NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Draft WeekPalooza Day 3- Sandwich Props & Sessler Mock Draft

Episode Date: April 28, 2021

A room filled with some heroes - Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Gregg Rosenthal bring you the draftiest of all draft shows kicking off with some draft related sandwich props (5:45). Marc Sessler reveals his highly anticipated mock draft (33:35) and Spicerack joins the show to talk about some draft prospects (56:52). It's chaotic, we love it.Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comNFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. The Around the NFL podcast. Lost the Cyclops Awards. Welcome to another edition. That was quick. Of the Around the NFL podcast. My name is Dan Hansis. I come to you from a virtual room filled with some heroes,

Mark Sessler, Greg Rosenthal. I'm over the Cyclops Awards. And I'm not even angry at. the Cyclops Academy. My ear obviously is focused on the entire awards industry trying to frame us as a Susan Lucci type. That's not what we are. We're an important podcast. We're a popular podcast. We're beloved in a large pocket of football earth. So I don't need hardware. But at the same time, I really do need that validation. Give me the trophy. Well, I've got a couple of bones to pick here. Well, first of all, 45% of our audience we hear is overseas. So Susan Lucci was a famous

daytime soaps actress who would be nominated every year, not get the award. But we need more nominations for that. I think this was our first nomination in like six or seven years. I wish we were lucci right now. I mean, on that front, I mean, from that angle, the Cyclops Corp or whatever they're called, like deserve a little bit of credit for nominating us or at least listening to whoever wanted to nominate us. But I just, I'm with Dan. I view it as an inciting incident. And the whole awards industry, drop a nuclear bomb on these people. Can we at least clean up on the international market? Aren't there categories for American football in Australia where we've got to be like

crikey Mike and the kangaroo? Like, isn't there someone we could defeat? Like, isn't there some tomato can, some peanut McNeillies out there in the podcast industry and just get our confidence back? Right. If you view us sort of as like a rising boxer, we need to clean up on a couple of chumps. to get our ranking up and we can't even get about we can't even get into the ring with anyone well it's absurd clearly we're over it thank you money for checking in um all right here we are

the draft is one day away and um we got so much to get to this is a big show uh we are going to um welcome back uh one of the great guests in the history of the history of of this show, and I won't say who it is, but I'll just say this guy's known to have some spicy draft takes. I'll leave it at that. Stick a pin in that. Also, the fourth annual Mark Sessler mock draft, really the mock draft of record, ultimately. At least that's the way I look at it. And Mark, how are you feeling confidence-wise? I know there's a little bit of menace in the air this year, because I do feel like Greg has his eyes on the mock draft. in a way maybe like sandbagging or otherwise disrupt he wants to be a disruptor this year I feel

like where do you come down in terms of confidence level and do you sense that same air of menace confidence couldn't be higher I sense the menace but I pay no I pay no attention to it there always are going to be dark energies trying to take down something that must be brought to the light something powerful and truthful and it's like you know it's just watching JFK, the director's cut the other night. And like, you know, sometimes the end, the, well, the biggest enemy could be right in your own house. I mean, Kevin, you know, what Costner is attempting to, you know, change history and, and solve

one of the biggest mysteries of time in Sissy Spacic, the wife cannot get off his act. You know, why weren't you home for dinner? We waited for three. I mean, it's like interviewing like Clay Bertrand trying to, like, crack the biggest case in government history. It's like settle down Sissy Spac. So, you know, point being, as I'm putting this mock draft together and literally made changes five or six minutes ago working with the social team to put out some art that will go

with it right after the show there. So, you know, I'm focused on production, not the enemy. So if you're a little bit like a projection though from Dan. Like I love the mock draft. When Mark was sending out, hey, should we do the mock drafts? I'm like, yeah, let's do it. Let's keep doing it. Dan is totally. Dan is just projected. He doesn't like any segment that he didn't come up with. And it's like, you know, he's trying to say, I don't like it. Bring it on. I want some All right. Well, that was typical Greg there. No, I love it. I'm looking forward to it. And if you are New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison, Mark, you have to be prepared for there to be a lot of outcry coming against you as well, because that wasn't a very popular. He wasn't

a very popular figure in his time for a lot of people. No, he was, they tried to unspool his entire reputation. And I'm prepared for that, too. In fact, it's a little easier for me. I go in with no reputation. So, you know, good luck on spooling it. And Greg, what I'm trying to do, we've been doing this for many years is set up a little like yin and yang and have some fun with it. You tried to diffuse the podcast itself. I didn't get that. And then what I do is I fire back when you come with the BS. See, that's what it all happens. Okay. So there we go. Set up very well masterfully. All right, before any of that, though, we do it every year and we're doing it again this year we make predictions ahead of the draft but we do it in a little bit of a different way

we have some fun with it there are sandwich props uh you know by now what it's all about the misophonies out there deal with it that's just the part of the segment uh mark i know you're cringing a little bit too you're part of that community don't take offense to it it's just getting people in the mindset we go around the horn a few times make a prediction you get the chance to either say, you know what, I think your prediction about draft weekend is accurate, so I'll stand down, or you challenge that person and you wager a sandwich. So with that in mind, and Mark, I am very excited for your mock draft. In general, I like the idea of you being at the center of this episode.

So I want you to start this sandwich prop exercise thrown out there. All right. Are we going to be doing two or three because that will dictate what, how many, what I'm out there? Let's say definitely two. then depending where we are time-wise, maybe a three, like a speed round. I got like, I got four written down. Yeah, we could.

Yeah, all right. So I'm going to start, you know, with the car, just getting out a neutral, very football-oriented one here. Zach Ertz will not be a Philadelphia Eagle by the end of the draft. All right. So basic, just a proper basics. Let's set one in terms of just guidelines to make this nice and clean because we're going to do, of course, a show tomorrow night.

after round one, and then we're going to do a show Saturday night after the conclusion of round seven. So let's make the runway here from right now until, even taping time, until we get to this segment again in the back end of the Saturday show. So not only do you have all the draft itself, you have that hour, two hours or whatever before we check in on these props. So you say Zach Ertz will be traded from the Eagles, Super Bowl Hero Zach Ertz, by Saturday evening. Tape time. Yep. Really starting with a bang here.

I mean, this guy had 330 yards last year. Maybe he gets traded for a sixth round pick swap. He's the centerpiece of the draft. I kind of think he will too. I said the car was just getting out of neutral. I know, but we only have three. I don't think I'm going to take you on it. It goes against my normal philosophy, but I'm with you.

It doesn't make sense to me that he would stay on that roster. I'll take you on it. I mean, the timing of it is you're putting it in a box, like they have to move him to free up roster space or remove some type of issue they have. This could be something that comes after the draft. And I also, we've talked about Ertz a little bit. I know he looks slow and old, but he's actually not old.

And maybe he was just banged up. So maybe they do keep him around. I will take you up on that sandwich. All right. All right. let's um all right now that we got the appetizers out of the way let's let's ramp things up mine aren't really that exciting either i talk yeah you set the bar now right i want to be blown away intellectually by what you come up there are not let me let me jump start us here

all right jimmy goroplo um it's going to happen it's going to happen i believe the reunion with new england patriots goes down and i'm thinking about that um set wickersham piece from a few years back that highlighted the internal dysfunction at the time around power struggle with Belichick and Robert Kraft and Tom Brady's uncertain future at the time and Jimmy Garoppolo waiting in the wings. And an element of that deep dive was Belichick's frustration that he believed he had the next phase of his and final phase really of his career set up post Brady because he believed in Jimmy G. And he thought that he was a guy that could take the torch from Tom Brady and they could continue to thrive as an AFC superpower. Things didn't work out. Garapolo got traded to

the Niners. Brady eventually they won Super Bowls after even that expose, but he eventually goes down to Tampa Day. One an MVP. A lot of things happened, including 2020 when the Pats won seven and nine with Cam Newton at a male level. So I think rather than trade up and go get a quarterback, where are they, 15 right now, Greg? Yep. Or have someone fall to them pick? I think it's more likely that he goes and gets Garoppolo with this depressed value. The Niners obviously moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo Thursday night will become all but

official. And that trade happens. And this is an onion hanger to get rolling here because the time element is tricky. Like, do you need to move Jimmy G draft weekend? Not necessarily. But I say it happens and it gives everyone a fresh start, including the Patriots. Walla Walla is a big onion. Giant sweet Spanish onions are good.

