April 14, 2022 • 45 mins
In this episode, we kick off Part 4 of our four-part “Roster Reset” series where we’ll go in-depth on the offseason moves made by all 32 teams, and how they could impact the upcoming season. Today, host Rhett Lewis is joined by insiders Cameron Wolfe and Nick Shook to discuss moves made by the AFC North and South teams. Cameron starts off answering how the Pittsburgh Steelers are transitioning their offense now that Ben Roethlisberger is retired. Later, Cameron and Nick hand out offseason grades to each team and Nick explains why he doesn't give the Cleveland Browns an "A" grade, despite their trade for Deshaun Watson. And, with less than a month until the 2022 NFL Draft, Cameron and Nick go deep on what each team needs to address when they’re on the clock, with Cameron detailing why Trevor Lawrence should be the priority in the draft. You can read more about the “Roster Reset” series on NFL.com/rosterreset.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
NFL Inside Report is the production of the NFL in
partnership with I Heart Radio. I'm Rhett Lewis and this
is NFL Inside Report. We're gonna talk about the Steelers
today as we wrap our Roster Reset series, but before
we do, we want to acknowledge the tragedy that this
organization and the NFL community is mourning, and that, of course,
(00:26):
is the death of Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Haskins died
last weekend in South Florida when he was hit by
a vehicle on a highway. He was only twenty four
years old. Head coach Mike Tomlin called Haskins a great
teammate and said he was one of the hardest workers,
both on the field and in the community. His first coach,
Ron Rivera, said his zeal for life will be missed,
(00:48):
and he came to work every day with a smile
on his face and energy and love in his heart,
a sentiment echoed by many of his former teammates and
players that he simply cross paths with. We joined the
entire NFL community and offering our condolences to the Haskins family.
(01:22):
Back with you for another episode of our Roster reset
series wrapping up the remaining divisions in the a f C.
So we've been touring the league to check on moves
NFL teams have made this offseason and how they'll play
out here in the two season, obviously with a big
look ahead towards the NFL Draft on the horizon here
at the end of April. On our final stop today,
(01:44):
we're venturing into the a f C North and the
a f C South, and here to help us do
it our palace here from NFL Media, Cameron Wolf and
Nick Shook, guys, two of our favorites throughout the year
here on Inside Report. Thanks for being back here with us.
We've separated this thing out here a little bit. Starting
with the a f C North. Cam's gonna cover the
Steelers in the Ravens. Nick will be there with his
(02:05):
beloved Browns, and of course the a f C champion
Cincinnati Bengals. I don't know if that's a little bit
of shade we're throwing your way on that one, Nick,
but it's all good. Um. Cam, let's start here with
the Pittsburgh Steelers. How would you grade what they've done
this off season, their first without Ben roethlisbergers their starting quarterback.
(02:29):
I would give them a B minus uh B minus
C plus range for the Steelers simply because everything is
gonna be viewed through the prism of their quarterback situation. I,
for one, I'm not a Mitchell Travisca trip. Mitch doesn't
go by Mitch. Mitch Trabinsky. Yeah, believer, and so I
don't know if they had a lot of tons of
(02:50):
different options, but for me, that doesn't breed any confidence. Uh,
they have been doing their homework on the draft train.
The best thing I think they've done this offseason is
is and it's kind of went under the radar, is
rebuilding their offensive line. That offensive line was really bad
last year. They signed Uh, they resigned Chuka okafora they
brought in James Daniels, they brought in a J. Cole
(03:11):
or Mason cole Um. So the hope is they can
be better for Naji Harris, clearly they're trying to have
a more mobile offense do some things they couldn't do
it Big Ben last year. So I expect them to
have some mobility with Mitchell Robinsky, be a run first
based offense, and I did like to move with Miles
Jack to bring in to replace Joe Sherbrick. So I
(03:32):
still think they're the fourth best team in this division. Um,
but I don't think they're all season last. Yeah, I
didn't think they're gonna finish last, but they're off season
in general, it feels like a team in transition. Their
GM Kevin Colbert's gonna resign or step down after the
year been. Roethlisberger has done, their DC, Keith Butler um
(03:53):
is gone. So I think we're gonna get a test
of whether this uh non winless UH sixteen years for
Mike Tomlin streak is gonna continue. But for their off
season in general, I don't have any you know, Hugh
issues with what they did. Yeah, talking about that, you know,
even the fact on those seasons where they didn't make
the playoffs still with a winning record, Mike Tomland one
of the most consistently successful in that metric that we've
(04:17):
seen at the head coaching spot for sure. Okay, And
I love what you mentioned there about the mobility. I
think we might see the full array of the Matt
Canada offense this year as he enters into his second
season as the offensive coordinator, and that perhaps is a
little bit of a tease ahead to what we'll talk
about with Steelers draft needs here and just a little
bit talking about mobility and quarterbacks here in just a second.
(04:41):
But first let's get to your Browns here, Nick Schuck.
I mean, look, it's all about Deshaun Watson here. So
how does that factor into the grade you got for Cleveland.
That's a big part of the grade. It's a B
plus because you know, if you get if you look
at it from a football perspective and and you move
beyond however long he suspended. If he is suspended, it
is a massive upgraded quarterback, which is obviously their biggest need.
(05:03):
Just to something that Andrew Area and Kevin Stefanaki identified,
it seemed from the middle of last season that they
needed to be better at quarterback. It had shades of
Sean McVeigh and less sneed looking at Jared Goffin saying
we need to be better. The Browns hopefull get a
similar return out of to Shaun Watson. But the reason
that they get such a you know, a positive grace
because if he does end up being the guy that
they expect him to be over the course of this
five years, and that guaranteed you know, two or thirty
(05:25):
million dollars. Then then it's a win. It's a big
one for them, and it transforms the future of the franchise,
which hasn't had a quarterback like that really ever. If ever,
you know, maybe Bernie Cozar in the eighties or Auto Graham,
you know, in the earliest days of the franchise, and
then from there, you know, they've made some other savvy editions.
The reason that they're not moving into the A range
at this point is because you still have to answer
(05:47):
a question receiver. You still have to answer a question
at defensive end, and they're they're pretty thin at defensive
tackle as well. So we're kind of riding that out.
Does Jarvis Landry come back, Does Jadeveon Clowney come back?
Do they make additions elsewhere or you know, with other
players of those positions. That remains to be seen. We
know that Andrew Berry likes to restock in the draft,
is most gms do that aren't named Less need Um.
But there's still a lot of questions I think to
(06:08):
answer with the Browns, and and you give them credit
for going and you know, answering the quarterback question um
and they have the talent offensively, it's a matter for
them of staying healthy and filling these needs. So the
v Marii Cooper trade, uh, you know, to bring him
in for Dallas was not exactly what you would consider.
Would not make that wide receiver grouping finished product yet?
(06:30):
Yeah no, because he's your number one. But losing Jarvis
Landry takes away the the heartbeat of the team really
since they started their turnaround a few years ago. He
was the face of that. He was also super dependable.
He played through a ton of injuries, but he was
the guy you could always count, especially third and five
six yards, you could always go to Jervis Landry. That's
a big void, And the reason that it's a big
void is because the guys that are left are pretty unproven.
(06:52):
You got Donovan People's Jones, who I think could be
a star with enough time to develop. He shows flashes
of it. And Anthany Schwartzer needs to work on his
route running, in his his reliability with his hands. That's
basically the majority of your group. You still need to
put somebody else in there. So Cam, let's come back
to you here on the Ravens, And I feel like
This is a really interesting case here, because if they
(07:13):
just get back healthy all the guys that they were
without last year, I feel like the off season is
kind of a win. How else do you kind of
grade some of the additions though in subtractions that they've
seen here not right, I think you're hit it hit
them on money. You have to grave the Ravens a
little bit on a curve, right, because they're off season
is getting back Martin hun Fries, getting back now S Speters,
(07:33):
getting back some of these ballers that made them a
top contender. So I think if we were just grading
them based on their additions, I might be closer to
the sea range. But I think given that, I think
they will be better just through attrition. I think I
give him a B on this offseason. Um, I look
at some of the areas this could have been a
The various Smith situation really bothers me because that was
(07:56):
maybe their biggest need, needing the pass rusher, um and
they whiffed on that situation. And he's heading to Minnesota,
and so there's still this big gaping hole for me.
And I think we're gonna talk a little bit about
that when we come draft time because I think that's
where I would go if I was the Ravens. But um,
I look at them getting a Marcus Williams. Um For
some reason, the Ravens more than any team, always loved
(08:17):
that free agent safety. Um. No matter how much we
try to devalue that that position, the Ravens say, no,
We're gonna set the market every year. So I think
Marcus Williams is a really good player and him paired
on along with Marlon Humphrey Marcus Peters healthy should help
that secondary that was a horrific secondary last year. I
don't think people will remember how bad they were. I
(08:38):
think they gave up the most passing yards NFL NFL
last year and the franchise worst touchdown passes. So just
a historically bad Ravens defense. Um, they weren't able to
get to the passer. I think they haven't had a
double digit sack sack guy since. I think, really this
team needs to go back being that smash mouth Ravens
(08:59):
defense they used to be and stopped having Lamar Jackson
having to be superman. So um, I definitely, uh, I
definitely think that this is a team that with all
the moves with Cleveland and Shawn Watson with Joe Burrow
coming off Super Bowl. They're coming in sneaking on the radar.
I wouldn't be shocked if if somehow they come out
with the division around this time next year. Yeah, there's
(09:20):
certainly certainly in the mix there, and I think you're
right there and SA Darius Smith that we kind of
all of like, all right to Darius Smith coming home again.
This sort of sort of feels like something you know,
that they that that the Ravens certainly needed but then
just couldn't close the deal in the end. And Smith
now moves off to the n f C North with
the Minnesota Vikings. Come back to you on that fourteenth
(09:41):
overall pick with the Ravens here in a moment, but Nick,
back to you to close out the off season grades
with the reigning a f C champion Cincinnati Bengals, who
look clearly got the message with the offensive line need right.
I can hear their interest music now the defending a
f C champions and the breaking of glass to stone
(10:01):
cold Steve Boston Enters. Yeah, you know, and when the
Ross the reset uh. This week, the top three editions
I listened for them were all offensive linemen and they
got the message. The message was loud and clear in
the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl when they were
unable to protect Joe Burrow adequately enough for him to
lead them down the field for a thrilling victory. And
they went out and responded in kind. You know, they
(10:22):
get Layout Collins, who I think that you know, they
capitalize on on the Cowboys cutting ties with him to
save some caps, basically eat Alex cap But they had
Ted Carriss, they had depth. More importantly than anything they
had depth they had experienced. They had guys that they
can count and throw in there because they ran into
this issue multiple times in the in the postseason last year.
You know, you had a chemand energy at right guard
and then you had Jackson Carman at right guard the
(10:43):
next series against Kansas City because they couldn't rely on
either to properly pass protect against the team that was
getting after Joe Burrow. So to fill this void is
a big step for them because the rest of the
pieces are there. That's what we saw. And you know,
the two biggest hurdles for guys are you gotta have
the pieces and you've gotta stay healthy. They stayed healthy
last year and now they've added pieces and they can
stay healthy again. I think they continue to be can
(11:04):
tender and and maybe they prove that they're not a flute.
