NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Judy Battista, and Ian Rapoport discuss the biggest stories from around the NFL including the Bengals signing wide receivers Jamarr Chase & Tee Higgins to contract extensions, Jameis Winston scheduling a meeting with the Giants, and the latest on Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. Quarterback Cooper Rush signs with the Ravens, leaving Dak Prescott without a backup. The Texans are signing cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to a new contract and the impact on Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. Plus, Steve Wyche reports on the Saints, Omar Ruiz reports on the Rams and Chargers; and Lance Zierlein evaluates several top NFL prospects heading into the 2025 NFL draft.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
We told you on Friday night it was close. On Sunday,
the Bengals sealed their deals. Jamar Chason t Higgins are
not going anywhere With two more huge contracts on the books.
How does Cincinnati build out the rest of the roster.
We'll tell you the latest on Trey Hendrickson and much more.
Aaron Rodgers still has not chosen his destination, leaving at
(00:28):
least a couple of teams and a holding pattern. So
what does the four time NFL MVP's decision boil down
to and what exactly is planned B or C for
the Steelers and Giants. We will break down everyone's options. Meanwhile,
Rushover is over in Dallas and now the Cowboys need
a new backup for Dak could to find one in
(00:49):
the draft. Twelve hour Draft expert Land Zerline has some
thoughts and maybe a few pointed suggestions for Jerry's gang too.
Welcome inside with the Insiders alongside Ian Rappaport and Judy Batista.
I am Tom peliserro We are thirty eight days away,
that's it from the NFL Draft. We are just one
(01:10):
hundred and seventy one days away from.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
The kickoff game. That's right.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
If you take the calendar you folded in half, we
are closer to having football again than we are to
win last season started.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
It's all happening.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Free agency is still ongoing, and the Bengals have their
top two weapons lined up and locked in.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
For the next four years.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Late last night, we finished the deals we first told
you about on Friday. Jamar Chase and t Higgins both
agreed to terms on four year contract extensions. For Jamar Chase,
it's four years and one hundred and sixty one million dollars,
making in the highest paid non quarterback in NFL history
at a shade over forty million dollars per year. T
(01:51):
Higgins gets a four year, one hundred and fifteen million
dollar deal, ending his double franchise tag Dance. Probably a
little bit of a below market for T Higgins to
keep him with a guy in Jamar Chase who just
reset the market. You look at them as a duo
since twenty twenty one, nobody's better and that's what T
Higgins missing a decent amount of time in there because
(02:12):
of various injuries. Judy, we know what the intention and
the plan and the goal was for the Bengals. Salary
cap is real. Okay, you've only got so many dollars
to go around, but Joe Burrow, among other people, made
abundantly clear I would like these dollars to go to
these two guys.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Credit to Joe Burrow for flexing his muscle, and to
the extent that this front office and ownership group needed
a nudge, he certainly gave more than a nudge. He
gave them a shove. He said repeatedly, he wanted these guys,
and he got these guys. And let's give some credit
to the Bengals. I mean, this went against type. The
reason that so many people around the league thought, how
(02:50):
are they ever going to get this done? Can they
get this done? Is because historically they just haven't done
big contracts like this. Remember last year, last summer when
they had a franchise tag T Higgins and they weren't
getting the deal done with Jim ur Chase. Mike Brown
said back in July, I believe it was he said,
you know, you can't just pay people willy nilly. Well,
(03:11):
actually you can pay some people willy nilly, and that's
what they're doing here. Very much deserved. Jim ar Chase
is now the highest paid non quarterback in the league.
That title has switched hands like three times in the
last ten days or something. But I do think that
this maybe gives us the chance to finally retire. Talking
about what Carson Palmer used to say about the Cincinnati
(03:34):
Bengals when he got disgusted with the franchise, when he said,
you know, the financials were more important than winning. That
is certainly not the case with these deals.
Speaker 5 (03:44):
We've seen so much duty change with the Cincinnati Bengals
over the course of the last let's say, four or
five years or so, right, I mean, they are suddenly
looked at a place that is a winning organization, do
things the right way right last year didn't make the playoffs,
and it was more of a surprise than anything else.
Paid Joe Burrow top of the market money, and now
pay his top two targets top of the market money
(04:05):
as well, despite you know, the kind of circumstances that
very few teams deal with, which is that they have
two top top receivers, both want big money, both are
now sticking around. We have Jamar Chase as the highest
paid non quarterback. No surprise, That's what Duke Tobin said
right from the outset. Then t Higgins being paid like
one of the really really good number two receivers, could
(04:25):
have flexed his muscles had he hit free agency next year,
opted against it, stayed in Cincinnati. Both of these guys
get done, and they may not be done right because
obviously they've paid their two key guys on offense, But
on defense you have Trey Hendrickson, who wants to get paid,
who we know has received for the second year or
(04:45):
requested to be traded for the two years in a row.
This year, unlike last year, received permission to seek a trade,
and no doubt has his agent has talked to some teams.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Tom.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
But as you mentioned late last night, the Bengals have
now engaged with Ti Higgins on a new deal as well.
Could they possibly lock up all these guys, considering the
amount of cash it might take, I would say yes,
yes they could. The Bengals have done a lot right
over the course of the last several days and weeks,
maybe on the verge of doing it again.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Well, and they certainly did the deals for the receivers
with Trey Hendrickson in mind, right, keeping the door open
to return Trey Hendrickson not to put two final point
on it, but the defense was not very good last year,
and he still led the league in sacks. Bringing him
back would be critical. They have had an awful lot
of turnover on that defense. Of course, they changed defensive
(05:37):
coordinators this offseason, but as they rebuild that defense, which
is so important to that team, keeping Trey Hendrickson in
the fold would be another a huge win for this franchise.
We saw last year the reason they did not get
to the playoffs, frankly was because as powerful as that
offense was, the defense simply could not hold off other teams.
(06:01):
If they can get just marginal improvement from that defense
and have that offense going the way it was going
last season, they are at the very least a playoff team. Certainly,
keeping Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati would be a huge boost
of that defense.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
One, if you're Trey Hendrickson or his agent, you're also
looking at t Higgins deal going, Okay, if that's what
you're paying the number two receiver, then what are you
going to pay the guy who is your number one
defensive player period and the NFL sack leader here I
would have be They're going to talk through a lot
of different potential structures. Trey Hefferson thirty years old but
clearly still on top of his game. If you were
(06:37):
truly available to trade, meaning if the Bengals were willing
to part with him for less than they've been asking,
you would have many many suitors here. But obviously they're
making the commitment let's try to win with this group
right here. Does that mean they can get something done
with Trey Henderson? We should find out in the not
too distant future. The Giants are still looking for a quarterback,
and if you're an able body to experience starter, well
(06:57):
you're getting a free trip to Giants Head. That's what
Jamis Winston's got coming up tomorrow. The most recently brown starter,
former number one overall picked by the Bucks, is scheduled
to visit the Giants on Tuesday, this following visits they
had last week with Joe Flacco as well as Russell Wilson.
This all comes duty against the backdrop of Aaron Rodgers
(07:19):
continuing to weigh his options here. So we're ready just
sitting around waiting. The Giants are saying, let's bring all
these other options through here and get an idea of
how we're going to structure this quarterback round, especially because
we might have not just signed one guy. It's quite
possible we signed two of these guys.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Back at the combine, Joe Shane said they were going
to turn over every rock to get better quarterback play.
And that's what they're doing here. I mean, they are
doing their due diligence on pretty much everybody that may
have to come into the organization. Right, this is just
another one. Russell Wilson visited, Joe Flacco visited. So while
they wait for Aaron Rodgers' decision, they are organized their
(08:00):
thoughts around plan B, Plan C, Plan D, perhaps like
whatever has to come next. We have said this now
for a week. At some point everybody is going to
have to make a decision. And presumably, whenever Aaron Rodgers
makes his decision, the team that does not get him
is going to have to pivot pretty quickly to their
(08:20):
next option and then get things going. And if you
point out that, I mean the Giants may need to
sign more than one veteran. So certainly they want to
know what their options are while they wait for Aaron Rodgers,
and that way they can move quickly whenever that decision happens.
Speaker 5 (08:36):
It does seem judy that for each of these quarterbacks
they brought in, Giants are kind of gauging the mark
and getting an understanding of like, all right, if you.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Were the guy we brought in, what might it take?
Speaker 5 (08:44):
And you know there's not a ton of backup jobs
available right now, some but not a ton, so kind
of in the situation where the price might not be
as high as was last week, if you're, for instance,
a buyer, it's probably better this way.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
Now.
Speaker 5 (09:00):
Here's sort of the issue for the Giants, and it's
the same issue for the Steelers or whoever ends up
signing Aaron Rodgers. I don't get the sense he'son hurry
at all. I really don't. And there's no deadline for
him to be Usually, if you're a free agent, you
would say, like, all right, I get to sign by
maybe Monday afternoon or maybe Tuesday morning. Otherwise the money's
gonna be dried up.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
One.
Speaker 5 (09:18):
It's not like that at the quarterback position, right. I mean,
if you're a team that wants Aaron Rodgers, you are
gonna make sure that there's space.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
You're gonna make sure there's room, You're.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
Gonna do everything in kind to let him know, Hey,
whenever you make a decision, we got you, right. The
other thing is he doesn't have to decide by any time, right,
I mean, he sort of controls this thing. There's no
actual deadline. So if you're the Giants or the Vikings
or the Steelers or whoever ends up signing Aaron Rodgers,
if it's anyone, then you'd like it now. But the
(09:48):
next point is do you draft someone? And that's a
month or so away, so like all of us would
kind of like this done sooner rather than later. I
don't get the sense Rodgers in any hurry at all,
And like, could it go all the way to the draft?
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Leg it did two years ago, Maybe it could.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
It's March seventeenth, we're hosting a live primetime show on
NFL Network. We should really be grateful for any type
of drama we've got, particularly about quarterbacks, particularly about future
Hall of fame.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
I agree, I like it.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Aaron, take your time, although maybe also see your things
up a little bit.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
We know this.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
The Texans moved quickly to get something done with their
star cornerback, Derek Stingley. Junior as Ian reported this morning,
Green terms on a three year ninety million dollar contract extension.
