Transcript
Lord Hinkie : Ladies
Lord Hinkie : and gentlemen, welcome back to another episode of the ZNG Dynasty podcast. I am your host, the G, Gary Lord Hinckley, joined all as always by my right hand man and really my only man at this moment. i'm Basically, they they cut my other hand off at this point.
Lord Hinkie : But Damien, the Ninja Moore, say hi to the people, big fella.
ninja: Yo, what's going on, everybody? How's it going? Sorry for the hiatus. We're back, baby. We're back. Rejoice.
Lord Hinkie : Yes, a little off-season hiatus. Your boys had to go on a little bit of vacation. a lot of life stuff going on. lot of, you know, summer stuff going on. a lot of this, whole lot of that. But no one wants to talk about that stuff.
Lord Hinkie : We want to talk about NFL football here in the middle of June. You know, that's what we want to do. That's why we bring you these podcasts. But thank you guys for waiting on us. I know there's a lot of loyal listeners who have been, you know, hitting me up weekly at this point going, hey, what's going on? Everything okay? Don't worry, we're back.
Lord Hinkie : We are back and we're ready to roll. There's actually news for us to talk about, which is kind of the reason we are back. I think at this point we're a little late to it, but you know what are you going to do?
Lord Hinkie : But yes, so Ninja, do you have anything to say before we get into some big trade talks here on the new June 1st trade deadline?
ninja: No news. Let's
ninja: Let's hop right in this thing. Sorry, Sig.
Lord Hinkie : And we're off to the hot start, ladies and gentlemen. But yeah, first trade we can talk about on this agenda. We've got two big ones coming up. But the first one, Miles Garrett.
Lord Hinkie : got traded to the Los Angeles Rams in a pretty much a probably the biggest blockbuster trade we've seen in a very long time. This Miles Garrett trade has been rumored for what the past two seasons, at least if not three, he's always kind of been trying to either push his way out of Cleveland or push his way to a bigger bank bank account and check. But this time he kind of got both and,
Lord Hinkie : which is you know, I guess Miles Garrett for the win. He got his big payday. He's the highest-paid defensive player in the league. And now he also gets to get traded to the Los Angeles Rams, who are, if they weren't before, instant favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2027.
Lord Hinkie : In this trade, the Cleveland Browns receive in return from Miles Garrett's services, They get Jared Verse, who is, you know, very solid, very above average defensive end.
ninja: Thank you.
Lord Hinkie : Young guy, too. I believe he's only 25. They get a 2027 first round pick from the Rams, 2028 second round pick from the Rams, and a conditional 2029 third round pick.
Lord Hinkie : So all in all for Miles Garrett, the Browns receive Jared Verst, a 27 first, 28 second, and
Lord Hinkie : Ninja, I'm going to ask for your immediate thoughts on this trade package for the Browns. Do you think it was worth it? Do you think they could have gotten more? And kind of give me your thoughts on Jared verse, the player, not obviously compared to Miles Garrett, but in like a nutshell, who is Jared verse to you?
ninja: I mean, this was the biggest trade I can think of since Max Crosby's deal got backed out on. Right? Because Max Crosby, keep in mind, went for two first-round picks.
ninja: Everyone was over the moon about it. How the Browns weren't able to get two first-round picks for Myles Garrett, I'll never really know. Poor management.
ninja: For the Browns side, think they did good. Probably B+, plus because you didn't get that two first. But for the Rams, instant Super Bowl contender. Miles Garrett finally got out of that dumpster fire of an organization.
ninja: He finally gets to compete for once in his career.
Lord Hinkie : you
ninja: And this is wheels up for the entire Rams. They should be like minus 400. For betting odds right now to win the Super Bowl. I don't really see anybody. Like with that kind of star power.
ninja: In the rest of the NFL. So.
ninja: I hate to see it like as an NFC team. Like the Rams like are really good. And now got even better. But for Cleveland.
ninja: You got to get to first. You have to. Yeah. But Jared versus the player, I like Jared versus a lot. I think he's an all-pro caliber kind of guy.
Lord Hinkie : Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
ninja: I think he did get an all-pro already. Obviously not Myles Garrett good, but still really good enough to build a competent defense around. And the Browns have a good defense around Myles Garrett, right? That's what made Cleveland so hard to deal with is that their defensive front is nasty on all fronts.
ninja: and I'll plug it in Jared-verse for Miles Garrett, there's going to be a downtick, but I don't think there's any significant hit to their defensive front. like It's still going to be a very good unit, which I think is the reason the Browns did this.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: what Hertz is not getting two firsts, but the 27th first, and I was talking to Gary before we started, we're one Matt Stafford injury away from that being a top 10 pick.
Lord Hinkie : Oh, 100%.
ninja: And it's, I mean, I hope it doesn't happen, but that's the life of the NFL, where all last season we were talking about Matt Stafford at the beginning of year had this lingering back injury, maybe, that was scaring everybody.
ninja: Maybe that comes to life now, and the Browns look like geniuses, because they got $40 million dollars off of their books, got a first-round pick, and they still got an all-pro guy,
ninja: That's a really good deal for me. I love Jared versus the player. Definitely not the caliber of Myles Garrett, but like I said, all pro at the end of the day, and it's hard to try and argue that.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, I think this is one of the rare trades in NFL where i I think both teams made out very well in this trade. Obviously, Miles Garrett broke the sack record last year. He's an incredible player. But at the end of the day, the Browns stink.
Lord Hinkie : They're awful. They don't have a quarterback. They don't really have a great offense. Their defense is solid, but it's the Browns are never going to win anything with Miles Garrett. So you move on from him.
Lord Hinkie : You get yourself a younger, I believe five or six year younger, pretty good defensive end. I think Jared verse, if you were to trade him in a nutshell, like if you were to trade Jared verse straight up to another team, I believe you'd probably get a first round pick plus maybe just the first round pick depending on the team. So my head Jared verse or first round pick, you'd probably rather have Jared verse.
Lord Hinkie : I think it's a good asset for the Browns to get young player to build your defense around. And then the 27 first-round pick probably going to end up being 30, 31, 32. It's not going to be a great pick, but it's something. And at worst, it's trade value or a trade package if you somehow end up with like the fourth or fifth pick this year for Cleveland.
Lord Hinkie : Maybe you can package that 30 pick and something else and then move your way up to like the one or two spot to get yourself a quarterback for the future. And now we start the rebuild. So I see the vision. Obviously, I hope it works out for the Browns. The Browns are a fun team. I feel like if I was a Madden guy, I'm not really Madden guy anymore, but I would love to just pick up the Browns, take all their young players and all their draft capital. and just see what I can do with it the next couple of years, because I feel like they have a chance. like i Forever, the Browns were just always an awful awful organization that drafted what awful, traded awful. I mean, the Deshaun Watson deal, like everything they've ever done has just been the wrong thing to do. But I feel like Cleveland's actually made a couple good moves these past couple years, and they kind of have a a vision, you know a look towards the future. And I like it. I agree. Obviously, I'm the Lord Hinky guy. I'm all for trading players for big-time picks and young players and seeing what they turn out to be.
Lord Hinkie : So, I'm all in on this. And then if you're going to the Rams side, flip-flopping, I mean, you're by far the favorite in the NFC. You add probably the best defensive player in football, if not of our generation. Like, he's a J.J. Watt-level defensive player. He's...
Lord Hinkie : Insane. He's game changing. Like when people play against Miles Garrett, you have to form a different offensive strategy to make sure you block that guy with two to three players. Like it changes what you want to do on the offensive line.
