January 7, 2026 • 41 mins
Gregg Rosenthal and Daniel Jeremiah are back with a weekly deep dive into the NFL, covering the free agency, trades, and in-depth draft analysis. This week, they highlight the rookies making an impact in the playoffs, name their Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, and break down the veteran free agents to watch in the playoffs. All that and more on 40s and Free Agents!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome back to forties and free Agents. I'm Greg Rosenthal.
I'm here with Daniel Jeremiah, and if you're new to
the show, we are coming at you now every week
in player acquisition season. It's not just about the draft
this time of year, DJ, We're looking at free agency,
we're looking at trades and now you've got me as
(00:24):
a part of your life every single week through the draft.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Are you're looking forward to it?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
I am. I don't know. I'm not smart because I
want to have a Logies state, but I know, like
you know when you go to when they send those
rockets up to space and it's kind of just kind
of going up nice and slow. Then they drop all
that stuff and then it just really takes off. Like
now is the time where we really take off. Okay,
you went to Tu Lane. Explain that better, but that
was my image.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Oh no, Tu Lane was a safety school for many people,
but it is a college football powerhouse now and so
that's what we stand on. Okay, this show, we're not
going to get your draft takes. That's kind of what
I want. But you're warming up to that. The college
football playoffs are you can listen to move the sticks
obviously for some of your takes there.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
But for this show this week, what we're gonna do.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
We're going to look at some of the rookies that
are playing in these playoffs, just ones to keep an
eye on. We'll pick our offensive and defensive rookie of
the years. I hope you have a ballot, because they
ask for a ballot. It's one, two, three, it's not
just one guy. I've got a ballot. I want that
ap vote. I found out who has the eightp votes
at the NFL media now that they're allowing that, and
(01:33):
I'm not happy with it. And then we're going to
go over some free agents of the teams playing in
the playoffs for fans that are maybe knocked out to
look ahead and start scouting guys they could add to
their team.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
I'm so excited, man, to get this thing back going.
And I will give you one draft nugget before before
we get on to all these rookies. But you know
we're not We're we're NFL affiliated obviously currently, and so
we usually wait until we get past the deadline for
everybody to claire before we jump in full boat with
the draft stuff and talking about who could go where
and get the underclassman aspect of it. So I try
(02:08):
to speak in code, which I think people are going
to get. But our buddy Patrick Claiband not not catching
what I was putting down on TV the other day
because he was like, what do you think in the
top ten, And I said, well, look, I can't really
say who these guys would be, but you know the
first overall pick the Raiders. You know, who's your quarterback
going to be? I don't know, and just right over
(02:29):
his head and then I said, next up, I got Jets.
Next up with the Jets, I mean I went the Jets.
I would say more, you know, more work to be done,
and then neither over two struck out on both those.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
You know. In Patrick's defense, we had him in the
studio till eleven pm the night before doing our live
recap show for the first time, so I'm going to
defend him. Let's go through some of the rookies that
are playing this weekend. Then we'll give our awards, and
we'll get to the free agency stuff too, and I'm
including possible trade candidates too, and some of the guys
to keep an eye on that are played in the
(03:00):
playoffs that everything that happens in January could really affect that.
But let's start with some of the rookies you're keeping
an eye on as the playoffs start.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
So this is kind of how I broke it up,
and just guys, I think you're going to be that
I have my eye on. I think are going to
be key factors and whether or not their team's advanced.
So let's start first of all with the pass catchers.
I wrote down a few names here. Let's start first
of all, I think the one who's going to have
the most impact is Tetero at McMillan. Like, they have
got a tall task in front of them. I know
they beat the Rams earlier this year. It was a
(03:28):
game where they ran it twice as much as they
threw it, They controlled time of possession by ten minutes,
they turned Stafford over three times. That's tough one to duplicate,
you know. Across the board there, they're going to need
more offensively, and I think he's going to have to
have a big game there if they're going to pull
that upset at home against the Rams. So all this
list of these names, Greg, then I'll get your thoughts
of who you think will be the most impactful. I
(03:49):
lumped Lovelin and Burden together as pass catchers for the Bears.
Two guys have really come on strong on the back
half of the year. Green Bay can't rush the quarterback.
I think they'll have an opportunity to have a big
day in the passing game. I like both those guys.
For the Chargers that put Gadston in there, this is uh,
you know someone, Now you've got everybody fresh. They rested
guys last week. We'll get to another rookie for them,
(04:11):
and the and the running side of things as well.
But I think working in the middle of the field
some some some key third downs, Gatson could be a
nice piece. And then finally, I lumped together the two
Iowa state rookies with Houston and Higgins and Noel is
just guys who've I saw him both make big plays
against the Chargers a few weeks back. Higgins did it
again last week, finding a way to make an impact
(04:31):
with those guys.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
I think what's fascinating about that group is how especially
t Mac and then the two Bears rookie pass catchers
are who the offense is really built around. Like if
it's it's why we'll get to the awards, but t
Max obviously in the mix for it. If they didn't
have him, there's nothing and the one advantage he has
(04:58):
in a matchup like this too, where it's not a
team with the Rams that has a bunch of physical corners,
it's the weakness of their team. They're not playing press,
which maybe he struggled at times with it. Certainly in
that Seattle game he did like he is the guy,
and when he had that bad game, Dave Canalis even
said after the game, look it goes through Tetaroa. That's
(05:19):
on me for not making the plays to help get
him open. And I think it's kind of similar right
now with Loveland and Burden. To me, they're the most
two important guys catching passes. DJ Moore I don't think
is going to be there next year. He's not a
big factor. Doonzay has just been hurt and they've really
built the whole ship out of I think Loveland first,
in Burden next. So it really shows what incredible development
(05:41):
they've had because they were quiet early in the year.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Yeah, I think if they get a Dooonsday back, maybe
it scales that back a little bit because He's definitely
in the trust tree with Caleb. But you know, if
you're looking at who Caleb's comfortable with, both those guys,
I would say over Dj Moore, he just feels more
comfortable and key moments trying to get them the ball
outside of the game winner against the Packers with Dj Moore.
But yeah, I think both those guys, and in this
particular matchup right now, where the Green Bays defense is
(06:04):
health wise and lack of pass rush, I think they
end up having a really good impact. Don't we get
to the running backs here?
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Sure?
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Although I am, as as a Patriots fan, a little
worried about Gadstan that it's not a great safety Patriots
if they've had some struggles against tight ends. They're not
the fastest linebacker group. Hopefully they get Robert splainback. We're
not sure there so that that could be a good
matchup for the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeah, well, it's going to be a fun game. How
about that? Though? We just kick off forties and free
agents with our team squaring off in the first round
of the p Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
But you're rooting for my team because you're like a
couple of weeks away from the Senior Bowl. You got
to be thinking, you're, of course the voice of the Chargers.
You got to be thinking, if I go on a
long playoff run, here, what am I going to do?
I gotta go to Senior Bowl. I got to start
getting ready for the combine. So maybe maybe you're kind
of quietly pumping your fist when Drake may is hitting
Kaysehon Booty down the field.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I just want, at one point in time what to
be around MJD when he's wearing that Super Bowl ring
he got for Colin Rams games, and just to just
just pull one out of my pocket and say, yeah,
I got one too, but I'm not going to wear it.
I call the games, I don't play for the team
m j D and put it back, just kind of
quickly to slide it right back into my pocket. That's
what That's what I'm looking for here.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
It would be cool. It is a game.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
I don't have mixed feelings, but if the Patriots win,
I'm going to be annoyed for Justin Herbert and all
the clowns that talk about him. And if the Patriots
do lose, I'll be happy. They are kind of my
number two AFC team. So either way, I went there
you go.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
So these runners. Speaking of the Patriots, Travon Henderson in
terms of just a big play potential, he's a He's
a big factor and someone who stepped up on the
big stage in college. So I just go back to
that Rose Bowl where he was popping long ones. You
got my young guy adding to that Chicago. You know,
nucleus of rookies that are going to have a big
impact here Amrion Hampton. I thought it was big. He
(07:54):
got arrest last week against Denver, so he'll be fresh.
So it's gonna be fun to watch those two rookies
in that game in Foxborough and then the two guys
all up together. What he Mark's and RJ. Harvey, you know, excellent, excellent,
you know kind of undersized backs who can do some things,
you know, not only run the ball, but catching the
ball out of the backfield can have an impact there. Obviously,
we won't won't see Harvey this week, we have to wait,
(08:15):
but he'll be rocking and a roll when they get
to the next round.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
I think Harvey and their running game in general is
kind of the X factor for that team. You just
saw your Chargers backups like hold Harvey to under thirty
yards on fifteen carries, and that that could be the
fly in the ointment for them if they can't get
the running game consistent, although I've liked what I've seen
out of him. You bring up trevi On and watching
this Chargers defense from the outside, like that seems like
(08:42):
the Patriots big play best possibility is actually getting Trevon Henderson,
and he's had a lot of big plays this year,
whether it's in a dump off or for a big
run to go along. Because they're a very tough team
to throw the ball deep against, and that's basically the
Patriots specialty. They almost remind me a little bit of
the Ravens. I don't know if you would agree in that,
(09:03):
Like they're a good offense, but they really rely on
four play drives. They are not like a twelve play
drive type of team.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Yeah, And it's that's going to be the fascinating part
of it, because the Chargers are outside of that start
of that Houston game, are a team that's going to
make you have to march the ball down the field.
So I mean that can be very simply how that
game's decided up and we can get into the matchups.
You know we'll have time to do that in terms
of the veterans that we're looking for here. But actually,
I'll give you one right now because I'm gonna switch
to some of the run, some of the offensive line,
(09:33):
and I'm not going to do many here. I'm just
going to give you a few. I'm gonna go Gray Zabel,
who has been dominant that game. By the way, watching
that tape back Seattle's offense against San Francisco's defense, I
don't know that there is a more athletic combo right
now than Sundell the center and grays Abel when they
get out in space and run. I mean, they are
(09:55):
incredibly flat and Zable's been He's already immerged one of
the best guards in football. Did he make the Pro Bowl?
