NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Aaron Rodgers Signs and Top-30 Wide Receivers in the NFL

Episode Date: June 5, 2025

Gregg Rosenthal is joined by Patrick Claybon and Matt Harmon of Yahoo! Sports to draft the top-30 wide receivers in the NFL. Before the draft, the crew reacts to Aaron Rodgers agreeing to a one-year deal with the Steelers (02:30) and Anthony Richardson being sidelined due to a shoulder injury (11:15). After the break, the draft starts with Ja'Marr Chase being selected as the NFL's top wide receiver and Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown rounding out the top-3 (16:36). Listen to find out where Puka Nacua (24:30), Tyreek Hill (31:30), Ladd McConkey (43:36), Brandon Aiyuk (54:30), and Travis Hunter (01:06:30) land on the list, and to see who rounds out the rest of the top-30.  Note: time codes approximate. NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. 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.

Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Welcome to NFL almost daily. Where we would never skip OTA's season. I'm Greg Rosenthal. here in the Chris Wesleying podcast studio. And I'm joined by my friend, Patrick Claibond,

often here on Thursdays in the studios. One of my favorite things about the off season. Not as often here, but always bring in the funk. It's Matt Harmon. And Matt, you are lucky enough to be on the show that is taping right after Aaron Rogers is agreeing to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Congratulations.

Oh, wow. What a treat. I couldn't, I couldn't be more happy to talk about my uh what's become my like least favorite subject oh thank you guys for having me no i actually just literally had a rant on football 301 which came out uh yesterday because we've had this we've had this graphic on uh on our show with all of our yahoo shows like the the depth charts for every team and they've had aaron rogers at quarterback with the parentheses like potentially for about two and a half months and they just flash it on the screen as like i'm so sick of i'm so

sick of seeing this. It was funny when I saw it the first time two and a half months ago. Now, now I'm tired of it. So, hey, I said enough already. And look at that. It happened the next day. I feel bad now. You know, you could sit out the first part of the show, Matt, and you could just come back for what I'm really excited about. We're going to rank who are the best wide receivers in the NFL have a little draft. But I think news calls, Patrick, that we, that we hit A-Rod off the time. And in fact, the last time we were here, we were discussing that, you know, Matt can't always just be wide receiver. So now we get to talk.

Aaron and people, you know, the conspiracy theorists are out there as two of his homeboys are very publicly beefing that this is a news dump. No, it's not a news dump. It's just what happened. The Steelers finished OTAs, as you said, today. And now it's like, okay, now I can, now I can say that I'm going to play football again.

To be fair, I didn't have a huge issue with this getting drawn out. We didn't have to talk about it that much. and I don't think we did that much on this show. Once it became obvious that this was the vague plan, ownership spoke multiple times that they expected him to be there. So I'm not going to kill him for all the media attention over the last few weeks. No, that's our fault. It is sort of our fault.

That's what I'm saying. Now, the actual signing, to me, if you take a step back and almost pretend we didn't know that this was going to happen, And it is fascinating, Matt, that they wanted Justin Fields more than Aaron Rogers to me. It is really fascinating that the Jets and the Steelers swapped quarterbacks, but they both wanted Justin Fields, who also was benched by that same Pittsburgh Steelers team. It is crazy that he really is a marriage of convenience for this team. And yet, I feel like this could end up working out.

I don't think it will, but I do think it's either. They're going to be like 80% of Brett Fav in Minnesota and actually be a help for this team, give them decent quarterback play. They're going to be relevant. It's going to be a big story. It's kind of fun. Or it's going to be like Matt Ryan in Indianapolis and just totally sad and like the worst moment of his career and Mike Tomlin's career. It's nothing in between.

But there's an argument that it could be the positive one. Because he is a year removed from that surgery, I think that should help. Yeah, it should definitely help. and I guess it working out is kind of what is your definition of it working out really is like 11 wins and just that you're maybe slightly better on offense than a year ago like decent you're a decent team you don't get wiped out by double digits in the play in the first round of the playoffs no you're either competitive or you win a game yeah you're either competitive in that game or you like win a game I think even making the playoffs to me would be a success yes well I mean that's the bar in Pittsburgh at this point it's like just just get the participation playoff trophy. But no, I think that I actually think that it's probably going to be closer to Matt Ryan in Indianapolis now that you say that. I just don't have a lot of faith in this ecosystem. I don't have a lot of faith in the past catchers around Rogers. And I don't have faith in Rogers being flexible enough at this point with what he wants to do offensively to meet Arthur Smith in whatever the middle wants to be.

I think it could look closer from like an offensive perspective to what Smith had in his first year. with ironically Matt Ryan with the Atlanta Falcons where they weren't so stringent in like the heavy personnel stuff they were a little they were eighth in pass rate that that year which is a far cry from anything else that Arthur Smith has ever had in his offensive time as a play caller so I but to me I do think it probably trends more towards the nightmare outcome than it does the the the rosy outlook yeah because Arthur Smith has only kind of grown more powerful as as as his career has gone on in the influence as to what the offense looks like. And so now we have the most influential.

And so is Aaron. So is Aaron. So what is meeting in the middle look like and why would I be excited about it? And even if we do go to the extremes of what one wants versus the other, I'm not excited about either one of those. Like congratulations to Aaron Rogers on being what I feel is an upgrade over Mason Rudolph. And I'm sure they're going to get along great as well.

but I don't see this like if we're saying success is a significant improvement upon last year I I'm not seeing now it's it's sometimes tough to dissect Claibon's sarcasm do you really think they're going to get a long grade no it's not because I think you're saying that they that they will get a long grade but I don't agree I mean ultimately for Mason it doesn't it doesn't matter Right. Facilitating that relationship, whether he wants to or not, it's not going to be important. All things are going to be to facilitate what Aaron wants.

And the big, like, conflict is ultimately going to be, like, is there, like, has Arthur Smith been hiding quarterbacks? Or has this been the way he wants to operate an offense? It's fascinating. I'm glad it's happening because I think it makes the Steelers more interesting. It's still one of the greatest players that we've ever seen, a four-time MVP who was a shell of him, his former self last year,

and everyone keeps bringing up those games at the end of the season that they had. And I challenge anyone to go watch those games. They weren't great. They were challenging. Even the ones with better numbers, I get it. He takes so few chances that the completion percentage and the touchdown of interception ratio,

like that's his superpower. is not getting intercepted, and it still is. But he plays so safe now that it just allows nothing to develop. And even at the end of the season, he seems so allergic and fearful of pressure. The one little thing that gives me a little bit of confidence, because I don't think the fit is great either, Matt, is that I did move better at the end of the season. You could see it.

And that, to me, is like the only thing to plant your flag on with Rogers is that another off-season removed from Achilles surgery, which is the toughest surgery to recover from. He was moving better by the end of last season. That could help him. But I don't know how much better it's going to be, Matt. And the weapons aren't very good. It's D.K. Metcalf, who to me doesn't exactly seem like an Aaron Rogers type of guy

at this point of his career, not too precise and down the field. And a whole lot of, I don't know, like in front of, you know, a pretty good young offensive line. Yeah, there's some decent buzz about Roman Wilson who ran, I think, grand total of four routes last year amid an injury ruined rookie season. And I was kind of, I thought he was more of like a fourth round pick than a third round pick. But, you know,

that's like haggling there anyways. But it's interesting because with Metcalf, I think he actually fits well with what Arthur Smith typically wants in his ex receivers, which is a guy who's going to rot out, like be really good on those inbreakers, crossers, digs off play action.