We've talked so much in recent years about whether or
not that cornerback market was truly going to move forward here,
we'll stingly reset it in a big way. Thirty million
(10:41):
dollars per year. That's the new money average. He's all
under contract out for an additional four years here. Reset
in the market that was just recent last week by J. C.
Hornen when he got twenty five million dollars per year
from the Carolina Panthers patcher tan Jalen Ramsey. Those were
last off season here, And obviously for all the back
and forth about whether or not Ian the Texans should
(11:03):
draft Derek Singley, should they take Sauce Gardner, both players
have been good, but Stingley last season really really good
for Houston.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Now he gets reward.
Speaker 5 (11:11):
Oh, Darrick Singley Junior, a absolute baller, deserves every penny
of this, which is of course what his agent, David
Mulligan had told me this morning right after the deal
became official, right after it was announced via the amazing
tweets that I crafted over the course of the last
several days. Three years, ninety million dollars, eighty nine million
dollars guarantees, which includes the money that is still in
the books. It's a massive deal for Stingley for a
(11:34):
couple reasons. One that he really moved the market right.
It was at twenty four and change, and then it
was at twenty five and now it's at thirty.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
That is a massive jump.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
It's also closer to where the top receivers are paid.
For a long time, we saw the receiver market go
crazy and the corner mark could go nowhere, right literally nowhere.
It was Jaya Alexander at twenty one million and then nothing,
and then slowly over the course of the last two
years it is jumped. And this is the biggest jump
for the corner market towards your receivers. It makes sense
(12:06):
they should be linked. One plays against the other all
the time. Is now closer than it has been in
quite a while. An enormous, enormous deal for Stingling getting
three years rather than four years a big win for
him as well well.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
This feels like an overdue correction for the market, right.
It should have corrected before. Cornerbacks are hurt some of
the most important members of any team. So this is
a correction that was overdue and good for Derek Stingley
and really good for Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets.
I would imagine that there were people in the New
York Jets building in Floram Park this morning who were thinking, oh,
(12:44):
why didn't we get ahead of this and do this first?
Because now the market, as you pointed out, took a
big jump. It's just like Miles Garrett's contract, right, that
took a big jump. Well, this took a big jump.
The market has moved considerably, and sauce Gardner is up next.
He was take him with the pick directly after Stingley.
He has been a two time All Pro. He of
(13:05):
course was the defensive Rookie of the Year. Stingley had
a superior season last season. But certainly you would expect
that sauce Gardner is going to say, look at the
body of work I have produced for the New York Jets.
We will see where those negotiations go.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Salary caps spiked two years in a row, so makes
sense those markets haven't moved forward. Another position where we've
seen some investment during free agency year the backup quarterback spot,
including the Ravens bringing over Cooper Rush as the new
backup for Lamar Jackson, which means we need a new
number two in Dallas. So exactly who might be backing
up Deck? Could they get it in the draft? We
(13:43):
will talk about. That was land zerline when he joins
the show. And coming up after this, they've been a
lot of big moves in LA including that guy DeVante Adams,
a new LA Ram, the latest on the Rams, the
Chargers and everything. As we roll forward in twenty twenty
five and one day's the football? Can you believe it?
Omar Ruiz here with us next on the Insiders.
Speaker 4 (14:14):
You know, I was going to say that this is
going to take some getting used to, but actually, Noah won't.
This looks pretty good there. Davante Adams in an LA
Rams uniform looks like it fits. Also, I just want
to point out, I know it's the angle of this graphic.
Look at how gigantic Davante Adams hands look there, like
bigger than his head. Anyway, welcome back to the Insiders.
(14:36):
Omar Ruiz in rap report. I know, I am Judy Batista.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Omar.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
I'm going to just throw this question out there. What
are they expecting from Davante Adams in this offense?
Speaker 6 (14:48):
I think they're expecting a lot judy, and they could
be more thrilled to have Davante Adams in the building.
As one coach told me that Davante Adams still has
a lot of juice left in his career, and obviously
the excit heitman that we see the Rams to have
DeVante Adams reflected with the enthusiasm with which Sean McVay
recruited Adams to La Adams saying he felt like Sean
(15:10):
McVay was with him in Japan as much as he
was calling him, recruiting him, going over highlight tapes with him.
They met years ago at the Kentucky Derby and they
talked about map perhaps joining forces one day, and here
we are Adam saying that he looks forward to sharing
that football acumen with Sean McVay how to best accentuate
his talents in this offense. And Adams saying that because
(15:30):
he came into the NFL with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback,
a player that he described as one of the most
detail oriented people to ever play the game, he knows
that forming the chemistry with Matthew Stafford is all about
good communication. So he looks forward to getting together with
his new quarterback. He also looks forward to working with
Puka Nakula, who he said has all that God given
(15:53):
ability on electric personality. And he wanted to make clear
that he didn't have to negotiate with Puka Nakua, he
didn't have to bribe him financially. That's why that seventeen
looks so good, Judy already with DeVante Adams taking that seventeen,
Puka Nakua already changing to number twelve, so all aspects
seem to be in play for DeVante Adams to thrive
(16:14):
in that Rams offense in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Great stuff on.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
I really perked up when you mentioned the Kentucky Derby
only a couple months away, actually a couple of short
months away. All right, let's stay in LA and talk
about the other LA team. The Chargers also made some
big time free agency moves. Naji Harris signs with the Chargers.
That was one, bringing back Mike Williams as well. Take
me through what the Chargers did over the last week
(16:39):
or so.
Speaker 6 (16:40):
We look at Naji Harris six foot one, two hundred
and forty pounds, Mike Williams six foot four, two hundred
and fifteen prototypical Jim harbaud those big, physical, imposing type
of players, and Naji Harris says, yeah, he knows the
identity of the Chargers is to run the football, but
also with a great quarterback. And interesting because Naji Arris
(17:00):
grew up in Northern California watching those Harball.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Forty nine Ers teams.
Speaker 6 (17:04):
He was recruited by Harbaugh at the University of Michigan,
so he's very aware of that hard nosed, physical style
of play. He looks forward to joining forces with that,
he said. He already got a couple of workouts in
in that Chargers weight room. He said, working in the
weight room for those big muscles, working with his stretching
and yoga for the small stuff really a key to his.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
Durability for a running back.
Speaker 6 (17:27):
It's remarkable he has yet to miss a game in
his NFL career. And then there's Mike Williams, who described
his season last year as terrible. But remember he was
coming off that twenty three season where he tore his
ac on Week three. As a Charger, he was rehabbing
in LA all off season. Then he went to New
York and worked with trainers that he didn't have as
much familiarity, missed much of the offseason program, so he
(17:50):
didn't develop that chemistry, didn't necessarily earn the trust.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Of Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 6 (17:55):
While he's back now with Justin Herbert, all that chemistry
they've formed over the years, he said, Herbert just knows
where to put the football for him. As Herbert has
famously described over the years, whenever they throw up a
fifty to fifty ball to Mike Williams, it is eighty twenty.
So Williams said, he is knee is perfectly healthy. He
is ready to get back with the Chargers and really
(18:16):
anticipate a great year for him in twenty five, as
does Najie Harris with that offense.
Speaker 5 (18:21):
Man, I remember telling Jets fans last year and you
guys are gonna love Mike Williams. Every fifty to fifty
ball seems like it's his. Never quite saw it and
Chargers no charges. No, perhaps they see it again this year. Omar,
thank you very much for joining us as always in
lending us some of your expertise.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Cooper Rush has a new home, agreeing to terms on
Sunday and a two year contract with the Ravensworth Up
to twelve point two million dollars after Rush. It was
in Dallas for close to a decade, fished with a
nine to five record as the starter. Now headed to
Baltimore backing up just a slightly different style of quarterback.
Welcome back to the Insiders, Top Pella Sero, Ian Rappaport,
(19:01):
and Judy Batista.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Judy, there's a couple of bits of this.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
One is interesting, which is what does that Ravens offense
look like if it's Cooper Rush taking over? But secondly,
here you're now a Cowboys team that has had to
lean on Cooper Rush on multiple occasions here recently.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
What are they going to do?
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Yeah, this is not a small consideration for the Dallas
Cowboys because Dak Prescott has missed time in all but
one of the last five seasons. So I go back
to like when the Miami Dolphins signed Zach Wilson, we
were like, oh, well that's a backup quarterback that you
know has to play because to missus time. Well, so
does Dak Prescott. And we've seen seasons come apart when
(19:41):
Dak Prescott is off the field.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
So this is, uh, this is a big thing. Now.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
The Cowboys have said during this offseason that they could
draft a young quarterback at some point in the draft.
But you do wonder if they are now going to
as the quarterback market, you know, sort of settles down
a little bit, if are going to look for a
veteran backup, because again, we have seen, especially in the
last few seasons, the importance of having quality backup quarterbacks
(20:09):
that they can sustain your team. They can even get
you into the playoffs, as the Cleveland Browns most famously
showed two seasons ago. If you're the Dallas Cowboys and
you know that Dak Prescott does not play the full
seventeen games all that often, this has to be a
place where you put some of your resources. We can
(20:29):
have a separate conversation about how they are spending their
resources this offseason, but where you put some of your resources,
and you have to have a real thought to going
with a seasoned backup quarterback who has played and started games.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
I'm not going to say that Cooper Rush is not interesting,
but when you buy the same backup, I feel like,
for ten years or however long it's been, it's not
that that interesting. As soon as Cooper Rush went to
the Baltimore Ravens, which I think is going to work
for them. I don't don't really matter that his style
is different than Lamar. I think he's really capable of
good solid backup once the Cowboys let him move on.
It becomes really interesting to me because you obviously have
(21:04):
Dak Prescott as the starter. He has a huge deal
that he's under concert with for several years. But this
to me says the Cowboys are going to go quarterback
in the draft, and I wonder how high are they
going to go?
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Right?
Speaker 5 (21:15):
Like, I would be surprised at this point if they
take a quarterback in the first round.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
I think everybody would.
Speaker 5 (21:20):
But what if it's someone like I don't know, Quinn
you Weers in the second round, right, a quarterback who's
really talented, who they know well, right, who could might
not have to play for a couple of years, but
in three years might end up being someone who's surely talented.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
Enough to be the starting quarterback. How high do they go?
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Right?
Speaker 5 (21:36):
Because if you're going to wait to the fifth or
sixth or seventh round, you don't know what kind of
backup quarterback you're getting, And honestly, by then they may
all be gone. This at least to me, means the
Cowboys are considering taking one, if not Thursday, maybe on Friday.