Did he?
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I don't think he did. That performance though might might
have gotten him some. Could he even get some Rookie
of the Year votes? You get good guys, It's not.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
That he is really good. Will Campbell coming back is
big for the Patriots. I haven't got a chance to
finish up the tape from from last week. I know
he didn't played the whole game. I just watched their
their pressure reel and stuff which he did not show
up on and looked like he was moving well. But
that's going to be a challenge for him because the
the knock on him obviously was the length coming out.
How is he going to handle guys who can get
(10:32):
to him? And the Chargers are a power edge rush team.
Outside of O way, it's more, you know, trying to
win with speed. But when you've got Toy Polo two
and you've got Khalil Mack, those are two of the
heavier handed, you know, power rushers. So he's gonna have
a big say And uh and keeping Drake may upright,
and I think that'll be one of the big keys
to that game. And then uh, I don't know what
health health wise where Ursrie is is he? Uh? Is
(10:55):
he good to go going forward?
Speaker 1 (10:58):
He did not play at the end of the season,
and yeah, they looked better, but he was in there.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
He's played better than I thought he would. He's been
a really good player, So that, to me is is
a big key for them if he's out there.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
One of the nice surprises. I was skeptical that will
Campbell pick. I think for the most part that's been
proven to be a really nice selection for them. He
makes a huge difference in the running game, and again
I kind of focus on that with this matchup. And
he had some flashy blocks in that week team game
against the Dolphins team that didn't quite look like they
wanted to be there, you know, stop in the run.
(11:32):
But man, he he is athletic and he had some
some great blocks.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Yeah, that's gonna be fun. It's going to be one
of my favorite matchups in that game is going to
be him versus those two edge guys. All right, we'll
finish it up here. We'll go to the defensive set
of the ball. I didn't go heavy on the defensive
side of the ball, to be honest. It was an
underwhelming defensive draft class for the most part, especially in
regards the teams are in the playoffs. You look at
you know that those Atlanta rookies were great, but they're
(11:57):
they're not in the tournament. You get some other teams
that had some pressive guys. But I'll give you four
names here that I think can be big. Derek Harmon,
who has been really really good with the Pittsburgh Steelers,
and not only against the run, but started to flash
some pass rush as well. That's you know, everybody's kind
of chalked that one up as a you know, Houston's
gonna go in there and beat them, and that's a
tough place to play in the playoffs. That's a Pittsburgh defense.
(12:20):
It's kind of got a lot of their pieces back healthy.
The secondary is where they're you know, most vulnerable, and
you know, are they going to be able to fully
take advantage of that. You know, we'll see, but that
that's a key one. Eman warr has been awesome. He's
I was joking with somebody of the day that Seattle
doesn't have to do a period of practice on screens.
They just go emn. Warri's got those. Don't worry about
(12:41):
the screens we're going to see this week. We can
just get on with the rest of practice. And the
other two names I wrote down were Nick Scrton with
Carolina and Upton Stout coming off a big game. He
played really really well actually against Seattle last week. He's
been a really good player for the Niners. So those
are four key guys for me.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Scrton's come on of late.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
I was thinking about forties and free agents from a
year ago when you were you were talking about him
as as a guy who had potentially sort of on
the borderline of your top fifty, and man, they need
some production out of some young players, and late in
the season he's kind of come on, as you know,
other than Derek Brown that you know, they don't have
a lot up front. He's kind of their key guy.
(13:19):
If someone's going to make a play up front, it's
probably going to be Nick Scorton.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
So that that's a good shout out. And you're right,
it's not.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
It's not a great defensive rookie class, especially with these
playoff teams.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Which is not which is you know, supposed to be.
It was supposed to be a really good defensive class.
And another reminder too, hey be patient. I saw some
people freaking out about certain players, and you know, and
you can go through history and find a whole lot
of guys that it takes a little time, So just
be patient on these guys.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Your guy Josiah Stewart had a big play last week
and has been popping up as a situation a pass
rusher guy for the Rams. So okay, you you kind
of alluded to some of the guys maybe that would
be on your awards ballot.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
I don't I guess you know.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
I worked harder on this, came up with the ballot
as if I was an Associated Press voter. They ask
for three. You know, you don't have to make an
order on the fly. But I settled on my offensive
Rookie of the Year ballot.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Let's start there. I went with t Mac number one.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
I ultimately think, if you don't play the whole season,
Tyler Shuck is obviously an option.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
I think the bar has to be so high.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
For me, it's just like seventeen games versus nine or
ten games.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
To me, that's just a big difference.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
And to me, t Mac was the centerpiece of an
offense that was surprising, and so he is my number
one pick. It is really tough. After that, I actually
went to okay, you did, okay, go ahead. What who
do you think I got? Trayon's good?
Speaker 3 (14:48):
You know, I actually I actually went I actually went
Shuck and then Dart So I went, okay.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
See, I mean that's just that's just what the voters do.
I would just pick the best quarterbacks.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
You know, I love Trebon, but I'm just to make
what the underrated of those three. The t Mac is
is obvious, you know, with the production and being the
focal point of that obvious offense. I think Shuck because
of the way they piled up some wins and he
played really well coming down the home stretch. I think
the less obvious of the three is Jackson Dart. I
(15:19):
think when people really look at what he was working
with after the Neighbors and Scataby went down, and the
fact that you know, he played as well as he
did with nothing, zero, zilch, nothing it didn't have. His
coach was gone, I mean, every everything was removed from them,
and the defense that underachieved all year long. So I
think what he accomplished, you know, in and out of
(15:39):
concussion protocol most of the season, but when he was
out there, I thought he was really impressive.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
I think the way he closed the season, because everyone
was not watching the Giants at that point, kind of
fell under the radar and he played well.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
You're you're absolutely right.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
If you just look at the numbers like QBR and
certainly some of the volumes, that's like he actually had
better numbers than Shuck. And it's why I decided to
not put any quarterbacks on there for the hell of it,
because it's not most valuable rookie. I hate the word
valuable in MVP because it just means because yeah, of
course Schuck was the most valuable. He turned that whole
season around. He's turning the hopes of that franchise around.
(16:13):
But to me, it mattered if you could play the
whole season. So I went Trevion. He ends up going
over a thousand yards from scrimmage. He turned a couple
games around for the number two seed, one of the
surprising teams in the league, one of the most efficient
guys in the league per touch because of those big plays.
And then I'm gonna throw on and there are some
great options. By the way, Harold's fannin you know, went
over seven hundred yards like seventy catches. He's kind of fun,
(16:34):
certainly the two quarterbacks. But why not give a shout
out to armand Membu. Everyone I talked to around there
and has watched that, and I've watched you know, some
of him, like he is a plus starter as a
rookie that they are feeling great about moving forward. That
played basically every single snap the whole season, and so
why not be the change you want to see in
(16:55):
the world. Maya Angelou there for you why not put
some offensive lineman on there. Wanna throw just Membu give
him a shout out.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
By the way, I was an obviously a big fan
of his coming through the draft process. He played well.
That stat, by the way, I cannot get out of
my head. Did you see the stat that was floating
around the internet about how their leading receiver of the
yards that Garrett Wilson had it was under four hundreds, right,
three hundreds and he hadn't played since Week six. I mean,
some of the stats to pull from this Jets season
(17:24):
are like they're hard to fathom, right.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
And they it just shows you how like you can
be great at one premium position because they're they're pretty
great at tackle. There aren't many teams in the league
that would take their tackle.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Situation over the Jets. But that's only going to get
you so far.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yeah, no interceptions is famous, of course, but a friend
of the show, Aaron Shottz, you know, he's been doing
the DVA kind of overall efficiency numbers. Nothing's perfect, but
they evaluate it strength to schedule all that he had
them as the second worst pass defense since nineteen seventy nine.
That's awesome, And if you took out special teams where
(18:01):
they were elite. They were actually one of the best
special teams units in years. If you took out special teams,
they were one of the worst five teams period since
nineteen seventy nine, So.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
That's hardly Can I guarantee you, by the way, yes,
five dollars. Oh, let's just you know, we can just
do lunch that I guarantee you we have the same
three names for defensive Rookie of the Year guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
I don't think we do because I went with a
fun one, So I'll take that lunch at the huddle.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Maybe we did.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
All right, who are yours?
Speaker 2 (18:29):
You give me your three in.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Order in order. Swessenger is my was my winner, same
Pierce is my number two, and Emon Warri is my
number three.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
I had Amn Warry as well.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
I decided he had double digit sacks, didn't he.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
I decided to get frisky that's fair, and I'm sure
he's going to get a lot of oats.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
And I put Watson there.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Yeah, okay, that was my fourth.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
But he was a really good player.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
And maybe I'm being a little you know, weighing the
end of the season too heavily, but those two games
eventeen and eighteen, because I watched all of Falcon's Saints
because I'm just that sort of guy.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
I loved that game. He was awesome in.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
That game too, and he was really good all season,
so I just gave him a little love on my pretend.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
I'll buy you lunch. But he was my fourth played well.
Heres got some good rookies, you know. It was interesting
going back through and right when the draft ended. I
think the two that I had as the best draft classes.
It was San Francisco was or no, sorry, it was
New England I think was number one, and then gosh
was it? It might have been the Bearers, I can't remember.
(19:36):
It was like literally these teams were led by their rookies,
Like these teams went off with what they accomplished with.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
That didn't do Terry Fondo any good, and it's not
going to do the next GM. I guess that much
good That he doesn't have a pick, but he does
have James Pearce, which you probably at this point take.
I know Rams fans are like, and everyone made fun
of them for that trade, partly because you just don't
know if.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
The player is going to work out or not.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
But now after the rookie season, like, would you rather
have a mid first round pick in twenty twenty six
or would you rather have James Pierce.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
I'd rather have James Pierce with what there? But no,
it was the Browns was my other one. So it
was that it was New England and Cleveland, and both
those rookie classes ended up being awesome. Give some hope there,
especially Cleveland. They already have have the accomplishments in New England,
but in Cleveland, get some hope for the future.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
Well that is the first Daniel Jeremiah sly Pad on
his own back of the season, I'm looking forward.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
Well, they had tons of picks, so volume helps, volume helps.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
It was a good job by you. It's a good
job by them. It was a good job by you.