Lord Hinkie : So, yes, I think it's a great trade for both teams. I'll probably give the Rams an A-, minus and I'll probably give the Browns a B+, plus just because I do think they could have gotten. when they so When the trade initially got announced, it was Miles Garrett for Jared Verse, a 27 first,
Lord Hinkie : plus future draft capital. this guy I think that's kind of how Shefty tweeted it out. And I'm sitting there, I'm thinking, like man, they could probably get another first, if not like two seconds. like In my head, I was like, they're going to get a decent draft haul for this guy. And then it got announced. It was like a first, second, and a third. And it's also just like 28, 29.
Lord Hinkie : Like, eh, could have maybe done a little bit more. Maybe that's the trade value they lost out on by acquiring a Jared Verse.
Lord Hinkie : Probably. But at the end of the day, I still think you could have gotten a little bit of more value, a little bit of, you could have squeezed that lemon a little bit tighter and got a few more drops. But at the end of day it is what it is. And that I think it's a good move for both teams.
ninja: Yeah, I agree. though Like you said, it's one of the few trades in the NFL where it's you can see both teams winning at the end of the day, which we love to see.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. Yeah. And I am, as an Eagles fan, I'm not going very happy playing up against the Rams this year. I don't know if we have them on the regular season schedule, but you got to think if we make it, we're going to meet them in the playoffs, and it's just like, how do you play against that team?
Lord Hinkie : But like you were saying, on the contrary end, Matthew Stafford's 57. If he goes down with some kind of back, some kind of shoulder, some kind of elbow, and they throw out Ty Simpson this year on a rookie deal,
Lord Hinkie : This team is winning six games. And then the Cleveland Browns look like geniuses. They got probably two top 10, if not two top 15 picks. And you're building the future.
Lord Hinkie : So I guess we'll see. Time will tell. But i think I think as of now, it's a very even, very fair trade.
ninja: Agreed.
Lord Hinkie : And I guess we can get to the cream of the crop of this. i have a feeling this is going to be a long segment, so you guys can tune in, and hopefully this is a good one. But obviously there is a big trade that has been rumored for a very long time now. Actually, before we get to this, I kind of want to ask your opinion on this.
Lord Hinkie : It seems like the these June 1st deadlines are becoming a big talking point with trade negotiations and contract negotiations these days. I wanted to get your opinion on the thought of, obviously, June 1st was pretty busy for us this year. Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : I believe it started the yeah official season of the 2027 season. So a lot of these contracts ended up either paying off or now going into a different pay cycle and all this and na yada, yada, salary cap stuff that, you know, who, who knows it's like, it's fairy dust in the wind. it doesn't mean anything. It means everything at the same time, but at the end of the it's money and contracts.
Lord Hinkie : After this June 1st deadline, a lot of contracts either got you know lopsided towards the team or lopsided towards the player, and a guy like Myles Garrett ends up getting traded June 1st because it makes financial sense now for the Browns to trade him. and an A.J. Brown trade where it happens post-June 1st because it saves the Eagles $20 million dollars instead of losing them $40 million. dollars Basically, long story short, Damian, do you think now, obviously the trade deadline during the season is a big day or a big week in the in the NFL season because it's the team's last ditch effort to acquire players or trade away aging players?
Lord Hinkie : are we going to see June 1st now in the future being the day that everyone looks forward to in the offseason? Like, oh, you know, this guy's contract's coming up, and if would they move him June 1st, they can probably, know, save this money, you know, get this kind of player, get this kind of pick.
Lord Hinkie : Do you think we're going to see that more often going forward, especially after this offseason?
ninja: Yes, by far. And I don't think it's like the players you're thinking like defensive players.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: This really comes into tow with the quarterback contracts and how every quarterback's making $55 million dollars now, and their cap hit is going to be somewhere right around $45 million.
Lord Hinkie : I was going to say that, yeah.
ninja: So what this does is this alleviates a lot of money. to roll over into the next year. Like that's the whole point of June 1st starts the next year. That's your next pay cycle. That's when you can defer money to late, like for contract extensions, you can defer that money down the line, you can take it up front, or you're able to clear that off your books and send it to like what the Browns did. And what the Eagles did is you can get some of that money off your books because the other team has to pay their salary. That's why, you know, I'm sure the Browns only have to pay miles Garrett. Like,
ninja: $18 million dollars this year when the Rams have to front like 22. Right. And for the Eagles trade, AJ Brown Eagles probably save 18 million or so.
ninja: And the Patriots and the Patriots are going to have to pay probably about 20 million or so.
Lord Hinkie : I think there's like 20. Yeah. Mm-hmm.
ninja: So it kind of makes it so instead of everything dying on your cap, you can kind of shift it to another team that's looking for an asset And I think that's really going to come into play with quarterbacks who have signed extensions already. I'll use Trevor Lawrence for an example, who signed contracts already, but say he doesn't play well in the next year or two.
ninja: If there is a team out there looking to trade for a quarterback, this is the most feasible day for this to happen. It's because you can rotate that money so it's almost like a 50-50 split for a year instead of, hey, you have to eat $75 million cap.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, just because you don't want to like a month.
ninja: Which no team can do it. Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: So I think this is going to come into play a lot, especially with quarterbacks. And this will kind of change how teams roster themselves. I think this is going to become the biggest day of the offseason, not including the draft.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, I mean, I completely agree. And on my same talking point was going to be quarterbacks because i feel like this June 1st deadline being like a dead cap, either savior or like detriment for these NFL teams is going to cause a lot of trades with these big time, big name players. Cause you're not going to see guys that are, you know,
Lord Hinkie : yeah I could see third stringers getting traded or dropped on June 1st just to save $100,000. Teams aren't going to do that. But if you can save $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, $30 million dollars by waiting until June 1st rather than dropping Guy in the middle of May, I feel like a lot of teams are going to do that.
Lord Hinkie : And we're going to see a lot more of these big name, maybe slightly older, maybe, you know, I mean, in Miles Garrett and A.J. Brown's situations, they're two disgruntled, big-time star players that are looking to move on and looking for a new situation.
Lord Hinkie : I think this is when those kind of players are going to get moved. like They're all going to be, well, I will trade you, but I'm not going to do it during the draft like you want me to. I'm not going to trade you to what team I want you to. I'm going to wait until June 1st. I'm going to save myself a little bit of money, and you're going to go to the highest bidder. And...
Lord Hinkie : That's just what's going to happen. And like you said, quarterbacks going to be the main one. I can see a guy of like a Kirk Cousins level player where he's like making $60 million. dollars But if we you wait until June 1st, you only have to pay 25, 30 like that. That makes a lot of sense financially. That makes a lot of sense for both teams.
Lord Hinkie : So I can see that happening a lot. like but And mostly big time, big contract level players. So I do think June 1st is going to be that secondary. Like, Ooh, look at this guy. Look at this move. Let's talk about this, which is nice. Cause I do feel like this is kind of a dead time of the year for the NFL. Like,
ninja: yeah it'll definitely pick it up. And one thing I want to add on to here is I think that with, uh, and you can go on, uh, your thing about this with Jeremiah love being drafted that high in the draft.
ninja: I think it was fourth overall, third overall.
Lord Hinkie : Mm-hmm.
ninja: his guaranteed money makes him the highest, the third highest is paid running back in the league. So running backs are going to automatically going into contract extensions, need that type of money or more. We are going to see a shift where they're going to start getting traded June 1st too, because teams are going to save over 12 million, 12 million on cap to wait to June 1st. this is a big kind of like line for the NFL to, where if all this money can be renegotiated and slid over and moved back and kept on one team or moved to separate teams, this is where you're going to see those big contracts shift and move. So don't be surprised that, like the NFL, obviously the salary cra the seller cap increased, but we're going to see a lot more premium players at premium positions get moved.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, I completely agree. And kind of like in need how the NFL is going in general, years ago, players like this did not get traded. like they just It just didn't happen. And I feel like nowadays there's less – like NFL GMs are more willing to actually move big-time players for a lot of picks and make these blockbuster trades because – it's kind of the nfl is moving towards that like they're kind of not really building like super teams like the nba was years ago but like they kind of are like if you can maneuver the salary cap in a certain way if you can you know get rookies on cheap deals and they turn out to overperform and you know you can get a couple cheap guys that play really well you can pay matthew stafford miles garrett puka nakua
Lord Hinkie : You know, all the big time players at the Rams have it. You can pay them all big time money. And here you go. You have like a super team because you figured out a way to maneuver the cap around to where it's kind of, you know, how he Roseman fairy dust doesn't exist. It's not real.
ninja: Love it. I actually kind of think this more leans towards our Lord Henke effect, where if you're if you're not a great team, but you have one or two really good players and you look to move those guys, you're more like more teams are going to be willing to give you draft capital and or players you want because they're not going to have to eat on $40 million dollars in cap.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: So you're able to start a rebuild and
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: With the other team being more willing to negotiate with you because they don't have to eat $40 million in cap. Because you're going to split it with them or something like that.
