← Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Berry’s Most Interesting Things Heard at the Combine + Biggest Winners from Indy
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Hi, you're listening to Meditating with Jan from Toyota.
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Soften your focus and visualize yourself off
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roading in a Tacoma. Now engage your senses. What do you hear? A donkey?
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Because you're driving the kids to a
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farm sanctuary in a Grand Highlander. Breathe in, breathe out.
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And go from dreaming it to driving it.
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Today.
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Dealer inventory may vary. See your participating Toyota dealer for details. Event ends March 31st. Toyota. Let's go. Places foreign. Welcome to the Fantasy Football Happy hour. Connor Rogers, Jay Croucher, and wait for it. There he is. Matthew Barry in the shot, just in time. And fellas, not only are we reunited, but we have some breaking news. We're going to kick off the top of the show with as DJ Moore gets traded from the Bears to the Bills. But before we do any of that, good to see you, fellas. Matthew, I got to see you at the combine. So, Jay, I will start with you. As you have been living in NBA
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land, I've been living in NBA lands. We have the unique setup right now where I am filming this from inside NBC offices, but not actually in a studio, just the kind of a nondescript office next to a studio. But it's good to see you guys. I didn't catch you guys at the combine, which after our last experience at the combine, where unfortunately, I was observed by an establishment in Indianapolis. So I don't think the state of Indiana wanted me back. But it's good. It's good to be back in business here with you.
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As you see from Valiant Vincent. Oh, wow. Show start.
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Yeah.
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Last time at the combine, you were to watch a depleted Toronto Raptors team, which feels like a oxymoron, but, yeah, it was. It wasn't the same without you, Jay. I'm not going to say it was worse, but I'm just going to say it wasn't the same without you at the NFL combine.
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Got to say, we. We went to see and Conor, big time. Just he. He had other plans with his. With his famous friends. But we went to see with producer Damien, backup producer Pete, a fairly nondescript Raptors paces game. And I would not have thought that three months later the Indiana Pacer, that same team, would be playing in the NBA Finals after we were making jokes about Ben Shepard's mustache. And then all of a sudden, Ben Shepherd's in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. So changes quickly in the sports world.
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C
Matthew, there's no question about it. But you and I can always say we can tell our children we were there when Pascal Siakam went under all of his props against Toronto, against a bunch of backup Toronto players. He should have, should have hit all of his numbers. He didn't. I was very upset there, but if I am a while I was upset as a Pascal Siakam a year ago in Indianapolis. I am very happy if I have DJ Moore in Dynasty. Connor Rogers.
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Yeah.
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As we were just about to sit down and start our show, this trade came through that the Bills have made their move at wide receiver. At least a move at wide receiver. We had a feeling with the emergence of Luther Burden and obviously Roma Dunze that this was DJ Moore's last season in Chicago. The writing was kind of on the wall there and it wasn't a bad Colson Loveland as well. There's lot of mouths to feed in Ben Johnson's great offense here. And for the Bills, this is a room they desperately needed to upgrade. So, Matthew, we'll start with the Bill side of this and then we'll get to the trickle effect on all these Bears pass catchers. What is your read on DJ Moore at this stage of his career? But probably the best case scenario getting to play with Josh Allen.
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C
Yeah, I mean, look again, like I just said, if you have DJ Morton Dynasty, you are thrilled in the last 10 minutes because let's think about this. He was basically becoming. He was the second, you know, know he went second and third last year, depending on the game. Right. You talked about the emergence of Colson Loveland. We obviously saw Luther Burden down the stretch. We know what they like in Roma Dunes a. So here's DJ Moore, still 29 years old, still one of the best wide receivers I think in the NFL. I think he's a top 30 wide receiver just on a talent basis. And now I would argue with all due respect to Caleb Williams and some of the other players he's played with, he's now going to the best quarterback of his NFL career with what should be an increased target share. Yeah, he's got Khalil Shakira and Dalton Kincaid there, but they needed a perimeter wide receiver. They needed someone who could win one on one. They could needed somebody who could win down the field, and that is DJ Moore. I still would like the Bills to get a, you know, a tall 5050 receiver and maybe that becomes Keon Coleman. I don't know. We've seen flashes of it. He hasn't really put it all together yet, but they knew they needed to upgrade that wide receiver room. You know, it just hasn't worked out the way they wanted to. And it Showed up in the playoff and yet another way. So getting DJ Moore, who, you know, I guess, I guess still prime Stefan Diggs. But to me, you know, Connor, is DJ more the best wide receiver that Josh Allen has had. I mean, other than maybe prime Stefan Diggs. I'm just trying to think through his career. This is certainly. If it's not the best wide receiver Josh Allen's ever had, it's right up there. And so I think, especially given the cap space that the Bills had. We're going to talk about my combine rumors coming up. And I had, I had heard Rashid Shahid maybe to the Bills. I'd heard Mike Evans made with the Bills. Those still may happen, although they feel less likely. But the point was talking with the Bills team source at the NFL combine, they were like, obviously, look, we hope Keon steps up. We like the year we got from Shakir. We need Dalton Kincaid to stay healthy, but yeah, we need to add to that wide receiver room. And they do exactly that today. I think it's an amazing trade for honestly all involved because DJ Moore had moved on. The Bears needed to move on from DJ Moore given the depth they had. And he lands in an amazing spot with a shot, a legit shot at a Super bowl next year. As long as he got 17 throwing you the ball.
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B
Yeah. If you're already invested in DJ Moore like you said, Matthew, this is the best possible outcome. I, I'd agree that, you know, Diggs was pretty special in Buffalo across four seasons. He averaged almost 1,350 yards across those four seasons. He was just so consistent in the catches and yards department and was definitely in a better stage of his career then. But when you look at more right now, you know, on a really, really good team, you'd like to see him as a high end number two, not a number one wide receiver. There's a lot of off season left even though the Bills don't have a ton of money. Or do they have another plan to kind of round out this room? I think I, I obviously like this better for more than I do for the Bills. Jay, is that weird to say? And I guess it's easy to kind of get caught up with thinking, what if they got A.J. brown? What if they went out in free agency and got a guy like Alec Pierce that, you know, because of his vertical skills is such a good fit with Josh Allen or a trade that we couldn't see or even a move up scenario in the draft for somebody like Carnell, Tate, Jordan, Tyson, and on and on. That goes, but it's a hard one to digest until you see the entire picture right now.
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Jay yeah, I think there was, particularly in Carolina, there was a long stretch where when the Panthers weren't especially relevant and weren't in the playoff picture where I think DJ Moore was very underrated relative to his actual production. And I think that it kind of flipped at some point where now his name brand has probably gone past what he's actually produced on the field. D.J. more at 50 catches in 17 games this year, slightly less one less than three catches per game. It's 682 receiving yards. Now the thing with D.J. moore is that he plays the game. This guy never gets hurt. He has missed two games in eight years and I think that as you project forward that will be very helpful for a Buffalo team that has dealt with a lot of injuries with his past catches with Dalton Kincaid and his knees with Khalil Shakir, who seems to always be dealing with these little niggling injuries. So hopefully more can get that continuity with Josh Allen. But the reality with Moore is that he's going to be 29 by the time the season starts. He hasn't really been at an elite level since that first year in Chicago. So kind of there are kind of slight I'm not saying it's going to end this way, but there are kind of slight Alan Robinson to the Rams vibes a little bit with DJ Moore get everyone thought Alan Robinson was going to be really good that year. The end can come quickly for skill position players. Now DJ Moore could just turn it around and he could just be a bit more invested in Buffalo than he was in Chicago. But his underlying numbers haven't been great. His PFF grade has fallen off precipitously the past couple of years. Do you think Connor, that there has been a physical decline or do you think there was perhaps a motivation aspect with more in Chicago?