That is an onion hanger. Red Zeppelin is a big red onion. I'll take you up on that. I mean, I feel like I got it there. part of me would be intrigued to see that but i think i'm going to roll right into a related prop right after mark would you like to find out if i'm going to take a mark or not did you hear what i said right after mark gives us an answer i should have hell i should well you know i would i would wonder about one thing one second mark Greg you said mark had an edge uh yesterday

you have the edge today i do i got on i got my punchers yeah i'm excited it's draft week i don't know, it didn't sleep much again. That's usually the factor if I'm a little edgy. All right, I love it. Go ahead, Mark. Well, no, I just wonder if, you know, part of it was you sent Jimmy G. out to play an adult role somewhere else, and he is not durable enough. He can't stay healthy. He costs $26 million.

Like, I wonder if maybe if you're the Patriots or Bill Belichick thinking, is this the best we can do? It can't be their number one plan, but I'll take you up on it because it's extremely spicy. and there is some connected tissue that would send them back there and make some sense. So I'm going to do my biggest onion hanger now. Usually save it for last. It's related and it relates to what I want to see.

I always say, pick what you want to see happen. And what I want to see happen is Cam Newton play outstanding in 2021 and shut up all the honkers on sports talk radio and Erica and everyone else and go to the playoffs with Cam Newton playing well at 12 and 5 because by the way, Patriots fans, you're not allowed to root for them if Cam Newton's great this year.

You already jump ship. It's too late. You got to find a new team. That's my number one thing. Not really how sports fandom works. You know what? It would be even better than that happening. Cam Newton doing all that with Justin Fields waiting in the wings. Everyone wanting Justin Fields to start week one, but he doesn't. And then Cam Newton plays so great all season that it's almost like a poor man's Mahomes and Alex Smith situation for 2021. and you got your quarterback of the future. And Cam, you know, that's a good problem to have. And he probably goes on to do other things after that. And one way or another that Justin Fields ends up on this Patriots team at the end of this

draft. I thought in terms of making an example, you would cite Aaron Rogers and Jordan Love, which happened last year. That's a lot to ask of Cam. I mean, the bar, you know, the bar for me would be like top 12 quarterback in a good season. It's a savvy sandwich prop because you're not actually. actually the part that's hanging onions is Cam Newton then playing and being a big time quarterback, but that's not part of the wager here.

I mean, if you don't think Fields to the Patriots is hanging onions, you know, tell all your friends to make that wager because I think you could get, you know, probably plus seven to one at most, at least odds. I mean, that is pretty unlikely. I mean, what I mean by that is, yes, the field, in terms of that, yes, that's also, whenever you're trying to peg a player to a team, we've learned to this exercise. and many of times, it usually doesn't work out. But I don't know.

Like the thing, did you see enough from Cam last season to think he has like MVP level type play still in his body? Right. The Cam part is just my, I'm just letting the people know my personal feelings. But for this exercise, it's all about Justin Fields. And no matter what Cam does this year, I would love to see Justin Fields on this Patriots team. And I do think Cam would be a good sort of quarterback mentor and a guy, a veteran to have there, whether Justin Fields.

if he was on the Patriots was starting in week one or not at all. I think Cam would be a nice compliment for him. I'll take you up on it. It always concerns me when Gregs starts to get fascinated over another quarterback that, you know, it looks to be at best a middle of the road patch. But here we are again. So we're just, it's warshadows what we're dealing with with Cam Newton for the next four months on this podcast. I mean, since this podcast has started, since he entered the league,

Cam has been one of my favorite players. That's on my favorite team. Why wouldn't I be rooting for him? But it's like it's Teddy Bridgewater. It's Gino Smith. It's Cam Newton. In Greg's defense, Mark, you were the one that was going nuts about Cam signing with the Pats last year, last summer, thinking that he was going to be Cam still.

But he's not. He's not Cam anymore. Just a guy. It'd be fun. It'd be fun. Well, Justin Fields is a guy that I, it is hard to figure. And maybe we'll talk with spicy about it. But it is hard to figure how he's potentially falling because it's not just the athleticism.

It's the fact that I think if you broke it down and you ask all the people, who's the most accurate of all these quarterbacks? Accuracy. Just like the most important thing. It's probably Justin Fields. Like who had the most plays downfield where he put it on the guy's hands, just like Russell Wilson. It's probably just in Fields.

Greg, totally blowing the lid off our surprise guests, by the way. Yes. Thank you, Greg. Think about that little punk teenager, by the way, that gave Cam Grief at Cam's camp a couple of months back. He's going to seek out. now Cam again if Justin Fields gets drafted. He's going to come after him hard.

So keep an eye on that subplot. All right. One round through. You both are taking me up on that. Sure. I'll take you up on it because, yeah, like I said, it's very hard to match a player in teams specifically unless it's the very top of the draft. And the Patriots, I know you've said they've traded up aggressively in the first round

before, but they haven't done it to get a quarterback. And not often. To be clear, they've traded down way, way, way more. So, yeah, you're right. All right. Mark. All right. Let's keep like Dallas Goddard out of this, Anthony Becked.

Let's just, let's move on through the tight. I was going back. I had a Becked one here, but I'll bypass it. Okay, so, you know, big, big exciting scene in Cleveland. People are out and about. They've been vaccinated. From what I know about Cleveland, that place is going to be lubed up. And I'm just saying that there will be, and this will be caught on camera, they will have,

and by they, I mean, authorities at the, you know, outdoor draft area, a problem with an animal running wild could that be like a police horse or could it be something or other there's going to be it'll be a subplot i'm not talking about like a monkey riding a dog as a piece of entertainment but an animal they don't want out of control um creating some level of chaos by again the end of the seventh round well you got to take this uh whenever there's an animal involved here i mean um that's one of my rules with like a wild animal prop from mark uh always take the wild I mean, yeah, if they, like, bring out the brown dog, didn't he pass away, but they probably got a new one. Is that what you say about dogs, that they pass away? I guess, yeah, I mean, he passed on.

Passaway is kind of a stupid. You could say the dog died. I don't really like passing away anyways. You're right. That dog died, right? But they got a new dog. Don't they have a doggie? Yeah, I don't think it's related to, um, that him like trotting out, you know, with like Jim Brown to make the 70-second pick or whatever does not count. But I'll take you up on that. Well, that's not running wild. I mean, this animal, they're chasing him. You know, you've got figures of authority chasing the animal. And in case that dog has indeed passed away, rest in power, Brown's dog.

It did pass away. It was, it's gone. By the way, you always have to know with the sandwich prop game, the loopholes. You do not get caught in a loophole. Human beings are animals. And Cleveland sports fans are animals. there's some guy drunk fat guy streaking through the quad or whatever like does that count as an no no i i see you are correct um but i'm not putting that i'm not putting them in the category of

animals i mean like a something that you'd like to temper and domesticate to some or how do your bidding well i was about to make an antiquated hey that's what wives do oh oh oh well okay not humans to be clear i want to i mean i hope i'm wrong on this one And if we get like a Buffalo Bill marauding through a huge crowd of people, that would be, that would be fun. It'd be fantastic. It's like 74 dead, but Mark wins is brought. No, I don't want anyone to die. There you go, Mark.

You're always wagering things that are around human misery. What's that say about? I think this would be joyful. I think it would be exciting personally. 700 killed in Buffalo Bill Stampede. Mark wins chicken farm sandwich. All right. I'm next.

All right. You know, I like it. Greg, I like your angle. Pick what you want. Remember, I did a sandwich pop last regular season that the Jets would be in playoff contention in December.

Didn't believe it, but I wanted it to happen. So I'll do this again with the Jets. They trade up in the first round. It's no, there's zero onions to be found with their second overall pick. We all know where that's going. But they're picking 23rd overall.

A lot of people are mocking a defensive lineman because of the Robert Sala stuff. And I, you know, and solid we trust. But at the same time, I would be a little bit like, okay, we've been down that road. I would like to see them, if there's not some, like, incredible offensive linemen that's fallen down the board. I would like to see them trade up in the first round, take some of these, this stockpiling of draft picks they have over the next couple of years. And pair that with the 23rd overall pick and grab whoever that wide receiver that everybody loves that ends up falling into the middle of the pack.

So if there's somebody sitting, I was going to say 15, but the Jets and Patriots aren't going to trade traffic most likely. But in that zone, I'd like to see the Jets go up. So they trade up in the first round and they take a wide receiver. Let's go. I love it. Yeah, that's spicy. And I think they could certainly use one. I've seen some analysis that it's like a big need.

I don't quite go there. I mean, you've got Denzel Mims. You just spent a lot of money on Corey Davis. you spent a lot of money on Keel and Cole for a fourth receiver. You still have James and Crowder on the roster. Maybe he's not on the roster by the end of this draft if they make that move. But I like it and I'll take you. I just think they're okay.

They're okay. I agree. It's just not like a massive need. They need some cornerbacks. They need some offensive linemen, I think. Right. And from what we understand in this draft, the offensive line, you could find some depth there. There's some depth to that position.

