April 7, 2022 • 36 mins
In this episode, we kick off Part 2 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 reporters Bridget Condon and Jim Trotter to discuss moves made by the NFC West and East teams. They start off answering if any teams can compete with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West and how likely back-to-back championships is for the Rams. Later, Bridget and Jim hand out grades to each team, with Jim explaining why he's giving an "incomplete" for the San Francisco 49ers offseason. And, with less than a month until the 2022 NFL Draft, Bridget and Jim go deep on what each team needs to address when they’re on the clock, with Bridget sharing how the Washington Commanders can support Carson Wentz in his role with his new team. Next week, in Part 3 and Part 4 of the series, we’ll go in-depth on the AFC. You can read more about the “Roster Reset” series on NFL.com/rosterreset.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
NFL Inside Report is a production of the NFL in
partnership with I Heart Radio. I'm Red Lewis and this
is NFL Inside Report, double Dose of the pod. This
(00:25):
week we're back to bring you part two of our
Roster Reset series, where we go in depth on the
off season moves and draft needs of all thirty two
teams around the league. And today we're going in on
the NFC East and West squads. On yesterday's episode, we
tackled the North South, which you should listen to as
well if you haven't already available wherever you are getting
(00:45):
your podcast. NFL Media's Bridget Content and Jim Trotter are
with us today to break it all down. Are looking
at the NFC West here, guys, home to the Super
Bowl champion l A Rams, but also home to drama
when it comes down to how this division is usually settled.
You know, before we had eighteen weeks, it was usually
settled in Week seventeen, was settled in Week eight. Team
(01:05):
this year with the Rams and the forty Niners, and
expect the Seahawks perhaps to be back into the mix,
certainly the Cardinals as well. Here. But Jim, as you
look at this division, I mean, is there any reason
to believe that this is not going to come down
to the very end once again to decide who's on
top of this division. No, it's such a competitive division
outside of the a f C West. I would say
(01:29):
that it may be the most competitive division top to bottom.
The thing that's fascinating me about the NFC West actually
is just we talked about how it's a quarterback driven league,
and really there's only one team in the NFC West
that that's settled at quarterback if you will, or doesn't
have the big question marks. You know, the forty Niners
we know or we believe strongly they're gonna go to
(01:50):
train Lands this year. Um, you know, in terms of Arizona,
the question is can Kyler Murray take that next step
and begin to lift his team, particularly late in the year.
And then in Seattle, we still don't know who it is.
As much as they say they love Drew Lock, is
he going to be the guy? So it's interesting to
me that in this division there's only one team, and
that's the defending Super Bowl champion that has some the
(02:11):
least amount of questions. If you were at the quarterback
position and Bridget how do you see the division playing
out here after watching you know, the forty Niners and
Rams kind of go at it uh this year to
decide who won it last Yeah, I think it all
came down, like you mentioned, to that last game and
we all the forty Niners for whatever reason have a
leg up on the Rams going back the past like
(02:33):
six games that they've played each other. I think it
will be a battle again. You know, we thought this
year the Rams were definitely going to beat them, and
that was one of those games that tripped them up
the first time they played UM. I do think that
the Ramp have a little more stability, as you were
mentioning Jim, because they're getting back Matthew Stafford, they have
Cooper Cup, they have that chemistry on offense that a
(02:54):
lot of these teams we don't know if it's going
to exist when we come to this season. Kyler Murray
has been a huge question mark. What's going on with him?
Like you mentioned, can he take this team to you know,
win the division and Drew lock Is I just don't
see him the answer for Seattle UM and Trey Lance.
You know, I don't know if he can bring it.
(03:16):
I just think the Ramps have that leg up right now,
even though they did they did lose some some key pieces,
you know. Sure. What was fascinating to me is that
we talked about Drew Lock and I remember having the
conversation with John schnyder Um, you know, after that deal
was made, and I said to him kind of where
Bridget said, I don't see Drew Lock being the answer,
(03:38):
and John seemed almost, I don't want to say offended,
but really surprised, you know that, you know I would
have that that feeling. And look, the thing they're resting
on with Drew Lock is that his first year in
Denver he played in a similar system and when he
played late in the year, he went four and one.
(03:58):
Um I think he had seven touchdowns, three interceptions or
something like that. And so their belief and Drew's believe
is that not that he's gonna hit the ground running,
but that there is a greater comfort level in this
offense and he has had success in it in the past,
and we know that Pete is going to try and
run the ball and not throw it as much as
Russell did. They also believe that Drew is going to
(04:20):
be better in terms of timing in the passing game.
One of the criticisms of Russell and Seattle privately was
that he held onto the ball too long looking for
the big play. But defense is gonna pick up on
that at some point if that's what they're doing, and
they're gonna start taking away those quick passes, and then
the question becomes what can Seattle do offensively? Because Russell
(04:43):
was such a master at at escaping the rush, evading
the pressure. Can Drew Lock do that as well? We'll
find out. Okay, guys, since we're talking about the Seahawks
there and we've kind of divided this division up between
you guys and Bridget, I want you to focus in
on the Seahawks here for us as we look back
on their offseason moves, look, which you know are always
(05:03):
going to be headlined by the fact that they traded
Russell Wilson away. How does that factor into a grade
that you would give the Seahawks for what they've done
the last few weeks? Can we give them an S?
I don't think so. Um, I'm actually that hard, but
I think what they've done in the off season is
(05:24):
is headlined by dk metclass metcalfs uh Diet of candy
like that. That showed them up a little bit in Uh,
I can't see my ranking. I'm gonna give them a
C plus for what they've done. Um this offseason. Of course,
Russell Wilson leaving their franchise quarterbacks, Pete Carroll says, we're
not rebuilding. So when I look at the Seahawks, I think,
how are you not rebuilding when you just let go
(05:45):
of the only quarterback that we've known as a Seattle Seahawk. Um.
I think they did make some moves. They brought in,
uh the linebacker from the Chargers Duos. I know you said,
Jim that even though GM had a had trouble saying
to his name, So I apologize if I'm saying it wrong.
I think that's an underrated move that you know he
of course Bobby Wagner. We haven't even talked about that.
(06:07):
They let Bobby Wagner go the way that they let
him go. He talked this week on when he was
introduced by the Rams and said they didn't even call him. Um.
You know that left the bad taste I think in
a lot of people's mouths. Um. But you know Ken
Nuels who fill that whole at linebacker Um Drew Lock.
I don't Again, I don't see him as the answer
(06:29):
at quarterback. I think it's gonna be interesting to see
what they do. They do have what two first round picks,
one first round pick at number nine, and will they
go with a quarterback? Can they take is a Malik
Willis still on the board at number nine? Can they
take a quarterback who can compete Withdrew Lock? To me,
whoever they take, if they take a quarterback, I don't
(06:51):
think this is somebody that is going to make, you know,
an immediate impact on Seattle this season. I think they're
more planning for with whoever this is. But it will
feel someone to get into practice to have competition Withdrew Lock,
and you know, many elevate the game there um some
of the good things they did. They resigned Rashad Penny
(07:11):
on the running back again. I think there's a lot
of questions. It will be interesting to see when the
draft comes in a couple of weeks. I think quarterback,
offensive tackle, and cornerback our holes that I see this
roster needing to still. Yeah, there you go, and look,
I think it's rare that you see a team lose
their franchise cornerstone on both the offensive and defensive sides
(07:35):
of the ball in the same offseason, which the Seattle
Seahawks certainly done here finishing last place in the division
very unfamiliar spot for Pete Carroll's crew um in his
tenure as the head coach. Let's move them up in
ascending order in the division here and go with the
San Francisco forty Niners, of course, found their way into
the postseason late ten and seven as the final record there,
(07:58):
and then even advanced into the playoffs of course as
well with that win over the Dallas Cowboys. And now
for Apps getting ready jim to turn the reins over
to Trey Lance as they're starting quarterback. With all the
Jimmy Garoppolo trade rumors, how do you evaluate what they've
done this offseason here these last few weeks. Are you
asking for a grade? Sure, give me one. Oh, it's incomplete,
(08:21):
because for me, everything, so many things revolve around what
they do with Jimmy having They did not plan on
having Jimmy on the roster this late into the off season,
and the expectation that he would be gone, that his
salary would be removed from the camp and that they
could then proceed with trying to do extensions for Deebo,
Samuel and Nick Bosa and everything has kind of been
(08:45):
held up now because of that. Um. So that's why
I've given an incomplete. Once Jimmy is gone, then they'll
be better positioned to address those extensions that they know
and want to do. Having said that, I think, um,
they went out and they got a young cornerback and
is Ward and that was a position of need for them. Um.