Lord Hinkie : Exactly.
ninja: So I think this incentivizes, you know, like the Thunder years ago, before they were good, had like 18 first-round picks because they were taking on those bad contracts. They were eating up those awful players.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, eating money, just devouring millions of dollars.
ninja: So I think this is almost like, obviously people want for teams like, but I think it really elevates like, you know, the underdogs will go with the jets of this past year, trading away Quentin Williams and sauce Gardner.
Lord Hinkie : It helps both teams.
ninja: Obviously they did it at the deadline, but teams are willing to do that.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, but they have three first-round picks next year.
ninja: And this is kind of like where this is going. And like for teams who don't necessarily have as much cap as the jets have, June 1st will be the time to do that. Kind of like your middle of the road teams.
Lord Hinkie : a Yeah, a lot more flexible.
ninja: or your competing teams, that's when these kind of deals are going to go on when the cap is a lot more in play.
Lord Hinkie : I love it. It's trickle-down economics. like These big teams can spend a lot of money and then acquire all these like really good players, but then the the teams at the bottom still eat because they're getting all these picks and they're getting all this value and they're saving money on cap and... They are deferring. They're not they're not actually deferring money into the future like these big teams are acquiring the big contracts. They're eating that money now. So that way, when years down the line after they draft these players and hopefully they turn out good, they have money in the future then and then pay these players. So it's it's working out for both sides. And, you know, here we are. Let's make.
Lord Hinkie : you know, let's just keep this cycle rolling. I i love it. I i really like the where the NFL is going with this situation. That's kind of why I was excited to talk about it because we have this new trade deadline where there's a possibility of like big name players get moved. And in today's NFL, it's just so much more likely to happen.
Lord Hinkie : And it just, you know, it gets me excited. It gets me going. when it wants me It makes me want to do podcasts, my buddy.
ninja: It gets you up in the morning. It really does.
Lord Hinkie : getss It just keeps the keeps me going. It keeps my blood flowing.
ninja: gets people going.
Lord Hinkie : smith Speaking about... What's that... Never mind.
ninja: What's that song again? Where were they?
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. Where were they at? Somewhere in France. But yes. So we kind of... reel it back in. got reel it back in we We kind of hinted at it earlier, but another big thing we wanted to talk about during this offseason, the other big name, holy crap, it happened, trade. A.J. Brown finally got traded to the New England Patriots.
ninja: I thought you were going to do the applause.
Lord Hinkie : I thought about it, to be honest, but I'm like, do I cheer? Do I? ew I feel a little bit of both. I feel a little bit of both. So let me let me talk you through my all my emotions. So any longtime listener knows we're we're both Eagles fans here.
Lord Hinkie : We've been through it from thick and thin. i was an Eagles fan back when I was watching players like Jeremy Macklin and Jason Avant and Riley Cooper.
ninja: Riley cooper Cooper, the stud.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, like Travis Fulgram.
Lord Hinkie : Deshaun Jackson, obviously. like we i've I've been through the w ringer of Eagles wide receivers that have tried to turn around. I mean, Jalen Rager. I've seen it all. I've seen every player come. I've seen them all go. And I've seen them all just be pretty decent or like not that good at all.
Lord Hinkie : I've been through the ringer. A.J. Brown is... undoubtedly probably a top five, if not top three Eagles wide receiver of all time.
Lord Hinkie : Talent wise, the guy's a stud. He's incredible. He could do it all. Incredible, incredible level player. Won us a Super Bowl, got us to another one.
Lord Hinkie : And we really, we could not have done it without him. So for that, I'm very grateful for what AJ Brown was able to do for my city and my team and my fan base.
Lord Hinkie : I'm also very happy that we were able to trade away a disgruntled star player for another first round pick. Now, well, I guess I should talk about the details. Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, if you don't know already, the Eagles traded A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 27th fifth-round pick. So not not too much big draft capital outside the 28th first-round pick.
Lord Hinkie : If you were listening years ago, A.J. Brown got traded to the Eagles from Tennessee for, I believe, i believe a first-round pick and a third-round pick. So...
Lord Hinkie : kind of equal return on said investment. We also want a Superbowl.
ninja: Howie's a killer. The ROI on that is insane.
Lord Hinkie : Yes. I mean, uh, a Superbowl ring triples it.
ninja: Whoa.
Lord Hinkie : And then, you know, you still get back like equal return for a guy four years older.
ninja: You essentially swap a third for a fifth and get a Super Bowl ring.
ninja: Crazy.
Lord Hinkie : love that guy. Shout Harry Roseman. So in a nutshell, A.J. Brown, he came, he saw, he won a Super Bowl, and he left the same way he came in. you know He was basically just a he was a four-year rental to win a Super Bowl and to lose in another one, which...
Lord Hinkie : you know I would trade that for the world over and over and over again. So i'm I'm thankful for A.J. Brown and his playing time with the birds. I'm thankful for the Super Bowl. I'm thankful that you also got us the same amount of return on investment. And I'm thankful for the Patriots for giving this first round pick. And to be honest, I don't know if this is a hot take or not. I don't know if a lot of people agree. I'd much rather have a 28 first for the Patriots than a 27 first for the Patriots.
Lord Hinkie : I don't know if that's a hot take.
ninja: No. I like the 28 a lot.
Lord Hinkie : I'm cool with the 28. For me, twenty in 2027, the New england England Patriots on paper are probably a 10-win team making the playoffs, either winning a game, maybe even two.
ninja: Playoff team.
Lord Hinkie : I don't think they're getting to Super Bowl like they did last year because I think a lot of the other teams in the AFC are getting a lot better. But I think at worst, New England Patriots are like a 10-win team. You throw in another year of chaos that might happen to this football team. You know,
Lord Hinkie : Drake May is going to have to start his contract extension talks. AJ Brown might get disgruntled about, you know, Diana Rossini, lot letting him hit and just letting Mike Rabel smash. Like, you know, a lot of these players might come. A lot of these players might go. Mike Rabel might not even be a head coach of this team if something else comes out. You know, Pat Kraft might pass away. And then, you know, what what are we going to do?
Lord Hinkie : There's so much more chaos, so much so many more things, so many more dices to roll. for in in the world for these Patriots teams to get, this Patriots team to get much worse than it is right now.
ninja: AJ Brown said, puff puff pass.
Lord Hinkie : Russ, Russ pass. So in my head, I would much rather take the possibility of a worse 28th New England Patriots team than the guaranteed late twenty s pick in 2027 class. Because,
Lord Hinkie : in the twenty twenty seven class because it's obviously it's another roll of the dice. The Patriots can still be good in two years and we're going to end up with the twenties pick anyways. But at the end of the day, I think the risk is worth the return because we don't,
Lord Hinkie : and And in our heads, we can even use that pick as as trade capital, as you know moving to get another big-time player if we want to, if the trade ends up being beneficial for us. So I'm a fan of getting the 28. I would prefer a 28 than a 27 because I just think you throw so you you throw like an extra dice at them. Maybe this is good roll. And like I would rather have...
