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NFL Offseason Shake-Up: Combine, Free Agency & QB Drama | Bush League Huddle Fantasy Football Podcast
21 Plays2 months ago
The NFL offseason is heating up! Join us on the Bush League Huddle Fantasy Football Podcast as we break down the latest buzz from the NFL Combine (Feb 23 - March 3), franchise tag news, and free agency rumors. We're talking top prospects, franchise tag candidates, free agency frenzy, and potential blockbuster trades. Will Matthew Stafford leave the Rams? Is Kirk Cousins heading to the Browns? Can James Cook really demand $15M a year? We cover all the latest NFL fantasy implications and must-know offseason news.
👀 What to Expect in This Episode:
✔️ NFL Combine Preview – Key dates & players to watch
✔️ Franchise Tag & Transition Window – Who's getting tagged?
✔️ Tampering Window & Free Agency Moves – Big names on the move?
✔️ Matthew Stafford's Trade Rumors – Best landing spots?
✔️ James Cook's Contract Demands – Should the Bills pay him?
✔️ Fantasy Football Rookie Watch – Impact players & team fits
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Transcript
Introduction and Social Media Engagement
00:00:16
Fab
What's up, everyone? Welcome back. Welcome back to another episode of the Bush League Hutto Fantasy Football Podcast. ah Guys, the off-season onslaught is here. But you know what? I'm getting ahead of myself. i'm little bit too excited.
00:00:28
Fab
ah Ladies and gentlemen, you're listening to us. We appreciate you guys being on board with us and coming along with this journey. So please, please, please follow, like, share, subscribe to our all of our social medias. We're on Twitter. We're on Instagram. We're on TikTok.
00:00:42
Fab
We're on Facebook to a degree. Obviously, Spotify, Apple Music. ah You see us on there. Interact with us. Chat us up. Send us a message. We'll answer you. No problem. ah We want to make sure that we interact with our fans at all times.
00:00:55
Fab
So with that being said, now let's get into some fun stuff.
00:00:56
Roger Emeka
Thank you.
00:00:59
Fab
The offseason.
Offseason Excitement and Key NFL Dates
00:01:00
Fab
You know, not everyone is always excited about the offseason because, you know, the NFL season is done with and all that stuff. But I don't know, man. Combine preview. Combine's happening this week.
00:01:09
Fab
As of Feb 23rd to March 3rd, the biggest players in this in in the fantasy draft are going to be on display, what we would hope at least. ah We're going to get into that a little bit later.
00:01:21
Fab
A big day to take note of is Saturday, March 1st. That's where you have the on-field workout for running back, quarterbacks, and wide receivers. So the Underwear Olympics are in full swing.
00:01:32
Fab
ah But apart from that, we got february from February 18th to March 4th. So we are still in this period right now. ah it's a league transition and franchise tag windows. We've been talking quite a bit about some players that potentially will be designated the franchise tag.
00:01:48
Fab
We spoke about T Higgins last week. ah So that window is still very much open up until March 4th at 4 p.m. And then we got the really spicy stuff. We got the tampering window from March 10th to March 12th, which, uh, knack, I'm going to throw this on to you right now. So I guess so for some of our viewers, can you explain, cause you're more of the,
00:02:08
Fab
the specialist when it comes to this type of stuff. you got ah you You got all the information right on your hand over there. So the the tampering window, give us a quick little rundown as to what that is.
00:02:20
Nacc
Yeah, so I think they added this a little while ago because there was obviously tampering going on while in free agency. So now they've kind of made it legal for for a couple days. So teams can now start talking to players who are free agents a couple days before the actual free agency starts.
00:02:30
Roger Emeka
Thank
00:02:37
Nacc
So they could talk to all a number of free agents. This actually gives kind of a an advantage, I guess, to the teams that still hold their rights for two days, because maybe they can kind of know what they're being offered or, you know, what contracts look like. And then the, the actual team can make a last little push to kind of sign their,
NFL Combine and Tampering Window
00:02:58
Nacc
their guy. But ah yeah, it's basically exactly how it sounds tampering.
00:03:04
Nacc
They will, pass free agents and or they'll try to sign basically free agents or try to offer them contracts, but the contracts cannot be signed until March 12th at 4 p.m.
00:03:15
Fab
That's correct. And that is, yeah.
00:03:15
Nacc
But they they always start trickling in, right? You always hear the contracts and,
00:03:17
Roger Emeka
Yeah. and And I think the NH, the NBA has added this for, has had this for a while where like there's a period where you can talk to free agents and then a few days afterwards, that's when you could officially sign.
00:03:19
Fab
And that's when the new league starts.
00:03:30
Roger Emeka
I don't if the NHL has done that as well, but it's pretty, it's been pretty prevalent in the and NBA for a while.
00:03:36
Fab
The and NHL, I feel like all the news comes out on July 1st, right? Cause that's, that's.
00:03:40
Nacc
Yeah, but they do. they they added The and NHL has added that as well. The tampering.
00:03:43
Roger Emeka
Okay.
00:03:45
Nacc
there's a There's a two-day window where they can tamper. So it's just, again, it's just being able to... put contracts in place. And then obviously you have all the insiders that come out with all of these is this news because they hear that they are going to sign the contract.
00:03:56
Fab
Yeah.
00:03:59
Nacc
But in in some cases, they are they are wrong. They do come out wrong and like someone ends up changing their mind. And I guess that's what the tampering period is for.
00:04:06
Fab
Thank
00:04:07
Nacc
And I'm and i'm sure a lot of news comes out to try to force the hand of the the team that you're already playing for as well.
00:04:13
Roger Emeka
Yeah, for sure. For sure. While we're on the subject of definitions, I just want to just provide one quick definition of of the combine. So the combine, it dates back to i think the early 80s where it wasn't the underwear Olympics as we know now.
00:04:28
Roger Emeka
It was a way to regroup all the prospects in one location to do all the medicals combined with interviews as well. So only recently has it turned into like the spectacle
Jaguars' New Management and Draft Strategy
00:04:39
Roger Emeka
that it is where let's just start doing doing drills now. So that's a little wrinkle that I hadn't known ah for for only a few years now.
00:04:47
Fab
And that's Roger's thought of the day, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for tuning in.
00:04:50
Roger Emeka
but to get that um
00:04:52
Fab
You know, but one thing I do want to mention about the tampering window. ah Thank you for that, Roger. actually very insightful. I think now we understand why the word combine is involved in this. But for the tampering window, yeah.
00:05:00
Roger Emeka
It should be the combine, not the combine, the combine, the combine.
00:05:04
Fab
Well, Americans like to mispronounce anything. um Well, who said that? um We love our American viewers. Thanks for listening. The one thing I did want to mention last year, last year, you know, the giants had the, um, uh, the hard knocks right in the off season.
00:05:15
Nacc
state
00:05:22
Fab
And I know it was a fiasco or not. talk about like what actually transpired, but what I did like though, is how they, They really provided an inside look on what happens during the tampering area ah era, during the um during the free agent and signing window, having that portal up on the GM screen where he submits the contract and he submits the offer and all that stuff.
00:05:44
Fab
I thought that was really cool because it gives you a firsthand look on actually what happens because we would have never been able to see that apart from that, right? So that's interesting.
00:05:53
Fab
But
00:05:53
Nacc
and also gave us a look at firsthand on what not to do with your star players.
00:05:57
Fab
I don't know what you're referring to.
00:06:01
Fab
I don't what you're referring to. So yeah, so March 12th at 4 p.m. The new league year starts and all this free agent signings become official. So that's super exciting. So the next few weeks are going to be mega into news, mega into player signings, new contracts being signed, potentially trades happening, which we're to on a bit a little bit later on.
00:06:11
Roger Emeka
Thank
00:06:21
Fab
ah But in addition to all the other potential news that's going to come out right now. So actually the Jacksonville Jaguars hired a new GM. ah which everyone might be like, okay, whatever, you know, the Jaguars. But they hired the former Rams director of scouting, James Gladstone.
00:06:37
Fab
And I've never heard of this guy before. had to Google his name. He spent the last eight years in various GM-related positions with the Rams. He helped, obviously, he helped construct a playoff contender without any first-round picks from 2017 to 2023.
00:06:51
Fab
The last time the Rams had a first-round pick prior to 2024 was Jared Goff in 2016, which is wild. So, yeah, I guess so, right?
00:07:00
Nacc
F them picks.
00:07:03
Fab
It works.
00:07:03
Roger Emeka
Yep, exactly. a
00:07:04
Fab
So, are the Jags so raj are the jags about to turn around a little bit with a new offensive-minded head coach and a young GM? Because this his kid's 35 years old, and yes, I call him a kid because now we're older than general managers in the NFL.
00:07:17
Fab
That's that's where we are in our life, Raj.