And then you're talking about some household names, and then
you're talking about some really really talented quarterbacks, And that,
(21:57):
to me is where it all gets fascinating for the Cowboys. Yes,
Cooper Rush going to the Baltimore Evens is sort of
like someone interesting. Where the Cowboys go next to now Hi,
they go next to quarterback is.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
Going to be intriguing moving forward.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
The headline of that segment right there, Cooper Rush is
boring to Ian, But I'm guessing you're gonna be more
excited by this Mock Draft Live.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Yes, it goes back.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
Our experts deliver their latest draft projections. Find out where
the next way of the NFL stars will land. Mock
Draft Live Tuesday, eight pm Eastern Time, only right here
on NFL Network. If we bring in somebody else who
knows a thing or two about the NFL Draft, our
expert lanzer Line joining us on the show. Okay, Ian's
all fired up for anyone other than Cooper Rush. He
(22:42):
wants to hear about some of these big name quarterbacks
here Lands. Give me the prognosis right now Jackson Dart
and how we're looking at this stage here at the
pre draft process.
Speaker 7 (22:51):
And Ian was selling me on all these quarterbacks in
this draft. I was a little bit just, but now
after hearing Ian, I'm kind of pumped. No, listen, let's
got they all have qualities. I like, there's no question
I think he makes some good points. Jackson Dart's one
of these guys who you're hearing his name buzzed in
the first round. I don't know if I'm buying it
(23:13):
or not, but one of the things you can say
about about Jackson Dart is the guy shows and throws
a great back shoulder fade. He is very good inside
that ole Miss offense, had a good command of the offense.
Is able to throw with good accuracy. Now he's got
to for he's got to he's got to put everything
behind it to make some of these throws. He doesn't
(23:33):
have a natural easy arm, but when he throws and
when he has to kind of crank it up, he
does throw some pretty good accuracy. So there are some
things to like about Jackson Dart. I think he's one
of the more consistent quarterbacks in this draft. So that's
going to be the selling point for a lot of
teams is the consistency. He's not the biggest guy, he
doesn't have the biggest arm, but he's a consistent guy
and he's pretty accurate.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
And I was in.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
Indianapolis for the combine ran into Tyler Shook and his
family at dinner. His mom a nice counseling job on
how she shouldn't pay attention to any mock drafts. So anyway,
on that note, tell me about Tyler Schuck and where
he might go. And I don't know either you are
not draft or just in your mind Shuck in Yeah,
you talked to his mom Shuck. I said, Shot didn't
get the name right. He said, Shuck, you're Shuk. He's
(24:18):
Shuck Lance. Neither Shuck nor Shuck. What he has Shuck
is Shuck is right.
Speaker 7 (24:23):
Listen, He's probably the most intriguing quarterback maybe in this
entire draft. I mean, once you we've done cam Ward
a lot, We talked about Shud or Sanders a lot.
But when you start talking about Tyler Shuck, you were
talking about a player who probably works from the pocket
more professionally than any other quarterback. And that shouldn't surprise you.
Since he's been in the college football for seven years.
(24:44):
He came into the same class with Trevor Lawrence. He
was a backup for Justin Herbert. But he has real
arm talents. You see right there. He's a very confident player.
I was down on the field talking to Kurt Warner
and he was like, this guy just has an unbelievable
personality and and he's at ease, like there's just a
confidence about him that feels professional. And then when you
(25:06):
tag that with the arm talent, his accuracy, the ability
he has to make pro throws, you get a little
bit excited. Now you know major injuries twenty one, twenty two,
and twenty three major injuries, which is why he played
seven years in college football. But when it comes to
just purely the arm and I think the feel of
being a pro, he's one of those guys that really
(25:28):
is starting to stand out in this entire draft.
Speaker 1 (25:31):
He's also got I believe at least three maybe four
degrees during that time. Asked about at the Senior Bowl,
like what matter, which of those would you actually use?
He said, I think for now I'm going to use
my degree in football. Probably a smart move. Let's let's
talk about another guy that Ian mentioned earlier, Lance Quinn viewers.
He's got him going in the second round to the Cowboys, potentially. Potentially.
What are we still looking to find out about a
(25:51):
guy that we've seen play a ton of college football
as well?
Speaker 7 (25:55):
You know, listen, he was a quarterback that everyone was
high on entering the season, and it's hard to get
that out of your head except for the fact that
it's really gone very quiet on Quinn yours. And it's
understandable because he didn't have a very good year. He
was hurt for much of the year with the oblique injury.
But when you go back and you look at his
game against Michigan, and you go back to twenty three
(26:16):
and you look at the road wind against Alabama, you
see some things. I mean, you see some pro talent
in those games. And there's no question that he's able
to make off slot, off platform, bunky armslot throws. He's
able to get it out with just the flick of
a wrist. There are some things about quin yours that
is very, very natural. He's one of the more natural passers.
(26:37):
He's not great at reading defenses. When you watch him
on tape, and he's a guy who hasn't really you know,
developed as much as you would like. And when you
start adding up he was a little banged up in
twenty three, he was very banged up in twenty four,
you start worrying about durability. But I think there's some
upside still with Quinn Ewers, and I think he made
some very good points about Quinn yours is he's a
guy that you could stick on a roster for a
(26:58):
couple of years, especially as a second or third rounder,
and then see what happens with the development in the
quarterback room. When all of that, you know, all that
pressure's not on his shoulders like it was coming out
of high school. He was anointed as one of the
best high school prospects that had ever come out. And
that's a lot of pressure when you're initially at Ohio Stateton,
especially when you're at the University of Texas, and especially
(27:21):
when Arch Manning is sitting there and everyone wants to
see Arch Manning behind you for a couple of years.
So it's kind of an interesting prospect. When you add
it all up.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Lance stick around a lot more from you coming up
inclind On, one of the top wide receivers in this draft. First, though,
let's bring in our guy, Steve Whites to talk about
Cam Jordan.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
He's back in New Orleans.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
I think practically everybody is back in New Orleans. But
what does that mean for these Saints. I'll look in
twenty twenty five with their new head coach Kellen Moore.
Steve's here and breaking all down for us. Next on
the Insiders, they look at these Saints notable offseason moves,
(28:06):
and perhaps most notable with a lot of familiar faces.
They also did add a couple of guys from the outside,
safety Justin Reid on a three year, thirty one point
five million dollar deal. They traded for Devon Godshow as well,
but bring back Cam Jordan. They bring back Derek Carr
on a restructured deal as well. A very veteran team
year after year, not changing even with a new coaching
(28:28):
staff in place. Welcome back to the Insiders. Tom Pella, Sero,
Judy Batista, join now by Steve White. Steve, you look
at those offseason moves. This is not a team that's
aiming to get younger right now. They still feel like
we are trying to win right now. So what does
that tell you about the direction they think they're headed
here in twenty twenty five hunder Kellen Moore.
Speaker 8 (28:47):
Yeah, Tom, I focused home down there today and they
feel that they're a good team. In last season, it
was the injuries that dismantled everything. So they're going to
run it back once again. They're hoping that the coaching
changes can get things turned around. Now you mentioned you're
at Carr being back. They think he's going to be healthy. Yes,
maybe they could change some things we'll talk about later
draft wives to get him some help. But the most
(29:08):
of the changes you're seeing are coming on defense. We see, yes,
they resign Chase Young, They've redid cam Jordan on the
edge to get him back for another year. But the
person I spoke to who said the binding ingredient on
that defense could be nose tackle Devon Godshaw, a Louisiana native.
They made the trade with the Patriots to bring Godshaw
in and I was a little taken aback, like he's
(29:29):
a difference maker. They said yes, because they are going
to an odd front, a three man front for the
first time in more than fifteen years. Godshaw is going
to be that nose tackle where they can play you know,
a three, four or five too, whatever kind of look
they want, or Brandon Staley running things that's gonna out,
Brian Berzi to be aligned differently, Cam Jordan, Chase Young
(29:50):
to be aligned differently. And as you know, Brandon Staley
loves to rotate a lot of defensive linemen through. So
that's something that they're looking at. You'd call Granderson guys
like that on the edge. So that flexibility again with
Godshaw in the middle and that defensive scheme change, they
think that could be something that could really benefit this
aging roster that we see.
Speaker 4 (30:11):
Well, when you have an aging roster and your intent
on running it back, where do you turn in the draft?
Speaker 8 (30:17):
How about this, Judy, This is something I didn't know.
This is the first time since they drafted Cedric Ellis,
a defensive tackle in two thousand and eight, that the
Saints have drafted in the top ten. So the person
I spoke was said, because that aging roster, don't be
surprised if a lot of the players they draft are
duplicate positions, right, you know, maybe this is it for
(30:38):
Cam George, So they go out and they get a
defensive end. Maybe this is it for Tyron Matthew on
the back end, yesterday went out and signed Justin Reid,
but maybe they draft another safety wanted to protect against health,
but two to possibly replace him next year. Now you
look at the talent on paper, tight end, wide receiver
and offensive line is where they need to upgrade, which
(30:58):
is where they probably will go in the draft because
as we mentioned, they fortify the defense more with veteran
players in free agency and restructuring and resigning some of.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Their other guys.
Speaker 7 (31:09):
Add a little youth to that offense.
Speaker 8 (31:11):
We know Kellen Moore coming over some of the things
he did with the Eagles last year, what he's done
with the Chargers and Cowboys. Got to get the quarterbacks
and weapons, and that's what they're hoping to do with
the draft again, especially to add some talented depth because
as I started at things out saying, they feel the
injuries is what really held them back last year.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Say thank you very much, Slot, more from you again
soon We will talk to you then. Tedoro McMillan, regarded
by many as the top wide receiver in the twenty
twenty five NFL Draft, worked out for teams privately today
at Arizona Stadium. Wildcat's not holding a traditional pro dace,
so this was the opportunity for scouts to get one
(31:52):
up close look at McMillan. I was told you did
a forty yard dash, also ran through some positional drills.
But the taper seeing right here certainly going to speak loudly,
welcome back to the insiders. It's Tom Pilaicero, It's he
and rap Port. It's lands Zerline once again. Here Lance,
tell me about Dylan Sampson, the guy no caught your eye,
the Tennessee running back ran will it really well? Add
(32:13):
his pro day? What do we make of him as
an NFL draft prospect?