They're not a flash in the pan. If anything, They've
definitely made the effort toward proving that in this off season. Yeah,
and by the way, Nick wouldn't hate it if their
first choice in this year's NFL drafted number thirty one
overall was another offensive lineman out there. I mean, you know,
maybe it's Zion Johnson out of Boston College. How do
you see some of the areas in which they could
(11:26):
go there at thirty one and beyond Nick, I think
that that makes sense. Maybe on the defensive front as well,
just because I think about the departure of Larriogen Julie.
You know, they like to stick with who they had,
but you know, that added some depth there that was
really helpful for them. So, but I would love to
see offensive line. I don't think you can have enough
offensive linemen. It's like baseball, you can't have enough pitching.
You can't have enough offensive lineman because you lose one guy.
(11:46):
I mean, they lost Riley Reef late in the season
last year, and it became, you know, one of the
biggest weaknesses that we saw, so you can't have enough
depth and developing guys for the future is always a
good thing, alright, Cam, coming back to you here with
the Ravens as we come back up the division now
and looking at Baltimore sitting at number fourteen over all,
and there's gonna be a really good player available there,
(12:08):
you know, maybe on either side of the offensive or
defensive line. Um, although you know, uh, there's a bunch
of different ways that GM Eric di Costa could go.
What do you see as some of those possibilities? Now,
I started the trenches where you mentioned. I remember a
game I uh covered last year that puzzled me the most.
It was a Thursday night football game. We did the
(12:29):
Dolphins Ravens game, and that was when the Ravens were
coming in super hot. Everybody was talking about Lamar Jackson
as an m VP candidate, and then the Dolphins went
zero blitz, zero blitz, zero blitz and it broke everything.
And so although we talk a lot about the defensive
side of the ball and they have to get better there,
you can't have enough offensive alignment. So it wouldn't it
(12:49):
wouldn't bother me at all if they sat there at
fourteen and took the best offensive lineman, whether that's you know,
Trevor Penning out of Northern Iowa's he's if he's there,
Charles cross Falls there from Mississippi State, um, or even
if they wanted to do interior offensive linement like a
king in Green from Texas A and M. I wouldn't
have a problem with any of those picks. Um. But
if I were in the GM circle, I'd probably go
(13:12):
and try to find that edge rusher who's on the board. Um.
And you know some of the top guys are gonna
be going in the top five. Your Hutchinson's, your Trayvon Walkers,
who's getting a lot of buzz um. But maybe you
get a guy like a Jermaine Johnson from Florida State.
They're sitting there at fourteen, and I'd say one other thing,
this is a team we talked in the past about,
uh what made them great? Um? Why not go out
(13:34):
and get that middle linebacker spot figured out? If if
you if you love one of these two guys here
in Devon Lloyd or na Kobe Dean, your your offensive
linement is not right for you. You You don't want to
reach out an edge there in a deep edge class.
Maybe you find fall in love with a Devon Lloyd
or Nakobe Dean and he fills that middle linebacker spot
for you for a long time. Yeah, there's definitely some options.
(13:55):
They're all all really good ones for the Baltimore Ravens.
And then with that, Nick, let's go back to the
Browns here who will take night off as it stands
currently on night one, But once we get into day two,
they're back on the clock in the second third rounds
with a couple of positions that they could look at there.
(14:15):
I think you gotta look at receiver. You gotta look
at edge rusher, depending on what happens with the clinic,
but I think even down the road, you gotta look
at edge rusher. I know they went out and got
Chase one of it, but that's a depth guy. Um.
You look at the defensive front because the rest of
the defense makes sense for the most part. I for
the last few years have looked at the roster and thought,
I mean, you got to add a linebacker. Now. They
went and got Jeremiah Usi Cormo last year and he
turned out to be a stud, but that's not the
(14:37):
middle linebacker that I'm still seeking. They resigned Anthony Walker,
so I still think somewhere in there. And then especially
with this class, there are some values you just mentioned.
They could add somebody to be a playmaking, uh you know,
type of guy, and and it can be there beyond
the one year deal that you keep signing a guy
like Anthony Walker too. But I think you gotta look
first at receiver because of what we already discussed, and
(14:58):
you have to you have to look at edge because
of the importance of the position and pairing with Miles
Garrett because the one thing you don't want to get
caught doing is having to face an offense that's going
to dedicate to blockers, whether it's a tackle on the
tight end, a tackle and a guy chipping, whatever it
is to Miles Garrett. Might that might give you an
edge on the offensive side, but you've got to have
a guy who is able to take advantage of that
(15:19):
of that situation on the you know, the opposite side.
So I think that you really need to look at
that spot as well. If I had a way between
the two, I still think wide receiver is more important. Um,
just because the way that their units played last year.
But again there's a lot of unknown with this team
because you're mixing in a new quarterback. I expect a
bit of a scheme change. We'll see how that reflects
either way. You know, if I were to do a mock,
(15:40):
it was coming right out of Indie. I thought sky More,
if he's there in round two, is a great fit
for them. I don't think Star is going to be there,
but you're right, yeah, I think you're right. In fact,
in that piece that I was mentioning, uh, using the
pff mox simulator and NFL dot Com, I actually had
to give sky More to the Lions at number thirty
two in the first round. So it's some other wide
(16:01):
receiver names to look at. David Bell for Purdue I
think would maybe give the round something they don't have
at that position, which is, you know a little bit
more of the physical type of guy. You've got the
burner with Anthony Schwartz. Um, I look at John Mechi
from Alabama, Uh, George Pickens from Georgia, another big physical guy,
UM Khalil Shakier from Boise State. Or if they're waiting
till the third round Alec Pearson Wandale Robinson from Cincinnati
(16:23):
and Kentucky respectively, two of my favorites in this class.
But all good options there, Nick, Thanks for that. And
let's finish this on the draft here with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cam,
who have been at all the quarterback pro Day's right,
um and and definitely making you know, making that not
not you know, hiding anything there. I think it's clear
that they're definitely considering a quarterback here with the twentie
(16:47):
overall pick in this year's draft. You think that's right
at the top of the board here for the Steelers, Oh,
I absolutely do. Right. I'd go as far as saying
I'd be pretty surprised if they don't walk out of
here with the quarterback. Um. Given what we've seen um
from the Steelers organization. They want stability at that position.
You know, is a franchise that has been been, has
(17:07):
had they been for much of the last two decades.
Before that, they had Terry Bradshaw for over a decade.
They want to have that stabilizer at the position. And
you've heard Mike Tomlin talk about mobility there. Actually had
a really good draft to have maybe a pick this
is a draft where you probably don't want to take
a quarterback in the top five or ten, but there's
gonna be one of those four available at twenty, and
(17:27):
probably multiple of those four. So you know, whether it's
a Matt Corrall or or Desmond Ritter, I think those
are probably the two of the names that are a
little bit more realistic for them. I think Milick Willison's
up going top ten. Um So, I was there at
Matt Carroll's pro day with Mike Thomlins and nobody else,
a coach or a scout spent more time talking to
Corral than Mike Thomlins, and you could. You know, we
(17:48):
all can make our conclusions on that. Maybe it means nothing,
maybe it means something. But I did see value in
that they, personally, him and Kevin Colbert wanted to go
to all all the top pro days and wanted to
do their due diligence here. So, um, I see that
being their result there, and I think that makes sense.
I did my little look through the a f C
and you can legitimately put twelve out of the sixteen
(18:09):
teams in the playoffs this year, and that's not even
including the Steelers and so you have to look at
a path not only this year, we're going forward. How
are you going to consistently be a contender And it's
not gonna be with mtro BISTI. So you're either gonna
punt on this year and wait till next year, um,
or you gotta make the plunge. And I do think
they make the plunge at number twenty or even trade up.
(18:30):
They have their their full lot mint of picks. If
a Malik Willis or whoever they love falls there some
more towards the back of the top ten or outside
of the teams, why not see them make a trade
up move. So I think this is the this is
the move that we all anticipate, and I don't think
it'll be a shock um on that Thursday of draft weekend. Yeah,
I think that's fair, um. And look it's just a
(18:51):
matter of you know, how does their quarterback board shake out?
And if three are gone by twenty, do they really
have a high enough grade on the fourth guy, you
know to make him that twenty overall pick. You know,
that's that's how you that's where it's hard to get
inside a GM's head and really know how they value you. Know,
those players at a position whereas you know, do they
(19:13):
do they take the fourth best quarterback or you know,
the fourth best edge rusher, you know what I mean.
Those types of debates or some of the things that
you have to weigh here at this point when you
get into the twenties and beyond. Uh okay, and it's
interest interesting, right real Briefly you hear all the BP
a versus need conversations, right, but if you talk to
people in the league, it's always best Yeah, yeah, it's
(19:34):
always best player of the laiable unless all of a
sudden the quarterbacks there and you know so, so I
believe the best player available and less of quarterbacks involved
and that and then the quarterback is almost never the
best player available on the board. Yeah. Well, now last
year you consider that, there's a different argument, But this
year is kind of a unique class, you know for sure.
But I think that's a that's a fair point. All right.
(19:56):
That's the a f C North here for a roster
reset series. Gonna take a quick break here on the
NFL Side Report. Come right back with a look inside
the a f C South back here with you on
(20:22):
NFL Inside Report. Rett Lewis here with Cameron Wolf and
Nick Shook, as we wrap up our Roster Reset series
by taking a look at the a f C sal
looking at offseason moves as we have done for all
thirty two teams and draft needs as we are nearing
the start of the NFL Draft live from Las Vegas April.
And a reminder that you can read more on the
(20:45):
Roster Reset series over on NFL dot com slash Roster Reset.
In there you will find our good pal Nick Shook
lending his brain and literary prowess to all of the
teams in the a f C over on NFL dot Com.
Of course, you could check out all of these angles
(21:06):
as well this week on NFL Network. Okay, so we
split up the teams here. Cam's gonna take the Titans
and the Jags. Nick, you're taking the Colts in the
Texans um and with that, then let's start with the Colts. Nick,
team that had an opportunity, you know, to get into
the playoffs in the final week of the regular season,
but obviously just just completely fell apart. There. Carson Wentz
(21:29):
is now gone. You got Matt Ryan coming in. What
kind of great are we given the Colts? You know
from a Colts fan perspective, it's like a home run.
It's an A plus. But from my perspective, it's great
that you replaced Carson Wentz with Matt Ryan, right because
that's the upgrade you got rid of what Jimmy Ursay
has not been very bashful about believing that, you know,
was the problem. Carson Wentz was the issue. They realized
(21:51):
they needed to move on the upgrade with a veteran
who they know can step in right away and make
a difference behind a solid offensive line. But my issue
is is that I still see didn't need to see.
You know, they're another playmaker too. You know, you got
t Y Hilton Lingering out there. I don't know if
it ends up being, you know, a reunion or not. Um,
if you look at this receiver depth chart, you know
Paris Campbell for my ald the monitor Savis of St.
(22:13):
Mary and went to Ohio State. He's a burner, but
he hasn't been able to stay healthy. So um, you
don't have a ton to count on beyond Pittman in
the receiving corps right now, and so you can you know,
one of my biggest addition Slash signings was retaining mo
Alei Cox because of what he brings that offense. But
if that's in my top three, now, of course you
have not got Yanniakua on the other side of the ball.