00:07:20
Roger Emeka
I don' Like you said, I don't know much about this guy. like To be honest, like as you're doing your your monologue about him, I'm like trying to find any research I i can. Wasn't he the get-back guy? Wasn't he the guy who was supposed to hold McVeigh back from going to the site going to the sideline? i the thought that saw that.
00:07:36
Roger Emeka
It's like...
00:07:37
Fab
I know who you're talking about.
00:07:37
Nacc
Uh,
00:07:37
Fab
i don't think it's the same person though.
00:07:39
Roger Emeka
No, They just have the same haircut or that same kind of douchey look. Um... I think it's going to be like the Jaguars have a ton of work to do.
00:07:45
Fab
Tell us really feel.
00:07:48
Roger Emeka
They have to fix the offensive line. They got to fix Trevor Lawrence. ah They got figure out what they got to do with the running back situation. secondary was awful. I think they were, they were one of the worst secondaries in the league. So there's a ton of, there's a ton for them to do. I don't recall. I believe they have a top eight pick if I'm not mistaken.
00:08:05
Roger Emeka
um
00:08:05
Fab
ah Pick number five right now.
00:08:08
Roger Emeka
number five
00:08:08
Fab
Well, pick number five.
00:08:09
Roger Emeka
Pick number five. tank Tankathon has them taking Mason Graham. <unk> D-line, they could go D-line, they could go Will Johnson, cornerback. I think they have a lot of work to do.
00:08:20
Roger Emeka
I don't think this guy's um tenure in Jacksonville is going to be kind of dictated by what they do in year one. I think if they go in the realm of you know maybe trading down, that'll be interesting. But if you worked for Let's Sneed, if you worked with the Rams, as Naxx said, fuck F them picks.
00:08:37
Roger Emeka
right They would trade picks to get key players.
00:08:38
Fab
Yeah.
00:08:41
Roger Emeka
I just don't think that's the strategy for them to to go with now, considering how weak the talent pool is on the team.
00:08:49
Nacc
So I'll take it one step further. He's not going to have to go and get out, but I mean, yes, F them picks, and they always traded their first-rounders, but the Rams always drafted...
00:09:01
Roger Emeka
you
00:09:01
Nacc
really, really well. So I think having that experience in that Rams front office, I think is definitely going to help. um I think the Jaguars have missed on a lot of draft picks in the last in the last few years. no one that's coming into fruition. I know they've traded a lot of players, especially first round picks that they've had. They've released some guys. So maybe getting a guy young minded,
00:09:26
Nacc
worked, like you said, with less need and um coming from ah a really good Rams team who knows how to draft, I think it's definitely going to benefit them. But to
Saints' Coaching Changes and Team Dynamics
00:09:36
Nacc
your point, Raj, they have a lot of work to do and they're not one pick away from, you know, becoming a contender anytime soon.
00:09:44
Fab
No, they're definitely not one pick away. That's for sure. But I don't know. i'm I'm slightly optimistic when it comes to this GM hire. I like the fact that it's a little, the guy's younger. He's very young, but I like the fact that despite his age, he still has, you know, we're talking about a body of work, right? He has a body of work in a GM related position with, a for all accounts, a very well run organization in the LA Rams, right? I mean, they've been able to,
00:10:09
Fab
to trade all those picks and still have a stacked roster and get guys in the later rounds that have been contributing members of that football team. So this might be exactly what the Jaguars need. It's a real jolt in the arm. It could be a shock in the organization.
00:10:22
Fab
i don't know. It could be something interesting to watch.
00:10:24
Roger Emeka
Body of work, he has a nice haircut. I thought that's where you're going.
00:10:28
Fab
Sure. I mean, yeah, but that's, that's, that's, move on. ah So the saints the Saints also hired brandley ah Brandon Staley as their defensive coordinator, ah former head coach of the Chargers, ah pairing Brandon Staley with now Doug Neusmeyer, the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints, who was the father of Garrett Neusmeyer, the LSU quarterback.
00:10:52
Roger Emeka
Nussmeyer.
00:10:53
Fab
I'm sorry, am I mispronouncing it probably?
00:10:55
Nacc
um I'm sure...
00:10:55
Roger Emeka
Nussmeyer. Nussmeyer.
00:10:58
Nacc
I was going to say, that did Rattifab get one right? and then He doubled down too.
00:11:01
Roger Emeka
Nussmeyer.
00:11:02
Fab
I said Neusmeyer.
00:11:04
Nacc
and Not quite.
00:11:05
Fab
Not quite. Well, ah so the offensive coordinator.
00:11:07
Nacc
Close. Close enough.
00:11:09
Fab
um Do you think this is a foreshadowing of what the Saints could be drafting next year? When Garrett Neusmeyer does actually come into the to the draft? and
00:11:22
Roger Emeka
ah commit m meyer
00:11:22
Fab
i mean, already the fact that there the fact that they're both in the Louisiana state could be interesting as well, right?
00:11:23
Nacc
Nussmeier.
00:11:29
Fab
He stays very close to his son. Maybe I'm connecting dots. Snack, what do you think?
00:11:35
Nacc
Yeah, I don't know. They have to figure out what they're doing first with Derek Carr before any, you know, drafting QB situation comes of that. I guess, look, if you want to tie the want to tie that together, then, i you know, I'll say sure. Like, I'm sure there's a i'm sure there's a ah world where, you know, his father will look to, you know, want him to join the team. But...
00:11:57
Nacc
um Just bringing up do so bret Brandon Staley for for a second. I know we've talked about it in the past. I'm not sure on the pod, but I know we've talked about it in the past how we all liked him as a coordinator and not a head coach.
00:12:10
Fab
Yeah.
00:12:11
Nacc
He's not a guy who could take on the whole team, but I think great hire for defensive coordinator, especially from... ah what was left out there, which is kind of nothing. All the coaches have been kind of signed all over the place.
00:12:25
Nacc
So i think it's a I think it's a solid hire. And then you have, you know, Kellen Moore as the head coach. I think they're, again, another team that has to figure some their identity out a little bit. And I think they're putting the right people into place.
00:12:39
Nacc
I just hope it doesn't, you know, turn into a Vegas situation where, you know, your roster and your coordinator, everything is going great. And then you kind of forget about the QB position.
00:12:51
Fab
Yeah, and I think i don't think Brandon Carr is going to, to be honest with you, I've been reading about him being a cap casualty when the season starts up.
00:12:59
Nacc
Or Derek, you mean?
00:12:59
Fab
ah yeah That's what that's who I meant. I said Brandon Carr. saw Brandon Staley over here.
00:13:03
Nacc
You did.
00:13:04
Fab
Guys, listen, I'm 0-2. We're rocking and rolling over here. um Yeah, so Derek Carr actually might be a cap casualty, so that could be it. and it It makes you wonder what the Saints are going to do from a QB position because all they have is Spencer Rattler and Derek Carr on the roster right now from a QB perspective.
00:13:19
Roger Emeka
and Jacob Haney. um Doug Nessmeyer played for the Saints from 1994 1997.
00:13:29
Fab
You mean Neusmeyer?
00:13:32
Nacc
Nussmeier.
00:13:32
Roger Emeka
I mean, Nussmaier. I mean, Nussmaier. um ah Man, Staley, I don't know, man. Like, that that tenure with the Chargers was as bad as it gets.
00:13:42
Roger Emeka
And then he was not good last year with the Niners. That defense took a major step down. Granted, they were there was a lot of injuries. There was a lot of... ah i think Greenlaw was out for a while.
00:13:54
Roger Emeka
um
00:13:55
Fab
Mm-hmm.
00:13:55
Roger Emeka
Javius Walker.
00:13:55
Nacc
They a lot of injuries.
00:13:57
Roger Emeka
yeah ches what I think he was dealing with a passing of, ah of unfortunately, his one of his children.
00:13:57
Fab
They did.
00:14:02
Fab
Yes.
00:14:02
Roger Emeka
And it's going to be interesting. Saints play a lot of man coverage. They're typically
Eagles' Offensive Strategy with New OC
00:14:07
Roger Emeka
a man coverage team. Staley plays more cover, too. So they might they might have to make some changes on the defensive roster on that front.
00:14:14
Roger Emeka
ah So the Staley hire i don't so honestly doesn't excite me that much. For Carr, during Kellen Moore's introductory press conference, he sound he sounded complimentary of Carr, but also non-committal.
00:14:30
Roger Emeka
I think they have no choice but to start with him for the year. I think it's his last year, though. I can't imagine them going forward after this year.
00:14:35
Fab
yeah
00:14:36
Roger Emeka
I don't have the cap numbers in front of me, but they have there has to be, i would assume there'd be an out after three years as typical for these all these cubi deals.
00:14:47
Fab
Yep. No, I don't disagree with that at all. And I don't think Derek Carr is going to be playing for the Saints for much longer after this year. ah Speaking of other coordinator hires. So the Eagles hire the new offensive coordinator, Kevin Petullo. He's a former past game coordinator with the Eagles since 2021. in-house hire.