(09:09):
I still say defensively, they need more help upfront in
terms of edge rush. They you know, DeFord has been
injured every year but one that he's been there, and
they've got to find a compliment for Nick Bosa. And
I think that they look in the draft for that
because there are some some folks there and it's considered
to be a deep draft there. Short of that, everything
(09:32):
in San Francisco is gonna gonna come down to quarterback play.
And Trey Lance, I do believe will be that guy.
That was the plan to have him play this year
and year two, and the question becomes how quickly does
he come along and at this point we just don't know.
I think that's a fair assessment um certainly, you know
you don't you don't take a guy number three overall,
(09:54):
you know to stash him forever. So when you've seven
up what they gave up to exactly exactly, and like
this is a team you know that we felt like
it was in a pretty good spot rosterwise. You know
last year even before they went and took you know,
Trede Lance, so you know this red for them. It's
their roster is is solid, if not loaded. So for
(10:16):
them the last few years, it has always come down
to help in terms of how they play. You go
back to last year and you see the emergence of
Deebo Samuel. It wasn't necessarily out of creativity by the staff.
It was out of necessity because their running back position
was depleted because of energy, because of injuries. You look
at the changes on the defensive line that were made.
(10:36):
It was not because of creativity. It was because of
necessity because of injuries. So if they can just stay healthy,
they have a roster to compete for um a spot
in the Super Bowl. As we know, last year they
went to the NFC Championship Game and and we're very
close to advancing. So this team is not far away,
(10:58):
um at all in terms of getting back to the
Super Bowl as it was, what to three years ago,
whenever it was, it seems like a lifetime ago. It
at this point they all run together. I think you're right, Bridget,
let's come back to you here with the defending Super
Bowl champion l A. Rams Uh and um as as
(11:19):
you were mentioning there, you know, we we talked about
a team that you know, that lost Von Miller, you know,
who was a big part of their postseason success certainly,
and and their success the second half of the season.
But did bring in Allen Robinson. How do you grade
what they did this offseason? I'm going to give him
a B plus. I think there weren't a ton of
slashing moves from the Rams, but I do think that
(11:39):
they filled some holes that left von Miller look leaves.
They bring in Bobby Wagner. I think that was a
really smart move, both for on the field and in
the locker room. I think those two guys kind of
bring similar veteran style, you know, support that some of
this younger team needs in the locker room. UM letting
go of Robert Woods was really hard to see such
a great guy, such a great player. Of course, he
(12:00):
was injured last season um Alan Robinson though, I think
that was a great pick up on for them. I
think they have one of the strongest wide receiver cores.
And we still don't know what's happening with Odell Beckham Jr.
Right it seems like they might still want to pursue him.
I know he's dealing with the torn a c l
and recovering there that's the question mark. We did find
(12:21):
out this week that Aaron Donalds will be back, which
is huge for them because there was talks. You know,
he just put his Calabassa's house up, which is really
nice by the way, if you haven't seen it, um
put it up for sale. So there was questions about
if he's retiring, but I think he's ready to run
it back. I think the thing is the biggest question
for me is can they repeat right. The last time
(12:42):
that happened for two teams to win back to back
Super Bowls was I think, oh four oh five with
the New England Patriots. It's not very common and I
think the biggest struggle or the Achilles heels for the
Rams will be their depth, specifically on the offensive line.
When we get into weeks ten, week twelve, you know
where players are really banged up. Do they have enough
(13:02):
depth there to support them if somebody gets injured. I
think that's the position in the draft that they need
to look at, along with edge and cornerback. Um. But
I do think they have all the pieces. I just
think they need to make sure that line is there
to support Matthew Stofford. Right, he's always better when he's
standing up on his two feet than then on the ground.
(13:22):
Absolutely right. I couldn't agree with you more there. Let's
finish this, uh, this grading of the offseason moves in
this division gym with the Arizona Cardinals, how do you
see it? Yeah? But I think right now I would
give him a C minus. Um and and and you
could say that's being generous. Um. Look, they've got some
(13:43):
major issues in my opinion. You know. Number one, if
you look offensively, I think they continue to need to
want to upgrade the offensive line. Number two, wide receiver.
We saw what happen when d Hop went down last year.
How that impacted kyler Um. His play truly fell off.
And so if they stay healthy, you say, Okay, you've
(14:04):
got hot, you've got um more and you think maybe
you're okay. I don't think they have enough there. But
my biggest concern for them is defensively. Chandler Jones are
all time SAX leader is gone, and the question becomes
who is going to to pressure off the edge. Now
we know Marcus Golden had what led them in sacks
(14:25):
last year, but part of that is because Chandler Jones
occupied the minds and the game plans of so many
defensive coordinators. Protections were slid in his direction. Who's gonna
bring that element now to free up other guys? J J.
Watt as much as we love them and as great
as he was in his prime, and Shaun he can't
(14:46):
stay healthy. And well, I don't know where it's coming from. Now.
I know they feel good they went out and got
a corner and free agency and so they kind of
feel like that's the draft pick at that position. But
they also need more help in the secondary. So I
look at all that they've lost and I say, I
don't think that A replaced those players. You know, it
(15:08):
was big that they resigned James Connor, who was one
of the better goal line um players last year running
backs last year, but you lose at Chase Edmonds, who
was tremendous for them when he was healthy. Um offensively
at wide out, you lose Christian kirk Um, who was
an ascending player and a guy that you spent one
at number three on, I believe UM. So normally when
(15:31):
you spend or when you use draft capital on a
one to three and it's and he's an ascending player,
those are guys you want to keep. They're supposed to
be the nucleus and foundation going forward. Well he's gone now.
So I just think they have a lot of questions
to me. They tried the RAMS formula last year in
terms of going out getting veterans making that run, whether
(15:53):
it was J. J. Watt, A J. Green, all these
types of players, and it didn't work out for them.
And so now it's kind of like what now? And
I'm intrigued to see what they do U I I
am too. And so with that, then let's go dig
a little bit deeper into some draft I don't know priorities.
Need is always a difficult question when it comes to
(16:15):
the draft, right because every GM will tell you they're
just gonna take the best available player. UM, So let's
start with the Cardinals, Jim who you know, as they
sit there in the first round, could have some real options.
You know, maybe is it best available edge rusher you
know that's there for them at that pick in the twenties,
No question, the Cardinals need to address edge rusher, as
we just said, and then I think after that the
(16:37):
priorities should be um either line. To me, football teams
are built inside out, and so I would look on
line or D line at that point. Yeah, I think
that's a great a great spot. I'd love to see
a player like boy mafe edg rusher around of Minnesota
if he's there at twenty three when the Cardinals are
on the clock. You know, if that fourth tackle is there,
Trevor Penning, you know, maybe from Northern Iowa, UM as
(17:00):
you mentioned some of those potential positions of interest there
for the Cardinals at twenty three. All right, Bridget you
touched on it briefly there with the Seahawks at nine.
Really interesting spot for them. Is it quarterback you know,
to develop behind Drew Lock or you know what, is
there another position that you could see of interest there?
You know what, I'm mad that I didn't even bring
(17:21):
up when we first talked about the Seahawks. I think
it's still too early, Like my brain is not fully functioning.