Lord Hinkie : I'll ask you the same question. Would you rather have a like in 2027, let's say the New England the Patriots pick is 28. Would you rather the 28th pick in the 27 draft, or would you rather have the 15th pick in the 28 draft?
ninja: the 15th pick in the 28 draft.
Lord Hinkie : Like, i I feel like that's a no brainer. Like there's a different caliber of player than a late first round versus like even a mid first round pick. And I think the trade is, I think that's worth it. You can go ahead. I feel like I'm talking for hours.
ninja: No, the fact that Diana Rossini somehow made her way into this podcast is so hilarious to me.
Lord Hinkie : She always she I want to bring her up in every pod we have for the next like two years.
ninja: I'm so game.
Lord Hinkie : I'm going to find a way to do it.
ninja: comedy So off guard. I loved it.
Lord Hinkie : I'm leaving it in, too. So sorry, Zig, if we get banned for that.
ninja: She's not at ESPN anymore. We're fine. Obviously, for the Eagles' point of view, you trade away disgruntled star. The ROI is crazy. You essentially swap third and fifth round picks.
ninja: Love it. You get a first round pick for a guy you had four years. Can't do much better. got a Super Bowl with the guy. A-plus. Howie Roseman. Who'd imagine it? Back at it again.
ninja: Come on now. For the Patriots... they needed They needed a wide receiver one. Been needing it. Haven't had it since... Good God, Randy Moss?
ninja: Like a solidified wide receiver one?
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, would you consider Julian Edelman a Y-Versero 1? Like a solid Y-Versero 1?
ninja: No. no I wouldn't consider Wes Welker one either. So...
Lord Hinkie : It's fair.
ninja: Like just really good slot guys, but that's not, you know, your X wide receiver. That's a really good Y. You know what i mean?
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: So for the Patriots, I love it too because Drake May, almost, yeah.
Lord Hinkie : so It's almost a no-brainer.
ninja: The only problem is, you know, the off the field issues. But let's not look at that for second and just go football player for football player.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: Drake May is one of the best downfield throwers in the league today. A.J.
Lord Hinkie : Yes.
ninja: Brown catches deep balls at one of the highest rates in the NFL today. It's a match made in heaven. So from a football standpoint, this should be a home run slam dunk once again for both teams. Both teams should benefit from this trade.
ninja: Now, with all of the off-the-field drama stuff with A.J. Brown, I'm not a fan. I don't know if we're going to speculate this pod, but there's been rumors out there. i can't confirm they're true, and unless I'm guided that way, I will not speak on such things.
ninja: We will. Don't worry.
Lord Hinkie : We will.
ninja: Yeah,
Lord Hinkie : We'll get to them shortly. But I feel like we should talk. Let's talk about the facts first. And if people want to tune in later, they can talk about the rumors.
ninja: yeah, yeah, yeah. But for for football players, this is another win-win trade for both teams. I don't see how either team does wrong.
ninja: The Eagles have been struggling every week. A.J. Brown is sitting on the sideline reading a freaking book, not seeming like he cares.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: Still producing good numbers, just you know he's not the guy right in this offense like he wants to be. In New England, he has the opportunity to be the guy. Unquestioned, uncanny, no doubt about it, the guy.
ninja: it's It's a win-win either way. I would give the Eagles an A+. plus Let's go Howie Roseman. You got a Super Bowl with the guy, and you exchange third and fifth round picks, essentially, for A.J. Brown.
ninja: A plus. And for the Patriots, a
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: If we're discounting all the off-the-field issues, A. Love it.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. I think, I think for me, I would probably go like a minus for the Patriots. I, and to be honest, I think the Patriots make up better in this trade than the Eagles do. I'd probably go like B plus for the Eagles.
Lord Hinkie : If you're talking about the trade itself in general,
ninja: So, like, the reason I give Howie an A plus... is because it's not like, obviously we lose now, like on the AJ Brown trade, right?
Lord Hinkie : Yes.
ninja: But you have to think cap-wise, going into the future, Jalen Carter is going to be up for extension, right?
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, we needed to get rid of this money.
ninja: Nolan Smith is up for extension. You have to clear some money somehow, some way, to get some guys to eat, and this was the way we did it.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: I think it was the most effective way to do this without slicing down the whole team.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: That's why I gave Howie an A+. plus
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, I mean, I agree. I think if we're – this trade is going to end up looking like a blockbuster trade or like a slam dunk for Harry Roseman, but that's just because that's how all trades turn out for Harry Roseman.
Lord Hinkie : Like he he he knows what to do for the future. He knows what to do for now. you know Sacrifice the now for the next guy. He he knows what he's doing. But I think if you're looking at this trade in a nutshell, we end up getting a 28 first instead of a 27.
Lord Hinkie : and we only get a fifth round pick as like a buffer, in my opinion, I think we can, if, if we're looking at the but caliber of wide receiver that AJ Brown is, I think if we would have gotten like a 28 first and like a 27 third, I probably would have felt, i probably would have given this an a, I think the fifth round pick isn't enough buffer for me to be like happy about it. But at the end of the day,
Lord Hinkie : as As a biased Eagles fan, i absolutely but i adore the trade. I think it's going to work out perfectly for us. It opens up our wide receiver room for Devontae Smith and Mikhail Emmitt to just own it. I like that we're getting rid of the disgruntled super superstar that's bigger than the team, and we're bringing in the new offensive coordinator, and we're believing in them, and we're building a team around them, and we're allowing these other players to kind of shine. i love what the Eagles are doing. I think they're doing it the right way.
Lord Hinkie : Just if you're looking at the trade in a nutshell, it's like it's a B+, plus maybe an A-, minus and that's me being picky.
ninja: But like, as a biased Eagles fan, I don't think there's a better team in the NFL picking late in drafts.
Lord Hinkie : I agree.
ninja: So I don't mind a fifth over a third, right?
Lord Hinkie : I completely agree.
ninja: Because Eagles are going to eagle and find an all pro down there somewhere, some type of year.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: You know what i mean?
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, or at least a starter, a good backup. Yeah, I agree with you.
ninja: Yes. So, you know, Muzzy.
Lord Hinkie : And then I think if we're – I don't think I commented at all on the Patriots side of this. But it it it makes all the sense in the world. You get a stud wide receiver one for your quarterback that's still on a rookie deal. Your playoff Super Bowl window is now, like you were just there last year. Now you cakewalked your way there. But, you know, you did get to the Super Bowl last year. You believe that you can do it again.
Lord Hinkie : Go get yourself a number one wide receiver for your young quarterback and let's see what happens. fantasy wise, incredible for Drake may, if he wasn't, uh, I mean, he's, he's a top top three quarterback in dynasty.
Lord Hinkie : I mean, who was up there with him? Josh Allen, Joe Burr, like who would you rather have over Drake may?
ninja: Joe Burr, Caleb Williams.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. Like it's him and Caleb Williams. Like they were even in draft class. Like there, he's a top three quarterback probably in dynasty. just,
ninja: could probably argue Lamar, but yeah.
Lord Hinkie : Maybe, but he's up there. He's incredible. And you add in another weapon for him to throw to and of AJ Brown's level. It's, it's awesome. And to be honest, go ahead.
ninja: And I think like and like Speaking on like values of players, I think A.J. Brown moving to New England bumps him well into the wide receiver one territory in fantasy.
Lord Hinkie : Completely agree. I was just going to say that.
ninja: if he If he finishes outside the wide receiver 10 in fantasy this year, I'd be appalled.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : I'd be shocked. Yeah, I think he's going to get an incredible amount of of volume. And the other thing that the Patriots really didn't have this year was a red zone threat.