And then you absolutely target that in the second and third rounds. I could use another edge rusher. I know they signed Carl Lawson, but that's, he's kind of it. They have a lot of needs. They have a lot of needs. But I like the idea of them saying, we are going to not only bring this quarterback in, but immediately give ourselves a boost on the offensive side of the ball. That's why I'd even be okay if they went and got the running back, Nagee Harris.

If they just make a splash on office and say, we are building a core that will scare people on Sundays, which it hasn't happened in forever. everybody taking me on it i am because i think there's a couple little factors like the defensive tackle class we're all hearing outside of like one or two guys is abysmal um and yeah they could go edge but i think something you said to mention was one of these key receivers tumbling down the board a little bit to where they'd say you know what we're going after it they may not be alone they might be competition for that but why not over correct and add too much around your new quarterback i'll give you a perfect example cd lamb last year

I think a lot of people thought he was going to go potentially five to 10. And then when he started falling into the teens, the Cowboys, they went and got him. Who's that guy in 2021? Because there probably will be. All right. Greg. All right. I'm going to just be very specific and say the Broncos get their quarterback in the first round,

that they take a quarterback in the first round. I think they're a candidate to trade up. I'm not going to get overly specific. I feel like this is close to a coin flip. And that's not so bad. Not everything needs to be on anything. I would say if you looked in Vegas, for instance, this would be about a coin flip. I think it would be a slight underdog that they would take their quarterback.

I just can't imagine them getting out of this draft without it. How can you go into this season on the last year of Vic Fangio's chance, in my mind, with a pretty good roster with Drew Locke's one way or another. My picks, I just really, they're kind of clashing because for the Patriots to get fields, you know, that doesn't leave as many for the Broncos, but let's go Broncos. Get it Broncos. Well, you're kind of betting on, you're betting on two horses, which is fine. One of them will win. I like it. You know, I think they've traded up. They've tried everything to get these quarterbacks. I mean, Elway's record at this is pretty terrible. I mean, does it happen if Fields doesn't fall to them, for instance?

I'll take you on it, but there aren't a lot of, you know, bread trums about them being aggressive on that front. No, Detroit could be a spot. The Detroit could be a spot. The Detroit feels like the spot where maybe someone trades up, whether it was the Patriots or the Broncos for that matter. I'm not going to take you on it. I think that's what they do. I think they're due for a splash here. And Drew Locke had his chance.

He didn't cut the mustard, as they say, did not play the guitar very well. A bunch of bum strings. You know, he kept on hitting the wrong chords. Speaking of the quad, you know, he's trying to strum Wonderwall and trying to make some hot babe swoon. hit all the wrong notes i tell you play the guitar and good little boys are nominees in our phrase of the year so far so at number nine that's a good spot um if someone falls or they have

ammunition to move up um a couple picks if need be so yeah i usually you just the smart play in this game is to take just about everything but i really do think and they don't have who's their backup right now um they don't have one it's still It's still Driscoll and Rippin. Right. And I think that's by design because I think there's the Independence Day spaceship coming over, Empire State Building set up happening here. Locke gets bumped to the backup or the temporary starter and then the kid is there waiting in the wings and there's your quarterback room. All right.

Let's do it one more time and then we'll get to the mock drive. All right. So like Greg, I am betting on two different horses because I, like what I want to just say real quick is what I sense happen. in America is like a bacchanalia is going to be descending on us this summer. You're going to have a lot of people that have been trapped in homes and houses. I'm going absolutely crazy. And I mean, I'm talking about all people in different stations of life. So this is really one of the first big outdoor public events. So I've talked about an animal running wild, which feels of the spirit of the weekend. The second thing that I've suggested and I believe will happen and laugh at me now

and then find out later that I'm correct, we will see a naked body part during NFL network or ESPN's coverage of the 2021 draft. Unintended, I don't know where it's coming from. I don't think, I'm not talking to a player probably, but who knows, but, you know, there's going to be a lot of weird stuff, crowd shots.

I guarantee we get something that they did not dial up intentionally. You know, I like to like think about in the lead up to a show whenever we tape, like, you know, how's the show going to go? What are the mechanics of it? And I was thinking to myself, like, Mark has his mock draft.

That's going to be a little tricky for him because he might step on some of his props. But little did I know. Mark had it in his back pocket. He was just going to talk about naked people and animals running through the center of Cleveland. He didn't have a prop about a draft pick. He went hurt.

He went like that. He's like a backup tight end. A back up tight end and naked body part. Well, this is tricky because we have to define the body part. I mean, my arm is, isn't my forearm naked right now? I had a feeling that. question would come. I think it's a fair question. I wouldn't try it. I'm not going to try to it. It's got to be a private part. Well, I'm not going to pull one over on you guys by saying,

oh, look, we saw someone's, you know, hand extending up the wrist and arm area. It's like we're talking something that should not be, should not be seen in public. It's three. Are you counting the heinies? A butt? Like a naked butt? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that would have. It's not intentionally. So we'll do the two Bs, the V and the P. That works. Or a combination of, you know, it could be more than one, one of those together in a combination. Yeah, absolutely. Sure. I mean, I'll take you up on it.

Dan's experience speaking with five-year-olds is really coming with me. That's where we're at. Yeah, I'll definitely take you up on that. That's ridiculous. All right. Thank you, Mark. All right. Finally,

all right, excluding Jimmy G, who I've already said is moving in a trade. But let's just kind of, let's keep him out of this conversation. There will be another quarterback who started football game or games in 2020, on the move via trade before Saturday night. So forget about Jimmy G, take him out of it. Any other quarterback, a starting quarterback in 2020, one of them gets dealt. And put some thought into this. I'm thinking about who are those guys.

Okay, I'll give them to you. Teddy Bridgewater. I thought about, I thought somebody, I can't believe somebody, well, Greg, you're still got to go. I don't know where you're going with your last one, but Teddy Bridgewater could be on the move. Cam, hypothetically, could move. Mason Rudolph started that game against Cleveland, right? Am I right? Yep, so one starter more.

Yep, Gardner Neen Shue, Drew Locke, hell, Jordan Love. I mean, the Packers obviously are deep in on Aaron Rogers once again. I think one of those guys, but it could be anybody that started a game moved over from Thursday to Saturday night. It almost seems like very probable or possible, but I'm going to take you up because sometimes these drafts just drift by and none of these things happen. And I'll sit on that side of it. But, you know, that means even someone, we're not talking about, by the way, if you're,

if you're like Brian Hoyer and you don't have a team and you started a game, it has to be a legit trade, correct? Yes. Okay. And I'll take you up. Yep. Teddy or Minchu? I mean, those two would be the ones I'd have circled. Wow. I'm sorry. Well, I don't like not take. I don't like not taking it, but I'm going to not take it. Wow. I'm stunned. All right. Good. I'm going to go with my final prop as no running backs get taken in the first round. I've enjoyed some of these. shows talking about different props. It's interesting of different ways you can talk, but our friends establish the run,

Evan Silva and Leviton. They're on the other side of this. They think even maybe more than one go. But I think in today's NFL, Nasha Harris to the Steelers is the one everyone's talking about, but if that doesn't happen, I think teams could wait. Giovante Williams maybe is another little prop there

as the first running back off the board that I like. But I don't think it'll be in the first round. No running back's in the first round. I'll definitely take you because I'm looking, down from around like 27 on and I see some real targets for running backs and I could see a team trading back up to like 32 or something just to make sure that you've got the jets sitting at number two right in the second round. I think they're going running back there. So you got to try to get ahead of them. I'll take you on it. And I think there is obviously a little bit of an industry.

