahead. Do your defense. Okay. Okay. Why don't we start with the linebackers? Why not? Because I was thinking about this watching.
Starting point is 00:26:08 I'll combine a couple. I know we're talking one position here. But the Drey Greenlaw, Hufunga combination, and Hufunga's practically playing linebacker some of the times. But seeing Greenlaw on the field last week, now that he's past the injury, past the suspension,
Starting point is 00:26:21 it's like, oh, this has really got to work because he was an impact player. in that game and Hufunga has been really good for them. And man, it is a tough position to find value in free agency. A lot of other contracts don't look amazing. Jamie and Sherwood, for instance, going back to the Jets. But now that we're half season in,
Starting point is 00:26:40 and I know they didn't have Greenlaw for a while, I feel like that that move is going to help them out a lot. Yeah, I like that one. Defensively, overall defensive players, Schlesinger, the linebacker position is, to me, is like the great value pick of he's been outstanding on the defensive side of the ball.
Starting point is 00:26:58 That's kind of like my positive one. On the disappointing side, I'll be honest with you. Like, Abdul Carter I thought would be a little more impactful. Wow. I just thought he'd be a little bit more impactful. Not that he's been bad.
Starting point is 00:27:12 I almost wonder, you know, I was thinking, I can't mention names because as we're recording this, we haven't finished the trade deadline. So I don't want to say like they should have done this or done that.
Starting point is 00:27:21 Maybe they have by the time You're listening to this or watching this. But, yeah, I just, I thought he was going to be, you know, orderline elite. And that hasn't necessarily been the case. He has a very similar statistical profile, but more pressures to Azaraku of the Cowboys who's been coming on late, which is a whole lot of pressure and not a lot of QB hits or sacks.
Starting point is 00:27:45 So I feel like the people around the Giants aren't, aren't too down on him. He's been good. It's been good. It just hasn't been. one of those deals where you pop on the tape and you're like every week like holy crap what was that you know well it's not it's not a good defensive rookie of the year crop in general has been as good as anybody he would have been my pick and i know he just got hurt but he'll be back so uh he would have been my pick i saw him live i saw him really change the viking season when he absolutely cracked carson wince in the open field and unfortunately injured him and then wence just played
Starting point is 00:28:19 through it for another three weeks like the other guys that could win rookie of the year I don't know. Jacob Parrish. He's been good. Even worry eventually. If he keeps picking it up. The edge position is where you found value in free agency. So think of guys changing games. Like Josh Sweat has been everything that they would have wanted in Arizona.
Starting point is 00:28:38 So is Clayas Campbell, by the way. Always signed Cleas Campbell. That's what I said on the show. In terms of rookies, Walter Nolan would have played the whole season like he got to play in his very first game. He might be in this discussion. If you remember, that was my guy back in the draft process. I thought like, Anyone that has 20 plays as good as his 20 best plays,
Starting point is 00:28:56 I will buy into and he looked good on Monday night. Joey Bosa, he stayed healthy. They haven't overworked him. You better find some wood real quick. Coming off his best game, but he's had a couple really good games. And I really like that they, despite not being deep there,
Starting point is 00:29:17 they haven't done the thing where they've just played him 50 snaps, one week, it's always like 25 to 30 and they're getting really good production out of him. It kind of reminds me at DeMarcus Lawrence too. Guys on these one year deals that are playing really well. That is one position. I do think you can find
Starting point is 00:29:36 guys if you look over the last few years, especially those one year deal guys can be pretty good values. Yeah, I'll knock on I'll knock on wood for you. I would love for Bosa to stay healthy. I would love for him to enter into the playoffs healthy and I think this Bill's team in some ways is kind of pacing themselves for the
Starting point is 00:29:51 for the post season. Josh hasn't been quite as aggressive as a runner. It's just kind of what he needs to. And I, you know, preserving guys like Bosa to get to the post. I mean, this is a regular season. They've mastered that, man. They've got to be humming when they get to the postseason. And I think that's, that's reflected in how they've, how they've used Bosa.