We're going to take a quick break and we're going
to come back. We're going to talk about some of
the free agents. I've heard a lot of trash talk
about this free agency crop, and there's some truth to that,
but there's also possible trade candidates. We'll come back with
some players to watch in the playoffs. If your team
is looking for some player acquisition bonus, This offseas.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Also one other quote from Maya Angelou don't be a jerk.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Back on forties and free agents.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
And this is going to be the first of many
conversations about the possible veterans that are available this offseason.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
We'll break it down by position.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
I'll have my big top one oh one list that
you can help me with and poke holes in. But
I think trades are also a big part of this
time of year, increasingly so, especially if there's not a
lot of free agents. But I got to tell you, like,
let's just start with Philadelphia, Like, there are some really
interesting free agents that are going to be available this offseason.
And you look at one of the best defenses in
the entire NFL that's playing this weekend against the forty
(21:54):
nine ers in Philadelphia, and you think, Jalen Phillips, he's
made himself some money this year. Nicobe Dean is a
free agent. Yeah, I know he's had injuries, but he
played really well. He's played really well this year when
he's been out there. Reid Blankenship is another guy who
I think is just an interesting player out there. So
you know, Phillips is a guy is going to be
(22:14):
very high on my list.
Speaker 3 (22:16):
This see Jalen Phillips. He's been a major difference maker
for them.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
You think, so that's that's it's going to be upwards
of twenty five million.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Dollars by ye. I haven't looked at the numbers yet,
but that's that's fine, let's do it. And I also
have been told that he loves it there too, so
they maybe they can get together and get something done
long term.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
They also have done a great job identifying the right
people to pay. They gave Zach Bond his massive contract,
which surprised some people last year, and that's aging really well.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
I think he's going to be an All Pro again.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
I think when they gave him that contract, they probably
and then they drafted Johan Campbell, they probably were accepting
that Nikobe Dean might go elsewhere.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
So, like a lot of starters on that team.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
The other just while we're on linebacker, guy, i'll throw
out there, which will be pretty high on my list,
is playing for the Jaguars this weekend. Devin Lloyd might
be your all Pro linebacker along with Zach Bond, and
he is a free agent for the Jaguars, and they've
gotten some deals done quickly this this season with cole
Van Lannon a tackle and with Jacoby Myers who they
(23:20):
just acquired. So it's interesting that Lloyd didn't get that money.
Maybe a sign that he actually will make it to
free agency. But he's been a really explosive player.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
For them, someone who made a ton of plays in
coverage in college and this year it all kind of
came to the surface with the place he made I
look at to start with linebacker by the way, Greg,
I mean, most people would probably begin a segment when
you're talking about the sexy names, and we're talking about
Malik Willison Max. So that's why you're giving me like
Rton to Kobe Dean.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
That's guy, why you're giving me one word answers. You're
like Lebron and that Kevin hart Ad. I don't know
if you you know which one I'm talking, but he's.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Like, that's all you got.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
People if they're listening to forties in Free Agents in
the middle of January DJ, they like the nitty gritty.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
But let's talk Malik quick. You know who listens to
this show right now? Teams that aren't in the playoffs.
You know, the teams aren't the playoffs of teams that
suck at quarterback. So that's why you start there. Greg
Drew is trying to produce. You, Drew, you can lead
a horse to water, But I mean that's about all
you can do there.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
I'll give you two quarterbacks that are pretty interesting playing
this weekend. Malik Willis, who probably won't see the field.
It will be Jordan Love. Let's actually just start with him. Where, like,
what sort of contract or what sort of like market
do you think that he'll have this offseason.
Speaker 3 (24:37):
I think it's going to be extremely strong for a
combination of reasons. I think there's still a number of
teams that are in the quarterback market. You've got a
couple teams that would look like they have their quarterback,
you know going forward, Arizona. You know teams like that
Miami that you before the year you would know that
they were going to also be in this market. And
now you've got Malik Willis, who's played outstanding. The numbers
(24:58):
are setting like thirty of thirty five or something like that,
and the opportunities he's got to get out there on
the field. He's by all accounts, a great kid. You
can go back to when he was at the combine
like literally given things to homeless people out of sight
and it ends up getting video. That was like the
first image of him. I got to know him through
that process. He's a hard workers. He's really really improved
(25:20):
his footwork. He's cleaned a lot of that stuff up,
and now you've got maybe those Especially with Lamar where
he is, I would make a case the most electric
runner at the position in the league right now with
what he can do. So you have a weak draft class,
very thin at the very top, and you've got a
lot of quarterback needy teams. I think he's going to
do very well for himself.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
It's crazy because everyone throws out the Matt Flynn you
know contract where he added like a couple starts gets
a big deal. Kevin Cobb was another guy, Jimmy g
to a lesser extent, but he had barely played before
he got the big contract in San Francisco. I would
say with Willis, though he has some real huge advantages.
(26:00):
Number One, you mentioned the running, I totally agree there.
I don't think there's any chance there's a more special
runner right now in the league than Malik Willis. But
the bigger thing is, I know it's limited sample size,
but he the variety of throws that throws like, and
they were everywhere every level of the field, intermediate, deep,
(26:20):
over the middle, like timing throws. And I think you're
benefiting from the fact that he like some of these
vikings quarterback. Everyone says, you go to quarterbacks school with
Kevin O'Connell. Well, he got a couple of years with
Matt Lafleur. I think that's really going to help him
the rest of his career. And he is going to
be a free agent. There's nothing the Packers can do
in this situation. They can't franchise tag him, They can't
afford to keep them because the money it could get
(26:43):
to like what around Darnold got last year, and I
think it's just.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
I think you could end up eclipsing that with a
very thin resume, but just because of the sheer demand
and the I.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Think you're right out there.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
If you're put so Darnold into this class, then he
would get more money too. There's now more openings and
less quarterbacks available.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
If you're Minnesota, you're not paying JJ McCarthy hardly anything.
I know you've seen him, you've smulln a crossover taped
there inside the division, everything else. I mean, that would
be awfully tempting if I were them.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
That is one of the names I wrote down. You
said them all basically.
Speaker 1 (27:18):
Now, Arizona and Miami certainly would be possibility, but Minnesota
would be really interesting and wouldn't totally shock me.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
The Colts are probably.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Going to get something done with Daniel Jones, but he's
coming off an injury, so that doesn't make as much.
Since you mentioned the Raiders and the Jets are probably
looking at the draft, so there will be a market
for Malik Willis. There will be a market for Aaron
Rodgers too, which also opens up the Pittsburgh possibility.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
There's a lot of questions. What's kind of going on.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
I've been saying it for two months that I think
Aaron Rodgers is going to play again because I'm just
looking at the supply and demand, and I think he
played better this year.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
He's had some real good high moments.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
It hasn't been great overall, I would say, but it's
been enough that I think he's going to have interest
for starting jobs. And I'm like, if he has interest
for starting jobs, i think he's going to keep playing.
And the more he talks, the more it sounds like
that's going to happen. We'll just have to see where
it is.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
Yeah, But to me, I think it's Pittsburgh. If he's
going to play again. I think he stays right where
he is. I think he likes it there that I
don't see him playing in another uniform next year.
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Okay, I don't know. Well, what if Tomlin's not.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
There, I think he would. I think he has enough
respect in that building that he would have some influence
on who the next coach was. Wow, if that happens,
it's like a bad idea to me. No, I'm I'm
not saying it's going to be the recreation of what
happened with the Jets, But I'm just saying I think
they would bring in somebody that's not necessarily in his past,
(28:43):
but someone that, you know what would fit what he
does at least for the next year.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
That would be fascinating.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
And I only keep I'm only throwing out Tomlin because
the insiders just keep keep talking about it, keep you
know there the different reporting that he might want to
go to TV or you just might be time. We'll
see if they win A couple games in the playoffs
that could go away. Mac Jones is another interesting name
if teams wanted to make a trade, if Gino could
get a late third last year, like someone might give
(29:12):
up something for mac Jones. But my guess would be
he stays in San Francisco because he's valuable to the
forty nine ers and I don't know if anyone comes
to them with a price that makes it worth moving
on from a good backup man.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
It would be ironic if he ended up replacing his
fellow Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback in Miami.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
That's interesting.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
It's inside the family, you know, Like you've got the
Shannon I just look at the Shanahan tree, and Shanahan
loved him coming too the draft process. You have proof
of concept he played in that scheme and played well
this year. And you've got Mike McDaniel down there. Who's
you know, that's a phone call away.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
I'd love to see a quarterback who can run in
Mike McDaniel's system.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
Mac Jones is definitely not that.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
I think it would be a mistake to give up
significant draft capital for mac Jones.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
I think he's because.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
You're a Patriot and you just can always hold on
to the struggles after Josh McDaniels left.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
That's that's not true.
Speaker 1 (30:10):
See, this is how I knew you weren't, you know,
grinding on the NFL, you know, around the NFL podcast
back in the day, because I was a.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
Big you know.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
By the way, it's you know, they're in the archives.
You can check it out. It was a great podcast podcast.
H Yeah, it was a podcast. And look, I I
remember I said I would take Mac Jones over Russell Wilson,
and like.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Whatever happened to that podcast.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
By the way, it's no longer.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
It's no longer with us.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
But I reddit still, I haven't checked it in reddit
still there.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
I stopped looking at the reddit. Actually never really did.
But Chris Wesseling, our great friend, hated that reddit and
because they turned against him at some point, and he
would mf that reddit and he would say, you know,
and anyone that could make Chris.
Speaker 3 (30:58):
That mad, I've never seen him. I never saw Chris
that mad.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
Yeah, anyone that could make him that mad. I was
just like, I'm never looking at that ever again. But
respect to everyone who's still out there, because now you
just got me in trouble.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
This is gonna make it there. Let's talk.