People are spooked and I think they feel like they're not on the right side of history when you take a running back now unless he's a Sequin Barclay generational type guy. I think these teams are now, they have it in their minds. And a lot of it is a herd mentality, like, hey, the smart football teams don't do this. And we're not, we're not, we don't want to be a dumb football team. So I think some of that factors in, too. So I'm going to say, I agree that there will not be. But I also know, because I've done this before, Greg, and it, and it's always a little bit

tricky on Drap Night when we play this game. and then you have to go through the whole draft and you have to be like, don't pick her running back, don't pick a running back when you get to that 25, 26, 27, 28th. And so I admire that you did this and I purposely stayed away

from these type of wagers this week for that reason. Yeah, I'll be nervous. When the Steelers are on the board, that's the moment that now I'll be anxious. Bills maybe or another team. All right. And of course, Nick Fortier over at go get my lunch.org has been tracking this stuff religiously

for years. And he's also on Twitter at Go Get My Lunch. You could see the all-time standings, the, you go back for years now and check out how we did in past drafts. I'm just going to give you heads up. It usually doesn't go well. And it's kind of fun. It's kind of fun. He's even got a soundboard over there on GoGetmylunch.org for some of the funny drops of all time. So go check that out. And Nick, thank you again for all that you've done for the show. All right. let's go let's get to it it's time mark sessler you know we've always um we've always waited for this mock draft because everyone's sick of the know it alls the people that they're bragging and they say oh here's mock point one point oh two point oh put me on nfl

network oh this is the tape i was chewing up i'm a real tape dog that's not you that's not Mark Sessler. I put in the work. I put in the work. I know who these guys are. I've watched a college football game. Like that's not you. What you do, you lay in the weeds and you wait till the draft Eve and then you drop a hammer that really affects the industry. And here we are again, the fourth annual Mark Sessler mock draft. How you feeling right now? Well, I'm feeling good. And I think you hit on something that all these other people doing so much work, I take a completely different approach, which is do essentially about 40 minutes of work and lean heavily on all these other tape guys that have done the hard work. In life, I think that just starts to make sense

as you creep up in age. And so I've leveraged that done very little, but I know the industry is waiting all eyes on what will happen over the next 30, 40 minutes. You're more honest. A lot of people. I think... Wait, this is going to last for 40 minutes? Well, the reverb. Like, I mean, you know, even after the show ends, he said he put 40 minutes of work into it.

And I think, I think you're just, you're just more honest. That's what we should call it. Mark Sessler's honest mock draft. Oh, I like that. The rest of them, come on. And you could be like, if you want to look at it from a different angle, you could be like, you know how Kyle Rand, good morning football, friend of the show,

he's turned his body into a temple, 24-7. His diet is outrageous. what the intake, the amount of working out he does in the gym and he studies all this, you're more like the seven-minute ads of the draft industrial complex. I mean, if that, if that, so you're absolutely right. All right, let's do it. All right, let's get to it.

All right, Ricky, I believe we have a... Mark's 2021 mock draft. F*** is. All right, how would you like... You want me just to read these off? How to just one by one? here you can comment nice you know that's nice set up okay go ahead all right with the first pick in the draft i'm not going to go like announce the same draft over and over like roger godell um

the jacksonville jaggors they take trevor lawrence we know that what do we even need to say about that yeah we probably don't do pick-by-pick analysis here okay number two the new york jets they take zach wilson of course they do quarterback b yu very smart moves and you know what's funny about that like we've heard so much now about why he's not the pick it actually weirdly makes me feel better about it because sam darnald checked all the boxes of a guy that would work didn't work this guy oh his schedule is soft his body frame's not right he's a kid from utah can't handle new york great all that makes sense it's why it's going to work this time it's the summer of george theory go ahead i'm totally with you number three pivot point in the 2021 draft the san francisco 49ers

annoy many by taking Mac Jones quarterback Alabama. Yeah, I'm surprised how many people are still keeping Lance or Fields in this spot. It's not that many. It's definitely the minority. Mac Jones is the popular pick. And I would be shocked if it's not Mac Jones at this point. And we talked about it on Tuesday's show, the Ian Rappaport report ruling out Justin Fields. You know, if you wanted to build an intrigue to the draft, but you didn't want to give it all away, that's the thing I wouldn't have given away. Justin Fields is the guy that's kind of like

the wild card if they would have drafted him. Ooh, that's very juicy. Now I'm just like, get it over with you're not taking Fields. One of these guys should be okay or not. I don't know. Go ahead. Number four, there's going to be a lot of reports of the Falcons. You know, the phones are going to be ringing. People want to get up there to get, you know, quarterback X. But they stay right at home and take Kyle Pitts, tight end out of Florida, possibly the best player in the entire draft. this is where either the mock draft industrial complex will like go off target or not because ESPN's now saying this pick is happening they're they're straight out reporting at Fowler and

Graziano so I and this is where everyone's got got pits I mean he needs to be is like he needs to be Tony Gonzalez great or whatever like DJ was on her show this month and said don't get hung up on these wider these tight ends coming to the league and not being as great as advertised this guy's basically a wide receiver in a tight end's body and all that stuff. Well, he better be a superstar because, as I've said, I think they have so much leverage here. They could do a franchise reset with this fourth pick potentially. But you know what? If Pitts is a super stud, it's the right move.

Yep. Number five, you know, I didn't just like create drama just for the sake of it. I think there are some safe things happening. There are reports that the Detroit Lions have tried to trade up to this spot where the Bengals are at. And the Bengals aren't having anything to do with it, which tells me is the Lions want to wide receiver that the Bengals do too. Jamar Chase, wide receiver, LSU, being paired with his old teammate, Joe Burrow.

Like it. I'd be bummed. I feel like I was thinking about a sandwich prop that Penny, what is it, Penny Sewell? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I can't, I'd be, if I'm a Cincinnati fan, I'm thinking, geez, we saw it right there.

We have this young quarterback that's such a stud, and we almost got him killed last year. and then you see this guy is seen as a real big time lineman prospect and he's sitting there for you and you go get a wide receiver i don't know i'm not about that it's interesting though because pits and and um and chase i think are as like universally beloved and as hyped and i think as like believed to be as safe and good a pick as any at their positions in the last eight 10 years and it's sort of been overshadowed because because of all these quarterbacks. But, like, I don't think Pitts. I think Pitts is coming in with a better pedigree than any tight end in 20 years at least, maybe ever. And then Chase is close.

So I get it. All right. Number six, Ricky, we have a trade. He-he, trade alert. Oh, wow. All right. All right. The Carolina Panthers move up to number six.

Yeah, I would imagine. The dolphins were here. The Panthers conducted trade with the dolphins. And they throw a little bit of a curveball. They take Trey Lance quarterback North Dakota State. Hmm. It would be fun. I like that.

I mean, this is where Mark's starting to set himself apart. So far, he's gone all chalk, and this is, this is spicy. This is special. Yeah, and I can't believe that it felt like such a good sandwich prop. Nobody threw out there the Panthers what they're going to do on draft day. And this, I like this one. You're flying now. You're finding out now what they're going to do.

Ricky, we have a trade at number seven. He, he, trade alert. All right, the New England Patriots. You know, Matt Patricia isn't there anymore, but they still have their little friends inside the building in Michigan, and they trade with the lions, and they go get Greg's boy,

Justin Fields, quarterback out of Ohio State. Hey, I love it. It's Mark's 2021 mock draft. I mean, you just, me some sandwiches. I don't know who are their friends inside Detroit's building. I'm unaware that like there's many people left over. Matt Patricia is with the Patriots though. So maybe that would help. Probably not. But I love it. Let's do it. You just want this. Why do I feel somewhat like obligated to let the audience know that yes, for better or worse,

many of the drops in the show, I work with Ricky. On this one, I was hands off. This is an Erica, Mark Sessler, drop joint. I want everybody to know. that all right keep going this goes back to my point early smart to wash your hands of that uh hey rickie number eight we have a trade he he trade alert now gregg's annoyed by that too all right the vikings the dolphins were sitting here at eight after the panthers trade the dolphins chris grere man he is on the silo sibin he is moving up and down the board he allows the vikings into the spot another trade the vikings go up and they get penesuel offensive tackle organ that's the one thing i think they might do if they were to move up the board.

Solidify that line for a change. I'm intrigued by the Vikings in this draft. I think they're an outside upset candidate to take a quarterback that falls to. That's possible. Number nine, the Denver Broncos, well, they're a little bit out of this quarterback mix. They weren't aggressive enough. They go, Patrick Sartan, quarterback Alabama. We just talked about him with Chase Good Bread on yesterday's show.

Can't do it. Did you move him in the draft just because I said you'd have him go to the Cowboys? That is correct. Thanks for your honesty. I appreciate it. That's amazing. A little peek behind the curtain there. Yeah, if the Denver Broncos go into 2021 with Drew Locke as the unquestioned starter, they get everything they deserve.

They will, trust me. All right. Number 10, the Dallas Cowboys, you know, they were divided. Some of them wanted Patrick Sartan, but, you know, a higher power came in and all. altered the result. They get J.C. Horn, South Carolina, cornerback. They need defense. They said they do it. Jerry Jones has his little Kyle Pitts fascination, but you're not getting them this time. Or ever. All right. The crowd's going wild. I was thinking of our guest. Do we want our guest to jump into this segment or we want to hold off for now? What do you think? I think we should give him his own

world. Okay, let's hold off. But we, I can, I can also, we're getting that part of the draft where you're feeling like, oh, you know, let's speed it up a little here. So New York Giants at number 11, Jalen Waddle, wide receiver, Alabama. Suddenly that offense looks fiery, spicy. This is my, this is my whole theory. If you're not sure on a young quarterback, build up around him and then give him a chance, which is kind of what I wanted to just do with Donald. Do it with Daniel Jones. If you have Kenny Galday and now you have Jalen Waddle and you have Evan Ingram and Sequin back and Sterling Shepherds in the mixed and that is a nice, that's a nice group. Okay. Yes, it is.