Speaker 7 (32:17):
Well, I think he's terrific. I mean, I think the
tape on him is really really good.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
He is.
Speaker 7 (32:22):
He's a very efficient runner. He's he's one of the
most clever runners between the tackles because he makes just
very subtle shifts to get, you know, away from from hits.
He's able to slip through hits, He's able to find holes.
He's a quick processor.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
You know.
Speaker 7 (32:36):
The one question was how's he going to run? How
fast is he?
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Now?
Speaker 7 (32:39):
I had heard buzzes that he was, you know, going
to run well, but then he didn't run at the combine,
So you always have concerns is how's he gonna run,
because that's one of those things that can cause a
guy to drop, even though sometimes it's overrated, but then
it is pro day. He ran a four four to
two forty yard dash and it's like, all right, that's
a wrap. I can lock him up, seal them in
my you know, in terms of where my draft grade is.
(33:01):
And I'm expecting him to be a day too running
back in the draft. I think it could be third round.
You know, it's a deeper draft, so he may slide
into the third, but he does have the talent I
think to eventually become a very good NFL back.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
Lance.
Speaker 5 (33:15):
I know you got some other pro days circled on
your calendar. We'll start with this Friday. Actually, Michigan has
its PRODA. Didn't see much of anything for Will Johnson,
the top corner in Indy.
Speaker 3 (33:28):
What are we expecting this week of him?
Speaker 7 (33:31):
Well, unfortunately, we're not going to expect anything because he
had a slight hamstring tweak and so they say he's
going to push it all the way to I believe
it's April fourteenth, so we're going to get our answer
on Will Johnson. But the reason I wanted to talk
about him is because we need that answer. He has
tremendous ball skills, He has great instincts. He is just
(33:51):
a good football player. But the difference between being an
early draft pick as a cornerback and not can be
the speed. And if teams if you as more of
a zone corner, that doesn't have the same value as
a guy who can play multiple schemes. And to play
multiple schemes, you have to be able to run. So
right now, teams want to see him run. They want
to see what his top end speed is before they
(34:13):
assign a great If he runs well, he's going to
get pushed up the draft board from where we perceive
him to be. If he doesn't, I think he could
fall a little more than some people think. And if
he doesn't run at all, that could end up being
a real problem for him. With Colston Lovelin, who is
his teammate, he is going to work out in at
that workout that you talked about for Michigan coming up
this later in the week, and I think Colston Lovelin's
(34:33):
going to run well. I think he's going to work
out well everything he's going to do, I think is
going to solidify his stock is really being a top
ten talent in this draft. Now, he's a tight end,
so he's not going to go in the top ten.
But I do think he's a top twenty draft pick
in this draft, and I do expect the Pro Day
to really just be that check mark up. Boy, look
at that route right there was phenomenal. I think he's
(34:56):
just going to get the check Marke. I'm just sitting
here looking like, Wow, I can't to watch him again,
but if to catches Pro Day on the NFL network,
So yeah, I really do think that he's a guy
who is going to work out well, I'm going to
solidify his stock. About Mason Taylor, another tight end, I
know he showed up pretty well with the Senior Bowl there.
He's the son of Jason Taylor. You've seen a lot.
(35:16):
You always got the genetics. Here what's ahead of him
with LSU's Pro Day on the horizon. You know what's
funny is I was on the field when he was
on the field, and he you know, I tell you what,
just watching him move around, I got really excited because
I realized he didn't even work out like he didn't
run and do all the drills at the combine, and
(35:36):
I moved as great up after seeing him at the combine.
There's something different about Jason, about Mason Taylor, and I'm
getting more and more excited about him. I'm really interested
to see him run. I have a feeling he's going
to be in the four to sixes. He is a
player that just feels really natural when you watch him
on tape. There's a lot of talk about Tyler Warren
as there should be an in Colston Lovelin. You know,
I was really impressed when I watch the tape, but
(35:58):
you watch Mason Taylor, He's not far from those guys.
And if you're looking for a good tight end at
maybe a little discounted price in the second round, I
think Mason Taylor's going to be your guy. Be shocked
if he gets to the third. If he does, it's
a huge mistake by everyone who passes on him and
needs tight end, because he is going to be a
tight end that can, I think, be a volume target
guy in the NFL, someone who can make a lot
(36:20):
of catches, get a lot of yards down the field
and also after the catch. So I think once we
see him at his pro day, we're going to We're
going to find out that he's the guy that really
is locking in for me, even ahead of Elijah Arroyo
from Miami as the number three tight end in this draft.
Speaker 3 (36:38):
Interesting, I we'n to talk about a defensive player. Now.
Speaker 5 (36:41):
Notre Dame has its pro day coming up, Xavier Watts.
What are we looking for from him and from Notre
Dames Pro day?
Speaker 7 (36:48):
Ah Man, Xavier Watts, I mean, thirteen interceptions over the
last two years. He's been unbelievable. He's but he's only
got two years of production, but his production is just outstanding.
And I always go watch every interception that a guy
has a cornerback of safety. I want to watch every
interception because not all interceptions are created equally. There's a
lot of opportunistic you know, bounces here and bounces there,
(37:09):
and an overthrow here and an overthrow there, and really
anybody could make those. When you watch Xavier Watts, he's
making plays. He consistently makes plays on the football. It's
because he's instinctive. He's getting to jump on balls. He
is making plays with his ball skills. But the question
on him is Kenny run, and I remember asking an
NFL scout about him earlier in the process. He said,
we just don't know if he can run. I mean,
(37:30):
the question is is he going to be in the
four to sixes, because if he is, that's more of
a third round type of safety, even with his ball skills.
But if he runs well, I think he cements himself
sometime in the top fifty picks, top fifty five picks
in this draft. So running well for Xavier Watts. So
when I say, well, can just be a four six,
(37:52):
four five seven, that's good enough with his ball skills
and instincts, I think that could lock him into the
second round. If he doesn't run well, that could be
a slide into the later part of the third potentially.
Speaker 5 (38:04):
Just getting started on Draft talk Lance, thank you very
much for joining us.
Speaker 3 (38:08):
Great stuff has always.
Speaker 5 (38:09):
Looked forward to a lot more Over the course of
the next month, the third leg of the draft process
hits Frisco, Texas. Best draft eligible players from the Big
Twelve Conference are ready to put the finishing touches on
their football resumes. It's the Big Twelve Pro Day Wednesday,
live at one pm Eastern, exclusively on NFL Network and
streaming on NFL Plus.
Speaker 1 (38:31):
Congratulations to our friend and colleague Sherry Burris. Babies here,
she announced earlier today, Curly and in our little love bubble,
all happy, healthy, and still very tired, Little love Bubble.
I thought that was the baby's name. I have since
been corrected. You never know what life is going to bring,
particularly during the offseason.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
Good time. That'd be great areas well.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Welcome back to the insiders Don Peliicero, Ian Rappaport and
Judy Batista. You also never know well exactly what life
can bring in some of the dangers guys of life,
including the heroin journey of our friend Brian Baldinger.
Speaker 9 (39:09):
Baldy ticket me there.
Speaker 7 (39:11):
Forty wicked storm out here Rose Island, trying.
Speaker 2 (39:16):
To get off the water.
Speaker 9 (39:17):
Here thieves are picking up I was diving ten minutes ago,
pretty fresh, wicked right now, Hie, you got a.
Speaker 2 (39:29):
Little multi place.
Speaker 9 (39:31):
Fuck it delarious.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
So I'm told this was today.
Speaker 1 (39:37):
We're all hoping Baldy could be here for his scheduled
appearance okay tomorrow, and also that he can get in
somewhere to a pub and enjoy a happy Saint Patrick's
stay as wished. Right there by the Buffalo Bills and
other teams around the NFL. In honor of Saint Patrick's stay,
let's take a look at some of the luckiest plays
of all time.
Speaker 8 (39:56):
He looks right, he throws right, little high, but ross
comes out even just pick up.
Speaker 7 (40:01):
This could go for the.
Speaker 10 (40:02):
Mills, and it will. It's run Brooks see you later
have the ball. But when he comes down, it never
touches the ground. That should be an interception. Gerard step
suck fires, Mike Sims, walk up, lock down.
Speaker 7 (40:24):
They're down at eleven and that's why they're protected.
Speaker 2 (40:28):
Nowhere to throw it until now? Why catch now?
Speaker 7 (40:32):
Bat it around and talk by Parker.
Speaker 10 (40:35):
Had out of the hands of Grants, walk Alter right
next to him.
Speaker 7 (40:42):
Orton pumps again to the sideline.
Speaker 11 (40:44):
Bat it up, stoke, glee, Tell the side it gets up,
stoke glee. Wow, touchdowned marioda Harrioda for the line. It's
gonna maybe a postal line. It's a clutch back to him.
Speaker 12 (41:03):
Put a touchdown, last chance for the Steelers. Got y'all
trying to get away. Man, his pass is welcome, up right.
Speaker 1 (41:15):
Great on.
Speaker 5 (41:23):
Right.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
From some of the luckiest plays in NFL history to
Judy is there a favorite unlucky play for you?
Speaker 7 (41:32):
Uh, the butt fumble.
Speaker 4 (41:33):
I'm sorry Mark Sanchez, but crashing into your teammates, but
I can't think of anything.
Speaker 3 (41:39):
Less lucky than Jeesu.
Speaker 2 (41:42):
It's so bad the butt fumble.
Speaker 5 (41:46):
You know, I still felt bad for Sanchez, but it's
not his fault.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
It really is. It's totally random, just having the whole
world was watching.
Speaker 5 (41:54):
Can we free Mark Sanchez from this ridiculous low light anyway?
Speaker 3 (41:57):
That's not mine.
Speaker 5 (41:58):
Mine is all the way back to the two thousand
and six wild Card game Cowboys Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (42:05):
No, this is so unlucky.
Speaker 5 (42:08):
Tony Romo is such a good athlete, and it looks
like such a bad athlete here. Now his life has
turned out. Okay, we still hear him on Sundays, just
you know, not good.
Speaker 1 (42:19):
I want to go back to the nineteen twenty nine
Dayton Triangles. No, actually, I just want to show you
didn't get hit with the football.
Speaker 2 (42:24):
That's it.
