The Fumblerooski Podcast - Extra Security -Ep 197 The Fumblerooski Podcast

Episode Date: July 4, 2023

Who are the top-5 tight ends in the NFL? How will the NFC East stack up? Can the Cowboys usurp the Eagles for NFC East supremacy, or can the Giants make some noise? CJ Medeiros and Justin Tucker debate these topics and more!

Here's Edelman broken up and the pass is no sign yet. Edelman comes down with a football, they're saying it's a catch. It's caught! It's a catch! To Gates! Side-line! Touchdown! Unbelievable! Swings it way down the field to Watkins!

Sammy Watkins for the touchdown! Touchdown! Good evening. You are listening to the Fungrooski Podcast by Power 88 Dean Radio and Secret Web Consulting. I'm CJ Medeiros, and with me is my good friend and co-host, Justin Tucker. So today, we're probably going to have a quick episode, hopefully, because we have the top five tight ends. That's right, kids. We're moving on to the offense. We're previewing the NFC East. And of course, we have our fan box where we ask you, who's the most underrated tight end? Now, let's get rocking. Let's get rolling with our list of the top five tight ends in the NFL.

Justin, would you care to kick us off? I'm going to go with number five, Dallas Goddard, tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles. I thought he had a good year with Jalen Hurts. I've always thought he's been a top five guy for some time, but I now think he's finally getting the credit that he deserves. Interesting. Dallas Goddard is certainly one of the better tight ends in the league, which is weird. I just want to point out to everyone at home,

and I think Justin and I can agree, the tight end position is very top heavy. You've got the cream of the crop, the top 10, and then a bunch of randos so i feel like top eight and then the yeah probably just goes down and so for my number five i have darren waller the new tight end of the new york giants skill wise he can't be denied he's got great hands he's fast he's a good route runner and he's got a new home in the big apple so the old and oftentimes he's considered top three and

the only reason why he's not number three for me is because he's coming off an injury and an injury which basically hampered him to nine games and even still across nine games he only had 388 yards and three touchdowns i think a change of scenery is just going to be exactly what he needs i agree funny enough he was actually going to be my number four because of the transition he's moving over to new york and another weapon that Daniel Jones would go to he moved up for me I'm I was thinking of putting uh Dallas got it fourth but I was like Darren Waller's actually going to like a better system in New York and I'm not going to say a better quarterback because I don't believe that right now I don't care if he goes from Derek Carter Daniel Jones I don't believe in Danny Dimes that's just a lateral step if i'm being honest just a bunch of mid right now to say so the least

but i i believe in uh darren darren waller to make daniel jones look like a pro bowl caliber quarterback quarterback i think it will be a benefit to the new york giants who were who were a playoff team adding weapons to help their new franchise quarterback. I didn't think I was going to say that today, but their new franchise quarterback in Daniel Jones and complement that defense that they have. So overall, I think Darren Wall will be a benefit to that team. Now, if he can stay healthy, which is a big if, because he has some questions on that side of the ball. From time to time, he'll miss some games. But overall, I still think he's a benefit to that team.

And, oh, I think he can help them in more ways than one. Yeah. So my number four. And by the way, in case you guys couldn't tell, our good friend Adam Wright couldn't be here. But he did. But he did text us his list. And I'm shocked that, like, nobody had him top five. But my number four is TJ Hawkinson.

What? Is that really so egregious? No, it's not egregious. He just didn't make it in mine. That's fair. So last season played for two teams and was basically the third option on a stacked Vikings team and yet managed to get 86 catches, 914 yards and six touchdowns. Speaking of somebody who had him in fantasy, I can assure you this man is, he's great. He kind of reminds me of like Gronk in a way, you know,

just with his contested catchability and just the power that he plays with. So a lot of people I think would be concerned that Hawkinson, you know, is obviously second behind Justin Jefferson. But without Adam Thielen there, and you have an unproven rookie in Jordan Addison, I'd expect to see Hawkinson get a little more involved in the Vikings offense. I don't think so. I think they're going to try Jordan Addison right away, which is why I believe he won't get as many receptions as he did last year.