What if Baker comes on the table, right, that's it's
a possibility that we haven't talked about. Can the Seahawks
find a way to get Baker Mayfield? I think he
would be a good fit for them at quarterback and
if that were to happen, though, I think maybe if
that does happen, it happens after the draft today, it
happens before the draft. Of course, don't go for a
(17:43):
quarterback at number nine. I think there are some good
um offensive tackles in this class. Uh if a quantum
I covered at NC State, if he's still there at nine,
I'll be shocked. But I think he would be a
great fit in the Seahawks program. Um. Yeah, So I
think it's gonna depend what they're able to do. Also,
there was talk, you know, I think there's still some
talk about, you know, met Calf if they if they
(18:06):
you know, they said that they don't want to trade
him or whatever. But if the right deal was in there,
what could they get from for him? Um, that'll be
interesting to see. Two. And then cornerback, I think that's
another position. I don't know that they should go for
a cornerback at nine. Um, but I'm not a GM.
I guess it's okay. There you go. M So, look
(18:28):
in the Rams and the forty Niners. Guys don't have
first round picks. We won't see the forty Niners until
number sixty one. Yeah, so there there's a there, you know,
just another chance for the forty Niners to get some
good football players to continue, you know, to bolster their death.
And then for the Rams, you know, maybe maybe in
the third round there at number one oh four overall,
there's a couple of edge rushers that they like. Perhaps
(18:50):
it's you know, a guy like j Sanders, you know
how a Cincinnati or D'Angelo Malone out of Western Kentucky. Uh,
there in that range that are there. So Um, it's
a great point that you make in terms of the
Rams not having first round picks and their abilities to
go to win a championship, and I think a lot
of it. Yeah, you have to give a lot of
credit to less Need and their scouting department because they
(19:12):
have hit on so many of those mid round and
late picks and turn them into productive players and whatnot.
If you're gonna if you're gonna try and follow the
blueprint that the Rams used in terms of going all
in and getting these veterans and that sort of thing,
you better have some young inexpensive talent who perform, and
they do, and and again I think we should tip
(19:33):
our caps to UM to less need in that scouting department. Yeah,
less than his crew has been as good on Day
two of the draft rounds two and three is any
team in football, and they've had to be without a
first round pick for the last decade. So with that said,
we are going to switch gears here and get to
(19:54):
our final division in the NFC. We're talking NFC East
right after this all right back here on NFL Inside
Report with our NFL media colleagues Jim Trotter and Bridget Condon.
(20:17):
We've talked NFC West at the top of the show,
now shifting our focus to the East. Always hotly contested
in this division. Not necessarily UM, the team with the
that ends up winning the division doesn't necessarily end up
with one of the best records in the NFC, as
we've seen in recent years. But let's see how it
chakes out this year. As we look at these four teams,
(20:41):
and look, I think one of the biggest you know,
the question is are the Cowboys still the favorite to
come out of the NFC East after kind of being
that team the last two years. I know they didn't
win back in, but we're one of those teams we
thought could. Obviously the injury attack Prescott, you know, played
a big part of that. But they get back to
the top of this past season. So as you look
(21:01):
at it here, Jim, um, is this the Cowboys division
at this point? No, not at all. Um. I think
they actually took a step back this offseason. You know,
when you're losing to Marii Cooper, they've still got to
show me the ceedee Lamb's number one. Um, when you
lose out on Randy Gregory, who's going to be that compliment,
(21:23):
who's gonna be that other guy up front to really
get it done with DeMarcus Lawrence. They're just they're just
some questions that I have and as that offensive line
gets older, I'm not sold on the Cowboys, and I
think the Eagles, um, if Jalen Hurst does take that
next step with all of the draft capital they have,
with the fact that they were not that far out
(21:44):
of it last year. In terms of that division, I
think I would keep my eye on the Eagles more
than I with the Cowboys, although we know the Cowboys
are gonna generate all the headlines and the coverage. But
ibably look at Philadelphia and we'll get it to your
grade for the Cowboys offseason here in just a moment.
But Bridget, as you look at this, does it still
(22:04):
feel like the Cowboys Division to you? I think this
is one of my favorite divisions, just because it's always
such a scramble and like what was a couple of
years ago when no one, nobody was winning and it's
like you have to pick a winner from this division?
How because all the teams were so bad? Um, I
don't I kind of agree with with Jim, I think,
(22:26):
and I'm gonna say something a little crazy here. I
do agree that if Jalen hurts, you know, pulls together,
that the Eagles team can be really good. I also,
this is gonna sound absolutely insane and people are gonna
come for me. I am a fan of the Giants
New GM, and I do believe that he made a
couple like very intelligent moves during this offseason. What can
(22:48):
he do you know, with their draft picks. During the draft,
I don't think we've seen Daniel Jones play his best football.
I might have a little bias that covered him at Duke,
but I don't know, Like I would love to see
a total turnaround. I don't think it's gonna happen. This
is me being super optimistic, but there are some pieces
that they get an old line fixed. Can they make
a splash? I don't know. Yeah, Look, I think that's
(23:11):
a that's a fair point. I mean, look, when the
owner comes out and says we've done everything possible to
screw up our quarterback, um, you know you'd like to
You'd like to see them now do the opposite and
put him in a position to succeed and perhaps then
we see him thrive one way or another. I feel
like we're gonna know a lot more about where the
Giants feel about Daniel Jones when this season is over,
and we'll get your grade on the Giants here in
(23:32):
just a moment, Bridget. But let's go back to where
we left off. Jim at the top of this division
last year with the Dallas Cowboys disappointing early exit from
the playoffs as a result of the forty Niners coming
into a T and T stadium and getting the win there,
But how would you you know, you kind of touched
on all the departures. Then what kind of grade does
that translate to for the Cowboys offseason? How corny? Can
(23:55):
I be here right? Oh? Too early? I'm sorry, you know, Um,
I haven't had my coffee yet, but then I don't
drink coffee. So but anyway, no, I give him a
d red. I just I don't get some of the
(24:15):
moves that that they've made. Um letting in Amari Cooper go.
I know he was a twenty middle of year, but
as we've seen in the wide receiver market now, that's
almost becoming a bargain. The guys that they are now
going to rely on in that passing game. I'm not
certain that that their true number ones yet. And you
(24:36):
can go back and watch the film and see times
that a Mari was open and Dad didn't get him
the ball for whatever reason. So that's why we heard
a Maori kind of speak out some last year, which
was so out of character for him. I'm not buying
into Dallas at this point. I'm really not. Um. The
other thing that that Bears watching. There is the way
(24:58):
that Jerry Jones has handled this coaching situation. You know,
he and so many words, has said to Mike m carthy,
I don't have full confidence in you. Yes, you're my coach,
but Dan Quinn is the one that Jerry made a
point of saying, I want to make sure he's here
in And then we have the whole Sean Payton thing
(25:19):
hanging over everyone's head beyond this season. So I just
think there's too much inner turmoil, if you will, and
questions that I can't I can't buy into it. Let's
then move bridget to the Washington Commanders, who, as we
all remember, one this division back in two thousand twenty
(25:41):
and came pretty close to knock it off the eventual
Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucks. Did not go as
well this past season for Ron Rivera's crew, and this
offseason marked by the big trade for Carson Wentz. How
do you grade their moves? So I wrote down to
c but I have to give him a C plus
because while we forget, they also got to name this offseason.
(26:03):
So congrats to the Commanders. Um. The Carson Wentz move
puzzles me from what I've read and you know, we've
reported on NFL Network. I do believe they were trying
to push for Russell Wilson and that came up short.
But then you go and get Carson Wentz. A is
he an upgrade over Taylor Heineke. I don't know. He
(26:24):
ended the season five straight games less than two thirty
passing yards. I don't think he's the answer. I think
the Commanders to have had this spot at quarterback that
they have not been able to address over the past
couple of years. It kind of haunted Ron Rivera. You know,
he's dealt with the same thing in Carolina and then
felt like he came talking about the ghost of Kirk Cousins.