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That's what's weird. I really don't think there's been a decline in skill set overall. It just felt like him and Caleb were not always on or not really often on the same page going down to the biggest moment of their season. That's what's my now you can argue is that a cause for concern because if you're with Josh Allen and the Bills you should be in those those high end kind of moments that you're going to be asked to step up. But for our purposes across a regular season and actually distributing number one targets with Josh Allen, we know Josh Allen can get the ball out on Quick throws that allow more to run after the catch. We know he could throw the ball down the field. And Moore still has some juice. So I guess the positive is. And that Joe Brady obviously was a part of, of making this move as well and has a plan for the player. I think the positive is I don't think there's a significant physical decline in DJ Moore's game and that this new fit maybe reinvigorates his mindset. Going to play with arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. Matthew.
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Yeah, I mean, that's the thing. I mean, like, I know the metrics were down last year, and I get that. And so the question is, is that, is that him losing a step? And, you know, I didn't think I was hearing Alan Robinson's name today, Jay. But, but I get the, you know, I get the reference here. I just wonder if it was one of those things like we saw in the preseason, Connor, we talked about in the preseason, like, wow, all he's doing is targeting Roma Dunes A. Like, they're not looking DJ Moore's way at all. And so just I wonder if you're DJ Moore and you, like, you've been the man for so long and then you get there with a new coach and all of a sudden they're throwing to Roma Dunes A. They're trying to get Colson Loveland involved. They're, you know, Luther Burden, they're running stuff like, wait a minute, how is A Lamide Zacchaeus getting more targets than me? You know, And I don't know, is it, is it a metrics thing that he's hit the wall or is it just is an effort thing? Is it just he wasn't a fit for Ben Johnson's offense? Like, it's hard to say. But I will say that whatever DJ skill level is and we'll find out come August. Whatever it is, I would argue it is better than Josh Palmer or Keon Coleman or, you know, I mean, I think, I think there's an argument that he's over to Khalil Shakir. Like, when you think about what his competition for targets in, in Buffalo is right now as the. The Bills are currently constructed. Like, you feel better about DJ Moore's fantasy prospects this year than you did last year? We're a fantasy football show and I guess it's the difference. Like, is he going to be a top 20 guy on the Bills or is it going to be like a top 35 on the bills? Right. You know, top 40 guy on the Bills. And so you prefer More in PPR than you do in standard. I'm of the belief that change in scenery, a change where he's got a chance to be the alpha change with Josh Allen, you know, and you know, who is, I think is going to be so happy that DJ Moore is there versus all of a sudden now he's competing with. I don't know, I just, I think it's a good move all around. Fantasy wise, I think DJ Moore is probably in the, you know, I would say this is a wide range because I'm going to update my rankings after all the free agency moves and that, you know, kind of the dust settles. But he's in the, he's in the 25 to 40 range. He's a wide receiver 3, 4 to me at the moment, but with obviously some upside depending on how it works out. But he's like in the, you know, he's probably in the, you know, high 30s. Right. You know, he's, why, you know, wide receiver, 35 or something like that. Some, you know, in that range.
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All right, guys, let's get to post. Combine world right now. Matthew, you were there having all kinds of conversations around the pro market. Of course, I'm gonna have some winners from the actual combine workouts as well. And we will get to all the news centered around cuts in the franchise tag. But your article on NBC.com of course, on nbcsports.com Matthew, with everything you heard throughout the week, how about a Derek Carr return potentially at the top of the list? Number one, do you expect this now? And two, does he have a market to return?
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C
Yeah. So I want to caveat this by saying, and I wrote this in the article, if you go read my 35, my top 35 rumors I heard at the NFL combine, you'll see it's in there. But for those that don't get a chance to read that article, what I tell, what I said in the article and what I will tell you and what I told everyone at the Combine when I'm late at night at a bar, having a drink or if I'm talking to him at a coffee shop, wherever it is, it's like, listen, I'm not a journalist. I am, I am not reporting anything you're about to hear as news. I haven't double checked any of this. I haven't, you know, confirmed with sources. These are all just rumors with a capital R. Just, you know, stuff that I've heard as I'm, you know, I'm out there drinking. I'm saying like, hey, man, what have you heard? And one of the things I heard was that the jets expect. I'm sorry, not the jets, the Saints. The Saints expect Derek Carr to unretire, retire. He retired as a saint. They have his rights. So they, they expect him to unretire and be able to trade him. They're obviously very happy with Tyler Shock, so they expect to trade him in the name I heard Connor Rogers is that they want to trade him to the Jets. They think the jets are interested and they think they're going to be able to trade him for the Jets. What they're going to be able to trade him for? I don't know. I will tell you that. Other rumors out there. I know Vincent Von Suri, who is a beat reporter for the Raiders said that he heard Derek Carr to the Vikings. Which, you know, I could see that as well. We'll get to J.J. mcCarthy and the Vikings, everything like that. But yeah, I think the expectation is Cars coming back and the Saints are going to trade them and the team. I heard Connor was the New York Football Jets.
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There's definitely a relationship there with Aaron Glenn. But Derek Carr is going on podcast saying he'd only come back for a team that has a shot to win a Super bowl if he views the jets in that window. Right now, I have some concerns where Derek Carr's head is at, so we'll ultimately see. I think it's going to be a weird spot. Jake.
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C
He took a lot of hits.
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Yeah, he did take a lot of hits. I just. What's the upside in betting on this version of Derek Carr right now, Jay? I mean, last time we saw him, he had a variety of injuries. He wasn't very good. He hasn't played in a year. If I was a team looking in that bucket of quarterback, I'd almost rather trade a day three pick for Jacoby Brissette or somebody in that tier of player.
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Yeah, a couple of things. One, the jets are definitely just a Derek Car away from competing for the super bowl. So they should definitely do that.
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That.
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Secondly, I like that this was not reported by our journalist Maddie, but instead by 2am Pinot Grigio Maddie, which is my favorite version of Maddie. I think the thing with Car, right, is that he's. It feels like he is older than he is in Hawaii. Derek Car's 34. He's. He's. He's a bit more than three years younger than the guy who just won MVP. And I, I do think I am old enough to remember where two weeks into the season Two years ago, when Derek Carr last played, he was in like MVP conversations because the Saints were scoring on every single drive. And then, and look, I think that was a very small sample and I think Derek Carr is an MVP level quarterback at this stage. But I do think that Derek Carr, if he feels that he is physically able enough to come out of retirement and it's a good indicator that he will be if he does that, then I think that he is likely one of the 32 best quarterbacks in the league. And in terms of what teams make sense for him, there aren't that many teams that need a quarterback and that propels them into super bowl contention. But I think the team that always gets brought up in this conversation is Minnesota because of the J.J. mcCarthy situation, because of the success that Donald had there with them. Now Kirk Cousins maybe makes more sense because his familiarity. But I mean, Connor, I feel like I know what Kirk Cousins is. I think there might be a little bit, bit more upside in Derek Carr just because we haven't seen him in a while. But I mean, what do you think that car can realistically give a team at this point?
