NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Diggs traded to Texans and NFL Draft Burning Desires

Episode Date: April 5, 2024

In a room full of heroes - Gregg Rosenthal, Marc Sessler, and Patrick Claybon react to the Bills trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans (03:57). After the break, the guys tell you what each NFL team's burning desire should be as they head toward the NFL Draft (28:44). Note: time codes approximate. NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. The Around the NFL podcast. Once you to know, your college girlfriend never got over you. That's goddamn right now. Welcome to another episode of the Around the NFL podcast. Greg Rosenthal. Sitting in this week for Dan Hansis in the host chair in the Chris Wessling podcast studio, surrounded by a room filled with heroes.

Mark Sessler, Patrick Claibon. Let's get after it. Let's get after it. Why not? We're here. The lights are on. Yes. Let's acquire it.

It's another beautiful sample centered around perhaps you. Oh, I forgot. I do want to hear the new Patrick Claibon theme song. Songs really throughout this episode when it just feels right, Eric. But this one especially puts me in the, A nice mood on a cloudy, kind of stormy day here at NFL Network. You're whimsically waiting through a quaint neighborhood. Do you feel they've captured?

You had some issues with them not actually capturing maybe your full personhood in some of these. Well, I mean, how could you in a 30-second song? The man contains multitudes. But yeah, this is, I talked over the best part, but yeah, it's, you were going to play these for your, for your, for your, wife at some point in the household to impress her we have not i i should have gotten to that point okay quite made it to use it when you need it we're reminding you well yeah it maybe it's not gonna work in the way mark envisioned well no i just i think it's a it's a you don't just you you find that right which is just a hammer drop i would say i would suggest maybe just play for the whole family and say

isn't this cute uh there's something fun at work today yeah with daddy yeah that's i don't think that's using it to its maximum potential, but that's fine. We'll see. It's your prerogative. It's your time. Hey, there's great news from work. And then it's like, oh, what is it? Loads of it. How are you doing, Mark? I'm good. Thank you. I arrived here very, very early this morning. I mean, how are you doing this week without Dan? You know, famously, you started this podcast on the back end of the Damask program without me and without, you know, without West. So you and Dan go back further. It's like a missing appendage for you when he's at a

it is um it feels uh i feel it's two weeks in a row where we haven't had our full cast i don't i find it typically i'd be one that's not here for one of those two weeks so to be the person here it's been odd but um you know i also went when people on vacation we have a code not to eff with each other on text and like i texted dan once or twice and then felt bad about it it's like he's not even in the continental united states right now so it's where he is it's like six hours earlier i believe so you don't you don't want to be thinking about work when it when you're gone but no it's unavoidable it happens when you're wired like this.

When you're built for it. Look, we're built for it. It's April 4th. We're only three weeks away here from the draft sneaking up on us. And we talked top 10 mock with Josh Norris earlier in the week. This week we're going to go through

as many teams as we can get through with burning desires depending into this NFL draft. You know, a basic show might call them, you know, team needs or whatnot. But this is a little deeper than just like a need. Sometimes your body needs something

but sometimes your body has a burning desire Yeah, wants and needs are not all created equal And these are burning desires And some of these teams, you know, with what's even happened this week I could think a few teams suddenly like We've got major holes to fill on our roster And look, we've hit the top 10 pretty hard So we're going to try to mostly focus on teams outside the top 10

But if we have some that we haven't really hit on Within the top 10 or a special need There's no rules in these games We will do that But before we do that, we got a big time trade to talk about. So let's get to some news here. Alan out of the gun takes the high snap, throws to Diggs to the left at the five, lowers his shoulder into the end zone. Touchdown, Buffalo.

A three-yard splash from Allen to Diggs. And the Bills lead it nine to three. That was the divisional round game-winning touchdown by Stefan Diggs during the 2020 season. his first in Buffalo, his last proved to be the 2023 season. He is headed to the Houston Texans. And I did want to play that clip just as a reminder, because I think it's getting lost in these last few days. What a ridiculous success this Stefan Diggs trade to Buffalo was.

Not that I should have to point this out. That was a season where he led the NFL, by the way, with 127 catches, 1,5 yards. In only four seasons, he had well over. over 5,000 yards for this team. And they were, you know, by some measures in terms of point differential and everything like that. And wins like as successful as any team in the NFL over the last four seasons, not named

the Kansas City Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes. But he is headed to Houston. It's a fascinating trade. I think there's a lot of angles we can get to. Let's start from the Buffalo side mark. when you saw that this happened on Wednesday, did it feel to you like it came out of the blue? Were you surprised?

Where do you want to go with it? I read it described as sort of stunning and shocking, and very few stories hit that world for me at this point. But I think we had talked about open mysteries to the offseason and unfinished business coming out of last season, even the year before. It's like, what is the future between Stefan? Diggs and the Bills. And so from that angle, I am not stunned by the move. I think what they got for it

is going to rankle feathers with Bills fans. And I understand that. The money side of it is a labor for the front office this season. But I feel like in terms of Stefan Diggs, this is Stefan Diggs the person. Like the player fell off a cliff a little bit after Joe Brady took over. He was, you know, top three in yards, receiving lead league and receptions, you know, when they were about five and five. And then the coordinator switch happened. And Stefan Diggs was not used the same way. I don't really buy this. He's not the same guy anymore. I think he can go have a great one year at least with the Texans. But the bills, I think, have gone into a soft reboot mode a little bit. And Diggs, his future here felt a problematic. Just there's too many reports, instances, ideas that behind

the scenes, he was difficult. And there was a schism between he and Josh Allen. And I'm starting to believe that that was more true than I might have six months ago. And, and this, The schism, essentially, right, wasn't something that developed in 2020. If we're to believe, I'm a skeptic about, I don't think Stefan Diggs is a demonstrably different person in 2024 than he was in 2022. I think the groundwork had been laid a long time ago by taking people who were prone to say those sorts of things and giving them the information to say, oh, you know, the bills and there's frustration, oh, Stefan Diggs this.

and then you get all these smoke, fire conversations. I think Stefan Diggs is one of the better receivers in the National Football League. I think Brandon Bean does. I think Nick Casario does, right? But the bills, as we, a conversation we have all the time about the Saints, about managing the salary cap,

there's different ways to do it. The bills went down a particular route, and now they are within the consequences of the particular route that they went down. And I don't think that there are better football team. I think it's a preposterous idea to say that the vibes. It's like, oh, you know, he was a problem in the relationship. I mean, get open and have your spectacular quarterback throwing the ball.

Like, who cares? He was a part of a change, a shift in this franchise where Bill's fans saw incredible success because he was there. Right. I think that's all true. And yet I do think in sports, sometimes the relationship runs its course for whatever reason. and these are humans. And being said as much, Patrick, he admitted, like, look, the bills, especially for the 2024 season, are in a worse place today than they were yesterday.