Lord Hinkie : They never really had the guy to throw to in the red zone. They kind of just handed it off to Armandie Stevenson and begged him to just run it in. Drake May had to run in a lot of goal line and like around the red zone opportunities for them.
ninja: Thank you.
Lord Hinkie : Hunter Henry was like fine, I guess, but they never really had that, like, hey, we need this fourth and three. Can you run a slant and beat your guy and maybe also beat that safety and take it for a touchdown?
Lord Hinkie : You go, A.J. Brown's like, yeah, i could do that. I do it in my sleep. They don't have that kind of guy. So it's gonna i think he's going to be incredible for the Patriots fantasy-wise.
ninja: Yeah.
ninja: Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : So for him, it's going to be awesome. And then, you know, who else is on that New England offense? we were never We were never worried about another New England wide receiver. I mean, they got Romeo Dobbs, but he's just fine.
Lord Hinkie : Keyshawn Boutte is just fine. Who's your guy, the shorty?
ninja: Hi.
Lord Hinkie : Demario Douglas?
ninja: Demario Douglas.
Lord Hinkie : Like, yeah, he's he's also just fine.
ninja: My boy, shout out.
Lord Hinkie : But yeah, I mean, Drake may big boost up AJ Brown, big boost up New England's got you know, another guy. I agree with you. I think he's probably the best wide receiver they've had since Randy Moss.
ninja: Like, wide receiver X. I'm not trying to put hate on Julian Edelman or Wes Welker, but...
Lord Hinkie : No, I mean, yeah.
ninja: They're slot guys, and we're talking X wide receiver here with A.J. Brown. They haven't had one since Randy Moss.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. Yeah. And like Gronk's a different conversation because he's a tight end, but yes.
ninja: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Lord Hinkie : So, yeah. And then going back to the Eagle side of things, I cannot wait to see how this team utilizes Mikhail Lemon.
Lord Hinkie : And yes, you are going to hear me talk about this kid every podcast for the next 10 years.
ninja: but
Lord Hinkie : i i adore Makai Lemon, the football player, and i cannot wait to see him. I do think – I'm not downgrading Devontae Smith. Devontae Smith is going to be the wide receiver one for this team. He'll lead them in targets, receptions. He'll do the whole thing.
Lord Hinkie : But I think Makai Lemon can be maybe –
Lord Hinkie : I'll give you an example. Last year, AJ Brown, Devontae Smith, everyone before the season started, and obviously our offense sucked, but before the season started, everyone on paper was like, this is probably the best wide receiver combo in the league outside of like Jamar Chase T. Higgins.
Lord Hinkie : Like they're up there. Like they were like Tyreek Hill waddle. They were up there for like wide receiver duos in the NFL. I think Devontae Smith and Makai Lemon,
Lord Hinkie : aren't that big of a downgrade from the AJ Smith or AJ Smith, AJ Brown, Devante Smith combo. I think McKay Lemon is that good of a player.
ninja: Here's, here's what I'll throw and you can disagree because I know you will.
Lord Hinkie : Yes.
ninja: If we're talking combos, I think, speaking of, you know, tandems who, I think one tandem I think is going to rise through the roof next year is Nico Collins and Jaden Higgins.
ninja: I think that's going to be one of the most underspoken about combos in this league.
Lord Hinkie : Okay.
ninja: I view Devontae Smith and Mikhail Lemon very similarly, where they're both top 10, probably right around the eight range.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: And I think that's where I would kind of place that tandem at.
Lord Hinkie : I completely agree. I don't i don't think Devontae Smith is as high-level caliber as some of these other high-end wide receivers are. But I i think Makai Lemon and Devontae Smith are very similar in the level of player. So that's why I think they're such a good combo is because they're both very, very good wide receivers where, you know, trading away in A.J. Brown. It's not like we are like Minnesota where they have like Justin Jefferson and like Jordan Addison, you know, and your example, like the Texans, like Nico Collins is like a top six wide receiver in the league.
Lord Hinkie : And then it's like Jaden Higgins, who's just like solid.
ninja: Hell yeah.
Lord Hinkie : Like I think Devontae Smith, I think Devontae Smith and Makai Lemon are both well above average wide receivers.
ninja: Whoa, whoa. More than solid.
Lord Hinkie : And them being on the same team in the same offense makes them just a dynamic duo that I cannot wait to watch. I want to i and i cannot wait to watch these guys play.
ninja: One...
ninja: Have... Oh, damn.
Lord Hinkie : I'm waiting. I'm sorry, one more thing. I have been checking the NFL shop lately. probably weekly since the NFL draft for them to drop a black McKay Lemon nine Jersey.
Lord Hinkie : And I will be having it once it's on there. I will buy it. I will be wearing it on the podcast and I might not take it off ever again. Go ahead.
ninja: Love it. that That was one of my two questions. So my second question is, who plays the slot?
Lord Hinkie : I'm a kind of in place. It's slot.
ninja: I don't like it as much. I want Smith in the slot. i They're both interchangeable, don't get me wrong. They're both great in or out of the slot.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: I want Smith in the slot.
Lord Hinkie : I think they're going to be versatile. I think it's going to, I think at the end of the year, their percentage wise, whether they're X, Y, or a Z is going to be minuscule.
Lord Hinkie : Like, I think the difference is going to be like 30% to 40% or something like that.
ninja: Yep.
Lord Hinkie : Like I, I, I think they're both such versatile players to where it's at the end of the it's not to matter. Now, when we go into three wide receiver sets,
Lord Hinkie : I believe it's going to be Devontae, Dontarian, what's his name? Dontavion Wicks? Is that what it is? Dontavion Wicks. He's going to come on the field as a third wide receiver, but he's going to play X or Y.
Lord Hinkie : Like, he will not be in the slot.
ninja: You mean Z. Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : Whatever the hell He's going on the outside. In those scenarios, I think it'll be either Smith or Lemon in the slot. I would i would argue today Lemon will play more slot snaps than Devontae Smith does at the end of the season.
ninja: I think I'd agree with you, but like if I'm booting up the Eagles right now, and it's like, hey, who's your slot wide receiver in three wide receiver sets? I'm i'm going Devontae Smith.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, I think he matches up better, but then you probably lose the matchup on the outside Mekhi Lemon. I love Mekhi Lemon, the player.
ninja: I don't think I do. i think he's crafty enough as a Z. Very crafty.
Lord Hinkie : i do think he's crafty. I love him. I love how crafty he is. But I just think i think early on in his career, he he probably will struggle against lengthy, high-end caliber outside by cornerbacks. like I don't think that's going to be a great matchup for him early on in his career.
ninja: I agree.
Lord Hinkie : And I'm trying to put, that's me trying to put training wheels on this Ferrari that I think McKay Lemon is.
ninja: yeah but
Lord Hinkie : Like, I, I, yeah. I mean, my hot, I can't wait for the hot take spot because I, it's going to be stupid.
ninja: That's going to be a fun one. I can't.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: This year, I got so many wild takes already.
Lord Hinkie : Have you been jotting them down? You got a notes pad?
ninja: Let me just say, Epic Eye Manor's on there, baby.
Lord Hinkie : I could probably guess six of the eight names that are on there, and they're just all guys who've you talked about the last like three seasons.
ninja: Oh yeah, big time.
Lord Hinkie : whereas is it Seth Hennigan will be on an NFL roster in 2027.
ninja: You have to.
Lord Hinkie : Here we
ninja: That's not really a hot take.
ninja: That's just factual. So that won't be on there.