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Well, one, you have to wonder how much he could play because last time we saw him as he was getting older, he was eventually, you know, fighting through injuries and then eventually just not able to play and walked away from the game. So I have longevity questions from a skill set standpoint. For the longest time it felt like Derek Carr was the 16th best quarterback in the NFL. And I just don't know if you could expect him to be a top 20 quarterback in the NFL. So this is a tricky one because if you're good in a good enough team to be a contender, but you're without a quarterback, that's why you think of the Vikings right away. But that's going to take me to a another rumor because I think that's a Kyler Murray destination is he just lost by the numbers game of there's so many guys like that that a team is not willing to go down that road. And then you know, is this a trade? Is this a scenario where he comes back and he gets his release so he can go sign a low market deal and a team is more comfortable for that. Like, like how many teams right now that need a starting quarterback are willing to trade an asset and take on Derek Carr money? I, I could be off on this one, but I just don't think he has the market that he might think he has until somebody got hurt like Derek Carr coming out of retirement. When Daniel Jones goes down for the year on a contending Colts team, that sounds more exciting than Derek Carr coming out of retirement right now, latching on somewhere. And we don't really know what that looks like.
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C
Yeah, I think it all depends on the cost. It does feel like there's, you know, a lot of news coming out of like, the Derek Carr camp that he wants to come back. You know, it's so interesting because the Raiders. This isn't one of the rumors I heard at the combine, but just sort of putting pieces together. Could you see? Could you. And it's crazy to think about, especially when you think about Derek Carr's career, but. And I know he wants to play for a contender. I get all that. But he also just, you know, may want money or want to be out there. Like, could. Could he come back and reunite with Clint Kubiak in Las Vegas? You know, like, you know, it's a new regime there and everything like that. And obviously, you know, they had some success together. You know, Jay mentions, you know, those first couple of games. And, and so, you know, one of the rumors is, is that the Raiders are expected to release Geno Smith. And I think he's going to have a healthier market than people. Real. I heard from multiple people to combine was that like Gino's tape from last year is actually better than you think it is and that the majority of people think Gino still has it and that the. His struggles last year were entirely a result of just an offense that was completely broken and made no sense. You. Not to mention, you know, a brutal offense that Geno still has, you know, starting quarterback ability. And I know that Minnesota specifically very interested in Gino. Multiple people, multiple people from the Vikings organization asking, asking around the combine, like, what have you heard? Is, you know, going to be available? Is he out there? What's, you know, what's going on? Or the Raiders getting rid of Gino Back to Derek Carr though, how much? I mean, listen, everything's valuable, but like, are the Saints asking for us for a two? Are they asking for a five? Right. And what is Derek Carr willing to sign for? Is he willing. Does he want massive money or does he willing to do like kind of a one year? You know, it's been a while since I played. I'll prove it. Deal with a bunch of, you know, incentive bonuses and so I think that depends. I'll throw one name out there. Again, the name I heard was the Jets. I know that the. He's been linked to the Vikings as well. One name one team that I think I'll just throw out there is what about the Pittsburgh Steelers if Aaron Rodgers doesn't come back Right. That's a team that in theory is. Is is well constructed and would need a competent quarterback. I will say this. The rumor I heard was about the Steelers was that they want Rogers to come back. They hope he does it but if he doesn't they like Will Howard and that they would go into the season with Will Howard not trying to get a one of the Kyler Geno, maybe Derek Carr. He's probably in that range to a Kirk Cousins one of those type guys. They'd rather. They'd rather roll the dice with Will Howard. So but I'm just trying to think of like what are teams that potentially with a solid quarterback have super bowl chances and I think this Steelers would. Would qualify there given the rest of their roster.
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B
Yeah, that's a. That's a really good one to bring up because as we heard Aaron Rodgers this week he's not going to announce his intentions anytime soon. So that's a tale as old as time. And I'm glad you brought up Geno Matthew. I wouldn't. I, I've heard a little bit of the same that like Gino in the public eye is nobody cares in the NFL. I Gino will have a market where I wouldn't even put a reunion with the jets off the table as well. Well let's get through more of these rumors. That's a lot on Derek Carr and this next one this next one Jay and this comes from Matthew we would be pretty excited about is the Cardinals are expected to pursue Malik Willis in free agency. We like Malik Willis's skill set both as a passer and a runner. We know they have Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson and Trey McBride. They're picking third overall in the draft. Who knows maybe a Jeremiah Love spot, maybe not. But at the end of the day we want Malik Willis to be a starter and you could do worse than being paired with Michael Flor in this amount of skill talent.
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Yeah definitely. And just from a fantasy perspective, I mean it's a probably a dream situation. Wherever Malik Willis lands as a starter because of the rushing value I think he immediately becomes Fantasy wise top 8 to 12 quarterback probably back end of the top 10 to front end of the next range in terms of quarterback options in fantasy I think with Malik Willis it's the question is is how much is he a product of Matt LeFleur and a small sample size and I think that he probably put. He showed enough in terms of the throws he was making, the plays that he was executing to have enough for there to be enough there to take a chance on him. And there is. If he does end up in Arizona, which seems the likeliest outcome at this point, you know, this team has real weapons to your point, Connor. So I think, think fantasy wise, Malik Willis to the Cardinals is about as good an outcome as you could hope for.
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C
Yeah, I'm. I'm calling it now. He is. He's not only going to be a sleeper for me, he's gonna be a sleeper for everyone. He is going to be everyone's sleeper, assuming he has a starting job and if it's in Arizona, and that's what I expect. You know, this is a guy that averaged over 23 fantasy points per game and three starts for the packers over the last two years, right? Over 600 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, almost 200 yards rushing in those. In those three yards for the packers over the last two Years. So, yeah, I mean, I. And I think that from a skill standpoint, Connor, you. It feels like the feeling for Malik Willis is, you know, strong arm, you know, is it. It's a small sample size and, you know, he was on a good team with the Packers. But I also feel like, again, if the, if the Cardinals invest that kind of money, it is Matt LaFleur calling his brother Mike and saying, yeah, we think the kid can play. We really like him. When Jordan Love went down, we had confidence that Malik Willis could come in and carry the team. And that's exactly what happened. The other key point that was brought to me by a Cardinals insider that I talked about at the combine is they said two things. They said, listen, Malik Williams, Malik Willis is going to get like 30 million from the Cardinals market. So it's interesting that, like, that kind of money. I'll caveat and say that I know there are other people out there saying, like, I think the market is closer to like what Justin Fields got last year. Two years, 40 million maybe, something like that. But I think it's gonna be a more robust market for Willis. So we'll see. But I think the number I heard was 30 million. Regardless of how much Malik Willis gets paid, he's going to get paid a lot of money. And the reason I think the Cardinals is for, is for three reasons. Number one is, is that think about the Cardinals general manager, Monty Austin Fort, since he's. He is 15 and 36. That's his record as a general manager since he got to Arizona. Now they fired Jonathan Gannon. They brought in a whole new coaching staff. They've gotten rid of Kyler Murray, which we'll, you know, in a second here. But the fact is, is that he needs to win. He does not have. Okay, we got rid of the head coach. We're giving you another chance, Monty. But Monty doesn't have a, doesn't have the opportunity to say, like, all right, let's, let's see if we can develop Ty Simpson. Like, they're not getting Fernando Mendoza. So it's like, are they, you know, are they trying to get one of the other free agent quarterbacks? And I think you feel best about. Of all the guys that are out there, with the exception of Kyler Murray, who they just got rid of. Like, I think Malik Willis is the best free agent quarterback available, especially because Daniel Jones got tagged and we'll talk about that. So if you're Monty Austin Ford, and you're just like, listen, man, like, who's available for me at the quarterback position? I don't really want to go into the season with Jacoby Brissette and try to develop a, you know, a day two or day three pick. I'm going to pay what I got to to make sure Malik Willis is here. Then you think about Miami. They're totally cash strapped, cannot afford Malik Willis. He's. They're not gonna be able to get anywhere close to what I think Malik Willis will make from Arizona and for errors for Minnesota, who, you know, definitely want a quarterback. And we'll talk about that with J.J. mcCarthy. The thought process there is that they, they don't want to completely give up on JJ McCarthy. Like, they're not super psyched, but they don't want to completely bail on him just yet. And so if you spend 25, $30 million a year, you know, even north of 20 on Malik Willis, you're doing that with the idea of, like, that he's going to be the starter. And so we'll talk about Minnesota and J.J. mcCarthy here in a second and, and more things. But they don't want, they don't want an upper tier guy there that they, that comes into the, that they pay so much that they have to use him as a starter where it doesn't make sense otherwise. So I just, as you sort of look around, okay, who else is in the market for quarterback that could bring in Malik Willis? You know, maybe Atlanta, I guess, but I don't think they're ready to, you know, throw in the towel on Pennix. Like Arizona just feels like the obvious one for a lot of reasons.