Are we better today? Probably not. Yeah, it's a work in progress. And we're going to continue to work on that. I would just hope that people know I'm as competitive as hell. And I'm not. I ain't giving in. I want to push back a little bit on this idea that though,

yes, the bills are resetting and making some hard decisions and they're going to be a very different team next year than they were this year. But I see where Bean is coming from in the sense that's like, why wouldn't they be one of the absolute favorites in the AFC still? I do think people are just jumping to this idea that they're like a, deeply diminished team. When I look at their roster and I see one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, the best offensive line that the bills have had since they've been there, some young, exciting dynamic talent in Kincaid and Cook and Shakir who aren't

ready to be like superstars, but it's something to work with. You do still have the rest of the offseason. The bills have shown and they don't have much cap room, but they have shown that they're good at picking up different little pieces. And then when I look at the defense, like it's a really good defense and it's a really successful coaching staff. So to me, I look at them. They've defended their title in the AFC East three years in a row, four total, you know, done it three times a defensive. And I look at it and having gone through it as a Patriots fan and seeing what the chiefs have done and other successful organizations, a lot of times when you go into a season and there was a lot of change, but the quarterback and the coach are really good and kind of the bedrock

of what the team has been good. That's the year everyone sleeps on them. And it's like, no, a lot of what's good about this organization is still there. And the odds are they're not going to make the Super Bowl this year because the odds are every year, no one team is going to make the Super Bowl, especially in the Patrick Mahomes era. And then people will be disappointed in them. But I would put them right there with the Chiefs or behind the Chiefs as one of the most likely teams to make it back. And sometimes hard decisions have to be made. And I do think this was just a personal thing. It was a financial thing and a personal thing that they were going to take this crazy big cap hit

at some point when they divorced from Diggs and it could have been this year, it could have been next year and they kind of decided maybe this year makes more sense when we can get a second round pick back and there's just a lot going on and it feels like a good time. I guess the confluence of all those issues and that's why the move happened

and I don't think it's that big of a mystery but in terms of just keeping the bills situated right behind the chiefs with Josh Allen and the fact that they're an incomplete picture and they could pick up three wide receivers in the draft and one of them could hit and then you've found your Justin Jefferson

possibly, right? But that's an incomplete score right now. We don't know what's going to happen. But from a perception angle, if you're a Bills fan and your Super Bowl window was sitting there wide open and you move on from six of your eight captains from a year ago, the team does look different. And I think Brandon Bean at least is being honest. I don't know

if they've gotten better. I don't think we have at this point, but we'll see what's to come. And that's the thing. And I appreciate the honesty because it's just a preposterous to me. Right. A preposterous idea to say that Stefan Diggs was that much of a problem emotionally that he was holding the team back that much. And that was the reason why you got ran out of your own stadium in the snow against the Bengals or the reason and everything fell apart last year. I understand there was a crucial drop in a playoff game.

But the reason he's dropping the ball because he's open. Right. If to drop a ball like that, you have to get open in the first place. Like he's still capable of doing that. And, like, Marquez Valdez Scantling was making great plays in the place. So are we thinking like MVS is greater than Stefan. It's just, I just have a tough time believing that the downside of not having them on your football team anymore, going to another team in the AFC that is probably going to the playoffs.

You could seriously consider the possibility that you're playing good stuff on digs. If you're fortunate enough to make it to the playoffs, I don't necessarily bother the bet. I get it, Greg, that they're still a good team. But I don't. I don't buy that they're better. I just think sometimes these are humans and the smoke that we're talking about. There were issues here in terms of him staying away from the team last year. Certainly they had the blow up after the playoff loss that he was upset about.

And I heard information and they talked about that. And you just heard publicly from Josh and Stefan that it wasn't maybe as tight as it used to be. And I did think it was interesting that Brandon Bean, talked about Josh Allen being informed at various stages of this process that, yeah, despite all the reporters passing along the news, like, I saw something in the athletic that's like, oh, they fully planned to have digs on their roster and they weren't just blowing, you know, hot air. They finally just gotten off or they liked it's like, I don't buy that, especially when I hear this from Brandon Bean.

Josh and I have a pretty regular conversation on things. And I think it's important for me to make sure if I think something could happen to make sure he's not blindsided. And so I would, you know, without going into the discussion with Josh when the last time we spoke was I did alert him that, you know, there had been some inquiries and it wasn't 100% off the table. I mean, it's just that, you know, I think this was a possibility going back for a while to the Combine meetings. Now it's happened. It happened quickly this week. And, I'm with you, it's personal. Like, I think Tim Graham on The Athletic wrote a pretty involved, intense piece about, you know,

point by point of what happened. But I would just say, in general, like, if I'm the rest of these AFC heavies, I would be annoyed that you just turned the Houston Texans volume up even more. Like, you want to tell me about a team that's right behind the chiefs on paper. It's not the bills to me. It's the Texans. And it's like, thank you, Buffalo for making this AFC, you know, evolving powerhouse even more glowing and unusual to deal with.

Okay, yeah, let's hit it from the Texan side because what an offseason that they have had. They gave up a 2025 second round pick. Oh, by the way, they got a day three pick, a round five pick this year back and a 2025 sixth round pick back. And the more I thought about it was like, wow, those two picks are pretty significant. Someone actually did the trade value chart of those two picks, one of them being this year versus the second round pick next year.

And it's like, yeah, the bills. win that trade in a vacuum, but like just in terms of the picks being traded, but not by that much. So actually it was almost like a face saving move that, okay, we did get one second, but we had to give up two picks

back plus Stefan Diggs. And so that really makes it look like it was more of a salary dump than anything. It was a mix. It was a salary dump more than getting the draft asset. And Houston has to be freaky

thrilled that they have Nico Collins, Stefan Diggs, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz as their top four pass catchers. And oh, by the way, you're like, Noah Brown, John Mechie, Robert Woods are still on this roster. It's going to be a great group of, in terms of competition, in terms of depth on that team. It is awesome. And I think Stefan Diggs is going to give you the best Stefan Diggs possible at 31. Not that you weren't getting it in Buffalo, but he is going to be ready and he's going to be on a team that can use him. And maybe the numbers aren't quite as high as peak Buffalo days because there's

so much competition for catches, but that he is still a really dynamic receiver for C.J. Strauss. And gives the Texans so much just in terms of opportunity and what they can do. And not to mention, they bring in Joe Mixon in the offseason as well. Right. Who's

soaked literally almost never came off the field for the Bengals. So you had two AFC contenders that are going to have a couple of their best offensive players playing against them potentially down the stretch and maybe even in the playoffs but it's there's so much because you go from a group that's like young and exciting and brown comes on mid to late last season as well and it's like where are these contributions and then there's just so much and it's it's almost like where's the where's the crack

are going to be like what's what's the flaw and it's yeah the roster is like is pretty wild on offense considering where they were two years ago i mean very few teams have transformed that quickly. Like the bills around Josh Allen did, and now they're going in the other direction. You kept Bobby Slowick. And this Stefan Diggs thing does not need to be a three or four year commitment. The guaranteed money runs out after this year. If he turns into a problem or he is the same player, you don't even have to have him on this roster next year. Right. There is something to me about wide receivers landing a new spot and just you getting the best possible version of them for a year or two. Not like you wouldn't later, but I just think it's a natural

human thing that you land in a new place and you want to be at your very best. A new house guest. And these are very polite and then like if they're there too long. Right. And they're border like in terms of digs like he'll have a Hall of Fame case someday if he continues on this path. I think of someone who's like oh yeah well like

I tweeted this out that like multiple things can be true. I don't think it was a crazy move by the bills in this spot that it might have been time and and okay. But it also is an amazing move for the Texans and they're going to get the best version of Dixon got a lot of responses

from Bill's version, well, are you going to get the best version of a month coming off his worst season at 30? When does that ever happen? And I was like, okay, well, if you wanted to ask, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, in the way that I'm talking about this, Steve Smith

at age 35 in Baltimore. Like, yes, Steve Smith, and some of the, like, in Smith's case, he had better numbers sometimes earlier, but I mean the best version possible where it's a career resurgent. It is an excellent player. And guys that get open like Diggs, that travels in Slowick will, I think, know how to use them. And Nico, to me, is a one, basically.