Lord Hinkie : here we go. What else can we... So, I guess, since we talked about Drake May getting his huge bump up, now that he has A.J. Brown and another top-ed wide receiver to throw to What is your fantasy outlook now for Jalen Hurts, the quarterback? We'll we'll go go NFL-wise, and then we can talk fantasy as well with the new offense coordinator again, but now also no A.J. Brown.
ninja: I think NFL-wise, I don't think it changes much. Like, literally almost nothing at all. Like, you don't have that one guy in the red zone, maybe, but, like, you have, you know, you still have Dallas Goddard for a year.
ninja: You have Eli Stowers, who are both really good red zone threats.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, we never talked about him.
ninja: Devontae Smith is really good in the red zone, and no one talks about that. I think we're fine in the red zone. And Makai Lemon is also a dog in the red zone.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, I mean, he I think he think he had like 13 touchdowns last year for USC.
ninja: So, I think...
ninja: Yeah, I think we're fine in the red zone. So NFL wise, not really worried.
Lord Hinkie : Hey, we also have this guy named Saquon Barkley.
ninja: Yeah, he he's pretty good at football, too.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : God, I'm getting excited already.
ninja: God, we are. So I don't think NFL changes much for fantasy. Slight downtick. And it's not because of the like the offensive weapons around him. It's what is this O-line?
Lord Hinkie : that's That's a big question. How healthy is it?
ninja: I'm not sure, like like Lane's a year older.
Lord Hinkie : That's my main thing is how healthy is this hormone?
ninja: Landon Dickerson has this knee or some kind of issue that's been bothering him for a while.
Lord Hinkie : I think it's like a shoulder. Yeah.
ninja: and he thought about retirement and kind like how healthy is this offensive line going to be?
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: i don't know. that's where like So for fantasy, I'd probably say last year he was probably right around my QB5 in fantasy. He probably dropped to like my QB8 9.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, i was thinking like seven or eight. I can't wait. I'm going to start throwing my rankings together just to see how much it moves throughout all this NFL news.
ninja: It would be such a good pod to do like like a rankings one now and then right before the season drops.
Lord Hinkie : Oh, way too early. See how it changes.
ninja: You know what I mean? To see how much we like change our views.
Lord Hinkie : We should do that. Even if we don't do a podcast, we should do it to put it on like social medias and maybe just for ourselves. That'd be fun.
ninja: I'm game. I'm game.
Lord Hinkie : I mean, let's do that. But I think I agree. For me, From the research I've been doing on this quote-unquote Sean Mannion offense, which is basically a mix of like a Matt LaFleur, Sean McVay kind of offense, is that it neses doesn't really matter what the QB wants to do or...
Lord Hinkie : talent wise can do it's more of like how well can they run this offense now i think jalen hurts jalen hurts three years ago what it might not have gone as well right now because three years ago jalen hurts is like still like kind of mostly a runner really looking to you know first read second read run kind of quarterback where he's creatling creating a lot on his own and is creating a lot in the scramble and throwing on the run and is like making plays for this offense that can't really run an offense.
ninja: Thank you.
Lord Hinkie : This Sean Mannion offense is kind of the exact opposite. It's built in a way to where you have this read, you have this read, and then you have this check down, and if none of those are open, it's because you've got sacked because their right tackle got beat. like There's no real... like make a special play happen. There's no real scrambling going on.
Lord Hinkie : So I think fantasy wise, it doesn't change Jalen Hurts for me at all. Because these last couple of years, you can kind of tell he's more lenient to run. He's more looking to throw and like run the offense and seeing if he can throw guys open and make plays down the field more.
Lord Hinkie : And it's not really running as much besides like obviously the tush pushes in the red zone and short yardage situations, which I think he excels at. So I want him to continue to do that.
ninja: Also, one play, as you said, like QB runs, one play that needs to be in every like kind of mobile quarterback's playbook is the QB power. And if you don't know what the QB power is, the Eagles ran it beautifully a couple times.
ninja: It's been run in college. It's where the guard and tackle both run across the line and pull and fill up that hole in the tackle.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. Yeah.
ninja: I love that play so much. And if I could create a high school offense, it's just that play.
Lord Hinkie : If you're a guy that likes to that enjoys offensive line scouting and like all 22 tape, watch watch the Eagles' last two offensive drives against the Buffalo Bills.
ninja: to you. Thank talk to me
Lord Hinkie : I believe that was two years ago on the way to the Super Bowl.
ninja: Thank
Lord Hinkie : I think they ran QB power two or maybe three times in those drives, and both times – one of them was the game-winning touchdown, which was maybe the most gorgeous offensive play I've seen in years.
ninja: Thank Thank
Lord Hinkie : And the other time they did it, think it was, like again, like a 10- or 15-yard gain. it is It is gorgeous, so yes. And also, if you're an NCAA college football player and your quarterback has at least 85 speed, QB power is a cheat code.
ninja: you.
Lord Hinkie : Like, you get eight yards minimum.
ninja: While we're talking about my love project here, it's just scouting O-lines. Over the past two years, Lions and Bills offensive lines are so impressive to watch.
Lord Hinkie : Nasty.
ninja: like There's this guy on YouTube. I don't know his name. I wish I could chat him out. He actually interviewed Connor McGovern, guard of the Bills, on what he looks for, like on the looks, like specific looks and how they read things.
ninja: And it's so impressive to watch like how smart these guys are. and what their assignments are and how they execute their assignments and how they change everything on the fly.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: I love scouting out lines. It's one of my favorite things to do.
Lord Hinkie : it's It's incredibly impressive the amount of work and effort and strength and speed that these offensive linemen need to show in 10 square feet.
ninja: It's it's it's chaos in a phone booth, and I love everything about it.
Lord Hinkie : it's It's incredible. it's good Yeah. Yeah. if you've ever seen If you've ever seen on Twitter or wherever you watch your reels at, there is a new sport called like, you know, car UFC or something like that where they they fight each other in like small spaces.
ninja: It's so fun to watch.
Lord Hinkie : That's exactly what offensive line play is.
ninja: Is
Lord Hinkie : and it's And it is. It's beautiful to watch. Going all the way back to whatever we were talking about, Jalen Hurts' fantasy outlook.
ninja: is that where we were at?
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. I didn't think so. Uh, I, I don't think it changes much. I do think it's a slight downgrade just cause you have to, cause you traded away a J Brown. but if anything, I think we get a pretty solid offensive game plan, offensive total, you know, positive regression this off season or this season. And that's just going to cancel out the trade of AJ Brown. So for me, Jalen hurts. I don't think moves in my rankings.
Lord Hinkie : And also we acquired Mekhi Lemon, so he's not going anywhere.
ninja: like I don't think Jalen Hurts moves down because of anything of Jalen Hurts. It's just that I like guys more now.
Lord Hinkie : Yes.
ninja: You know, like Caleb Williams.
Lord Hinkie : Yes, and it's also his circumstances. Yes, that's also true.
ninja: Like...
Lord Hinkie : i yeah We got to do a ranking, so we should do that.
ninja: Yeah, Caleb Williams might be one. I don't know.
Lord Hinkie : That's a great question. Who would be mine? would it Mine might be Drake May, to be honest.
ninja: I think mine might be Caleb Williams.
Lord Hinkie : Let's do it on the fly here.
ninja: Oh, let me pull up sleeper. Can we go back to talking about O-lines? Because for some reason, my heart like fluttered a step.
Lord Hinkie : Go for it
ninja: I got a little nervous. like I like hit and hit the right chord on the guitar.
Lord Hinkie : you got You got butterflies in your tum-tum.
ninja: oh my gosh, talking about O-line movement? o God forbid a white boy get a little bit of motion talking about O-lines.
Lord Hinkie : Oh.
ninja: Get me going.
Lord Hinkie : Uh-huh.
ninja: Love everything about it.
Lord Hinkie : I guess it is so hard to not have your QB1 beat Josh Allen, though.
ninja: See, but I'm against the green, though.
Lord Hinkie : And I love being spicy.
ninja: I think...
Lord Hinkie : And like, if you're, if you've been this good for so long, I'm, I'm a guy who loves to just go, he's got to fall off. You know, he has to.
ninja: Yeah, well, it for Sleeper, right? I'm just going to go off the top 10. They think what's going to happen this season, right? Josh Allen, 1. Drake May, 2. Lamar Jackson, 3.
ninja: Jaden Daniels is 4.