- [27:19]
B
Another bit of quarterback news, this centered more around an actual team. The Vikings plan to sign a veteran quarterback to compete with J.J. mcCarthy. And in the article, Matthew, the last line caught my eye. In fact, if I had to bet today on starting quarterback for the vikings in week one of 2026, I would take the field over J.J. mcCarthy. This obviously could be another Kyler Murray destination or an established veterans. So, Matthew, it feels like, and it's not shocking, but it happened fast. Things are trending downward for the former top 10 overall pick in Minnesota.
- [27:52]
C
Look, we saw what happened on the field last year. He just, he wasn't good. He had moments. He had moments. He lit up my commanders, but that's not tough. Everyone lit up my commanders like, he wasn't great. And what I heard from a source is that last year the Vikings actually had to pare down their playbook because just McCarthy was not grasping the entirety of Ke Oconnell's offense. And so they had to pare it down. And they want to bring somebody. I mean, like, like you heard, you heard Vikings front office personnel on the record saying, like, you know, hey, we're open to all solutions. We're looking or, you know, we're looking around. The phrase that was said to me by a source is like, we want somebody to shock JJ McCarthy. And by that means, like, they want to bring somebody into camp. I think this is a similar situation to the Colts last year where they had Anthony Richardson, but they didn't want to guarantee him the spot. They wanted a real competition. They brought in Daniel Jones who had had success in the NFL and ultimately, obviously Daniel Jones ends up winning that job. Want somebody that come into the camp that J.J. mcCarthy is going to look at and like, oh, that's not just some camp arm. That's not Carson Wentz, who we know is going to be the backup. This is somebody that has been a start in the NFL, that has had success as a start in the NFL and could very well beat me out in camp to be the starter for the Vikings this year. And so that includes at the high end, the Malik Willis trading for Mac Jones. But again, if they traded for Mac Jones or they signed Malik Willis, that guy would be the starter. So I think they're looking a tier below and that includes, includes Kyler Murray, that includes Geno Smith. As we talk about. They're. They're very interested. Potentially a reunion with Kirk Cousins. I didn't really hear Tua Tungavailoa's name associated with them. But I, I do know they like Joe Flacco. They were very interested in Aaron Rodgers last year. Kevin o' Connell actually wanted Aaron Rodgers is what I was told. Kevin o' Connell actually wanted Aaron Rodgers last year, but the entire organization was not on board board. And so obviously they ended up not doing that deal and Rogers went to the Steelers. But there's a chance that, you know, that raises its head again as well. It would have to be an entire team organization to bring in Aaron Rodgers, but they definitely like him and he's on the list as well. So a lot of names associated as we just talked about Derek Carr as well. But I like I said Jay, you tell me you're a betting man, but if, if I was a betting man and I am, and if I could, if there was a market out there that I could put some bucks down that said, who's the starting quarterb for the Vikings? J.J. mcCarthy or anyone else. Give me anyone else.
- [30:21]
A
Yeah, I like the idea of Kirk Cousins just cycling through different teams the drafted quarterbacks in the 2024 draft and just being in competitions with them. Penix on Atlanta, McCarthy In Minnesota, we can get him to the Broncos next year after Bo Nicks has a bad year, etc. Etc. But I agree, I think that just all the smoke in Minnesota to just the the general vibe around McCarthy and what he showed last year. I mean to your point, he had flashes, he looked good against your commanders as you said. I thought he was exceptional against Dallas in that win. Albeit the Cowboys had one of the worst defenses in the league. But yeah, obviously that team is too built to win now. They have too many veterans on that defense between guys like Van Ginkel and Granard and then opposite side Justin Jefferson can't go through another year like he did last year. So. So they can't be in position where they're living and dying with JJ McCarthy having to hit for the team to be successful. So there will be a more viable backup or potentially starting option than Carson Wentz last season. But Conor, my feeling is that this, this kind of feels like Anthony Richardson going into last year where Perhaps they give JJ McCarthy a real shot to win out a camp and ultimately that he loses out to the vet Daniel Jones type of option.
- [31:41]
B
I was gonna. That was the first thing that came to mind for me is that it's just already is starting to feel like the Colts where you're looking around and going, you know, would they really acquire somebody that would push a quarterback that they invested Such a high pick in. And then you go, well, yeah, I mean, the coach at the end of the day wants to win games and he. If he has an avenue to increasing the floor of the offense, he's gonna do that. And J.J. will probably. And use another thing you highlighted in the article, Matthew. Like J.J. will probably have everybody shot in camp to continue to develop and show that he is the guy. But if he does not take the steps they need him to take. Minnesota, the way their roster is constructed, they can't just like sit around and wait for the magic moment because other guys are going to start to age. And this was a really, really good football team last year that was totally hamstrung by their quarterback. You can argue that they have the best defensive coordinator in football when he's on his A game game. And I think he's going to get a head coaching job eventually. So, yeah, they just don't really have the time. This one, the next one maybe a shocker.
- [32:42]
C
And the other thing, I'll say kind of just, just to wrap that up real quickly, like, the guy who, you know, the general manager that drafted JJ McCarthy is no longer there and the guy they released to. To. To start JJ McCarthy just won the Super Bowl. So like this, this is, this is pressure on this Vikings organization. Especially when you think if you look around the NFC north and you see, you know, the Bears, the Bears and the packers both so strong, we know the Lions will bounce back as well. So I think it's important for the Vikings, like, their time is now. And we, we also saw, we heard Justin Jefferson. You know, we saw Justin Jefferson sort of, who never complained, Saints. Justin Jefferson's not a diva wide receiver. And last year, you know, you start hearing some, you know, some frustration leak out from Justin Jefferson. And that was one thing that I didn't put in the column, but I will say came up during the combine is again, that just, you know, the frustration of Justin Jefferson on the offense last year is. That's a real thing. And you. If you're somebody as talented as Justin Jefferson, you get it.
- [33:52]
A
Yeah.