But like that chunky intermediate middle of the field is the place that Rogers has been allergic. to throwing to since like his last MVP campaign, which I just think he's been like a below average quarterback every time we've seen him since then, which is really only two seasons. So I just that like that that relationship, that connection is a questionable one to me. Even if I do like the way that Metcalf theoretically from a route deployment perspective fits in Arthur Smith's offense. Good, good point. You kind of prove me wrong that he could fit with Smith. But there's not like there's not much around there

it is amazing though that the schedule makers put Jets and Steelers week one now they didn't do it with their chest out because they did it at 10 a.m. Pacific one on the lesser coast and so that's just like an early game

I would assume now that will be the national game on CBS at least in the early window but that's opposite a lot of a lot of games but for me as just like a fan he does make it more even if I find him obnoxious like as a personality he does make the football more exciting

we have a game against the Packers also which is cool Aaron Rogers versus the Packers assuming he makes it to midseason when they play yeah we're going to be watching the Steelers and seeing the Steelers anyway right and Aaron Rogers despite all of the Aaron Rogersness is more compelling than Mason Rudolph despite their similarities I just I do wonder like

because it's it's about 570 attempts like Aaron Rogers playing every game is going to be between 570 and six something attempts. What's the number on this team? Like, what's the safe number? Like, how many times do you want Aaron Rogers dropping back in this offense? It just, it seems it's impossible for me to predict. Well, they've said they want to be a run first offense, but Aaron Rogers does not run, run first offenses.

They have a good young offensive line, which I alluded to, which the Jets did too. And I thought the Jets offensive line was overall solid to good last year. It wasn't like he was there like a huge problem for Rogers. But you're right. Just seeing all the potential clashes. He's got the Vikings, you know, who he almost thought of signing with in week four. He's at the Patriots. I don't know that.

There's no real hook to that. But I'm just real honest. Yeah, I thought about, you know, me and Rihanna. It just, it was going to happen. It just didn't work out. Oh, man. Aaron Rogers. Welcome back.

I am glad. I am glad. Before we get to our rankings, and yes, that's why we have the incredible Matt Harmon, as he mentioned, from Yahoo Sports Football 301, the fantasy podcast there, but even more importantly, reception, his own site where you can pay to get the real goodies and get all the analytics on these wide receivers we're going to talk about. Before we do that, I did just want to mention one other quick item of news, which is that Anthony Richardson is not going to be practicing for the rest of the off season,

at least until training camp, so not OTAs. And then there's mandatory mini camp this week. He has a shoulder injury. And it supports this gnawing feeling I've had, Patrick, this whole time, that this is Danny Dimes' job to lose. And that's an unfortunate situation for the franchise to be in. It makes you think, I just hope that they manage this injury properly because it's ultimately what ended.

things for Andrew Luck, is trying to come back and throw too early on this shoulder. And now, like, this offseason has been put in this position of, hey, here's this quarterback in his third year, going to make his 27th start, maybe. And it's like, hey, if he doesn't win this job, his career is over. And so now he's having to deal with that while dealing with this injury. And the backup is Daniel Jones. It's just, no thanks. I'm out.

Right. And what are the odds, Matt, that, like, Daniel Jones. Jones stays healthy or looks good. Like I guess either one of us too. Yeah, I was just talking about this with our mutual friend James Coe and like Riley Leonard's probably going to make starts for this team this year. I mean, I just think that's very much in in the range of outcome. Sixth round pick Riley Leonard. Yeah. To me, it's just all along ever since they signed Daniel Jones, my tone on it has not changed, which is tell me the scenario where both guys don't make starts this year and everybody gets cleaned out at the end of the season. I just feel like this Colts team is just very adrift at this point, which is a shame because I actually think this offense, I don't know if we're going to talk about any of these receivers today in our draft. Depends on how deep we go. But I think this is a really good receiver room. And like they've added to it over the years with a lot of like day two draft picks. And I think they to some to varying degrees found a lot of hits. Like Josh Downs to me is a guy that is way underrated still like one of the best slot receivers in the league. An awesome separator. Michael Pittman's not coming off his best year. But he. did play through a back injury for most of the season. He's like a rock solid number two receiver. Alec Pierce is

he can really only do a couple of things, but he's pretty good at those couple things. He's pretty damn good at those couple things. And Adi Mitchell definitely is a guy that I think needed a season of development. You saw that in his ability to beat zone coverage, but if you just look at him on like slants

and goes and curl routes against man coverage, really impressive separation ability there. So there's something there with him even if he's not fully developed and they took a first round tight end. So there's a lot of pass catchers here and I just can't see how anybody gets maximized in a room with Danny Dimes for, you know, however many games he starts. There is a scenario, I think, of the Colts mattering because Anthony Richardson gets

healthy in training camp and ultimately wins that job, whether it's because Daniel Jones, you know, he's had a career threatening neck injury, he's had the knee, like, whatever it is, that he ends up getting into the lineup because of what you said. I think there's decent talent around him. obviously Jonathan Taylor, too. The defense is a little frisky. You know, I think there is a path to it happening. But, man, the way that they've been pushing Daniel Jones on social media from the Colts site,

that's been my number one thing is like, okay, I see what you're doing. You're winning this job if everyone's healthy, which sucks. Scroll through, scroll through the Colts, TikTok, and Twitter. Like, pull up the media page. If you see an Anthony Richardson highlight from camp, there's immediately a Daniel Joe. it is like that there has been an edict sent out to say that hey if you show if you show Anthony Richardson you have to show down equal time equal time it's like it's like you know big newspaper editorial pages let's take a quick break

we're going to come back and we are going to rank at least the top 20 receivers in league we might even get to 30 if we go fast enough back in here 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 is 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 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 diehard 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, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Matt Jones. I'm Drew Franklin, and this is NFL cover zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different.

Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the I Heart Radio app, podcast 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. Back on NFL Daily, drafting wide receivers. A controversial way to decide who are the best. wide receivers in the league. We're not drafting them from any team. We're just taking turns, picking guys off the board, and that will be the graphic. Top 30 wide receivers in the NFL that

goes out, no matter what. Wow. I'm excited for this. No asterisk with a very, very small note. No asterisk, no nothing. All right. This is going to be representative, and I trust no one more than Patrick Claibon to make great pick. No, he doesn't. But Harmon is. He doesn't. He doesn't. It's so not true. I think you picking Terry Fontno was such great content.

Number nine overall. All right. Harmon, sorry. Wow. Yeah, see, it was aggressive. But that's what I like about it. That's what I like about it. Let's start.

The parameters here are just, who do we think is the best right now? We're not talking about career. We're not talking about the future, but we are talking about 2025. So who would we want this season, not fantasy numbers like reality who would you want on your team and since you are mr reception perception why don't we give matt harmon the honor of kicking off oh wow that is that

is beautiful i think um i've got a tier of six guys that i think are true tier one wide receivers but i'm going to go ahead and give it jemar chase off the top here because he's coming off the best year he's coming off the triple crown i think he established himself as an elite tier wide receiver a couple of seasons ago. Nobody is better at mixing all aspects of the wide receiver position together into like a truly formed like not only is he a plus route runner and he's been a plus route runner since his collegiate days. He's also just a big play machine. Like I don't know that there's anybody right now that I would trust to go from zero to 60 like and house a pass than Jamar Chase. So I'll take him at top of the board here. See that's it just shows the kind of trust and

belief I have in you guys because that is different than who I would take it. number one, but obviously a reasonable pick. We'll see where Patrick goes here, number two. Yeah, I'm interested in your number one pick because my number one pick was just taken by Matt Harmon. I will take Justin Jefferson as college teammate of Jamar Chase at number two simply because he's like in terms of execution in the game. And I recognize there are some moments where you compare the quarterback

situations. I think they're drastically different. I think Justin Jefferson would put up insane numbers, were he in Cincinnati. But I also feel that he has this ability of route running at the catch point, as well as explosiveness, where

you're not getting that anywhere else, so I'll take Justin Jefferson. Yeah, that would have been my pick, and I think you're splitting hairs between the two, so I don't want to go negative talking about Jamar Chase. To me, just Justin Jefferson, It's year after year.