All right. Number 12, we have a trade, Ricky. He-he, trade alert. All right. Las Vegas trades with the Eagles to move up to number 12 and they get an offensive tackle they've needed out of northwestern Rashon Slater. Oh my gosh, Ricky. I mean, I know we're in the middle of a mock draft, but we have some big breaking news in real life,

which just blew up our whole show. Come on, people. The Panthers are trading quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the Broncos for a sixth round draft pick according to Tom Pelliserro. Nice to do, Tom. Wait, that just ruined my whole Broncos. Oh, I've just lost a sandwich drop, by the way.

Well, that, and you know what? Yeah, that, it felt like they were doing the Independence Day move. They didn't have anybody in the quarterback room behind Locke. And now they have, they have Teddy Gridboard. I just want a sandwich. Wait, I just want a sandwich. You said during the draft. You said during the draft.

Oh, no, that's a sandwich problem. That was locked in, baby. I didn't take you up on it. So ultimately, that gives me a chance to pat myself on the back. So I'll agree with that. I mean, winners and losers list, Patrick starts hand of the Broncos starting to look. Yeah, that looks better. That looks better.

Wow. I, you know, just before we move, I don't think that totally rules out the Broncos taking a quarterback in round one. This is a sixth round draft pick. And it's a long-term decision to take quarterback. And how can Drew Locke or Teddy Bridgewater confidently be there? long-term quarterback. So I don't think it totally rules it out, but it's certainly... What does it mean for the Panthers, too? So now you got Sam Darnold there. No true number two.

Donald's still holding his breath here. Put it that way. By the way, I heard for some... Set him up. Yeah, that's a good point, Dan. I think they might be taking... I know. Mark's got him moving up. And I just want to tell you all the Broncos fans out there when I kept pushing Teddy Bridgewater to Denver and they're like don't put that evil on us come on don't do that it's like I did put that evil on you and now he's on your team eat it oh my goodness yeah I like him if this is what the bronco solution is this is like four minutes after I made my last comment you're going to get what's coming to you and that's it it's just like drew or teddy bridgewater still not good enough it's a six round pick who's probably not going to make your team and you you I can I can confidently say their

quarterback position is better. If Drew Locke never plays another snap and you play Teddy Bridgewater and said, you're still not in good shape, but you're better at the most important position for this year. So it totally makes sense for a six-round pick. And I'm sure the Panthers are eating most of the money. Well, that's a big part of them from grabbing fields if he fell to him. If they ever passed over that because of Teddy Bridgewater, you know, go hide out in the Rocky Mountains for eight months. Totally good. What an interesting trade in the middle of this particular show. A very interesting all right keep going mark uh number 13 the chargers take micha parsons linebacker pen state uh number 14 this is where the vikings were the dolphins now finally sit home and this worked

out well for them devanta smith wide receiver alabama they pick up a bunch of picks and the guy they kind of wanted all along there it is and that's that would be like the area where with my sandwich prop if whoever is that guy that falls there go be aggressive and try to trade into that spot because that feels like a great value and just like with Daniel Jones you're not totally sure about Tua yet give him Will Fuller you know give him Devante Parker and now give him one of the top rookies um wide receivers in the draft class and see if he's playing that guitar some people might take set people think he's going to take them at six if this happened mark and I'm writing winners and losers like you know for

the website oh they'll get a lot of like A's and winners nothing you know and I I fall for too. No, you know, people like, nothing, people like more than trading back and getting, getting guys people know. That's dead on. All right, now, where the Patriots were, the lions are, and they take quidipay, edge out of Michigan. Not as, you know, maybe high octane as you would have thought they'd go, but they could have gone quarterback or wide receiver at seven, but that defense needs all sorts of help. So hard to pick who would be the first edge rush, right? I feel like one through six. It's like, pick your poison. Anyone, you know, different teams are going to like different guys.

Yep. All right. Washington now, we have a trade, Ricky. Wow. He, he, trade alert. I mean, the number of trades, maybe a secondary trade drop, but I'm out and that's the last thing. I've lost that one like 12 times, so I didn't go down that road. But this is a bit of a little more low-ock. They're only moving up four spots to where Arizona was, and they take Jeremiah, Uwasu, Karamoa, linebacker, Notre Dame, very versatile player.

Okay, okay. I like what I hear about him. I like what I hear earlier than people think, but I like the cut of this guy's jib. All right. We've got 17. The Eagles where the Las Vegas Raiders were, take Aziz, Ojalari, edge out of Georgia.

You weren't concerned about the medical stuff popping up their mark. Well, that's on the Eagles. You know, they've got a gigantic life-size cut out in Howie Roseman's office of Aziz, Ojolari, now. So all, you know, chips to the end of the table. All right, now the dolphins, again, at number 18, take Jalen Phillips, edge out of Miami, a run on edge rushers.

Very nice. All right. Now 19, where Washington was. Arizona takes Elijah Vera Tucker, offensive line USC. Smart pick. EVT. EVT.

Yeah, they need help in multiple positions. It doesn't even matter where they play them. Sensible pick. And that gets other teams a little concerned about the offensive line scenario. So the Chicago Bears, you know, as underwhelming as possible, sitting at number 20, take Christian Darrisaw, offensive tackle, Virginia Tech.

That should help Andy Daldon throw for 200 and 2,500 yards and 12 touchdowns next season. So your mock draft in some ways was a way to get another shot at Ryan Pace and the Bears organization. The Bears are in a no-win scenario here. They're picking at 20. There's almost nothing they can do outside of trading for Russell Wilson that will satisfy anyone. But there will be whispers that they tried to trade up into this top 10 area to get a quarterback, and teams just wouldn't let it happen. Number 21, the Indianapolis cult, Tevin Jenkins, offensive tackle, Oklahoma State. You know, they got their left tackle as

retired. That's just a need. You've got to address that line. Right. That was a need over, that was a need that they addressed right there. Number 22, the Tennessee Titans, Greg Newsom, cornerback, Northwestern. Ooh. One of the, one of the props I was thinking of throwing in, but it seems a little too dorky for sandwiches was over five and a half cornerbacks. I think there's going to be a lot of cornerbacks, and here's one of them. I'm with you. All right. Now, would I like to maybe alter this for something a little, maybe more logical?

Yes, but I care about our show more, and I know where Dan's heart lies. Number 23, the New York Jets take Landon Dickerson's Center out of Alabama. He will play nine straight years without missing a game. Stick it, Draft Knicks. I'm going to do something that's never happened in the history of the around the NFL podcast sandwich prop guy if landon dickerson goes to the jets even though dan didn't give it as a sandwich i'm just going to give dan a sandwich just just for putting it out into the universe and it gives us some excitement with and i was going to i thought about that as a sandwich prop but i was just like you know

i'm already in deep on this guy and i need to be losing sandwiches because you know i don't lose one i don't gain one if i'm right yeah no i got you i got you no i appreciate that but i have you know checked in with some sparrows as the insider and everyone's saying the same thing that this guy is first-round player that just no one's going to pull the trigger because of the injuries. Even if he was doing cartwheels with a recently repaired ACL tear during pro-day, which seems crazy to me that he did that. But he also played in the championship game on the 20s. I'm taking the L just for sentimentality right there.

Thanks, buddy. Number 24, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Uh-oh, Greg. Najee Harris running back, Alabama. Nice. They have to. They don't have to, actually. They could go offensive line, but they don't love what's there.

They don't have to at all. They don't have to at all. I mean, you can find, how about Tray Sermon in the second round? You can find a second round running back. Your offensive line is garbage. And if there's some value there in the offensive line or cornerback or wherever, take. I'm sort of just saying in this mock draft, they don't like what happened here because a lot of offensive linemen have vanished. The Steelers are way too sensible and sorry, boring and successful, by the way, to do it.

But I still would love to see them get crazy and go get a quarterback in the first round. But it's probably not going to happen. All right. Number 25, the Jacksonville Jaguars take Christian Barmore, defensive tackle, Alabama. There are concerns if he's coachable. But Urban Meyer seems to be the guy who understands the college culture and the college players, and he doesn't feel concerned about Barmore's attitude. I mean, he understands them before they get a five-year guaranteed, you know, contract that pays them like $30 million. We'll see if you can handle a player then. A little different here in the pros. Number 26, the Cleveland Browns, you know, they were very into Caleb Farley, but there are, you know, the medicals are starting to become an issue.