I still think he'll get like 70-something, but not like 80. I don't see it. We'll see. I mean, I don't see Jordan Addison performing better than Thielen, but that's just me. Really, as a rookie? You don't think he can come and give you 800 yards? No, he can, but I just think Hawkinson is just going to get a lion's share

of the targets, especially in the red zone. Yeah, that's fair. That's neither here nor there. I think we'll target him in the red zone. Mm-hmm. Alrighty. We're now down to the netting, Grady. We're in here nor there. I think we'll target him in the red zone. Mm-hmm. Alrighty. We're now down to the netting gritty. We're in the top three, aren't we?

Yes, we are. My number three is George Kittle. Now, if he could stay healthy for a full season, he's my number one guy because I like the way he blocks and receives the ball. And after the catch. He's just overall the package at the tight end spot. But again, I'm a little worried about his injuries and whether or not he can stay on the field, which is why he gets bumped down to number three.

But if he could stay on the field, I don't have to make an argument for him. This guy is a beast in the run game, passing game. You can use him on end of rounds. You can use him in many different ways. It's just, you can put them in motion. It's just a matchup nightmare, no matter where you put them. You can even put them on edge rushers and he can still give you a good block. Just watching him play, it's very impressive the way he plays, even though over the years, his receiving yards have gone down just a tiny bit. But overall, looking at the tight end spot, I really don't think from a

healthy standpoint, I don't think there's anybody better at being a tight end than George Kittle. He just fits the position from mindset to work ethic to all around he just fits yeah i i'm inclined to agree which is why george kittle is also my number three so the thing is with kittle you hit the nail right on the head it's injuries the injury bug has hit him hard but what secures him a spot above guys like waller goddard and uh excuse me and hawkinson is just the sheer amount of touchdowns he gets he got 11 touchdowns last year despite battling injury and while his yardage has gone down he's still just i mean you put it better than i could. That man is darn near unstoppable when he's on the field. Keyword when. It hurts. It hurts watching him because he's just so good.

He just can't stay on the field. And that running game they have in San Francisco, I don't think it'd be as good as it is without George Kittle on that team. Yeah, that's a valid argument. Who's your number two? Oh, man, I was fighting demons with this oh man oh god this was egregious to me oh man it oh it hurts it hurts to do this but my number two guy the one i put number two is my guy, Mark Andrews. He was without question going to be number one. But I looked at the season Travis Kelsey had and fresh off a Super Bowl.

I'm like, I can't be nasty with it. I can't be egregious with it. Oh, he just won a Super Bowl. I can't be this way. Mark Andrews is without a doubt the second best tight end in the league because he can stay healthy and can do everything I want to say Kittle can do, just minus the blocking ability. I think Kittle is a better blocker, but he can stay on the field. He can block, he can catch, he can receive, he can do under rounds, he can do

what the offense needs him to do. He can even play X out wide. And when the Ravens need him, he can go up and catch a pass when he's being doubled because he's unstoppable in the middle of the field. When Lamar Jackson needs someone to go to, he always looks for 89 and for good reason. The only issue is there's one guy that's just a little bit better than him at the tight end spot. As much as it pains me to say, even though I wanted to put him number one, Adam had him number one, which, by the way, isn't here. I wanted to agree with Adam, but I was like,

I can't put my bias in the way of this. Mark Andrews is number two, but there's only a real number one guy here. Yeah. Mark Andrews is also my number two. And, well, I mean you you put it pretty well and i want to put out the reason i also have him over kittle is one because of health and also he's i actually think he's gonna get more targets even though the ravens added guys

like odell and zay flowers because lamar has verbally committed to throwing the ball more, and that can only be good for Mark Andrews. So, and by the way, Justin, I really thought you were going to put Mark Andrews at number one. I was ready to go to war over that. Oh, listen, I tried. I tried. I tried. I'm not going to lie to you.

I was thinking hard about this one. Yeah, I hear that. I was hearing demons. I feel like our number one is the same so so you know what out of the kindness of my heart i'll let you speak for both of us because we're because we both have the same person and we're both gonna say the same thing so would you care to tell the world who our number one is all All right. Without further ado, the number one guy without doubt, zero hesitation is the guy from Kansas City, Travis Kelsey. I mean, every time I see him,

it's just, he's open again. I don't know how Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelsey do it on a regular basis, but whenever it feels like hopeless, travis i mean uh patrick mahomes has to do is just look over the middle kelsey's wide open and i'm like how how does he get open this consistently he's beating guys off the line bad oh he's the best route runner at the tight end spot he's got wiggle in his hips pause he's a he's after the catch. He's hard to bring down. And he's a decent blocker. I mean, I don't know. He's actually contending with Tony Gonzalez as the greatest tight end in Kansas City history.