You're right. The fact that he's done it with different quarterbacks matters to me. And to me, he's kind of the best at everything. Like,

he's put up a Hall of Fame career already. He does not need to do that much more. Like, he's been first or second team all pro every year that he wasn't hurt and, like,

voted for MVP, you know, got some votes, offensive rookie year, all that stuff. And just when I watch him and it's just, it's splitting hairs.

I just like can't imagine a scenario where Justin Jefferson isn't doing almost every asset in part of being a receiver at the highest of high levels and he's done it like each and every year no matter what's happening. So that's my small split

of the difference between those two. But it's hard to really argue. Like what would you see as any differences between those two? And what makes JJ like on the reception data like stand out the most? Oh yeah. I mean from a success rate versus man zone

and press coverage standpoint, he's been an elite performer since he hit the NFL field. And I think if you're talking about differences between the two of them, I do think Chase is a guy that can, like I said, go from zero to 60, like house a screen pass, probably more so, like more reliably than Justin Jefferson would. But I think Jefferson, what makes him so quarterback friendly and what, I mean, why he just produces no matter who's out there.

And I think Chase would produce fine with any of these other guys. But like the way that Jefferson is able to throttle down and then explode out of breaks, just creates such like low margin for error for a quarterback regardless of how accurate or not anticipatory that player is, he just presents them with these wide open windows. And even if they aren't the most accurate pass, he tracks the ball and wins and contest the situation is almost better than any other receiver out there. Yeah, they're both so savvy. Jefferson just seems so smart. Four years already over 1,400 yards, including that crazy 1800 yards.

I mean, that's the same as like Randy Moss in his entire career. That's how great. Jefferson's been, and Chase is pretty close to that, too. So hard to argue with those two, one and two. I took number three because I did have someone I really wanted to get up high. All right. Well, maybe Greg's getting controversial. No, I don't think A.J. Brown at three is too controversial. I just wanted to give him the respect that he deserves, and you never know what could happen.

I wanted to make sure he was right there because I just feel like the A.J. Brown slant is the most unstoppable play. in football his go route is like not that far behind and I just feel like he's like gotten more subtle I love a physical receiver I guess I mean who doesn't but I love a physical receiver

with like as much subtlety as him so I really think watching him on a per game basis last year I know he wasn't healthy like totally for the playoff run that he had taken his game maybe even to like another level where he is really knocking on the door

of JJ of Chase as like the very best in the league. Yeah he was in the conversation for me. I mean, we've, we're in my exact order at this point, so it's not off the board or controversial. I think AJ is such a big part of why the Eagles were able to do the things that like to be able to flip a switch and go from a run team to like, hey, we're going to throw the ball spags. And here's, here's AJ Brown. And there's really nothing you can do about it. And like, I think about the fourth down conversion early against the commanders in the playoffs where it's, it's AJ on a go, give Jalen the three-step, and he's going to box a guy out and make a catch over the shoulder.

Like it's, it looks, he makes it look easy. I honestly think he has helped to raise the floor of these receiver contracts as his contracts have been proof that like having a great receiver and giving him a quarterback like contract can lift the entire rest of the offense, even if you don't have a top five quarterback. I have a feeling we have the same big six now that I look at my list as you. Uh, Harmon, who do you have fourth? Uh, fourth or who's next? I shouldn't assume AJ Brown. AJ Brown, we're not snaking here. We're going back to.

No, no, we're going back to you, not staking. Oh, number four. I kind of want to actually go off my board here because technically, uh, C.D. Lam would be next for me, but I think I'm going to just go with Nico Collins here to make a statement. Um, because I mean, look, it's not, it's not, I don't think it's controversial. It shouldn't be. Nico Collins is top five wide receiver to me. But yeah, when this graphic goes out, I want my name attached to Nico Collins because I've been the biggest Nico Collins backer basically since he came into the league, even early in his 2021 in-season reception, Reception, rookie report.

I was like, this guy wins at an over 70% rate against man and press coverage, which like that means you're a bona fide, like, good starting X receiver. But it just didn't show up in the box score because he's playing with Davis Mills and all the chaos there in Houston. And then we've seen over the last two years, he's a bona fide elite number one tier wide receiver. And I think what makes him different than any of the other guys that I have in my first tier is that he just pretty much exclusively lines up at X receiver. Like all these other guys get to move around the formation. And I think that I'm actually interested to see if Nico Collins can do a little bit more of that with Nick Cayley coming in as the offensive coordinator there. But he's been such a perfect fit on those like typical

Shanahan ex receiver concepts there that maybe you don't want. to move him around because again, he's a top five performer at the most difficult position to play within the wide receiver position. Bold pick. I add him in my top six, too. I love me some Nico. I just, I'm always surprised when you see that he's 225 pounds or whatever just because he's so good and nifty after the cat. It's just a great yak. It's the number. The number helps. Is that it? Yeah. I feel like if you put Nico Collins in another number, he would look massive. I mean, he, but he does. He looks, but he looks lanky. He looks tall and thinner. He's six four. But Maybe it is the number.

What a come up for Nico Collins, like cemented top five receiver. Who do you have fifth, Patrick? I, my board is looking great. It's looking like our board. I will take Rams wide receiver Pooka Nakuwa. And number five, it was, it was very dicey because I, like Harmon, was considering CD in the spot. But then I feel like Puka is still ascending, whereas CD might have, it feels like the, the explosiveness after the catch is coming back to reality where he was so excellent there,

but Pooka still got it. That game in SoFi against the Bills was one of the better performances I've seen from anybody in all of last season. And I know that if you're going volume and it's like, well, you know, Stafford loaded up Megatron and he loaded up Cooper Cup and he can load up Pooka. Like I'm not doing this on like a volume basis. I truly think explosiveness. like ability at the catch point,

separation, all these things he's got all of it. And I'm happy to have him at this point in year three on my wide receiver hypothetical team. Yeah, I had him fourth overall right behind AJ. Although it split hairs here. Top like yards per route run in the last 25 years, only Steve Smith best season and Tyree Kill two years ago was better than Puka last year.

So Puka doesn't have the counting stats, Harmon, a year ago. But it did feel watching us. And you can tell me what you think, like that he did take a pretty big leap just as a player from his rookie season when he was among the greatest rookies, if not the greatest, you got to put him behind Moss. But maybe number two or three, like of all time in the NFL. So do you think he improved a lot in year two? 100%. Yeah. I think that Pook and Akua, I actually talked to him after the Super Bowl following his rookie season. Yeah, thank you. Um, was also going to mention I stood next to Nico Collins at the Super Bowl this past year and can confirm big guy. So I don't think we need a new number.

That's just a big human thing. Um, but no, yeah, with Puka, I think the one thing that he told me in that conversation is that he wanted to get better at the catch point because he felt like he let some things go during his rookie season that he probably shouldn't have. And I think right away when he came back from injury, you saw that he was winning along the side line a lot. more like there was all the typical over the middle work you know the digs the crossers these dagger concepts like you saw all of that but he made an intentional effort to get better in terms of

timing his jumps like having late hands getting his feet down in bounds those were all there and that's the stuff that you do if you're a true number one wide receiver and just from a separation standpoint his success rate versus zone coverage this year because i just finished charting him he'll be on the site next week 85.1% that's going to be among the league leaders and represented at a big, big jump as well. Right. Now he can win against any type of coverage. That's right, Walker.

Thank you. Harmon, do you, when we have wide receiver opinions or back when you were here at the NFL and you guys were mixing it up with Patrick or now and people come at you with differing wide receiver opinions, do you look down on them? Are you like the Aaron Rogers to our Mason Rudolph in the room? Because you've ultimately done more work, you know?

No, everybody's entitled to their own opinion. You just don't respect it, like, as much. No, I, no, I mean, just maybe you saw something different than I did over the, you know, hours and hours that poured it. Yeah, I feel bad. I feel bad for CD that he falls to the bottom, I guess, of this big six. But I was with you. I thought that was, like, the six that needed to be at the top. He's another one.

