Sophomore TEs! Building on an Historic 2025 Season, Plus Big NFL News on Kyler Murray and More (03/04 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today: Sophomore TEs! Building on an Historic 2025 Season, Plus Big NFL News (03/04/26)

Episode Overview

Theme:
This episode dives deep into the standout 2025 rookie tight end class and what to expect in their sophomore seasons. The hosts analyze if historic rookie breakouts can sustain or regress, break down key stats, discuss top draft values, and place the players in context with NFL team changes and free agency. The episode wraps with a robust debate on intriguing quarterback movement news, especially the implications for Kyler Murray, the Daniel Jones situation, and potential landing spots for top receivers and quarterbacks.

Panel:

• Host: Adam Aizer
• Analysts: Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings
• Guest/Producer: Thomas (Vikings fan input)

---

Historic 2025 Rookie TE Class in Review

The Biggest Rookie TE Impact (01:39–06:34)

• The 2025 tight end rookie class featured breakout seasons from Brock Bowers, Sam LaPorta, Tyler Warren, Harold Fannin, Colston Loveland, and others—three of whom ranked among the top rookie tight ends by PPR points since 2000.
• Stat highlights:
  • Four in the top 10 for most rookie TE yardage since 2000.
  • Bowers, Pitts, Shockey, and LaPorta are the only rookie TEs to surpass 1,000 yards in a season.

Heath Cummings (03:05):

"I think it was the greatest rookie tight end class ever. And I think they are going to be awesome moving forward as well... Even if a couple of them take a step back in year two."

Discussion:

• Historically, rookie TEs who outperform as rookies tend not to improve in year two—only Gronkowski and Shockey averaged more FPTS in their soph. year ("It's been a very long time." – 04:20).
• Factors often include coaching changes and opponents adjusting ("Teams catch up with you, coaches catch up with you..." – Dave, 05:03).

Worry Points for Top Sophomore TEs (06:05–07:31)

• Biggest risks:
  • Tyler Warren and Harold Fannin due to new or struggling QB situations.
  • Deshaun Watson’s inconsistent play in Cleveland could cap Fannin’s upside.
  • Daniel Jones (Colts) coming off an Achilles injury affects Warren—but Warren could benefit if major WRs depart.

Jamey Eisenberg (06:34):

"Probably Warren and Fan[n] just because of their quarterback situations... Hopefully those two situations don't drag down the upside of what those guys could be."

---

Sophomore TE Trivia: Stats & Takeaways (07:31–10:52)

Entertaining Stat-Based Quizzes

• Yards per target, Yards per catch, Average Depth of Target (aDOT):

  • Oronde Gadsden led tight ends in both yards per target and catch (09:00).
  • Colston Loveland was the highest aDOT among rookies (09:31).

• Rookie Target Leaders:

  • Fannin, Warren, and Mason Taylor each led their teams in targets—a remarkable feat (10:35).

---

Ranking the Top Sophomore TEs (13:30–14:55)

Host Rankings

• All hosts put Colston Loveland first, followed by Fannin and Warren.

  • Dave: Shared a shift in opinion from Fannin to Loveland after digging into Loveland’s usage and potential, especially if DJ Moore leaves Chicago:

    "There's a little more upside for [Loveland]... If it's DeShaun Watson at quarterback behind a bad offensive line [for Fannin], I don't know if I'm going to feel good..." (13:58)

• DJ Moore & Cole Kmet (Bears) situation impact:

  • Both could affect Loveland's target share but aren't deal-breakers for his fantasy value. (15:36)

---

NFL Offseason Movement & News Impacting TEs (15:15–23:38)

WR/TE Market Dynamics

• DJ Moore trade rumors—possible landing spots include Buffalo and New England.
• Alec Pierce and A.J. Brown dominate WR free agent/trade talks.
• The Bears and their uncertain WR/TE roster shakes up Loveland's outlook.

TE Situation Analysis

Factors for TE Value:

• Volume trumps team quality for fantasy TEs; offense matters less for the position. (23:04)
• Potential for a “McBride path”: non-elite offense, but massive target share creates top-tier fantasy seasons for TEs (23:17).

Target Volumes are King:

"At this position more than wide... it's targets." – Adam (23:02)

Individual Sophomore Breakdowns

Harold Fannin (CLE)

• Faces offensive turmoil, but target opportunity exists if Browns don’t add significant WR talent.
• Dave: "I don't know if any of these three guys I’m dying to take with a top 40 pick. If there was one, it would be Loveland, but it would be just barely inside that top 40." (19:07-20:11)

Tyler Warren (IND)

• If Pittman/Pierce leave & Daniel Jones is healthy, Warren could easily leap to #1 (24:27).
• After Daniel Jones went down, Warren’s production cratered despite steady volume. (26:38–27:44)

Colston Loveland (CHI)

• Upside hinges on possible departures (Moore, Kmet); could be overdrafted if neither leaves.

---

Draft Value, Sleepers & Busts Among Sophomore TEs (27:44–31:25)

Value Picks

• Best value: Whoever falls furthest among Loveland, Fannin, Warren, or late-round Oronde Gadsden, Mason Taylor, Gunner Helm, or Elijah Arroyo (28:21).
• Other sleepers: Terence Ferguson, especially if Rams move on from other TEs.

Bust Potential

• Consensus risk for Fannin and, to a lesser extent, Loveland or Mason Taylor if situations don't break right.

Breakout Criteria Analysis

Adam examined past breakout TEs and concludes opportunity spikes (from injuries/departures to target competition) are most predictive for sophomore leaps (32:01–34:15).

Interesting Stat: The Rams ran 3-TE sets at a league-high rate (30.5%). (34:41)

---

Deeper Sleepers and Pathways for Others (35:17–36:24)

• Some path to value for Gunner Helm if Okonkwo leaves (TEN), Arroyo if SEA passes more/changes depth chart.
• Mason Taylor (NYJ) needs a stable QB and healthy WR group.
• Monitor depth chart shuffles for late-draft flyers.