- [33:53]
B
For the Vikings, I think it's at the point where it's not about the mistake they made, but how fast they can kind of react to and clean it up. On the veteran front, Mike Evans. Matthew, this is somebody, you said you're starting to feel like it might be unlikely his return to Tampa Bay, which is so hard to imagine, all the great things he's done over such a long period of time with that organization. But you look at the investment in Chris Godwin, the, the market that he's going to have even at his age because he's such a commodity, his skill set. What did you, what were you surprised when this first kind of came your way to picture Mike Evans not in a Tampa Bay Bucks uniform?
- [34:31]
C
Yeah, I mean obviously he's so iconic and you know the thousand yard season streak and everything like that. But yeah, I feel very strongly. Look, you never know, right? But so far, if you go look at the columns. Column came out Monday morning. If you look at the column so far we've been, we've been pretty spot on with a lot of the stuff that's happening. I'm not going to go 35 for 35, but like a lot of the stuff that was in the column has actually already happened. And the thing about Mike Evans isn't that the Buccaneers don't like Mike Evans, they love Mike Evans. But the truth is, is that Mike Evans still wants to get paid. Mike Evans is still an elite wide receiver. He's still one of the best 50, 50 ball winners in the NFL. And the Buccaneers is currently constructed. They signed Chris Godwin, as you mentioned Connor, to a long term guaranteed money contract, big money contract last season. They hit on a Mecca boost, Luca. They've got Jalen McMillan, they got Nice production from Tez Johnson. Like they, they've got a really nice deep young wide receiver team. And so as you just sort of think about they're going to have to redo Baker next year and like as they start thinking about some of the moves that the Buccaneers are going to have to make over, over the entirety of their football team. Mike Evans is a nice to have, not a must have for them because they have so much depth and production in that wide receiver room. And so I think I heard Mike Evans to the Bills. I wonder the DJ Moore news changes that. Although I do think he would be complimentary to DJ Moore, but just depends again on their cap space. I also heard Philadelphia potentially if, if the Eagles do move on from A.J. brown. That's one of the rumors out there that they might trade A.J. brown. But I know Tennessee is going to be in the market. Mike Evans has said he wants to go somewhere where he can win to a contender and a good quarterback. But there are a lot of teams that could use a good wide receiver, my commanders being one of them that that has a chance at win, at winning. You know, I mean like we don't know what's going on with San Francisco. Right. You know, and right now We Ricky Pearsall is going to be back and that's all we sort of really know at the moment and obviously long road back for George Kittle. As you think about their past catchers, I'm just thinking through sort of the NFL. There's a lot of teams out there that could use Mike Evans and I think the market it I think in terms of what the Buccaneers might be able to offer versus the market, Mike Evans going to play for another team next year.
- [36:54]
B
Jay, I'm going to throw one at you. That might seem odd, but when you look at the fact they are top 10 in salary cap space going into the off season and that they are not bringing back, it sounds like Rashid Shahid. What about the Seahawks for Mike Evans to compliment Jackson, Smith and Jigba and give Sam Darnold a jump ball target?
- [37:11]
A
Yeah, I love it. The thing with Donald that I think is underrated about his game is though he does have flaws is that he will chalk it up and he'll give guys a chance in a similar way to Baker Mayfield. I mean if you look at their career trajectories and their playstyles, I'd say that the quarterback in the league most analogous to Baker Mayfield is probably Sam Donald, which is kind of poetic given that they were once on the same depth chart in Carolina of all places. But I think that Evans, you know, I think that despite being so injured last year when he was healthy, he still looked like Mike Evans to me that game at the end of the season, season on Thursday night against Atlanta when he came back from the layoff, like he was dominant in that game and perhaps he didn't reach the same heights on a per game level that he did the previous year which was the final year of the one case streak. But I think that Evans, even if he is not, you know, a tier one receiver at this point. Yeah. As a number two next to jsn, I think that he would be perfectly equipped for that kind of role.
- [38:13]
B
Matthew, it would not be the rumors column without an appetizer dose of some Commanders news. Debo Samuel unlikely to return to the team and 2026 could be Terry McLaurin's last year with the Commanders.
- [38:28]
C
Yeah, yeah. Look, the thing is is if you remember there was a contract holdout last year with Terry McLaurin heading into his like his 30 year old season and ultimately they got that done. But McLaurin not a great year for him last year he was, he was injured. The production wasn't necessarily there there as well. I mean the thought process is is that this is the last year in terms of the extension that McLaurin got. 2026 is the last year of guaranteed money for Terry McLaurin and so he's just sort of thinking about it logically. They, they didn't really want to pay him when he was 30. They ultimately did. Do they really want to pay him when he's 32 now? Could he have an amazing year this year and turn it around under new offensive coordinator David Blau? Sure. But I just the expectation talking to a team source in Washington, as you know that's a team I follow closely. Particular source has been really good over many years. Feels like McLaurin's last year is likely 2026 and certainly Debo I think is unlikely to return to the team. So Washington is wide receiver is definitely an area of need for the team. They're going to continue to add this is obviously a big year for Jaden Daniels third year. They've got, you know, two more years under his rookie deal and they're likely probably going to have to redo it after next year after season four. So important season for this new offense offense and you want to give the new offense coordinator a chance. I I think they'll be aggressive in the draft and in free agency at the wide receiver position. Connor, as I mentioned in the column as well, curious what your thoughts are. I know your big board is up on NBCSports.com and you've done a million knock drafts on stock exchange but what I would say is is that what was told to me is that they want to go edge rusher but if the big three are gone by second seven Carnell Tate is is somebody that they're really interesting, really interested in.
- [40:25]
B
Makes a ton of sense. We know how important they need a pass rusher for this defense but there's a world where Arvell Reese is gone, right. David Bailey is gone. We'll see what they think of Reuben Bain and how they value him and if he's there. And then you look at Carnell Tate and how he would kind of fit in that offense and his ability as foot, footwork, his body control. He's a bigger bodied outside wide receiver so. Or the commanders could be a team not much. Day 2 Capital because of all the moves they've made over the last year. Do you get out of that seventh slot, let somebody come into it whether Jeremiah Love is there, Caleb Downs recoup some of that capital and maybe still get a Carnell Tate a couple spots out of that from the draft. So the commanders are in a very interesting pivot point for the draft, I think right now.
- [41:11]
C
Hey, real quickly, Connor, before we move on, I'm just curious. There's a lot of news out of the combine about Carnell Tate's 40 time. That wasn't as wasn't as fast as the official time, wasn't as fast as some people thought. Then there were some people out there that try to seem like they were carrying the water for Carnell Tate's agent. But my question to you is, is regardless of what the time, whether it's a 444-5447-452, how worried do you think NFL scouts are going to be and how, how much do you think this affects Carnell Tate's job stock, if at all? Is this something that would be concerning to you if you were an NFL general manager?
- [41:47]
B
No. When you go through this process, you try to have a good feel of what do you think a guy's speed is. If you asked me before the combine, I would have said he's a 4, 5 guy. Obviously there's reports going around that some teams had him at a 4, 4, 7. His laser time, which is what we put in the system because it's the most consistent, was a 4, 5, 3. So Carnell Tate is a 4. 5 guy. He wins with the size, the detail, some physicality as well. So I don't think it's going to affect him too much. I think it's kind of correcting that he's going to go in the 7 to 16 range, not the top 5 kind of range, but the 40 time discourse, the arm length discourse. The NFL combine has brought up a lot of interesting combos this year with varying opinion. Ashley Madison was built for discretion. It's not for everyone. It's for people who don't want a spotlight, who don't need validation, who don't want their curiosity turned into content.