He's a T. Higgins, maybe. And so Diggs and him are ones together with Dell. It's just, it's freaking amazing because the Texans are ready. We're going to be a team that people, myself included, thought, like, I don't know. Why can't they make the Super Bowl this year? And this puts it on another level. I think they need some interior offensive line help. I do think there's some issue there.

They don't have any guys on their defensive line other than Anderson, which is a big other than that they've really developed that or any younger. So they need some people for the future there. They certainly need a cornerback other than Derek Sten. This is not a perfect team. Their defense was playing better late last season, but they were kind of average throughout last. Like, it's not a perfect team.

But, man, I would not be surprised if it's Texans chiefs kickoff. Especially when you consider CJ Strutt, that was not just first season, but Bobby Sloick's, like, first play calling, like, there's only an opportunity to go up here. I guess unless, right, the whispers about Stefan Diggs, maybe he goes in

and he ruins everybody's relationship. I'm just going to be, I don't think that can happen. I want to be clear here. Enlighten me on specifically what Stefan Diggs did. Well, there are, like, there are anecdotes of him just generally that when, like, when his brother tweeted out that he

should be not on the bills, rescue him kind of thing and he had a chance to address it and he didn't he stuck up for his brother not the bills and there were like four or five situations like he did have a tweet this that's the top of the list well i don't think that there's stuff we don't know about between him i don't think it's anything crazy but he did have a tweet this week that was literally a day before this trade uh whereas you can't make this up at the peeky pirate uh asked does josh benefit from having a top tier receiver yes is he essential to success no and digs responds you sure And it's just these little things, and I think it's natural because, of course, Josh benefits and it's essential to have, like, great receivers.

But I just think it's been a little bit of a credit issue between Diggs and Allen and that it might have been a little bit of an impersonal thing. And it is what I heard between them when they were yelling and stuff that I do think there was a little bit of like, who is more important to this team, who made who. and if you're the two most important players on your team have a little bit of an issue in terms of sharing credit and we've seen this from the best players of all time it's happened, the best organizations of all time. It broke up Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones for 20 years.

If that's an issue, then maybe okay, that's the time and they're having an interpersonal thing and it's totally natural but it may be it's a time to break it out. But it literally happened in Minnesota. It's, we wish we could have managed things a little differently

at the time, and what are we doing right now with the opportunity that we have to try to be successful. And if you're telling me that you can't just get over it and make it work with a very talented person, then I question how much you really want to win. But if you just went through a season where you went into that season as an issue

and then you came out of this season and you feel like no one solved it, whether it's Stefan, Josh, the coaches, the front office, then I just think in football, like, they can still be a strong organization. And maybe you're right, that they know they're taking a step back by the time. Didn't feel crazy to me. I just think you add in the other, the money side of it, the fact that you get a pick out of it on some level, his age. Maybe you don't believe that with the defense corner they have that he thrived last year.

And it just kind of all fits together. I mean, but there is a track record of Stefan Diggs being a slightly diva-ish wide receiver at multiple stuff. like that like that's that's a him thing he's the through line the money side of it is crazy though they're taking a huge dead cap it over 30 million dollars to trade one of their best players which really hurts and they probably were going to have to take a similar issue hit if they did it next year and they just decided let's take it all this year they're not going to spread it into next year being talked openly of actually they have a little less cap room now they'll be able to free some up with one of their post june first but they have very little money to

to spend, they're going to have to sign their draft picks. It is crazy and it's mismanagement that you are taking that big of a cap hit to get rid of one of your best players on a contract you signed a couple years ago. That's a mistake. And it's partly, I would say

even largely, because of the mistakes you made elsewhere on the roster, primarily Vaughn Miller. And it does help with perception perhaps on the fan-based side and probably on the ownership side if you float a lot of conversation about how insufferable this person.

But to be fair, I, to be fair, I don't think it's out of, not in suffer, because I don't think it's insufferable, but I think Stefan Diggs' heart essentially supported the idea that like there were some issues there between him and Josh Allen. When your brother's out there saying that and, you know, yeah, if the money's the same, it's passive aggressive ways on that side too to maybe get out of there. Yeah, if the money is the same and you're building full of people that don't want you there, then why would you be there? I could talk about this one

forever. It is really a fascinating... Forever. Not forever. That feels a little bit lengthy. I just mean like it is one of the more fascinating trades I can remember in a long time

in terms of great players still playing well going from one contender to another. One is an example, Houston, of a rebuild. And I don't really believe in rebuilds in the NFL, but you got to say Houston did it.

They got lucky because, look, C.J. Stroud could have got taken number one and they would have taken Bryce Young and maybe very, you know, a lot of this doesn't happen. Or there are various things you get lucky. Or maybe Bryce would be successful. I mean, they, right. They got lucky that they were able to trade their last quarterback for like four kingdoms. But they, they went through a couple, a couple seasons where it was truly tear it down to the studs. Nick Casario is still there. And just a couple years later, they are now

competing for a title. And the bills are doing the thing that's even harder, which is the most successful run they've ever had since the lost Super Bowls. To me, like the most consistent team in the NFL over the last five years other than the Chiefs. And the Diggs is what put them over the top. That trade was an absolute success. The thing that was crazy to me was yesterday hearing some people pushing back on that. It was like that was an absolute win no matter how this ended. Do you agree, Bill's fan, Eric Roberts, before we take a break. Looking back on his time with the bills. I mean, it was, it was fun. I'm not going to lie. But he will be remembered because I mean, the end was messy. It could, you know, gone. A breakup's never easy. But things were

definitely different between him, Josh. His first few years in Buffalo, hey, we play Madden together. We're brothers. And that kind of like sideline love kind of evaporated. And obviously during games, you see him kind of jauna each other. And the bill's fandom is like Josh is the savior, you know? So people are going to side with Josh. I mean, he had, don't get me wrong. I have a dig signed jersey in my closet. So, like, he was pivotal, essential to the success they've had over the last four seasons. But I think in many ways, they found a way to win without him.