---

NFL News: QB Carousel & Fantasy Implications (39:46–52:47)

Free Agency, Trades & Franchise Tags

• Hall (NYJ) tagged; Ken Walker (SEA) not tagged.
• Kyler Murray expected to be released; Daniel Jones transition tagged by Colts.
• DJ Moore likely stays in Chicago but not a lock (15:15–15:32).

QB Market Debate

Key Question: Which available/outgoing QB is most desirable for NFL/fantasy?

• Twitter poll results: Kyler Murray dominates with 49% (41:09).

Panel Perspective:

• Most favor Kyler for upside, but recognize significant flaws (size, accuracy, health).
• Adam on Kyler:

  "I've been a big Kyler Murray fan. I've been a little slow to accept that he's not the quarterback he once was." (52:01)

• Malik Willis: Intriguing running ceiling, but small sample and never beat out mediocre competition.
• Daniel Jones: Injury wild card, but huge upside if healthy (42:51).

Under-the-Radar Names:

• Jacoby Brissette could be available via trade (52:47).
• Jimmy Garoppolo to possibly back up in NYJ; Mac Jones’ future up for trade debate.

Top WR, Offensive Line News

• Bears lose Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman (retired) and have LT injury concerns.
• Chargers to release G Mekhi Becton.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "At this position [tight end] more than wide…it's targets." – Adam, 23:04
• Dave: "I don't know if any of these three guys I'm dying to take with a top 40 pick... If there was one, it would be Loveland, but just barely." (20:11)
• "Probably Warren and Fan[n] just because of their quarterback situations. You know, I mean I, I don't foresee it but, you know..." – Jamey, 06:34
• "Teams catch up with you, coaches catch up with you..." – Dave, 05:03
• "If you want to get one of the top three guys, you just wait out to see who's the third one." – Jamey, 28:27

---

Important Timestamps

• Recap & Historical Rookie TE Context: 01:39–06:34
• Specific Concerns for Sophomore TEs: 06:05–07:31
• Rookie/Sophomore Tight End Trivia: 07:31–10:52
• Top 3 Sophomore TE Rankings: 13:30–14:55
• Walker/Hall Franchise Tag News: 39:46
• Kyler Murray Released – Fantasy & Real Life Value: 40:08–52:01
• Draft Value, Sleepers, Breakouts, Bust Discussion: 27:44–31:25

---

Final Thoughts

• The 2025 rookie TE class outperformed history, but sophomores rarely build on those numbers.
• Draft with caution in the top 40—especially until team situations shake out.
• League-winning value likely lies in smartly timing which sophomore TE you take, or mining for late-round, opportunity-driven breakouts.
• Quarterback landscape is in major flux with huge ramifications for pass-catchers in fantasy—both for stars like Justin Jefferson and emerging talents.

---

Listen to This Episode If…

• You want in-depth analysis on sophomore TEs after an epic rookie class
• You’re strategizing for 2026 fantasy drafts and need to know which TEs and QBs to target/avoid
• You’re obsessed with understanding NFL free agency’s impact on skill position players

---

For the draftroom — track statuses for Loveland, Fannin, and Warren, and monitor the dominoes with WR free agency/trade rumors. A seismic fantasy shift awaits as rosters crystallize!

(End of summary)

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

This is Fantasy Football Today from CBS Sports.

[C]

What a play.

[B]

Can you believe this? It's time to dominate your fantasy league. Off to the races and he stays on his feet.

[C]

This is gonna go the distance.

[D]

Now here's some combination of Adam, Dave, Jamie and Heath.

[C]

And let's talk about tight ends and big news from around the NFL. The quarterback market's gonna be pretty interesting next week when we start getting our free agency moves. Welcome everybody to Fantasy Football today. It's Wednesday, March 4th. I'm Adam Azer with Heath Cummings and Dave Richard. Jamie Eisenberg will be joining us shortly. Are you guys excited for sophomore tight end trivia?

[D]

Yes.

[B]

No.

[C]

Oh, boo.

[B]

Fine, I'll change my answer. Yes.

[C]

Oh, you can't really do that in trivia, but

[B]

so do whatever the hell I want, Jim.

[C]

So we had a great rookie tight end class. Okay, let's put it in perspective. Since 2000 when you look at the best rookie tight ends in total PPR fantasy points, three of them were from the 2025 class. Bowers was one, Laporta was two. Then we had Warren at three, Harold Fannin at four. And we had Colson Loveland. At eight. So three of the top eight, the total PPR fantasy points from a rookie tight end in the last 25 seasons belong to this most recent class. If you want to look at yards, we have four of the top 10. We have numbers 5, 6, 8 and 10. Tyler Warren fifth with 817 yards. Fannin sixth, Loveland eight. And A. Gadsden had a really nice year. He had the 10th most yards for a rookie tight end at 664 since the year 2000. Your top four, by the way, are Bowers, Pitts. Both of them went over a thousand yards. Jeremy Shockey and Sam Laporta. So Heath, just to reflect on a fantastic year and I guess not a huge surprise because they, they kind of lived up to the hype. I would say they exceeded it. I would say they exceeded the height. In terms of fantasy, what would you say?

[D]

I'm not going to be negative today, but it did make me kind of sad to look at this list and think that. I think maybe all of the guys who were on this top 10 were worse than year two.

[C]

I went through that exercise. I went through that exercise and there were actually two. This list here doesn't have Gronkowski, I guess, but the previous list does. The fantasy points list because Gronk had all.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

So let's look again at the top 10. Best rookie tight end season since 2000. It's Bowers, LaPorta, Tyler, Warren, Fannin, Pitts, Ingram, Shockey, Loveland, Gronkowski and Friarmouth. Well, you can take out three of them because three of them are rookies. But of the other seven, only two of them scored more fantasy points the next year or average more fantasy points per game the next year. And it was Shocky and Gronkowski. It's been a very long time.