Speaker 3 (31:13):
I don't have any problems you guys on Reddit, so
just you know, come on over to move the sticks.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
I've got no problem.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
It's just you got to know what's good for your process,
your mental health.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
For me, it's a it's a no. It's a no.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
Look, you know, helped Rashid Shahed And I'm going to
talk some playmakers.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
Here, Pierce, shed let's go. What do we got?
Speaker 1 (31:39):
I mean, Alex Pierce is not in the playoffs. I
think it was supposed to be guys who are just
watching in the playoffs. Yeah, but Rashid Shahed and Kenneth
Walker are two explosive Seahawks players that are going to
be near the top of my list. And Shaheed might
be kind of threading that needle where. I don't know
if Seattle's like gonna be a team that gives him
(32:00):
that contract. They have the advantage that they have him
in house so they can sign him first. But he
will make a lot of money because there just aren't
many players with his kind of speed in the league.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
And the versatility and impact on special teams, you know,
throwing that into the mix as well. He's made a
major difference. I think that's John Schneider's most you know,
under the radar, best move that he's made over the
last calendar year. I think he's he literally could be
the difference of them when in the Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
And Kenneth Walker is a guy who like he'll have
some negative runs in there, but I think this was
his best season overall. And they are going to have
a lot of people. Actually, they have a lot of
free agents that'll be available, Riquel, and a lot of
their secondary is actually available. Some of these guys that
have played well for them, Kobe Bryant, Josh Job are
(32:46):
going to be available too. But Kenneth Walker is part
of a pretty deep running back group that's going to
be available, including Travis Etn. What was your feel of
Travis Etn coming out and kind of how do you
see him now?
Speaker 2 (33:02):
You watched him.
Speaker 1 (33:02):
Run all over the Chargers if I remember correctly in
that game in person.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
Yeah, give me the draft year real quick, because I
want to pull that up.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Well, it would have been twenty.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
One, right, if not twenty two, unless.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
You know they gave him the fifth year option. Yes,
this is it is twenty one. He was the twenty
fifth pick.
Speaker 3 (33:26):
Okay Etn, Where did I have him? Here? I go
to my position. Sorry, I'm pulling it up. Travis Etn.
He was my nineteenth player. He ran four to four
to four coming out two hundred fifteen pounds, burst, contact, balance, physical, runner, average,
wiggle more, hit it and go. He can work in
(33:47):
the seams in the past, game of effective on swings.
He's effective in attacks and pass pro So I thought
he was top twenty player and a really good, really
good value where they got him there, So there you go.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
I I always struggled with him, like he didn't seem
like he was a great option on inside runs, like
a little limited and in.
Speaker 2 (34:10):
The passing game it was it didn't all come together.
Speaker 1 (34:12):
He's a player I think that's improved and runs tougher
now and this was his best season last year he
started making strides again. He's been up and down, but
I think he's made himself some money with the way
he's played this year because he looked he's the capital
d like dude on a really explosive offense and he's
a tough player.
Speaker 3 (34:30):
Yeah. No, I like that one a lot. Those are
good Those are good backs. Kath Walker pairing up with Sharboney.
I think it's been big too. I think they balance
each other well.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
I mean you scared me from like mentioning some of
the guys in the weeds here because I know you
don't like to, you know, talking real football, like like, uh,
you know Zion Johnson or the entire year, second year and.
Speaker 3 (34:47):
Make a lot of money. He's played really well this year.
You're in a similar list, and I'm gonna go Greg,
He's gonna make more money than you think.
Speaker 2 (34:54):
I will and quickly.
Speaker 1 (34:55):
I don't need your comments on these, but like, there
aren't many offensive linemen that are going to be available
to some of the ones watching if you're looking for
like both Bills guards who have been pretty solid over
the last few years, Edwards and McGovern they're both free
agency and together forever. Rashid Walker is a left tackle
for the Packers who's probably gonna Edwards.
Speaker 3 (35:12):
Is going to make more Really yeah, when we get there,
But go ahead.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
That's good.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
But I wanted to I wanted to go back to
the kind of the sexy names. As we're wrapped up here,
they already left the podcast, But go ahead.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Two potential candidates.
Speaker 3 (35:29):
A. J.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
Brown, do you think, knowing everything you do about that
building in Philadelphia, how everything went, that he is going
to be a Philadelphia equal next year.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
I think we'll know over the next month. I think
it's all it's all looked at as it's worth it,
and you go to another super Bowl and you know,
potentially win another super Bowl, and I think all that
stuff's forgotten, all the the frustration, the ill will, you know.
I think if they were to go out there and
lose to the forty nine ers, I think that bubbles
up to the surface if it's not already there, and
(35:59):
then maybe it leads to something.
Speaker 1 (36:01):
It might be something. Though they also, I know he's
only twenty eight years old. Man, it seems like he's
older than that. He'll be turning twenty nine before next season.
They might just feel like it's the right time. If
a team like let's say my Patriots, or a team
that wants a final piece is willing to give like
a late first plus for an AJ Brown, they they
(36:22):
might be thinking, Okay, it's just that the timing is right.
Speaker 2 (36:26):
The other one I wanted to throw out. The name
hasn't been.
Speaker 1 (36:29):
Talked about a lot step outside, except in San Francisco.
This Brandon Ayuka is going to be out there this offseason.
Everyone's forgotten about him. It's kind of bizarre he's not
on this forty nine ers team right now because it.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Seemed like it it became.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
More of a personal thing between Ayuk and the forty
nine ers and they're going to take away his guaranteed
money than it really was about his injury and his
rehab at some point. But that's just one name I
just want to kind of throw out there that is
going to be available this offseason. He's not going to
be on the forty nine ers, and so that's just
a name to think about.
Speaker 3 (37:04):
Yeah, it's the reason why he's not talked about though,
Like I haven't. I talk to teams all the time.
His name has not come up once. It's just completely
out of sight, out of mind. And I think there's
also people are gonna have to really do their homework
on what the real deal is there, because it's not
something you casually pay attention and know what's going on there.
I think goes a little deeper than that. I don't
have a grasp on it of what the heck happened there.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
I don't either, But he posted like an Instagram story
a couple of weeks back of him driving one hundred
miles an hour past the forty nine ers facility, and
if I'm his agent, it's like Brandon not helping here, Bud,
we get it, we're not going back there, but that's
not helping. One of his teammates, the man who inspired
(37:48):
Shelby Harris to utter the famous phrase, let it be
known that man is a hoe, Juwan Jennings. He'll be
a free agent too, good player, having a tough.
Speaker 3 (37:58):
Player drilled the other night. But yeah, he is very, very.
Speaker 2 (38:02):
Tough, always gets up from it.
Speaker 3 (38:05):
By the way his his He's one of those guys
that was not a highly you know, rated player come
out of college. But at Tennessee. I can still remember
him just at the catch point, like in red zone stuff,
like just plucking balls off guy's heads and he was
just kind of I remember thinking, guy, he just kind
of plays like a bully as a pass catcher, not
even just as someone who's a blocker. And I'm like,
(38:25):
that's exactly who he is.
Speaker 2 (38:27):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (38:27):
And he's had his issues too with the forty nine
Ers at certain points, wanted to get paid this year,
but he came back and just started playing, and he
I think helped his value.
Speaker 3 (38:37):
Already try and fight, he already try and fight. Well,
that was that was on got hit in the Pravetis.
But I don't remember who who was that well.
Speaker 1 (38:48):
With Shelby Harris of the Browns who had that quote afterwards.
But I think, well, he's had many near fights in
his career. He is kind of the offensive version of
Chauncey Gardner Johnson. But in that case, I think he
was trash talking one of the Browns after an injured.
Speaker 3 (39:03):
Oh, Travon Merrig Oh.
Speaker 2 (39:06):
That was Yeah, that was one fight. The part that
got a lot.
Speaker 3 (39:09):
Of people remember. I literally put into Google who hit
Jennings in the and then then it came right up.
Technology is amazing, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (39:19):
It is I was thinking about. Apparently he was talking
trash to MALIEK. Collins after Malie Collins got hurt, and
that's what the brown the Browns all wanted to kick
his ass.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
By the way, Juwan Jennings.
Speaker 1 (39:28):
This is from our great producer slash former researcher, Drew
Jawan Jennings, the fifth rank dual quarterback in the twenty
fifteen high school recruiting class, Darnold was sixth, Burrow was seventh,
and Lamar was ninth. How have we not seen a
Taysom Hill package for Juwan Jennings at some point?
Speaker 3 (39:47):
Well, I will say that that rivals the graphic that
was posted the other day. I wish. I don't think
I could even have it, but they it was a
San Diego County all time leading passers and I was,
I think one spot behind Julian Saying from Ohio State.
So we're still hanging there.
Speaker 2 (40:05):
I did go.
Speaker 3 (40:06):
I think I'm number ten. I have after all these years.
I'm just gripping to that number. I was once number one,
since I'm all the way down to ten. But it's
just nice seeing, you know, a quarterback in the college
football playoff. It's just within reach. And he did it
in four years. I did in three, Greg, I mean,
come on.
Speaker 1 (40:21):
Did you call him like Blake Bortles reportedly called Trevor
Lawrence and congratulated him on passing him in the all
time franchise touchdown record for the Jaguars.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
I did not, but I did get I did get
a letter when I was in high school because of
that pass. And I believe I have to go back
and look it up. It was Mark Malone, the old
quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was the all timely pastor
in San Diego and it held for a long time
because he was like in the seventies. I broke it
in ninety five and then and then the passing era
took off and I am just I am clinging to
(40:54):
life on the bottom of that top ten list at
this point.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
Well, that's cool, you got one more last to glory.
I need to see uh that graphic and yeah, you can't.
You can get rankings on other shows, you can't get stories.
Speaker 3 (41:06):
I mean San Diego anywhere else. I'm leading pastors. That's
why people are tuned in here Greg talk break down
the linebacker class and free agency, and to hear my
high school stories.
Speaker 1 (41:14):
I have so many more names, and we don't need
to do it because we have three plus months ahead
of us to talk veterans and to talk the draft.
Let's get out of here, DJ. We will see everyone
next week. We're going to be dropping these shows on Tuesdays.