I mean, like Mark kind of pointed out, when they did this run to make the playoffs, he started the season, I think, five out of six games, 100 yards. And then he kind of just wasn't there. So I think they found a way. I think they're going to go through Kincaid. I don't think Curtis Samuel and Shakir and Hollins are... They're not the answer. They're not the answer.

They're pieces where you need to find... You got James Cook. Josh Allen is RB1 in most cases. I just think it's a change of times. All I'm saying is the bills went... Let's count them up from 1999 until 2019. So that is a clean 20 seasons without winning 10 games. They got that 10-win season before Diggs arrived.

there, but that team was a little lucky to get there. Then the next four years, 13 wins, 11 wins, 13 wins, 11 wins. If you look at the point... If you look at the point differential, though, even better than the Chiefs the last couple years, they have been one of the best teams in the NFL for four-street season. Diggs isn't

the only reason why, but he is a big reason. That's fine, because relative to what the Bills fans and what the Bills dealt with for eras in a row, I get it. But there's still four other teams that won the Super Bowl during the Stefan Diggs thing. And I know it's not met, it's like, it's nice to have a 13 win season and 11 win season,

but it's like, I don't want to hear they're, they're more successful than the Chiefs in some, some, some, so it's like, not than the Chiefs. The Chiefs win Super Bowls as a team. Right. I didn't say the Chiefs. I'm just saying other than the Chiefs, like, they've been as consistent in what, I don't know. But in the end, in the end, it's a mountain to. You got to be able to enjoy a team that is successful because you're going to be looking

back on these as the good old days at some point. I had a blast. I had a blast watching Diggs and no way in my like good riddance. I mean, you know, there are some things to stick out because of the messy end to it all. But, like, I loved having step fun on the team. I don't see, I don't definitely, I agree that we are not, the bills are not better today.

I mean, the crazy thing is they had a legit chance to win the Super Bowl last year. I mean, they played them even in that game and they didn't come through. And who knows what would have happened. But it didn't happen. We're going to take a quick break. And then we're going to get to burning desires of teams around the NFL. Yeah. Hey, this is Matt Jones.

Now, I'm Drew Franklin. And this is an episode. 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.

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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. He's from Alabama His beard is hairy It's Patrick

Claibon Yeah But you've just been to a barber Where you've had your So I don't know Am I still in the llama rain? I don't know I'd have to investigate a llama closer

Maybe a llama after they were shaved down It gets hot in the summer I lived near a llama farm growing up Not a lie And you know they got to shave them Yeah Were they were they meat llamas or were they No

Do they do llamas for what would you call Would that be wool? Actually don't even Yeah I think that's why they had them Was a llama farm in Massachusetts That's sort of not the first place I would target for that I know where I grew up there are all sorts of farms In western Massachusetts

Fruit farms, animal farms but yeah I'm not going to name it you know he maybe doesn't want his name out there but yeah a guy a kid who is in my class his family owned the llama farm and yeah once it started

get hot you see those llamas there goes the wall is that yeah you got to no it's in Wilberham Massachusetts is well don't dime them out it's fine maybe it'll be you found another llama farm though

it'll be good for business I have no idea if it's still open but it was right nearby And, no, I don't think there's that much of a resemblance between Patrick and those llamas. But look, if llamas look like Patrick Claibon, people would like llamas more. I feel like llamas don't get a lot of love out there. You know who's going to get a lot of love? Teams we haven't talked about in a little while.

So we're going to go through as many teams as we can. And we're going to talk about the burning desires that these teams have. heading into the NFL draft. And I guess I would put it to you guys. We'll try to get through as many as we can. I know everyone likes to hear their team talked about, so we're not going to go too long. But I would say to my friends, Patrick and Mark,

just I think start as strong as you can because you never know how many we're going to get through. The most burning of desires where the loins are just on fire. Start with those. And let's start with Mark Sessler. I have been listening. looking around at a number of different teams. And the one that stands out for me,

in terms of, like, you've got a glaring hole. Now, are we saying this has to be, like, the first round? No, it's a burning desire. Because it's not the greatest position. There's a number of teams out there that I think need running backs. Okay. All right? No, I think it's just issues.

It doesn't matter where you fill them. And it's, and we do talk about this team, but I look at the Dallas Cowboys as a team that, like, they've moved, they've shifted around their offensive line a little bit. It's not the strength that it was once, and it hasn't been for years, but, like, you got issues at center potentially. But they're starting running back as Deuce Von, who I think is an interesting, we went to training camp and kind of fell in love with them.

Maybe Rico Dowto, I would say, but if they had to play a game today. Right. And there's whispers that they're going to bring back Ezekiel Elliott, which to me, it just flies in the face of everything that they're attempting to try to tell anyone that they're doing. They're doing very little. There are a couple decent running backs in this draft. Maybe it's not first round, but I need to see this team bring in some juice and bring in some youth and not re-sign

a Zeke Elliott who is three or four years away out from being the guy he once was. Yeah, and the bargain shopping just I know that there's been a whole lot of all-in criticism. Like anytime anybody else does something it's, oh, are the Cowboys really all-in?

It can't be just bargain shopping the whole way through and trying to get a draft steal. Like at some point they have to be proactive in shoring a significant part of what this offense has been in the past four to five years. And

I'm with you, Mark. Zeke can't be the answer. And I don't even know who the running back would be. If they were to try to reach in round two or something like that, it's a horrible. It's a short list. We say that and there's a lot of good rookies

that come out in the middle rounds every year. And some of these seem excite. It depends on who you listen to. Trey Benson or Marshaun Lloyd sound to me like guys who would have a chance to come in and fill 225 carries at a high level if you can block for him. But that's part of the issue. I'm glad you mentioned the Cowboys. They were one of the eight or so teams I had a biggest star around because pick a position. This roster suddenly has all sorts of issues. Interior offensive

line, major issue. I'm assuming Tyler Smith is going to play left tackle, but he was one of the best guards in the league I thought last year. So it could be left tackle or guard. But like suddenly you really need a center and a guard. You need a running back that was next on my list. I think you need a wide receiver. You're okay for 24 with Lamb, cooks, and Tolbert, but you need to start developing another receiver there.

They kind of fell apart last season because they didn't have anyone to play linebacker when Vandresh got hurt. And linebackers are no longer important until the point where they're like ending the seasons for the Eagles and the Cowboys. and I think there's going to be a little bit of a correction. And like they've kind of reached last year for Mazzie Smith in the first round

and Luke Schoonmaker. And maybe those two guys work out after quiet rookie years. But they need Mazzis Smith to start right now because they don't have any defensive tackle. So that's like that's another position where they have about as many screaming needs and as many stars and like wins over the last few years as any team. But man, they have a lot of big ones. A lot of burning desires. I was looking for just in terms of bad.

offenses trying to go through something for another show. And I sorted by a duke. Wait, what, you do other shows? Yeah, there's a couple. Got to hedge your bets. I mean, can you be specific here? Who is our enemy? Well, no, this was for path.