[D]

Been a very long time. So that's, that was. That just gives me a little bit of about drafting one of these guys in round three. But no, I think it was the greatest rookie tight end class ever. And I think they are going to be awesome moving forward as well. Even if a couple of them take a step back in year two.

[C]

What do you make of that, Dave? That most of those guys like Bowers lost the point per game. Laporta lost almost three points per game. Kyle Pitts lost almost three points per game. Evan Ingram was basically the same per game. Shocky better, Gronkowski better. Friar Muth was basically the same per game. But you make anything of that or too small sample size.

[B]

I mean you could look into each player and see what changed in their, in their situation. In the case of Bowers, for example, the whole Raiders offense was a mess last year. He himself got hurt early on. I don't know if he ever really recovered from it. So there's always going to be circumstances but generally speaking, teams catch up with you, coaches catch up with you and they spend all off season studying what the team did or in the case of, let's go back to Bowers again, studying what is expected based on the coaching changes that a team made. Remember the Raiders made wholesale changes on their coaching staff from 2024 to 2025. Yeah. So it's, there's all kinds of circumstances that come into it, but for the most part opponents are better prepared. They know that these players were great as rookies. They weren't quite as prepared for them as they were as they will be in their second year. And I would expect that to be the case in a lot of the divisional matchups that we'll see for Loveland, for Warren, for Fannin as they, as they move on next year.

[E]

Jamie?

[C]

Yeah, again, so this, this pattern of second year tight ends kind of disappointing us. And by the way, with Shocky, I'm pretty sure Shocky was better per game but he actually, he played six fewer games. It's a shame. He was, he was on his way I think to a terrific career. But anyway, Jamie, like who, who would worry you about taking the biggest step back between Warren, let's say those top three, Warren Fannin and Loveland?

[E]

Probably Warren and Fan just because of their quarterback situations. Yep.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

You know, I mean I, I don't foresee it but you know, in terms of like worry, you know we, we've seen the highs and lows of desean Watson. It sounds like he's going to get that first opportunity to start for the Browns. I can't imagine that Fan is not going to be featured. But you know, it's not like the, the production from the past. Catchers in Cleveland have been better when Watson has been there. For the most part it's been worse. And in the case of Warren, you're going to have Daniel Jones coming off of Achilles injury. He's expected to be ready for week one. He may benefit immensely if Pierce leaves as a free agent and they decide to let Michael Pittman walk as a, or excuse to release Michael Pittman because of his 29 million dollar calorie salary cap it and then Warren's clearly the, the featured option there. But again, you know, you're talking about injured quarterback or Maybe crappy quarterback in Cleveland. Hopefully those two situations don't, you know, drag down the upside of what those two guys could be.

[C]

All right, let's play some rookie or now sophomore tight end trivia. And we're just going to base this on last year's tight end position and those rookies. And there were 28 tight ends who had 50 or more targets. So that's mostly what we're doing here. Those 28 tight ends. 28 tight ends with 50 more targets. So not Tucker Kraft? I don't believe not. I don't think Dalton Kincaid got there. Which tight end led the position in yards per target with a minimum of 50 targets? This is obviously going to be one

[F]

of the rookies led.

[C]

The rookies led everyone. He led everyone.

[B]

Led everyone.

[D]

I'll go with Colston Loveland.

[B]

I'll say Fannin.

[E]

I'll say Warren.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

Over three or Gadsden lead in yards per target. All right, look at that. Look at his fancy graphics. Love it.

[D]

It is fancy.

[C]

All right, same same group here. 28 tight ends had 50 or more targets last year. A rookie led all of them in yards per catch. Who was it?

[B]

I'd lean toward Loveland there. That would be Colson Loveland. In case anybody confused. There was a lot of silence after that.

[E]

Probably somebody obscure. Terence Ferguson.

[C]

I don't think I'll go with Gadsden. Hey, he gets it. It's Gadston.

[E]

That 50 plus targets, yards per target

[C]

and yards per catch leader. Or Ronde Gadsden. Big play machine. Okay, same group. 50. 50 or more targets or 28 tight ends. Which tight end had the second? Oh, no. He had the highest average route depth and the second highest a dot among all tight ends. He was a rookie last year.

[D]

I'm gonna go with a Rhonda Gadsden.

[B]

Highest route.

[C]

I like your strategy there.

[B]

Yeah, Gadson's. I'll go with Gadson too.

[C]

That sounds like it's Colston. Loveland. Colson Loveland.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

One thing digging into the profile here. Didn't use him a lot. Like, hardly ever on screens. He was really much more of a downfield guy. Completely different than Warren and Loveland in that regard. So Loveland, Warren and Fannon. Sorry. Warren and Fannon were more short area guys. Loveland more the downfield guy. Who led all tight ends, by the way, in adot, it was Zach Ertz. Just barely basically tied with Loveland. Okay, one more question.

[B]

Crazy.

[C]

Which three rookie tight ends led their team in targets?

[E]

Fannin.

[B]

Fanon's easy.

[C]

You Say fan is easy. He. He led the team in targets by one, which surprised me. But yes.

[D]

Led their team in total, total targets.

[B]

I guess Warren has to make that too.

[C]

He led also by one. Warren did, huh?

[E]

All right.

[B]

And then there's a third rookie tight end that led their team in target.

[C]

Yep. Kind of unbelievable.

[E]

I'll go.

[D]

Mason Taylor.

[C]

Mason Taylor. Good job, guys. All right. Those three rookie tight ends led their teams in targets. Mason Taylor for the Jets, Tyler Warren by one and Harold Fannin by one. Way to go, Heath. What's coming up on beyond the Box scorer? I'm not fft Dynasty.

[E]

I think beyond the Box. We're still going, by the way, from yesterday.