Lord Hinkie : No.
ninja: Joe Burrow, five. Jalen Hurts, six. Prescott, seven. Herbert is eight. T-Law is nine. And then Caleb Williams is ten. I like Caleb Williams more than eight of those guys.
Lord Hinkie : Caleb Williams is 10.
ninja: At least ten.
Lord Hinkie : That is disgusting.
ninja: Ten. It's so gross. Jaden Daniels shouldn't be on this list. Justin Herbert shouldn't be on this list. Trevor Lawrence shouldn't be on this list.
Lord Hinkie : i am I am a Justin Herbert hater. I think I have to be.
ninja: i I like the player.
Lord Hinkie : i I like the player too.
ninja: i don't like him in fantasy.
Lord Hinkie : I think he's gritty. i think he's gritty. I think he's tough. I would like him to be the quarterback of my football team if I don't already have Jalen Hurts. But like I don't understand the... like Everyone thinks this guy is like Jesus Christ himself, and I just don't it. don't see... it i don't see
ninja: He's Josh Allen on melatonin and chamomile tea.
ninja: Tell me I didn't hit its spot on the head. Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: yeah
Lord Hinkie : God, you're the best. I can't believe. How do you come up with these? Like, like, cause that's the perfect comparison.
Lord Hinkie : He's, he's chill. Josh Allen. Like he's, he's Josh Allen after a glass of wine. Like he's like, that's exactly what he is. He's just a little chiller.
ninja: He's at your grandpa's place sipping chamomile tea.
Lord Hinkie : Just sipping.
ninja: like Just vibing. Just like, oh, it's 8.30.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: Time for bed. me mean I'm a little tuckered after today.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. He's,
ninja: i mowed the lawn.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, like he's Josh Allen after a hard day in the sun.
ninja: yeah
Lord Hinkie : like That's exactly who he is. you're that You're the best, dude. But, yeah, I mean, I i don't really see i don't really see what everyone sees in him. i like what What did he finish as quarterback-wise last year? Do you have it pulled up?
ninja: well Let me pull that up.
Lord Hinkie : I have it. He finished last year as the QB 10. And before that, he's been 12, 17, 11.
Lord Hinkie : Now, is is his first two years, he was the QB 9 and then the QB 2. But after that, it's just been like, it's been good, but it's not like everyone has him ranked in the top six.
ninja: Yeah, he'll
Lord Hinkie : And it's just like, I don't i don't understand why. Like, I think he's good.
ninja: He'll be well outside.
Lord Hinkie : Like, who would who would you rather have?
ninja: Well outside.
Lord Hinkie : Let's do a rid would you rather with Justin Herbert. You ready? You're Justin Herbert or Lamar Jackson.
ninja: Lamar Jackson.
Lord Hinkie : Justin Herbert or Jalen Hurts.
ninja: Jalen Hurts.
Lord Hinkie : Would you rather have Jordan Love? You're not a Jordan Love guy.
ninja: I'm not a Jordan Love guy. I would take Justin Herbert.
Lord Hinkie : I think it goes without saying, but like Joe Barrow.
ninja: Joe Burt.
Lord Hinkie : Obviously. Jaden Daniels.
ninja: That's tough. I've actually been trying to sell Jaden Daniels because I'm worried about injuries.
Lord Hinkie : I agree. i agree. I would probably lean Jane and Daniels in that situation just because of there's more upside.
ninja: I think I would lean Herbert because I don't know what the injuries are. Like, it's like it's scary injuries.
Lord Hinkie : That's fair. And you know, if Herbert gets injured, he's just not going to care. He's going to play through it either way, which is I love about the guy.
ninja: All right.
Lord Hinkie : Like, I hate hating on him, but it's just I feel like everyone else loves him, and I don't love him as much, so I have to be a hater.
ninja: Here's a couple that I'll take over Justin Herbert because i don't you're not scrolling far enough down your list. I'll take Baker Mayfield over Justin Herbert.
Lord Hinkie : Okay. Are we talking, we're talking dynasty.
ninja: I'll take Sam... Dynasty.
Lord Hinkie : Okay.
ninja: I'll take Baker Mayfield over Justin Herbert. I'd be even as wise to say as, I'll take Sam Darnold over Justin Herbert.
Lord Hinkie : Okay. That's kind of nuts.
ninja: Give me CJ Stroud over Justin Herbert.
Lord Hinkie : That's, that's pretty spicy.
ninja: i won't I almost said Bryce Young. i won't do that to myself, but...
Lord Hinkie : Cam Ward.
ninja: it That's close. It's so close. I think I would lean Herbert, but like that's where I see Justin Herbert.
Lord Hinkie : yeah Trevor Lawrence.
ninja: Herbert, but I'm not a T-law guy.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. Mahomes. Yeah.
ninja: Holmes, obviously.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: hate i hate that I said that.
ninja: Cut that out.
Lord Hinkie : Cut that out.
Lord Hinkie : Cut that, cut that, cut that.
ninja: Cut that, cut that, cut that, cut that. but yeah like there There's so many guys I imagine like top 10, and none of them is Justin Herbert.
Lord Hinkie : I have to say this, like one thing, just because I'm looking at it. And this podcast is getting a little derailed, but who cares? d I have this Dynasty Rankings up on this website that I follow.
Lord Hinkie : And they have Jackson Dart. Actually, take a guess. Where do you think QB rankings, where do you think Jackson Dart is ranked in this Dynasty Rankings website?
ninja: Specifically for next season. Oh, it's Dynasty, so it's
Lord Hinkie : Dynasty, future-wise.
ninja: it's 13.
Lord Hinkie : 9 Jackson dart is QB 9.
ninja: Whoa! Ooh.
Lord Hinkie : is ahead of names like Trevor Lawrence. He's ahead of Jalen hurts. He's ahead of Bo Nix He's ahead of Mendoza ahead of Jordan Love ahead of cam board Jackson dart is QB 9 on this dynasty rankings list and that blows my mind I would trade decks and darn Jackson darn now a heartbeat
ninja: That's too high.
ninja: That's way too high.
ninja: That's way too high. Oh, yeah. If I had Jackson Dart anywhere, he'd be traded.
Lord Hinkie : yeah If I can get two first-round picks for Jackson Dart right now, see ya.
ninja: Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : Bye.
ninja: And then, how about...
Lord Hinkie : Have good one.
ninja: and While we're on, you know, Dynasty rankings, we talked about AJ Brown going into the top 10, right? Where do you think on Sleeper he is projected for the 2026 season?
Lord Hinkie : Like wide receiver-wise, like finish?
Lord Hinkie : Uh... 11th.
Lord Hinkie : eleven
ninja: He's listed at number 10 right now on Sleeper, which I love.
Lord Hinkie : Oh, I'm good. Man, I'm good. I think that's totally fair. think that's totally fair.
ninja: I think it's such a good spot for him.
Lord Hinkie : and And that's like next season, correct? Like that is next season's finish.
ninja: That's next season. I don't have Dynasty, like, Outlook things, which i if you have...
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. Dynasty, I think he's a little bit lower just because of his age.
ninja: Yeah, and then I would love to play a Who You Rather with your Dynasty page, but I just went off of what Sleeper has for next season.
Lord Hinkie : Sure, let's do it. I have it actually pulled up now. AJ Brown or Roma Dunzey.
ninja: Oh, that's really good.
ninja: i think for Dynasty, I'd rather Rome a Dunsay.
Lord Hinkie : I agree. I think I'd rather Roman Dunsay. Jordan Tyson.
ninja: Yeah, Jordan Tyson.
Lord Hinkie : Me, i agree. Mekhi Lemon.
ninja: McKay Lemon, yes.