But if that's your top three in terms of playmakers,
(22:34):
I don't know. You have Jonathan Taylor and you got
Nahem Hines, both two very good backs. Taylor one of
the best backs in the league. I just need one
more guy, um And so to to that point, it's
like a B B plus somewhere in that range because
if we compare with the grades we gave in the
other division. You know, I gave the Browns B pluss
because getting Watson potentially transforms their franchise. Matt Ryan doesn't
have that much football left in him. Not saying he
can't play well, because I think that he has been
(22:57):
unfairly criticized for Atlanta struggles. I think he's been one
of the brighter spots and otherwise dim last couple of
years there. And I think he's gonna step in and
do great and he's probably gonna be the guy that
Carson couldn't be, which is the guy that can get
into the playoffs. And you know, let's not forget five
weeks left in the season. Last year, we were talking
about the Colts is a potential super Bowl favorite before
they ultimately missed the playoffs. Matt Ryan's gonna get them there.
(23:18):
Do they have the strength otherwise? I don't know if
that's if that's true at this point. Now, they can
do pretty well and the draft, Chris Ballad loves to
do that, but they gotta get a little bit better
in terms of roster to this point. Right now it's incomplete,
but it's pretty close to being complete. Yeah, I think
that's a that's a fair point. And look again, the
Colts without a first round pick one of those eight
(23:40):
teams as a result of the trade to acquire Carson Wentz,
but they did get some of that capital back getting
a second and third to send him off to the
Washington Commanders. So we'll come back to the Colts on
draft needs here just a little bit. But let's get
to you Cam now on the Tennessee Titans, obviously a
perennial contender these last few years with Mike vrabel as
(24:02):
the head coach, to win this division and get into
the post season as they did this last year. How
do you feel the you know, obviously the receiver turnover
was one of the big pieces of this offseason. How
does that factory in your grade? Yeah, I'd probably give
him a C. Honestly. Um, I think that, you know,
you look at what we've talked about in the a
f C and everything changing over. You get the Browns
(24:25):
making their big move. You see all of these teams
loading up the whole a f C West pre paying
for an arms race, and the Titans just sort of
stayed the same. And so you swap out Julio Jones
for Robert Woods, which I think is an upgrade because
you can't count Julio to stay healthy. So at the
same point, you're got a sinking calls in the in
the money situation for the dead cap situation for Julio. Um,
(24:47):
so it limits what you can do going forward. UM.
I did like to move to get Austin Hooper. Um.
Maybe maybe he bounced back to the Titan he was
a couple of years ago. In a scheme that really
prioritizes tight ends. They needed that tight end really since
de Laney Walker left and so that should help as well.
But I think they will need one more playmaker and
they didn't do enough for me to upgrade that offensive line.
(25:09):
Ryan Tannehill was the second most sack quarterback in the league,
only behind Joe Burrow, and the only really notable move
they did was resigning Ben Jones their center, which I
think was a good move. But they need to do
more um on the offensive side of the ball to
protect Ryan Tannehill, to create those lanes for Derrick Henry.
I'm a big believer in their defense. I love them
resigning Harold Landry. Some of the analytics sites were torn
(25:31):
on whether or not he was a value there, but
I think that the trio really the quartet of rushers
with him, Jeffrey Simmons, de Nico Autree, but dupri Um
is really what made the Titans the team they were
down the stretch. So um. I think they'll be really
good next year, but I think there will be still
a natural step back because of all the ANFC teams
and because I don't think they made a big enough
(25:52):
step and the quarterback will always be the question is
he good enough to lead you to where you need
to be? I think the Sea is the right grade
for them. Yeah, do you feel like the Titans have
that answer with I don't know I don't. I know,
I think they have that they're going to be stuck
with him in his contract is guaranteed, so the check's
gonna clear regardless. Um, But this is a team, and
(26:12):
I know I've mentioned this a couple of times this offseason.
Titans fans have gotten their feelings. But I wouldn't be
shocked if they sat there at twenty nine and found
a quarterback they loved they decided to go ahead and
make the plunge, Like, you have to start thinking about
the future. This is a a team that just gave
extensions to both Mike Rabel and John Robinson, so you
get a level of security, and when you have that
level of security, you can start thinking long term rather
(26:34):
than just now. So although this is a team that
they're in their core window, they have to decide like
how much do we sacrifice the now for the future.
So I I definitely think they will evaluate quarterbacks now.
This time might not be the right class, maybe they
wait another year, but I think they are starting to
get the realization that, hey, we have to prepare for
life after Ryan Tannehill. Regardless of what they're saying publicly
(26:57):
about how he's still there. Guy can't how many people
how many people have gotten in your mentions about Ryan
Tannehill and pointed to the fact that the Tight still
managed to lock up the number one seed in the
f C without Derrick Henry for the half. I'm not
saying a bunch of a bunch of a bunch of people.
Anytime I mentioned quarterback anywhere near the top of the draft,
They're like, we're the one seed next year. We just
(27:17):
need one more weapon, we need one more of this,
And I'm like, on paper, yes, but football is not
played that way, right everybody else catches up. So I
was a big believer of the Titans last year. I
was champion the boat when nobody cared about them. But
I also understand the reality of how they play football.
It's not it is not necessarily conducive for them to
(27:37):
continue to win a lot of these shootout games like
they did last year. So, um, when you lose a
game in the a f C playoffs where you have
nine sacks of Joe Burrow and the reason you lose
this for your quarterback through three interceptions, to me is
is the big the big you know, blinking lights that hey,
we have to get better at this position. So I
(27:58):
don't see them getting better immediately this year. But I
do think they know deep in their hearts, even if
they don't admit at the front office the head coach,
they know that, hey, we're gonna eventually have to get
an upgrade from bryan' sienna see here. And I thought
Brown's aficionado Nick Shook was gonna level an opinion on
Austin Hooper after a big contract with the Cleveland Browns
(28:19):
to now join the Tennessee Titans. But perhaps you're right,
Cam and he can get back to that form we
saw his final year with the Atlanta Falcons. Okay, let's
come back to you now, Nick, with a look at
the Houston Texans who sent to Shawn Watson someone finally
on his way out of town and into Cleveland. They
(28:41):
get three first round picks in return, uh In, in
addition to a little sugar in that deal as well,
and now have two first round picks at three and
number thirteen overall. So look, obviously that big subtraction is
an addition and draft capital. How does that factory of
your grade well for a team that was struggling to
have any draft capital on the on the heels of
the Bill of Brian Era. This is this is huge.
(29:02):
This is how you jump started rebuild by getting a
ton of capital at the top of the draft. They
have to hit on those picks, of course, and you
have to hope that Nick Kissirio does so. But you know, otherwise,
the biggest move they made this off season was convincing
Brandon Cooks to stick around, because they are still when
you look at him on paper, they're still lacking in talent.
You know, I closed this section of the roster reset
with a list of positions that could still address and
(29:24):
dot dot dot you get the drift. I mean, there's
there's still a lot of holes to fill. But what
it really does too is it takes away the constant
questioning about Deshohn Watson, which will be a load off
of you know, Nick kiss Ario, it will be a
load off of Lovey Smith, something he won't have to
deal with in his first season as the head coach there.
And more importantly, it's got to help Davis Mills a
little bit because he finished wrong down the stretch. They
(29:45):
tuned out the noise. He was basically given the keys
knowing that the season was headed nowhere and that the
best thing they could do is help him develop. But
now that we're going into this season, it seems the
Texans believe in him, and though they haven't surrounded him
with a ton of talent, keeping Cooks is a big
part of it and it allows him to kind of
take that next step. We all talk about year two
jumps and how guys make this huge jump in the
(30:05):
game slows down and everything. Davis Mills is in a
pretty solid situation for that with all things considered. So
I mean, grade wise, I don't know, you get maybe
a C plus because you didn't do it and make
a ton of splash moves. But that's not where they
are right now. The road is long, you know, Yeah,
I think I think I think that's a fair point too.
And if an edge rusher is their choice at number three,
(30:27):
you know, perhaps they come back with a wide receiver
at thirteen. We'll dig into that here a little bit. Uh,
But let's finish this up here, cam with a look
at the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are drafting number one overall
for the second straight year. Again. I'll get into those
draft needs here in a moment, but in terms of
other editions, they were out and spent with g M.
Trent Balky on the first couple of days of the
(30:47):
free agency frenzy. Kind of great. Does that get them? Yeah? Money, money, money, man.
I wish, I wish I was someone I could interest
in Jaguars and some services they're handing out money tex
so so so initially when I first saw their free
agency period, I was a little word about the value
they gave out. But the more it sat on me,
(31:08):
I realized just how far away this team is cons
and then you have to overpay some people, and so
I liked a lot of the moves they made, even
if I didn't love the value. So I think overall,
I give m a beat um because I think that
this team was in desperate need of players. And so
when you look at uh the the players they brought in.
I really like a Darius Williams they brought in, which
(31:28):
was an undercover um signing for them to help that
cornerback position um and really shine there. I liked Evan
ingram Um signing for them. UM. We really looked at
how Doug Peterson used tight ends in Philly with Zach Ertz,
with Dallas Godder, I see no reason why if everything
works out that every Ingram can't be the Duvall version
of zach Ertz. You know, there if he comes a
(31:50):
little bit more reliable as a pass catcher. Um. So
I like those moves. They made some really good splashing
on defensive side of the ball. Obviously they have their
first round pick. Um, I think this team will be
uh noticeably better. I don't think they're they're close to
being a playoff team, but I think you you get
more talent, you get a grown up in the building
running the program, and Doug Peterson and things should start
(32:11):
building the right way. And so I like that they
focused on building around Trevor this offseason and doing with
their actions, but also building up the depth of their
team because honestly, that team talent. Even with urban Meyer's dysfunction.
They were talent wise the worst team in football last
year too. So it's it's something be said about just
simply adding talent, coaching up the guys you have, and
(32:34):
seeing how it works. Yeah. Look at and I think
a lot of people want to talk about, you know, overspending.
Oh man, I can't believe you paid that much money
for Christian Kirk. Well, look, everybody overpays the free agency.
That's just that's just the cost of doing business. And
so when you need to plug holes like that in
free agency, you're going to spend that kind of money.
That's just the way it is. And so that's why
(32:54):
teams would prefer to build through the traffic or cost
effective and where players are under you know, a bit
more cost control. So, um, that's just the way the
NFL a us here at this point. So let's get
to the draft then, and Nick, let's come back. Um, well,
actually you know what, Camp, let's just continue right there
with the Jacks because they leave this thing off here
at number one overall for a second straight year. Um.
(33:15):
You know, we've we've kind of gone back and forth
on tackle or edge rusher there number one overall. I
can make a case for both, how do you see it?
So I am of the opinion they should still go
offensive tackle. And so I know that the board is
shifted more towards the Aiden Hutchinson and more recently seeing
some Trayvon Walker buzz uh, which I'm just not on
(33:38):
board with. But that's just me personally. Um, But I
I just feel feel this whole off season was about
building for for Trevor and so if that's your most
important piece, that's your franchise piece, I wouldn't let the
bad decisions the franchise. Cam Robinson, uh changed the jurch
trajectory of my franchise decision. So whether it's Evan Neil,
whether it's Ikey from North Carolina State, UM, I don't
(34:01):
see you going wrong there with that number one pick.
Slot him in at left tackle if you need to
put him at guard for one one year while you
have Cam Robinson there. Cool. But I don't think any
team has ever been disappointed on building their offensive line
around a quarterback, and we've seen it um year year again,
particularly recently, the value of having a competent offensive line.