[D]

Yeah, currently just. I think it's just a live feed now.

[C]

Yeah. It's just like in their bedrooms. Yes. So it's kitchen.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

You know, we're moving into rookie coverage trying to get a top 12 put together and I think maybe during the combine it got easier to have a top 10. But figuring out 11 and 12 and where Ty Simpson's going to be drafted. We're just working through the rookies.

[C]

Beyond the Box Score dropped a three hour episode yesterday. That's. I was going to say they have their own YouTube channel now.

[B]

So.

[C]

So just, you know, subscribe to the beyond the Box Score YouTube channel. And they meet and they go so in depth. So it's a terrific resource.

[D]

I hope so.

[C]

Well, they. But they do a great job and fft Dynasty. Also this. These are going to be great ways to get ready for the NFL draft. So. All right, let's. Let's move on to. Yeah, let's take a break. We'll take a break and we'll answer some questions about sophomore tight ends. I'll get you to rank the top three. It's going to be a really fun debate for months to come. We'll be right back on fantasy football today.

[G]

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[I]

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[C]

All right, let's rank the top three sophomore tight ends for next season.

[E]

Jamie go Loveland fan and Warren.

[C]

Loveland fan and Warren Heath Go.

[D]

I They're all in the same tier, but I'll say Loveland fan and Warren for now, too.

[B]

Dave, you guys are way off. It's Colston, Harold and Tyler.

[C]

Not going to be much debate here.

[E]

Lovely.

[B]

Let me I'm I'm the one that had Fanon at the top of the list and then I knew we were going to talk about sophomore tight ends today, so I dug into all three of them and the the data point that I that changed my mind on Fanon to Loveland was how Loveland did with Burden and odunze from week 10 on, and there weren't a lot of games. It's a small sample size, but He he averaged 7.3 targets in those games. Those are two players that we know are going to be in Chicago next year if DJ Moore is not there. I almost think that we're kind of baking that in a little bit with Loveland, and that makes him even easier to put at the top of the sophomore tight end list. I I just think that there's a little more upside for him. I could still see Fannin having a few more targets, but the Browns are going to be such a mess. And if it's DeSean Watson at quarterback behind a bad offensive line, I don't know if I'm going to feel good about taking any Browns on draft day.

[D]

How how like are we expecting by next week we're going to get one of these Bears gone? Because that's the one thing is it does and I guess we could Talk about this more when we get to the overdrafted segment. But like, Cole Comet and DJ Moore are both still on the Bears.

[C]

Yeah. And there was just a report, I don't know, speculation, athletic writing about will DJ Moore still be on the team? And they said the sense in the Bears building is that DJ Moore will be on the team, but it's not guaranteed, you know, by any means. So if there's.

[D]

I think there was a similar report on Cole Comet.

[C]

You think commit matters for Loveland?

[E]

Yeah, not anymore.

[B]

Not as much. Like, I don't think anybody's gonna say I can't take Loveland because Comet's still there. But it is somebody who could be a factor in the red zone a handful of times per year. You'll, you'll feel besmirched when it happens. But no, it's not that big of a deal. And as for DJ Moore, I know everybody's kind of throwing him in in a trade for the Bears and Raiders, where the Bears get Max Crosby and Moore and a first rounder go back to Vegas. I would not rule out Buffalo as a destination for DJ Moore because he's got a prior relationship with Joe Brady and they need receiving help, especially veteran receiver help. I wonder if they make a play for more, if he's truly available.

[E]

Well, I, I think it's, it's certainly interesting what happened yesterday because now that Alec Pierce is free, so essentially he could sign with anybody, and A.J. brown's name is getting talked about more and more. Does DJ Moore sort of become that third option? You know, so not the top free agent because Pickens is now going to stay in Dallas and Pierce is the top free agent. And A.J. brown is thinking, you know, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he's the most coveted trade chip of the position. So is he sort of like waiting for the dominoes to fall or the Bears waiting for the dominoes to fall? And maybe the Eagles set the market for what, you know, wide receivers are going to go for. Obviously, again, they're not in the same, I think, category at this point. Same tier at this point. But it, it does make some sense. Buffalo, I'm sure New England's gonna, you know, kick the tires on trades and, and Pierce and, you know, maybe we, we find out about some of these situations post free agency as opposed to pre free agency.

[C]

I mean, it's funny about.

[B]

I wouldn't forget about Mike Evans and even Tyreek Hill, just.

[E]

Yeah, but I mean, those are, those are kind of in that same Range

[B]

as DJ Moore though, right? Like, I don't know if either of

[E]

them are correct, but I, I was just thinking, you know, top free agents. I don't, I mean, yes, those names probably belong in terms of listing them as top free agents, but you are talking about two 30 plus year old wide receivers that aren't going to get huge, you know, deals.

[B]

Right. But you don't have to give up anything in a trade to get one of them. And DJ Moore, 29 years old, big cap number, and you're gonna have to give up something to get him.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, you may have just heard us say that Alec Pierce is a higher priority than DJ Moore. It's. He's three years younger.

[B]

Oh yeah.

[C]

But DJ Moore has four seasons of his career with 1100 or more yards. Alec Pierce has never done that. I think if you just wanted a guy for one year, I would guess people would be more in on DJ More than, than Alec Pierce, but age is obviously part of that. Okay, back to the discussion here. When you evaluate these guys and you, and you look at, you know, one guy's on the Bears but fighting for targets, whereas the other guys are on the Browns, who I think were the second lowest scoring team in football last year and the in the Colts who were one of the best. In fact with Daniel Jones, they were actually the highest scoring team in football. So I wonder how people actually, I still feel like people are gonna have questions about their offense. Jamie kind of alluded to earlier, even though again they were the highest scoring offensive football with Daniel Jones, I think they were eighth.

[E]

First nine games they were great.