00:15:06
Fab
an in-house promotion, if you want to call that. um Roger, what do you think as far as an impact is concerned for Jalen Hurts? I know spoke quite a bit about how he really took a step forward this year from a passing perspective and sort of silenced a lot of his critics.
00:15:19
Fab
Do you expect more of the same?
00:15:21
Roger Emeka
Yeah, i think I think what they did here is they just went with the guy already in-house to ensure that they kind of keep that stability, make sure that whoever comes in there knows that you have to run through Saquon Barkley, play action deep shots to AJ Brown and Devonta Smith.
00:15:36
Roger Emeka
The formula is there. There's really no need to to mess with it. I personally probably would have preferred and an out-of-the-box hire just to keep
Rookies' Fantasy Impact and Draft Prospects
00:15:45
Roger Emeka
things fresh. ah Sorry, out of the ah of the team hire.
00:15:49
Roger Emeka
But i have no issues with this otherwise.
00:15:51
Nacc
would you have potentially tried to call Mike McCarthy for OC?
00:15:57
Roger Emeka
Um, stylistically, I don't know that would make sense because Mike McCarthy is more of a what like traditional West Coast offense, like three-step drop timing, which is not necessarily Jalen Hurts' game.
00:16:12
Roger Emeka
And I think Mike McCarthy is going to hold out for more head coaching roles.
00:16:17
Nacc
Yeah, for sure.
00:16:18
Fab
I agree.
00:16:19
Nacc
For sure.
00:16:20
Fab
I think this was the right move, to be honest, especially after Jalen Hurts went through four offensive coordinators in four years. Give the guy a little bit of stability. Like you would imagine that.
00:16:27
Nacc
Well, he's doing it again, right? Isn't it is it isn't it four in four years?
00:16:29
Fab
Yeah.
00:16:32
Roger Emeka
ten 10th different coordinator since high school.
00:16:37
Nacc
Yeah, but this is four in four years now, right? That he's had in Philly?
00:16:40
Fab
Yeah, this is this is the fourth, I think.
00:16:40
Roger Emeka
Every year he's high league coordinator.
00:16:42
Nacc
Yeah.
00:16:42
Fab
This is the fourth. But this is probably the one that has the most most likeness from the previous one, right? Since it's it's it's an in-house hire.
00:16:49
Nacc
Mm-hmm.
00:16:50
Fab
So um I think this makes a little bit more sense as far as continuity is concerned. And the last piece of news, Dallas offensive lineman Zach Martin officially announced his retirement. Without a doubt, first ballot Hall of Fame.
00:17:05
Fab
he has less holding penalties than he has Pro Bowls, which is a statistic that blows my mind to this day. Nine Pro Bowl selections and six holding penalties. You got to give it up for Zach Martin.
00:17:14
Nacc
That's crazy.
00:17:15
Fab
You know what's another? as I was reading up this stat, I saw another one, and you guys probably know this, so it was new to me. Larry Fitzgerald has more tackles than he does dropped passes, dropped catches.
00:17:28
Nacc
Yep. One of those is against James Harrison in the Super Bowl.
00:17:29
Roger Emeka
Damn.
00:17:33
Roger Emeka
Oh, yeah.
00:17:33
Nacc
don't even know if that counts as a tackle, actually, because he got he because he made it to the end zone.
00:17:34
Roger Emeka
Pick six.
00:17:35
Fab
I think we're 18 minutes in.
00:17:35
Roger Emeka
Pick six?
00:17:37
Nacc
17
00:17:38
Fab
That's our first Steelers callback.
00:17:41
Nacc
minutes.
00:17:42
Roger Emeka
How long was that pick six?
00:17:44
Nacc
100 yards.
00:17:45
Fab
Yeah.
00:17:45
Roger Emeka
That's crazy that german James Harrison.
00:17:46
Nacc
Longest play in Super Bowl history.
00:17:47
Fab
Yeah.
00:17:48
Roger Emeka
That's nuts.
00:17:50
Nacc
Yeah, I was, every time I see highlights of it, my my jaw still drops. It's like the craziest play, like just the players going after him and like.
00:17:53
Fab
Yeah.
00:17:56
Roger Emeka
A guy that big shouldn't have a pick six, a 100-yard pick six. That's great.
00:18:01
Fab
Nope.
00:18:01
Nacc
No.
00:18:04
Fab
And, uh, all right. So that was the news and notes for this week, guys. Now we're goingnna jump into some interesting fire questions for this week. Uh, so, I mean, uh, on the same theme of what is the NFL com combine combine.
00:18:17
Fab
Well, however, Roger wants to pronounce it.
00:18:17
Nacc
combine. i
00:18:19
Fab
Um, there's a few rookies that we expect to make a splash at the NFL Combine, and even when they make their when they when they get drafted by their new team. um just so I want to ask you guys, Roger, I'm going start with you. Which rookies would you think would make the biggest fantasy impact, depending on which team would draft them?
00:18:36
Roger Emeka
Yeah, going to go Gentry just because where he gets drafted is probably in an area where ah like middle middle of the first round. So, you know, maybe he goes Cowboys,
00:18:48
Roger Emeka
ah you know, maybe he goes Broncos. I've seen Broncos and Cowboys quite a bit. And those are teams, especially the Broncos, they just made the playoffs. And despite what we think about the Cowboys, they're not that far off.
00:18:58
Fab
Yes.
00:19:00
Roger Emeka
um tremendous player, Heisman Trophy winner, low compact, to the ground, crazy, crazy contact balance, crazy amount of broken tackles, think 2,900 yards, 29 TDs. Did
00:19:13
Nacc
I think he was the Heisman runner-up though.
00:19:15
Fab
Yes.
00:19:15
Roger Emeka
say Heisman winner? Sorry, my bad.
00:19:17
Nacc
Yep.
00:19:17
Fab
ye
00:19:18
Roger Emeka
Heisman runner-up. Thank you for correcting Heisman runner-up. um I think he can have a major, major first year, depending on where he goes.
00:19:30
Fab
Yeah, that makes sense. I like the Broncos a lot, actually. I think they need help in the running game. weve I feel like the Cowboys have sort of dug their heels into um enter the running game right now, even though it's not a big, big, big star.
00:19:44
Fab
But I think the ah Broncos can definitely use a top-end running back, and Jante is definitely it.
00:19:48
Roger Emeka
and
00:19:52
Roger Emeka
And I believe Javante Williams, yeah, he is a UFA at at the end of the year. So...
00:19:57
Nacc
Yeah, i think that experiment is I think that experiment is over.
00:20:01
Fab
Yeah.
00:20:01
Nacc
I've also been reading i've also been reading that if he drops to 21, somehow the Steelers will be like forced to take him.
00:20:01
Roger Emeka
on
00:20:09
Nacc
like They'll be in a be like, okay, we got to take this guy at 21. 100%. Yeah, I totally
00:20:14
Roger Emeka
That would be a bad use of assets, in my opinion. Like, you already have Jalen Warren...
00:20:17
Nacc
agree with that.
00:20:17
Fab
Yes. Yes.
00:20:18
Nacc
one hundred percent i'm just yeah i i totally i totally agree
00:20:18
Fab
a hundred percent. Yeah.
00:20:22
Nacc
with that
00:20:24
Fab
Yeah. Nack. What about you?
00:20:25
Roger Emeka
Charges could be interesting. ah Sorry, if have charges could interesting depending JK Dobbins, a free agent too, depending what happens with our boy, a league winner JK Dobbins, that could be an interesting one too, depending on how much he plans on command commanding.
00:20:27
Fab
Sorry.
00:20:38
Roger Emeka
um But I think there's a lot of interesting um options for Gentie.
00:20:43
Fab
there's There's a lot of interesting running backs in general in this draft this year that you can get a lot of, you can get some really solid players and on day two and day three that'll be like immediate contributors to your team.
00:20:46
Roger Emeka
Yes.
00:20:55
Fab
It's not just Jinty and that's it.
00:20:55
Roger Emeka
Yep.
00:20:56
Fab
Like he's Jinty and that's it.
00:20:57
Nacc
It's a loaded class. It's a loaded class.
00:20:58
Fab
Yeah. Yeah, like last year was very much low down wide receivers, right? We spoke about that a ton last year. This year, I feel like running backs are of coming back with a bit of a surge.
00:21:09
Fab
Nak, what about you?
00:21:11
Nacc
Yeah. Gentty was my, um, was my, um, like the easy answer one for sure. Like everyone has him as like, probably the the guy who was going to have like the, the, the most, but I think, um, Emeka Ibuka,
00:21:24
Fab
Mm-hmm.
00:21:25
Nacc
is also going to have a good fantasy impact. Plays mostly in the slot, but has great size and skill. He's an amazing route runner, so that's you're that's your quarterback's best friend. And I feel like slot receivers kind of break in a little bit quicker um and the NFL.