Hats Is that what we're talking about here? Okay? I
(26:47):
think that's what we're talking about. Um. I think that,
you know, they do have some some good pieces they
were able to bring back, UM, you know, some stars
on offense. But you're gonna need You're gonna need a
quarterback who can throw to some of these players like
Terry McLaurin, and I don't see Carson Wentz being the
answer being the guy that can win the division for Washington. Yeah,
(27:10):
that's a big part of it. Right. But if you're
the commanders, you better go all in on it, right.
I mean, you spent the two and a three to
go get him, So let's figure out a way to
support him. We'll see if we can do that him.
If you're in the locker room rut, are you better?
I mean, like you got no other choice here at
this point. But I understand your point. Um. You know
the way that the Colts talked about his departure there,
it does make you wonder, let's move Jim to the
(27:33):
Philadelphia Eagles and a grade that you would give Howie
Roseman for some of the moves that he's made here
B plus. And the only reason it's not in a
is because I want to see what they do with
their draft capital. Um. You know, first of all, they
were able to resign the players that they wanted to
bring back, which is so important in the NFL, I believe, um.
(27:56):
Too many times we think the unknown is more valuable
than the known. And when you have players who have
performed for you, you you know what they're about, they understand
the culture of your organization or locker room, etcetera. Um,
I think it's important to maintain some sense of continuity.
So I like that they've done that in terms of
(28:16):
restructuring some of the guys to bring them back and
then making the trade to give away one of the
or trading one of their three first round picks for
more draft capital next year. Um in terms of another
first round pick next year and beyond. I think it
was just smart. Um. So when I look at all
the moves that that Howie Roseman has made, I'm I'm
(28:40):
all in on this that. I think it's a B
plus and potential A depending on how they use their
draft capital. And the fact that they were able to
turn one of their first round picks, essentially one of
their three first round picks this year into a future
one a future too in an additional third round pick
this year. Really nice. Were kind of move maneuvering around
(29:03):
the draft board here with that trade they made with
the New Orleans Saints. Let's finish up this division here,
Bridget with a grade on the New York Giants. I'm
gonna give him a. See. I think you know the Giants.
One of the biggest problems with them is the salary
cap in the space, the money that they don't have,
and I think Joe Shae. The new GM was able
to make some moves that were cheap and bring in
(29:25):
some veterans. Um. You know fix he brought in some
veteran alignemen and you know that provides some stability and
they weren't that expensive. Um. I think again, it's one
of the problems that has been haunting them for years.
How are they going to fix that offensive line? How
are they going to protect Daniel Jones? I think they
have picked five and seven, unless trades have already started. UM.
(29:47):
In the draft, I think they have They have the
ability to make, you know, to to draft somebody who's
going to make an immediate impact and fix some of
those holes that we're seeing. The other question is still
up in the air. Is sa Kwan? Is he going
to be healthy? We forget how fun he is a
player to watch and such a good running back. If
(30:09):
he keeps stay healthy, I think that totally changes the
dynamic of this team. Yeah, I think you're right. You
touched on the draft situation there as we kind of
switch gears here. I think the Giants offseason essentially hinges
on what they do in the draft because of the
nature of their salary cap and how strapped, they were
in that regard, and so that's where they're They're big
(30:30):
improvements are going to come this season, especially with with
high priority picks there two inside the top ten at
five and seven. I see maybe one of the best
corners in the draft and Sauce Gardeners being an option
there at five or seven. And then I'd love to
get the best offensive linemen off the board there too.
So I think two huge needs for the New York Giants.
They were present at UM when I was there, and
(30:53):
I know that you know, if he's still on the
board at offensive tackle, he's pretty pretty I think he's
going to be a really good player for years to come.
So that would be You're not alone. You're not alone
in assessment, I agree, as do most of our draft
experts here at NFL Media. Jim. Let's then go to
the Dallas Cowboys, who you know have got really good
(31:15):
players each of the last two years in Ceedee Lamb
and Michael Parsons. I mean, one was of course the
defensive rookie of the year, but weren't necessarily a positions
of need at the time. They were best players available. UM.
When the Cowboys were on the clock, and Jerry Jones
alluded to the fact that you know, if there's a
player like that, you know they're at twenty four, they
do that, they follow that same strategy once again, But
(31:37):
where else could you see what other positions could you
see the Cowboys kind of making a priority when we
get to April. I think offensive line is definitely a
priority for them. Um, Look, they needed to upgrade before
Connor Williams signed with Miami and leoll Collins was released,
in my opinion, so they've got a lot of age
there um from that unit that was so dominant for
(31:58):
so many years. So again, I think football teams are
built inside out, and I think that Dallas hopefully recognize
that from the success that they had um while this
unit was together. You know when we talk about how dominant,
you know, Tyren Smith and Zack Martin and all those
guys were together. So I would like to see them
go there. The other thing I still think they need
(32:20):
help with is in their secondary I think they can
get better there. Look for all of the plays that
Diggs made, he also gave up a number of plays
as well, So I think they need more consistent, more
consistency their overall and Look, we talked about this all
the time. Red does a pass rush make a secondary
(32:41):
or does secondary make a pass run? And I still
believe Dallas also needs help upfront when it comes to
pressuring the quarterback. Yeah, I think that's a fair point. Um.
I'd be really curious if David ja Jabo is on
the board there at twenty four after the rupture to
kill he s tendon. I know he's not. You can't
counter an immediate impact, but man, with ready Gregory gone,
(33:03):
you would love to eventually, you know, put him out
there and perhaps pair amount up with DeMarcus Laurence, a
really good player at that point. But yeah, I could
see offensive line certainly being a priority here for the
Dallas Cowboys. All right, Bridget, let's go back to you.
For the Commanders here, we're sitting at number eleven overall,
not necessarily out of the quarterback market if their guy
is there to maybe developed behind Carson Wentz, but otherwise,
(33:26):
is it all about supporting him there with that pick
in the first round. Yeah, I didn't even have quarterback
really on my list of what they should go for
for eleven. But that is a good point, interesting point
you make, But I would say, wide receiver. I think
you need somebody that he could throw to. If somebody,
I think the way that the draft is going, they
could get a top wide receiver even out of eleven
UM that can make a splash. They also lost two
(33:48):
safeties in the off season, so I think that's the
position that they wouldn't be uh opposed to going. I
don't know if they're eleventh pick would be the right
place to go. Um and then cornerback as well. They
get some support on defense, yep. I like that. And
as far as receivers go, I really like Drake London
as a nice compliment to what they already have. Their big, tall,
(34:10):
physical wide receiver, big target, contested catches. Think about the
way that Carson Wentz plays the game, you know, off
oftentimes off schedule, sometimes a little bit risky. I think
Drake London for yeah, that is just trying. I think
Drake of the philosophy. Hey, come on, all right, let's
(34:31):
put a shelf the draft priorities here. Jim. With the
Philadelphia Eagles, who have now gone down from three first
round picks to two first round picks, they'll go at
fifteen and eighteen after their trade with the Saints. I
didn't get go in a lot of different directions here.
How do you see it? I'm gonna say edge. From
this standpoint, last year they were thirty feet and sack right,
(34:51):
So I think they've got to find a way to
get more pressure on the on the quarterback um. Look offensively,
I think that they had started to put pieces around
Jalen Hurts. Never heard even more weapons. But I agree
with you. I think they can go a number of
different directions, but at some point you gotta make stops.
(35:12):
And at some point, we know it's a quarterback driven league,
so you're going to have to be able to consistently pressure.