- [42:43]
C
A place designed for privacy and choice,
- [42:45]
B
where connections happen quietly and always on your terms. Because some things are better when no one else is watching. Where desire meets despair Discretion Ashley Madison. Download the app now or visit ashleymadison.com iheartmedia let's get into the rotor World Player news. We talked a lot about Kyler Murray already. The Cardinals have informed him they're going to release him. I don't think we need to spend a ton of time, but from a fantasy angle. Jay, where would you want to see Kyler Murray next year? Because this is somebody a couple years ago was extremely relevant. He's Become a totally forgotten man due to injury and he's taken a step back in Play. But at 28 years old, it's not like we're going to leave him for dead.
- [43:29]
A
Yeah, that's the thing with Kyler is that he, he's 28 years old and I think that he's become a little bit underrated where I understand he hasn't lived up to the expectations of being a number one pick as evidenced by that team is going to release him. And he hasn't really lived up to what he showed back when his. I think his peak season was probably 20, 21 where he's the MVP first favorite halfway through the year and Cliff Kingsbury was coach of the year favorite and the Cardinals were in the one seed. It's been a steep fall since then, but I think KYLER I thought two seasons ago thought is perfectly fine. 21 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions over seven yards per attempt. That was a perfectly good season at an average to slightly above average NFL style level. And then this past season wasn't great, but at the same time it was five games and one of them was against Seattle. That was the game where he really struggled. So ultimately I think that Kyler, I still think there is clearly some juice in the tank. Of all the available quarterbacks, I think that he is by far the most appealing in terms of where I would like to see him land from both a fantasy and NFL perspective. I think that Miami is interesting because of the weapons that they have pairing him with Jalen Waddle and Devon Hn as a receiving threat and just going all in on speed again in that offense. Offense. But I mean it's probably controversial. Everyone's just penciling in Daniel Jones back to the Colts. As a lifelong die hard Colts man, I'd rather have Kyler Murray than Daniel Jones coming off a torn Achilles. I think if you just want to look at taking a swing to be a team that has more upside to actually win the afc. Not sure you're really getting there with Daniel Jones off of this injury. And the shine was already kind of coming off Daniel Jones before the injury in any case. So people don't throw the Colts into these kind of conversations the way that they do with the Vikings who are always the go to or the Falcons or teams like that. But the Colts, I mean with Daniel Jones at the helm this was like greatest offense of all time for two months to start the season statistically at least. And so I think that you know Kyler Murray behind that offensive line with Jonathan Taylor Taking the load off in the backfield with the weapons they have. That is the destination. To me, this is the most appealing
- [45:41]
C
what I would say there is. I think that makes a ton of sense and I think Kyler Murray and Shane Steichen offense, he'd know how to, you know, specifically use Kyler skills. I think the challenge there is that Kyler, it's going to be similar to the Russell Wilson deal when he went to Pittsburgh, which is that Arizona is still on the hook for a massive amount of money. I think think it's 26 something million. So Kyler is going to go somewhere and sign for like the minimum because he's still getting paid by Arizona. And so because he's Kyler Murray, because we expect Malik Will to go off the board, in essence, he's going to be like a, you know, a dirt who's likely the best available free agent quarterback. He's going to have his pick of teams and I suspect that what him and his camp will want to do is go to the, it'll be a one year prove it deal that'll be like just this, you know, rookie, you know, not rookie but the like just league minimum because he's getting so much money from Arizona and he'll go to the team where he has the best chance to start to be the guy. And so I think if you're Kyler Murray and Minnesota's interested, you're like, I could go to Indianapolis, but they just franchise tag Daniel Jones.
- [46:52]
A
He's.
- [46:52]
C
Whenever he gets back healthy, it's probably going to be him versus all I got to do is beat up JJ McCarthy, you know what I mean? And I got, I got Justin Jefferson and you know, Jalen Naylor and Jordan Addison to throw to and T.J. hawkinson, you know. You know, and I get to play indoors on turf, you know, so I, I think that's interesting. I'll also say for fantasy purposes, I'd be fine with the jets again, you know, Connor, they're going to be terrible. But for fantasy purposes, junk time still counts, you know. Still he's still got Garrett Wilson, he's still got Breeze hall, which we'll get to. They'll be running around, they'll be in, you know, negative gain scripts all the time. Like, like I think Kyler Murray would, would be a, you know, a viable fantasy starter on the jets just because of the nature of fantasy football in that team. He may not want to go there before a variety of reasons, but if you ask me, where do I want for fantasy, I Think I think Minnesota as somebody who has Kyler Murray and Dynasty, I prefer, I prefer Minnesota or the jets teams where I think A he can put up numbers and B, he's going to be the starter. No question. Question. For the majority of the year, if not the entire season.
- [48:07]
B
All right, some more cut related news guys. The Patriots informed Stefan Diggs he's going to be released next week. Obviously Matthew, he is going to turn 33 during next season. He's got some off the field legal matters to deal with as well. Is this potentially it for Diggs or at least are we going to be in a holding pattern with Diggs when these things are being figured out?
- [48:28]
C
I don't think so. I don't think this is it for Diggs because I think Diggs still played at a high level.
- [48:32]
B
He was good.
- [48:33]
C
I mean I know he's only playing like 55, 60% of the snap snaps or whatever, but this is a guy who, you know had over a thousand yards this year. He had 85 receptions. He was on a fantasy basis. He averaged over 12 points per game. He was wide receiver 21 on a points per game basis. I thought, I thought he still has it and so given how, you know, needy the, the wide receiver market is out there, he'll absolutely have offers and jobs and so I don't think this is it. I think he still showed he could play at a high level. He'll be a year removed from the ACL TE as well. Obviously he came back strong especially in the second half last year as well. So Diggs will have a, I think a healthy market out there. There's, you know, there's off the field issues but you know there's definitely teams in the NFL that certainly don't care about that and feels like, feels like the, the Patriots who have a decent amount of cap table as well. Sorry, cap space. Could they go out and grab a mike out Evans? Could they go out and grab a Rashid Shahid? You know, I mean like I think, I don't think they go into the season with just K, Sean Booty, Matt Collins, demario Douglas, Kyle Williams. I think they're not done adding that wide receiver room. I bet you they are aggressive in the market and they come away with somebody that potentially younger and more explosive than Stefan Diggs. But I don't think Diggs is done at all.
- [49:56]
B
Yeah, to your point, I think the Patriots will be all over the Alec Pier year's market as well. Such an ideal fit with Drake May at his age more AFC skill related News here, Jay. The Texans acquired David Montgomery from the Lions in exchange for Juice Scruggs and draft capital. So David Montgomery assumingly now elevated out of a not even committee because Gibbs got so much more volume last year. And for the Texans, a team we could really never figure out the first 12 weeks of the year, who the heck was going to be playing, right? Running back maybe at least, you know, them solidifying that position after we have no idea where Joe Mixon has been.