00:21:43
Nacc
And we saw how a slot receiver like Ladd McConkie helped the Chargers and became you know Herbert's best friend, especially going down the year. And I think I compare him a bit more because of his size to JSN.
00:21:56
Roger Emeka
Yeah, that's what I saw.
00:21:56
Nacc
I think has a really really nice comparison to him.
00:21:56
Fab
Yeah.
00:21:59
Nacc
and like i know it took ah took him a few years to kind of break out or a couple years to break out, but um yeah I think he could definitely have some fantasy impact depending on, again, a wide receiver needy team that um that goes to grab him. he he probably He likely goes in the first round as well, depending where.
00:22:18
Nacc
depending where ah where he drops, depending on what teams you, and I saw a lot of the Rams. You saw a lot of, uh, I obviously,
00:22:25
Roger Emeka
Tankathon has him on Chargers, but I don't think that's a good fit with McConkey.
00:22:29
Nacc
yeah, I don't know if they went up.
00:22:29
Roger Emeka
That's what you think.
00:22:30
Nacc
Yeah, exactly. Yeah. I'm not, I'm not too sorry. I know the Steelers are obviously mentioned because they need a wide receiver, but, and then obviously honorable mention to, Tyler Warren, I think he comes in and and probably smashes this year as well.
00:22:42
Fab
Yeah.
00:22:45
Nacc
looking Honestly, you know it would be really nice if he landed was would be the c Colts.
00:22:45
Roger Emeka
Hmm.
00:22:49
Nacc
I think that would be a a crazy fit.
00:22:52
Fab
That's where he's mocked, actually.
00:22:54
Nacc
Yeah, I don't know.
00:22:55
Fab
Yeah.
00:22:55
Nacc
like but that I agree with it. like They could definitely use a good tight end, maybe help out Anthony Richardson as well a little bit.
00:22:57
Fab
Yeah.
00:23:03
Nacc
i don't know if you'll have the fantasy impact that Brock Bowers had, but you know potential to do... through something special as well.
00:23:09
Roger Emeka
different players yeah they look different try
00:23:10
Nacc
Yeah, for sure. For sure. For sure.
00:23:13
Fab
They Penn State and their tight ends, man. they that so they know They know how to produce them. I was looking...
00:23:18
Nacc
Move.
00:23:19
Fab
Yeah. I was looking at Ted McMillan. I'm not even going to try pronounce his first name. Wide receiver out of Arizona.
00:23:25
Roger Emeka
try try
00:23:28
Fab
I'll give it a shot.
00:23:28
Nacc
What?
00:23:28
Fab
um
00:23:32
Fab
um I'm breaking the matrix. Teshora?
00:23:37
Nacc
by What'd you call me?
00:23:39
Fab
Teterra? Teteroya?
00:23:42
Roger Emeka
Yeah, it's a... Oh... aroa
00:23:44
Fab
Is that how you pronounce
00:23:46
Roger Emeka
yeah it's a teia <unk>ya
00:23:50
Nacc
but that Yeah.
00:23:50
Fab
it?
00:23:51
Roger Emeka
ro yeah ro um
00:23:53
Fab
Those are some bad words in different languages. It's gonna be a it's going to be a favorite in the Bush League.
00:24:03
Fab
I can already see it. I can i can already see some people throwing in.
00:24:04
Roger Emeka
oh
00:24:06
Fab
I got that Troya McMillan.
00:24:12
Fab
The Troy McMillan. it's i'm I'm mispronouncing the R.
00:24:15
Nacc
That's what I'm calling fantasy name next year.
00:24:16
Fab
um Yeah.
00:24:20
Roger Emeka
Seriously?
00:24:23
Roger Emeka
Oh, my God.
00:24:24
Fab
The Troy McMillan. um Yeah, so he's actually being mocked to the to the Panthers, which would really help Bryce Young quite a bit. Um, I don't, he's not going to drop this far.
00:24:35
Fab
And I know he mentioned the charges already, but I would see him as he's that prototypical X receiver that Justin Herbert will really thrive with. I feel like, I mean obviously we'll compliment like, uh, lad McConkey perfectly. Um,
00:24:47
Fab
yeah like I see Shadur Sanders also really really having, ah like from a fantasy perspective, because this is more of a fantasy but fay question than anything else, going to the Raiders.
00:24:59
Fab
I know it's not a sexy pick. i know um I know it's not super exciting, but just having Jacoby... Mayers there, and obviously having Brock Bowers, those two studs on the outside, and Sanders has been known for having, obviously, excellent accuracy, and Cam Ward called him out on the other and once some one clip I saw on YouTube. How'd you win the Accuracy Award for throwing bubble pla bubble passes the whole time?
00:25:24
Nacc
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:25:26
Roger Emeka
I like there's some competition between them.
00:25:27
Fab
Yeah, Raj? Yeah, no, they've been going back and forth whenever they...
00:25:29
Roger Emeka
McMillan's...
00:25:32
Fab
whenever they showcase their skills, and they they like it's it's a it's a healthy.
00:25:35
Roger Emeka
Yeah. which
00:25:38
Fab
um Yeah, it's it's really healthy. It's good.
00:25:41
Roger Emeka
McMillan ah might be 2x receiver for Sunblood. I've seen some comp to Tee Higgins. big, big guy. i get like Kenny Dalton, Kenny Galladay vibes though.
00:25:55
Roger Emeka
Cause it sounds like he can't really separate very well. So I think like once we start looking at like some of the tape and some of the highlights to see, you know, what his strengths and weaknesses are, I think it'll be interesting to see what type of player, what type of team he goes, he goes to.
00:25:55
Nacc
Hmm.
00:25:58
Fab
Interesting.
00:26:11
Fab
Very good point. So I guess it's going to be very interesting to see where these guys do end up getting drafted. And I think we're 58 days away from the NFL draft and it's going to come very quickly. We're going to move on to our next point over here. So Shadir Sanders, we just spoke about a little bit right now. He's not expected to participate in the combine, ah but we'll throw at his pro day and all that stuff.
00:26:33
Fab
Just found out that Ashley and GNT also won't be participating in the combine as well. So it's not, it's not news. You know, a lot of players have not participated combine in the past.
00:26:44
Fab
Nak, I want to get your idea. Does this hurt their stock? Does it make a difference? Do people care?
00:26:50
Nacc
It's becoming more and more of a trend, I feel, every year. Last year, we saw a lot of it. But again, it's with those those top guys that didn't even need a pro day to kind of just go do their thing. that They knew they were going to get drafted.
00:27:05
Nacc
I think a player like Shadur where there's a little, like you're not for sure going in the top 10, like you, um you probably are, but I mean, look, he's going to be banking on a solid pro day. Right. I think the combine Roger's point earlier, like it's not the end all be all of, of everything. I think, I think if he, if he does, if he does fumble on his pro day, that could drop his stock a little bit, but I don't know. i i I feel like this is not this is not this is nothing. like he's
00:27:37
Nacc
More players are doing this, more players that are being drafted or figure to be drafted in the first round. As long as he does his pro day and shows out, I i don't i don't know. i don't I don't have a problem with it, and I don't think it's huge news, to be honest.
00:27:51
Fab
So i was ah i was I was reading that that a lot of a lot of analysts were looking for so Sanders to throw the combine.
00:27:51
Roger Emeka
Totally.
00:27:58
Fab
That way it can give him that leg up between one and two and like and the from the quarterback standing. And also to see exactly how he can throw versus receivers with receivers that he's not necessarily comfortable with. He doesn't have a lot of history with because of receivers that he had at Colorado were the guys he was playing with the whole time.
00:28:16
Fab
Because I feel like there's such a,
00:28:19
Fab
there's such an opinion on Sanders right now. And it's, I think people are just looking for any possible reasons to either go against the trend or not and say that, Oh, he's not throwing. Cause he doesn't, he's not comfortable with the guys he's throwing with So he's going to do with the pro day.
00:28:30
Roger Emeka
Thank you.
00:28:33
Fab
So it's going to look good. Cause he's not even like, there's such a polarizing opinion on this quarterback right now, as far as where he should be drafted and what like round rank he's getting.
00:28:45
Fab
A lot of people are even saying he's not deserving of a first-round pick. But then again, considering the fact that you know quarterback in the landscape being what it is, you know teams are going to draft because they need a quarterback, right?
00:28:56
Fab
So I wanted him to throw, to be honest with you, to buck that trend, that the to say the naysayers, you know, like I can still do it no matter what, but I guess we'll see.
00:29:07
Roger Emeka
i'm
00:29:07
Nacc
i don't know
00:29:08
Roger Emeka
I'm more of the camp of I definitely want them to throw as well. um But, like, look at the guys who didn't throw, like Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford, Tebow didn't throw, you know.
00:29:15
Fab
Yeah, well, that's it.