(34:21):
So I just and ultimately, I obviously don't think the
drop off when you talk about drop off from the
edge rusher class from the top of the first round,
top of the second round, I think that's a lot
smaller than the drop off of the offensive tackle class.
So you go get one of the top offensive linement
at one, and you come back there at thirty three
and maybe a guy like a David and Joe who
was still sitting there, or a boy a ma Fe
(34:43):
someone in that realm and they can get you get
you that edge rush ability that you need. So um,
that would be the route. Eye go. Yeah, that's interesting
because you know people want to say, well, they just
franchise tag Cam, you know Cam Robinson. Again, well yes,
but that's good for one year unless they worked on
a long term deal with which it doesn't you know,
doesn't seem like that's something that's a huge priority here
(35:03):
at this point. And so if he ends up leaving
after this next season, well then you've got another potential
replacement there at left tackle, along with a guy like
Walker Little, who they drafted last year on Day two. Um. Okay,
so yeah, that's that's the case for the Jacks. But
I also wouldn't be shocked if Aton Hutchinson is the pick.
Like I called this thing a yard drive straight down
(35:24):
the fairway at TPC Sawgrass, Like it's just one that
can't miss. He's he's the safest player in the draft.
So I could definitely see it from that perspective as well. Nick,
let's go to the Texans, who are sitting right there
at number three overall and also at thirteen. Um, you know,
if if you know Davis Mills is our guy, as
love Smith has said, are these picks about supporting him? Yeah,
(35:45):
I feel like this isn't the draft to replace Davis
Mills with somebody. Let's give him another year and and
and address the many other needs elsewhere. And I think,
you know, in this class, and we just came just
talked about the depth of edge rusher being one of
those positions. I think it's came on Timoda. I think
that's the guy that you bring in to to put
on a defensive front that needs that kind of impact player.
(36:05):
You know, Whitney Merciless moved on last year. You you've
lost you know J. J. Watt two years ago, you
know before last season as well. You need to restocked
that with some young talent that's kind of a big
name as well. I mean, like we said before, there's
a lot of areas they could go. They have a
ton of needs, but I think at that top selection
you go with probably the second best edge rusher in
this class. And then you know, fortunately for them, they
(36:27):
have a franchise left tackle and Laramy Tunsel who's getting
you know, better with each year and and is getting
paid like it, so they don't necessarily need to go
to that position. To address it, I think they could
go best player available, as you guys said, you know,
it's always best player available. I think that's gonna end
up being Tibodeau, who Tiboda was a guy we were
talking about, you know, maybe a year or two ago,
as being number one in the draft before Hudgerson rose.
And so I think you get that out of that.
(36:47):
And yeah, though it seems like a player that to me,
you get the overthought up of players in this draft. Yes,
because they've been in the class for so long, we've
heard their name. You start picking at them, picking at them,
picking at him, Well, well, he doesn't have the character
or the personality of the maturity. Sometimes doos this ball?
I remember what they did that to Justin Herbert and
(37:08):
look at it now. So to meet Cavon Thibodeau is
going to be one of those guys. A year or
two from now, we're gonna wonder why did he go
why didn't he go one? Why did he go you know,
as low as he did, and just it's gonna seem foolish. Yeah,
And to that point, you know, Tibodeau has been getting
picked apart since he was a high school sophomore at
Dorsey in l A. Before he even transferred a Christian,
before he chose ore again. And then he's been getting
(37:29):
picked apart because he said it chose Oregon because of
the business opportunities, because he was thinking, you know, beyond college,
because of the Nike branding and everything else. Um, he's
gonna be a good player. It's really hard to argue otherwise.
The motor question, I guess is there. I think once
against the NFL, he's gonna prove everybody wrong. Yeah, you know,
certainly could be. And if you know, if that's the pick,
what if edge rushers go one and two? Um, you know,
(37:51):
is Cavon Thibodeau the highest guy on the board at
that point, or for Nick Kissarrio, do one of those
top two tackles if you have your choice of Evan
Neil or Ricky A Kwandu there? Does Nick Asserio have
them slotted just ahead of Cavon? It? But I think
will be the ultimate, um you know, decision point there
for Cassio. And look, I'm just tell any of if
Garrett Wilson or if Drake London or is available there
(38:13):
at thirteen, I don't think they will be Jamison Williams
might be. There's a lot to think about there. From
the wide receiver spot at thirteen overall for the Texas,
you can get a lot of value with the position.
You know, always draft especially there, So I think, yeah,
you can't go wrong at thirteen. There's they really shouldn't
fret about that at thirteen at all. No, exactly right,
exactly right. It's a great spot to be in there
for for that team. All right, let's move back to
(38:34):
the Tennessee Titans here, Cam, who pick at twenty six
overall in the first round. Where do you see that going?
Is that? Is that another? Is that an offensive line thing?
As you mentioned, one of the one of the perhaps
you know areas where they were a little light in
terms of offseason acquisitions. Yeah, I think this makes a
lot of sense for offensive line. I think it's got
(38:56):
to be on the offensive side of the ball. You
either go get you a top playmaker that you love,
or you're got to get offensive linement that secure protection
for them. So they're picking two six, so they're a
little lower in the draft. You're probably gonna be looking
through your end of your first round grade some second
round grades there. Um, this is a lot of times
where you gotta decide, hey, do you want to take
a little bit of a project offensive tackle or do
you take a guard and you know your positional value there.
(39:19):
I mentioned his name earlier, but ken Yan Green is
a guy that I think they like a lot. He
could fill a guard spot for them. You take a
guard there in the late second round at late first
round if he's available. I don't see any issue with that.
We're standing what guards are getting paid these days and
free agency. That position is no longer a luxury position.
That's becoming a premium position going forward. So I can
(39:40):
definitely see them pulling the trigger there. You know, maybe
a guy like a Bernard Raymond from Central Michigan if
you wanted to take you know that type of player. Uh,
in the late rounds there. They try with Isaiah Wilson
a couple of years ago. It didn't work out, but
they need somebody to feel that right tackle spot. It's
been a revolving door um there as well, and I'd
love to see them with another a fun playmaker if
(40:02):
the offensive lignement is not there. Um, you know, if
Traylon Burke's is there at twenty six imagine him and
him A J. Brown and Robert Woods all on the
field together. Uh, that would be. That would be that
would make the Titans offense fun for the first time
in a long time. So I can imagine that. And
guys couldn't load the box up for Derrick Hemery anymore.
So that would be that would be a fun pick
(40:24):
for for me to see if if it was an
offensive line, I think, um, in terms of offensive line,
their opinion on Dylan Ratings, their second round pick last year,
will probably factor into that choice. There does he does
he finally does he slide in? Um, you know, at
right tackle? I think I think it will be one
of those decision points. Yeah, what he got, Kim, And
(40:44):
so I'm Dylan Ratings. I actually talked to a couple
of their coaches this offseason, and the general consensus I
got was they felt like he wasn't ready to be
penciled in as a starter yet, and so they were like, hey,
this is a challenge to him prove us wrong. This
officas improved that you can take one of those starters spots.
But they said, as of what they've seen for so far,
he still needs some development. So you know, I think
a lot of these. You're probably not gonna find a
(41:06):
rookie who's gonna be super developed there at either, So
they're probably in a in a rock and a hard place.
But I don't know if they're going in saying Dylan
Radans is for sure a starter for us. So, UM,
a lot more questions at that spot. If you remember,
they end up releasing what's the guard's name, the veteran
guard that they Roger Safe, Yeah, Roger Saffle. So that's
another spot that needs to be filled as well. So, um,
(41:29):
most offensive line spots. Maybe Dylan Radings fills one, but
I definitely think they need to still still go get
another one. Yeah. By the way, Kenyan Green's played all
over the offensive line for Texas A and M, so
you know, not just to guard, even though that might
be what he's best suited for at the next level,
you know, could help as a as a versatile piece
as well. Let's finish this off here. Nick Shook, with
the team without a first round pick in this division,
(41:52):
that is, the Indianapolis Cold Tool, joined the party as
it currently stands now with the tenth pick of the
second round forty two overall. What do you got there
for Chris Ballard to the Colts. Yeah, there's about thirty
one picks in between their second and third round pick,
so you know, you don't have a ton of luxury
in terms of, well, let's play the situation this way.
Let's get this b p A here, and then maybe
we address a need lower down. They got to basically,
(42:13):
you know, identify I think, you know a mix between
best player available and needs. And if you look at
them on paper, this is probably the first time the
last five years maybe where you look at their offensive
line and you think that's not as solid as I
thought it was. Um, there's there's some questions that left tackle.
There was a question of left tackle last year before
they brought on Eric Fisher and and that you know
(42:34):
they didn't quite get the return from that that they expected.
Right guard is interesting. Mark Lewinski has gone, you've taken
that old starting five and and kind of chopped it
down to the remaining three. So I think there's some
questions there. We've talked about receiver already. The fact that
they're picking in the second round, you think about the
depth of the draft. Receiver is a very deep position.
They don't really need any edge rushing help, not after
they went out and gotten gok Way impaired him with
(42:55):
quidty pay. So that's one of the other deeper positions
that's already addressed. My other big need for them cornerback.
I mean, if you look at them on paper as well,
you know, you get rid of Gisin, who I don't
think lived up the expectations they had for him, which
is part of why they were convinced to trade him. Um,
the departure of him leaves a little bit of a
hole they Brandy Brandon faces, and but you know, I
think they could stand to add there as well. Um,
(43:17):
you know, they had a nice little pro bowler and
Kenny Moore, who is your slot corner. I don't think
he ends up kicking out, so I think he's best
suited to stay at the slot corner and then we
kind of move from there. Again, the lack of a
first round pick is gonna hurt them a little bit.
If I had to guess they go receiver just because
of the depth of the class. There are many ways
they could go. It's not a talent poor team, but
they do have a few holes that they still need
to fill. Yeah, it is kind of interesting because it
(43:39):
does seem like holes that premier positions left tackle, um,
you know, cornerback, these are these are positions that teams
go out and spend a lot of money on, or
go out and spend a lot of draft resources on. Camp. Yeah.
I actually have a quick question if I could just
listen to you with the Colts, and I'm curious what
the national perspective would be, but do you view the
close edition of Matt Ryan has enough to get them
(44:01):
over the Titans? Are they still with the holes of
some of the holes you mentioned Nick's short That's a
good question. I would say yes, uh quick answer, yes.