- [50:34]
A
Yeah, I think this is huge for Montgomery's fantasy valuable value going forward. Just the fact that the Texans were willing to give up what they did as a clear indicator of how much they intend to give David Montgomery the ball. We've seen Montgomery before take on, you know, RB1 work course usage in Chicago in 2020 he had 247 carries. I think that just the nature of how he plays, his build, he will be able to take on a more significant workload than he had in Detroit. And even though Dico Ryan is obviously on the defensive side of the ball, this team is kind of built in his image. And I think that combined with CJ Stroud's struggles in the playoffs are going to make this a team that does really want to run the ball and have that be an identity. And I think that, you know, David Montgomery with Woody Marks behind him, that is going to be how this team wants to play and leaning on them. So yeah, this is, I think Dave Montgomery is a, you know, hugely, hugely appealing fantasy option now just because of the goal line equity that he's going to have and the workload that he's going to have. There's going to be games where Dave Montgomery gets 24 carries this year which just was never going to be possible.
- [51:46]
C
Jameer Gibbs, I would agree with that. I mean I think Woody Marks is still going to cut into it. I think I had, I had Montgomery. I put out a video on Spot on Social and Rotoworld.com about I think he's a touchdown dependent flex. So I think you're probably a little bit more optimistic than I am. But I certainly see a scenario where he could be that guy. Where he could just be that guy. What's interesting is, is that the, the Texans last year 13th in the NFL in rushing attempts but 29th in yards per carry, 32nd in yards after contact. So the Texans actually in run blocking weren't terr terrible. They were like middle of the pack in terms of yards before first contact, but dead last in league in yards after the contact. They just didn't between Woody Marks and Nick Chubb, they just didn't have any guys that you know could get more than what was blocked. And and so in Dave Montgomery who is obviously he's a bruiser, he's great in yards after contact. He's somebody who's very solid. I don't know like feels like it's 800 yards and eight touchdowns kind of you know Dave Montgomery. But I think he is, I think he will be a viable touchdown dependent flex and opportun for him. To your point, if the Texans defense plays the way we expect next year that they did list this year, you could see games where like we just ain't going to let C.J. stroud throw it. We're going to run, we're going to play good defense and we're going to run it 25 times. We don't care if we get three yards of carry. We're just going to like we're going to grind out a bunch of 1713 wins.
- [53:10]
B
All right guys, the franchise tag related news. Kind of a quiet tag deadline this year. No shock to see the Cowboys use the tag on George Penn Pickens. The jets use the franchise tag, not the transition tag on Breeze Hall. I think they got wind at the combine. Breeze would have got some big time offers out there on the open market. The Falcons didn't mess around. They placed the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts. They're going to release Darnell Mooney so they can't really afford to lose pass catchers right now. And then the co your Colts Jay go with the transition tag for Daniel Jones which saves about 6 minutes million of course a team could negotiate with him but they probably have good word that that's unlikely to happen.
- [53:51]
A
Yeah, I can't imagine that someone is going to exceed the offer that Jones is going to get as part of this transition tag where I think it it defaults to a $37 million one year contract without off. So Daniel Jones is very likely going to be back with the Colts which makes Kyle Murray a bit of a pipe dream even though he would be on a minimum and you'd effectively be paying you know sub $40 million for a position. But you know Jones just the the season that he was having in Indianapolis before he got hurt I guess made this always something of a no brainer and he does raise this the floor in terms of particularly what they were getting the previous year in Anthony Richardson. For guys like Tyler Warren this may impact their ability to retain Alec Pierce a little bit which would be an issue. They've got some things to sort out with probably restructuring Michael Pittman's contract as well. Well but yeah, I think ultimately just re racking it, running it back with Daniel Jones is always going to be the most likely option for Indianapolis.
- [54:51]
B
Matthew, for you.
- [54:52]
C
Yeah, I, you know, yeah, I, I agree with, I agree with Jay there as well. I think the, the more interesting one for me just of all these tags because we didn't really talk about it. Bruce hall is going to be what Breeze hall was Pickens. I'm as a top 10 wide receiver but Kyle Pitts, when you think about Kevin Stefanski, two time head coach of the year Kevin Stefanski, not everyone knows that he won those awards two times but two time coach of the year Kevin Savansky, Cleveland was top three in tight end receptions. You think about David and Joku, you think about Harold Fannin last year. I mean just like the tight end position is something that's always been a big part of Sasky's offense whether it was Minnesota or Cleveland. And so now here he comes to Kyle Pitts coming off his best year as a pro and not a lot of options for whoever their quarterback is. By the way, one rumor I heard at the combine is Joe Flacco comeback player of the year. Joe Flacco might have a reunion with Kevin Stefanski because it just makes sense. And as one scout said to me, like Joe Flacco's tape from last year is actually great. Like, you know, shocking as it is like Flack talking to a couple of different league sources like Flacco is going to have a healthy market. I actually heard Joe Flacco's his name more during the combine than Tuatanga Violois. And so conveying, especially given Michael Penix his health feels like a Flacco reunion with Stefanski in Atlanta makes a lot of sense for both sides. And either way, you know, it's like when you think you're done, we're gonna have to be back in on Kyle Pitts.
- [56:33]
B
Yeah, damn it.
- [56:34]
A
You call him Joe Flacco, I call him Jason Voorhees. The Friday the 13th trilogy can't kill this bloke keeps coming back and popping up on in our lives. But I do think, I think about the game that he played against the Steelers in prime time where Joe Flacco is going to be held to stand in the pocket and just whip it to star receivers seemingly until the end of time. At this point can't move or offer anything on that front. But he's still got the arm which is pretty incredible at his age. So credit to Joe Flacco and yeah, I'm sure he's. If he wants to be. He's going to be in the league next year again with real chance of starting.
- [57:12]
B
All right guys, let's get into some winners from. Oh, go ahead, man.
- [57:18]
C
Well, I was gonna. Where I was gonna go. Yeah. Connor, let's talk about, let's talk about the combine. Let's talk about. Yeah, let's talk about you. You, you crunch the numbers. You got your big board. You, you, you do it all and you also you and our, our good buddy Lawrence Jackson interviewed a ton of prospects. Those are all up on NBCSports.com you can check it out on social media as well. Follow Rotor underscore football on on X at Rotor World on Instagram. And so I'm just curious Connor, as you sat there, you were there all week at the NFL combine interviewing prospects, watching tape, scouting it, not going out at night. No one. No. Connor blew us off. Jay, just so you know, like we, Lawrence and I invited Connor to come with us to a party. He blew us off, wouldn't come out. He's too busy out just crunching tape and being nerdy. But Connor, with all the homework you did tell me some of the winner that you saw at the NFL combine.
- [58:13]
B
It's funny.
- [58:13]
C
Stock is up.
- [58:14]
B
It's funny to call Jeremiah Love a winner, but he is. He went from being somebody who. Okay, he's the top running back in the class. Let's put him at The Saints at 9, the Chiefs at 10. Vikings fans at 18 are dreaming. It's just not happening. He's too good. He goes and runs the 43640. He was in the 95th percentile and yards after contact this year. He's well built, Lawrence, and I got to interview him. He's already operating like a professional. He's such. And the reason he's a winner besides the 40 right. And the teams love him is that he looks so good in the past game. He looks so good in the drills. He worked out and did wide receiver drills at the combine state after to do that. Jeremiah Love is not just a running back. He is an offensive weapon. You are going to hear a lot of fantasy style projects, projections that were that are similar to what Jameer Gibbs was going into his rookie year. Not what Jameer Gibbs has become. But Jeremiah Love can get there. I think the conversation now Matthew, I know this goes back to your rumors column a little bit. The conversation might have opened at if Not Arizona at 3, Tennessee at 4. Did the Giants consider him at 5? Teams can't get enough of Jeremiah Love.