00:29:20
Roger Emeka
So, Caleb Williams, Manziel didn't throw.
00:29:20
Fab
Oh, Caleb Williams last year.
00:29:20
Nacc
Yeah.
00:29:23
Nacc
Yeah. But again, case kel again, when you're talking about Caleb Williams, Matt Ryan, like you're talking about players that were like, the predominant number one guy, right?
00:29:32
Roger Emeka
Yeah.
00:29:32
Nacc
Like they were like the guy they knew they were going to go one. He could have screwed up at his combine and at his pro day, and he likely still would have gone one.
00:29:42
Roger Emeka
So I'll give you and what what like Ryan Tannehill. And I remember he was a converted wide receiver at A&M. They converted him from wide receiver to QB, and he didn't even throw. So the thing with the pro days, and you were mentioning it, NAC, is they build the pro days in such a way that the QBs can't even fail.
00:29:59
Roger Emeka
So like I imagine him on his pro day, everything's going be super structured. There's no chance he's going to fail whatsoever.
00:30:03
Fab
Mm hmm.
00:30:03
Nacc
Yeah.
00:30:06
Roger Emeka
But the point of like, hey, I want to see him throw with guys that he's not used to, well... like during training camp, you're going to get used to your teammates and you're going to start throwing with people that you have, you're going to have that chemistry with.
00:30:14
Nacc
Yeah, 100%.
00:30:14
Fab
True. True.
00:30:18
Roger Emeka
So even that argument.
00:30:19
Nacc
Guys, at the end of the day, every time you draft a QB, it's a coin flip. It's either he's going to be good or he's going to be, you know, mediocre bad.
00:30:24
Roger Emeka
Yeah.
00:30:27
Nacc
Like, it's just a coin.
Kirk Cousins and Browns' QB Situation
00:30:28
Nacc
No one knows anything and until these guys step onto the field at the NFL level and and and prove it, you know?
00:30:35
Roger Emeka
Totally.
00:30:36
Nacc
And then there's those guys where you draft late. It hurts. Second round pick. You know, Lamar Jackson, 32nd overall pick. Yeah.
00:30:42
Roger Emeka
Can you it?
00:30:42
Nacc
Russell Wilson, once upon a time, third round pick. Dak Prescott was a fourth round pick. you know like you You just never know, or third round pick, you just never know with these guys.
00:30:47
Roger Emeka
and think
00:30:51
Nacc
like you're You're flipping a coin. It is ah a weaker class, so you know that coin ends up being a little bit more rich when you're flipping it at the top of the mountain that that it is now, especially from a QB needy ah team point of view, but Again, i i don't care.
00:31:09
Nacc
i For me, it's like, yeah, of course, you'd you'd rather him obviously go through the drills and and throw and whatever, but if he doesn't, like, whatever.
00:31:17
Fab
And I don't think Cam Ward's going to be throwing either. So the point's a little bit moot.
00:31:21
Nacc
He shouldn't.
00:31:23
Fab
No, I don't think he needs to.
00:31:23
Roger Emeka
No, he shouldn't.
00:31:24
Roger Emeka
he
00:31:24
Fab
No, I don't think he needs to.
00:31:25
Fab
But yeah, so that goes back to our point, right? Does it make a difference? Most likely not. ah But speaking of Cam Ward, so according to reports, the Cleveland Browns are expected to sign Kirk Cousins as a free agent if they can't draft Cam Ward. So right now the Cleveland Browns are drafting second overall.
00:31:42
Fab
I guess the assumption is that Tennessee is going to take Mr. Miami U. if cousins ah Cousins is expected to be released by the Falcons in March as well. So if this actually happens, comes to fruition, right? The Browns actually end up signing Kirk Cousins. Is this stock up or down for the Browns' skill positions? And where do you see Kirk Cousins being drafted next year in fantasy drafts, Raj?
00:32:05
Roger Emeka
Stock down and QB3. Ace closed.
00:32:11
Nacc
Mic drop it, baby.
00:32:13
Fab
All right, more on to the next question.
00:32:13
Roger Emeka
like
00:32:16
Nacc
Honestly, though, I'm still trying to figure out, like, first of all, he's he's got to be potentially released.
00:32:16
Fab
I mean, I mean...
00:32:22
Nacc
And if he is released, he's got to want to sign in Cleveland.
00:32:23
Fab
Yep.
00:32:25
Nacc
Not everyone wants to go to Cleveland to play to play football. I'm sure he'll find a job. He could find a job somewhere else. And
00:32:33
Fab
Willie? You think so?
00:32:37
Fab
Like, look at all the...
00:32:37
Nacc
I'm sure if he's
00:32:37
Fab
cubbi You look at all the...
00:32:39
Nacc
i'm sure if he's
00:32:39
Roger Emeka
No, it's Stefanski. Remember Stefanski coached him ah in Minnesota.
00:32:44
Nacc
Yeah, it's true.
00:32:44
Roger Emeka
and
00:32:44
Nacc
he You're right.
00:32:45
Roger Emeka
That's probably the main reason.
00:32:46
Nacc
You're right. And he would he would obviously sign for a cheaper rate because there's going to be a lot of money coming to him anyways. But I think to Roger's point, it moves zero needle. It helps zero skill positions on the team.
00:32:59
Nacc
And Yeah, he he finished as, what, QB 21 last year looked pretty bad towards the end of the season. And QB 21 is a stretch because he had two games that were great against Tampa Bay where he scored 10 touchdowns.
00:33:11
Roger Emeka
yeah
00:33:11
Fab
Yeah, exactly. yeah
00:33:13
Roger Emeka
It was
00:33:13
Nacc
And, like, and yeah, going to the Browns, you're not playing Tampa next year, buddy. So um if he finished QB 25 next year, I'd be shocked with the Browns.
00:33:22
Fab
he He's going to be under a lot of pressure in that division.
00:33:26
Nacc
And he had arguably way better weapons in Atlanta than he is when he's coming to coming to Cleveland.
00:33:32
Fab
Oh, he's unarguably. he He did, especially when we look at tight end, right? You go from Kyle Pitts to David Njoku. Like, it's basically a drop off the planet. Eh, Roger? I mean, my goodness.
00:33:43
Nacc
is it?
00:33:44
Roger Emeka
Guys, but...
00:33:44
Fab
i read I read somewhere that Kyle Pitts is due for a bounce back year this year. I want to get your your your two cents on that.
00:33:51
Roger Emeka
Stock down. Stock down. Stock down. Stock down. Stock down.
00:33:51
Nacc
but Is it all over again
00:33:57
Nacc
Yeah, this is a no-brainer stockdown. If you want to draft Kirk Cousins as your QB2 next year, you go right ahead.
00:34:00
Fab
yeah
00:34:04
Fab
Yep. ah So I continue on the same trend of quarterbacks. So Matthew Stafford has been approved by the Rams to seek a trade. So a lot of lot of teams are expected to be interested, ah but the Giants, the Raiders, the Steelers, and the Browns, they really keep on coming up.
00:34:20
Fab
ah Knack, out of those four, which one is the best fit? Which which team makes the most sense for Matthew Stafford?
00:34:29
Nacc
Look, first first I'm going to say i think this is all smokescreen. I think Stafford isn't going anywhere. I think the Rams are kind
Matthew Stafford Trade Rumors
00:34:38
Nacc
of doing the same thing that the Ravens did with Lamar Jackson.
00:34:42
Nacc
Hey, We put the transition tag on you, go out and see if you can find a better offer if someone offers you a fully guaranteed contract and and who's going to trade draft capital for you. So in this scenario, that's what's got to happen.
00:34:54
Nacc
Someone's got to pay ah draft capital for Matthew Stafford and someone's got to pay him. Reportedly, he wants 50 million a year, which is more than worth. That's fine. But you've got to give up a first or second round pick or more to acquire him and then give him a two or three year contract.
00:35:11
Nacc
Plus, he has to also agree to the team he goes to, right? Because he's not going to sign an extension with someone he doesn't want to be traded to, so which in fact that team will not then give up the draft capital. In terms of the team that makes the most sense to me, I think it's the Raiders.
00:35:27
Nacc
um If I'm being honest, they have the most complete team and closest team away from competing with with that QB position in place. Plus the fact that all the other teams you mentioned in the Browns, the Giants, and the Steelers, those are all outdoor cold weather teams.
00:35:43
Fab
Steelers. steelers
00:35:47
Nacc
Matt Stafford has not played on a team that does not play in a dome his entire career.
00:35:51
Roger Emeka
That's great.
00:35:52
Nacc
So I think the stock goes way down going to any of those teams. And I think, I think the Giants, Steelers, and Browns are not a QB away from,
00:36:02
Nacc
from the promised land either. Right. And I think the Raiders are the closest, closest to that. i believe that they're probably going to add a few more pieces this year as well. Picaro coaching. think if, if, if the best fit for me would be the Raiders, but I, I personally don't think he's going anywhere.