And so from that standpoint, for a team that was
thirty first in sack rate last year, I'm gonna say,
go get a pass rushing Yeah, guy like George carloftis
how to Purdue might be a choice there at fifteen
and whereas at eighteen, I'm wondering if maybe they see
(35:32):
the future at center, if this is Jason Kelsey's last
year with Tyler Linderbaum one of the best center prospects
we've had in recent years coming out there, So a
couple of names just to consider there for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Uh Bridget Jim, fantastic work for us previewing and resetting
the NFC East and NFC West roster. Certainly appreciate your time, guys. Thanks,
(35:55):
thank you. All right, that's gonna 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
(36:15):
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 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 a production of the NFL in
partnership with I Heart Radio. I'm Red Lewis and this
is NFL Inside Report, double Dose of the pod. This
(00:25):
week we're back to bring you part two of our
Roster Reset series, where we go in depth on the
off season moves and draft needs of all thirty two
teams around the league. And today we're going in on
the NFC East and West squads. On yesterday's episode, we
tackled the North South, which you should listen to as
well if you haven't already available wherever you are getting
(00:45):
your podcast. NFL Media's Bridget Content and Jim Trotter are
with us today to break it all down. Are looking
at the NFC West here, guys, home to the Super
Bowl champion l A Rams, but also home to drama
when it comes down to how this division is usually settled.
You know, before we had eighteen weeks, it was usually
settled in Week seventeen, was settled in Week eight. Team
(01:05):
this year with the Rams and the forty Niners, and
expect the Seahawks perhaps to be back into the mix,
certainly the Cardinals as well. Here. But Jim, as you
look at this division, I mean, is there any reason
to believe that this is not going to come down
to the very end once again to decide who's on
top of this division. No, it's such a competitive division
outside of the a f C West. I would say
(01:29):
that it may be the most competitive division top to bottom.
The thing that's fascinating me about the NFC West actually
is just we talked about how it's a quarterback driven league,
and really there's only one team in the NFC West
that that's settled at quarterback if you will, or doesn't
have the big question marks. You know, the forty Niners
we know or we believe strongly they're gonna go to
(01:50):
train Lands this year. Um, you know, in terms of Arizona,
the question is can Kyler Murray take that next step
and begin to lift his team, particularly late in the year.
And then in Seattle, we still don't know who it is.
As much as they say they love Drew Lock, is
he going to be the guy? So it's interesting to
me that in this division there's only one team, and
that's the defending Super Bowl champion that has some the
(02:11):
least amount of questions. If you were at the quarterback
position and Bridget how do you see the division playing
out here after watching you know, the forty Niners and
Rams kind of go at it uh this year to
decide who won it last Yeah, I think it all
came down, like you mentioned, to that last game and
we all the forty Niners for whatever reason have a
leg up on the Rams going back the past like
(02:33):
six games that they've played each other. I think it
will be a battle again. You know, we thought this
year the Rams were definitely going to beat them, and
that was one of those games that tripped them up
the first time they played UM. I do think that
the Ramp have a little more stability, as you were
mentioning Jim, because they're getting back Matthew Stafford, they have
Cooper Cup, they have that chemistry on offense that a
(02:54):
lot of these teams we don't know if it's going
to exist when we come to this season. Kyler Murray
has been a huge question mark. What's going on with him?
Like you mentioned, can he take this team to you know,
win the division and Drew lock Is I just don't
see him the answer for Seattle UM and Trey Lance.
You know, I don't know if he can bring it.
(03:16):
I just think the Ramps have that leg up right now,
even though they did they did lose some some key pieces,
you know. Sure. What was fascinating to me is that
we talked about Drew Lock and I remember having the
conversation with John schnyder Um, you know, after that deal
was made, and I said to him kind of where
Bridget said, I don't see Drew Lock being the answer,
(03:38):
and John seemed almost, I don't want to say offended,
but really surprised, you know that, you know I would
have that that feeling. And look, the thing they're resting
on with Drew Lock is that his first year in
Denver he played in a similar system and when he
played late in the year, he went four and one.
(03:58):
Um I think he had seven touchdowns, three interceptions or
something like that. And so their belief and Drew's believe
is that not that he's gonna hit the ground running,
but that there is a greater comfort level in this
offense and he has had success in it in the past,
and we know that Pete is going to try and
run the ball and not throw it as much as
Russell did. They also believe that Drew is going to
(04:20):
be better in terms of timing in the passing game.
One of the criticisms of Russell and Seattle privately was
that he held onto the ball too long looking for
the big play. But defense is gonna pick up on
that at some point if that's what they're doing, and
they're gonna start taking away those quick passes, and then
the question becomes what can Seattle do offensively? Because Russell
(04:43):
was such a master at at escaping the rush, evading
the pressure. Can Drew Lock do that as well? We'll
find out. Okay, guys, since we're talking about the Seahawks
there and we've kind of divided this division up between
you guys and Bridget, I want you to focus in
on the Seahawks here for us as we look back
on their offseason moves, look, which you know are always
(05:03):
going to be headlined by the fact that they traded
Russell Wilson away. How does that factor into a grade
that you would give the Seahawks for what they've done
the last few weeks? Can we give them an S?
I don't think so. Um, I'm actually that hard, but
I think what they've done in the off season is
(05:24):
is headlined by dk metclass metcalfs uh Diet of candy
like that. That showed them up a little bit in Uh,
I can't see my ranking. I'm gonna give them a
C plus for what they've done. Um this offseason. Of course,
Russell Wilson leaving their franchise quarterbacks, Pete Carroll says, we're
not rebuilding. So when I look at the Seahawks, I think,
how are you not rebuilding when you just let go
(05:45):
of the only quarterback that we've known as a Seattle Seahawk. Um.
I think they did make some moves. They brought in,
uh the linebacker from the Chargers Duos. I know you said,
Jim that even though GM had a had trouble saying
to his name, So I apologize if I'm saying it wrong.
I think that's an underrated move that you know he
of course Bobby Wagner. We haven't even talked about that.
(06:07):
They let Bobby Wagner go the way that they let
him go. He talked this week on when he was
introduced by the Rams and said they didn't even call him. Um.
You know that left the bad taste I think in
a lot of people's mouths. Um. But you know Ken
Nuels who fill that whole at linebacker Um Drew Lock.
I don't Again, I don't see him as the answer
(06:29):
at quarterback. I think it's gonna be interesting to see
what they do. They do have what two first round picks,
one first round pick at number nine, and will they
go with a quarterback? Can they take is a Malik
Willis still on the board at number nine? Can they
take a quarterback who can compete Withdrew Lock? To me,
whoever they take, if they take a quarterback, I don't
(06:51):
think this is somebody that is going to make, you know,
an immediate impact on Seattle this season. I think they're
more planning for with whoever this is. But it will
feel someone to get into practice to have competition Withdrew Lock,
and you know, many elevate the game there um some
of the good things they did. They resigned Rashad Penny
(07:11):
on the running back again. I think there's a lot
of questions. It will be interesting to see when the
draft comes in a couple of weeks. I think quarterback,
offensive tackle, and cornerback our holes that I see this
roster needing to still. Yeah, there you go, and look,
I think it's rare that you see a team lose
their franchise cornerstone on both the offensive and defensive sides
(07:35):
of the ball in the same offseason, which the Seattle
Seahawks certainly done here finishing last place in the division
very unfamiliar spot for Pete Carroll's crew um in his
tenure as the head coach. Let's move them up in
ascending order in the division here and go with the
San Francisco forty Niners, of course, found their way into
the postseason late ten and seven as the final record there,
(07:58):
and then even advanced into the playoffs of course as
well with that win over the Dallas Cowboys. And now
for Apps getting ready jim to turn the reins over
to Trey Lance as they're starting quarterback. With all the
Jimmy Garoppolo trade rumors, how do you evaluate what they've
done this offseason here these last few weeks. Are you
asking for a grade? Sure, give me one. Oh, it's incomplete,
(08:21):
because for me, everything, so many things revolve around what
they do with Jimmy having They did not plan on
having Jimmy on the roster this late into the off season,
and the expectation that he would be gone, that his
salary would be removed from the camp and that they
could then proceed with trying to do extensions for Deebo,
Samuel and Nick Bosa and everything has kind of been
(08:45):
held up now because of that. Um. So that's why
I've given an incomplete. Once Jimmy is gone, then they'll
be better positioned to address those extensions that they know
and want to do. Having said that, I think, um,
they went out and they got a young cornerback and
is Ward and that was a position of need for them. Um.