And I don't understand how he can get away with this. He's a two-time Super Bowl champion. Definitely a Hall of Famer already. And definitely going down in the Mount Rushmore of tight ends. I just don't know how much more he can do to further facilitate. Where else can he go? I mean, if he wins another ring and continues to put up another 1,000-yard season, he might be the greatest tight end to ever live if you just look at his numbers and his accomplishments perhaps so overall yeah Kelsey I mean was was there really any doubt the only thing about him that worries me is that the cup when it comes to receiving talent the cupboards pretty bare

in Kansas City so I imagine Kelsey's gonna get force-fed the ball, and he is 33. I'll just leave it at that. And if something happens to him, it's going to be really difficult for him to come back at that age. But overall, I don't think it's that much of a concern. Yeah, I don't see that much of a concern at all, especially when you have Patrick Mahomes as the quarterback. I think he'll just find ways to give Travis Kelsey the ball, no matter the circumstances, even with shovel passes. Yep. So that does it for our tight end rankings. And now we are going to move on to preview the NFC East.

That's right. We are now starting to preview the NFC. And you're definitely not going to move on to preview the NFC East. That's right. We are now starting to preview the NFC, and you're definitely not going to want to miss that. So don't go anywhere. This is the Fumble Rooski Podcast. Fumble Rooski Podcast. Here's Edelman broken up, and the pass is no sign yet. Edelman comes down with a football.

They're saying it's a catch. It's a catch. Oh! Diggs! Sideline! Touchdown! Unbelievable! Swings it way down the field to Watkins!

Sammy Watkins for the touchdown! Welcome back to the FumbleRoski podcast on Power 88, Dean Radio, and Secret Weapon Consulting. I'm CJ Medeiros, and with me, of course, is my good friend Justin Tucker. No Adam Wright, but we can hold it down. It's all good. I think so. I think so. Thanks. So now we're moving into the NFC in our division previews.

We're kicking off with the NFC East, home of the reigning NFC champions, Philadelphia Eagles. So, Tucker, my friend. Yeah. I'm going to make a statement. Let me hear it. I believe that this division is Phillies to lose. There is no reason that they should not win again. I agree.

I think Dallas is obviously going to be in contention, but I also believe New York is going to be there. And for like half of the season, I believe the Washington commanders are going to be there just because it's the NFC East. And for some reason last year, all of them were playoff contending teams. Now that doesn't say much, but still all four of them at one point in time were playoff teams. So I believe all of them will be in contention. I believe all of them will be around. But I believe the Eagles, with what they did throughout the draft and their just collection of talent overall, I think that's what edges them out over everybody else.

Yeah, I hear you. The Eagles now are my favorites to take it to. There is one thing on that team that concerns me. Now, it's not analytical, but the Super Bowl hangover. Let me tell you something, kids. It's real. The Super Bowl hangover is very, very real. And Adam has brought this up because he kind of likes the Cowboys in this division, and I disagree. But there is no denying the Cowboys got better. They added guys like Brandon Cooks and Stephon Gilmore in free agency.

You got Tony Pollard back for another year you know like some small adjustments here and there their draft was not that bad but but when you combine that with the super bowl hangover that could be a little bit concerning for for philly you know you know like barring like something catastrophic happening. But now, obviously, Philly and Dallas are the top dogs. There's no debating that. I kind of want to look at the Giants. You see, Brian DeBall is a great coach.

You saw what he did in just one year there. And he got them a playoff win. So maybe I'm just a hater, but I'm not sold on Daniel Jones. And for those of you who don't know, they gave him a big boy contract this offseason. You're not sold on Danny Dimes? I just – I don't know. I mean, even last season, Jones, it's just – if you are in like a high scoring shootout right and you need a guy to keep pace i don't think he's that guy i really don't he threw for 3205 yards last season, only five interceptions, and that's good, but 15 touchdowns. That's it.

It's just plain and simple. He doesn't really just have a nose for the end zone. And I just don't think that was worthy of getting a huge contract. I really don't. And I would also like to point out that his career high, I mean, the yardage that I just listed for last season, that's his career high, 3,200 yards. And he's only thrown for over 20 touchdowns once. And I know he's also a scrambling threat, but I just, I'm not sold. You're not sold on Vanilla Vic?