I'm surprised by, like, his listing of weight. Like, is he really only 200 pounds? Because he just seems so much more physical. Like, he seems bigger than his listed weight. And you mentioned maybe the, yeah. wasn't as great a year ago. Who knows if that was, I'm not going to say motivation,

but just the general cowboysness of it all that was like affecting everyone last season. I have no doubt, certainly. I think he's going to be helped out by George Pickens being there. He's obviously so versatile, almost as versatile as anyone on this list, along with JJ and Jamar Chase.

And that's why I think he's part of the big six. You know, the Cowboys always have one of the, them dudes. I don't know. There's nowhere to argue there. I'm more curious who's going to be next. The yards after catch stuff too, like when this offense is like we've seen this in Dallas

when they don't have like a lid lifter to go along with him. Yeah. Even like a Michael Gallup lid lifter. The whole thing just gets very, very, very condensed. So I think that that the George Pickens acquisition is huge for that. And yeah, I mean, I wish I could have taken C.D. Lamb higher than this because I have such a big respect for him as a player. And people think he's like just this slot merchant.

He actually led the league last year with 5.3 yards per route run against man coverage when lined up outside. Like he could just run out there and play X receiver every single snap, but he's weaponized by being a slot receiver. So he doesn't play there because he has to. He plays there because he makes the entire offense better when he lines up. I don't want to make you feel awkward or anything, Harmon. But I just am impressed how you rip these stats off off the dome, especially when you knew the Falcons like pass rate on some Matt Ryan, Arthur Smith season. That's impressive. uh just just giving you respect all right this is where we get past the first six and i feel like

there's a next group of who knows six seven guys it could be anyone from that group who do you have up next matt uh i'll go with alan ross st brown here next who i think is just firmly at the top of the second tier in the NFL he is um so good within the context of the lion's offense but i don't think that that takes away anything from who he is as a player he's somebody it's gotten better each and every season in the NFL. Like when he first hit the, when he first hit the field, he was actually interestingly before,

uh, when Anthony Lynn was the office coordinator in his rookie year, he was actually used more on these kind of like deeper patterns, not necessarily and more, a little bit more outside. They didn't quite know what to do with them. And then after a lot of injuries and then Lynn was pushed out, Dan Campbell took over the play calling duties.

Ben Johnson was, uh, given more power in that building. That's when they put him in this big slot receiver role and he's just continued to thrive every year. And each. year he gets better and better against pressman coverage and like isolated routes. So I don't really think there's, he's another guy that yeah, he plays in the slot. He's, he's more slot first than

C.D. Lamb is if that makes sense, even if Lamb leads the NFL and slot yards over the last two years. But I do think that he's probably the best pure slot receiver in the NFL right now is St. Brown. Yeah, the numbers are inarguable. I think you're right. Maybe, maybe this is my bias. I had him just like, I feel like he gets a little underrated. But if, when you're comparing him to him, guys that you would want as like your number one guy who can do everything and he's not necessarily that guy and I am I am that person maybe under radium and just have him like a few spots lower but either way he's in that next group for sure you're up with number eight Patrick okay I will get perhaps controversial I'll take tire kill here at number eight I understand

that there's been a fall off and maybe we're at 92% of Tyree kill 92% of Tyree kill is still very very good I feel like most of the fall off was related to the Miami Dolphins like as an institution, this recent addition of them. And perhaps that was probably a part of the reason that he was trying to extract himself from that situation at the time to go getting the different one. But I still think like the speed numbers, if you go off, you were missing some of the explosive plays from offense in general. Like Jalen, Jalen Waddle's explosive numbers fell off last year as well. I know he was dealing with an injury. But I do think Tyree Kills still explosive, still very scary.

and I like him here today. Five first team all pros, by the way, another guy who has a pretty airtight Hall of Fame case. I had them much lower. I had them outside my top 15, strictly just based on age and history that if you go from a career season and then it's like halved to the following year

and you start to have injury problems, the history of guys at 31, then bouncing back to, being close to what they were is not great. Now, he is a guy, Harmon, I don't need to tell you, like, who is kind of broken, like every rule there is. Like, you just would never have expected this guy at his size to be as strong as he is and have the career that he is. So if someone's going to break that rule, or that trend line of a guy improving that much at 31, he would be the guy to do it. Yeah, my buddy, Scott Pinooski,

Yahoo, says that once the cheese goes bad, it usually doesn't get unbad. And I do think we're, I do think we've begun the decline phase of Tyree Kill. And I just wonder with, you know, everything that's always happening off the field with him, like if we're going to get another one of those peak seasons. So yeah, I'm with you, Greg, that I didn't quite have him like that low, but I had him lower than here.

I also have watched him talk this off season, and I do fall for this stuff, especially the fact that he said he didn't prepare for last season as hard as he should have. I am kind of falling for that it's a contract year for him and that he is going to make, do everything possible that he can to make this season great. And I know, Patrick

does not approve that kind of analysis. You're just in my head. Look, Tyree Kill previously while you said on this Hall of Fame track, we're previously not trying now. My point is he said he didn't prepare and you heard some talk

that he was a little sloppy in his preparation going into last year and he was hurt all the time and he was a little, you know, he wasn't as explosive. So I'm trusting him as the source. I think he's ready. I don't think football is good for you. I think the more of all you play, you're probably not going to be doing it very well for very long.

Okay. I will take Brian Thomas Jr. off the board in the top 10 here. This guy, first game in the NFL, I can still see it. That first touchdown he had, it's double coverage with Jalen Ramsey and Jordan Poir and he's doing a toe tap at the back of the goal line.

And this was supposed to be some sort of one-trick pony. he hits like a turbo button when they hit him on some of those slants that is just rare. His ability to change speeds. I think there's a lot of conversation about this in the NBA. And I think it's obviously true

in the NFL too. Your ability to decelerate is a skill. Like guys who can drive and decelerate, guys who can run and decelerate, obviously that's great on like the stop routes and everything, but man, he mixes it up. I don't know if you see that.

If the numbers reflect that, Harmon, to me, but I just don't think many people move like him. He's obviously got like the side, the strength. And he had the production last year. So to me, I'm already ready to just like stamp him top 10 going into his second year. Well, see, Greg, you, you asked me if I look down on other people's opinions when they talk about wide receivers. Can't do that because shout out to you, uh, when I came on around the NFL to talk about that draft class at yes. You said like either you can't draft Brian Thomas too high. And I was like, well, I mean, he's probably the fourth best guy in the class to me. So I mean, hey, see, I can't, I can't turn my nose up at

at any opinion when you had when you had the best one potentially of that entire draft class but yeah no i i think that brian thomas junior uh he has a real rare skill set you know he's a guy that 80.8% success rate versus press coverage in his rookie season and reception so like he can again another guy that is built like a vertical freak show x receiver but he also averaged over 10 yards per target on screen passes like you can do whatever you want with him that there aren't a lot of guys that are built to do that. So, yeah, I mean, the sky's the limit for him. I had him 11th on my list, so I'm not far behind here.

Okay, yeah, this whole group, and there's another rookie, I feel like from a year ago, at least it would be high. And he's going to be playing with Travis Hunter. Right, Travis Hunter, another wide receiver who can take a screen a long way. He is eligible. If anyone listening is curious, you know, rookies are eligible to be taken. Wow. And I feel like, you know, he's at least in contention somewhere on this list.

Let's go. Matt Harmon. You are up. Finish out our top 10. Yeah, I'll go Malik Neighbors here. I'll stick with rookies from last year. Neighbors, by the way, well, in case I end up taking the guy, I won't say it. But yeah, Malik Neighbors. I mean, you're not sneaking anyone past us.