This was forties in free agents, draft and free agency season,
(41:35):
just getting started.
Welcome back to forties and free Agents. I'm Greg Rosenthal.
I'm here with Daniel Jeremiah, and if you're new to
the show, we are coming at you now every week
in player acquisition season. It's not just about the draft
this time of year, DJ, We're looking at free agency,
we're looking at trades and now you've got me as
(00:24):
a part of your life every single week through the draft.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Are you're looking forward to it?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
I am. I don't know. I'm not smart because I
want to have a Logies state, but I know, like
you know when you go to when they send those
rockets up to space and it's kind of just kind
of going up nice and slow. Then they drop all
that stuff and then it just really takes off. Like
now is the time where we really take off. Okay,
you went to Tu Lane. Explain that better, but that
was my image.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Oh no, Tu Lane was a safety school for many people,
but it is a college football powerhouse now and so
that's what we stand on. Okay, this show, we're not
going to get your draft takes. That's kind of what
I want. But you're warming up to that. The college
football playoffs are you can listen to move the sticks
obviously for some of your takes there.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
But for this show this week, what we're gonna do.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
We're going to look at some of the rookies that
are playing in these playoffs, just ones to keep an
eye on. We'll pick our offensive and defensive rookie of
the years. I hope you have a ballot, because they
ask for a ballot. It's one, two, three, it's not
just one guy. I've got a ballot. I want that
ap vote. I found out who has the eightp votes
at the NFL media now that they're allowing that, and
(01:33):
I'm not happy with it. And then we're going to
go over some free agents of the teams playing in
the playoffs for fans that are maybe knocked out to
look ahead and start scouting guys they could add to
their team.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
I'm so excited, man, to get this thing back going.
And I will give you one draft nugget before before
we get on to all these rookies. But you know
we're not We're we're NFL affiliated obviously currently, and so
we usually wait until we get past the deadline for
everybody to claire before we jump in full boat with
the draft stuff and talking about who could go where
and get the underclassman aspect of it. So I try
(02:08):
to speak in code, which I think people are going
to get. But our buddy Patrick Claiband not not catching
what I was putting down on TV the other day
because he was like, what do you think in the
top ten, And I said, well, look, I can't really
say who these guys would be, but you know the
first overall pick the Raiders. You know, who's your quarterback
going to be? I don't know, and just right over
(02:29):
his head and then I said, next up, I got Jets.
Next up with the Jets, I mean I went the Jets.
I would say more, you know, more work to be done,
and then neither over two struck out on both those.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
You know. In Patrick's defense, we had him in the
studio till eleven pm the night before doing our live
recap show for the first time, so I'm going to
defend him. Let's go through some of the rookies that
are playing this weekend. Then we'll give our awards, and
we'll get to the free agency stuff too, and I'm
including possible trade candidates too, and some of the guys
to keep an eye on that are played in the
(03:00):
playoffs that everything that happens in January could really affect that.
But let's start with some of the rookies you're keeping
an eye on as the playoffs start.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
So this is kind of how I broke it up,
and just guys, I think you're going to be that
I have my eye on. I think are going to
be key factors and whether or not their team's advanced.
So let's start first of all with the pass catchers.
I wrote down a few names here. Let's start first
of all, I think the one who's going to have
the most impact is Tetero at McMillan. Like, they have
got a tall task in front of them. I know
they beat the Rams earlier this year. It was a
(03:28):
game where they ran it twice as much as they
threw it, They controlled time of possession by ten minutes,
they turned Stafford over three times. That's tough one to duplicate,
you know. Across the board there, they're going to need
more offensively, and I think he's going to have to
have a big game there if they're going to pull
that upset at home against the Rams. So all this
list of these names, Greg, then I'll get your thoughts
of who you think will be the most impactful. I
(03:49):
lumped Lovelin and Burden together as pass catchers for the Bears.
Two guys have really come on strong on the back
half of the year. Green Bay can't rush the quarterback.
I think they'll have an opportunity to have a big
day in the passing game. I like both those guys.
For the Chargers that put Gadston in there, this is uh,
you know someone, Now you've got everybody fresh. They rested
guys last week. We'll get to another rookie for them,
(04:11):
and the and the running side of things as well.
But I think working in the middle of the field
some some some key third downs, Gatson could be a
nice piece. And then finally, I lumped together the two
Iowa state rookies with Houston and Higgins and Noel is
just guys who've I saw him both make big plays
against the Chargers a few weeks back. Higgins did it
again last week, finding a way to make an impact
(04:31):
with those guys.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
I think what's fascinating about that group is how especially
t Mac and then the two Bears rookie pass catchers
are who the offense is really built around. Like if
it's it's why we'll get to the awards, but t
Max obviously in the mix for it. If they didn't
have him, there's nothing and the one advantage he has
(04:58):
in a matchup like this too, where it's not a
team with the Rams that has a bunch of physical corners,
it's the weakness of their team. They're not playing press,
which maybe he struggled at times with it. Certainly in
that Seattle game he did like he is the guy,
and when he had that bad game, Dave Canalis even
said after the game, look it goes through Tetaroa. That's
(05:19):
on me for not making the plays to help get
him open. And I think it's kind of similar right
now with Loveland and Burden. To me, they're the most
two important guys catching passes. DJ Moore I don't think
is going to be there next year. He's not a
big factor. Doonzay has just been hurt and they've really
built the whole ship out of I think Loveland first,
in Burden next. So it really shows what incredible development
(05:41):
they've had because they were quiet early in the year.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Yeah, I think if they get a Dooonsday back, maybe
it scales that back a little bit because He's definitely
in the trust tree with Caleb. But you know, if
you're looking at who Caleb's comfortable with, both those guys,
I would say over Dj Moore, he just feels more
comfortable and key moments trying to get them the ball
outside of the game winner against the Packers with Dj Moore.
But yeah, I think both those guys, and in this
particular matchup right now, where the Green Bays defense is
(06:04):
health wise and lack of pass rush, I think they
end up having a really good impact. Don't we get
to the running backs here?
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Sure?
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Although I am, as as a Patriots fan, a little
worried about Gadstan that it's not a great safety Patriots
if they've had some struggles against tight ends. They're not
the fastest linebacker group. Hopefully they get Robert splainback. We're
not sure there so that that could be a good
matchup for the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeah, well, it's going to be a fun game. How
about that? Though? We just kick off forties and free
agents with our team squaring off in the first round
of the p Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
But you're rooting for my team because you're like a
couple of weeks away from the Senior Bowl. You got
to be thinking, you're, of course the voice of the Chargers.
You got to be thinking, if I go on a
long playoff run, here, what am I going to do?
I gotta go to Senior Bowl. I got to start
getting ready for the combine. So maybe maybe you're kind
of quietly pumping your fist when Drake may is hitting
Kaysehon Booty down the field.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I just want, at one point in time what to
be around MJD when he's wearing that Super Bowl ring
he got for Colin Rams games, and just to just
just pull one out of my pocket and say, yeah,
I got one too, but I'm not going to wear it.
I call the games, I don't play for the team
m j D and put it back, just kind of
quickly to slide it right back into my pocket. That's
what That's what I'm looking for here.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
It would be cool. It is a game.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
I don't have mixed feelings, but if the Patriots win,
I'm going to be annoyed for Justin Herbert and all
the clowns that talk about him. And if the Patriots
do lose, I'll be happy. They are kind of my
number two AFC team. So either way, I went there
you go.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
So these runners. Speaking of the Patriots, Travon Henderson in
terms of just a big play potential, he's a He's
a big factor and someone who stepped up on the
big stage in college. So I just go back to
that Rose Bowl where he was popping long ones. You
got my young guy adding to that Chicago. You know,
nucleus of rookies that are going to have a big
impact here Amrion Hampton. I thought it was big. He
(07:54):
got arrest last week against Denver, so he'll be fresh.
So it's gonna be fun to watch those two rookies
in that game in Foxborough and then the two guys
all up together. What he Mark's and RJ. Harvey, you know, excellent, excellent,
you know kind of undersized backs who can do some things,
you know, not only run the ball, but catching the
ball out of the backfield can have an impact there. Obviously,
we won't won't see Harvey this week, we have to wait,
(08:15):
but he'll be rocking and a roll when they get
to the next round.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
I think Harvey and their running game in general is
kind of the X factor for that team. You just
saw your Chargers backups like hold Harvey to under thirty
yards on fifteen carries, and that that could be the
fly in the ointment for them if they can't get
the running game consistent, although I've liked what I've seen
out of him. You bring up trevi On and watching
this Chargers defense from the outside, like that seems like
(08:42):
the Patriots big play best possibility is actually getting Trevon Henderson,
and he's had a lot of big plays this year,
whether it's in a dump off or for a big
run to go along. Because they're a very tough team
to throw the ball deep against, and that's basically the
Patriots specialty. They almost remind me a little bit of
the Ravens. I don't know if you would agree in that,
(09:03):
Like they're a good offense, but they really rely on
four play drives. They are not like a twelve play
drive type of team.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Yeah, And it's that's going to be the fascinating part
of it, because the Chargers are outside of that start
of that Houston game, are a team that's going to
make you have to march the ball down the field.
So I mean that can be very simply how that
game's decided up and we can get into the matchups.
You know we'll have time to do that in terms
of the veterans that we're looking for here. But actually,
I'll give you one right now because I'm gonna switch
to some of the run, some of the offensive line,
(09:33):
and I'm not going to do many here. I'm just
going to give you a few. I'm gonna go Gray Zabel,
who has been dominant that game. By the way, watching
that tape back Seattle's offense against San Francisco's defense, I
don't know that there is a more athletic combo right
now than Sundell the center and grays Abel when they
get out in space and run. I mean, they are
(09:55):
incredibly flat and Zable's been He's already immerged one of
the best guards in football. Did he make the Pro Bowl?
Did he?