[C]

Then he broke his leg and he was playing on a broken leg and then he tore his Achilles. But this Daniel Jones talking about. But anyway, yeah, like Dave, how much of that will be part of your thought process when you're going, do I really want to gamble on a guy on the Browns? Do I really want to gamble on a guy on the Colts? I got this Bears offense. Like what's that, what's that factor for you?

[B]

I mean it's obviously a factor and it's a lot easier to take somebody on the Bears or the Colts knowing what the potential is of those offenses. But then you look at Cleveland and 5 minutes ago I just ran through all the problems that they have and they're, they're going to be problems that they're going to have all off season long. They've got salary cap issues. They, they're going to have a hard time fielding even like an average team. I think I'm very nervous about the Browns prospects for next year, but they do have a player who's very athletic and is going to get a lot of targets and the team will be playing from behind and Todd Monkin is a great coordinator and play caller. So there, there, there are some reasons to like Harold Fannin, but it's going to be based on how much volume will he truly get. And if the Browns just don't make huge splashes at wide receiver, I would imagine he'll get some good volume and that keeps him in that top five and it keeps him appealing, but it doesn't make me want to take him with a top 40 pick. In fact, I'm not sure if any of these three guys I'm dying to take with the top 40 pick. If there was one, it would be Loveland, but it would be just barely inside that top 40.

[E]

I don't know. You know, look, the situation in Cleveland's obviously bad. I don't know if it's like, oh my God, it's so much worse than it was. This past year was awful, you know, and he obviously was, was great. And so

[C]

he was great for a rookie. He was number eight per game. He did have a really good year, but most of it was like all the non Najoku games and Najoku's not going to be back. But, but, but again, like if the offense doesn't get any better, how much better is Harold Fannin gonna get?

[E]

I, I think the, the maturation process, the loss of Najoku, better play caller, maybe different play caller on a better, but different play caller. And I don't think you can at this point because it hasn't happened yet since he's been there. Factor into Sean Watson making it through a full season because he's never done that for the Browns. So, you know, to, to what you're looking at here, you know, you just listed, you know, you just asked us to list the three tight, three rookie tight ends that led their team in targets. Like that's pretty impressive as rookies. Mason Taylor notwithstanding, you know, so Tyler Warren had a pretty special season. Obviously. Harold Fannin had a, a solid stretch of games that, you know, propelled him to, you know, lead his team in targets and, and now again losing significant competition. For what that's worth, I think just looking at it as if he was the 8th best tight end as a rookie and the situation, let's say it's lateral, you know, in terms of where it's at right now, because losing Najoku Gaining Monkin, year older. Like, I don't know if it's a step backwards for him personally. You know, it's, it's just not great overall. But I don't know for him in the Brown situation, like, it's wow, they're really taking a step backwards. Like, it just feels like, okay, they're just the Browns again, so that's fair. And like you're just looking at it as like, this is a pretty special talent and is going to command a lot of attention and hopefully does well with that attention.

[D]

Yeah, I think, I think the, the biggest risk is how much less involved is the tight end and Monkin's offense than Stefanski and maybe not that much because Monkin's had a lot of tight end involvement in his offense in the past. It's just nobody has done what Stefanski and. And guys that have come and texting have done the last few years.

[B]

And I'd also worry about the upside. Like it's hard to make an upside case for Fanon compared to both Loveland and Warren.

[C]

Because of the offense.

[B]

Yeah. Because this is a team that's not going to score that much.

[C]

But yeah, I mean I, I agree. I will just point out that two years ago he's not Brock Bowers, but two years ago Brock Bowers was the number one overall tight end. He wasn't number one per game. I think he was third per game but he was the number one overall tight end dot and they're, they finished. The Raiders were 28th in scoring that year. Last year, McBride was the number one tight end in fantasy and the, and The Cardinals were 23rd or 24th in scoring.

[B]

You want to know which stat is the reason for it?

[C]

It's targets.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[C]

Right. And that's, that's at this position more than wide. It's important to wide receiver. But I would say of the three positions, offense matters the least at tight end. From what, from my, what my research would tell me, I think the upside

[D]

for Fannin is the McBride path. It's just that he gets so many targets because McBride hasn't been like he did score a lot of touchdowns last year, but he hasn't been very efficient on a per target basis. Never better than eight yards per target. He's just been good and if you're just good but you get 10 targets a game, you're awesome.

[C]

Yeah, he's. No.

[B]

Can you see that happening for Fan in this year?

[D]

As again we're talking about which guys are going to leave Chicago and I think the question In Cleveland is which guys are going to join.

[C]

Harold Fanon averaged 19. Let me see, where is it? 15.15.9 PPR fantasy points per game in five games without Najoku or with Najoku leaving early with an injury. And that does not include week 17 where Fannin scored 11 points. But he played 23 of the snaps and had a season ending injury. Caught it. He caught a touchdown. Deep touchdown against Pittsburgh and left shoulder. Sanders started a decent amount of games. Certer Sanders threw seven touchdowns and four of them went to Fannin. Is anybody, can anybody make the case for Tyler Warren to be the first one? Jamie, of the three, I'll start with you. Can you make that case?

[E]

Yeah. Pearson Pittman leave and Daniel Jones is ready to go week one without any hesitation, no concerns about his health.

[C]

Okay, well, let's say only one of those guys leaves. Can you make a case then?