We know, like, who, you know, the people are. You can talk about them. Come on. You never know. Yeah, Malik Neighbors was awesome as a rookie. And I, another guy that I think. I mean, who is it? You're your deep sleeper like Garrett Willis.

or Ladd-McConkey? I mean, these are big-time names. I was just going to say that I think Ladd-McConkey was the best rookie wide receiver on film last year. Yes. And I think that that doesn't mean that he's going to be the best over the course of the class because I think

Neighbors and Thomas both have a higher theoretical ceiling. And I think that Neighbors actually has the highest ceiling of any of these guys because of his complete skill set. He's a really good route runner. He's explosive. He's similar to Jason that I think, he could develop into one of those guys that you can put the ball in his hands and he can house it from any area. I actually think he was underutilized on post routes last year for

obvious reasons. And I'm not 100% sure that any of the guys under center for the New York Giants this year are going to be able to access him in that area. But he's somebody that is really good on stop routes. He's really good with the ball in his hands. And actually somebody that I'm so impressed with the detail and preparation he puts into being an after catch player. because typically you ask these guys like, oh, hey, what goes into being a great after catch player? With neighbors, he like will actually walk you through the details of how you watch certain defenders

and how to set them up and things like that. So, yeah, very impressed with him. I think he's another guy that is already worth a top 10 in this discussion. Something in that LSU water, who would you have had? And LAT will get taken at some point, I would assume, in the next handful of picks, whatever it is. Who would you have chosen between neighbors and Ladd, Patrick?

I would have had neighbors. Okay. Yeah. Interesting. Maybe I'm crowning him too soon. Not to diminish Ladd-McConkie, who is six feet tall and ran a four-three, by the way. I feel like I need to say that every time. I say Ladd-McConkey, so people don't act like he's this 5-7 dude that ran like what

Barrios ran. Yeah, it's like he's out there trying hard. No, like Ladd-McCock is an explosive ad. He's like. Same height and weight and some similar numbers to neighbors, actually. I don't think they're too different. Yeah. No.

And all right, we'll save our lad talk. But eight neighbors getting loved. I'm surprised knowing some of your favorites out there, Harmon, that you took him there. That shows how much you love neighbors. You have number 11, Patrick. With the number 11 pick, I will take Terry McLaren of the Washington commanders kind of unlocked last season by, you know, we might have missed what could have been with Peak Terry. And not that he's significantly declining. But just the explosiveness, the ability to make those big catches with coverage right there.

And he's just really good. And I'm really glad that we can see that on a statistical basis because we knew that he was carrying some pretty awful quarterbacks for a long time. Yeah, some reporting today pro football talk passed along. He's unhappy with his contract situation. He's missing OTAs right now. Not a huge deal. seems like a contract that will almost certainly get done by training camp. Wouldn't shock me if it gets done next week.

They want to reward Terry McLaurin, who is Mr. Washington right now. And he'll be like perennally underrated. You know, we were here in the Chris Wesleyan podcast studio. I'll always remember watching this game when Chris was recovering from cancer the first time around. And we were in like Keisha's very temporary apartment. And I think her mom. was there as well helping out. And we watched Terry on Monday night football as a rookie. And West was just all over like, this guy was just like the most underrated wide receiver in the

league. And that has obviously borne out to be true. I'm going to take Drake London next. And I'm going off my board. I actually had a lad ahead of him. But I just feel like I don't like seen for some reason lad's a rookie. He can slide a tiny bit. I don't want Drake London to slide anymore because I had him, I think, ninth on my list overall. especially seeing him play with Michael Pennix at the end of the year. Like, the reason why London's numbers for the whole season went up is just because he got those couple of weeks with Pennix. He finished 7 for 10 for 1087 against your Panthers in week 18, I guess it was.

And I went back and like just checked out some of those games. And like, it's all outside the numbers. It's all these, not that Kirk Cousins couldn't throw, but kind of he couldn't outside that. Not like Mike did last year. No. And now you're getting to see like the full one. London, right, Harmon? And so I think when that's unlocked, I actually think for what it's worth,

he's just like a safer pick than even some of these younger guys, because we've seen it year after year. And it wouldn't shock me at all if he goes and has like a first team all pro type of season this year. Yeah, I had London ninth on my list as well. And I think the best part about his season last year is like you said, you got to see all parts of his game expressed. Because when it was Kirk Cousins under center, you noticed that, oh yeah, there's. moving Drake London around. And this was something I hoped happened when, you know, that Rams based coaching staff came over there to the, to the Falcons. Because I think Arthur Smith gets too much flack at times, especially from the fantasy community. But he was just 100%, you know, got just

isolated, kind of tethered at that static X receiver spot was Drake London and his offense. But this offense is much more dynamic. They got him a lot of slot work. And when he was in the slot, Kurt Cousness was just peppering him on over the middle targets. And that's really where you can get some great stuff out of Drake London because, yeah, he is huge, he's great at the catch point. He can win in those tight coverage ways, but he is so fluid and just an excellent underneath separator that he can be a high volume receiver in those ways. But yeah, then when Pennix gets into the mix in the final three games, then you get to see the fireworks of him being on these deep, outbreaking routes in tight coverage. So, yeah, I expect if that usage holds and Pennix can, you know, maybe not be a consistently accurate quarterback, but can access. Drake London in those ways, I think we will see easily the best season of his career.

Yeah, he's not, like, Pettix is not afraid of throwing that thing down there to London. So I, even if he's not accurate, like, I think volume-wise, it's going to be there. And it's funny, you mentioned Arthur Smith gets, you think, too much grief from the fantasy community. But he also gets a lot of grief from the Falcons, like Atlanta fans community and the Steelers fans community. I would say, like, tapeheads aren't like huge Arthur Smith's fan. It's been a bad couple of years for Arthur Smith. him and Aaron Rogers now need to join forces.

That'll fix everything. Number 13, you're up, Harmon. Yeah, I'll go ahead and take Ladd-McConkey here. There's a few big names that he's right there with, but man, he was so, like, he was special as a rookie. He wasn't, like Patrick said, he gets sort of typecasted as the Jim Rat, small, scrappy white slot receiver, but he is a dominant separator. best in terms of rookies last year in success rate versus press coverage and

reception. He is also a threat to break multiple tackles and stack big plays with the ball in his hands. And he's a monster in tight coverage, like contested catch guy despite the size. So there's really nothing that you would ask of a wide receiver one that he can't do. So like I said, I think he was better than Thomas. He was better than neighbors on film last year. That doesn't mean that he will be best over the course of his career. But he is certainly with the right quarterback to do it and a guy that now you saw right away what I love about McConkey is that he

when he's running these like dig routes or kind of coming back to the quarterback against zone coverage he's always just work he's consistently working himself open even on digs where you know he could like go behind that defender he always crosses the face and Herbert just immediately loved that so I think that's going to be a great connection this year

yeah he smoked some really good cornerbacks on outside you know on the outside in single coverage the only slight concern is at the end of these games he was always like no one played better limping off the field

than Ladd-McConkie he almost struggled to get through the 60 minutes and then he would get back to the next game and it would be fine and I did see a story this week his receivers coach

Sanjay Lau is showing him Tyler Lockett and Julian Edelman tapes about how to avoid not only avoid hits a little bit because Locket you don't want to be doing

the Locket slide thing but also like diving forward Like, Edelman had a good way of not taking big hits while also making plays and getting those extra couple yards. Yeah, he's going to have to learn to carry the load of the offense because he was used to being at Georgia. He's the explosive guy at Georgia. You come in and score.

And like his first career touchdown, the money, oh, lad call. Like, he shakes three people down at the goal line and then dives. And he's like, he's always thinking end zone. But it's, you know, 17 games of that when you're going to be the team's leading receiver is probably tougher to play like that. And so, like, that's, that's what leads to it. Because he, there were so many times where it's lad was the only option. See, we're trying to say, though, like, hey, he's not just the white slot receiver.

He's, he's clearly not. But then his coach is showing him Edelman tape. It's like, come on, help with the narrative. Tyler Lockett, actually, like a supercharged better. Being a better Tyler Lockett would be like an truly incredible career. And I think he is that already. Right. He's already there.