They go Gregory Rousseau, Edge out of Miami. They don't think the Judeavian Clowny is enough at that position. So let's settle down, everyone. Number 27, the Baltimore Ravens, Jalen Mayfield, offensive tackle. They got put in a little bit of a tough spot here. They had to go look for the best linemen available out of Michigan. Greg, your Saints at number 28, take Zaven Collins, linebacker. out of Tulsa so if he's living in a dorm he could just continue to live there he doesn't even

need to relocate it's a very seamless pickup i mean this guy i think this is the the patriots under Tulane or Tulsa Tulsa oh actually right it's it's Tulsa did you say two lines no i said Tulsa so he would need to leave his dorm room that would be weird if he stayed in Tulsa it is pretty far though he did have a pick six to win a game in overtime uh and against Tulane. And it is funny to watch him play Tulane. He is a 270-pound off-ball linebacker who is a valedictorian and wants to be like a doctor and looks like a man amongst. He's a fascinating guy. He feels like the guy the Patriots will take at 15 and everyone will go crazy because, you know, no one sees him going to high. Good value for the Saints. At number 29, the Green Bay Packers take

Gadarius Tony wide receiver out of Florida. They finally do what everyone hope they would I feel like they're like they're making a point now to stick it to everybody and be like, we're not going to do what you want us to do and take a wide receiver ever. I think it'd be funny if they took another quarterback, starts just like filled out that depth chart. Yeah, I think I probably definitely got that one wrong. All right, number 30, uh-oh, Greg, Buffalo Bills, Javanta Williams, running back, North Carolina. They love him. It's not too early to take a running back.

In your draft, I already lost that running back prop, and now you're just sticking it to me. But yeah, that would be bad. You're exactly right. Number 31. This is Baltimore's pick from the Kansas City trade for Orlando Brown Jr. They take Trevin Morrig safety TCU. That's a Baltimore type of thing. If the Ravens have two first-round picks and they don't take a receiver, I mean, Lamar should start picketing outside the building or something. Well, he will be. More chaos. We invite it. Oh, last pick in the draft. We have a trade, Ricky. He-he. Trade alert. It's the laugh. It's the laugh that's disturbing.

So does the idea that there's a trade, is that what triggers the flatulence? Or is it the flatchin? I don't know. Just what's the connection? I like it. I think I would actually suggest that Ricky was maybe had a little bit more to do with that part of it. So we could ask her when the time is right. It was like a chili cookoff or something.

She came straight here. Yeah, I bet that's what was happening. Go ahead. So the bucks allow the Falcons back into this 30 second spot. And they might be dealing with this for years to come. Uh-oh, Greg, Travis E.TN running back out of Clemson. Falcons need a running back. They don't like the jets sitting there, you know, two picks later.

Everybody afraid of the jetts. So three running backs in the first round. I went, I go zero. No, that would have been a good sandwich prop. Yeah, that would have been bold. All right. But running nude through the croix water. Marks 2021 mock draft.

I unfortunately don't think about dogs, but I would wish in a while. that's good mark good job mark good good stuff well rickie everyone except that now how do you how do you count a win sorry not to uh like you have to match the team with with the player to count as a as a right answer because you had so many trades it gets a little confusing here i think team right player would be a win right way to do it the spot is less important i guess and i what constitutes success there mark how many how many getting right are you feeling like you're a winner 19 19 out of 32 there it is okay so we'll track that we'll circle back on saturday if you get 19 or more mark should host the show for the rest of the opposite and then i will take so host every show

and if that if linda dickerson's one of them i'll take one of those sandwiches and and give it straight to mark because you deserve it my friend all right rickie let's do it if you're acoustic by the way i just found a safe base is this how are the acoustic you're safe with us, Spice Rat. Well, I shaped two days ago, then you reschedule me, but it's going to have seen your freaking faces. Imagine if Jonathan Williams would have taken the league by storm. You know, Tua Tua is about, is fun of college football players I've ever seen in my life.

This is what we're doing with the clown music here. This is a, so it's a guy you're sticking your name to. Antoine Winfield, Jr. Cole McDonald, the quarterback at Hawaii. He's a pretty good athlete. and he will absolutely let a rip-down field. Cole McDonald. Cole McDonald.

There is the legend himself. Well, you heard Chris Wessling, a legend for all times. And Chris Wessling had a friend in the desert. In fact, we called him this individual, Chris Wessling's Desert Consiglieri for all things gambling Excuse me

Sports wagering Sports betting? I don't know Anyway Now For I believe the fourth time On the program Here he is

Spice rack Welcome back to the Around the NFL podcast You're muted, buddy We'll edit it out But you're muted Don't edit it out Mistakes happen on live television

Greg, nobody ever told you that It's not television The podcast, but we can't see spicy This isn't live on NFL network Next year We're working towards that And you know, Spice I think, and you did request

Feel free to introduce me as the Midwest's Preeminent Longshot Part lay better. Kind of like that. Let's catch up a little bit first. You are no longer in the desert, correct? In my heart, I am, but in your heart. I'm there maybe once every two months, primarily in Cincinnati. Yes. And Cincinnati, of course, where you met the great Chris Wesleying, and I know it was important to you and important to us, before we dig into all the fun and making your annual draft predictions. And by the way, we have our fun.

But Spicey is as educated as they get. This man is a college football fanatic, and he has good instinct. So, yes, for every Jonathan Williams miss, and everybody's got missed. I don't think that was all the way I miss. I don't think that was all the way I miss. How about Old McDonald?

Yeah, that was all the way I miss. I mean, he was a seventh round pick, Cole McDonald, and he's still in the league. So, you know, he only afraid of it. If he, Cole McDonald, if you want to have a Cole McDonald pod on the heels of a theology pod, relax, Greg. All right. Okay. He was the first player cut from the last draft.

Tough sitch. Tough sitch. Tough sitch. But anyway, before we dig into the predictions, and I want you to share your thoughts about where you're at, you know, now a couple months since Chris passed. I know Wes was a very important figure in your life, Spicey. Azuse, I don't even know how to, honestly, we just had a couple minutes of jokes there, but I don't even know how to transition into this, really. I mean, to say it's someone that I think about every day or like multiple times every day

is such an understatement. He, I mean, even, you know, as the Red season fired up, you know, it became a little more difficult, to be honest. me it's there's nothing that happens in a reds game two three times a game that i don't immediately think you know i would have texted west right then and there shaky shaky bullpen guy or like an intriguing young fella you know it's like it's it's uh i mean he's on my mind constantly i'm sure and i know he is you guys too no and go ahead no go ahead now i was going to say louis costillo the ace of the reds who's struggling i drafted him to my fantasy league in a way is a nod to

Wes. And it's like, let's ride together with Castilla as an ace. His struggles, like I think the same thing. I want to text Wes and talk about is this guy going to get back on track? I mean, West was such a great friend, but such an amazing sports friend to just shoot the S about. And spicy, we are going to the Reds

Dodgers game today in honor of West. So just a little nugget right there. Boy, I got to tell you, the Reds won each of the last two nights against the defending champs. I don't I don't like their chances too much tonight. Well,

Kershaw's a little more hittable than he used to be right now. I spoke with Spicy pretty soon after you know, West died and and you said something, you know, that really stuck with me about how much West believed in you.

You know, you became friends with West through his family. Which Wesleyan brother was it? That was like, because you're three years younger than West that you were close with and you kind of got to know Wes as an older brother. Yeah, no, Greg, I'm actually, I don't know, maybe six years younger than him and the connection actually is that he was um my it's going to

sound weird but i used to see him a lot when i was younger he was my neighbor's cousin's boyfriend i know that sounds crazy but he used to be over a lot and then uh i don't know you you know we just clicked right away we connected right away i think he identified me as someone who uh what was that extra level of sports obsessive you know he he he he recognized a younger chris in that regard i'm by no means as smart as or as well read as west was but uh just on that sports front just that extra level of passion passion on every front really you know just like it and it never and it never stopped and so uh but yeah no i'm from the second i met him we yes we clicked and we connected and we always like we were always in like regular touch

but i he became someone that was like a measuring stick on every level you know like we were early in the fantasy football game like i always measured myself against him and anything i ever put out to the public i always thought to myself you know what would west think or if he thought it was silly or you know i had to check myself a lot and you know uh and he checked me a lot you know when we were younger and I mean you have sort of rambling at this point but no I mean that's we're kind of we relate to everything

you're saying especially what you said about how you know having a thought or a take about sports and you kind of hoped it passed that West test because we respected him so much from that standpoint and like you know when we talk about how do you honor the memory of West like going to the Red Dodgers matinee today and Lakeisha is actually going to be there with Link and she doesn't know that we're going,

so we're going to surprise her, and that's going to be a nice moment. And the fact spicy that you are on the podcast today, that is honoring Wes because he did love you. I wouldn't know all you guys. I wouldn't know all you guys obviously without, without Wes. Exactly. So West stays connected to us forever. And, you know, as that transition, Wes loved having you on the show. And Wes was, you heard him at the end of that clip.

