Fantasy Football Today (03/02/2026): "NFL Combine Winners and Losers, Plus News on Daniel Jones, Aaron Jones and More"

Episode Overview

In this high-energy NFL Combine recap, host Adam Aizer is joined by analysts Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg, and guest Josh Edwards (NFL Draft Analyst, CBS Sports) to break down combine standouts and disappointments, discuss positional depth, examine hot recent news—Daniel Jones, Aaron Jones, David Montgomery—and offer actionable insights for fantasy football players preparing for the 2026 season. The conversation weaves mock draft speculation, dynasty insights, and real NFL transactions for an information-rich, fantasy-focused analysis.

Key Segments and Timestamps

• NFL Combine Mock Top 5 Picks: [01:45–05:02]
• Wide Receiver Deep Dive & 40-Times Debate: [05:07–14:03]
• Combine Standout WRs & Draft Depth: [08:43–14:03]
• Running Back Class & Fantasy Outlook: [17:18–25:56]
• Dynasty RB Debate: Jeremiah Love vs. Ashton Genti: [25:56–26:59]
• Tight Ends: Breakouts and Sleepers: [26:59–30:17]
• Quarterback Prospects: Who Emerges at QB2?: [30:17–38:29]
• Big NFL News Roundup (Daniel Jones, Aaron Jones, Montgomery Trade, etc.): [42:11–56:42]
• Open Mailbag & Off-Topic Dessert Debate: [39:03–41:54] (Briefly noted for context)

NFL Combine: Mock Top 5 & Early Impressions

Guest: Josh Edwards, NFL Draft Analyst, CBS Sports

• Top 5 Mock Draft ([01:45–05:02])
  1. Raiders (#1): Fernando Mendoza (QB)
     • "It's the one pick that nobody talked about this week…everyone was in agreement it's going to be Mendoza No. 1 overall to the Raiders." – Josh Edwards (01:53)
  2. Jets (#2): David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
     • Favored as a ready-made product for a pressured coaching staff.
  3. Cardinals (#3): Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami)
     • "Between him and Spencer Fano, but Jonah Williams hitting free agency makes Mauigoa the plug and play at right tackle." – Josh Edwards (03:28)
  4. Titans (#4): Arvell Reese (EDGE, Ohio State)
     • "Between Orville Reese and Sonny Styles…Reese just a little more twitched up for pass rush upside." – Josh Edwards (03:53)
  5. Giants (#5): Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
     • Malike Neighbors’ injury and W. Robinson’s free agency creates urgent WR need.
     • "Give him a little bit of insurance there in the wide receiver room." – Josh Edwards (04:40)

Wide Receiver Combine Standouts & Position Analysis

The 40-Yard Dash Debate ([05:07–14:03])

• Carnell Tate's 4.53s 40-yard dash spurs debate:
  • “I’m not too concerned about it. If you look at the players who ran sub-4.3 at the Combine, it’s not exactly a Hall of Fame list.” – Josh Edwards (05:30)
  • Jamie notes, “Game speed vs. running speed—you know, I think he’s going to be a playmaker. I’m not worried about that.” (05:21)
• Adam: “Most of the great wide receivers in the NFL are running better than 4.53…that’s just fact.” (06:50)
• Group consensus: On-field skill set (size, catch radius, versatility) often trumps pure timed speed.

Emerging WR Prospects & Draft Depth ([08:43–14:03])

• Jordan Tyson (Arizona State):
  • Notable for size, strength, versatility, but concerns about soft-tissue injuries.
  • “If the medicals come back clean...he’s the best wide receiver in this draft class.” – Josh Edwards (07:46)
• Deep Class:
  • Cited names: Makai Lemon (USC), Denzel Boston (Washington), Casey Concepcion, Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana), Kendrick Law (Kentucky), Malik Benson (Oregon), Chris Brazil (Tennessee).
  • "You're talking about six, seven, eight wide receivers that could get into that first-round conversation." – Josh Edwards (09:52)
• NFL Interviews: Makai Lemon's Viral Moment ([11:14]):
  • Josh: “I thought it was overblown...He’s a tremendous player, more of the concern is his size, but he’s the type of guy winning in the NFL right now.” (11:22)

Data-Point: Small Hand Size

• Makai Lemon's hands measured at 8 ¾ inches.
  • Dave: “The list of fantasy-good wideouts with such small hands is…pretty short.”
  • Josh: “I tend to lean on what I saw on tape. He’s physical through the catch.” (13:20)

Running Back Class: Standouts, Sleepers, and Comparisons

Combine RB Standouts ([17:18–25:56])

• Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame)
  • “Checked all the boxes…incredibly explosive. Valuable for his third-down ability.” – Josh Edwards (17:32)
• Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
  • Fewer third-down reps; smaller sample size.
• Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)
  • “Muscled up 6'2, 223…ran incredibly fast, jumped out of the building…not just a short-yardage guy.” – Josh Edwards (18:53)
• Emmett Johnson, Demon Claiborne
  • Claiborne: “Smaller back, but incredibly explosive—fits a specific, non-feature role.” (22:57)

Jeremiah Love vs. Ashton Genti Debate ([25:56–26:59])

• Josh: "I love Genti…total package last year...But Jeremiah Love, in this year’s draft, there’s just so few guys you feel comfortable putting your stamp on.” (25:56)
• Group vote: If Jeremiah Love is drafted by the Chiefs at #9, Josh and Jamie draft Love over Genti, Dave still leans Genti.