That was my player comparison for him. I charted him in college, it's Tyler Lockett. That's awesome. He's already a better version. No offense to Tyler Lockett, who was incredible at his peak. All right, number 14, and then I'll go, and then we're going to take a quick break. Yeah, I'll go ahead and go and go age here. I'll go Devante Adams at number 14. Still contributing.

I think the numbers, of course, he's in a Stafford offense. Things are going to go up. He got volumes of targets late on a bad offense from a quarterback who was playing middling last season where he's, he's getting more targets, more touches and opportunities than Garrett Wilson. And he's not that much older than it was at the end of last season. I think this is a great spot. And I'm very comfortable having Devante here. Yeah. I had him in this exact same spot. And frankly, I felt bad almost having him that low because he's someone that I think when you watched him on tape, you're like, oh yeah, it's still there. Like maybe it's 90% of

Devante Adams, but that's still awesome. And he could have had a monster season in a in a different scenario. So because it's so similar, I'm just going to go right into my next pick, which is I'm going to take Mike Evans here. And we are at the point where, like, yes, it seems crazy year after year. Was Mike Evans, like, slightly worse maybe a year ago than he was in 23? Like, maybe. I don't know. What did you think, Harmon? Like, the production was essentially the same, except he missed three games. But I saw everything that you've loved out of Mike Evans pretty much. So until he actually does fall off, it feels rude to rank him too much slower than this.

Yeah, I think 2023 was the best season of his career and he was right pretty much just the same player last year. So yeah, no, no arguments here.

This is, that would have been my next pick as well. So much agreement. I did hear from someone on blue sky. Check us all out there. You know,

we're, we're having fun that they didn't like it when we agreed too much on these, on these little rankings. Well, that's like a good. What do you want to do?

Like we're all watching the same games. Would you like us to lie and be disingenuous? Well, they just want some some pop some disagreement and uh yeah i i think you guys are doing a great job except that tyreek was a little bit of a reach all right let's say a quick break we'll be right back 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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Back on NFL Daily. The problem with Blue Sky, though, is my fear of what I thought might happen when it first started, which is now I'm just like posting to two annoying Twitters. Like, annoying in different ways, Blue Sky, I find much less annoying, but that was like the worst case in era, and I'm doing it because I'm not a principled or disciplined man. and just haven't given up Twitter cold turkey because I'm looking at it for information. If you're looking at me,

like I'm principled or disciplined for not tweeting, you know, Elon limited my spread, my reach. I was getting no engagement. And so like all the dopamine hits that I've been getting 12 years, like they went away.

So like there's no point in me going back. Need those hits. That's why we do this. That's why we got into this game. You're at 16 overall. We're making pretty good pace. I think if we, keep this pace, maybe pick it.

I think we can go to 30 and then we'll send you on your way. Let's go number 16, Matt Harmon. Yeah, I love it. Next to guys in my list or two, I'd love to kind of sort of buy low on, but I will go with Garrett Wilson here at this spot. Really good player that I think last year,

a lot of unfortunate circumstances for him. Like, we already talked about the quarterback play, of course. Also, this whole discussion about, oh, man, you know, he's just never where he's supposed to be as a route runner. I mean, give me a break. I don't know how like detailed we want this guy to be, but he's a separator. He's almost always open. And he can make plays and contest situations. Maybe be a little, he's be a little bit more consistent there to truly get into that first tier of NFL

receivers. But he's somebody that if by the end of the year, him and Justin Fields have a great connection. I think he's about to just get like a 30 to 33 percent target share in this very run heavy offense. I think he could be kind of climbing the ranks by the end of the year. I feel like an idiot. This has happened in literally every one of these where I'm like, oh, wait, I forgot Garrett Wilson. He was much higher on my list. And I said I just like overlooked him. I had him 10th. Like three straight years,

I just think the situation's been so bad. I'm with you. Like to come into the league as a stamped 1,000 yard receiver, do it every single year in different offensive coordinator. Like, you're absolutely right. No offense to Mike Evans, but actually I would have taken him over Evans if I could do it again, but I'm glad you took him. You're up with number 17.

And maybe I'll offend a couple of players here. I'll take the number Number two, I'll take Devonte Smith here at number 17, because I think the perception of Devante is influenced by the Eagles and the offense, not just the run-heavy nature of the way things go, but also the fact that he's sharing those targets with A.J. Brown, and in every situation where Devante Smith has been asked to produce, he has done so when AJ's out, when the team is only throwing the ball 20 times a game, he's been producing. caught 70% of his targets in the regular season.

He's caught 70% of his targets in the postseason. I'll take Devante here. He's just so, I almost feel bad. I'm going to take D.K. Metcalf next. And I just wanted to talk about them together. Because like Devontas Smith, Devante Smith is, he's better at like being a wide receiver than D.K.

Metcalf, for instance. And he's as good or better at being a wide receiver as a lot of the people on this list that we've already mentioned. Like the size is like a small. limitation. I guess if he was on his own team, I guess I'd be curious to see what would happen. Like, he is better as a, as a great number two. But wouldn't everyone be better as like a great number two? He's just like so freaking good that like, I don't think you can look at a lot of these guys we've already talked about, even the ones inside the top 10 and just at the pure

art of like being a wide receiver say they're much better than Devante Smith. So I don't think that's too high at all. That's exactly where I would have had him. And D.K. to me is a little bit of the opposite of that. I'm curious what you think, Harmon. He hasn't totally improved to be a complete wide receiver maybe as he's gone along. Like I mentioned, like an AJ Brown has, like I think some other players have. And yet, he is great at what he does and has improved to some degree and has expanded his route. Where do you think like he is at at this point in his career?

Yeah, this is the biggest reach relative to my board, only because the tough part with Metcalf is he's coming off his worst season and at times I've been a really big big defender of his game and I actually think he was a little like misunderstood coming to the league where he was just viewed as this like one trick pony he was stiff because he's always been really good against press coverage because he's so physical at like the hand combat portion of it but he's really taking a step back on contested catches the last couple of seasons especially last year and I just to me there was just something missing from his game last year he's like success rate versus zone coverage plummeted

last year. Some of that was, I don't think it was a very well-designed offense. I am certainly willing to chalk that up to it. But I mean, he got outplayed by another receiver on his own team last year, like pretty convincingly. So I would not have taken him here. I'm hit with the harmonious reach. How does that feel, Greg? It feels. See, we had to disagree. I hope whoever, whichever listener, it feels fine. I'll defend it because I, I, I, it wasn't a good year. You're right. And his and Gino's connection was not great. I got the, sense that they did not see things the same way very often. Gino thought he would do one thing and he wouldn't do the other.

And you don't want that as a receiver. Ultimately, that's a little bit of a knock on decay. Well, let's talk about how it's about to be now. Fair. I really, I'll stand by it because this is exactly where I had him. I don't feel bad at all. We can all have differing opinions. What kills me is that I messed up and forgot about JSN.

So that is completely on me. and I hope that he gets taken next by Matt Harmon. He's not going to be an, I'm going to look like an idiot because I just said like, yeah, DK is not coming off his best year. So I'm not going to, I'm not going to take him here. I'm going to slam Greg for taking him. I'm actually going to take Brandon Ayuk here. Who is certainly not coming off his best year.