I think it might be the first time we played him on the show since he passed away. He was the one that called out. Was that old McDonald's, which I always love, one of my favorite lines in podcast history? So this is what we're going to do. Let's transition now because of Wes can listen. He's listening right now. He wants to hear. We want to hear the spice rack sleepers, the guys, not even sleepers necessarily,

although we welcome sleepers, of course. But the guys that spice rack loves and feels very confident are going to translate from one level to the top level of professional football. The runway is yours, spicy. Take off, baby. You know what? Let's start this runway with a, let's defer to Mr. Rosenthal over there in the top right. Whoa.

Wow. You already know. I'm saying you tell. I hear you. I know where you're going. Tell them what you know. Well, what I know is before this college football season even started, I started getting the texts about Kyle Pitts.

Before, you know, before this season, that not only was he going to be the best player in the upcoming draft, but that he's maybe the best player spice rack has ever seen and that he's going to change the game and that this is this is you know pre pre this 2020 season and now we're coming into the draft where where basically every evaluator is right on board with you after watching that that 2020 season and I think we've almost short drifted him here because there hasn't been a tight end prospect in my lifetime with this sort of juice and sort of attention not Vernon Davis not Kellan Winsle, none of these tight ends.

Like you saw Kyle Pitts as a different guy before this season. I can only imagine after what he did in 2020, you feel it even stronger. You know, no, thanks for the talk up there. No need to watch a Kyle Pitts highlight tape when you've already watched 15 of his games. Nah, Ricky, knock it off. This isn't the episode for that, Ricky. Don't try to control the program. Just roll with it.

I think if she's going to play that music, she should show her face. It's going to send a five. It is a different experience being able to see Spice. I know, Rick. I met. I met Ricky Hollywood. Yeah, sure.

He's a big guy. I wouldn't have known that Spicey's like six foot. I don't know what he is. He's tall. He's a striking, you know, he's intimidating. That's why Eric, shut the music off. Go ahead, Spicey. What's next? Damn straight. All right. Now I feel rushed, but exactly,

Ricky, exactly. If you have anything to say on Pitts, say it. I mean, I mean, I, I had, the highest order. You know what, Ricky? That's a bold move. That's a, you know what, Ricky? That's a bold move. And I respect it. On the Kyle Pitts front, you know, uh, he's like, uh, he will transform any offense from day one. he will uh he's a contender day you know year one to lead the NFL and touchdowns

wow wow okay now we're talking here it's uh it's so obvious that he's a mismatch problem you know uh he he's one of the few he might be the only tight end i've seen since shannon sharp to be able to catch one at eight or ten yards and take it 70 okay all right uh shannon sharp was like six one or six two two he he was i mean i don't know how how much blocking kyle pitts is going to do but certainly his run after the catchability is wait so spicy he did plenty of blocking i'm talking yeah yeah i but you know who cares about that right i don't i don't i don't care if he can as a cincinnati native the idea of joe burrow throwing a kyle pitts do you think that's a hall of fame connection

you know what i is as is as bullish as i am on joe burrow now and then and and everything in between uh i'm i feel more confident putting Kyle Pitts and canton right now whoa yeah it's that's not uh that's not listen okay so i was speaking to Greg on a phone just the other you know maybe a week ago or so and and i was saying to him you know uh it's he's not like the toughest prospect the spot he jumps off the screen it's not one of those guys where you hear his name hear his name at the end of the game he has three for 38 he's i mean he is he's a problem non- okay let's let's uh let's let's let's roll on spicy what else you got just if i could stick if i could stick on pits for a second he no well let me just say i mean i i i've just put him

in the hall the whole name not enough put him in the whole thing what else needs to be said i'm telling you is great as he is after the catch man in the red zone and on jump balls i mean he's he's already pretty much in a class of his own i mean they could put him in this year's hall of fame there's you know our ceremony coming up in august you know arthur smith in atlanta i don't think he's going to get to cincinnati i think that's a nice a nice fit all right spicy now we got we have limitations we got to get to dodger stadium spicy i mean to see your Reds and root for the Reds. So let's keep rolling here.

Yeah. Is that a question? No, what else you got? What else you got, spicy? I know, I got a lot of guys. What are you talking about? Well, your second favorite after Pitts? Who's the mid-round guy?

Or who's some, it doesn't have to be mid-round, but who is a guy that you really believe in that you think will get called Thursday night in first round? Well, I got to tell you, I, you know, I don't, I should, Elijah, more should get drafted. Again, another thing, Greg, as I was telling you the other day, I've been prone to falling in love with, you know, the undersized, shifty, you know, punt return ability type guy, you know, the guys who light up seven on seven and spring games and that kind of thing. But, you know, you can't, you know, you can't change your stripes.

I'm going to stick with Elijah Moore. He could haunt Mark. I could totally see him being one of the Ravens picks at 27 or 31 and catching like 80, 90 balls and being the guy that Lamar Jackson needs. I don't like that at all. I think between him and as well as Tony, that at Florida, to me, both guys seem like just studs slot guys. just studs in the slot and uh who's the best quarterback in this class spicy the best quarterback yeah is it Trevor Lawrence is he going to be the best pro coming out of this class or do you see somebody else yes no I take Trevor Lawrence and don't think twice to not take him that's a given

he's going there but as far as uh just upside he's the most ready day one 18 year old I've ever period. He lived up to the hype immediately. He, within two or three weeks or whatever it was, overtook the starting spot from a guy who, just the previous season, started, you know, a Final Four game or national, whatever it was, Final Four game, I think, Kelly Bryant, who eventually transferred to Missouri, started, like, immediately as a true freshman, overtook the starting spot, you know, before the end of September and upgraded the team, you know, from day one. It wasn't a long-term play.

It was right then and there. So, and the one thing to, you know, to factor in with Trevor Lawrence, if he gets a clever play caller, do not under sell his athleticism, just his ability to run with the football. It doesn't mean you want to run read option with him. It doesn't mean you want him lowering his shoulder in games. But this guy is fast. like, I mean, he can, like, run by safeties.

So, I mean, he's a slam thump. One of the best looking prospects I've ever seen. Who do you want to talk about? Who you want to put the spice rack stamp on when we're playing those clips next year? And we bring up Antoine Winfield. That was a big win. Antoine Winfield. I think that's a good guy here.

I see because I want to help you by narrowing it down so you can focus in on it. Who is somebody in this draft that's not getting a lot of first, like, like first round hype or anything like that. But you can see becoming a pretty much an immediate starter, a Provolve type player, maybe even an all pro type player. Who's that guy that people aren't quite seeing how good he is? First of all, why hasn't Mark asked me a question? I am just a sponge sort of soaking in the knowledge.

And I mean that. But also I'm this podcast isn't hosted by 30 guys. It's fair. It's fair. Well, I'm waiting to find out what I'm not buying time, spicy. talk about here let's go i'm not buying i'm not buying time mark mark mark knows where to hit his spots what i need from you right now give me that guy and then cessler i think is going to follow up with something himself and then everybody wins what do you got well how about if we're talking running

backs all right which uh obviously everyone knows you don't draft one early all that stuff and uh just uh you know you just can't be too sure with it with any of these guys and it's it's almost a not worth talking about um sell it javante williams at north carolina baby yeah okay let's talk i like him i watch a lot of football with um now i'm telling you i have not done the mock draft prep mock draft prep or you know like i this is not what i do all day i bet on baseball okay i track about 15 baseball games a day. That's where I spend my time. You know, but I watch games. I watch more games than anybody. Just period. I watch more games than anybody. And so I'll have during college football season, like six or seven screens up at once. And you can only have a volume on one,

all right? North Carolina, every time I look up at this North Carolina game, there's a dude taking 170, take him one 30, or like leaning on a defense, six, seven. 11. I mean, just, you know, he, he just stood out to me. Little Frank Gore vibe, I think. He's my, a little bit of a young Frank Gore vibe. A little bit of a young Frank Gore vibe. But I thought, I mean, this has, you know, no disrespect to Najee Harris or even like Jared Patterson and Buffalo. I mean, Jared Patterson at Buffalo, man for like 4,000 yards on six yards of carry. Yeah, he didn't have that, like, all the tread and the tie. You know, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's relative.

relatively fresh, but he ran for 4,000 yards in college. I just wouldn't put it past it. I also had a 400-yard game, but he's, I wouldn't put it past a guy like him either. But it's tough. I mean, if you're not a good receiver from the start out of the backfield, it's, it's, you know, you almost become a, like a, not a gimmick, but you become a change of pace kind of guy, just a hammer as opposed to an all-around guy. I mean, Spencer Brown, a UAB, another running back.