You know, you could kind of delve into some of
the potential pitfalls and weaknesses of this team, but out
of right now, I would say yes, because that was
their biggest weakness. They didn't lose a ton of guys
this offseason. They did make additions and they certainly upgraded
(44:22):
at quarterback. And the thing I liked the most about
the addition to Matt Ryan is the fact that he's
got experience. I mean, he's not named nicknamed Maddie Ice
for just no reason. I mean, the guy knows how
to play under pressure and He's stepping into a situation
that hasn't been this good for him since he was
leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl. So I think
he is enough. But if I want to consider them
a legitimate contender beyond the a f C South to
get deep into the a f C playoffs, They're still
(44:44):
gonna need to add somebody else. Great point and conversation
full of them right there with Cameron Wolf and Nick Shook,
setting a straight on the a f C North in
the a f C South, and finishing up our Roster
Reset series. Thanks very much, fellas. All Right, that's gonna
(45:07):
do it for this episode of NFL Inside Report. Thanks
so much for being with us. Reminder to download, rate,
and review our show and the I Heart Radio app
on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. We
appreciate you guys being along for the ride. For our
producers Thomas Warren, Tim Peraca, and Harrison Sanford. I'm your host,
Bret Lewis. We'll catch you next time. NFL Inside Report
(45:27):
is the production of the NFL and partnership with I
Heart Radio. For more official podcasts from the NFL, visit
the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you
get your podcasts,
NFL Inside Report is the production of the NFL in
partnership with I Heart Radio. I'm Rhett Lewis and this
is NFL Inside Report. We're gonna talk about the Steelers
today as we wrap our Roster Reset series, but before
we do, we want to acknowledge the tragedy that this
organization and the NFL community is mourning, and that, of course,
(00:26):
is the death of Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Haskins died
last weekend in South Florida when he was hit by
a vehicle on a highway. He was only twenty four
years old. Head coach Mike Tomlin called Haskins a great
teammate and said he was one of the hardest workers,
both on the field and in the community. His first coach,
Ron Rivera, said his zeal for life will be missed,
(00:48):
and he came to work every day with a smile
on his face and energy and love in his heart,
a sentiment echoed by many of his former teammates and
players that he simply cross paths with. We joined the
entire NFL community and offering our condolences to the Haskins family.
(01:22):
Back with you for another episode of our Roster reset
series wrapping up the remaining divisions in the a f C.
So we've been touring the league to check on moves
NFL teams have made this offseason and how they'll play
out here in the two season, obviously with a big
look ahead towards the NFL Draft on the horizon here
at the end of April. On our final stop today,
(01:44):
we're venturing into the a f C North and the
a f C South, and here to help us do
it our palace here from NFL Media, Cameron Wolf and
Nick Shook, guys, two of our favorites throughout the year
here on Inside Report. Thanks for being back here with us.
We've separated this thing out here a little bit. Starting
with the a f C North. Cam's gonna cover the
Steelers in the Ravens. Nick will be there with his
(02:05):
beloved Browns, and of course the a f C champion
Cincinnati Bengals. I don't know if that's a little bit
of shade we're throwing your way on that one, Nick,
but it's all good. Um. Cam, let's start here with
the Pittsburgh Steelers. How would you grade what they've done
this off season, their first without Ben roethlisbergers their starting quarterback.
(02:29):
I would give them a B minus uh B minus
C plus range for the Steelers simply because everything is
gonna be viewed through the prism of their quarterback situation. I,
for one, I'm not a Mitchell Travisca trip. Mitch doesn't
go by Mitch. Mitch Trabinsky. Yeah, believer, and so I
don't know if they had a lot of tons of
(02:50):
different options, but for me, that doesn't breed any confidence. Uh,
they have been doing their homework on the draft train.
The best thing I think they've done this offseason is
is and it's kind of went under the radar, is
rebuilding their offensive line. That offensive line was really bad
last year. They signed Uh, they resigned Chuka okafora they
brought in James Daniels, they brought in a J. Cole
(03:11):
or Mason cole Um. So the hope is they can
be better for Naji Harris, clearly they're trying to have
a more mobile offense do some things they couldn't do
it Big Ben last year. So I expect them to
have some mobility with Mitchell Robinsky, be a run first
based offense, and I did like to move with Miles
Jack to bring in to replace Joe Sherbrick. So I
(03:32):
still think they're the fourth best team in this division. Um,
but I don't think they're all season last. Yeah, I
didn't think they're gonna finish last, but they're off season
in general, it feels like a team in transition. Their
GM Kevin Colbert's gonna resign or step down after the
year been. Roethlisberger has done, their DC, Keith Butler um
(03:53):
is gone. So I think we're gonna get a test
of whether this uh non winless UH sixteen years for
Mike Tomlin streak is gonna continue. But for their off
season in general, I don't have any you know, Hugh
issues with what they did. Yeah, talking about that, you know,
even the fact on those seasons where they didn't make
the playoffs still with a winning record, Mike Tomland one
of the most consistently successful in that metric that we've
(04:17):
seen at the head coaching spot for sure. Okay, And
I love what you mentioned there about the mobility. I
think we might see the full array of the Matt
Canada offense this year as he enters into his second
season as the offensive coordinator, and that perhaps is a
little bit of a tease ahead to what we'll talk
about with Steelers draft needs here and just a little
bit talking about mobility and quarterbacks here in just a second.
(04:41):
But first let's get to your Browns here, Nick Schuck.
I mean, look, it's all about Deshaun Watson here. So
how does that factor into the grade you got for Cleveland.
That's a big part of the grade. It's a B
plus because you know, if you get if you look
at it from a football perspective and and you move
beyond however long he suspended. If he is suspended, it
is a massive upgraded quarterback, which is obviously their biggest need.
(05:03):
Just to something that Andrew Area and Kevin Stefanaki identified,
it seemed from the middle of last season that they
needed to be better at quarterback. It had shades of
Sean McVeigh and less sneed looking at Jared Goffin saying
we need to be better. The Browns hopefull get a
similar return out of to Shaun Watson. But the reason
that they get such a you know, a positive grace
because if he does end up being the guy that
they expect him to be over the course of this
five years, and that guaranteed you know, two or thirty
(05:25):
million dollars. Then then it's a win. It's a big
one for them, and it transforms the future of the franchise,
which hasn't had a quarterback like that really ever. If ever,
you know, maybe Bernie Cozar in the eighties or Auto Graham,
you know, in the earliest days of the franchise, and
then from there, you know, they've made some other savvy editions.
The reason that they're not moving into the A range
at this point is because you still have to answer
(05:47):
a question receiver. You still have to answer a question
at defensive end, and they're they're pretty thin at defensive
tackle as well. So we're kind of riding that out.
Does Jarvis Landry come back, Does Jadeveon Clowney come back?
Do they make additions elsewhere or you know, with other
players of those positions. That remains to be seen. We
know that Andrew Berry likes to restock in the draft,
is most gms do that aren't named Less need Um.
But there's still a lot of questions I think to
(06:08):
answer with the Browns, and and you give them credit
for going and you know, answering the quarterback question um
and they have the talent offensively, it's a matter for
them of staying healthy and filling these needs. So the
v Marii Cooper trade, uh, you know, to bring him
in for Dallas was not exactly what you would consider.
Would not make that wide receiver grouping finished product yet?
(06:30):
Yeah no, because he's your number one. But losing Jarvis
Landry takes away the the heartbeat of the team really
since they started their turnaround a few years ago. He
was the face of that. He was also super dependable.
He played through a ton of injuries, but he was
the guy you could always count, especially third and five
six yards, you could always go to Jervis Landry. That's
a big void, And the reason that it's a big
void is because the guys that are left are pretty unproven.
(06:52):
You got Donovan People's Jones, who I think could be
a star with enough time to develop. He shows flashes
of it. And Anthany Schwartzer needs to work on his
route running, in his his reliability with his hands. That's
basically the majority of your group. You still need to
put somebody else in there. So Cam, let's come back
to you here on the Ravens, And I feel like
This is a really interesting case here, because if they
(07:13):
just get back healthy all the guys that they were
without last year, I feel like the off season is
kind of a win. How else do you kind of
grade some of the additions though in subtractions that they've
seen here not right, I think you're hit it hit
them on money. You have to grave the Ravens a
little bit on a curve, right, because they're off season
is getting back Martin hun Fries, getting back now S Speters,
(07:33):
getting back some of these ballers that made them a
top contender. So I think if we were just grading
them based on their additions, I might be closer to
the sea range. But I think given that, I think
they will be better just through attrition. I think I
give him a B on this offseason. Um, I look
at some of the areas this could have been a
The various Smith situation really bothers me because that was
(07:56):
maybe their biggest need, needing the pass rusher, um and
they whiffed on that situation. And he's heading to Minnesota,
and so there's still this big gaping hole for me.
And I think we're gonna talk a little bit about
that when we come draft time because I think that's
where I would go if I was the Ravens. But um,
I look at them getting a Marcus Williams. Um For
some reason, the Ravens more than any team, always loved
(08:17):
that free agent safety. Um. No matter how much we
try to devalue that that position, the Ravens say, no,
We're gonna set the market every year. So I think
Marcus Williams is a really good player and him paired
on along with Marlon Humphrey Marcus Peters healthy should help
that secondary that was a horrific secondary last year. I
don't think people will remember how bad they were. I
(08:38):
think they gave up the most passing yards NFL NFL
last year and the franchise worst touchdown passes. So just
a historically bad Ravens defense. Um, they weren't able to
get to the passer. I think they haven't had a
double digit sack sack guy since. I think, really this
team needs to go back being that smash mouth Ravens
(08:59):
defense they used to be and stopped having Lamar Jackson
having to be superman. So um, I definitely, uh, I
definitely think that this is a team that with all
the moves with Cleveland and Shawn Watson with Joe Burrow
coming off Super Bowl. They're coming in sneaking on the radar.
I wouldn't be shocked if if somehow they come out
with the division around this time next year. Yeah, there's
(09:20):
certainly certainly in the mix there, and I think you're
right there and SA Darius Smith that we kind of
all of like, all right to Darius Smith coming home again.
This sort of sort of feels like something you know,
that they that that the Ravens certainly needed but then
just couldn't close the deal in the end. And Smith
now moves off to the n f C North with
the Minnesota Vikings. Come back to you on that fourteenth
(09:41):
overall pick with the Ravens here in a moment, but Nick,
back to you to close out the off season grades
with the reigning a f C champion Cincinnati Bengals, who
look clearly got the message with the offensive line need right.
I can hear their interest music now the defending a
f C champions and the breaking of glass to stone
(10:01):
cold Steve Boston Enters. Yeah, you know, and when the
Ross the reset uh. This week, the top three editions
I listened for them were all offensive linemen and they
got the message. The message was loud and clear in
the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl when they were
unable to protect Joe Burrow adequately enough for him to
lead them down the field for a thrilling victory. And
they went out and responded in kind. You know, they
(10:22):
get Layout Collins, who I think that you know, they
capitalize on on the Cowboys cutting ties with him to
save some caps, basically eat Alex cap But they had
Ted Carriss, they had depth. More importantly than anything they
had depth they had experienced. They had guys that they
can count and throw in there because they ran into
this issue multiple times in the in the postseason last year.
You know, you had a chemand energy at right guard
and then you had Jackson Carman at right guard the
(10:43):
next series against Kansas City because they couldn't rely on
either to properly pass protect against the team that was
getting after Joe Burrow. So to fill this void is
a big step for them because the rest of the
pieces are there. That's what we saw. And you know,
the two biggest hurdles for guys are you gotta have
the pieces and you've gotta stay healthy. They stayed healthy
last year and now they've added pieces and they can
stay healthy again. I think they continue to be can
(11:04):
tender and and maybe they prove that they're not a flute.
They're not a flash in the pan. If anything, They've
definitely made the effort toward proving that in this off season. Yeah,
and by the way, Nick wouldn't hate it if their
first choice in this year's NFL drafted number thirty one
overall was another offensive lineman out there. I mean, you know,
maybe it's Zion Johnson out of Boston College. How do
you see some of the areas in which they could
(11:26):
go there at thirty one and beyond Nick, I think
that that makes sense. Maybe on the defensive front as well,
just because I think about the departure of Larriogen Julie.