Tight Ends: Combine Risers and Dynasty Stashes

Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) ([26:59–30:17])

• “If he were an inch or two taller, this would be a no-doubt first-rounder—he’s explosive, can block, and is dynamic down the field.” – Josh Edwards (27:22)
• Projected as potential Eagles or Broncos target, likely top half of Round 1.

Sleeper: Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)

• “Stash him in dynasty—even if he’s not a top 50 pick, his 99th-percentile athleticism could shine with better QB play.” (29:24)

Quarterback Prospects: Beyond the Combine Hype

Ty Simpson (Alabama) – QB2 for 2026 ([30:25–38:29])

• "Just looked the best throwing the football in Indianapolis…not flawless, very volatile, but a coach’s son and a ‘whiteboard’ ace.” – Josh Edwards (30:29)
• Cautions: Limited starting experience, older prospect (could hit 26 before starting), injury history.
• (Dave): “From the neck up, he’s easily QB2…could be a smart, cerebral quarterback head coaches will fall in love with.” (33:24)
• Best fit: Should sit for a year behind a veteran—LAR, PIT, or TB suggested.

Other Notables:

• Garrett Nussmeier: “Valuable backup, spot starter, but not a Round 1 starter.” (31:44)
• Carson Beck, Drew Allar: Placed in the mix for QB2 but not consensus.

Breaking NFL News & Fantasy Fallout

Daniel Jones & Alec Pierce Dilemma (Colts) ([42:11–45:35])

• Indy to keep Alec Pierce—may franchise or transition tag.
• Decision parallels previous Jones/Barkley dilemma for Giants.
• Franchise vs. transition tag mechanics discussed.

Vikings Running Back Moves ([45:05–47:59])

• Aaron Jones set to be released; Jordan Mason next up ("borderline RB2")
• Vikings open to all QB options: Murray, Geno Smith, Tua, and more in play.
• "Anybody who has Mason in dynasty should be excited about the opportunity." – Jamie (46:35)
• Dave laments poor options for Justin Jefferson: “I don't really love the idea of Kyler Murray or Geno Smith throwing to Justin Jefferson though.” (46:35)

Texans Acquire David Montgomery ([56:18])

• Trade bombshell: “Lions have traded David Montgomery to the Texans.” – Jamie (56:20)
• Immediate implications: “The Texans now have their starting running back, and Jameer Gibbs is now set free…That is big.” – Dave (56:42)
• Jamie, on fantasy: “For Detroit, Jameer Gibbs now set free, that’s pretty big.”

Other News & Fantasy Takeaways

• Cowboys franchise-tag George Pickens
• Carolina’s RB OC: Looking for more from Jonathan Brooks, optimism for Trevor Etienne as late-round handcuff.
• Eagles asking price high for A.J. Brown
• Browns favorite for Deshaun Watson Week 1
• Travis Etienne unlikely to be tagged
• Josh Allen (BUF): WR target-share likely wide open.

Selected Notable Quotes

“If you look at the players that have run sub-4.3 at the NFL combine, it’s not exactly a Hall of Fame list.” – Josh Edwards on the importance of 40 times for WRs (05:30)

“If the medicals come back clean...he’s the best wide receiver in this draft class.” – Josh Edwards on Jordan Tyson (07:46)

"He’s a muscled up 6'2, 223…not just a short yardage back. He can create yards after contact.” – Josh Edwards on Mike Washington Jr. (18:53)

“[Ty Simpson] from the neck up, he’s easily QB2 and somebody who could be just a smart processor of defensive coverage...The coaches that are like cerebral and want their quarterbacks to be very cerebral, they'll go after Ty Simpson.” – Dave (33:24)

“The Texans now have their starting running back, and Jameer Gibbs is now set free. It's pretty big.” – Jamie (56:36)

Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, energetic, with classic Fantasy Football Today banter.
• Insightful mix of NFL scouting analysis, fantasy-centric advice, and anecdotal color from behind-the-scenes (combine stories, interview tidbits, off-topic riffs on desserts and food).
• Direct, data-driven but unafraid of hot takes and strong opinions—true to FFT’s distinctive, relatable style.

Quick Reference: Combine "Winners & Losers" Fantasy Recap

| Position | Combine Winners | Key Notes / Fantasy Relevance | |----------|----------------|-------------------------------| | QB | Ty Simpson | Likely QB2, fits best as a sit-and-learn guy | | RB | Jeremiah Love, Mike Washington Jr. | Love: 3-down upside; Washington: size, speed riser | | WR | Jordan Tyson, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon | Tyson: WR1 if healthy; Tate and Lemon have some “measurable” questions but big play ability | | TE | Kenyon Sadiq, Eli Stowers | Sadiq: athletic freak, Round 1; Stowers sleeper for dynasty |

FINAL NOTES

• Several prospects’ stock may move as pro days/medical checks finalize.
• Veteran transactions (Montgomery trade, Aaron Jones, Daniel Jones tag drama) set to shake up fantasy ADP.
• The 2026 WR and RB draft classes are DEEP—look for unexpected fantasy impact into the later rounds!

For a deeper dive into mock drafts, rookie rankings, or dynasty stashes, check out CBSSports.com and the FFT prospect pages!

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