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I don't think he did. That performance though might might
have gotten him some. Could he even get some Rookie
of the Year votes? You get good guys, It's not.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
That he is really good. Will Campbell coming back is
big for the Patriots. I haven't got a chance to
finish up the tape from from last week. I know
he didn't played the whole game. I just watched their
their pressure reel and stuff which he did not show
up on and looked like he was moving well. But
that's going to be a challenge for him because the
the knock on him obviously was the length coming out.
How is he going to handle guys who can get
(10:32):
to him? And the Chargers are a power edge rush team.
Outside of O way, it's more, you know, trying to
win with speed. But when you've got Toy Polo two
and you've got Khalil Mack, those are two of the
heavier handed, you know, power rushers. So he's gonna have
a big say And uh and keeping Drake may upright,
and I think that'll be one of the big keys
to that game. And then uh, I don't know what
health health wise where Ursrie is is he? Uh? Is
(10:55):
he good to go going forward?
Speaker 1 (10:58):
He did not play at the end of the season,
and yeah, they looked better, but he was in there.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
He's played better than I thought he would. He's been
a really good player, So that, to me is is
a big key for them if he's out there.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
One of the nice surprises. I was skeptical that will
Campbell pick. I think for the most part that's been
proven to be a really nice selection for them. He
makes a huge difference in the running game, and again
I kind of focus on that with this matchup. And
he had some flashy blocks in that week team game
against the Dolphins team that didn't quite look like they
wanted to be there, you know, stop in the run.
(11:32):
But man, he he is athletic and he had some
some great blocks.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Yeah, that's gonna be fun. It's going to be one
of my favorite matchups in that game is going to
be him versus those two edge guys. All right, we'll
finish it up here. We'll go to the defensive set
of the ball. I didn't go heavy on the defensive
side of the ball, to be honest. It was an
underwhelming defensive draft class for the most part, especially in
regards the teams are in the playoffs. You look at
you know that those Atlanta rookies were great, but they're
(11:57):
they're not in the tournament. You get some other teams
that had some pressive guys. But I'll give you four
names here that I think can be big. Derek Harmon,
who has been really really good with the Pittsburgh Steelers,
and not only against the run, but started to flash
some pass rush as well. That's you know, everybody's kind
of chalked that one up as a you know, Houston's
gonna go in there and beat them, and that's a
tough place to play in the playoffs. That's a Pittsburgh defense.
(12:20):
It's kind of got a lot of their pieces back healthy.
The secondary is where they're you know, most vulnerable, and
you know, are they going to be able to fully
take advantage of that. You know, we'll see, but that
that's a key one. Eman warr has been awesome. He's
I was joking with somebody of the day that Seattle
doesn't have to do a period of practice on screens.
They just go emn. Warri's got those. Don't worry about
(12:41):
the screens we're going to see this week. We can
just get on with the rest of practice. And the
other two names I wrote down were Nick Scrton with
Carolina and Upton Stout coming off a big game. He
played really really well actually against Seattle last week. He's
been a really good player for the Niners. So those
are four key guys for me.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Scrton's come on of late.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
I was thinking about forties and free agents from a
year ago when you were you were talking about him
as as a guy who had potentially sort of on
the borderline of your top fifty, and man, they need
some production out of some young players, and late in
the season he's kind of come on, as you know,
other than Derek Brown that you know, they don't have
a lot up front. He's kind of their key guy.
(13:19):
If someone's going to make a play up front, it's
probably going to be Nick Scorton.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
So that that's a good shout out. And you're right,
it's not.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
It's not a great defensive rookie class, especially with these
playoff teams.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Which is not which is you know, supposed to be.
It was supposed to be a really good defensive class.
And another reminder too, hey be patient. I saw some
people freaking out about certain players, and you know, and
you can go through history and find a whole lot
of guys that it takes a little time, So just
be patient on these guys.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Your guy Josiah Stewart had a big play last week
and has been popping up as a situation a pass
rusher guy for the Rams. So okay, you you kind
of alluded to some of the guys maybe that would
be on your awards ballot.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
I don't I guess you know.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
I worked harder on this, came up with the ballot
as if I was an Associated Press voter. They ask
for three. You know, you don't have to make an
order on the fly. But I settled on my offensive
Rookie of the Year ballot.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Let's start there. I went with t Mac number one.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
I ultimately think, if you don't play the whole season,
Tyler Shuck is obviously an option.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
I think the bar has to be so high.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
For me, it's just like seventeen games versus nine or
ten games.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
To me, that's just a big difference.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
And to me, t Mac was the centerpiece of an
offense that was surprising, and so he is my number
one pick. It is really tough. After that, I actually
went to okay, you did, okay, go ahead. What who
do you think I got? Trayon's good?
Speaker 3 (14:48):
You know, I actually I actually went I actually went
Shuck and then Dart So I went, okay.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
See, I mean that's just that's just what the voters do.
I would just pick the best quarterbacks.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
You know, I love Trebon, but I'm just to make
what the underrated of those three. The t Mac is
is obvious, you know, with the production and being the
focal point of that obvious offense. I think Shuck because
of the way they piled up some wins and he
played really well coming down the home stretch. I think
the less obvious of the three is Jackson Dart. I
(15:19):
think when people really look at what he was working
with after the Neighbors and Scataby went down, and the
fact that you know, he played as well as he
did with nothing, zero, zilch, nothing it didn't have. His
coach was gone, I mean, every everything was removed from them,
and the defense that underachieved all year long. So I
think what he accomplished, you know, in and out of
(15:39):
concussion protocol most of the season, but when he was
out there, I thought he was really impressive.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
I think the way he closed the season, because everyone
was not watching the Giants at that point, kind of
fell under the radar and he played well.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
You're you're absolutely right.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
If you just look at the numbers like QBR and
certainly some of the volumes, that's like he actually had
better numbers than Shuck. And it's why I decided to
not put any quarterbacks on there for the hell of it,
because it's not most valuable rookie. I hate the word
valuable in MVP because it just means because yeah, of
course Schuck was the most valuable. He turned that whole
season around. He's turning the hopes of that franchise around.
(16:13):
But to me, it mattered if you could play the
whole season. So I went Trevion. He ends up going
over a thousand yards from scrimmage. He turned a couple
games around for the number two seed, one of the
surprising teams in the league, one of the most efficient
guys in the league per touch because of those big plays.
And then I'm gonna throw on and there are some
great options. By the way, Harold's fannin you know, went
over seven hundred yards like seventy catches. He's kind of fun,
(16:34):
certainly the two quarterbacks. But why not give a shout
out to armand Membu. Everyone I talked to around there
and has watched that, and I've watched you know, some
of him, like he is a plus starter as a
rookie that they are feeling great about moving forward. That
played basically every single snap the whole season, and so
why not be the change you want to see in
(16:55):
the world. Maya Angelou there for you why not put
some offensive lineman on there. Wanna throw just Membu give
him a shout out.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
By the way, I was an obviously a big fan
of his coming through the draft process. He played well.
That stat, by the way, I cannot get out of
my head. Did you see the stat that was floating
around the internet about how their leading receiver of the
yards that Garrett Wilson had it was under four hundreds, right,
three hundreds and he hadn't played since Week six. I mean,
some of the stats to pull from this Jets season
(17:24):
are like they're hard to fathom, right.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
And they it just shows you how like you can
be great at one premium position because they're they're pretty
great at tackle. There aren't many teams in the league
that would take their tackle.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Situation over the Jets. But that's only going to get
you so far.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yeah, no interceptions is famous, of course, but a friend
of the show, Aaron Shottz, you know, he's been doing
the DVA kind of overall efficiency numbers. Nothing's perfect, but
they evaluate it strength to schedule all that he had
them as the second worst pass defense since nineteen seventy nine.
That's awesome, And if you took out special teams where
(18:01):
they were elite. They were actually one of the best
special teams units in years. If you took out special teams,
they were one of the worst five teams period since
nineteen seventy nine, So.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
That's hardly Can I guarantee you, by the way, yes,
five dollars. Oh, let's just you know, we can just
do lunch that I guarantee you we have the same
three names for defensive Rookie of the Year guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
I don't think we do because I went with a
fun one, So I'll take that lunch at the huddle.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Maybe we did.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
All right, who are yours?
Speaker 2 (18:29):
You give me your three in.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Order in order. Swessenger is my was my winner, same
Pierce is my number two, and Emon Warri is my
number three.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
I had Amn Warry as well.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
I decided he had double digit sacks, didn't he.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
I decided to get frisky that's fair, and I'm sure
he's going to get a lot of oats.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
And I put Watson there.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Yeah, okay, that was my fourth.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
But he was a really good player.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
And maybe I'm being a little you know, weighing the
end of the season too heavily, but those two games
eventeen and eighteen, because I watched all of Falcon's Saints
because I'm just that sort of guy.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
I loved that game. He was awesome in.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
That game too, and he was really good all season,
so I just gave him a little love on my pretend.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
I'll buy you lunch. But he was my fourth played well.
Heres got some good rookies, you know. It was interesting
going back through and right when the draft ended. I
think the two that I had as the best draft classes.
It was San Francisco was or no, sorry, it was
New England I think was number one, and then gosh
was it? It might have been the Bearers, I can't remember.
(19:36):
It was like literally these teams were led by their rookies,
Like these teams went off with what they accomplished with.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
That didn't do Terry Fondo any good, and it's not
going to do the next GM. I guess that much
good That he doesn't have a pick, but he does
have James Pearce, which you probably at this point take.
I know Rams fans are like, and everyone made fun
of them for that trade, partly because you just don't
know if.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
The player is going to work out or not.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
But now after the rookie season, like, would you rather
have a mid first round pick in twenty twenty six
or would you rather have James Pierce.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
I'd rather have James Pierce with what there? But no,
it was the Browns was my other one. So it
was that it was New England and Cleveland, and both
those rookie classes ended up being awesome. Give some hope there,
especially Cleveland. They already have have the accomplishments in New England,
but in Cleveland, get some hope for the future.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
Well that is the first Daniel Jeremiah sly Pad on
his own back of the season, I'm looking forward.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
Well, they had tons of picks, so volume helps, volume helps.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
It was a good job by you. It's a good
job by them. It was a good job by you.