(09:09):
I still say defensively, they need more help upfront in
terms of edge rush. They you know, DeFord has been
injured every year but one that he's been there, and
they've got to find a compliment for Nick Bosa. And
I think that they look in the draft for that
because there are some some folks there and it's considered
to be a deep draft there. Short of that, everything
(09:32):
in San Francisco is gonna gonna come down to quarterback play.
And Trey Lance, I do believe will be that guy.
That was the plan to have him play this year
and year two, and the question becomes how quickly does
he come along and at this point we just don't know.
I think that's a fair assessment um certainly, you know
you don't you don't take a guy number three overall,
(09:54):
you know to stash him forever. So when you've seven
up what they gave up to exactly exactly, and like
this is a team you know that we felt like
it was in a pretty good spot rosterwise. You know
last year even before they went and took you know,
Trede Lance, so you know this red for them. It's
their roster is is solid, if not loaded. So for
(10:16):
them the last few years, it has always come down
to help in terms of how they play. You go
back to last year and you see the emergence of
Deebo Samuel. It wasn't necessarily out of creativity by the staff.
It was out of necessity because their running back position
was depleted because of energy, because of injuries. You look
at the changes on the defensive line that were made.
(10:36):
It was not because of creativity. It was because of
necessity because of injuries. So if they can just stay healthy,
they have a roster to compete for um a spot
in the Super Bowl. As we know, last year they
went to the NFC Championship Game and and we're very
close to advancing. So this team is not far away,
(10:58):
um at all in terms of getting back to the
Super Bowl as it was, what to three years ago,
whenever it was, it seems like a lifetime ago. It
at this point they all run together. I think you're right, Bridget,
let's come back to you here with the defending Super
Bowl champion l A. Rams Uh and um as as
(11:19):
you were mentioning there, you know, we we talked about
a team that you know, that lost Von Miller, you know,
who was a big part of their postseason success certainly,
and and their success the second half of the season.
But did bring in Allen Robinson. How do you grade
what they did this offseason? I'm going to give him
a B plus. I think there weren't a ton of
slashing moves from the Rams, but I do think that
(11:39):
they filled some holes that left von Miller look leaves.
They bring in Bobby Wagner. I think that was a
really smart move, both for on the field and in
the locker room. I think those two guys kind of
bring similar veteran style, you know, support that some of
this younger team needs in the locker room. UM letting
go of Robert Woods was really hard to see such
a great guy, such a great player. Of course, he
(12:00):
was injured last season um Alan Robinson though, I think
that was a great pick up on for them. I
think they have one of the strongest wide receiver cores.
And we still don't know what's happening with Odell Beckham Jr.
Right it seems like they might still want to pursue him.
I know he's dealing with the torn a c l
and recovering there that's the question mark. We did find
(12:21):
out this week that Aaron Donalds will be back, which
is huge for them because there was talks. You know,
he just put his Calabassa's house up, which is really
nice by the way, if you haven't seen it, um
put it up for sale. So there was questions about
if he's retiring, but I think he's ready to run
it back. I think the thing is the biggest question
for me is can they repeat right. The last time
(12:42):
that happened for two teams to win back to back
Super Bowls was I think, oh four oh five with
the New England Patriots. It's not very common and I
think the biggest struggle or the Achilles heels for the
Rams will be their depth, specifically on the offensive line.
When we get into weeks ten, week twelve, you know
where players are really banged up. Do they have enough
(13:02):
depth there to support them if somebody gets injured. I
think that's the position in the draft that they need
to look at, along with edge and cornerback. Um. But
I do think they have all the pieces. I just
think they need to make sure that line is there
to support Matthew Stofford. Right, he's always better when he's
standing up on his two feet than then on the ground.
(13:22):
Absolutely right. I couldn't agree with you more there. Let's
finish this, uh, this grading of the offseason moves in
this division gym with the Arizona Cardinals, how do you
see it? Yeah? But I think right now I would
give him a C minus. Um and and and you
could say that's being generous. Um. Look, they've got some
(13:43):
major issues in my opinion. You know. Number one, if
you look offensively, I think they continue to need to
want to upgrade the offensive line. Number two, wide receiver.
We saw what happen when d Hop went down last year.
How that impacted kyler Um. His play truly fell off.
And so if they stay healthy, you say, Okay, you've
(14:04):
got hot, you've got um more and you think maybe
you're okay. I don't think they have enough there. But
my biggest concern for them is defensively. Chandler Jones are
all time SAX leader is gone, and the question becomes
who is going to to pressure off the edge. Now
we know Marcus Golden had what led them in sacks
(14:25):
last year, but part of that is because Chandler Jones
occupied the minds and the game plans of so many
defensive coordinators. Protections were slid in his direction. Who's gonna
bring that element now to free up other guys? J J.
Watt as much as we love them and as great
as he was in his prime, and Shaun he can't
(14:46):
stay healthy. And well, I don't know where it's coming from. Now.
I know they feel good they went out and got
a corner and free agency and so they kind of
feel like that's the draft pick at that position. But
they also need more help in the secondary. So I
look at all that they've lost and I say, I
don't think that A replaced those players. You know, it
(15:08):
was big that they resigned James Connor, who was one
of the better goal line um players last year running
backs last year, but you lose at Chase Edmonds, who
was tremendous for them when he was healthy. Um offensively
at wide out, you lose Christian kirk Um, who was
an ascending player and a guy that you spent one
at number three on, I believe UM. So normally when
(15:31):
you spend or when you use draft capital on a
one to three and it's and he's an ascending player,
those are guys you want to keep. They're supposed to
be the nucleus and foundation going forward. Well he's gone now.
So I just think they have a lot of questions
to me. They tried the RAMS formula last year in
terms of going out getting veterans making that run, whether
(15:53):
it was J. J. Watt, A J. Green, all these
types of players, and it didn't work out for them.
And so now it's kind of like what now? And
I'm intrigued to see what they do U I I
am too. And so with that, then let's go dig
a little bit deeper into some draft I don't know priorities.
Need is always a difficult question when it comes to
(16:15):
the draft, right because every GM will tell you they're
just gonna take the best available player. UM, So let's
start with the Cardinals, Jim who you know, as they
sit there in the first round, could have some real options.
You know, maybe is it best available edge rusher you
know that's there for them at that pick in the twenties,
No question, the Cardinals need to address edge rusher, as
we just said, and then I think after that the
(16:37):
priorities should be um either line. To me, football teams
are built inside out, and so I would look on
line or D line at that point. Yeah, I think
that's a great a great spot. I'd love to see
a player like boy mafe edg rusher around of Minnesota
if he's there at twenty three when the Cardinals are
on the clock. You know, if that fourth tackle is there,
Trevor Penning, you know, maybe from Northern Iowa, UM as
(17:00):
you mentioned some of those potential positions of interest there
for the Cardinals at twenty three. All right, Bridget you
touched on it briefly there with the Seahawks at nine.
Really interesting spot for them. Is it quarterback you know,
to develop behind Drew Lock or you know what, is
there another position that you could see of interest there?
You know what, I'm mad that I didn't even bring
(17:21):
up when we first talked about the Seahawks. I think
it's still too early, Like my brain is not fully functioning.