But like this guy was one of the best receivers in football in 2023. Like he was incredible. Any efficiency metric would tell you that. The eye test would tell you that he's developed into a truly, elite route runner and separator great blocker like he he is a number one wide receiver at least he was he was in that 2023 season obviously things went awry last year amid the whole contract i i'm sure claibon i hope you agree with me on this i've just been like rolling my eyes at the whole like oh how could i yuk like he comes in here out of shape it's like just sign him to a contract

in the middle of this off season like give him the money then and he comes in dialed in we're not having this conversation so he is coming off a major injury he did didn't, I don't really care about the stats from last year because I think we can chalk that up to just the weirdness in the off season. So if this guy gets right, I think he can be like a core pivot player for the San Francisco 49ers because that's how he was playing prior to getting that contract extension. It's a, it's a fascinating, you know, sliding doors moment when he didn't go to the Steelers, that he, he thought he was going to the Steelers. The Steelers thought he was going to the Steelers. And reportedly Kyle Shanahan stepped in at the last second and kind of made

the 49ers keep him? What would that world be like? D.K. Metcalf would not be on the Steelers, that's for sure. Step in two months before that. Yeah, yeah. Like, what was the point of the whole fiasco? Like, what was accomplished in that? Like, did you save, did you save the 49ers,

$2 million? Like, like, what was game? I have no sources. This protracted situation. My guess would be the front office and maybe ownership even, felt differently about him than Shanahan. But you're right. If Shanahan has that much juice to make it happen in the end that he's the most important guy, I think we would all agree that that's the case. I think he has the hammer versus John Lynch. Like, why didn't it happen earlier? Would it all have happened if the 49ers had protected properly in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl? And Brandon Ayuk, who absolutely pants to Trent McDuffy.

Open, open. Wide open to win the Super Bowl on a touchdown catch. And they don't protect correctly. Chris Jones, sacks, the quarterback. And it's all. history and lost because only one team can win and only one player. Also, the real sliding doors moment, Greg, is actually when Iyuk was posting like commanders practice film. Right. His buddy, Jaden Daniels. That was funny. What a moron. Why does you want to leave San Francisco and go play for the commanders? Oh, like imagine Terry McLaren, Brandon Ayuk, Jaden Daniels. That's the real sliding doors moment. That would have been amazing because yeah, the commanders ended up with with the wrong former 49er in my mind, Debo Samuel. Yeah. And the Steelers.

D.K. was like a nice fallback, but it would have been nice to have him last year on that team or Brandon Ayuk on that team last year. That's a great call on the IUC in the Super Bowl because I feel like Emmanuel Sanders gliding down the field wide open and Jimmy G not hitting him lives like so front of mind for me

and gets more pub. But Iyuk and the other one deserves more attention. Because we didn't, we saw that one, right? The cameras focus on this. saw the ball. Here the protection's bad and Purdy's getting sacked but Brandon Ayuk was naked at the end. He had

I can't even say the yards of separations because I believe it was McDuffey. If it's not you Trent then I'm sorry but the defender's on the ground. I'm not really like a 49ers guy versus like consensus or anything. I definitely don't root for them but I mean they've had it pretty rough. I feel like they're almost not owed one

but you know I would if they actually get it done at this point after all the heartbreak I would appreciate it. Patrick, you're up next. I'm going to take another number two. I'm going to take T. Higgins here at this point. I think back to those chaseless, also burrowless eras a couple of years ago, where it was essentially the offense was T. Higgins. He had the game-winning touchdown extending his arm from what felt like the five-yard line to the pylon.

And he plays with a receiver who's going to get a lot of a volume and a lot of attention, which he should. But I feel comfortable taking T. Higgins, sir. No, that's absolutely where I think he should go as well. I think if he had landed on a different team, he would have had an extremely successful career. He's always been more than a two, which is why he got the money that he had.

And I think Jackson Smith & Jigba was more than a two last year. He was ultimately the best Seahawks receiver. So I'm doing a first in any of these drafts. I'm going to make a trade, actually, for the first time ever in these drafts. I'm trading to the guy who took. took DK 18th overall and forgot JSN was still on the board. I'm at 21 and I'm going to take Jackson Smith and Jee. Because ultimately,

I think he's a more versatile player who's ascending and showed last year that I think he's even better than I expected he could be at the NFL level that he can be like a true one. Like I'm not going to say that he's in Nico Collins. Like he's obviously not that big and physical. But I just think in the different ways that he can win, not different parts of the field, about him is awesome to me. I'm actually surprised, Harmon, you didn't take

JSN higher, only because I feel like he is a little bit of a like both a tape head darling and an analytics darling, but maybe not. You tell me wrong. No, I mean, really good receiver. There's just a lot of really good receivers in the league. Yeah,

but yeah, no, I agree with you about JSN. Like, he's somebody that has been pigeonholed as a slot only player, but he was over 75% success rate versus man last season and as a collegiate prospect in reception and like even if you don't buy what I'm selling with success rate versus man coverage. You put it in the put it in the box score last year too. He led all receivers from week 10 on in yards per route run against man coverage. So I

really don't have any hesitation with him playing more outside with Cooper Cup likely being more of the slot heavy player in Seattle this year. And honestly I think I got great value in this trade. It's just a straight up trade. I'm trading from 21 to 18. D.K. is moving back. We will put an asterick on the that looks better. How does he get away? with the, let's go to 22, Matt Harmon. Yeah, I will take here the guy who from weeks one to seven was producing like the best receiver in football. I'll take Chris Godwin here. I don't, I love taking two injured guys with my last two picks. I don't totally know how I feel about that. But look,

Godwin is just such a, is such a badass. He's so useful in all phases of playing wide receiver, but he's probably one of, if not the best blocking receivers in the league. And he just adds a whole other dimension because of that. He's like he might be one of the best if power slot receivers in the league. Again, he's up there with like the St. Browns and those guys. So honestly, if he had finished out last season at the pace that he was producing, he would have gone a lot earlier than this. Yeah, he's a tough one because the injury depends on the parameters. I do like for posterity. This is something I want to look back on a year from now at NFL daily and like see how the rankings change.

So I'm actually glad you did that because I was too focused on the injury and just thinking like he's not ready for this. But we know that receiver is in there and we saw it. It kind of landed somewhere in between. You're right. He would have been higher. You're up next with 23. At number 23, speaking of injuries, I will take Chris Olave at this point. A player that I think do through some organizational malfeasance. We haven't been able to see. the best of. I hope he's safe. I feel like the way that he came back last year kind of put him at risk. I don't want to see that. But when he's out there, I still think he's one of the better receivers in the game. So I'll take Chris a lot. I don't know, Matt, if you have a stat for

like percentage success rate on the like the, you know, the comeback like or the 10 yard, like the stop routes of like when the ball is anywhere near Chris a lot. on that route. I believe it's a 100% success rate. I've never seen that play not work with like a halfway decent thrower quarterback like timing wise. I've never seen a network. Yeah. And frankly, I think that his connection with Derek Carr has been like abysmal. Uh, just for whatever reason, they'd never seen the game the same way. Like there's, there's probably a larger conversation to have there, but they just have never quite been on the same page. So, um, even it like we'll see if Chuck, Tyler Shuck can be as good as

Derek Carr, which is a tough thing to say, but it is probably the right thing to say in this situation. But even if he might not be quote, that good or that productive or whatever, I think he could have a better connection with Chris Lovice. I love Patrick taking him here. He was my next guy as well. I think he was really underrated at this point. I had a question mark on him,

just maybe because of the health, but I like that because I've always been a huge fan. Going into last year, I believe we had to have these strong takes, stand on a tiny table show. And I believe one of mine was Chris Olive would get offensive player of the year votes. So that did not work out for me or for Derek Carr.

I am going, this is tough and choosing between like favorite babies. I think Jalen Waddles just earned a spot this high. We're now getting to like a part of the draft. I feel like it's a lot of similar-ish guys, like two pluses. Guys who have shown that they can win really regularly, like the speed you can't, you can't teach that. It's special. and maybe isn't coming off his very best season.

And so that's why, like, he's a little lower than that. But, like, what do you think, like, what do you think Jalen Wadle career should be like Patrick Claybott, like, the rest of it? I think the Jalen Waddle career, like, the progression of it, where we saw the way things started. Again, he was coming off, he was coming off that injury that occurred in his final season in Alabama, dealt with ankle problems early. And it's all these very close to the line scrimmage targets.

you get loaded up by targets early on. It's like, oh, well, you know, Jalen Waddle around the line of scrimmage. But that year, too, was where we saw how explosive he could be. And then last year, again, the total, the whole offense took a comeback. Like, everybody's speed numbers fell down. Like, where he most are. Except Johnny Smith. Yeah, right.