Starting point is 00:30:09 Yeah, your buddy, Bucky Brooks. I was checking out his power rankings the other day. He had like the Patriots number two overall and like the bills are bare. It's like in what, I'm a Patriots fan. And in no world do I think they are. going to win that rematch or even win that division. They won the first game on the road, but I'm on your team on that one.
Starting point is 00:30:29 Speaking of which, it's really hard to find cornerbacks in free agency. Carlton Davis is actually the cornerback that's been picked on the most out of the Patriots. He hasn't been terrible, but he's not as good as Gonzalez or Marcus Jones, certainly. Paulson Adibo has been a little shaky for the Giants and some injuries, just DJ Reed, Charverius Ward, at the position.
Starting point is 00:30:51 It is tough to get better at cornerback. That's one of those positions that it's just tough to find out. Jacob Parrish has been awesome. Will Johnson has got his hands on a lot of footballs. The instincts were the thing for him coming out. So that's held up. But again, I got to see. That's going to be one of those projects for me once we get to the end of the year
Starting point is 00:31:10 to really dig in and see who played the best of that group. Your guy, I believe, at parts of the process, was Trey Amos. And I did kind of break down, watch the commanders, defense a couple of games, see what was going on wrong. And I thought he's been their best player maybe in the secondary. Yeah, he's been pretty good for them. He's been pretty good for them. Yeah, well, I can tell you because I just watched it.
Starting point is 00:31:32 I want to double check to make sure that I get the number right because, oh, yeah, it was, it was Sainer Still, not playing as well. Okay. Young corner out of Michigan, you're two, right? Mike, Mikey Sanders, still. Yeah. Sorry, Drew, Drew, the producer, didn't want to hear that, the Michigan guy, but he's not. I thought you were going to come over the top and, well, actually, I'm the one
Starting point is 00:31:51 with the real, you know, all 22 eyes. And Trey Amos hasn't been playing that well. But I can see things. In fact, I know the exact play you were talking about when Donald went through his three reads. We were watching it all together in the theater. Your buddy, MJD, was there. And I'm like, man, this is the same Donald take.
Starting point is 00:32:12 Does he hold on to the UCLA USC thing still? He should be given him credit. Any of us that were pointing how bad, Sam Darnell was early in his career. He's a different player now. We're different people than we were. You realize there's two types of people, right? There's the people that have to go on social media and scream from the mountain tops that I was, I like Sam Donald back in the day. Then there's the real ones who know we've been so identified and connected over the years that we don't have to say anything. We don't. We've been we've been on board. We never jumped off the train. I guess what I'm doing right now kind of conflicts with what I'm saying. no this is your this is your podcast it's our podcast but i do want everyone listening to just think about who he's subtly taking shots at uh no there's a lot of people there's a lot of
Starting point is 00:33:02 i know a few all right we will get back together and talk a little more rookies talk a little bit more free agency maybe we'll start to just peek ahead next time around but we'll really start getting into the 2026 draft in free agency. Before we go, I need to take this second here as we're finishing up to congratulate Greg because the baseball team, he's been a fan out for about 45 minutes, just won another world. Let's go. Congratulations, buddy.
Starting point is 00:33:29 I know it's been such a long haul for you over the last 18 months since you began following the team, but I'm really happy for you. Yeah, really more like 15 months. It was kind of halfway through last season that because my wife and son were just such big fans. But we've gone through some hardships. They had to really work for it. And you were one of the first people. You really appreciate it when you've been through the lows that you've been through in that fandom.
Starting point is 00:33:53 After I hugged my wife and my son, you know, after Miguel Rojas hit that home run, you were one of the next people I thought of just DJ stewing somewhere down in San Diego. Brutal. Just brutal. Anyway, maybe next year. That's a beautiful thing about sports is always next year. Yeah. I saw, yeah. you know, more
Starting point is 00:34:13 World Series rings now for Michael Conforto than Manny Machado. We will be back in about a month to talk a little more Framany. Manny played as many innings in that World Series as he did. That's fair, but he's getting that ring.
Starting point is 00:34:30 I saw him drinking on the plane. We'll be back with 40s and free agents in about a month. Can't wait for draft and free agency season just around the corner. We'll see you then. In the heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming tech at Lenovo.com. Dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming, and performance that won't quit.
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