You know, they like to stick with who they had,
but you know, that added some depth there that was
really helpful for them. So, but I would love to
see offensive line. I don't think you can have enough
offensive linemen. It's like baseball, you can't have enough pitching.
You can't have enough offensive lineman because you lose one guy.
(11:46):
I mean, they lost Riley Reef late in the season
last year, and it became, you know, one of the
biggest weaknesses that we saw, so you can't have enough
depth and developing guys for the future is always a
good thing, alright, Cam, coming back to you here with
the Ravens as we come back up the division now
and looking at Baltimore sitting at number fourteen over all,
and there's gonna be a really good player available there,
(12:08):
you know, maybe on either side of the offensive or
defensive line. Um, although you know, uh, there's a bunch
of different ways that GM Eric di Costa could go.
What do you see as some of those possibilities? Now,
I started the trenches where you mentioned. I remember a
game I uh covered last year that puzzled me the most.
It was a Thursday night football game. We did the
(12:29):
Dolphins Ravens game, and that was when the Ravens were
coming in super hot. Everybody was talking about Lamar Jackson
as an m VP candidate, and then the Dolphins went
zero blitz, zero blitz, zero blitz and it broke everything.
And so although we talk a lot about the defensive
side of the ball and they have to get better there,
you can't have enough offensive alignment. So it wouldn't it
(12:49):
wouldn't bother me at all if they sat there at
fourteen and took the best offensive lineman, whether that's you know,
Trevor Penning out of Northern Iowa's he's if he's there,
Charles cross Falls there from Mississippi State, um, or even
if they wanted to do interior offensive linement like a
king in Green from Texas A and M. I wouldn't
have a problem with any of those picks. Um. But
if I were in the GM circle, I'd probably go
(13:12):
and try to find that edge rusher who's on the board. Um.
And you know some of the top guys are gonna
be going in the top five. Your Hutchinson's, your Trayvon Walkers,
who's getting a lot of buzz um. But maybe you
get a guy like a Jermaine Johnson from Florida State.
They're sitting there at fourteen, and I'd say one other thing,
this is a team we talked in the past about,
uh what made them great? Um? Why not go out
(13:34):
and get that middle linebacker spot figured out? If if
you if you love one of these two guys here
in Devon Lloyd or na Kobe Dean, your your offensive
linement is not right for you. You You don't want to
reach out an edge there in a deep edge class.
Maybe you find fall in love with a Devon Lloyd
or Nakobe Dean and he fills that middle linebacker spot
for you for a long time. Yeah, there's definitely some options.
(13:55):
They're all all really good ones for the Baltimore Ravens.
And then with that, Nick, let's go back to the
Browns here who will take night off as it stands
currently on night one, But once we get into day two,
they're back on the clock in the second third rounds
with a couple of positions that they could look at there.
(14:15):
I think you gotta look at receiver. You gotta look
at edge rusher, depending on what happens with the clinic,
but I think even down the road, you gotta look
at edge rusher. I know they went out and got
Chase one of it, but that's a depth guy. Um.
You look at the defensive front because the rest of
the defense makes sense for the most part. I for
the last few years have looked at the roster and thought,
I mean, you got to add a linebacker. Now. They
went and got Jeremiah Usi Cormo last year and he
turned out to be a stud, but that's not the
(14:37):
middle linebacker that I'm still seeking. They resigned Anthony Walker,
so I still think somewhere in there. And then especially
with this class, there are some values you just mentioned.
They could add somebody to be a playmaking, uh you know,
type of guy, and and it can be there beyond
the one year deal that you keep signing a guy
like Anthony Walker too. But I think you gotta look
first at receiver because of what we already discussed, and
(14:58):
you have to you have to look at edge because
of the importance of the position and pairing with Miles
Garrett because the one thing you don't want to get
caught doing is having to face an offense that's going
to dedicate to blockers, whether it's a tackle on the
tight end, a tackle and a guy chipping, whatever it
is to Miles Garrett. Might that might give you an
edge on the offensive side, but you've got to have
a guy who is able to take advantage of that
(15:19):
of that situation on the you know, the opposite side.
So I think that you really need to look at
that spot as well. If I had a way between
the two, I still think wide receiver is more important. Um,
just because the way that their units played last year.
But again there's a lot of unknown with this team
because you're mixing in a new quarterback. I expect a
bit of a scheme change. We'll see how that reflects
either way. You know, if I were to do a mock,
(15:40):
it was coming right out of Indie. I thought sky More,
if he's there in round two, is a great fit
for them. I don't think Star is going to be there,
but you're right, yeah, I think you're right. In fact,
in that piece that I was mentioning, uh, using the
pff mox simulator and NFL dot Com, I actually had
to give sky More to the Lions at number thirty
two in the first round. So it's some other wide
(16:01):
receiver names to look at. David Bell for Purdue I
think would maybe give the round something they don't have
at that position, which is, you know a little bit
more of the physical type of guy. You've got the
burner with Anthony Schwartz. Um, I look at John Mechi
from Alabama, Uh, George Pickens from Georgia, another big physical guy,
UM Khalil Shakier from Boise State. Or if they're waiting
till the third round Alec Pearson Wandale Robinson from Cincinnati
(16:23):
and Kentucky respectively, two of my favorites in this class.
But all good options there, Nick, Thanks for that. And
let's finish this on the draft here with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cam,
who have been at all the quarterback pro Day's right,
um and and definitely making you know, making that not
not you know, hiding anything there. I think it's clear
that they're definitely considering a quarterback here with the twentie
(16:47):
overall pick in this year's draft. You think that's right
at the top of the board here for the Steelers, Oh,
I absolutely do. Right. I'd go as far as saying
I'd be pretty surprised if they don't walk out of
here with the quarterback. Um. Given what we've seen um
from the Steelers organization. They want stability at that position.
You know, is a franchise that has been been, has
(17:07):
had they been for much of the last two decades.
Before that, they had Terry Bradshaw for over a decade.
They want to have that stabilizer at the position. And
you've heard Mike Tomlin talk about mobility there. Actually had
a really good draft to have maybe a pick this
is a draft where you probably don't want to take
a quarterback in the top five or ten, but there's
gonna be one of those four available at twenty, and
(17:27):
probably multiple of those four. So you know, whether it's
a Matt Corrall or or Desmond Ritter, I think those
are probably the two of the names that are a
little bit more realistic for them. I think Milick Willison's
up going top ten. Um So, I was there at
Matt Carroll's pro day with Mike Thomlins and nobody else,
a coach or a scout spent more time talking to
Corral than Mike Thomlins, and you could. You know, we
(17:48):
all can make our conclusions on that. Maybe it means nothing,
maybe it means something. But I did see value in
that they, personally, him and Kevin Colbert wanted to go
to all all the top pro days and wanted to
do their due diligence here. So, um, I see that
being their result there, and I think that makes sense.
I did my little look through the a f C
and you can legitimately put twelve out of the sixteen
(18:09):
teams in the playoffs this year, and that's not even
including the Steelers and so you have to look at
a path not only this year, we're going forward. How
are you going to consistently be a contender And it's
not gonna be with mtro BISTI. So you're either gonna
punt on this year and wait till next year, um,
or you gotta make the plunge. And I do think
they make the plunge at number twenty or even trade up.
(18:30):
They have their their full lot mint of picks. If
a Malik Willis or whoever they love falls there some
more towards the back of the top ten or outside
of the teams, why not see them make a trade
up move. So I think this is the this is
the move that we all anticipate, and I don't think
it'll be a shock um on that Thursday of draft weekend. Yeah,
I think that's fair, um. And look it's just a
(18:51):
matter of you know, how does their quarterback board shake out?
And if three are gone by twenty, do they really
have a high enough grade on the fourth guy, you
know to make him that twenty overall pick. You know,
that's that's how you that's where it's hard to get
inside a GM's head and really know how they value you. Know,
those players at a position whereas you know, do they
(19:13):
do they take the fourth best quarterback or you know,
the fourth best edge rusher, you know what I mean.
Those types of debates or some of the things that
you have to weigh here at this point when you
get into the twenties and beyond. Uh okay, and it's
interest interesting, right real Briefly you hear all the BP
a versus need conversations, right, but if you talk to
people in the league, it's always best Yeah, yeah, it's
(19:34):
always best player of the laiable unless all of a
sudden the quarterbacks there and you know so, so I
believe the best player available and less of quarterbacks involved
and that and then the quarterback is almost never the
best player available on the board. Yeah. Well, now last
year you consider that, there's a different argument, But this
year is kind of a unique class, you know for sure.
But I think that's a that's a fair point. All right.
(19:56):
That's the a f C North here for a roster
reset series. Gonna take a quick break here on the
NFL Side Report. Come right back with a look inside
the a f C South back here with you on
(20:22):
NFL Inside Report. Rett Lewis here with Cameron Wolf and
Nick Shook, as we wrap up our Roster Reset series
by taking a look at the a f C sal
looking at offseason moves as we have done for all
thirty two teams and draft needs as we are nearing
the start of the NFL Draft live from Las Vegas April.
And a reminder that you can read more on the
(20:45):
Roster Reset series over on NFL dot com slash Roster Reset.
In there you will find our good pal Nick Shook
lending his brain and literary prowess to all of the
teams in the a f C over on NFL dot Com.
Of course, you could check out all of these angles
(21:06):
as well this week on NFL Network. Okay, so we
split up the teams here. Cam's gonna take the Titans
and the Jags. Nick, you're taking the Colts in the
Texans um and with that, then let's start with the Colts. Nick,
team that had an opportunity, you know, to get into
the playoffs in the final week of the regular season,
but obviously just just completely fell apart. There. Carson Wentz
(21:29):
is now gone. You got Matt Ryan coming in. What
kind of great are we given the Colts? You know
from a Colts fan perspective, it's like a home run.
It's an A plus. But from my perspective, it's great
that you replaced Carson Wentz with Matt Ryan, right because
that's the upgrade you got rid of what Jimmy Ursay
has not been very bashful about believing that, you know,
was the problem. Carson Wentz was the issue. They realized
(21:51):
they needed to move on the upgrade with a veteran
who they know can step in right away and make
a difference behind a solid offensive line. But my issue
is is that I still see didn't need to see.
You know, they're another playmaker too. You know, you got
t Y Hilton Lingering out there. I don't know if
it ends up being, you know, a reunion or not. Um,
if you look at this receiver depth chart, you know
Paris Campbell for my ald the monitor Savis of St.
(22:13):
Mary and went to Ohio State. He's a burner, but
he hasn't been able to stay healthy. So um, you
don't have a ton to count on beyond Pittman in
the receiving corps right now, and so you can you know,
one of my biggest addition Slash signings was retaining mo
Alei Cox because of what he brings that offense. But
if that's in my top three, now, of course you
have not got Yanniakua on the other side of the ball.
But if that's your top three in terms of playmakers,
(22:34):
I don't know. You have Jonathan Taylor and you got
Nahem Hines, both two very good backs. Taylor one of
the best backs in the league. I just need one
more guy, um And so to to that point, it's
like a B B plus somewhere in that range because
if we compare with the grades we gave in the
other division. You know, I gave the Browns B pluss
because getting Watson potentially transforms their franchise. Matt Ryan doesn't
have that much football left in him. Not saying he
can't play well, because I think that he has been
(22:57):
unfairly criticized for Atlanta struggles. I think he's been one
of the brighter spots and otherwise dim last couple of
years there. And I think he's gonna step in and
do great and he's probably gonna be the guy that
Carson couldn't be, which is the guy that can get
into the playoffs. And you know, let's not forget five
weeks left in the season. Last year, we were talking
about the Colts is a potential super Bowl favorite before
they ultimately missed the playoffs. Matt Ryan's gonna get them there.