00:36:18
Nacc
I think it's all smokescreen.
00:36:21
Fab
Roger.
00:36:23
Roger Emeka
I think Naxx said it perfectly. i don't get why the Rams are trying to break it up with him. Like, I understand there's the snag on money, but considering how well they played in the divisional round against the Eagles, they were just a few plays away.
00:36:38
Fab
They were one play away.
00:36:38
Roger Emeka
And the one play away. Yeah, basically. And the defense showed up and showed out this year. They played unbelievable considering the players that they've lost recently, considering Aaron Donald left as well.
00:36:50
Roger Emeka
I don't find that they're far off if you look at the landscape of the and landscape of the NSC West. So. Because of that, I just don't see him leaving. And i've I've been a firm believer that he seems like he's fully entrenched to being with the Rams.
00:37:02
Roger Emeka
And I know McVay, from what he says for what when you hear from podcasts or interviews, he loves Stafford. So I think it's all smokescreen as well. And I don't think any of those teams personally fit.
00:37:14
Roger Emeka
um Raiders, i think I think that fits weird because of the Chip Kelly hire and they prefer more of an RPO ah mobile quarterback.
00:37:20
Nacc
Uh,
00:37:22
Roger Emeka
If anything, maybe the Steelers makes more sense because they're probably the the team that actually looks like they could contend ah more more out of all those four. But I think he's staying around.
00:37:33
Fab
Yeah, I find it weird too, to be honest with you, for all the points you guys just mentioned as well. like i maybe Maybe the Rams know something we don't and they want to get ahead of ahead of the curve when it comes to moving on from Matthew Stafford. They don' want to do sooner than rather than later.
00:37:48
Fab
But... i don't know I don't I thought it was very weird. I know Peter Schrager, friend of the pod, i've mentioned that Matthew Stafford is looking for north of $50 million dollars a year, so somewhere around like $55 million, which I don't think, like you said, Nag, I think that's um that's he's worth every penny of it.
00:38:07
Nacc
Well, look, Kyler Murray carle murray is 10th right now, and he's making 46.5.
00:38:12
Fab
Yeah.
00:38:13
Nacc
So, like, you're telling me Stafford is not worth at least 50, right?
00:38:16
Fab
Oh, 100% he is.
00:38:18
Nacc
right
00:38:18
Fab
100% he is. Yeah, without a doubt in my mind. um Yeah, if I'm the Giants, I would pay him that money for sure. ah But...
00:38:24
Roger Emeka
That's that's 10 that's 10th slotted in an average annual value. That's exactly that makes perfect sense. so
00:38:30
Fab
Yeah, which is fair market value for him.
00:38:31
Nacc
Yeah, he he would be 10. I think he even if he asks for 52 or 53, like, look at what these players are making above him. He's done nothing, right? He's won a Super Bowl.
00:38:41
Roger Emeka
Deshaun Watson messed it up for everyone.
00:38:45
Nacc
Oh, yeah, of course. Of course. That's when the new market started, right? the When everyone started going bonkers with these QB numbers.
00:38:52
Roger Emeka
up ten is just the sean You mentioned Deshaun Watson. He's just spinning. like
00:38:56
Fab
Actually,
00:38:56
Roger Emeka
can i
00:38:57
Nacc
He's trying to find something.
00:39:00
Roger Emeka
He messed it up for everyone.
00:39:00
Fab
I did find something. Nothing about Deshaun Watson or Justin Tucker for that matter. um We love massagers for the reason they're supposed to be meant to assume they are. ah We do want to...
00:39:10
Fab
um There it is.
00:39:11
Nacc
There it is.
00:39:13
Fab
I saw a tweet online from Cam Da Silva. ah so I'm just going to read out verbatim because thought this was super interesting.
00:39:16
Roger Emeka
Thank
00:39:19
Fab
The Rams hired Alex Van Pelt, who was the Packers QB coach for four years when Aaron Rodgers was there. The Giants have hired Chad Hall, who is Matthew Stafford's brother-in-law, as their assistant QB coach.
00:39:31
Fab
Very interesting.
00:39:34
Nacc
I think the Rams want the 34th pick from the Giants, and I think potentially a little bit more to get Stafford. Because, yeah, if the the Giants give up the, what is it, the third or fourth overall, i think I think you guys got to got you got maybe maybe turn the page on the franchise if they do that, but.
00:39:45
Fab
No, they're not giving you up the third. That's a nod. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I i would. I would. i i would I would revolt as much as I do love Matthew Stafford as an individual and as a quarterback.
00:40:00
Fab
I think he's a wonderful, wonderful quarterback. I would revolt giving up the third overall pick.
00:40:04
Nacc
It's just the thing, like, they're they're not a Matthew Stafford away, though.
00:40:05
Roger Emeka
Not happening.
00:40:07
Nacc
That's, like, the thing I don't, like, right? Like, ah you you guys are fans, right?
00:40:10
Fab
No, I agree. They're not.
00:40:12
Nacc
You guys see more. Like, they're not a Matthew Stafford away from competing.
00:40:13
Roger Emeka
Zero.
00:40:13
Fab
not No, we need offensive line help.
00:40:15
Roger Emeka
Zero.
00:40:17
Fab
We need secondary help, both from safety and a quarterback perspective. um We need offensive line help. I said it twice because we need a lot of help on the offensive line.
00:40:25
Roger Emeka
Zero. GM help. We need coaching help.
00:40:27
Nacc
That's the other thing too.
00:40:28
Fab
We need coaching help.
00:40:28
Nacc
he needs He needs to go somewhere where he has the strongest offensive line because he is like the probably truest pocket passer left in this league who's like true pocket passer and has like four rushing yards in a in a season.
00:40:32
Fab
Protection. Yeah.
00:40:39
Roger Emeka
yeah
00:40:44
Nacc
So it's like if he's not protected, you can't go to a team that has a weak offensive line.
00:40:47
Roger Emeka
and well You know what's funny is that when when they traded Goff for staffort Stafford, the thinking was that Stafford can actually play out of structure and he can move around. But you see what's happened in the last like two, three years.
00:41:01
Roger Emeka
Injuries and old age have completely caught up where he cannot play out of structure anymore. He is, as you said, he's a pure pocket passer now.
00:41:04
Nacc
you No.
00:41:05
Fab
No.
00:41:07
Nacc
Pure pocket passer.
00:41:08
Fab
Yeah. Yeah. That, that, that would not bode well with the giants offensive line right now. Mind you, out of all those four teams, the best offensive line is who's the Browns.
00:41:18
Fab
Realistically, maybe the Raiders.
00:41:20
Roger Emeka
Yeah, would say so.
00:41:21
Nacc
Yeah, I'd probably say the Browns.
00:41:22
Roger Emeka
Yeah, probably Browns.
00:41:23
Fab
Browns offensive line has been very good lately.
00:41:25
Nacc
just, I don't see.
00:41:26
Fab
but The Browns are not as bad of a team as like on paper wise, like they're,
00:41:27
Nacc
There's no way his wife is saying yes to Cleveland. There's no way.
00:41:34
Fab
Realistically, there's no way anybody's wife is saying yes to Cleveland. um if and Including the
00:41:40
Nacc
Right.
WR Draft Strategies with QB Changes
00:41:41
Fab
massage therapist.
00:41:41
Fab
So if Stafford is playing for another team next year, just just if. I know the whole thing. If if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.
00:41:52
Fab
Fine, whatever. if If Stafford is playing for another team next year, where are you drafting Puka Nakua? I know it depends on who the quarterback is, right? But, like, Raj, you and I have...
00:42:03
Fab
spoken about how Puka is like wide receiver three as of right now, if everything stays as is for next year, like you can argue chase before him. ah You can obviously argue CD lamb, um obviously JJ for sure. So like he's wide receiver three wide receiver four, no problem.
00:42:17
Fab
So is it the same?
00:42:19
Roger Emeka
Yeah, doesn't change. doesn't change for me.
00:42:20
Fab
Doesn't change at all.
00:42:22
Roger Emeka
You know what worries me more is his injury history. That worries me more than his QB. The way he plays, he's going to continuously get injured.
00:42:27
Fab
Yeah.
00:42:29
Roger Emeka
i actually fear he's not going to have that long of a career.
00:42:29
Fab
Yes.
00:42:33
Fab
I agree with you on that. Yeah.
00:42:34
Roger Emeka
um But for me, like for the time being, because he's only 24-25, I'm not concerned. And I would assume if Stafford isn't there, they're going to at least have some form of a competent passer.
00:42:46
Roger Emeka
But he's for me, it's Chase, Jefferson, Puka, then CeeDee after what happened this year.
00:42:52
Nacc
Oh, no, I'm not. but There's no way I'm putting a CD or a Puka ahead of CD just yet. But i I tend to agree with you. You're drafting him in the first, second, early third round, depending on what kind of fantasy ah league you're in.