Speaker 3 (42:25):
No.
Speaker 2 (42:25):
I was gonna lend some historical perspective, but I just
want to see that are showing over and over and
over again.
Speaker 1 (42:31):
I actually would say we are all lucky that that
clip exists.
Speaker 2 (42:36):
We'll see tomorrow everybody,
We told you on Friday night it was close. On Sunday,
the Bengals sealed their deals. Jamar Chason t Higgins are
not going anywhere With two more huge contracts on the books.
How does Cincinnati build out the rest of the roster.
We'll tell you the latest on Trey Hendrickson and much more.
Aaron Rodgers still has not chosen his destination, leaving at
(00:28):
least a couple of teams and a holding pattern. So
what does the four time NFL MVP's decision boil down
to and what exactly is planned B or C for
the Steelers and Giants. We will break down everyone's options. Meanwhile,
Rushover is over in Dallas and now the Cowboys need
a new backup for Dak could to find one in
(00:49):
the draft. Twelve hour Draft expert Land Zerline has some
thoughts and maybe a few pointed suggestions for Jerry's gang too.
Welcome inside with the Insiders alongside Ian Rappaport and Judy Batista.
I am Tom peliserro We are thirty eight days away,
that's it from the NFL Draft. We are just one
(01:10):
hundred and seventy one days away from.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
The kickoff game. That's right.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
If you take the calendar you folded in half, we
are closer to having football again than we are to
win last season started.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
It's all happening.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Free agency is still ongoing, and the Bengals have their
top two weapons lined up and locked in.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
For the next four years.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Late last night, we finished the deals we first told
you about on Friday. Jamar Chase and t Higgins both
agreed to terms on four year contract extensions. For Jamar Chase,
it's four years and one hundred and sixty one million dollars,
making in the highest paid non quarterback in NFL history
at a shade over forty million dollars per year. T
(01:51):
Higgins gets a four year, one hundred and fifteen million
dollar deal, ending his double franchise tag Dance. Probably a
little bit of a below market for T Higgins to
keep him with a guy in Jamar Chase who just
reset the market. You look at them as a duo
since twenty twenty one, nobody's better and that's what T
Higgins missing a decent amount of time in there because
(02:12):
of various injuries. Judy, we know what the intention and
the plan and the goal was for the Bengals. Salary
cap is real. Okay, you've only got so many dollars
to go around, but Joe Burrow, among other people, made
abundantly clear I would like these dollars to go to
these two guys.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Credit to Joe Burrow for flexing his muscle, and to
the extent that this front office and ownership group needed
a nudge, he certainly gave more than a nudge. He
gave them a shove. He said repeatedly, he wanted these guys,
and he got these guys. And let's give some credit
to the Bengals. I mean, this went against type. The
reason that so many people around the league thought, how
(02:50):
are they ever going to get this done? Can they
get this done? Is because historically they just haven't done
big contracts like this. Remember last year, last summer when
they had a franchise tag T Higgins and they weren't
getting the deal done with Jim ur Chase. Mike Brown
said back in July, I believe it was he said,
you know, you can't just pay people willy nilly. Well,
(03:11):
actually you can pay some people willy nilly, and that's
what they're doing here. Very much deserved. Jim ar Chase
is now the highest paid non quarterback in the league.
That title has switched hands like three times in the
last ten days or something. But I do think that
this maybe gives us the chance to finally retire. Talking
about what Carson Palmer used to say about the Cincinnati
(03:34):
Bengals when he got disgusted with the franchise, when he said,
you know, the financials were more important than winning. That
is certainly not the case with these deals.
Speaker 5 (03:44):
We've seen so much duty change with the Cincinnati Bengals
over the course of the last let's say, four or
five years or so, right, I mean, they are suddenly
looked at a place that is a winning organization, do
things the right way right last year didn't make the playoffs,
and it was more of a surprise than anything else.
Paid Joe Burrow top of the market money, and now
pay his top two targets top of the market money
(04:05):
as well, despite you know, the kind of circumstances that
very few teams deal with, which is that they have
two top top receivers, both want big money, both are
now sticking around. We have Jamar Chase as the highest
paid non quarterback. No surprise, That's what Duke Tobin said
right from the outset. Then t Higgins being paid like
one of the really really good number two receivers, could
(04:25):
have flexed his muscles had he hit free agency next year,
opted against it, stayed in Cincinnati. Both of these guys
get done, and they may not be done right because
obviously they've paid their two key guys on offense, But
on defense you have Trey Hendrickson, who wants to get paid,
who we know has received for the second year or
(04:45):
requested to be traded for the two years in a row.
This year, unlike last year, received permission to seek a trade,
and no doubt has his agent has talked to some teams.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Tom.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
But as you mentioned late last night, the Bengals have
now engaged with Ti Higgins on a new deal as well.
Could they possibly lock up all these guys, considering the
amount of cash it might take, I would say yes,
yes they could. The Bengals have done a lot right
over the course of the last several days and weeks,
maybe on the verge of doing it again.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Well, and they certainly did the deals for the receivers
with Trey Hendrickson in mind, right, keeping the door open
to return Trey Hendrickson not to put two final point
on it, but the defense was not very good last year,
and he still led the league in sacks. Bringing him
back would be critical. They have had an awful lot
of turnover on that defense. Of course, they changed defensive
(05:37):
coordinators this offseason, but as they rebuild that defense, which
is so important to that team, keeping Trey Hendrickson in
the fold would be another a huge win for this franchise.
We saw last year the reason they did not get
to the playoffs, frankly was because as powerful as that
offense was, the defense simply could not hold off other teams.
(06:01):
If they can get just marginal improvement from that defense
and have that offense going the way it was going
last season, they are at the very least a playoff team. Certainly,
keeping Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati would be a huge boost
of that defense.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
One, if you're Trey Hendrickson or his agent, you're also
looking at t Higgins deal going, Okay, if that's what
you're paying the number two receiver, then what are you
going to pay the guy who is your number one
defensive player period and the NFL sack leader here I
would have be They're going to talk through a lot
of different potential structures. Trey Hefferson thirty years old but
clearly still on top of his game. If you were
(06:37):
truly available to trade, meaning if the Bengals were willing
to part with him for less than they've been asking,
you would have many many suitors here. But obviously they're
making the commitment let's try to win with this group
right here. Does that mean they can get something done
with Trey Henderson? We should find out in the not
too distant future. The Giants are still looking for a quarterback,
and if you're an able body to experience starter, well
(06:57):
you're getting a free trip to Giants Head. That's what
Jamis Winston's got coming up tomorrow. The most recently brown starter,
former number one overall picked by the Bucks, is scheduled
to visit the Giants on Tuesday, this following visits they
had last week with Joe Flacco as well as Russell Wilson.
This all comes duty against the backdrop of Aaron Rodgers
(07:19):
continuing to weigh his options here. So we're ready just
sitting around waiting. The Giants are saying, let's bring all
these other options through here and get an idea of
how we're going to structure this quarterback round, especially because
we might have not just signed one guy. It's quite
possible we signed two of these guys.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Back at the combine, Joe Shane said they were going
to turn over every rock to get better quarterback play.
And that's what they're doing here. I mean, they are
doing their due diligence on pretty much everybody that may
have to come into the organization. Right, this is just
another one. Russell Wilson visited, Joe Flacco visited. So while
they wait for Aaron Rodgers' decision, they are organized their
(08:00):
thoughts around plan B, Plan C, Plan D, perhaps like
whatever has to come next. We have said this now
for a week. At some point everybody is going to
have to make a decision. And presumably, whenever Aaron Rodgers
makes his decision, the team that does not get him
is going to have to pivot pretty quickly to their
(08:20):
next option and then get things going. And if you
point out that, I mean the Giants may need to
sign more than one veteran. So certainly they want to
know what their options are while they wait for Aaron Rodgers,
and that way they can move quickly whenever that decision happens.
Speaker 5 (08:36):
It does seem judy that for each of these quarterbacks
they brought in, Giants are kind of gauging the mark
and getting an understanding of like, all right, if you.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Were the guy we brought in, what might it take?
Speaker 5 (08:44):
And you know there's not a ton of backup jobs
available right now, some but not a ton, so kind
of in the situation where the price might not be
as high as was last week, if you're, for instance,
a buyer, it's probably better this way.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
Now.
Speaker 5 (09:00):
Here's sort of the issue for the Giants, and it's
the same issue for the Steelers or whoever ends up
signing Aaron Rodgers. I don't get the sense he'son hurry
at all. I really don't. And there's no deadline for
him to be Usually, if you're a free agent, you
would say, like, all right, I get to sign by
maybe Monday afternoon or maybe Tuesday morning. Otherwise the money's
gonna be dried up.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
One.
Speaker 5 (09:18):
It's not like that at the quarterback position, right. I mean,
if you're a team that wants Aaron Rodgers, you are
gonna make sure that there's space.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
You're gonna make sure there's room, You're.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
Gonna do everything in kind to let him know, Hey,
whenever you make a decision, we got you, right. The
other thing is he doesn't have to decide by any time, right,
I mean, he sort of controls this thing. There's no
actual deadline. So if you're the Giants or the Vikings
or the Steelers or whoever ends up signing Aaron Rodgers,
if it's anyone, then you'd like it now. But the
(09:48):
next point is do you draft someone? And that's a
month or so away, so like all of us would
kind of like this done sooner rather than later. I
don't get the sense Rodgers in any hurry at all,
And like, could it go all the way to the draft?
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Leg it did two years ago, Maybe it could.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
It's March seventeenth, we're hosting a live primetime show on
NFL Network. We should really be grateful for any type
of drama we've got, particularly about quarterbacks, particularly about future
Hall of fame.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
I agree, I like it.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Aaron, take your time, although maybe also see your things
up a little bit.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
We know this.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
The Texans moved quickly to get something done with their
star cornerback, Derek Stingley. Junior as Ian reported this morning,
Green terms on a three year ninety million dollar contract extension.
We've talked so much in recent years about whether or
not that cornerback market was truly going to move forward here,
we'll stingly reset it in a big way. Thirty million
(10:41):
dollars per year. That's the new money average. He's all
under contract out for an additional four years here. Reset
in the market that was just recent last week by J. C.