(23:18):
Do they have the strength otherwise? I don't know if
that's if that's true at this point. Now, they can
do pretty well and the draft, Chris Ballad loves to
do that, but they gotta get a little bit better
in terms of roster to this point. Right now it's incomplete,
but it's pretty close to being complete. Yeah, I think
that's a that's a fair point. And look again, the
Colts without a first round pick one of those eight
(23:40):
teams as a result of the trade to acquire Carson Wentz,
but they did get some of that capital back getting
a second and third to send him off to the
Washington Commanders. So we'll come back to the Colts on
draft needs here just a little bit. But let's get
to you Cam now on the Tennessee Titans, obviously a
perennial contender these last few years with Mike vrabel as
(24:02):
the head coach, to win this division and get into
the post season as they did this last year. How
do you feel the you know, obviously the receiver turnover
was one of the big pieces of this offseason. How
does that factory in your grade? Yeah, I'd probably give
him a C. Honestly. Um, I think that, you know,
you look at what we've talked about in the a
f C and everything changing over. You get the Browns
(24:25):
making their big move. You see all of these teams
loading up the whole a f C West pre paying
for an arms race, and the Titans just sort of
stayed the same. And so you swap out Julio Jones
for Robert Woods, which I think is an upgrade because
you can't count Julio to stay healthy. So at the
same point, you're got a sinking calls in the in
the money situation for the dead cap situation for Julio. Um,
(24:47):
so it limits what you can do going forward. UM.
I did like to move to get Austin Hooper. Um.
Maybe maybe he bounced back to the Titan he was
a couple of years ago. In a scheme that really
prioritizes tight ends. They needed that tight end really since
de Laney Walker left and so that should help as well.
But I think they will need one more playmaker and
they didn't do enough for me to upgrade that offensive line.
(25:09):
Ryan Tannehill was the second most sack quarterback in the league,
only behind Joe Burrow, and the only really notable move
they did was resigning Ben Jones their center, which I
think was a good move. But they need to do
more um on the offensive side of the ball to
protect Ryan Tannehill, to create those lanes for Derrick Henry.
I'm a big believer in their defense. I love them
resigning Harold Landry. Some of the analytics sites were torn
(25:31):
on whether or not he was a value there, but
I think that the trio really the quartet of rushers
with him, Jeffrey Simmons, de Nico Autree, but dupri Um
is really what made the Titans the team they were
down the stretch. So um. I think they'll be really
good next year, but I think there will be still
a natural step back because of all the ANFC teams
and because I don't think they made a big enough
(25:52):
step and the quarterback will always be the question is
he good enough to lead you to where you need
to be? I think the Sea is the right grade
for them. Yeah, do you feel like the Titans have
that answer with I don't know I don't. I know,
I think they have that they're going to be stuck
with him in his contract is guaranteed, so the check's
gonna clear regardless. Um, But this is a team, and
(26:12):
I know I've mentioned this a couple of times this offseason.
Titans fans have gotten their feelings. But I wouldn't be
shocked if they sat there at twenty nine and found
a quarterback they loved they decided to go ahead and
make the plunge, Like, you have to start thinking about
the future. This is a a team that just gave
extensions to both Mike Rabel and John Robinson, so you
get a level of security, and when you have that
level of security, you can start thinking long term rather
(26:34):
than just now. So although this is a team that
they're in their core window, they have to decide like
how much do we sacrifice the now for the future.
So I I definitely think they will evaluate quarterbacks now.
This time might not be the right class, maybe they
wait another year, but I think they are starting to
get the realization that, hey, we have to prepare for
life after Ryan Tannehill. Regardless of what they're saying publicly
(26:57):
about how he's still there. Guy can't how many people
how many people have gotten in your mentions about Ryan
Tannehill and pointed to the fact that the Tight still
managed to lock up the number one seed in the
f C without Derrick Henry for the half. I'm not
saying a bunch of a bunch of a bunch of people.
Anytime I mentioned quarterback anywhere near the top of the draft,
They're like, we're the one seed next year. We just
(27:17):
need one more weapon, we need one more of this,
And I'm like, on paper, yes, but football is not
played that way, right everybody else catches up. So I
was a big believer of the Titans last year. I
was champion the boat when nobody cared about them. But
I also understand the reality of how they play football.
It's not it is not necessarily conducive for them to
(27:37):
continue to win a lot of these shootout games like
they did last year. So, um, when you lose a
game in the a f C playoffs where you have
nine sacks of Joe Burrow and the reason you lose
this for your quarterback through three interceptions, to me is
is the big the big you know, blinking lights that hey,
we have to get better at this position. So I
(27:58):
don't see them getting better immediately this year. But I
do think they know deep in their hearts, even if
they don't admit at the front office the head coach,
they know that, hey, we're gonna eventually have to get
an upgrade from bryan' sienna see here. And I thought
Brown's aficionado Nick Shook was gonna level an opinion on
Austin Hooper after a big contract with the Cleveland Browns
(28:19):
to now join the Tennessee Titans. But perhaps you're right,
Cam and he can get back to that form we
saw his final year with the Atlanta Falcons. Okay, let's
come back to you now, Nick, with a look at
the Houston Texans who sent to Shawn Watson someone finally
on his way out of town and into Cleveland. They
(28:41):
get three first round picks in return, uh In, in
addition to a little sugar in that deal as well,
and now have two first round picks at three and
number thirteen overall. So look, obviously that big subtraction is
an addition and draft capital. How does that factory of
your grade well for a team that was struggling to
have any draft capital on the on the heels of
the Bill of Brian Era. This is this is huge.
(29:02):
This is how you jump started rebuild by getting a
ton of capital at the top of the draft. They
have to hit on those picks, of course, and you
have to hope that Nick Kissirio does so. But you know, otherwise,
the biggest move they made this off season was convincing
Brandon Cooks to stick around, because they are still when
you look at him on paper, they're still lacking in talent.
You know, I closed this section of the roster reset
with a list of positions that could still address and
(29:24):
dot dot dot you get the drift. I mean, there's
there's still a lot of holes to fill. But what
it really does too is it takes away the constant
questioning about Deshohn Watson, which will be a load off
of you know, Nick kiss Ario, it will be a
load off of Lovey Smith, something he won't have to
deal with in his first season as the head coach there.
And more importantly, it's got to help Davis Mills a
little bit because he finished wrong down the stretch. They
(29:45):
tuned out the noise. He was basically given the keys
knowing that the season was headed nowhere and that the
best thing they could do is help him develop. But
now that we're going into this season, it seems the
Texans believe in him, and though they haven't surrounded him
with a ton of talent, keeping Cooks is a big
part of it and it allows him to kind of
take that next step. We all talk about year two
jumps and how guys make this huge jump in the
(30:05):
game slows down and everything. Davis Mills is in a
pretty solid situation for that with all things considered. So
I mean, grade wise, I don't know, you get maybe
a C plus because you didn't do it and make
a ton of splash moves. But that's not where they
are right now. The road is long, you know, Yeah,
I think I think I think that's a fair point too.
And if an edge rusher is their choice at number three,
(30:27):
you know, perhaps they come back with a wide receiver
at thirteen. We'll dig into that here a little bit. Uh,
But let's finish this up here, cam with a look
at the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are drafting number one overall
for the second straight year. Again. I'll get into those
draft needs here in a moment, but in terms of
other editions, they were out and spent with g M.
Trent Balky on the first couple of days of the
(30:47):
free agency frenzy. Kind of great. Does that get them? Yeah? Money, money, money, man.
I wish, I wish I was someone I could interest
in Jaguars and some services they're handing out money tex
so so so initially when I first saw their free
agency period, I was a little word about the value
they gave out. But the more it sat on me,
(31:08):
I realized just how far away this team is cons
and then you have to overpay some people, and so
I liked a lot of the moves they made, even
if I didn't love the value. So I think overall,
I give m a beat um because I think that
this team was in desperate need of players. And so
when you look at uh the the players they brought in.
I really like a Darius Williams they brought in, which
(31:28):
was an undercover um signing for them to help that
cornerback position um and really shine there. I liked Evan
ingram Um signing for them. UM. We really looked at
how Doug Peterson used tight ends in Philly with Zach Ertz,
with Dallas Godder, I see no reason why if everything
works out that every Ingram can't be the Duvall version
of zach Ertz. You know, there if he comes a
(31:50):
little bit more reliable as a pass catcher. Um. So
I like those moves. They made some really good splashing
on defensive side of the ball. Obviously they have their
first round pick. Um, I think this team will be
uh noticeably better. I don't think they're they're close to
being a playoff team, but I think you you get
more talent, you get a grown up in the building
running the program, and Doug Peterson and things should start
(32:11):
building the right way. And so I like that they
focused on building around Trevor this offseason and doing with
their actions, but also building up the depth of their
team because honestly, that team talent. Even with urban Meyer's dysfunction.
They were talent wise the worst team in football last
year too. So it's it's something be said about just
simply adding talent, coaching up the guys you have, and
(32:34):
seeing how it works. Yeah. Look at and I think
a lot of people want to talk about, you know, overspending.
Oh man, I can't believe you paid that much money
for Christian Kirk. Well, look, everybody overpays the free agency.
That's just that's just the cost of doing business. And
so when you need to plug holes like that in
free agency, you're going to spend that kind of money.
That's just the way it is. And so that's why
(32:54):
teams would prefer to build through the traffic or cost
effective and where players are under you know, a bit
more cost control. So, um, that's just the way the
NFL a us here at this point. So let's get
to the draft then, and Nick, let's come back. Um, well,
actually you know what, Camp, let's just continue right there
with the Jacks because they leave this thing off here
at number one overall for a second straight year. Um.
(33:15):
You know, we've we've kind of gone back and forth
on tackle or edge rusher there number one overall. I
can make a case for both, how do you see it?
So I am of the opinion they should still go
offensive tackle. And so I know that the board is
shifted more towards the Aiden Hutchinson and more recently seeing
some Trayvon Walker buzz uh, which I'm just not on
(33:38):
board with. But that's just me personally. Um, But I
I just feel feel this whole off season was about
building for for Trevor and so if that's your most
important piece, that's your franchise piece, I wouldn't let the
bad decisions the franchise. Cam Robinson, uh changed the jurch
trajectory of my franchise decision. So whether it's Evan Neil,
whether it's Ikey from North Carolina State, UM, I don't
(34:01):
see you going wrong there with that number one pick.
Slot him in at left tackle if you need to
put him at guard for one one year while you
have Cam Robinson there. Cool. But I don't think any
team has ever been disappointed on building their offensive line
around a quarterback, and we've seen it um year year again,
particularly recently, the value of having a competent offensive line.
(34:21):
So I just and ultimately, I obviously don't think the
drop off when you talk about drop off from the
edge rusher class from the top of the first round,
top of the second round, I think that's a lot
smaller than the drop off of the offensive tackle class.