Oh, path to the draft, an NFL nowhere. Going through team needs. So, you know, rising tide lifts all boats. But I was looking at it. Has Daniel Jeremiah on it, so kind of an enemy, but okay. I was looking for the teams with the lowest average separation. You know the Cowboys are in the bottom three of the league.

Like, whoa. That was, that was surprising to me. I know Dack throws a lot of, you know, tight window passes. And it's just,

everything shouldn't always be so hard. Well, isn't that like a Mike McCarthy offense? Yeah. Trade mark where it's like, go win, guys.

And the scheme isn't getting you open. Like, that's why they got sick of them in Green Bay. And so, like, I understand, you know, it's 2024 and we're not

going to build the whole offense around a running back. But as good as deck is, Maybe take something off of his plate. Just every once in a while. That was his, that was complaining an off season ago, and it's gotten worse. All right, Patrick, hit me with another one. All right.

Another team. Let's go to another place that has a burning desire. Here we go. A burning desire to me is when it's really a need. Like, it's obvious to you and everybody else that when you walk in the room, that's what you want. And we're going to have Nathaniel Hackett's offense. are coming back and having Aaron Rogers, which I would make the argument

that it's Aaron Rogers' offense. And the Jets have been very proactive, but they have a burning desire, not just for a position, for Brock Bowers or Romo Dunzee. They need Aaron Rogers to look out there and make eye contact with somebody and do something based on their matchup

that's completely independent of Nathaniel Hackett. Well said. And I think it's got to be one of those two players considering where they're picking in the draft. If everybody's running to get quarterbacks, if somebody jumps up and has a higher opinion of Quinnion Mitchell or Terriott, if they've got to get one of those two guys.

I kind of love this. I especially think Bowers fits for a couple teams. And I almost thought the Jets were a candidate to maybe even trade up if they really want to go all in and get like Marvin Harris. It's like you go get. the best wide receiver in the draft if you want to trade up with the Chargers

but the Chargers zone burning need makes that a little difficult but if you replace Alan Lazard with a Dundsay then you've got Mike Williams who like Mike Williams is probably going to miss five or six games but he doesn't need to be open to make a catch to Patrick's point. I just think

like you just you'd have the best wide out group in the league if the rookie plays up to what we think he can be. Yeah that would be sexy and those are three guys like Garrett Wilson gets open on his own Adunzei. And Mike Williams, to me, is one of the best contested catch

receivers in the NFL. I didn't get this alluring music during my opener. So next time I hope I do. I hope you do too. The New Orleans Saints. They make a lot of mistakes in their front office.

And they survived and they're in the middle. And sometimes they just like a player too much and they give up multiple first round picks to move up and sign a project by the name of Trevor Penning. That was in the

first round a couple years ago. Sometimes they get hooked on a guy and it works. It's Crystal Lobby. And then sometimes it's Trevor Penning who seemed to be in the doghouse and they wouldn't play them even when they were playing their fourth string left tackle. Now they're entering a season. Right now without really any left tackle

I guess it'd be maybe Landon Young. Maybe it'd Trevor Petting, and I look at this team and I'm, I just look at like, they don't have a third receiver. It's a lobby and Shaheed, but you can survive without that. And I look at this position and it's always concerning for a front office when you have a burning desire for a position. You just tried to fill a couple years ago, but this guy seemed to get into some sort of interpersonal issue with the coach, which is also a feature of this organization, not a bug. or it is a bug. I don't know.

It is a feature. It is a feature and a bug. And that's the most painful thing about it is. I had this as a burning desire myself, Greg. You did. Because it was a burning desire. I was in there, in New Orleans, during the draft, and it was so obvious that they needed to tackle.

Like, that was what they were going to do. And so they get Trevor Penning, and there's the foot issue. And then there's Liss Frank. And it seems like this is, as Michael Thomas, pointed out on Twitter like this is a recurring theme where somebody has something and then it's well let's let's see how it goes and then the player has to get surgery on their own time not during the season and then they're late getting into the next season and you wonder you know if ryan ramchick could have had that surgery that he had in February if that's a December

surgery are things a little bit different now right um and so it's it's back it's back as a burning desire. And do we start this whole process over again? Or do they maybe try to move up, use whatever they can to get a more sure thing? No, this is a deep class. So if nothing else, I think they could sit there and take one. But it's disappointing. I'm glad you mentioned Ramcheck. Dennis Allen told reporters, and I don't think we mentioned it on the show that his procedure is not recovering as quickly as hoped. And he's had a lot of injuries. He was a really fantastic pick, a fantastic player. whose injuries have caused him to miss significant time

and he hasn't been as effective and there's been little whispers even about like not retirement because they renegotiated his contract but just like his knees in a lot of trouble so that's that's two major issues for the Saints.

I do want to hear the music behind you at this time. I do too. I can think of someone out there that went through a breakup this individual engineered it and so he's probably not the one feeling the heartbreak but Sean Payton and the Russell Wilson relationship

which a calendar year ago there was hope that he could make the most out of it well that's over that's out the door and I can't think of another coach in the league while everyone's hemming and hawing and keeping secrets about what they want to do Sean Peyton is like openly talked about like the Arizona Cardinals

another team sitting in a up there, the Chargers, in absolutely enviable positions for someone like him who has his eye, a wandering eye, on a new quarterback. Because I don't think Sean Payton wants to, after last season, mine into year two and do nothing in this position. Now he's in a tough spot because likely four of them will be gone. I'm saying if they can't engineer a trade up. That was our last episode's concept and we didn't have them doing that. Then you're looking at probably someone like Bo Knicks out of Oregon to be Sean Payton's

quarterback. And the more I've gotten into this player, I'm not saying it's the fifth quarterback and that's risky and you don't have to you don't want to sell the farm on it, but he's accurate. He's athletic. He's got pocket poise. He's got a little bit of a running game to him. It sounds like someone that

Sean Payton could work with. He's a heady quarterback. It's not ideal but if you're Denver less ideal is coming out of this with no quarterback at all and trying to make it through a depressing, one more depressing year in Denver. Well, probably Russell Wilson is, like,

as the way football works, Russell Wilson's in Pittsburgh, like winning games or like a Steelers team that's five and one. Boenix does make a little sense to me for them. Just maybe not at 12. It's a little rich. Get them in the second round,

get them in the third round, maybe. Like a lot of times these quarterback, especially the fifth, six ones that we talk about, maybe going. Or you could trade down back to like, quite high,

don't go as high as you hope. Because then, then you're really reaching for talent. Those comments from Peyton at the owner's meetings really made me take a step back because I've watched John Payton from afar for a long time. The way he uses the media is one of a kind. And I guess the way I would say he uses the media

very often is he does not tell the complete truth to them. So why are you throwing it out there that you want to trade up? It's like, okay, well then I just, and it's this time of year, I'm not breaking any news that almost any coach and GM talking about their draft plans you can look askance at.

Why is he throwing that out so hard at an owner's meaning? Because when I hear that, I sort of assume he means the opposite, which is that he's not going to be doing that. I don't know, but maybe he's like Jedi mind-tricking me to the point that he really is.