We're going to take a quick break and we're going
to come back. We're going to talk about some of
the free agents. I've heard a lot of trash talk
about this free agency crop, and there's some truth to that,
but there's also possible trade candidates. We'll come back with
some players to watch in the playoffs. If your team
is looking for some player acquisition bonus, This offseas.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Also one other quote from Maya Angelou don't be a jerk.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Back on forties and free agents.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
And this is going to be the first of many
conversations about the possible veterans that are available this offseason.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
We'll break it down by position.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
I'll have my big top one oh one list that
you can help me with and poke holes in. But
I think trades are also a big part of this
time of year, increasingly so, especially if there's not a
lot of free agents. But I got to tell you, like,
let's just start with Philadelphia, Like, there are some really
interesting free agents that are going to be available this offseason.
And you look at one of the best defenses in
the entire NFL that's playing this weekend against the forty
(21:54):
nine ers in Philadelphia, and you think, Jalen Phillips, he's
made himself some money this year. Nicobe Dean is a
free agent. Yeah, I know he's had injuries, but he
played really well. He's played really well this year when
he's been out there. Reid Blankenship is another guy who
I think is just an interesting player out there. So
you know, Phillips is a guy is going to be
(22:14):
very high on my list.
Speaker 3 (22:16):
This see Jalen Phillips. He's been a major difference maker
for them.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
You think, so that's that's it's going to be upwards
of twenty five million.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Dollars by ye. I haven't looked at the numbers yet,
but that's that's fine, let's do it. And I also
have been told that he loves it there too, so
they maybe they can get together and get something done
long term.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
They also have done a great job identifying the right
people to pay. They gave Zach Bond his massive contract,
which surprised some people last year, and that's aging really well.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
I think he's going to be an All Pro again.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
I think when they gave him that contract, they probably
and then they drafted Johan Campbell, they probably were accepting
that Nikobe Dean might go elsewhere.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
So, like a lot of starters on that team.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
The other just while we're on linebacker, guy, i'll throw
out there, which will be pretty high on my list,
is playing for the Jaguars this weekend. Devin Lloyd might
be your all Pro linebacker along with Zach Bond, and
he is a free agent for the Jaguars, and they've
gotten some deals done quickly this this season with cole
Van Lannon a tackle and with Jacoby Myers who they
(23:20):
just acquired. So it's interesting that Lloyd didn't get that money.
Maybe a sign that he actually will make it to
free agency. But he's been a really explosive player.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
For them, someone who made a ton of plays in
coverage in college and this year it all kind of
came to the surface with the place he made I
look at to start with linebacker by the way, Greg,
I mean, most people would probably begin a segment when
you're talking about the sexy names, and we're talking about
Malik Willison Max. So that's why you're giving me like
Rton to Kobe Dean.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
That's guy, why you're giving me one word answers. You're
like Lebron and that Kevin hart Ad. I don't know
if you you know which one I'm talking, but he's.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Like, that's all you got.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
People if they're listening to forties in Free Agents in
the middle of January DJ, they like the nitty gritty.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
But let's talk Malik quick. You know who listens to
this show right now? Teams that aren't in the playoffs.
You know, the teams aren't the playoffs of teams that
suck at quarterback. So that's why you start there. Greg
Drew is trying to produce. You, Drew, you can lead
a horse to water, But I mean that's about all
you can do there.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
I'll give you two quarterbacks that are pretty interesting playing
this weekend. Malik Willis, who probably won't see the field.
It will be Jordan Love. Let's actually just start with him. Where, like,
what sort of contract or what sort of like market
do you think that he'll have this offseason.
Speaker 3 (24:37):
I think it's going to be extremely strong for a
combination of reasons. I think there's still a number of
teams that are in the quarterback market. You've got a
couple teams that would look like they have their quarterback,
you know going forward, Arizona. You know teams like that
Miami that you before the year you would know that
they were going to also be in this market. And
now you've got Malik Willis, who's played outstanding. The numbers
(24:58):
are setting like thirty of thirty five or something like that,
and the opportunities he's got to get out there on
the field. He's by all accounts, a great kid. You
can go back to when he was at the combine
like literally given things to homeless people out of sight
and it ends up getting video. That was like the
first image of him. I got to know him through
that process. He's a hard workers. He's really really improved
(25:20):
his footwork. He's cleaned a lot of that stuff up,
and now you've got maybe those Especially with Lamar where
he is, I would make a case the most electric
runner at the position in the league right now with
what he can do. So you have a weak draft class,
very thin at the very top, and you've got a
lot of quarterback needy teams. I think he's going to
do very well for himself.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
It's crazy because everyone throws out the Matt Flynn you
know contract where he added like a couple starts gets
a big deal. Kevin Cobb was another guy, Jimmy g
to a lesser extent, but he had barely played before
he got the big contract in San Francisco. I would
say with Willis, though he has some real huge advantages.
(26:00):
Number One, you mentioned the running, I totally agree there.
I don't think there's any chance there's a more special
runner right now in the league than Malik Willis. But
the bigger thing is, I know it's limited sample size,
but he the variety of throws that throws like, and
they were everywhere every level of the field, intermediate, deep,
(26:20):
over the middle, like timing throws. And I think you're
benefiting from the fact that he like some of these
vikings quarterback. Everyone says, you go to quarterbacks school with
Kevin O'Connell. Well, he got a couple of years with
Matt Lafleur. I think that's really going to help him
the rest of his career. And he is going to
be a free agent. There's nothing the Packers can do
in this situation. They can't franchise tag him, They can't
afford to keep them because the money it could get
(26:43):
to like what around Darnold got last year, and I
think it's just.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
I think you could end up eclipsing that with a
very thin resume, but just because of the sheer demand
and the I.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Think you're right out there.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
If you're put so Darnold into this class, then he
would get more money too. There's now more openings and
less quarterbacks available.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
If you're Minnesota, you're not paying JJ McCarthy hardly anything.
I know you've seen him, you've smulln a crossover taped
there inside the division, everything else. I mean, that would
be awfully tempting if I were them.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
That is one of the names I wrote down. You
said them all basically.
Speaker 1 (27:18):
Now, Arizona and Miami certainly would be possibility, but Minnesota
would be really interesting and wouldn't totally shock me.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
The Colts are probably.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Going to get something done with Daniel Jones, but he's
coming off an injury, so that doesn't make as much.
Since you mentioned the Raiders and the Jets are probably
looking at the draft, so there will be a market
for Malik Willis. There will be a market for Aaron
Rodgers too, which also opens up the Pittsburgh possibility.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
There's a lot of questions. What's kind of going on.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
I've been saying it for two months that I think
Aaron Rodgers is going to play again because I'm just
looking at the supply and demand, and I think he
played better this year.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
He's had some real good high moments.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
It hasn't been great overall, I would say, but it's
been enough that I think he's going to have interest
for starting jobs. And I'm like, if he has interest
for starting jobs, i think he's going to keep playing.
And the more he talks, the more it sounds like
that's going to happen. We'll just have to see where
it is.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
Yeah, But to me, I think it's Pittsburgh. If he's
going to play again. I think he stays right where
he is. I think he likes it there that I
don't see him playing in another uniform next year.
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Okay, I don't know. Well, what if Tomlin's not.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
There, I think he would. I think he has enough
respect in that building that he would have some influence
on who the next coach was. Wow, if that happens,
it's like a bad idea to me. No, I'm I'm
not saying it's going to be the recreation of what
happened with the Jets, But I'm just saying I think
they would bring in somebody that's not necessarily in his past,
(28:43):
but someone that, you know what would fit what he
does at least for the next year.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
That would be fascinating.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
And I only keep I'm only throwing out Tomlin because
the insiders just keep keep talking about it, keep you
know there the different reporting that he might want to
go to TV or you just might be time. We'll
see if they win A couple games in the playoffs
that could go away. Mac Jones is another interesting name
if teams wanted to make a trade, if Gino could
get a late third last year, like someone might give
(29:12):
up something for mac Jones. But my guess would be
he stays in San Francisco because he's valuable to the
forty nine ers and I don't know if anyone comes
to them with a price that makes it worth moving
on from a good backup man.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
It would be ironic if he ended up replacing his
fellow Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback in Miami.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
That's interesting.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
It's inside the family, you know, Like you've got the
Shannon I just look at the Shanahan tree, and Shanahan
loved him coming too the draft process. You have proof
of concept he played in that scheme and played well
this year. And you've got Mike McDaniel down there. Who's
you know, that's a phone call away.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
I'd love to see a quarterback who can run in
Mike McDaniel's system.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
Mac Jones is definitely not that.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
I think it would be a mistake to give up
significant draft capital for mac Jones.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
I think he's because.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
You're a Patriot and you just can always hold on
to the struggles after Josh McDaniels left.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
That's that's not true.
Speaker 1 (30:10):
See, this is how I knew you weren't, you know,
grinding on the NFL, you know, around the NFL podcast
back in the day, because I was a.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
Big you know.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
By the way, it's you know, they're in the archives.
You can check it out. It was a great podcast podcast.
H Yeah, it was a podcast. And look, I I
remember I said I would take Mac Jones over Russell Wilson,
and like.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Whatever happened to that podcast.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
By the way, it's no longer.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
It's no longer with us.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
But I reddit still, I haven't checked it in reddit
still there.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
I stopped looking at the reddit. Actually never really did.
But Chris Wesseling, our great friend, hated that reddit and
because they turned against him at some point, and he
would mf that reddit and he would say, you know,
and anyone that could make Chris.
Speaker 3 (30:58):
That mad, I've never seen him. I never saw Chris
that mad.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
Yeah, anyone that could make him that mad. I was
just like, I'm never looking at that ever again. But
respect to everyone who's still out there, because now you
just got me in trouble.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
This is gonna make it there. Let's talk.
Speaker 3 (31:13):
I don't have any problems you guys on Reddit, so
just you know, come on over to move the sticks.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
I've got no problem.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
It's just you got to know what's good for your process,
your mental health.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
For me, it's a it's a no. It's a no.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
Look, you know, helped Rashid Shahed And I'm going to
talk some playmakers.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
Here, Pierce, shed let's go. What do we got?