Hornen when he got twenty five million dollars per year
from the Carolina Panthers patcher tan Jalen Ramsey. Those were
last off season here, And obviously for all the back
and forth about whether or not Ian the Texans should
(11:03):
draft Derek Singley, should they take Sauce Gardner, both players
have been good, but Stingley last season really really good
for Houston.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Now he gets reward.
Speaker 5 (11:11):
Oh, Darrick Singley Junior, a absolute baller, deserves every penny
of this, which is of course what his agent, David
Mulligan had told me this morning right after the deal
became official, right after it was announced via the amazing
tweets that I crafted over the course of the last
several days. Three years, ninety million dollars, eighty nine million
dollars guarantees, which includes the money that is still in
the books. It's a massive deal for Stingley for a
(11:34):
couple reasons. One that he really moved the market right.
It was at twenty four and change, and then it
was at twenty five and now it's at thirty.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
That is a massive jump.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
It's also closer to where the top receivers are paid.
For a long time, we saw the receiver market go
crazy and the corner mark could go nowhere, right literally nowhere.
It was Jaya Alexander at twenty one million and then nothing,
and then slowly over the course of the last two
years it is jumped. And this is the biggest jump
for the corner market towards your receivers. It makes sense
(12:06):
they should be linked. One plays against the other all
the time. Is now closer than it has been in
quite a while. An enormous, enormous deal for Stingling getting
three years rather than four years a big win for
him as well well.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
This feels like an overdue correction for the market, right.
It should have corrected before. Cornerbacks are hurt some of
the most important members of any team. So this is
a correction that was overdue and good for Derek Stingley
and really good for Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets.
I would imagine that there were people in the New
York Jets building in Floram Park this morning who were thinking, oh,
(12:44):
why didn't we get ahead of this and do this first?
Because now the market, as you pointed out, took a
big jump. It's just like Miles Garrett's contract, right, that
took a big jump. Well, this took a big jump.
The market has moved considerably, and sauce Gardner is up next.
He was take him with the pick directly after Stingley.
He has been a two time All Pro. He of
(13:05):
course was the defensive Rookie of the Year. Stingley had
a superior season last season. But certainly you would expect
that sauce Gardner is going to say, look at the
body of work I have produced for the New York Jets.
We will see where those negotiations go.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Salary caps spiked two years in a row, so makes
sense those markets haven't moved forward. Another position where we've
seen some investment during free agency year the backup quarterback spot,
including the Ravens bringing over Cooper Rush as the new
backup for Lamar Jackson, which means we need a new
number two in Dallas. So exactly who might be backing
up Deck? Could they get it in the draft? We
(13:43):
will talk about. That was land zerline when he joins
the show. And coming up after this, they've been a
lot of big moves in LA including that guy DeVante Adams,
a new LA Ram, the latest on the Rams, the
Chargers and everything. As we roll forward in twenty twenty
five and one day's the football? Can you believe it?
Omar Ruiz here with us next on the Insiders.
Speaker 4 (14:14):
You know, I was going to say that this is
going to take some getting used to, but actually, Noah won't.
This looks pretty good there. Davante Adams in an LA
Rams uniform looks like it fits. Also, I just want
to point out, I know it's the angle of this graphic.
Look at how gigantic Davante Adams hands look there, like
bigger than his head. Anyway, welcome back to the Insiders.
(14:36):
Omar Ruiz in rap report. I know, I am Judy Batista.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Omar.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
I'm going to just throw this question out there. What
are they expecting from Davante Adams in this offense?
Speaker 6 (14:48):
I think they're expecting a lot judy, and they could
be more thrilled to have Davante Adams in the building.
As one coach told me that Davante Adams still has
a lot of juice left in his career, and obviously
the excit heitman that we see the Rams to have
DeVante Adams reflected with the enthusiasm with which Sean McVay
recruited Adams to La Adams saying he felt like Sean
(15:10):
McVay was with him in Japan as much as he
was calling him, recruiting him, going over highlight tapes with him.
They met years ago at the Kentucky Derby and they
talked about map perhaps joining forces one day, and here
we are Adam saying that he looks forward to sharing
that football acumen with Sean McVay how to best accentuate
his talents in this offense. And Adams saying that because
(15:30):
he came into the NFL with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback,
a player that he described as one of the most
detail oriented people to ever play the game, he knows
that forming the chemistry with Matthew Stafford is all about
good communication. So he looks forward to getting together with
his new quarterback. He also looks forward to working with
Puka Nakula, who he said has all that God given
(15:53):
ability on electric personality. And he wanted to make clear
that he didn't have to negotiate with Puka Nakua, he
didn't have to bribe him financially. That's why that seventeen
looks so good, Judy already with DeVante Adams taking that seventeen,
Puka Nakua already changing to number twelve, so all aspects
seem to be in play for DeVante Adams to thrive
(16:14):
in that Rams offense in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Great stuff on.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
I really perked up when you mentioned the Kentucky Derby
only a couple months away, actually a couple of short
months away. All right, let's stay in LA and talk
about the other LA team. The Chargers also made some
big time free agency moves. Naji Harris signs with the Chargers.
That was one, bringing back Mike Williams as well. Take
me through what the Chargers did over the last week
(16:39):
or so.
Speaker 6 (16:40):
We look at Naji Harris six foot one, two hundred
and forty pounds, Mike Williams six foot four, two hundred
and fifteen prototypical Jim harbaud those big, physical, imposing type
of players, and Naji Harris says, yeah, he knows the
identity of the Chargers is to run the football, but
also with a great quarterback. And interesting because Naji Arris
(17:00):
grew up in Northern California watching those Harball.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Forty nine Ers teams.
Speaker 6 (17:04):
He was recruited by Harbaugh at the University of Michigan,
so he's very aware of that hard nosed, physical style
of play. He looks forward to joining forces with that,
he said. He already got a couple of workouts in
in that Chargers weight room. He said, working in the
weight room for those big muscles, working with his stretching
and yoga for the small stuff really a key to his.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
Durability for a running back.
Speaker 6 (17:27):
It's remarkable he has yet to miss a game in
his NFL career. And then there's Mike Williams, who described
his season last year as terrible. But remember he was
coming off that twenty three season where he tore his
ac on Week three. As a Charger, he was rehabbing
in LA all off season. Then he went to New
York and worked with trainers that he didn't have as
much familiarity, missed much of the offseason program, so he
(17:50):
didn't develop that chemistry, didn't necessarily earn the trust.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Of Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 6 (17:55):
While he's back now with Justin Herbert, all that chemistry
they've formed over the years, he said, Herbert just knows
where to put the football for him. As Herbert has
famously described over the years, whenever they throw up a
fifty to fifty ball to Mike Williams, it is eighty twenty.
So Williams said, he is knee is perfectly healthy. He
is ready to get back with the Chargers and really
(18:16):
anticipate a great year for him in twenty five, as
does Najie Harris with that offense.
Speaker 5 (18:21):
Man, I remember telling Jets fans last year and you
guys are gonna love Mike Williams. Every fifty to fifty
ball seems like it's his. Never quite saw it and
Chargers no charges. No, perhaps they see it again this year. Omar,
thank you very much for joining us as always in
lending us some of your expertise.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Cooper Rush has a new home, agreeing to terms on
Sunday and a two year contract with the Ravensworth Up
to twelve point two million dollars after Rush. It was
in Dallas for close to a decade, fished with a
nine to five record as the starter. Now headed to
Baltimore backing up just a slightly different style of quarterback.
Welcome back to the Insiders, Top Pella Sero, Ian Rappaport,
(19:01):
and Judy Batista.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Judy, there's a couple of bits of this.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
One is interesting, which is what does that Ravens offense
look like if it's Cooper Rush taking over? But secondly,
here you're now a Cowboys team that has had to
lean on Cooper Rush on multiple occasions here recently.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
What are they going to do?
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Yeah, this is not a small consideration for the Dallas
Cowboys because Dak Prescott has missed time in all but
one of the last five seasons. So I go back
to like when the Miami Dolphins signed Zach Wilson, we
were like, oh, well that's a backup quarterback that you
know has to play because to missus time. Well, so
does Dak Prescott. And we've seen seasons come apart when
(19:41):
Dak Prescott is off the field.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
So this is, uh, this is a big thing. Now.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
The Cowboys have said during this offseason that they could
draft a young quarterback at some point in the draft.
But you do wonder if they are now going to
as the quarterback market, you know, sort of settles down
a little bit, if are going to look for a
veteran backup, because again, we have seen, especially in the
last few seasons, the importance of having quality backup quarterbacks
(20:09):
that they can sustain your team. They can even get
you into the playoffs, as the Cleveland Browns most famously
showed two seasons ago. If you're the Dallas Cowboys and
you know that Dak Prescott does not play the full
seventeen games all that often, this has to be a
place where you put some of your resources. We can
(20:29):
have a separate conversation about how they are spending their
resources this offseason, but where you put some of your resources,
and you have to have a real thought to going
with a seasoned backup quarterback who has played and started games.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
I'm not going to say that Cooper Rush is not interesting,
but when you buy the same backup, I feel like,
for ten years or however long it's been, it's not
that that interesting. As soon as Cooper Rush went to
the Baltimore Ravens, which I think is going to work
for them. I don't don't really matter that his style
is different than Lamar. I think he's really capable of
good solid backup once the Cowboys let him move on.
It becomes really interesting to me because you obviously have
(21:04):
Dak Prescott as the starter. He has a huge deal
that he's under concert with for several years. But this
to me says the Cowboys are going to go quarterback
in the draft, and I wonder how high are they
going to go?
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Right?
Speaker 5 (21:15):
Like, I would be surprised at this point if they
take a quarterback in the first round.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
I think everybody would.
Speaker 5 (21:20):
But what if it's someone like I don't know, Quinn
you Weers in the second round, right, a quarterback who's
really talented, who they know well, right, who could might
not have to play for a couple of years, but
in three years might end up being someone who's surely talented.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
Enough to be the starting quarterback. How high do they go?
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Right?
Speaker 5 (21:36):
Because if you're going to wait to the fifth or
sixth or seventh round, you don't know what kind of
backup quarterback you're getting, And honestly, by then they may
all be gone. This at least to me, means the
Cowboys are considering taking one, if not Thursday, maybe on Friday.