What if Baker comes on the table, right, that's it's
a possibility that we haven't talked about. Can the Seahawks
find a way to get Baker Mayfield? I think he
would be a good fit for them at quarterback and
if that were to happen, though, I think maybe if
that does happen, it happens after the draft today, it
happens before the draft. Of course, don't go for a
(17:43):
quarterback at number nine. I think there are some good
um offensive tackles in this class. Uh if a quantum
I covered at NC State, if he's still there at nine,
I'll be shocked. But I think he would be a
great fit in the Seahawks program. Um. Yeah, So I
think it's gonna depend what they're able to do. Also,
there was talk, you know, I think there's still some
talk about, you know, met Calf if they if they
(18:06):
you know, they said that they don't want to trade
him or whatever. But if the right deal was in there,
what could they get from for him? Um, that'll be
interesting to see. Two. And then cornerback, I think that's
another position. I don't know that they should go for
a cornerback at nine. Um, but I'm not a GM.
I guess it's okay. There you go. M So, look
(18:28):
in the Rams and the forty Niners. Guys don't have
first round picks. We won't see the forty Niners until
number sixty one. Yeah, so there there's a there, you know,
just another chance for the forty Niners to get some
good football players to continue, you know, to bolster their death.
And then for the Rams, you know, maybe maybe in
the third round there at number one oh four overall,
there's a couple of edge rushers that they like. Perhaps
(18:50):
it's you know, a guy like j Sanders, you know
how a Cincinnati or D'Angelo Malone out of Western Kentucky. Uh,
there in that range that are there. So Um, it's
a great point that you make in terms of the
Rams not having first round picks and their abilities to
go to win a championship, and I think a lot
of it. Yeah, you have to give a lot of
credit to less Need and their scouting department because they
(19:12):
have hit on so many of those mid round and
late picks and turn them into productive players and whatnot.
If you're gonna if you're gonna try and follow the
blueprint that the Rams used in terms of going all
in and getting these veterans and that sort of thing,
you better have some young inexpensive talent who perform, and
they do, and and again I think we should tip
(19:33):
our caps to UM to less need in that scouting department. Yeah,
less than his crew has been as good on Day
two of the draft rounds two and three is any
team in football, and they've had to be without a
first round pick for the last decade. So with that said,
we are going to switch gears here and get to
(19:54):
our final division in the NFC. We're talking NFC East
right after this all right back here on NFL Inside
Report with our NFL media colleagues Jim Trotter and Bridget Condon.
(20:17):
We've talked NFC West at the top of the show,
now shifting our focus to the East. Always hotly contested
in this division. Not necessarily UM, the team with the
that ends up winning the division doesn't necessarily end up
with one of the best records in the NFC, as
we've seen in recent years. But let's see how it
chakes out this year. As we look at these four teams,
(20:41):
and look, I think one of the biggest you know,
the question is are the Cowboys still the favorite to
come out of the NFC East after kind of being
that team the last two years. I know they didn't
win back in, but we're one of those teams we
thought could. Obviously the injury attack Prescott, you know, played
a big part of that. But they get back to
the top of this past season. So as you look
(21:01):
at it here, Jim, um, is this the Cowboys division
at this point? No, not at all. Um. I think
they actually took a step back this offseason. You know,
when you're losing to Marii Cooper, they've still got to
show me the ceedee Lamb's number one. Um, when you
lose out on Randy Gregory, who's going to be that compliment,
(21:23):
who's gonna be that other guy up front to really
get it done with DeMarcus Lawrence. They're just they're just
some questions that I have and as that offensive line
gets older, I'm not sold on the Cowboys, and I
think the Eagles, um, if Jalen Hurst does take that
next step with all of the draft capital they have,
with the fact that they were not that far out
(21:44):
of it last year. In terms of that division, I
think I would keep my eye on the Eagles more
than I with the Cowboys, although we know the Cowboys
are gonna generate all the headlines and the coverage. But
ibably look at Philadelphia and we'll get it to your
grade for the Cowboys offseason here in just a moment.
But Bridget, as you look at this, does it still
(22:04):
feel like the Cowboys Division to you? I think this
is one of my favorite divisions, just because it's always
such a scramble and like what was a couple of
years ago when no one, nobody was winning and it's
like you have to pick a winner from this division?
How because all the teams were so bad? Um, I
don't I kind of agree with with Jim, I think,
(22:26):
and I'm gonna say something a little crazy here. I
do agree that if Jalen hurts, you know, pulls together,
that the Eagles team can be really good. I also,
this is gonna sound absolutely insane and people are gonna
come for me. I am a fan of the Giants
New GM, and I do believe that he made a
couple like very intelligent moves during this offseason. What can
(22:48):
he do you know, with their draft picks. During the draft,
I don't think we've seen Daniel Jones play his best football.
I might have a little bias that covered him at Duke,
but I don't know, Like I would love to see
a total turnaround. I don't think it's gonna happen. This
is me being super optimistic, but there are some pieces
that they get an old line fixed. Can they make
a splash? I don't know. Yeah, Look, I think that's
(23:11):
a that's a fair point. I mean, look, when the
owner comes out and says we've done everything possible to
screw up our quarterback, um, you know you'd like to
You'd like to see them now do the opposite and
put him in a position to succeed and perhaps then
we see him thrive one way or another. I feel
like we're gonna know a lot more about where the
Giants feel about Daniel Jones when this season is over,
and we'll get your grade on the Giants here in
(23:32):
just a moment, Bridget. But let's go back to where
we left off. Jim at the top of this division
last year with the Dallas Cowboys disappointing early exit from
the playoffs as a result of the forty Niners coming
into a T and T stadium and getting the win there,
But how would you you know, you kind of touched
on all the departures. Then what kind of grade does
that translate to for the Cowboys offseason? How corny? Can
(23:55):
I be here right? Oh? Too early? I'm sorry, you know, Um,
I haven't had my coffee yet, but then I don't
drink coffee. So but anyway, no, I give him a
d red. I just I don't get some of the
(24:15):
moves that that they've made. Um letting in Amari Cooper go.
I know he was a twenty middle of year, but
as we've seen in the wide receiver market now, that's
almost becoming a bargain. The guys that they are now
going to rely on in that passing game. I'm not
certain that that their true number ones yet. And you
(24:36):
can go back and watch the film and see times
that a Mari was open and Dad didn't get him
the ball for whatever reason. So that's why we heard
a Maori kind of speak out some last year, which
was so out of character for him. I'm not buying
into Dallas at this point. I'm really not. Um. The
other thing that that Bears watching. There is the way
(24:58):
that Jerry Jones has handled this coaching situation. You know,
he and so many words, has said to Mike m carthy,
I don't have full confidence in you. Yes, you're my coach,
but Dan Quinn is the one that Jerry made a
point of saying, I want to make sure he's here
in And then we have the whole Sean Payton thing
(25:19):
hanging over everyone's head beyond this season. So I just
think there's too much inner turmoil, if you will, and
questions that I can't I can't buy into it. Let's
then move bridget to the Washington Commanders, who, as we
all remember, one this division back in two thousand twenty
(25:41):
and came pretty close to knock it off the eventual
Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucks. Did not go as
well this past season for Ron Rivera's crew, and this
offseason marked by the big trade for Carson Wentz. How
do you grade their moves? So I wrote down to
c but I have to give him a C plus
because while we forget, they also got to name this offseason.
(26:03):
So congrats to the Commanders. Um. The Carson Wentz move
puzzles me from what I've read and you know, we've
reported on NFL Network. I do believe they were trying
to push for Russell Wilson and that came up short.
But then you go and get Carson Wentz. A is
he an upgrade over Taylor Heineke. I don't know. He
(26:24):
ended the season five straight games less than two thirty
passing yards. I don't think he's the answer. I think
the Commanders to have had this spot at quarterback that
they have not been able to address over the past
couple of years. It kind of haunted Ron Rivera. You know,
he's dealt with the same thing in Carolina and then
felt like he came talking about the ghost of Kirk Cousins.
Hats Is that what we're talking about here? Okay? I
(26:47):
think that's what we're talking about. Um. I think that,
you know, they do have some some good pieces they
were able to bring back, UM, you know, some stars
on offense. But you're gonna need You're gonna need a
quarterback who can throw to some of these players like
Terry McLaurin, and I don't see Carson Wentz being the
answer being the guy that can win the division for Washington. Yeah,
(27:10):
that's a big part of it. Right. But if you're
the commanders, you better go all in on it, right.