It's going to require a Jedi mind trick to go into the season with Jared Stidim and Danucci. Right. He did say, you know, Jared Sidham's going to have some serious competition. He did not want to entertain any questions that like that's our guy. Maybe he meant from Ben to Nucci. Right.

That sounds serious in the wrong way. Nuch is coming. I do think it beware of galaxy branding things that shot. I think like Sean Payton may be telling the truth. Okay. A lot of times, right, which is something he's gotten trouble for saying too much of the truth. But yeah, I think the player they want to trade for is K. look. And

that opportunity seems to have passed. And so like what's, what's he willing to give the farm for? They do have more draft capital than people would realize. I keep thinking like, because of the Russell, what's and they're like, they have no, they have a bunch of draft picks. Like, they also have a lot

of needs. Like, what is a position group that the Broncos feel great about? I, like, I don't see one. The offensive line, eh. Like, Patrick Sartan's your best player and they still need cornerbacks. Right.

Their second cornerback was picked on mercilessly. Oh, they did find someone in Jaquan McMillan. It was a nice story for a nickelback. You know, Simmons is no longer... Like, I guess they feel okay

at safety, Caden Stearns, and Brandon Jones. I don't even know. There's not a position group you look at and you're like, well, that's the identity of the team. That's a huge strength. They are very, very milk toast to me. You know, who else is not milk toast?

What is that? The Arizona, Cardinals. they don't even have any milk in their toast just toast I heard I heard one one podcast it was Bill Simmons with Meena Kimes

saying that a lot of people going big on the over six and a half for the Cardinals right off the bat and there's this idea and I like the Cardinals coaching staff that the Cardinals are this team on the rise and then I go to OurLads.com NFL depth charts

and I look the entire roster is a burning desire. I have a burning desire for their entire defense to be improved. There's very little talent on it. Wide receiver would be another position. They've got an offensive line. They've got a quarterback.

They've got James Connor. They really don't have much else. Their entire defense, I would say, is as talent poor, I would put it 32nd in the league out of 32. So to me, that is a burning, burning desire, and they inherited a tough situation. I really believe in the coaching staff. I think this is going to be a good coaching staff

based on what I saw a year ago and that can improve your team. But man, they need a talent infusion. I think they're going about it the right way. Trading back, getting more picks last year, and you hope those picks hit. I think they had a good draft last year. They might be trading back again.

But when I see a burning desire, I see the fire of Jonathan Gannon saying, I need some players to go along with this scheme that is working pretty well because I do not see a lot of strengths on this team. I see a whole lot of weaknesses. I think if you're a Cardinals fan, if you're watching what's happened over the last like 13 months,

you have to be extremely encouraged. I'm with you on the coaching staff. I will say this. I get it like we've encouraged from like the bottom of the barrel to next, but to me it's like, I think you look at this and it's like, man, they have a lot of work. If they hit on the draft picks though, because I think the master plan is like they,

it feels to me it's like 80% that they trade out of the fourth spot. And then you've got, let's say it's the Vikings, the most likely trade partner. You've got the 11th and the 23rd. And I think you address maybe edge. Maybe it's Dallas Turner, for instance, at 11, if you ever got down there, past the Falcons. And then you get your wide receiver at 23,

and you've had two major needs addressed. And you've accrued probably additional picks and everything else. Or it's a corner, or it's like an interior off defensive line. I mean, the good part of needing something everywhere. And they might be pushing back Cardinals fans saying, hey, we hit on Garrett Williams last year. Yeah, he was a good rookie, but you still need more than one. And Bouda Baker, like, you could almost improve any position on the roster

other than I think you feel pretty good about tackle and quarterback. But when those are your needs, it does put you in a position where if you're in a trade-down spot, you can fill a couple of those spots. You can get down into the early teens, take a shot at Jared Verse, you get your edge, you know, depending on how you want to fill things out. But if it's not, because I think the easy idea

is stay and take Marvin Harrison, Jr., right? That's the... It's also not the worst idea. Not a bad one. If that's the problem, then you're in a good spot. Of course, you'd like to have better talent on your own. Absolutely. But there's not a situation.

Like, this is in a Saints type situation. We have to stay and watch everybody pick. And then, gee, I hope we get a tackle because, like, this is clearly what we need. They could do whatever they want. All right, what I want to do? Or what I'm asked to do. Take a quick break.

We'll be back after that. I don't trust Greg during these breaks. Who knows what he's going to get up to? Especially when the desire is burning. Hey, this is Matt Jones. Now I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different.

Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. 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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Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yeah, we're back. We got burning desires. And I got a burning desire to hit as many teams as possible. So we're going to try to go even faster with this last little segment. and I'm going to start with a burning desire of the Miami Dolphins. I feel like they haven't gotten a lot of attention this year.

It's off season. I like what they've done. I like their roster. They got a sneaky desire. They've spent a lot of money on Jalen Phillips and Bradley Chubb, but they've also lost a couple of big-time rotational edge guys this year. One of their starters Phillips is coming off at Torn Achilles. One of them's coming off of a torn ACL,

and I look at their front, their edge, and then especially defensive tackle right. next to those edges, and I see a big holes on that Miami front. So I think that is a position group, whether it's interior or the edge, planning a little bit for the future that they need

because Jalen Phillips and Bradley Chubb might not be ready for week one, and it's unfair to expect them to be kind of full Jalen Phillips Bradley Chub and week one. Yeah, people have linked to like Byron Murphy. That would be good. Texas. That makes sense. I flip it and say that they have an issue at left guard. Like they cannot, I just don't

like the idea of not having the best possible offensive line with Tua the way he is. But you can't do both. Yeah, can coach. I mean, you can do both. You can do it in the second and third round. And yeah, I think they've done a good job coaching up. Aren't a lot of great guards in this one.

The offensive line. Yeah, the interior offensive line jumps out there to me because they've done so much, right, in terms of facilitating the skill positions on the team that you're not even necessarily worried about it. And you think, you know, considering the way that they can play. You might want to plan a little bit for the future. I did think about writing down third receiver. but for now you're right

to say that's not a burning desire that's just like a little that'd be nice but I feel the intense heat emanating off of the interior offensive line right as well as you know some spots on the defense all right Mark I am the most fascinated

outside of Houston with the Los Angeles Chargers under Jim Harbaugh because I think up up at number five if they don't move they're gonna get it they probably get Marvin Harrison Jr that's nice and that addresses a lot of issues, but there's still going to be like this run heavy old school team from like 1936. I think at certain times, if they're up and they want to do that, and it's like Gus Edwards, I like a lot actually, and I think he fits well. And like, he's obviously got the

Harbaugh stamp of approval from his Baltimore time as well. But I'm looking at what they do at the running back position too. And I know we'd mention that for the Cowboys. So there are a couple teams competing for running backs later on. And then I'm like realizing you can go Jonathan Brooks from Texas. I watched some of him interesting player, but then there's Lake Corum from Michigan, literally John or Jim Harbaugh's old running back, not rated as highly by most and not maybe, you know, Derek Henry Part 2,

but just like what will Harbaugh do to, I think he's going to want like four or five running backs to compete and like lead the league and rushing attempts. And so I just want to see, because there's so many Michigan players in the draft, how many Jim Harbaugh Michigan players link up through this whole process? I think we may get a couple. But I also don't think considering, because we've seen how much of the Ravens staff is in Los Angeles now, like how much that shared that it's not just the self-scouting that's gone on in Michigan, but Harbaal's not coming into this being completely unaware of, and this isn't like an urban Meyer type situation where a guy's just freestyle and doesn't necessarily know what the players are and who the competition is.