No, I am not sold on Vanilla Vic. Also, the real Michael Vick wouldn't let the turf monster get him when he's wide open, but that's neither here nor there. And I just, when you really sit down and think, I mean, you got Saquon, right? You got Darren Waller, your O-line's getting better, defense is getting better, but is it enough to compete? And that's if they have Saquon. Yeah. Wait, has Saquon signed his tender or no?

I don't think so. I haven't seen reports of it. I don't know. He might have. He might have, and I'm just, I haven't seen it yet, but I don't think so i haven't seen reports of it i don't know he might he might have and i'm just i haven't seen it yet but i don't think he has and i think that's going to be an issue down the line yeah if saquon holds out then that's going to be a very very big issue for that offense because and even still saquon does have injury issues. And speaking of the Giants, if Saquon Barkley goes down, and if the burden's on Daniel Jones' shoulders, I don't see anything happening. Yeah, which is why they're the third best team behind the Cowboys and the Eagles.

I like their defense, obviously. Their defense is fine. It's just the offense surrounding it that's the big question mark. Saquon can't just carry this whole team on his back. I don't think – I'm concerned with Daniel Jones. I think he'll have more passing yards than 3,200. I hope so. Because he'll finally get some better weapons than Darren Waller.

But I think overall, I think it's just, hopefully he'll have a better year. I believe he'll have a better year. Hopefully he'll throw more than 15 touchdown passes. But again, it's Danny Dimes. One moment he looks like a stud, the next moment I should be starting over him. So you just never know. But overall, when I look at this team they have their moments and i think they'll be in contention but when i look at the eagles i think they're just head and shoulders better because i think their defense is is a little bit better and their offense is just flat out better so i see them ahead of me yeah and then the cowboys they have the talent to be better than what the Giants are right now. So that's why I have the Giants winning.

I will say one thing, though. I don't want to get too much into it, but the Cowboys. One reason why I don't think they'll really go that far, it's coaching. I do not trust Mike McCarthy to coach. That is, he has just led them to disappointment after disappointment. And, well, we haven't really touched on the commanders, but do we need to? We all know they're finishing last. Unless Jacoby Brissett or Sam Howell becomes the second coming of Tom Brady. Yeah, if all of a sudden they make amazing re-progressions

and throw accurate passes like nobody's business. Nah, I don't see them coming in first. But they could surprise us. They could surprise us. Any given Sunday. So, you know, we're going to wrap this up, right? We talked about

the NFC East. It's pretty cut and dry. It should be Philly's division unless Super Bowl hangover gets them. But now we are moving on to the Fumble Rooski fan box where we will tell you what the people are saying about the most underrated tight ends. So don't go anywhere. This is the Fumble Rooski podcast. Here's Edelman broken up and the pass is no sign yet. Edelman comes down with a football, they're saying it's a catch. It's a catch!

It's a catch! Startline! Touch makes! Skyline! Touchdown! Unbelievable! Swings it way down the field to Watkins! Sammy Watkins for the touchdown! Welcome back to the Fumble Ruski podcast by Power 88 Dean Radio and Secret Web Consulting. I'm CJ Medeiros with my good co-host, Justin Tucker.

So now, boys and girls, it's that time again. It's time for the Fumble Ruski Fan Box. So in case you don't know, here's how it works. We post a question filter on our Instagram every Monday or every week. You know, sometimes it varies if we're taking some time off. Wink, wink. And you can respond with hot takes, questions, and more. And we will discuss it and give you a shout out on our podcast. Be sure to respond to next week's Fan Box to be featured on our show. And now, here's the question of the week. Who is the NFL's most underrated tight end? So we got some responses. Let's dive in, shall we? First up is Brian Mucker, who says, quote,

Tyler Conklin does not get enough love or attention. Not a bad pick. Yeah. I mean, he is a Jets fan, so that makes sense. Next, Ian Muller said Dalton Schultz. I will say this. He does not get enough credit for what the Dallas Cowboys ask of him. Plus, he's going to be the number one target in Houston.

You know, C.J. Stroud's a security blanket there. Yeah. Next, the JZ8 Hockey said Greg Dolchich from the Broncos. You know, I don't think he's underrated. I think he's rated just fine. I don't know. I definitely think he's taken the tight end one position from Albert O there. But with Sean Payton, I definitely think some big things could be in store.