John Smith comes in and safe. Best plays for the Miami Dolphins last year were the John Smith play. The John Smith trade talks are back on. One of the funniest news. stories in the middle of June is John Smith's agent arguing with himself or should I say like whoever the source is I shouldn't assume it's the agent

Adam Schaefter's source arguing with himself over four different posts of like he's on the block he's not on the block he's not on the block he's not on the block but yes Jalen Waddle. Yeah and and I think the explosiveness is still there the separation ability he's one of the better players in the league with the ball

in his hands in the secondary and that explosion I think would have had him higher up on this list if not the dolphins just kind of cratering in the middle of the year last year. Right. 3,000 yards to start at square, 1,300 yards, his second season, 18.1 yards per catch,

which led the NFL in that great season for the dolphin. So whenever it's a young player that's already established that level of production, I always assume that they absolutely can do it and will do it again if they're in the right situation. We have six picks left. We're going to do, we're going to do a speed round

because 30 is a nice number and just to put the cards on the table Eric said if we can get to 30 that graphic's going to look better that it looks perfect at 30 so we're going to do six picks quickly Harmon you're up first a lot of interesting options here

I typically want to be conservative with rookies but I'm not going to be here I'm going to take Travis Hunter at this pick just loved him as a prospect he will probably be the second fiddle on his team because Brian Thomas Jr. is really, really good. But that could be one of those duos in a couple of years where we're like, oh, this, these guys are both top 10 receivers in the NFL.

So I think Travis Hunter is going to be that type of guy in the NFL. And I think that he will primarily be a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars by all their actions, all their statements have sort of indicated it that way. Yeah. So I just think he's a special player. I feel like an idiot because all I did was stick to my board. how they, the GMs always brag. Oh, we stuck to our board.

Well, maybe sometimes sticking to your board, you're being a dumbass. Like, why did I, I definitely would want Travis Hunter more. It's just more exciting. More higher, see it. Like, no offense to Jalen Waddle, it's just a couple spots that I had them too. But now I'm almost mad that Matt got him in this fictional exercise. Patrick, your help. Yeah, the training camp interception video was too tantalizing.

I didn't have Travis Hunter on, on my list because it's just like, wow, this guy's incredible on defense. But I had him 22. I had him 22. So this was a steal. I will be a dumbass and stick with my board and take Cortland Sutton here. I think Cortland Sutton physically could have been higher up on this list. But there's some issues with his game, but not enough to not take him here.

Yeah, I love that. I had him right around there. Maybe he's not the most complete receiver in the league, but what he does well, like, it's just outrageous. I thought that Jordan Addison has been underrated since the minute he entered the league. He is only turning 23 next year. He is my pick here. He's, you know, he's racked up 19 touchdown. So the yardage production hasn't been there as much.

But just watching him, obviously immature off the field in terms of the speeding arrest, very dangerous, all this stuff. Like, he's coming into an important year for him. But man, as a route runner, as a number two, I love me some Jordan Addison feel great about him here. Last pick for you, Harmon, is number 28. I'll go Zay Flowers here who was perfectly 28 on my board so I think that makes sense there was one guy

I maybe wanted to consider ahead of him a rookie from last year a couple rookies from last year okay just throw him out there just give some love it's extra pop yeah

Marvin Harrison Jr., I think I think can still get in this discussion and Roma Dunzee by the end of the year I think would be a lot higher than this yeah I'm really really really excited about Rome based on what you saw in isolation last year and what he's going to be probably as the extra receiver

in this Ben Johnson offense. But I feel like it's a little disrespectful to not have Zay Flowers taken, even if he is the second best wide receiver on his team. That's fine. It's so funny. I have Harrison one spot below Flowers. And yeah, breaking news. Shout out of Shod.

Rashad Bateman got another contract. Let's go. What two people have supported Rashad Bateman more than Patrick and Matt? Enjoy it. That's right. Yeah. It took us a while, but we got there. Shout out to shot.

We got there. Yeah. He got his money. Thank God, because it was not going in a good spot. Yeah, but I want to give the Ravens a ton of credit here for recognizing what a talent he is and signing him to a three-year extension when he still had a couple years on his old deal,

what they surprised us, sign him to last year. It was like a real belief in their own system and their player giving him that country. But then I realized it was all some BS CBA chicanery that they're kind of taking advantage that he was on the do not report list, so he was going to have to wait an extra year

and they sort of took advantage of that. So ultimately he's like on Rob Grunkowski's second contract, which was like the worst contract any player has ever signed. But Rashad Bateman, he's not a Hall of Famer. He can still, you know, make plenty of money. That being said, like it was still all last year during training camp and the offseason as they were like, no, this is the year. Like Bateman, all this has never, you know,

every knucklehead who doesn't watch the games like, oh, well, just talking up their first round bus is like, no, the Ravens. have watched they've not they've certainly not read reception perception but they've watched the games and and saw what reception perception said uh that yeah that guy is is when you just isolate him he's such a good route runner he's such a good separator so yeah he's i'm not going to say i would have taken him next but no i'm glad you got him into the show here that contract now i think it was adding three for 36 but now it's like a total of five for almost 50 which is yeah an incredible deal for

the ravens but also they gave him a lot more guaranteed money and it's It's great to see him developing. He had, I think he was on a very short list of guys with, you know, maybe the only guy was 16 yards per reception and nine touchdown. It's kind of a weird slice, but great job. I'm glad he got mentioned even if he's not in the top 30. Your final pick. And you can tell us who you're thinking about here too.

Yeah, I've got, I've got some guys in this range, Rash, Debo, Samuel, Jacobi Myers, but I'm going to take Jamison Williams. Just for the sheer explosiveness. Like, that's what we're watching for. Guys that can run away from people getting the paint and I'll take Jamo. Man, I was hoping you would choose between... I had Jamison Williams right there at like 32 as well, like right in that group.

I was hoping you would choose between the Colts receivers because I'm thinking about Josh Downs. I'm thinking about Michael Pittman. I'm thinking about George Pickens. I really believe if it was my team, I would take Josh Downs. I do think he's that good. I think valuing that a slot, you know,

primary position matters and that he could get to him Amon Ra type of level where he like gets an all pro nod like he has that sort of talent and has been in a different situation. So as as much as I like what Pickens does well and think he could have a monster year, I actually think Downs is even more value. I feel safer about Josh Downs. I'm glad you mentioned George Pickens because I forgot about George Pickens. I probably would have seen him. I probably would have taken him earlier. I know. The situation was horrible. I feel I feel bad that Pittman, Pickens. I thought about Cleo O'S Shakir too.

You know, love to the slot receivers. Love to you, Harmon. Everyone should check out reception, perception. Yes. And then obviously check out what Matt is doing over at Yahoo. What's the summer of Harmon going to be like? Like, you got anything planned here? This is time to get away almost.

Yeah. My entire family is going on a trip to Disney World next week. Okay. Yeah, that'll be as my wife and I are the childless and non-Disney adults of the family. you know, we'll see, we'll see what we can mix it up with there. Yeah. Y'all are going to be living the dream. I can't imagine.

Sounds like mixed feelings. Like, I hope the Harmon family doesn't listen to this. We will be back. I think they know where I'm coming from. We will be back on that just charting. Yeah, charting. Charting is fun. You got to get away from charting, though, for a little bit.

I'm glad that you will. Patrick, you're not getting away at all. You're locked in for the next couple weeks on NFL daily, including a show next week. We're going to complete that secret weapons episode. I cannot win. That'll be your next show. Our next show in this feed will be on Monday morning.

We'll be with my friend Nick Shook. We'll wrap up some news. Next week is almost the end of the offseason. It's mini camps all over the league. And yeah, when we're finally given Josh Downs, the love that only Drake May has given him before. Football's back. 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.

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