And then you're talking about some household names, and then
you're talking about some really really talented quarterbacks, And that,
(21:57):
to me is where it all gets fascinating for the Cowboys. Yes,
Cooper Rush going to the Baltimore Evens is sort of
like someone interesting. Where the Cowboys go next to now Hi,
they go next to quarterback is.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
Going to be intriguing moving forward.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
The headline of that segment right there, Cooper Rush is
boring to Ian, But I'm guessing you're gonna be more
excited by this Mock Draft Live.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Yes, it goes back.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
Our experts deliver their latest draft projections. Find out where
the next way of the NFL stars will land. Mock
Draft Live Tuesday, eight pm Eastern Time, only right here
on NFL Network. If we bring in somebody else who
knows a thing or two about the NFL Draft, our
expert lanzer Line joining us on the show. Okay, Ian's
all fired up for anyone other than Cooper Rush. He
(22:42):
wants to hear about some of these big name quarterbacks
here Lands. Give me the prognosis right now Jackson Dart
and how we're looking at this stage here at the
pre draft process.
Speaker 7 (22:51):
And Ian was selling me on all these quarterbacks in
this draft. I was a little bit just, but now
after hearing Ian, I'm kind of pumped. No, listen, let's
got they all have qualities. I like, there's no question
I think he makes some good points. Jackson Dart's one
of these guys who you're hearing his name buzzed in
the first round. I don't know if I'm buying it
(23:13):
or not, but one of the things you can say
about about Jackson Dart is the guy shows and throws
a great back shoulder fade. He is very good inside
that ole Miss offense, had a good command of the offense.
Is able to throw with good accuracy. Now he's got
to for he's got to he's got to put everything
behind it to make some of these throws. He doesn't
(23:33):
have a natural easy arm, but when he throws and
when he has to kind of crank it up, he
does throw some pretty good accuracy. So there are some
things to like about Jackson Dart. I think he's one
of the more consistent quarterbacks in this draft. So that's
going to be the selling point for a lot of
teams is the consistency. He's not the biggest guy, he
doesn't have the biggest arm, but he's a consistent guy
and he's pretty accurate.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
And I was in.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
Indianapolis for the combine ran into Tyler Shook and his
family at dinner. His mom a nice counseling job on
how she shouldn't pay attention to any mock drafts. So anyway,
on that note, tell me about Tyler Schuck and where
he might go. And I don't know either you are
not draft or just in your mind Shuck in Yeah,
you talked to his mom Shuck. I said, Shot didn't
get the name right. He said, Shuck, you're Shuk. He's
(24:18):
Shuck Lance. Neither Shuck nor Shuck. What he has Shuck
is Shuck is right.
Speaker 7 (24:23):
Listen, He's probably the most intriguing quarterback maybe in this
entire draft. I mean, once you we've done cam Ward
a lot, We talked about Shud or Sanders a lot.
But when you start talking about Tyler Shuck, you were
talking about a player who probably works from the pocket
more professionally than any other quarterback. And that shouldn't surprise you.
Since he's been in the college football for seven years.
(24:44):
He came into the same class with Trevor Lawrence. He
was a backup for Justin Herbert. But he has real
arm talents. You see right there. He's a very confident player.
I was down on the field talking to Kurt Warner
and he was like, this guy just has an unbelievable
personality and and he's at ease, like there's just a
confidence about him that feels professional. And then when you
(25:06):
tag that with the arm talent, his accuracy, the ability
he has to make pro throws, you get a little
bit excited. Now you know major injuries twenty one, twenty two,
and twenty three major injuries, which is why he played
seven years in college football. But when it comes to
just purely the arm and I think the feel of
being a pro, he's one of those guys that really
(25:28):
is starting to stand out in this entire draft.
Speaker 1 (25:31):
He's also got I believe at least three maybe four
degrees during that time. Asked about at the Senior Bowl,
like what matter, which of those would you actually use?
He said, I think for now I'm going to use
my degree in football. Probably a smart move. Let's let's
talk about another guy that Ian mentioned earlier, Lance Quinn viewers.
He's got him going in the second round to the Cowboys, potentially. Potentially.
What are we still looking to find out about a
(25:51):
guy that we've seen play a ton of college football
as well?
Speaker 7 (25:55):
You know, listen, he was a quarterback that everyone was
high on entering the season, and it's hard to get
that out of your head except for the fact that
it's really gone very quiet on Quinn yours. And it's
understandable because he didn't have a very good year. He
was hurt for much of the year with the oblique injury.
But when you go back and you look at his
game against Michigan, and you go back to twenty three
(26:16):
and you look at the road wind against Alabama, you
see some things. I mean, you see some pro talent
in those games. And there's no question that he's able
to make off slot, off platform, bunky armslot throws. He's
able to get it out with just the flick of
a wrist. There are some things about quin yours that
is very, very natural. He's one of the more natural passers.
(26:37):
He's not great at reading defenses. When you watch him
on tape, and he's a guy who hasn't really you know,
developed as much as you would like. And when you
start adding up he was a little banged up in
twenty three, he was very banged up in twenty four,
you start worrying about durability. But I think there's some
upside still with Quinn Ewers, and I think he made
some very good points about Quinn yours is he's a
guy that you could stick on a roster for a
(26:58):
couple of years, especially as a second or third rounder,
and then see what happens with the development in the
quarterback room. When all of that, you know, all that
pressure's not on his shoulders like it was coming out
of high school. He was anointed as one of the
best high school prospects that had ever come out. And
that's a lot of pressure when you're initially at Ohio Stateton,
especially when you're at the University of Texas, and especially
(27:21):
when Arch Manning is sitting there and everyone wants to
see Arch Manning behind you for a couple of years.
So it's kind of an interesting prospect. When you add
it all up.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Lance stick around a lot more from you coming up
inclind On, one of the top wide receivers in this draft. First, though,
let's bring in our guy, Steve Whites to talk about
Cam Jordan.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
He's back in New Orleans.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
I think practically everybody is back in New Orleans. But
what does that mean for these Saints. I'll look in
twenty twenty five with their new head coach Kellen Moore.
Steve's here and breaking all down for us. Next on
the Insiders, they look at these Saints notable offseason moves,
(28:06):
and perhaps most notable with a lot of familiar faces.
They also did add a couple of guys from the outside,
safety Justin Reid on a three year, thirty one point
five million dollar deal. They traded for Devon Godshow as well,
but bring back Cam Jordan. They bring back Derek Carr
on a restructured deal as well. A very veteran team
year after year, not changing even with a new coaching
(28:28):
staff in place. Welcome back to the Insiders. Tom Pella, Sero,
Judy Batista, join now by Steve White. Steve, you look
at those offseason moves. This is not a team that's
aiming to get younger right now. They still feel like
we are trying to win right now. So what does
that tell you about the direction they think they're headed
here in twenty twenty five hunder Kellen Moore.
Speaker 8 (28:47):
Yeah, Tom, I focused home down there today and they
feel that they're a good team. In last season, it
was the injuries that dismantled everything. So they're going to
run it back once again. They're hoping that the coaching
changes can get things turned around. Now you mentioned you're
at Carr being back. They think he's going to be healthy. Yes,
maybe they could change some things we'll talk about later
draft wives to get him some help. But the most
(29:08):
of the changes you're seeing are coming on defense. We see, yes,
they resign Chase Young, They've redid cam Jordan on the
edge to get him back for another year. But the
person I spoke to who said the binding ingredient on
that defense could be nose tackle Devon Godshaw, a Louisiana native.
They made the trade with the Patriots to bring Godshaw
in and I was a little taken aback, like he's
(29:29):
a difference maker. They said yes, because they are going
to an odd front, a three man front for the
first time in more than fifteen years. Godshaw is going
to be that nose tackle where they can play you know,
a three, four or five too, whatever kind of look
they want, or Brandon Staley running things that's gonna out,
Brian Berzi to be aligned differently, Cam Jordan, Chase Young
(29:50):
to be aligned differently. And as you know, Brandon Staley
loves to rotate a lot of defensive linemen through. So
that's something that they're looking at. You'd call Granderson guys
like that on the edge. So that flexibility again with
Godshaw in the middle and that defensive scheme change, they
think that could be something that could really benefit this
aging roster that we see.
Speaker 4 (30:11):
Well, when you have an aging roster and your intent
on running it back, where do you turn in the draft?
Speaker 8 (30:17):
How about this, Judy, This is something I didn't know.
This is the first time since they drafted Cedric Ellis,
a defensive tackle in two thousand and eight, that the
Saints have drafted in the top ten. So the person
I spoke was said, because that aging roster, don't be
surprised if a lot of the players they draft are
duplicate positions, right, you know, maybe this is it for
(30:38):
Cam George, So they go out and they get a
defensive end. Maybe this is it for Tyron Matthew on
the back end, yesterday went out and signed Justin Reid,
but maybe they draft another safety wanted to protect against health,
but two to possibly replace him next year. Now you
look at the talent on paper, tight end, wide receiver
and offensive line is where they need to upgrade, which
(30:58):
is where they probably will go in the draft because
as we mentioned, they fortify the defense more with veteran
players in free agency and restructuring and resigning some of.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Their other guys.
Speaker 7 (31:09):
Add a little youth to that offense.
Speaker 8 (31:11):
We know Kellen Moore coming over some of the things
he did with the Eagles last year, what he's done
with the Chargers and Cowboys. Got to get the quarterbacks
and weapons, and that's what they're hoping to do with
the draft again, especially to add some talented depth because
as I started at things out saying, they feel the
injuries is what really held them back last year.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Say thank you very much, Slot, more from you again
soon We will talk to you then. Tedoro McMillan, regarded
by many as the top wide receiver in the twenty
twenty five NFL Draft, worked out for teams privately today
at Arizona Stadium. Wildcat's not holding a traditional pro dace,
so this was the opportunity for scouts to get one
(31:52):
up close look at McMillan. I was told you did
a forty yard dash, also ran through some positional drills.
But the taper seeing right here certainly going to speak loudly,
welcome back to the insiders. It's Tom Pilaicero, It's he
and rap Port. It's lands Zerline once again. Here Lance,
tell me about Dylan Sampson, the guy no caught your eye,
the Tennessee running back ran will it really well? Add
(32:13):
his pro day? What do we make of him as
an NFL draft prospect?
Speaker 7 (32:17):
Well, I think he's terrific. I mean, I think the
tape on him is really really good.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
He is.
Speaker 7 (32:22):
He's a very efficient runner. He's he's one of the
most clever runners between the tackles because he makes just
very subtle shifts to get, you know, away from from hits.