Owen Van Slack had a few responses. First is Brock Wright from the Lions. Now, is he underrated? I'd say so, but I don't know how good he's going to be because the Lions spent a second rounder on Sam Laporta, the tight end out of Iowa, and you know he's right on Wright's tail. If they wanted two tight ends, we can figure it out simple. Like, as soon as possible.

Maybe. Owen Van Slack, again, this time says Cade Otten from the Buccaneers. Hey, Cameron Brate's gone. So Otten would be the first player. be does that opportunity to shine yeah but then again when you have baker mayfield or uh god forbid the other guys they're trash thank you throwing to you well i'm not i'm not thrilled and patrick williver also says kade otten. I understand why, but if they're doing a lot of dinks and dunks, then Otten's your guy. He's got a ways to go, but I think he can be something special.

What do you think? Could be. He has potential, but I'm not sure just yet based upon his current situation. Floodster Sports Zone says Hunter Henry. The Henry who hunts. Oh, man. If he could just stay healthy, he would be underrated. The problem is he can't stay healthy.

He's been healthy in New England. And you gotta remember, one season under Matt Patricia and everyone forgets how good he was. Even under the season with Matt Patricia, I want to say the Minnesota game, He actually played good. Yeah, until they took away that touchdown, sapped our momentum.

That was a touchdown. That was a – Hunter Henry did score that touchdown, I believe. Yeah. Yeah, so I'm like, okay, he did have his moments. Yeah. Yeah. Either way, next is Brogdon Hill who says Hayden Hurst, the new tight end of the Panthers. Is he underrated?

Yeah, I'd argue so. He's bounced around a little, but I definitely think he can help Trae Young. Wow. Bryce Young. Bryce Young. Bryce Young, not Trae Young. Bryce Young. I definitely think he's going to help Bryce Young develop. And next, Connor Fallon, who I believe is a Bears fan, says Cole Komet. Actually, yes, I do. The problem is there was a time when, like, the Bears all of a sudden just wanted all the tight ends.

They had Jimmy. That's when they drafted him. Yeah, and we all said, huh? You have enough tight ends as it is. But Cole Komet, yeah, he's underrated. Next is Cola. Sorry. I was just going to say, next is Cola DJ, who says Noah Fant,

the Seahawks tight end. It's funny because he's become an afterthought in that trade to Denver. Yeah. Like, I feel like his name should be brought up a lot more, It's funny because he's become an afterthought in that trade to Denver. Between Denver and Denver. Yeah. Like, I feel like his name should be brought up a lot more, but I don't hear it enough. Yeah, same. Plus, you got to remember, they have a really good duo with Lockett and Metcalf,

so fans are going to get overshadowed. Yes. But Grayson Mortimer says Hunter Henry. Once again, yes. Hey, one season with Matt Patricia and how soon we forget. But Bill O'Brien, master of the two tight end set, I'm expecting some good things. Yeah.

Next, there's Derek Houle who says Chig Okonkwo. Yes, he's very underrated. Yeah, exactly. For the Tennessee Titans, he's very underrated. All right. He tennessee titans he's very underrated all right hey he's from the university of maryland too yes we know justin loves his guys from the university of maryland yeah i mean you know what you know how we do you know next is a j Houle who says Tyler Conklin. We've been over this. Yeah, I guess. He has his moments.

I definitely think playing with Rodgers will help him out. Yeah. And finally, for the third time, Owen Van Slack, he's fast with these, says Jawan Johnson from the Saints. I haven't seen enough Saints to make an educated guess. I will say he's underrated. I had to stir him for a few games in fantasy in a different way. He helped a bit. I'll take your word for it, but I haven't seen enough Saints game.

But maybe with Derek Carr, maybe with some consistency at the quarterback spot. I know you don't think Derek Carr is this good quarterback. I think he's all right, and I think he can help. Yeah, I think he can help. He's better than old James. So that does it for the fan box. Justin, do you have anything else to add before we hit the wrap-up? No, I'm good.

I think, yeah, I have nothing else to say. All right. wrap up no i'm i'm good i think yeah i have nothing else to say all right the season to get here i'm right there with you man so that'll do it for us tonight thanks for listening we also have new episodes out on tuesdays and fridays at 7 30 pm eastern time also be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel because we have our episode and we also have our episodes available on Spotify, Spreaker, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and so much more. Also, be sure to follow our Instagram at FumbleRooski underscore podcast to keep up with our podcast and the latest coverage on the NFL. Otherwise, we will see you next week. Over and out.