So you go get one of the top offensive linement
at one, and you come back there at thirty three
and maybe a guy like a David and Joe who
was still sitting there, or a boy a ma Fe
(34:43):
someone in that realm and they can get you get
you that edge rush ability that you need. So um,
that would be the route. Eye go. Yeah, that's interesting
because you know people want to say, well, they just
franchise tag Cam, you know Cam Robinson. Again, well yes,
but that's good for one year unless they worked on
a long term deal with which it doesn't you know,
doesn't seem like that's something that's a huge priority here
(35:03):
at this point. And so if he ends up leaving
after this next season, well then you've got another potential
replacement there at left tackle, along with a guy like
Walker Little, who they drafted last year on Day two. Um. Okay,
so yeah, that's that's the case for the Jacks. But
I also wouldn't be shocked if Aton Hutchinson is the pick.
Like I called this thing a yard drive straight down
(35:24):
the fairway at TPC Sawgrass, Like it's just one that
can't miss. He's he's the safest player in the draft.
So I could definitely see it from that perspective as well. Nick,
let's go to the Texans, who are sitting right there
at number three overall and also at thirteen. Um, you know,
if if you know Davis Mills is our guy, as
love Smith has said, are these picks about supporting him? Yeah,
(35:45):
I feel like this isn't the draft to replace Davis
Mills with somebody. Let's give him another year and and
and address the many other needs elsewhere. And I think,
you know, in this class, and we just came just
talked about the depth of edge rusher being one of
those positions. I think it's came on Timoda. I think
that's the guy that you bring in to to put
on a defensive front that needs that kind of impact player.
(36:05):
You know, Whitney Merciless moved on last year. You you've
lost you know J. J. Watt two years ago, you
know before last season as well. You need to restocked
that with some young talent that's kind of a big
name as well. I mean, like we said before, there's
a lot of areas they could go. They have a
ton of needs, but I think at that top selection
you go with probably the second best edge rusher in
this class. And then you know, fortunately for them, they
(36:27):
have a franchise left tackle and Laramy Tunsel who's getting
you know, better with each year and and is getting
paid like it, so they don't necessarily need to go
to that position. To address it, I think they could
go best player available, as you guys said, you know,
it's always best player available. I think that's gonna end
up being Tibodeau, who Tiboda was a guy we were
talking about, you know, maybe a year or two ago,
as being number one in the draft before Hudgerson rose.
And so I think you get that out of that.
(36:47):
And yeah, though it seems like a player that to me,
you get the overthought up of players in this draft. Yes,
because they've been in the class for so long, we've
heard their name. You start picking at them, picking at them,
picking at him, Well, well, he doesn't have the character
or the personality of the maturity. Sometimes doos this ball?
I remember what they did that to Justin Herbert and
(37:08):
look at it now. So to meet Cavon Thibodeau is
going to be one of those guys. A year or
two from now, we're gonna wonder why did he go
why didn't he go one? Why did he go you know,
as low as he did, and just it's gonna seem foolish. Yeah,
And to that point, you know, Tibodeau has been getting
picked apart since he was a high school sophomore at
Dorsey in l A. Before he even transferred a Christian,
before he chose ore again. And then he's been getting
(37:29):
picked apart because he said it chose Oregon because of
the business opportunities, because he was thinking, you know, beyond college,
because of the Nike branding and everything else. Um, he's
gonna be a good player. It's really hard to argue otherwise.
The motor question, I guess is there. I think once
against the NFL, he's gonna prove everybody wrong. Yeah, you know,
certainly could be. And if you know, if that's the pick,
what if edge rushers go one and two? Um, you know,
(37:51):
is Cavon Thibodeau the highest guy on the board at
that point, or for Nick Kissarrio, do one of those
top two tackles if you have your choice of Evan
Neil or Ricky A Kwandu there? Does Nick Asserio have
them slotted just ahead of Cavon? It? But I think
will be the ultimate, um you know, decision point there
for Cassio. And look, I'm just tell any of if
Garrett Wilson or if Drake London or is available there
(38:13):
at thirteen, I don't think they will be Jamison Williams
might be. There's a lot to think about there. From
the wide receiver spot at thirteen overall for the Texas,
you can get a lot of value with the position.
You know, always draft especially there, So I think, yeah,
you can't go wrong at thirteen. There's they really shouldn't
fret about that at thirteen at all. No, exactly right,
exactly right. It's a great spot to be in there
for for that team. All right, let's move back to
(38:34):
the Tennessee Titans here, Cam, who pick at twenty six
overall in the first round. Where do you see that going?
Is that? Is that another? Is that an offensive line thing?
As you mentioned, one of the one of the perhaps
you know areas where they were a little light in
terms of offseason acquisitions. Yeah, I think this makes a
lot of sense for offensive line. I think it's got
(38:56):
to be on the offensive side of the ball. You
either go get you a top playmaker that you love,
or you're got to get offensive linement that secure protection
for them. So they're picking two six, so they're a
little lower in the draft. You're probably gonna be looking
through your end of your first round grade some second
round grades there. Um, this is a lot of times
where you gotta decide, hey, do you want to take
a little bit of a project offensive tackle or do
you take a guard and you know your positional value there.
(39:19):
I mentioned his name earlier, but ken Yan Green is
a guy that I think they like a lot. He
could fill a guard spot for them. You take a
guard there in the late second round at late first
round if he's available. I don't see any issue with that.
We're standing what guards are getting paid these days and
free agency. That position is no longer a luxury position.
That's becoming a premium position going forward. So I can
(39:40):
definitely see them pulling the trigger there. You know, maybe
a guy like a Bernard Raymond from Central Michigan if
you wanted to take you know that type of player. Uh,
in the late rounds there. They try with Isaiah Wilson
a couple of years ago. It didn't work out, but
they need somebody to feel that right tackle spot. It's
been a revolving door um there as well, and I'd
love to see them with another a fun playmaker if
(40:02):
the offensive lignement is not there. Um, you know, if
Traylon Burke's is there at twenty six imagine him and
him A J. Brown and Robert Woods all on the
field together. Uh, that would be. That would be that
would make the Titans offense fun for the first time
in a long time. So I can imagine that. And
guys couldn't load the box up for Derrick Hemery anymore.
So that would be that would be a fun pick
(40:24):
for for me to see if if it was an
offensive line, I think, um, in terms of offensive line,
their opinion on Dylan Ratings, their second round pick last year,
will probably factor into that choice. There does he does
he finally does he slide in? Um, you know, at
right tackle? I think I think it will be one
of those decision points. Yeah, what he got, Kim, And
(40:44):
so I'm Dylan Ratings. I actually talked to a couple
of their coaches this offseason, and the general consensus I
got was they felt like he wasn't ready to be
penciled in as a starter yet, and so they were like, hey,
this is a challenge to him prove us wrong. This
officas improved that you can take one of those starters spots.
But they said, as of what they've seen for so far,
he still needs some development. So you know, I think
a lot of these. You're probably not gonna find a
(41:06):
rookie who's gonna be super developed there at either, So
they're probably in a in a rock and a hard place.
But I don't know if they're going in saying Dylan
Radans is for sure a starter for us. So, UM,
a lot more questions at that spot. If you remember,
they end up releasing what's the guard's name, the veteran
guard that they Roger Safe, Yeah, Roger Saffle. So that's
another spot that needs to be filled as well. So, um,
(41:29):
most offensive line spots. Maybe Dylan Radings fills one, but
I definitely think they need to still still go get
another one. Yeah. By the way, Kenyan Green's played all
over the offensive line for Texas A and M, so
you know, not just to guard, even though that might
be what he's best suited for at the next level,
you know, could help as a as a versatile piece
as well. Let's finish this off here. Nick Shook, with
the team without a first round pick in this division,
(41:52):
that is, the Indianapolis Cold Tool, joined the party as
it currently stands now with the tenth pick of the
second round forty two overall. What do you got there
for Chris Ballard to the Colts. Yeah, there's about thirty
one picks in between their second and third round pick,
so you know, you don't have a ton of luxury
in terms of, well, let's play the situation this way.
Let's get this b p A here, and then maybe
we address a need lower down. They got to basically,
(42:13):
you know, identify I think, you know a mix between
best player available and needs. And if you look at
them on paper, this is probably the first time the
last five years maybe where you look at their offensive
line and you think that's not as solid as I
thought it was. Um, there's there's some questions that left tackle.
There was a question of left tackle last year before
they brought on Eric Fisher and and that you know
(42:34):
they didn't quite get the return from that that they expected.
Right guard is interesting. Mark Lewinski has gone, you've taken
that old starting five and and kind of chopped it
down to the remaining three. So I think there's some
questions there. We've talked about receiver already. The fact that
they're picking in the second round, you think about the
depth of the draft. Receiver is a very deep position.
They don't really need any edge rushing help, not after
they went out and gotten gok Way impaired him with
(42:55):
quidty pay. So that's one of the other deeper positions
that's already addressed. My other big need for them cornerback.
I mean, if you look at them on paper as well,
you know, you get rid of Gisin, who I don't
think lived up the expectations they had for him, which
is part of why they were convinced to trade him. Um,
the departure of him leaves a little bit of a
hole they Brandy Brandon faces, and but you know, I
think they could stand to add there as well. Um,
(43:17):
you know, they had a nice little pro bowler and
Kenny Moore, who is your slot corner. I don't think
he ends up kicking out, so I think he's best
suited to stay at the slot corner and then we
kind of move from there. Again, the lack of a
first round pick is gonna hurt them a little bit.
If I had to guess they go receiver just because
of the depth of the class. There are many ways
they could go. It's not a talent poor team, but
they do have a few holes that they still need
to fill. Yeah, it is kind of interesting because it
(43:39):
does seem like holes that premier positions left tackle, um,
you know, cornerback, these are these are positions that teams
go out and spend a lot of money on, or
go out and spend a lot of draft resources on. Camp. Yeah.
I actually have a quick question if I could just
listen to you with the Colts, and I'm curious what
the national perspective would be, but do you view the
close edition of Matt Ryan has enough to get them
(44:01):
over the Titans? Are they still with the holes of
some of the holes you mentioned Nick's short That's a
good question. I would say yes, uh quick answer, yes.
You know, you could kind of delve into some of
the potential pitfalls and weaknesses of this team, but out
of right now, I would say yes, because that was
their biggest weakness. They didn't lose a ton of guys
this offseason. They did make additions and they certainly upgraded
(44:22):
at quarterback. And the thing I liked the most about
the addition to Matt Ryan is the fact that he's
got experience. I mean, he's not named nicknamed Maddie Ice
for just no reason. I mean, the guy knows how
to play under pressure and He's stepping into a situation
that hasn't been this good for him since he was
leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl. So I think
he is enough. But if I want to consider them
a legitimate contender beyond the a f C South to
get deep into the a f C playoffs, They're still
(44:44):
gonna need to add somebody else. Great point and conversation
full of them right there with Cameron Wolf and Nick Shook,
setting a straight on the a f C North in
the a f C South, and finishing up our Roster
Reset series. Thanks very much, fellas. All Right, that's gonna
(45:07):
do it for this episode of NFL Inside Report. Thanks
so much for being with us. Reminder to download, rate,
and review our show and the I Heart Radio app
on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. We
appreciate you guys being along for the ride. For our
producers Thomas Warren, Tim Peraca, and Harrison Sanford. I'm your host,
Bret Lewis. We'll catch you next time. NFL Inside Report
(45:27):
is the production of the NFL and partnership with I
Heart Radio. For more official podcasts from the NFL, visit
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