I do think that while if the player's in the right spot we will see Michigan guys over there but I do think we the general view of how Harbaal is going to run this thing especially starting with the draft might not necessarily be the ultimate turnout I do think the world is kind of open I do too and I think a wide receiver is very possible

at that pick everyone thinks they're just going to talk off do offensive line because he's so into the offensive line at five we'll see at five Right, I'm with you. They're exciting. They have a lot of needs. Oh, well, you know, we've talked a lot about the Houston, Texas. But sometimes you look in and see how happy the neighbor is,

and you start to wonder about your own relationships. And I think the Jacksonville Jaguars have a burning desire. Not just for talent in general, but let's discuss the cornerback situation. And then the secondary situation in Jacksonville. A great football mind, and Greg Rosenthal pointed out to me, despite my excitement about the 2023 Jacksonville Jaguars before the season, there are some real problems in the secondary. And those problems did hold up.

And there are some cornerback, needy teams in front of the Jags. I'm looking at the Indianapolis Colts, but let's say there's a Quinion Mitchell or a Kool-Aid McKinstree or a Tarionneung Arnold. I think one of those guys could fulfill a burning desire for the Jacksonville Jack. Yeah, I think it was probably a debate. debate what's their biggest need like an interior defensive lineman or a cornerback and then they get our

armstead and then that kind of answers that question. They need a wide receiver too. I really believe it and I think they'll be open to it. At that point in the draft there's a chance that it's Brian Thomas but maybe they look at someone that's a second round pick at wide receiver but they seem very much

like a cornerback wide receiver type of team. When you sign Ronald Darby who I've always kind of liked that he's like he's a little better than you think. But he's that guy that kind of gets signed to late in the mix to fill in for your starters and then plays more than you think and you're like, oh, that was a good signing.

This time he was like an early signing because they were just like, we need someone to start. We're signing him. If that's your number two cornerback, you need, you need more in the future. They were lost in the woods without Christian Kirk at the end of the season. It was

a dire situation. They did not expect to. They fell out the side of the earth. They did not expect to lose. Calvin Ridley. They really thought I think it was going to be Ridley, Gabe Davis and Zay, and Christian Kirk. Still reasonably deep. I like the Devon Duvernay signing. Let's stay in the division. The Colts just keep keeping their guys. That's what they do. They signed Julian Blackman's safety this week, thought that that was a nice move. But they need more. They need more pizzazz around Anthony Richardson. Keeping Michael Pittman is not enough. You need another receiver. This is another

I look at as receivers and cornerbacks. Receiver and cornerback. Like, they need them both. They're not, they don't have enough juice with Gus Bradley and their defense. And they tried with a couple of picks last year at cornerback, and they're young there, but they could add another. But I, I, they keep taking receivers. And Alec Pierce right now looks like kind of a foul ball.

That's not really working out. Josh Downs, I think is going to be a solid single, especially for a third round pick. Maybe even better than that. Maybe a double. But I think they need more juice at wide receiver and cornerback. those are two positions. Yeah, cornerback really stands out, but it's like we don't know a lot

about Anthony Richardson. I like what we saw, but it's like, of course, just like keep giving him targets, tight ends, wide receivers, because their overall wide receiver group is just kind of like blah, a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Let's get some guys who can make some plays on their own. How about you, Mark? Let's go out to Seattle. Oh, yeah, I was waiting for that. New coaching staff. They've got defensive tackle needs. You could look at a couple of different parts of the defense,

but I am focused on the interior offensive line to keep Gino Smith safe to open up the ground game. They've got four guys right now competing for the center and two guard spots who have a combined 16 starts in professional football. And some of that's developmental, and you always hear them said, we like our young guys, but it's like in a pretty solid offensive line draft, like whether it's you're going to get a different tackle to move someone around,

like, let's just keep working on this offensive line. That's where I'd start with Seattle. And it was bad last year, and I think it's the reason why I push back against a lot of the Gino criticism from a year ago because the offensive line really struggled. And if you kind of divorce him from, like, plays he was protected, he did really well. They also need an edge.

Like, to me, they just keep, I don't know what they're doing on defense exactly. Mike McDonald comes in, and they bring in Aiden Durd to be their defensive coordinator dirty from Dallas, the defensive line coach, from a totally different system. So I think that's good.

He's like welcoming in different thoughts. It's going to be Mike McDonald's team, though. But they've been just kind of picking around the edges here. In general, they fix their linebacker position. They signed Jerome Baker, Thorell Dotson, kind of, or at least change their linebacker position. But they just keep adding all these edges that are just like, okay.

Like, Boye, Mafei, Darrell Taylor, Nuoosu was a good signing. They drafted Derek Hall in the second round last year. That didn't exactly work. They still need like a guy that's a dude.

Like an un... They have a lot of good twos and threes. They need a one. And I think when I think about a Mike McDonald defense, I think you definitely want that. Yeah. And especially considering, because the Ravens defense

on the interior last year, just a breakout year on the part of Justin Matabeeke. Davian Clowny had his best season in a very, very long time. And you just wonder, who's the guy that's going to pay 75% of the snaps out there on the edge, maybe get eight and a half, nine sacks, and isn't really coming off the field.

And I think they've tried. I think that's what the Maffa pick, the Taylor pick. And it's the same GM. So it's a little, that's where, like, where they are is a little confusing to me. Not confusing, but it's just a different sort of overhaul that John Schneider, the guy who in theory was making the picks, although we know it was him and Carol. now it's really just Schneider.

So now the problem is fixed. Well, no, I don't know that. I think they've got a chance. I think they've got a chance to be pretty good, actually. They have a lot of things that you would want. I'm going to talk about, you might feel like it's kind of gotten under the radar a little bit of the 49ers this offseason

just because they haven't done a lot. And when I look at their offensive line especially, but I would look at cornerback too of like, they always make the offensive line work. They always make the cornerback room work. And you can't pay everyone. And this is the salary cap era. And they're paying money to their receivers and Nick Bosa

and they're going to pay Brandon Ayuk. Hopefully I think that will happen eventually. You've got to get cheap elsewhere. But man, wouldn't it be nice to have some badass offensive line? You got Trent Williams and just four guys you coach up. And then you got Charverius Ward and some guys you coach up. And so I think this is a draft. issue that they're only going to get these premium players

if they can hit on draft picks. And it's a tough needle of thread. You can find your iukes deep in the first round and that'll change your team. And to me, they could really use that cornerback and especially the offensive line. Instead of coaching them up enough to be like good enough, like let's have some badasses. Trent Williams is not going to be you know, at this Hall of Fame ridiculous level forever and cornerbacks. I could see them as a candidate to

trade up if they love a tackle and they can bring a deal to get just to not wait until 31 to get the guy if you if it's if there's a run on tackles and I agree like they could get someone to come in and compete at right tackle and Trent Williams is still there but it's like be aggressive you're the nineers like don't wait for the third or fourth fifth best option the salary cap is real I always you know it's an exaggeration to say it's not real but it can be negotiating for more for more teams than not it's harder to find great to good players to use that cap space on the first 49ers are the exception.