I mean, you spent the two and a three to
go get him, So let's figure out a way to
support him. We'll see if we can do that him.
If you're in the locker room rut, are you better?
I mean, like you got no other choice here at
this point. But I understand your point. Um. You know
the way that the Colts talked about his departure there,
it does make you wonder, let's move Jim to the
(27:33):
Philadelphia Eagles and a grade that you would give Howie
Roseman for some of the moves that he's made here
B plus. And the only reason it's not in a
is because I want to see what they do with
their draft capital. Um. You know, first of all, they
were able to resign the players that they wanted to
bring back, which is so important in the NFL, I believe, um.
(27:56):
Too many times we think the unknown is more valuable
than the known. And when you have players who have
performed for you, you you know what they're about, they understand
the culture of your organization or locker room, etcetera. Um,
I think it's important to maintain some sense of continuity.
So I like that they've done that in terms of
(28:16):
restructuring some of the guys to bring them back and
then making the trade to give away one of the
or trading one of their three first round picks for
more draft capital next year. Um in terms of another
first round pick next year and beyond. I think it
was just smart. Um. So when I look at all
the moves that that Howie Roseman has made, I'm I'm
(28:40):
all in on this that. I think it's a B
plus and potential A depending on how they use their
draft capital. And the fact that they were able to
turn one of their first round picks, essentially one of
their three first round picks this year into a future
one a future too in an additional third round pick
this year. Really nice. Were kind of move maneuvering around
(29:03):
the draft board here with that trade they made with
the New Orleans Saints. Let's finish up this division here,
Bridget with a grade on the New York Giants. I'm
gonna give him a. See. I think you know the Giants.
One of the biggest problems with them is the salary
cap in the space, the money that they don't have,
and I think Joe Shae. The new GM was able
to make some moves that were cheap and bring in
(29:25):
some veterans. Um. You know fix he brought in some
veteran alignemen and you know that provides some stability and
they weren't that expensive. Um. I think again, it's one
of the problems that has been haunting them for years.
How are they going to fix that offensive line? How
are they going to protect Daniel Jones? I think they
have picked five and seven, unless trades have already started. UM.
(29:47):
In the draft, I think they have They have the
ability to make, you know, to to draft somebody who's
going to make an immediate impact and fix some of
those holes that we're seeing. The other question is still
up in the air. Is sa Kwan? Is he going
to be healthy? We forget how fun he is a
player to watch and such a good running back. If
(30:09):
he keeps stay healthy, I think that totally changes the
dynamic of this team. Yeah, I think you're right. You
touched on the draft situation there as we kind of
switch gears here. I think the Giants offseason essentially hinges
on what they do in the draft because of the
nature of their salary cap and how strapped, they were
in that regard, and so that's where they're They're big
(30:30):
improvements are going to come this season, especially with with
high priority picks there two inside the top ten at
five and seven. I see maybe one of the best
corners in the draft and Sauce Gardeners being an option
there at five or seven. And then I'd love to
get the best offensive linemen off the board there too.
So I think two huge needs for the New York Giants.
They were present at UM when I was there, and
(30:53):
I know that you know, if he's still on the
board at offensive tackle, he's pretty pretty I think he's
going to be a really good player for years to come.
So that would be You're not alone. You're not alone
in assessment, I agree, as do most of our draft
experts here at NFL Media. Jim. Let's then go to
the Dallas Cowboys, who you know have got really good
(31:15):
players each of the last two years in Ceedee Lamb
and Michael Parsons. I mean, one was of course the
defensive rookie of the year, but weren't necessarily a positions
of need at the time. They were best players available. UM.
When the Cowboys were on the clock, and Jerry Jones
alluded to the fact that you know, if there's a
player like that, you know they're at twenty four, they
do that, they follow that same strategy once again, But
(31:37):
where else could you see what other positions could you
see the Cowboys kind of making a priority when we
get to April. I think offensive line is definitely a
priority for them. Um, Look, they needed to upgrade before
Connor Williams signed with Miami and leoll Collins was released,
in my opinion, so they've got a lot of age
there um from that unit that was so dominant for
(31:58):
so many years. So again, I think football teams are
built inside out, and I think that Dallas hopefully recognize
that from the success that they had um while this
unit was together. You know when we talk about how dominant,
you know, Tyren Smith and Zack Martin and all those
guys were together. So I would like to see them
go there. The other thing I still think they need
(32:20):
help with is in their secondary I think they can
get better there. Look for all of the plays that
Diggs made, he also gave up a number of plays
as well, So I think they need more consistent, more
consistency their overall and Look, we talked about this all
the time. Red does a pass rush make a secondary
(32:41):
or does secondary make a pass run? And I still
believe Dallas also needs help upfront when it comes to
pressuring the quarterback. Yeah, I think that's a fair point. Um.
I'd be really curious if David ja Jabo is on
the board there at twenty four after the rupture to
kill he s tendon. I know he's not. You can't
counter an immediate impact, but man, with ready Gregory gone,
(33:03):
you would love to eventually, you know, put him out
there and perhaps pair amount up with DeMarcus Laurence, a
really good player at that point. But yeah, I could
see offensive line certainly being a priority here for the
Dallas Cowboys. All right, Bridget, let's go back to you.
For the Commanders here, we're sitting at number eleven overall,
not necessarily out of the quarterback market if their guy
is there to maybe developed behind Carson Wentz, but otherwise,
(33:26):
is it all about supporting him there with that pick
in the first round. Yeah, I didn't even have quarterback
really on my list of what they should go for
for eleven. But that is a good point, interesting point
you make, But I would say, wide receiver. I think
you need somebody that he could throw to. If somebody,
I think the way that the draft is going, they
could get a top wide receiver even out of eleven
UM that can make a splash. They also lost two
(33:48):
safeties in the off season, so I think that's the
position that they wouldn't be uh opposed to going. I
don't know if they're eleventh pick would be the right
place to go. Um and then cornerback as well. They
get some support on defense, yep. I like that. And
as far as receivers go, I really like Drake London
as a nice compliment to what they already have. Their big, tall,
(34:10):
physical wide receiver, big target, contested catches. Think about the
way that Carson Wentz plays the game, you know, off
oftentimes off schedule, sometimes a little bit risky. I think
Drake London for yeah, that is just trying. I think
Drake of the philosophy. Hey, come on, all right, let's
(34:31):
put a shelf the draft priorities here. Jim. With the
Philadelphia Eagles, who have now gone down from three first
round picks to two first round picks, they'll go at
fifteen and eighteen after their trade with the Saints. I
didn't get go in a lot of different directions here.
How do you see it? I'm gonna say edge. From
this standpoint, last year they were thirty feet and sack right,
(34:51):
So I think they've got to find a way to
get more pressure on the on the quarterback um. Look offensively,
I think that they had started to put pieces around
Jalen Hurts. Never heard even more weapons. But I agree
with you. I think they can go a number of
different directions, but at some point you gotta make stops.
(35:12):
And at some point, we know it's a quarterback driven league,
so you're going to have to be able to consistently pressure.
And so from that standpoint, for a team that was
thirty first in sack rate last year, I'm gonna say,
go get a pass rushing Yeah, guy like George carloftis
how to Purdue might be a choice there at fifteen
and whereas at eighteen, I'm wondering if maybe they see
(35:32):
the future at center, if this is Jason Kelsey's last
year with Tyler Linderbaum one of the best center prospects
we've had in recent years coming out there, So a
couple of names just to consider there for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Uh Bridget Jim, fantastic work for us previewing and resetting
the NFC East and NFC West roster. Certainly appreciate your time, guys. Thanks,
(35:55):
thank you. All right, that's gonna 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
(36:15):
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 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,
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