Lord Hinkie : Marvin Harrison Jr.
ninja: That's where it gets close, and I hate that it's close.
Lord Hinkie : a Yeah. Versus AJ Brown. I'd probably take my shot on Marv.
ninja: I...
ninja: Honestly, because Marv hasn't showed anything, I think I just might lean the like the good like three years of A.J. Brown that I'm going to get left.
Lord Hinkie : Sure. I mean, that's yeah, they're they're right there in the rankings. Who else we got here? Who else is in this tier? Jalen Waddell.
ninja: No, A.J. Brown.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, I agree. Who else is here? Devontae Smith, ironically.
ninja: Devontae Smith.
Lord Hinkie : I agree. Luther Burden. Ooh.
ninja: No, I'll take Rome over him, but not Luther too. I'll take AJ Brown.
Lord Hinkie : Dude, Luther Burden has been getting...
ninja: I love Luther Burden.
Lord Hinkie : His butthole is on fire with how how much he is skyrocketing up people's rankings. And I agree.
ninja: How much Taco Bell he ate
Lord Hinkie : Oh, yes. All the spicy Taco Bell, extra Fiesta sauce or whatever it's called, Reaper, all of it.
ninja: Diablo.
Lord Hinkie : Diablo, there you go. i was going to say devil sauce. and I know that's not right. But...
ninja: so funny.
Lord Hinkie : his His dynasty skyrocket has been incredible. It's almost to the point to where I go, i think I'm trading him if I have him because his value right now after not doing what people think he's going to do is incredibly high. Do I just take advantage of that? and I think I probably would.
ninja: All right. So, so here's a question for you in sleeper. There are projections for the 2026 season. Where is Luther burden placed?
Lord Hinkie : Ranked? Ooh.
ninja: Ranked.
ninja: Perfect. Where do you think?
Lord Hinkie : Wait, is it actually 26?
ninja: Roma Dunse ranked No But where do you think Roma Dunse is ranked?
Lord Hinkie : Oh. Oh,
Lord Hinkie : it's... So if if I say Burden's 26, would say Duneze's 19. Wow, okay. nineteen
ninja: They have Luther Burden ranked at number 21 And Roma Dunse is 29 Insane
Lord Hinkie : Wow, they think Luther Burden's gonna have a better year than Roman Dunes, eh?
ninja: insane
Lord Hinkie : That's kind of nuts.
ninja: I think that's insane.
Lord Hinkie : That is kind of nuts. A few more names. Comparing to A.J. Brown, who would you rather have in Dynasty? I got two more for you. Lad McConkie.
ninja: Lad.
Lord Hinkie : I agree.
ninja: We got to support our own, you know what i mean?
Lord Hinkie : Last one, T. Higgins.
ninja: AJ Brown.
ninja: I've never been a T Higgins kind of guy. If he would have got traded to the Patriots two years ago, a very different story.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, yeah, i can see that. I would probably lean EJ Brown as well, but that's all I got. Man, that was fun.
ninja: That's a really fun exercise.
Lord Hinkie : That was a good podcast. Yeah, I think we should do that more often, just the rail into would you rather's in Dynasty and just see what happens.
ninja: that's so That was so much fun. I want to go through so our next pod.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: Top 12 at each position. Dynasty rankings. What we think.
Lord Hinkie : I'm in. Let's do it. I can throw it together pretty quick, too. To be honest, I might have it done by tonight.
ninja: Oh, yeah. I might have it on tonight, too.
ninja: Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, because i'm i I'm already in that world and i just want to keep going. I love when we start doing these podcasts because it brings me all the way back to, oh, my God, I love fantasy football. And here we are. So, yeah, I mean, ladies and gentlemen, thank you guys for listening. I guess it's going to be in the podcast. We only had a couple of notes to talk about.
Lord Hinkie : Obviously, it's the offseason. It's a little bit slow. There's not much going on. But for right now, we kind of deep dove into it. AJ Brown finally got traded. We've talked about trading this guy for, it feels like, 35 years now. But it finally happened. He's finally a New England Patriot. Howie, I think, ended up doing pretty well on that side. And Miles Garrett got moved to the Rams.
Lord Hinkie : Blockbuster. Boom, boom. Well, I was sitting there, just for a story. We didn't have much going on work June 1st, so I'm sitting there just waiting refreshing Twitter, refreshing Twitter, refreshing Twitter, waiting for the AJ Brown news to finally hit. Cause I'm like, man, what are we going to get for this guy? What's going like, let it happen.
Lord Hinkie : And how Adam Schefter tweet pops up on my phone, red alert, red alert, red alert, blockbuster trade, boom, boom, boom, explosion, explosion, fire, fire, fire. I'm like, Oh yeah, here we go. Click.
Lord Hinkie : Miles Garrett got traded to the LA Rams. I'm like, what? I didn't know this could happen.
ninja: So the folks know at home, he visibly stood up there.
Lord Hinkie : It was,
Lord Hinkie : I did. I just, I was shot. You usually should have seen what I did at work. I was like, yeah, it was a show. But, yes, i'm I'm glad we have a new June 1st trade deadline excitement going on in the offseason. I hope this continues for years to come. But, Ninja, any final thoughts for the people, big fella, before we head out of here and probably join them back again maybe in a week?
ninja: Not really any thoughts. Appreciate the fellas for, you know, hanging on while we had a bit of a hiatus again. Cause you know, it's the NFL off season.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah.
ninja: It was a little bit of a strange time. You know, it's, it's a summer weather. We got, we're out doing things with the boys, you know, got to hang out last Saturday, you know, IRL hangout.
Lord Hinkie : talk about it.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah. IRL. Yeah.
ninja: We tried to do a live pod. Zig wasn't there for it. Who'd imagine? He didn't want to do it.
Lord Hinkie : Shocker.
ninja: Hate to see it.
Lord Hinkie : Yep.
ninja: But if you guys want to see anything in these offseason contents, we're just kind of going to go. We're definitely going to do a top 12 now that we're talking about it because to write that list up tonight. But if you guys want to see anything, send it in the DMs.
Lord Hinkie : I'm literally doing it right now.
Lord Hinkie : Yes, sir.
ninja: Love everything about it. Love this podcast. It was so great hopping back in, getting back into the fantasy vibe because it did feel like we had a bit of a long break there. I'm all the way back in after tonight.
Lord Hinkie : Yeah, I mean, it's I think it's it's been a month, I believe, for us.
ninja: Yeah.
Lord Hinkie : A lot of IRL stuff, a little bit of a hiatus, but we're back. We got some more, you know, things to talk about now. But like Damien said, if you guys want us or hit up, hit up if you guys have questions you want us to hit or if you like the Would You Rathers, we can kind of do a lot of segments like that.
Lord Hinkie : So let us know what you guys want to hear. And we'd be very happy to oblige you, loyal listeners. So thank you guys for listening. Appreciate you guys tuning As always, be a friend.
Lord Hinkie : Tell a friend something nice. you know You never know what people are going on, what they have going on behind closed doors. Be nice to everyone you see outside, especially nowadays. Weather's kind of nice. You're going on for walks.
Lord Hinkie : You're getting outside a little bit. Be nice to each other. kind. be kind Be gentle. A lot of people got a lot of stuff going on, whether good or bad or busy or not.
Lord Hinkie : So be a kind, smiling face. Hold that door open for that old lady. She'd greatly appreciate it. You know, and if you see a guy limping because you just tweaked his knee, give him a hand. You know, if you got crutches, go give him go give him a set of crutches, help him get in his car. You know, the best happened, you know, happens to the best of us. You know, what are you going to do? And if you get too hammered at a party, sleep at a friend's house.
Lord Hinkie : And for that, ladies and gentlemen, thank you guys for tuning in. Appreciate you guys listening, and we'll catch you the one. Peace.