He's able to slip through hits, He's able to find holes.
He's a quick processor.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
You know.
Speaker 7 (32:36):
The one question was how's he going to run? How
fast is he?
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Now?
Speaker 7 (32:39):
I had heard buzzes that he was, you know, going
to run well, but then he didn't run at the combine,
So you always have concerns is how's he gonna run,
because that's one of those things that can cause a
guy to drop, even though sometimes it's overrated, but then
it is pro day. He ran a four four to
two forty yard dash and it's like, all right, that's
a wrap. I can lock him up, seal them in
my you know, in terms of where my draft grade is.
(33:01):
And I'm expecting him to be a day too running
back in the draft. I think it could be third round.
You know, it's a deeper draft, so he may slide
into the third, but he does have the talent I
think to eventually become a very good NFL back.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
Lance.
Speaker 5 (33:15):
I know you got some other pro days circled on
your calendar. We'll start with this Friday. Actually, Michigan has
its PRODA. Didn't see much of anything for Will Johnson,
the top corner in Indy.
Speaker 3 (33:28):
What are we expecting this week of him?
Speaker 7 (33:31):
Well, unfortunately, we're not going to expect anything because he
had a slight hamstring tweak and so they say he's
going to push it all the way to I believe
it's April fourteenth, so we're going to get our answer
on Will Johnson. But the reason I wanted to talk
about him is because we need that answer. He has
tremendous ball skills, He has great instincts. He is just
(33:51):
a good football player. But the difference between being an
early draft pick as a cornerback and not can be
the speed. And if teams if you as more of
a zone corner, that doesn't have the same value as
a guy who can play multiple schemes. And to play
multiple schemes, you have to be able to run. So
right now, teams want to see him run. They want
to see what his top end speed is before they
(34:13):
assign a great If he runs well, he's going to
get pushed up the draft board from where we perceive
him to be. If he doesn't, I think he could
fall a little more than some people think. And if
he doesn't run at all, that could end up being
a real problem for him. With Colston Lovelin, who is
his teammate, he is going to work out in at
that workout that you talked about for Michigan coming up
this later in the week, and I think Colston Lovelin's
(34:33):
going to run well. I think he's going to work
out well everything he's going to do, I think is
going to solidify his stock is really being a top
ten talent in this draft. Now, he's a tight end,
so he's not going to go in the top ten.
But I do think he's a top twenty draft pick
in this draft, and I do expect the Pro Day
to really just be that check mark up. Boy, look
at that route right there was phenomenal. I think he's
(34:56):
just going to get the check Marke. I'm just sitting
here looking like, Wow, I can't to watch him again,
but if to catches Pro Day on the NFL network,
So yeah, I really do think that he's a guy
who is going to work out well, I'm going to
solidify his stock. About Mason Taylor, another tight end, I
know he showed up pretty well with the Senior Bowl there.
He's the son of Jason Taylor. You've seen a lot.
(35:16):
You always got the genetics. Here what's ahead of him
with LSU's Pro Day on the horizon. You know what's
funny is I was on the field when he was
on the field, and he you know, I tell you what,
just watching him move around, I got really excited because
I realized he didn't even work out like he didn't
run and do all the drills at the combine, and
(35:36):
I moved as great up after seeing him at the combine.
There's something different about Jason, about Mason Taylor, and I'm
getting more and more excited about him. I'm really interested
to see him run. I have a feeling he's going
to be in the four to sixes. He is a
player that just feels really natural when you watch him
on tape. There's a lot of talk about Tyler Warren
as there should be an in Colston Lovelin. You know,
I was really impressed when I watch the tape, but
(35:58):
you watch Mason Taylor, He's not far from those guys.
And if you're looking for a good tight end at
maybe a little discounted price in the second round, I
think Mason Taylor's going to be your guy. Be shocked
if he gets to the third. If he does, it's
a huge mistake by everyone who passes on him and
needs tight end, because he is going to be a
tight end that can, I think, be a volume target
guy in the NFL, someone who can make a lot
(36:20):
of catches, get a lot of yards down the field
and also after the catch. So I think once we
see him at his pro day, we're going to We're
going to find out that he's the guy that really
is locking in for me, even ahead of Elijah Arroyo
from Miami as the number three tight end in this draft.
Speaker 3 (36:38):
Interesting, I we'n to talk about a defensive player. Now.
Speaker 5 (36:41):
Notre Dame has its pro day coming up, Xavier Watts.
What are we looking for from him and from Notre
Dames Pro day?
Speaker 7 (36:48):
Ah Man, Xavier Watts, I mean, thirteen interceptions over the
last two years. He's been unbelievable. He's but he's only
got two years of production, but his production is just outstanding.
And I always go watch every interception that a guy
has a cornerback of safety. I want to watch every
interception because not all interceptions are created equally. There's a
lot of opportunistic you know, bounces here and bounces there,
(37:09):
and an overthrow here and an overthrow there, and really
anybody could make those. When you watch Xavier Watts, he's
making plays. He consistently makes plays on the football. It's
because he's instinctive. He's getting to jump on balls. He
is making plays with his ball skills. But the question
on him is Kenny run, and I remember asking an
NFL scout about him earlier in the process. He said,
we just don't know if he can run. I mean,
(37:30):
the question is is he going to be in the
four to sixes, because if he is, that's more of
a third round type of safety, even with his ball skills.
But if he runs well, I think he cements himself
sometime in the top fifty picks, top fifty five picks
in this draft. So running well for Xavier Watts. So
when I say, well, can just be a four six,
(37:52):
four five seven, that's good enough with his ball skills
and instincts, I think that could lock him into the
second round. If he doesn't run well, that could be
a slide into the later part of the third potentially.
Speaker 5 (38:04):
Just getting started on Draft talk Lance, thank you very
much for joining us.
Speaker 3 (38:08):
Great stuff has always.
Speaker 5 (38:09):
Looked forward to a lot more Over the course of
the next month, the third leg of the draft process
hits Frisco, Texas. Best draft eligible players from the Big
Twelve Conference are ready to put the finishing touches on
their football resumes. It's the Big Twelve Pro Day Wednesday,
live at one pm Eastern, exclusively on NFL Network and
streaming on NFL Plus.
Speaker 1 (38:31):
Congratulations to our friend and colleague Sherry Burris. Babies here,
she announced earlier today, Curly and in our little love bubble,
all happy, healthy, and still very tired, Little love Bubble.
I thought that was the baby's name. I have since
been corrected. You never know what life is going to bring,
particularly during the offseason.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
Good time. That'd be great areas well.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Welcome back to the insiders Don Peliicero, Ian Rappaport and
Judy Batista. You also never know well exactly what life
can bring in some of the dangers guys of life,
including the heroin journey of our friend Brian Baldinger.
Speaker 9 (39:09):
Baldy ticket me there.
Speaker 7 (39:11):
Forty wicked storm out here Rose Island, trying.
Speaker 2 (39:16):
To get off the water.
Speaker 9 (39:17):
Here thieves are picking up I was diving ten minutes ago,
pretty fresh, wicked right now, Hie, you got a.
Speaker 2 (39:29):
Little multi place.
Speaker 9 (39:31):
Fuck it delarious.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
So I'm told this was today.
Speaker 1 (39:37):
We're all hoping Baldy could be here for his scheduled
appearance okay tomorrow, and also that he can get in
somewhere to a pub and enjoy a happy Saint Patrick's
stay as wished. Right there by the Buffalo Bills and
other teams around the NFL. In honor of Saint Patrick's stay,
let's take a look at some of the luckiest plays
of all time.
Speaker 8 (39:56):
He looks right, he throws right, little high, but ross
comes out even just pick up.
Speaker 7 (40:01):
This could go for the.
Speaker 10 (40:02):
Mills, and it will. It's run Brooks see you later
have the ball. But when he comes down, it never
touches the ground. That should be an interception. Gerard step
suck fires, Mike Sims, walk up, lock down.
Speaker 7 (40:24):
They're down at eleven and that's why they're protected.
Speaker 2 (40:28):
Nowhere to throw it until now? Why catch now?
Speaker 7 (40:32):
Bat it around and talk by Parker.
Speaker 10 (40:35):
Had out of the hands of Grants, walk Alter right
next to him.
Speaker 7 (40:42):
Orton pumps again to the sideline.
Speaker 11 (40:44):
Bat it up, stoke, glee, Tell the side it gets up,
stoke glee. Wow, touchdowned marioda Harrioda for the line. It's
gonna maybe a postal line. It's a clutch back to him.
Speaker 12 (41:03):
Put a touchdown, last chance for the Steelers. Got y'all
trying to get away. Man, his pass is welcome, up right.
Speaker 1 (41:15):
Great on.
Speaker 5 (41:23):
Right.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
From some of the luckiest plays in NFL history to
Judy is there a favorite unlucky play for you?
Speaker 7 (41:32):
Uh, the butt fumble.
Speaker 4 (41:33):
I'm sorry Mark Sanchez, but crashing into your teammates, but
I can't think of anything.
Speaker 3 (41:39):
Less lucky than Jeesu.
Speaker 2 (41:42):
It's so bad the butt fumble.
Speaker 5 (41:46):
You know, I still felt bad for Sanchez, but it's
not his fault.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
It really is. It's totally random, just having the whole
world was watching.
Speaker 5 (41:54):
Can we free Mark Sanchez from this ridiculous low light anyway?
Speaker 3 (41:57):
That's not mine.
Speaker 5 (41:58):
Mine is all the way back to the two thousand
and six wild Card game Cowboys Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (42:05):
No, this is so unlucky.
Speaker 5 (42:08):
Tony Romo is such a good athlete, and it looks
like such a bad athlete here. Now his life has
turned out. Okay, we still hear him on Sundays, just
you know, not good.
Speaker 1 (42:19):
I want to go back to the nineteen twenty nine
Dayton Triangles. No, actually, I just want to show you
didn't get hit with the football.
Speaker 2 (42:24):
That's it.
Speaker 3 (42:25):
No.
Speaker 2 (42:25):
I was gonna lend some historical perspective, but I just
want to see that are showing over and over and
over again.
Speaker 1 (42:31):
I actually would say we are all lucky that that
clip exists.
Speaker 2 (42:36):
We'll see tomorrow everybody,
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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