[E]

Yeah. I mean, look, it's, it's, it's one less productive player on the roster. You know, Michael Pittman's had a very solid career. He may not have been superstar or be a superstar, but he's been a solid player for the Colts. And Alec Pierce was a huge part of their offense last year and the significant piece of what I'm sure they're hoping to do for 2026, which is why they want to resign him still. So, you know, if one of those guys is gone, then I think Warren's easily. Look, he already led the team in targets last year with those guys on the roster, you know, so it's only a, a step further of him, another step in the direction of him getting better in his sophomore season. So I, I think when you look at all three of these guys, like he said, they all belong in the same tier. It's a matter of, you know, do you want to buy the first guy in the tier or wait for the last guy in the tier? How soon do you want to jump into it? Like Dave said, you know, they're probably going to be, I would, I would say at worst case, top 60 picks. And so do you, do you take the, the chance on one of these three guys or wait out a little bit longer and see where Kraft goes, where laporta goes, or even or pits, I guess, and, and then sort of, you know, wait till the greater late options or the late options start to come into play? I think just in the case of, of Warren, there's just. We'll see in the next month what's happening with Pierce and Pittman and then we'll See come August, what's happening with Daniel Jones. And I think Riley Leonard showed in. In. I believe it was maybe just week 18. He looked decent, you know, and it was a surprise that they, you know, ran to Philip Rivers out of retirement so soon as opposed to maybe giving Riley Leonard an opportunity. I know he was banged up right when Daniel Jones got hu, but it just felt like, okay, maybe a more athletic player in this offense, more athletic quarterback in this offense was better suited for what they were looking for, especially with some of the offensive line concerns they were dealing with that time, that they might have been better off and maybe the receiving options would have been better off. So I don't know if it's just okay. Riley Leonard will be okay in, in the short term, but I think Warren is probably gonna. At least the drafts we've done so far, he's been the best value because everybody's been sort of reaching for, reaching for, reaching for Loveland and Fan and a little bit too soon.

[C]

It's hard to overstate how bad Tyler Warren was after Daniel Jones got hurt. Up until that point, he was the number seven tight end per game. He was actually off to. Warren got off to a Great start. First seven weeks he was the number three tight end per game. He averaged 14 and a half points per game. And then he struggled a little bit the next five games. He was the number 10 tight end per game, averaged 11.1 PPR fantasy points per game. It's still solid. But those first 12 games with Daniel Jones, Tyler Warren was tight end seven per game. The last five games he had 133 yards on 34 targets. No touchdowns in the last five games. Tyler Warren was awful and he was still getting targets. But that's just something to keep in mind. Like it just. It did not work for him with, with Philip Rivers and Riley Leonard. All right, I'd love to talk more about these guys. Let's. Let's go to our next question though, which probably involve these guys. Who will be the best draft value of all the tight ends? Not necessarily those three. Best draft value among these sophomores.

[E]

I mean, Gadsden looks like he's in a good spot. He's somebody that I looked for late. I'm going to be curious about the jets quarterback situation with Mason Taylor because I liked him coming out last year and I'm moderately excited about this year. Terence Ferguson, you know, assuming that Higby's gone like all the. And Gunner Helm those guys to me, like, if. If you really want to wait and even Take two of these guys. Like, there's so much upside and potential for him. Like, this class was. Was awesome. Elijah Royal might be in a great spot too. You know, like, there's just. There's just a lot to love about some of these players. But I mean, clearly, again, if you want to get one of the top three guys, you just wait out to see who's the third one.

[D]

I'll say Mason Taylor for now.

[B]

Whoever's third from Loveland, Fannin and Warren.

[C]

Okay.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

Keenan Allen's not back with the Chargers. I wonder where Gadsden gets drafted. You think he'll be a top 12 guy in ADP? Gadsden, yes, probably. He's really talented.

[E]

Showed a lot of his production, though, was tied to Quentin Johnson. More so than Keenan.

[C]

Most of his production. I mean, I looked. He had a. He. He had four games. He had four games of good production.

[E]

I believe three of those were when Johnson was up.

[C]

Johnson missed one or injured.

[B]

Yeah, I think. Isn't it tied to the running game more than.

[C]

I think it was tied enough. I mean, I think it was just.

[B]

What about the offensive line?

[C]

No, only one of those games had Joe all. I think it was just, you know, in one game, like, Justin Herbert threw 55 something passes. I will say this. After those four games, Justin Herbert was a shell of himself. The passing game was really bad. I think they averaged about 200 passing yards per game after that stretch. So it was just a bad offensive environment for Orani Gadsden after he had his midseason breakout. And before his midseason breakout, he wasn't really playing that much. I personally could not find a specific reason. Now, Johnston did miss one of those games. Did he get hurt in another one? He had zero targets in one of those games, too.

[E]

Yes, he got hurt in one and he. He missed one.

[C]

Okay, but even if I wouldn't, I mean, my interpretation wouldn't be, oh, it was specifically Quentin Johnson. It was just somebody not taking target. So if Keenan Allen, who, by the way, did he lead? I don't think he may have led the team in targets. Keenan Allen, he was up there. If he's gone, obviously it's a big. It's probably McConkey. But Keenan Allen was first or so you know, so I don't know. All right, so that's Gadsden. How about a sleeper? Give me a sleeper

[E]

gunner.

[B]

Helm.

[D]

Mason Taylor.

[C]

Yeah, I figure, I mean, look, there aren't that many guys to say, right? So you're going to have the same answers.

[B]

Yeah, it's it's not great. Like, Arroyo is someone that's kind of intriguing to me just because he's athletic. But I, I don't, I don't see myself. I could see myself drafting Gunner Helm late if Okonkwo moves on and Helm just gets a better opportunity in Tennessee. But I'm not sure he'll be a top two target getter for them. I don't think Arroyo is going to be a top two target getter for Seattle either. Keenan Allen led the Chargers and targets

[C]

breakout with how many Adam?

[B]

How many?

[C]

131.

[E]

Lower 117.

[B]

I'm not telling.

[C]

Give me a breakout tight end.

[D]

Loveland.

[C]

Loveland Warren 122. Damn it. Give me a bust.

[E]

Fannin Loveland.

[B]

I I'd be a little bit more worried about Fan and then Loveland, but I'd also put Mason Taylor on that list. I don't know if he's that good.

[D]

I think it just depends on where. Like I, I said Loveland, like he's the best breakout candidate right now. But also I think if nobody leaves, he's probably still going to be drafted in round three.