00:43:01
Fab
Hmm.
00:43:04
Roger Emeka
Bro, he's no there's no way he's getting... Third round for Puka? that's
00:43:08
Roger Emeka
He's going to?
00:43:08
Nacc
Well, if you're in a 2QB, it could.
00:43:10
Nacc
It could potentially slide. But no, second round.
00:43:12
Roger Emeka
Second round.
00:43:12
Nacc
I would say second round second
00:43:13
Fab
Yeah, a second round.
00:43:14
Nacc
the second round is when you're
00:43:14
Fab
Second round is more realistic.
00:43:16
Nacc
second round is realistic for Puka.
00:43:16
Fab
Yeah.
00:43:16
Roger Emeka
Sure.
00:43:18
Nacc
But the only thing I heard is there's rumors of potentially re-signing Jimmy Garoppolo if Stafford leaves to play QB for the Rams.
00:43:26
Fab
Is he still your wide receiver of three if Jimmy Garoppolo is throwing him passes?
00:43:29
Nacc
Yes, yes, yes, c yes, yes.
00:43:31
Roger Emeka
Yes, man. He's...
00:43:32
Nacc
All-stars always find a way to produce no matter who the QB is.
00:43:36
Roger Emeka
And Fab, look at his game.
00:43:36
Fab
Okay.
00:43:37
Roger Emeka
It's catches at the line of screen and just running over people.
00:43:40
Nacc
Screens. Yeah.
00:43:43
Nacc
Yeah.
00:43:44
Roger Emeka
And he does not need accurate QB play at all.
00:43:47
Fab
Perfect. Can't wait for you to draft him.
00:43:50
Roger Emeka
you're you're You're avoiding him.
00:43:52
Fab
I'm not avoiding him, but like he's he's dropping on a peg or two for someone who's a little bit safer for me. And I don't have the wide receiver rankings in front of me right now, but sure.
00:44:02
Nacc
Okay. Okay. So I want to play a game.
00:44:04
Roger Emeka
yeah
00:44:04
Nacc
Who are you drafting over Puka Nakua?
00:44:06
Fab
Okay, let me get the wide receiver list out to him. Hold on a second.
00:44:12
Fab
So this is all things remaining the same.
00:44:12
Nacc
and and and and and and and and
00:44:14
Fab
this is this is do do we go Do we go with Jimmy Garoppolo as the quarterback, or do we go with sta just Stafford not being the quarterback?
00:44:22
Roger Emeka
I mean, for your exercise, I feel just cool.
00:44:24
Nacc
Whatever you want. Whatever. Just big.
00:44:25
Fab
Okay, perfect.
00:44:25
Nacc
No Stafford.
00:44:26
Fab
Okay, so Justin Jefferson, obviously, C.D. Lamb. um i'm looking at average ah I'm looking at contract right now.
00:44:33
Nacc
Chase. Chase.
00:44:34
Fab
Chase, for sure. He's obviously not up here and from the contract perspective.
00:44:38
Nacc
Okay, next.
00:44:40
Roger Emeka
you You might have the wrong, you maybe have the wrong link. You're going to miss out on nico collet your boy Nico Collins.
00:44:45
Fab
No, I see Nico Collins and he's, he's very close to, to Puka, to be honest with you. um I know, I know Amon Ross St. Brown is not a sexy name, but from a safety perspective, he's a safer pick for me than Puka Nakua.
00:45:00
Fab
If Stafford's not the quarterback and like Jimmy Garoppolo is throwing to him.
00:45:04
Nacc
Okay, I'll give you that one.
00:45:05
Fab
Like, like scenarios, but I wouldn't drop him down, like to a peg where he would be undraftable. I want to make that clear. I would just err on the side of caution and look for someone one that will guarantee me, you know, those nine receptions a game, those 110 yards, whatever the case may be.
00:45:21
Fab
And obviously I'm on Ross St. Brown is one of those.
00:45:23
Nacc
Sounds like Bukunukuwa.
00:45:24
Fab
Yeah. Well, it sounds like when, when staffers throwing to him, that's my only concern. I'm the,
00:45:29
Nacc
I don't know, man. Look at guys like Justin Jefferson. Look at guys, at what they what he's done without you know a competent quarterback when Kirk Cousins was hurt and he had to play with three different quarterbacks. These these all-star receivers just find a way to get it done no matter who the quarterback is.
00:45:45
Nacc
Personally, in my opinion, that's just... i don't think To me, i don't see him any differently. would you have take look Would you take Tyreek down? like All those years, if you didn't have a quarterback, you take him down a peg? He was with Tua this year.
00:45:59
Fab
Yeah.
00:45:59
Nacc
Last year, like, like i like you you took him down that much of a peg?
00:46:03
Fab
you Yeah. Tyreek.
00:46:05
Roger Emeka
Tua was very good.
00:46:05
Fab
Tyreek without Tua is like is not a is not a barely startable wide receiver.
00:46:06
Roger Emeka
was a very that
00:46:09
Fab
Barely startable.
00:46:09
Roger Emeka
Yeah, let's put some respect on Tua.
00:46:10
Fab
like He's a wide receiver too.
00:46:12
Roger Emeka
He's not Mahomes, but he runs that offense perfectly well. and He's tall
00:46:16
Fab
Yeah.
00:46:17
Nacc
No, no, no, no, no.
00:46:17
Roger Emeka
es ah
00:46:18
Nacc
I meant, i meant like, you're not, you would you would draft him let's say, two or three rounds later because he didn't have Tua there, is what I'm trying to say.
00:46:27
Roger Emeka
and Well, like where he's going now, like we're I'm just looking at Fantasy Pros, the early, early consensus rankings. He's tier three. He's WR13. I'm not taking Tyreek anywhere near tier two.
00:46:41
Roger Emeka
I'm taking Neighbors over Tyreek this year.
00:46:44
Nacc
Interesting. He was hurt all last year.
00:46:48
Nacc
He had that wrist, hand. He was hurt.
00:46:51
Roger Emeka
31. fair.
00:46:52
Nacc
And he any any played hurt. Yeah, he's older for sure.
00:46:54
Roger Emeka
yeah and
00:46:54
Nacc
He's older and for sure. He's definitely older for sure. and
00:46:57
Roger Emeka
the age and the
00:46:57
Nacc
But again, what your neighbors who did Neighbors have last year as as ah as a QB?
00:47:01
Roger Emeka
yeah a and
00:47:02
Nacc
Who did he have?
00:47:03
Fab
100%. Yeah.
00:47:04
Roger Emeka
wasn't the fish
00:47:05
Nacc
And he balled, right? You always find a way.
00:47:07
Fab
Yeah, i don't think I don't think anyone is disputing that Puka is not... Yeah, I don't think anyone is disputing that Puka is not an all-star caliber wide receiver. I think it's more of just from ah from a risk perspective.
00:47:19
Fab
Like, where do you want your variance to be? Because even neighbors, too. Like, listen, you're you're talking to a guy who's going buy his jersey at some point in the future. Like, there was a slew of games where he wasn't He was barely startable, Malik Neighbors. And I'm not saying going happen again next year.
00:47:32
Fab
you know like I hope not, obviously.
00:47:32
Roger Emeka
Yes.
00:47:34
Fab
But you just wonder...
00:47:35
Nacc
there wasn't There wasn't too many of those games.
00:47:35
Fab
like ah address me, I had him. It was ah it was more than I would like to count. But... I don't know, man. like Puka... like okay Right now, he's wide receiver for tier 2, whatever.
00:47:48
Fab
Jimmy Grapple's throwing him passes. It's if he's going to drop down to wide receiver 10 for me. going go to like maybe 5 or 6 at the very most. I just feel like... it It needs to be taken into consideration.
00:48:00
Fab
But then again, you know what? Everyone drafts their own team the way they want to draft it.
00:48:03
Nacc
four or five or six is the same thing to me.
00:48:06
Fab
Yeah, 100%. hundred percent Yeah, I just want to get Nico Collins back on my team. He has stud.
00:48:13
Roger Emeka
You only have eyes for Brian Thomas Jr. too.
00:48:15
Fab
Also, yes, Brian Thomas Jr. I love my lsc LSU wide receivers, man.
00:48:21
Roger Emeka
Unless what?
00:48:22
Fab
LSU wide receivers.
00:48:23
Roger Emeka
Oh, that's okay.
00:48:24
Fab
Yeah. Um...
James Cook's Contract Negotiations with Bills
00:48:27
Fab
So moving on from wide receivers, now we're going to touch on the little, um we're going to touch on the running backs right now. So James Cook, James Dalvin Cook, the brother to Dalvin James Cook.
00:48:37
Fab
James Cook ain't happy.
00:48:38
Nacc
Is that real?
00:48:40
Fab
That is real.
00:48:40
Roger Emeka
Yeah, they are brothers.
00:48:41
Fab
That is real.