Speaker 1 (31:39):
I mean, Alex Pierce is not in the playoffs. I
think it was supposed to be guys who are just
watching in the playoffs. Yeah, but Rashid Shahed and Kenneth
Walker are two explosive Seahawks players that are going to
be near the top of my list. And Shaheed might
be kind of threading that needle where. I don't know
if Seattle's like gonna be a team that gives him
(32:00):
that contract. They have the advantage that they have him
in house so they can sign him first. But he
will make a lot of money because there just aren't
many players with his kind of speed in the league.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
And the versatility and impact on special teams, you know,
throwing that into the mix as well. He's made a
major difference. I think that's John Schneider's most you know,
under the radar, best move that he's made over the
last calendar year. I think he's he literally could be
the difference of them when in the Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
And Kenneth Walker is a guy who like he'll have
some negative runs in there, but I think this was
his best season overall. And they are going to have
a lot of people. Actually, they have a lot of
free agents that'll be available, Riquel, and a lot of
their secondary is actually available. Some of these guys that
have played well for them, Kobe Bryant, Josh Job are
(32:46):
going to be available too. But Kenneth Walker is part
of a pretty deep running back group that's going to
be available, including Travis Etn. What was your feel of
Travis Etn coming out and kind of how do you
see him now?
Speaker 2 (33:02):
You watched him.
Speaker 1 (33:02):
Run all over the Chargers if I remember correctly in
that game in person.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
Yeah, give me the draft year real quick, because I
want to pull that up.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Well, it would have been twenty.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
One, right, if not twenty two, unless.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
You know they gave him the fifth year option. Yes,
this is it is twenty one. He was the twenty
fifth pick.
Speaker 3 (33:26):
Okay Etn, Where did I have him? Here? I go
to my position. Sorry, I'm pulling it up. Travis Etn.
He was my nineteenth player. He ran four to four
to four coming out two hundred fifteen pounds, burst, contact, balance, physical, runner, average,
wiggle more, hit it and go. He can work in
(33:47):
the seams in the past, game of effective on swings.
He's effective in attacks and pass pro So I thought
he was top twenty player and a really good, really
good value where they got him there, So there you go.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
I I always struggled with him, like he didn't seem
like he was a great option on inside runs, like
a little limited and in.
Speaker 2 (34:10):
The passing game it was it didn't all come together.
Speaker 1 (34:12):
He's a player I think that's improved and runs tougher
now and this was his best season last year he
started making strides again. He's been up and down, but
I think he's made himself some money with the way
he's played this year because he looked he's the capital
d like dude on a really explosive offense and he's
a tough player.
Speaker 3 (34:30):
Yeah. No, I like that one a lot. Those are
good Those are good backs. Kath Walker pairing up with Sharboney.
I think it's been big too. I think they balance
each other well.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
I mean you scared me from like mentioning some of
the guys in the weeds here because I know you
don't like to, you know, talking real football, like like, uh,
you know Zion Johnson or the entire year, second year and.
Speaker 3 (34:47):
Make a lot of money. He's played really well this year.
You're in a similar list, and I'm gonna go Greg,
He's gonna make more money than you think.
Speaker 2 (34:54):
I will and quickly.
Speaker 1 (34:55):
I don't need your comments on these, but like, there
aren't many offensive linemen that are going to be available
to some of the ones watching if you're looking for
like both Bills guards who have been pretty solid over
the last few years, Edwards and McGovern they're both free
agency and together forever. Rashid Walker is a left tackle
for the Packers who's probably gonna Edwards.
Speaker 3 (35:12):
Is going to make more Really yeah, when we get there,
But go ahead.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
That's good.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
But I wanted to I wanted to go back to
the kind of the sexy names. As we're wrapped up here,
they already left the podcast, But go ahead.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Two potential candidates.
Speaker 3 (35:29):
A. J.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
Brown, do you think, knowing everything you do about that
building in Philadelphia, how everything went, that he is going
to be a Philadelphia equal next year.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
I think we'll know over the next month. I think
it's all it's all looked at as it's worth it,
and you go to another super Bowl and you know,
potentially win another super Bowl, and I think all that
stuff's forgotten, all the the frustration, the ill will, you know.
I think if they were to go out there and
lose to the forty nine ers, I think that bubbles
up to the surface if it's not already there, and
(35:59):
then maybe it leads to something.
Speaker 1 (36:01):
It might be something. Though they also, I know he's
only twenty eight years old. Man, it seems like he's
older than that. He'll be turning twenty nine before next season.
They might just feel like it's the right time. If
a team like let's say my Patriots, or a team
that wants a final piece is willing to give like
a late first plus for an AJ Brown, they they
(36:22):
might be thinking, Okay, it's just that the timing is right.
Speaker 2 (36:26):
The other one I wanted to throw out. The name
hasn't been.
Speaker 1 (36:29):
Talked about a lot step outside, except in San Francisco.
This Brandon Ayuka is going to be out there this offseason.
Everyone's forgotten about him. It's kind of bizarre he's not
on this forty nine ers team right now because it.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Seemed like it it became.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
More of a personal thing between Ayuk and the forty
nine ers and they're going to take away his guaranteed
money than it really was about his injury and his
rehab at some point. But that's just one name I
just want to kind of throw out there that is
going to be available this offseason. He's not going to
be on the forty nine ers, and so that's just
a name to think about.
Speaker 3 (37:04):
Yeah, it's the reason why he's not talked about though,
Like I haven't. I talk to teams all the time.
His name has not come up once. It's just completely
out of sight, out of mind. And I think there's
also people are gonna have to really do their homework
on what the real deal is there, because it's not
something you casually pay attention and know what's going on there.
I think goes a little deeper than that. I don't
have a grasp on it of what the heck happened there.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
I don't either, But he posted like an Instagram story
a couple of weeks back of him driving one hundred
miles an hour past the forty nine ers facility, and
if I'm his agent, it's like Brandon not helping here, Bud,
we get it, we're not going back there, but that's
not helping. One of his teammates, the man who inspired
(37:48):
Shelby Harris to utter the famous phrase, let it be
known that man is a hoe, Juwan Jennings. He'll be
a free agent too, good player, having a tough.
Speaker 3 (37:58):
Player drilled the other night. But yeah, he is very, very.
Speaker 2 (38:02):
Tough, always gets up from it.
Speaker 3 (38:05):
By the way his his He's one of those guys
that was not a highly you know, rated player come
out of college. But at Tennessee. I can still remember
him just at the catch point, like in red zone stuff,
like just plucking balls off guy's heads and he was
just kind of I remember thinking, guy, he just kind
of plays like a bully as a pass catcher, not
even just as someone who's a blocker. And I'm like,
(38:25):
that's exactly who he is.
Speaker 2 (38:27):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (38:27):
And he's had his issues too with the forty nine
Ers at certain points, wanted to get paid this year,
but he came back and just started playing, and he
I think helped his value.
Speaker 3 (38:37):
Already try and fight, he already try and fight. Well,
that was that was on got hit in the Pravetis.
But I don't remember who who was that well.
Speaker 1 (38:48):
With Shelby Harris of the Browns who had that quote afterwards.
But I think, well, he's had many near fights in
his career. He is kind of the offensive version of
Chauncey Gardner Johnson. But in that case, I think he
was trash talking one of the Browns after an injured.
Speaker 3 (39:03):
Oh, Travon Merrig Oh.
Speaker 2 (39:06):
That was Yeah, that was one fight. The part that
got a lot.
Speaker 3 (39:09):
Of people remember. I literally put into Google who hit
Jennings in the and then then it came right up.
Technology is amazing, isn't it?
Speaker 1 (39:19):
It is I was thinking about. Apparently he was talking
trash to MALIEK. Collins after Malie Collins got hurt, and
that's what the brown the Browns all wanted to kick
his ass.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
By the way, Juwan Jennings.
Speaker 1 (39:28):
This is from our great producer slash former researcher, Drew
Jawan Jennings, the fifth rank dual quarterback in the twenty
fifteen high school recruiting class, Darnold was sixth, Burrow was seventh,
and Lamar was ninth. How have we not seen a
Taysom Hill package for Juwan Jennings at some point?
Speaker 3 (39:47):
Well, I will say that that rivals the graphic that
was posted the other day. I wish. I don't think
I could even have it, but they it was a
San Diego County all time leading passers and I was,
I think one spot behind Julian Saying from Ohio State.
So we're still hanging there.
Speaker 2 (40:05):
I did go.
Speaker 3 (40:06):
I think I'm number ten. I have after all these years.
I'm just gripping to that number. I was once number one,
since I'm all the way down to ten. But it's
just nice seeing, you know, a quarterback in the college
football playoff. It's just within reach. And he did it
in four years. I did in three, Greg, I mean,
come on.
Speaker 1 (40:21):
Did you call him like Blake Bortles reportedly called Trevor
Lawrence and congratulated him on passing him in the all
time franchise touchdown record for the Jaguars.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
I did not, but I did get I did get
a letter when I was in high school because of
that pass. And I believe I have to go back
and look it up. It was Mark Malone, the old
quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was the all timely pastor
in San Diego and it held for a long time
because he was like in the seventies. I broke it
in ninety five and then and then the passing era
took off and I am just I am clinging to
(40:54):
life on the bottom of that top ten list at
this point.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
Well, that's cool, you got one more last to glory.
I need to see uh that graphic and yeah, you can't.
You can get rankings on other shows, you can't get stories.
Speaker 3 (41:06):
I mean San Diego anywhere else. I'm leading pastors. That's
why people are tuned in here Greg talk break down
the linebacker class and free agency, and to hear my
high school stories.
Speaker 1 (41:14):
I have so many more names, and we don't need
to do it because we have three plus months ahead
of us to talk veterans and to talk the draft.
Let's get out of here, DJ. We will see everyone
next week. We're going to be dropping these shows on Tuesdays.
This was forties in free agents, draft and free agency season,
(41:35):
just getting started.
Hosts And Creators
Daniel Jeremiah
Bucky Brooks
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