- [59:27]
C
Yeah, look, I know the Giants are in on Ken Walker so they're going to try to. That was one of favorites. My rumors was that the Giants but yeah, I was surprised to hear that. But talking to a source, from what I understand the Titans have Jeremiah Love as the number one player on their board regardless of position. Just in terms of pure talent, they think he's the best guy in this draft. And when you think about all the holes that Tennessee has, do they just go best player available as they try to rebuild this Titans team? Jeremiah Love would be a superstar on a team that candidly doesn't have a lot of them. They're opening up a new stadium in 27 and so that would help. And you've got a head coach in Robert Salah who obviously from his time in San Francisco knows, you know when you have a stud running back that opens up a lot of different things. And so as Crate, you know, I don't think going into the draft process you would have thought oh Tennessee might be in the play in play for Jeremiah Love, but I think he firmly is now. There was Jeremiah Love. That was a known quantity and yes, comes into the combine as a superstar, leaves with an somehow even better reputation and prospect prospect profile. But one running back from Arkansas turned a lot of heads. Connor.
- [60:37]
B
Yeah, Mike Washington. This is now going to be everybody's favorite running back sleeper. When you look at him, this is somebody that's been well traveled. He played a couple years at Buffalo, he played at Mexico State and every time he leveled up or or kind of increased the level of competition. He answered the bell and did that at Arkansas this year. He's big, he's got speed. I like the burst more than the breakaway speed. But to just go to INDY and at 61223 pounds and run a 43340 with a 39 inch vertical, Mike Washington can rumble. He can get downhill. That physicality and explosiveness, I wouldn't be shocked if he ends up being that third or fourth round pick that gets so much training camp buzz. And we're talking about him if not as a draft and stash a early, early waiver wire guy. You will want to know about that. Wins some starting kick carries pretty early in the year.
- [61:29]
A
Yeah. Pivoting Connor to the wide receivers. Skylar Bell, I know you love out of Yukon. I know you tweeted and in Your column on NBC sports.com talked about how impressive he was from a mental perspective and he also seemed to test really well at the combine.
- [61:45]
B
Yeah he gets the big picture. He had lucrative offers for big nil deals to leave UConn. He decided to stay because he thought it was the best place for him to develop as a pro. And he was right. 101 catches and 13 touchdowns this year the drop rate went down from in the 13% range to the 3% range. He runs a 44 he jumps out of the gym all the testing is there. He's got good hands ball skills. He's six feet tall so he's bigger than he gets credit for. Yukon's offense used them like they're zay flowers. They put him in the backfield the slot out wide in motion. I I think he is the most underappreciated wide receiver in this this group and then I'll give you two pass catchers that tight end because we're always looking for rookie tight ends that can contribute Eli Stowers more about the athlete than just playing the position as a whole. He had a phenomenal workout if you want to look for a Harold Fanon Johnu Smith kind of a player. Stowers is going to be landing spot dependent but he's a former four star quarterback so we know what kind of athlete this guy is and then someone that's not a sleeper. But how do you go from the first round and end up a winner at the combine? Well if you're Kenny Sadiq At 240 plus pounds you run a 43940. This is one of the most unique weapons in the draft. Oregon's usage of him ran a little hot and cold. I think he'll actually end up being a better pro. You'd love him at Denver you'd love him In Philadelphia the 49ers with George Kittle being out little landing spot dependent to project Kenyan Sadiq in fantasy but the hype train will fly out of the station if he ends up in one of those places. Places.
- [63:13]
C
Yeah and obviously as we've seen with you know whether whether it was fan you know we've seen young tight ends you know around a Gadson last year as well we've for for so many years you're just like rookie tight ends you're not caring about the last couple of years there have been a lot of rookie tight ends that have come in the league and been fantasy relevant as well so Eli Stowers, Kenyan Sadiq a couple of guys to to have on your radar There as well. You mentioned quickly John who Smith released by the Steelers today as well. I'm reporting it here that he is actually going to ohi that John Smith will sign with Ohio State to reunite once again with Arthur Smith. I'm not exactly sure all the eligibility rules but they'll figure it out somehow. So that's my expectation is that John Smith plays for the Buckeyes next year.
- [63:57]
B
Yeah, you could do it in college basketball. Let people do it in college football. At this point, who cares? All right guys, on DraftKings sportsbook new customers can bet 5 but anyway Connor,
- [64:10]
C
the rest of them are all of it. All yours, you go ahead. Sorry, sorry Mr. King. I didn't mean to overstep the promo here.
- [64:18]
B
It's all there on NBC Sports. NBC sports.com new customers though could bet $5 and get 200 in bonus bets. If your bet wins down the app, use promo code ffhh when you sign up DraftKings sportsbook.
- [64:32]
C
Oh, the crowd is yours. There it is yours.
- [64:36]
B
Think last call the next team odds courtesy of Mr. Green King for Kyler Murray. The Vikings at minus 110. The jets at plus 175 aligns with a lot of what you said, Matthew Jay, does this sound crazy? I think The Vikings at minus 110 are incredible value. I would set it closer to minus 200.
- [64:57]
A
Yeah, it does seem sort of faded complete and perfect. Particularly the value of Kyle is so enhanced as well by the fact that it's going to be a minimum salary. You don't think about it this way but Kyle Murray on a minimum salary in theory could be one of the certainly one of the more valuable contracts in the NFL because you're taking the Vikings Connor. I will take the Miami Dolphins at +320. Kyle Murray kind of the Bobby Slowik of quarterbacks. Young guy who had a lot of hype early been written off and then perhaps they can bounce back together in Miami. As I mentioned earlier, Kyler certainly fits the speed ethos that is defined this Dolphins offense with Jaylen Model and definitely.
- [65:39]
C
Yeah, that's what I was going to say. I think the Vikings is probably the best bet here. But just to give something slightly different, give me the dolphins at plus 320. Again the dolphins have some talent as you mentioned. H.N. waddle. You know I still believe in Malik Washington even though it hasn't happened yet and so but the issue with the Dolphins is they're just incredibly cash trapped. Whether some of the contracts are still paying off. Some of the people that are under contract as well. They there's so many holes. And so you know the argument to Kyler Murray is hey, come here in a one year prove it deal. Let us get out of our cap hell. Let's see what's going on here. And if you're Kyler Murray, you're like, you know there are worse places to play than Miami. Go live in Miami and hang out there as well in the warm weather. And so I think Miami could make make sense because again, chance to start not a division that scares you obviously got the Patriots and the Bills there, but there are worse divisions to play. There is some talent there and he could easily be the starter.
- [66:39]
B
All right fellas, that is it for us. We will be back next Thursday at the same time, same place. Matthew, any special goodbye notes? Mr. Rumors from Indy?
- [66:50]
C
Listen, we yes, next Thursday we will be here. Go check out all of Connor's work on NBC Sports.com he did a bunch of great combine work. Go check out my column 35 rumors that I Heard at the NFL Combination Combined New draft guide on FantasyLife.com is out there as well. Berks and Flannels. I'm like the drunk uncle at Christmas today. That's right, Brooks and Flannels. It's I'm still drunk from the combine. Pino Matty has no end. It's the off season, baby. I'm enjoying it. But we will see you next Thursday at noon every Thursday here during the off season as we head towards free agency. We'll do some more shows around free agency in the NFL draft as well. But we appreciate all the regulars as well. For Connor and Jay, I am Matthew. Peace out.