00:48:41
Nacc
I don't think so.
00:48:42
Fab
I swear to God.
00:48:42
Roger Emeka
They are brothers.
00:48:43
Nacc
Really?
00:48:43
Roger Emeka
They brothers, yeah.
00:48:43
Fab
I swear to God.
00:48:44
Nacc
Wow.
00:48:45
Fab
I swear to God. My hand to God. James Dalvin Cook is the brother of Dalvin James Cook.
00:48:52
Roger Emeka
Wait, that's... Wait, that's their names?
00:48:54
Fab
Yes. Guys, go to Wikipedia.
00:48:57
Nacc
Why do you think I was shocked?
00:48:57
Roger Emeka
um um in
00:48:59
Nacc
That's
00:48:59
Roger Emeka
James Dalvin Cook?
00:49:01
Fab
Yes.
00:49:03
Nacc
wild.
00:49:03
Roger Emeka
That's pretty damn cool, man.
00:49:03
Fab
Yes.
00:49:05
Roger Emeka
That's kind of cool.
00:49:05
Fab
Yeah. yeah
00:49:08
Fab
Parents are never going to out their names. It's perfect. So his current situation, Buffalo Bills while running back. He ain't happy. He's currently seeking $15 million from on an average annual value from the Buffalo Bills. That would put him in from an average.
00:49:23
Fab
Hold on a second. I got the numbers in front of me.
00:49:24
Roger Emeka
second
00:49:26
Fab
That would second. That would put him second behind Christian McCaffrey. Should the Bills pay him? Raj?
00:49:36
Roger Emeka
No, how could you how could you after seeing what Saquon is at 12?
00:49:38
Fab
How can you justify that? Yeah.
00:49:42
Roger Emeka
Jonathan Taylor, say what you will about him, he's at 14. John Jacobs at 12. This dumbfounded. This has no bearing, in my opinion, to ask for 15.
00:49:53
Roger Emeka
You're not the second best running back in the league, despite the season you had, which is dope.
00:49:57
Nacc
dough
00:50:00
Roger Emeka
which is an outlier season which we all we all talked about it right we love the season he had he played great but 16 touchdowns 18 i think 18 total we really we really think james dalvin cook dalvin james cook is going to have 18 total touchdowns again
00:50:04
Fab
Yep.
00:50:10
Nacc
18 total, yeah.
00:50:10
Fab
Yeah, 18 total.
00:50:17
Fab
You had right the first time.
00:50:19
Nacc
Yeah.
00:50:20
Roger Emeka
and i just like to say i want to say both
00:50:23
Nacc
Yeah, man, I i think you just you you have exactly what I but i had written down here. Barkley had double his amount of rushing yards last year. um He had slightly over 1,000 yards.
00:50:35
Roger Emeka
At least.
00:50:36
Nacc
He finished with 1,009 yards last year. Okay, AT&T, is he wrong to ask for $15 million? Absolutely not. I would ask for that much money after a season he as he put up.
00:50:44
Fab
No. 100%. No.
00:50:47
Nacc
Should he be paid that ah ah as a bill?
00:50:49
Fab
no
00:50:50
Nacc
Absolutely not. And especially how... The Bills have have proven that they can be not only successful, but but win games when Josh Allen is in control. like They lost players and they still did it. like There's no way in hell he's getting $15 million dollars a year.
00:51:08
Nacc
Not in the market.
00:51:09
Roger Emeka
Derrick Henry's making eight.
00:51:11
Nacc
What?
00:51:12
Roger Emeka
Derrick Henry's making eight.
00:51:14
Fab
Yeah. You
00:51:16
Roger Emeka
yeah out of your yeah You're out your gourd.
00:51:16
Nacc
Yeah. Out of your gourd.
00:51:18
Fab
had your gore. Remondre Stevenson's making nine, bro.
00:51:19
Nacc
Yeah, that's...
00:51:22
Roger Emeka
But where would you guys put, where would you what what what would make sense for him? like Like the sixth spot, like behind Josh Jacobs, around the Josh Jacobs $12 million dollars range? Or what do you guys think?
00:51:22
Fab
Actually, that helps.
00:51:31
Nacc
Yeah, well, he'd have to be making at least $11-12 million for sure. He had a better year than Josh Jacobs did.
00:51:36
Fab
yeah yeah i would I would even go like 10.
00:51:39
Nacc
That's similar.
00:51:41
Fab
ah will i will put i will put him around on ten I will put him behind Josh Jacobs. Because it's an outlier.
00:51:46
Fab
it's it's an Yeah. True.
00:51:46
Nacc
But if Josh got $12 last year, the cap is up, everything is up, everything goes up, right?
00:51:52
Nacc
The salary is going to go up. i think I think he gets slotted in that $12.5 $13 range. and then he gets slotted there. he's got He's for sure got to make under...
00:52:00
Fab
he He's going to make more than Saquon.
00:52:03
Nacc
Yeah, but the thing is is, again, you're looking at a contract that's one year removed. So what would Saquon get tomorrow, right? He'd get more than $13 million, right?
00:52:13
Fab
Say quantum more.
00:52:14
Nacc
Call his $13.5 million, or $15 million today, a year later, right? It would be inflated.
00:52:21
Fab
Sure.
00:52:21
Nacc
So if he gets Saquon or just under, like i said, that $12.5 to $13 ratio is what I think he probably ends up settling for. there's the I don't think he gets $15 million.
00:52:33
Roger Emeka
I think they'd reduce Saquon's deal after this year too. If he has another big year and he stays healthy, i think i think they would.
00:52:38
Fab
Yeah.
00:52:39
Nacc
Yeah, they're going to re-sign him with one year left for sure.
00:52:41
Fab
Yeah.
00:52:41
Roger Emeka
Yeah, for sure.
00:52:43
Fab
if If he continues on that trajectory, for sure.
00:52:45
Nacc
And that's where he maybe commands some type of McCaffrey money. One last payday.
00:52:52
Fab
And he deserves every single penny of it. I'm just happy that he won the Super Bowl despite being on the Eagles. He's consummate pro and he deserves it. I got nothing but good things to say about Saquon Barkley.
00:53:06
Fab
That's right, I said it. I ain't scared to say it. So, James Cook.
00:53:10
Roger Emeka
James Dalvin
00:53:12
Fab
James Dalvin Cook and Dalvin James Cook. Both very good running backs by their own standards. One play for the Vikings. one play Did you just look it up on Wikipedia? Is that why you're laughing right now?
Conclusion and Farewell
00:53:25
Fab
You didn't believe me, huh? You never believe me, Roger. Never believe me.
00:53:29
Roger Emeka
I'm just trying to think if like all are if like we like that happened with like our siblings.
00:53:35
Roger Emeka
That'd be...
00:53:38
Roger Emeka
i still I'm dumbfounded by this. this is This made my day.
00:53:42
Fab
Well, and ladies and gentlemen, we hope that you've been dumbfounded by this episode. And that's how you segue, boys. Guys, thank you so much for tuning in to listening to us talk about us rant, share a few laughs.
00:53:54
Fab
Enjoy the combine specials that happened this weekend. Please do not forget two like, share, and subscribe. All these videos. We're going posting these these reels and these shorts on Instagram and TikTok and and all the fun stuff that the kids are talking about right now.
00:54:08
Fab
ah You can find this episode on YouTube, on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts.
00:54:10
Roger Emeka
you
00:54:13
Fab
Everywhere when you listen to to your podcasts. If you want us to to come through here your car radios, don't be shy. Hit that like, hit that subscribe, we'll be there every single week like clockwork.
00:54:25
Fab
ah So guys, I don't know. Thanks for, thank you very much for spending time with us. I'm Fabio. That's Roger. That's Knack. And we're out. Roger, cue the music.
00:54:45
Nacc
He's still freaking out about it. James Alden Cook.
00:54:50
Roger Emeka
was anthony samantha nacarado samantha anthony nacarado
00:54:56
Nacc
Yeah, but I mean, for two boys, it'd be it's a little different than a boy and a Okay, so do it for do it for your sons.
00:54:56
Roger Emeka
sir
00:55:04
Roger Emeka
theodore julian julian theodore
00:55:07
Nacc
Yeah, see? That's not bad. Sounds better than a girl's name.
00:55:11
Roger Emeka
Yeah.
00:55:12
Fab
I mean, yeah.
00:55:14
Nacc
Right?
00:55:17
Fab
Yes. Yes, it does.
00:55:19
Nacc
Guys, Raj is stunned right now.
00:55:20
Roger Emeka
I'm just, I'm thinking, yeah.
00:55:20
Fab
ah hundred percent we 100%. We broke broke the the matrix. matrix
00:55:24
Roger Emeka
I gotta go think about it.
00:55:24
Fab
Good everyone. Peace out.
00:55:26
Nacc
Goodbye.
00:55:29
Roger Emeka
Bye.