[C]

And oh, I hope I'm a little,

[D]

I'm pretty worried about that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

If he's drafted in the early part of round four, I mean it's the same thing as round three, so never mind.

[E]

Never mind.

[A]

Yeah,

[B]

yeah, I know, right? If he doesn't come through in that range of being what, like a top six tight end by the time it's all over, that's kind of busty.

[C]

I looked when we look at sleepers and good late round picks, I looked at the last 15 years, maybe 16 years of surprise, of surprising second year tight ends like guys who had big, big jumps in production. Trey McBride would be one of them. Jake Ferguson would be one of them. Now what happened with those two guys? Zach Ertz got hurt the second year and also DeAndre Hopkins was gone compared to the first year for the Bride and then the and with Ferguson. Dalton Schultz left opportunities with TJ Hawkinson. Kenny Golladay was there the year before. Kenny Gollady played five games in Hawkinson's second year with Mark Andrews. They had John Brown and Michael Crabtree the year before those guys were gone. In Andrew's second season they did have Marquis Brown, but he didn't have the same amount of targets as those guys. Richard Rogers for The packers had one year where he averaged 10 fantasy points. That was his second year. It was much better than his previous year. That was Your Jordy Nelson tore his acl. And also Andrew Corliss played only five games that year. Another tight end, Jimmy Graham, went from 6.5 fantasy points as a rookie to 18.4 as a sophomore in his first year. They had Jeremy Shockey and they had David Thomas. So they had like three tight ends who were involved. In his second year, Shockey was gone. David Thomas played five games. So it was a common theme of usually a tight end, but sometimes a number one wide receiver not being there or getting hurt the next year. And who would that, who would that be? I think, I think Gunner Helm. Right. Because Okonkwo is a free agent. Anyone else? I can't really make that case for Mason, Taylor Ferguson. But, but Parkins, like Higby barely played. Parkinson is still there, right? He's. He's under contract.

[B]

I, I don't think they're getting rid of him, but he does carry a high cap number. They could save some cats.

[E]

They're going to play three tight end again a lot and.

[B]

Right.

[E]

He's going to be on the field a lot. And I mean toward the end of the season before he got hurt like it was, he had three games in a row with a touchdown. Like, there's just a lot to like about what his upside is.

[C]

Right.

[B]

But I don't know what his target volume is going to be.

[C]

Sure.

[B]

No, I mean that's what that's going to keep, you know, his value way down.

[C]

But that's a guy like again, it could be a surprising injury like Jordy Nelson. I know that happened the preseason or Kenny Golladay playing five games. If Devonte Adams or Pukinakua missed time next year, Ferguson could be in a good spot. By the way they play a three tight end set 30.5% of their snaps, the Rams number two in the NFL was Pittsburgh at 13.2%.

[E]

Oh, Arthur Smith is so jealous.

[C]

The Rams are three tight ends like two and a half times as much as the next most.

[D]

Yeah, I'd like to, I'd like to dig in a little more to how good that actually is for having a good fantasy tight end. Yeah, like I'm not sure that three tight end having three tights it ends on the field a lot is necessarily good for one of them being good for fantasy.

[C]

No, I just don't know what a lot is because I think the Cardinals did it.

[D]

Well, 30's a lot.

[C]

Well, yeah, yeah, I know that's a lot, but it's 13 a lot because that's second most.

[D]

I would say if it's the second most. It's a lot.

[C]

It doesn't seem like that much. I have, like, no hope for Eliza Arroyo, unfortunately. I don't know. I mean, he had 26 targets in 13 hit two targets per game, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

This would be a massive jump. And if they get rid of Parkins, if they get rid of Barner. But they're not going to.

[B]

They're not getting rid of Barner. That's not happening. I don't know if what happens if cup leaves or cup gets hurt. Yeah, maybe we've seen that before. Maybe that opens the door for Arroyo. Look, you're not going to draft Arroyo with anything more than like your last pick anyway at this point. But there's. There are very lean pathways for him to maybe become a factor in fantasy.

[C]

And I think one of it would be the Seahawks would have to throw more. They were the number one defense in the NFL and they were 8th in points per game. Offensively, they were 29th in pass attempts. So more pass attempts could just help everyone. Anyone? We missed anyone else? You want to talk about sophomores? Yeah, I mean, you want to talk more about Mason Taylor, Gunner Helm, or.

[E]

He's worth discussing. I mean, you know, look, the, the quarterback situation for the jets is clearly not great right now. Justin Field is under contract. They're expected to move on from him. Tod Taylor is a free agent. Just doing the Bree hall story, trying to get an idea of what they're plan. Maybe the Athletic had a story that suggested they'll come away from this off season with two veterans and a rookie. And I think everybody's kind of pegging Ty Simpson there or, you know, projecting Ty Simpson there maybe with the 16th pick in the draft or if somebody slips around too. But like, the list of names that the Athletic gave were Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins, Malik Willis, Kyler. Like, it's a wide range of a lot of different names being there. And Tyrod's open to returning if he gets an opportunity to play. So it could be a mess. And so if it's a mess and you would assume that wide receiver is probably still a priority for them, even after getting Adnai Mitchell, you know, Taylor could still, could still easily be second on the team in targets if Garrett Wilson stays healthy.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

So there's, there's an easy path to success for him, but it's. It's a little challenging just knowing that even if Frank Reich makes the offense better, then there still has to be somebody throwing the ball.

[C]

All right, let's Take a break. And Heath, I'm going to tell you the tight end class in the last 25 years that would love to debate you about which was the best rookie tight end class ever. Was it 2025? Was it 2010? Maybe there are many that I am missing. I don't know. We'll be right back to talk about that and to give you the news from around the NFL and an interesting Twitter poll of which veteran quarterback my Twitter followers would want to be their team's quarterback. Kyler Malik Willis, Tua Tonga by lower Geno Smith. We'll give you the results after this. The 2010 tight end class. Jermaine Gresham was the first one picked, the only one in round one, Rob Gronkowski. Round two Ed Dixon, Tony Moyaki, Jimmy Graham, Aaron Hernandez, Dennis Pitta. We'll stop there. Pretty good. Pretty good tight end class there. All right, there's that also.