They keep finding these great players so much that it really is an issue with them in terms of team building that it makes John Lynch have to really hit these picks. And I just feel looking at the roster, they again are kind of at a point where they need to start infusing the next super duper stars.

And that's tough to do. And especially when so many teams are in a position where it's even worse than the 49ers up front. Like they don't have a Hall of Famer left tackle to say, well, at least that. At least that's there. True.

And a coach that seems to make it work. Yeah. And they're competing against the rest of the league, which is in a similar position of need, where now, thanks to their success, more than half of the league is running the same offense. Right. Everybody's looking for the same players. I know that. And picking ahead of them in this draft, too.

We have not reached saturation. To me, Alex Van Pelt in New England might be the saturation point when the, I mean, look, they haven't all worked either. like, you know, Luke Getsy with the Bears didn't really work. Like, that's that tree. Not everyone in this tree is going to work, but at some point, the saturation is an issue. Like when eight to 10 GMs in the league were drafting similar players to the Patriots because they were all Patriots disciples around the league, I think that created a real,

you know, competitive problem for the Patriots and these other teams. And I think the same thing's going to happen with all these McVeigh offenses at some point. All right, let's pause one more time. we will wrap things up on the other side. 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, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL.

Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development to team-building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision-makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots

from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture.

If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you don't miss it listen to the move the six podcast on the i heart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and we are back okay let's let's go speed round we'll each go one last one well yeah i'm looking at the team that just lost to the san francisco four dinners that was a fun team for all of us the detroit lion glad you picked them uh they they have a burning desire for a playmaker in the secondary i i really don't care. If it's a cornerback, if it's a safety, maybe it's a Cooper Desjohn. Who knows? But this identity of this football team, you can find it every place. Even in quarterback and

Jared Gough, all the way to the defensive line, but the secondary is just kind of there. And they've been trying. And they don't have a ton of needs. So it's like, go get that thing that you need. I would push back a little bit on that one. I think they need help up front on both sides. And you're right. They're in a good spot where it's not these screaming needs, but they came in drafting Penae Sewell saying they're going to be all about the offensive line. He is by far the youngest guy on that offensive line. It's an older group. They haven't brought in

anyone that's made any difference there. And so I think they need to start thinking about the future on the offense and the defensive line. Their defensive line picks other than Hetchinson have been not all bad, but they haven't had big hits. And if you're counting on Marcus Davenport and DJ Reader to be your starters

coming off injuries and stuff, I think they get back to a Dan Campbell meat and potatoes linemen on both sides. See, I snuck in my opinion on that one. It wasn't mine. I'd go to Baltimore. I think that it's fair to say that they are in this state in life where they're a little

reckless. They need all sorts of things. They have more needs than you'd realize. And it starts with the fact that they let John Simpson, Kevin Zitler, Morgan, Moses all leave off the offensive line. You still have Ronnie Stanley, Patrick McCarie, Tyler Linderbaum, but you'd need help at guard, I think, or look at an upgrade there. but I could also say you could upgrade a tackle if you wanted to.

You need edge rushers. You have no more Odell Beckham, and you're in a place at Wide Out where you've reversed back a season where you've taken weapons away from Lamar Jackson. So they could go in a lot of different directions here. I don't think I wouldn't have a problem with them picking a different changing Wide Out as well, but they kind of need a lot.

The Ravens bled a lot of talent off this roster. They did, and probably more than any team in the league, their roster feels like an incomplete now, just because we know how they work, playing the supplemental or compensatory pick game and waiting and signing a lot of veterans. I think there's 17 guys left off my 101. They're going to be signing. I feel like a lot of players that are free agents and available that end up playing three to 500 snaps for them. And Eric Dacosta and his predecessor, Ozzy Newsom, who's still there. I mean, it's like, this guy retires and then he's in the booth at the combine.

Is he really retired? I don't know. To me, he's probably contributing. They do a great job, but I'm with you. I feel like they have a lot of snaps to still find this offseason. They do always have like 17 to 18 third round picks at the end of third round. Right. And so they'll do it that way. But I'm with, especially you shouted out edge rusher.

I think that that is definitely something they would want to address. Cornerback is another. For my final one, where shall I go? You know what? When it comes to the Patriots, it's just been all quarterback talk. They don't have a left tackle. It's possibly the worst wide receiver group in the NFL. I don't make the case it is.

I think Kristen Gonzalez is going to be a great pro. They need cornerbacks, like a lot of needs here, just saying. They have some burning desires outside of quarterback. I think, I don't know, like, it's interesting as we could have imagined what Bill Belichick might do in this situation. It's hard to know what this front office will do necessarily, but, like, there is a way that they can get too cute and not get a quarterback. I get that you trade down, but then too cute and don't get a wide receiver and too cute and don't get one of these other. Just like, let's be, you need everything, but get the positions that you want a rookie contract. Like, you want a quarterback on a rookie contract.

You want, if you're going to have a diva wide out, you want them on a rookie contract. Like, you want a left tackle. you want them on a rookie contract versus like trying to pick up these other their group of wideouts is one of the most the least creative team building collections of past catchers you can imagine the last half decade.

It's pretty rough. Kendrick Bourne is your best guy but he's coming off a torn ACL. Pop Douglas was good last year. I mean, they just have issues and yet they do not think they should trade out if Adam Schaefter is right as he's on his podcast.

Is this week giving me this hope that he really thinks it's Jaden Daniels at 2. When he puts that out there in early April, he's tended to be right. Daniel's at 3 versus the commander's taking Daniels. He says, what did I just say? I said,

you said Daniels at 2. Yes, that's what I want. I want Drake May. I would be happy with Jaden Daniels 2, but I really like the idea of Drake May. Well, let's hope that every Patriots fan gets what they want a quarterback after two or three tough seasons to deal with.

Our hearts go out to you. That was it. Eagles, get a freaking linebacker. It keeps ruining your seasons. And then you, you know, get a linebacker. You didn't know what you had with Kaiser White. Bucks get an edge. Giants get a running back.

Like, you bring it up running back. Ram's Singletory is not taking you the finish. Rams in a good spot, I think, but certainly need a lot more help. You know, don't make it so hard on your defensive coordinator. You definitely need to try to replace not just Aaron Donald, but get more edge help too. What a show. What a lot of fun with you. you guys always good uh thanks to everyone listening we will be back next week with three shows

uh dan will be back um and uh until then thank you to eric you know i know that's a big day for your bills uh poor mark sessler patrick claibon This is an IHeart podcast.