I really like him. he has like seven career receptions you know he's 510 210 or you know you know 511 2 15 or whatever the heck he is but he's like he's never caught the ball so like he's got the size you want but does he have everything else you see right spicy yes we've talked to all offensive players yeah learned a lot let's flip it to defense in your i don't i don't i'm sure they're technically sound um surefire bets who is the nastiest defender in this draft in your opinion from what you've seen the nastiest i mean like someone that's going to come in and be like this the attitude of this defense now circles around this player like a

son a couple years from now you know uh zaylan collins at tulsa linebacker he's one of these guys again you know i was just talking about north carolina games this goes even more so with Tulsa games. It's not one I have the, if I'm watching seven, five, six, seven at once, I don't have the volume on a Tulsa game, okay? But you have money on it and you're tracking it and you just keep seeing this guy make every single play. You know, he's not a combine warrior. He's like a, as long as I live, I will never forget seeing the one and only time Calil Mac ever played, or like the only time I ever saw Calilow Mac play. Came in with all kinds of of hype they played ohio state in september and i'm telling you within the first three minutes

you couldn't believe what you were seeing he this guy's not like that of course and they played positions and all that but zaving collins at tall so he's not going to be one of these guys that flame out after three or four years i mean this guy's like yeah this dude's all right here we go in summation kyle pits elijah moore trevor lawrence is as good as advertised givante williams over at unc spencer brown another option in the backfield zay and Collins from Tulsa. These are spicy stars for 20, 21. And Spice, let them know where they could find you on Twitter.

And I sincerely mean this, I sincerely mean this. Having you on the show is like a part of West being here. So we love having you here. Just want to let you know that. I, listen, I feel comfortable. When I met you guys, I spent maybe six, eight horrible months. in Los Angeles, but I met all you guys, you know, multiple times, got to hang out with you guys. Zeus came to your home, you know, but I felt like I knew you guys from the start.

So that was, you know, I mean, it was just, it was just nice. No, that was nice. That was, I like, that was like, John Lennon had his lost, I think it was like a lost weekend in Los Angeles. I think it's more than that, but you, but yeah, it mimicked what spicy he brought to the, to the, plus there was no warning to it. It was just like one weekend, suddenly you were just like at Wes's house and West was like, oh, yeah, I think Spicey's hanging out for a few months. If you're comparing me to John Lennon, I'll take it. Spice rack. That's my interpretation of what I look them up.

I don't, we don't reveal real name. You can read, yeah. My name is Brad Spicer. There's nothing wrong with it. Oh, they're real name. We didn't know if it was like, you know, like something like a stage name and you wanted to keep your private life private. But look them up, Brad Spicer on Twitter. and spicy what's that you okay no not really but go ahead go ahead because we had this nice

you know we had this nice finish to the show continue on no do you have something you want to get off your chest before we say goodbye uh probably i already forgot what it was though okay maybe all right save it and then next year with me it has to do you know if you're going to tell me or tell people how to reach out to me do so properly You want the Twitter name? I don't want to read anything because I have underscores my name. That's the kind of thing you guys make fun of. Our little diva guest here, this is where you could find Bradley Allen Spicer at Spice underscore Rack underscore MD.

But he's not a doctor. Parley doctor. To be honest, I have one. I know you want to wrap it up. We got to go. We got to get to. Ricky's ready to go home. I need more interact. I need the briefest interaction with Mark Sessler, but I'm not, I mean, I don't get to see you guys anymore.

Cess, for some reason I thought going into today, I was going to be talking to you a lot. Well, look, I mean, the floor was yours, and you have my phone number. We can chat any time, and we can, you know, the phone lines are open. I didn't want to eat up. I just did an entire mock draft before you came on, so people were very tired of me. The reason why you didn't hear from Mark is like, no. Dan and I will cut in. I'm saying right now, I need some Sessler back and forth.

Like Mark, if you could say anything to me right now, what would it be? Well, I'll tell you something. I remember speaking with you in early February, and I learned a lot about your story. And I feel like when I met you in person, too, that, you know, I knew the spicy that showed up on her show a couple times. And there was something that happened in Vegas with Dan that remains a mystery. But getting to know the real spicy, there's a lot of depth and layer to you. And I feel like even though I know you a little bit more than I did, there are so many more countries inside of you to still get to know. So the adventure continues, Spicerack.

There you go. Is that good? Yeah, it was good. I wanted to quite, I want a dialogue is what I wanted. But you got a monologue instead. All right, well, you have to settle. Which from Sessler. Wait, guys, can I just say one thing if we can go back to the early days podcast?

We really got to go, Spicey. Really got to go. There's L.A. traffic. We got to get to Dodger Stadium. Your Reds against the Doyers, big game, Kershaw against Sunny Gray. It's not personal, but we really got to go, buddy. But what do you got? It doesn't matter.

It did matter, but it doesn't matter. No, go ahead. What are you going on? I'll remember this one. Don't worry about it. All right. You're spicy. You know we love you.

Come back anytime. There we go. Spice. You know what I'm okay. You want to. I don't know what I was going to say. All right. Go ahead.

You know, I'm not, I'm not stalling. I literally forgot when you just asked me about 10 seconds ago. Okay. I came back to me regarding a Mark monologue, will you gentlemen, Dan and Greg, will you agree with me that in the early days of the podcast, I'm talking some of the funniest content you guys have ever had. Right. Was Mark reading his, doing his live reads with Mr.

Flames' economics class. I'm talking, I know that's like, much of our best work was very early. I know that's a deep cut and stuff like, no, I don't mean that. I told you about an hour ago that you're a superstar at this, okay, in the most sincere way possible. I know, Spice. I'm just having to. Well, do you? Thank you, Spice.

Thank you. Okay. Way back then. You guys agree, Greg Dan? Of course. We absolutely agree. Of the classics of the Degger. Okay.

All right. I love you, Spice. We love you, buddy. Bye-bye. That guy is that guy is the best. He's an experience. Somehow after all that, though,

Erica, cutting him off the screen still felt abrupt. Somehow, there was no way. He was like mid-prayer. Well, that was what I was trying to say was the only reason Dan and I were the ones that talked, where especially me, I'm the only one rude enough to, like, cut him off mid-talk

because otherwise it was just going to be one thing and I wanted to, you know, steer it. Conversationally, it's not a good, Mark Sessler and Spicey are not a good, like, yin and yang in terms of the conversation. Mark's not a guy that's usually going to jump in to try to transition or change a subject or that's just the – Spicey just didn't understand that element again.

A lot of chaotic energy between the two of them. I wasn't trying to, like, ignore him if that's what he – I mean, when we've spoken in person, I really liked our talks, but I didn't want to pull us out of orbit because I thought he is, you know. You know, I wish – Your post-gate thoughts on Spicey's ladies? that that was great i love it and no i watch your actual thoughts erika share them come um no i just i feel like i need like maybe a zanax or something to like calm down a little bit

because i was like a little bring brings a live wire yeah i love it though i love him he's great and and he he really like in the days after west pass you know i wish you we my conversation with him was as meaningful as with anyone just hearing what he meant to West so we're all going through that that that's part of it too we're all growing through that and like he really looked up to him as a as a mentor and when when he said like west believing in him and he gave some examples from from his life like that really resonated with me because i know that's true for a lot of people like when west believed he showed like the confidence in them as a person like how much that meant so we we have that in common too

and i can't wait till next year's uh draft prospects when this chaos happens again rickie when you have to cut together the clip of best of spicy i feel like there's going to be a lot of options from this, uh, this particular episode in 2021. All right. Here we go. Uh, yes. Awesome. We're headed in Dodger Stadium.

We're going to surprise Lakeisha and Link. It's going to be great. Erica, you're driving, right? So you can come pick me up whenever you can. Um, and then, uh, we'll be back tomorrow night, Thursday night, late night. Check your podcast app of choice and it will be there. Our round one recap. Uh, so that's the next time you'll hear this show.

So everybody get ready. ready. The weight is over. The draft is here. Thank you to Spice Rack. Thank you to you, the listeners. And we will see you in about 36 hours with more, more podcast content breaking down. Finally, round one of the 2021 NFL draft. Until then, keep the call. You know, So, We're going to be able to be. I'm going to be able to be.

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