[E]

I might be the best of all time.

[C]

Yeah, I mean Gronk, Graham and Hernandez and Pitta was no slouch himself. Ed Dixon wasn't bad.

[D]

Funny because like as rookies I think last year's class was better.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And then you get, if you're looking long term, you get the like having Gronk and Jimmy Graham in the same class probably wins it over anybody. But after that group it wasn't near as deep.

[C]

And I asked people who's your favorite sophomore tight end? I just put this up there in the middle of the show. Loveland, Warren or fan? And right Now Colson Loveland, 59% of the votes. Warren, 23% fan and 17%. Let's do the news and notes. So it was not a surprise but the jets franchised Breeze hall, the Seahawk. That means he's on a one year deal. Well, if he, if he signs it. Unless they can work out a long term deal, which usually happens. The Seahawks did not franchise tag Ken Walker. So that's exciting for free agency Giants,

[E]

that's where he's going.

[D]

Wouldn't we be much happier about or at least for me, I'd be much happier if Ken Walker had stayed in Seattle and Bries all had gone somewhere else than vice versa. Yes, yes, of course you got to have a little more at least for me a little bit of nervousness that where exactly does Ken Walker end up in as good a spot?

[C]

The Cardinals are going to release Kyler Murray. Kyler Murray, excuse me, is his name next week unless they trade him towards ACL in 22 he missed 12 games with a foot injury. This year, but this was this year. He played five games and was QB20 per game right around there. His rookie season, he wasn't a top 12 quarterback per game. The other five seasons, he was a top 12 quarterback per game. Kyler Murray.

[E]

How's Thomas feel about Kyler Murray going to the Vikings?

[D]

Awesome.

[C]

Well, let's let Thomas vote in the poll. Thomas, bring the poll up. Let's assume the Colts keep Daniel Jones and he's off the market. Your NFL team needs a quarterback. Which one of these guys do you pick?

[F]

And.

[C]

Sorry, I only have room for four quarterbacks. Kyler Murray, that's who Thomas voted for. Malik Willis. Those guys both have over 40% of the vote. Kyler has 49 to a tongue of a low end. Geno smith getting about 4 or 5%, 3 to 5% of the vote. Thomas, you vote. You voted for Kyler. Would you be excited about that?

[F]

I'm indifferent about it. I mean, I think he's the best option out there. Former number one overall pick. My only concern is he can't see over the line of scrimmage. So like the middle of the field is like nothing. Like too many drills with him are just atrocious to watch, honestly. But, you know, I, I don't think we have any better option. I. I've wanted Aaron Rodgers for the last two years and everybody makes fun of me about that.

[C]

Yeah, they should.

[E]

So. Well,

[F]

we'll see. I don't want Geno Smith. I might just not watch a Viking game next year.

[E]

If he is our quarterback.

[C]

Who do you guys think he. Who do you think the. The most desire? I don't think there's an easy answer here. So I'm not trying to put you on the spot. Who's the most desirable quarterback option out there?

[D]

Well, I think for NFL teams it has. It's. It's clearly Kyler Murray because he's in one of these situations where the Arizona has already paid him $36 million this year. And as I. So I expect he's going to sign with some team for the minimum.

[C]

All right, let's take money off the table just in terms of quality. Who would you go for?

[D]

I'd probably still favor Kyler. I, I think you should have left Daniel Jones on this poll and just pulled Daniel Jones vs Kyler vs Malik Willis. I think that would have been interesting. I certainly think. And the poll I ran yesterday was Kyler Murray at his cost or Daniel Jones at his. And it's. It's obviously Kyler then.

[C]

All right, I'll do a. I'll do Kyler, Malik Willis, Daniel Jones. Right now, Dave, who would you pick? Who's. Who's. It doesn't have to be those three, but which available or potentially available quarterback would you want?

[B]

If I'm the Vikings or just you're any.

[C]

If you're the Dave.

[E]

In a blanket?

[C]

Yeah, in a blanket.

[B]

I don't know. I don't like any of these options, to be perfectly honest with you. I guess Kyler, but I don't know, maybe Daniel Jones is who I pick, actually. Just hoping that he can come back from the injury just fine and by October he rounds into the form that we saw last year. Yeah. Change my answer. I'll take Daniel Jones.

[C]

Jamie.

[E]

It so depends on which team we're talking about though, right? Oh, well, if I'm Minnesota, I would probably want to get Mac Jones, right?

[B]

Yes. Yes.

[C]

Yeah.

[F]

The problem with that is the Vikings have so many holes to fill, they can't just give away their picks. Like, I saw a report that the 49ers want a first. I don't even know if he's.

[B]

They're not gonna get.

[E]

Yeah, I don't think anybody's giving him a first for Mac Jones, but I think if.

[F]

Yeah, but you're. You're setting the precedent of like, I want a first. Okay.

[E]

Okay.

[F]

I'll give you a second. I don't even think the Vik afford to give her away a second round pick.

[E]

No. But you also say they have so many needs. That's a pretty glaring one scoreback. So.

[C]

Yeah. Do you. How come you don't want Kirk Cousins back?

[F]

Man, I love Kirk Cousins, but the last. Last year he just looked like he lost a lot of his arm strength. Like, Kirk was all about like,

[E]

like

[F]

slinging it on time and stuff and like ripping the ball and he. I don't think he can do that anymore. I. I guess if they're really. They really think McCarthy can become something, then Kirk wouldn't. Oh, Kirk wouldn't be bad for a couple games. But I don't think, like you, he. I don't think he's a 17 week starter anymore.

[C]

Yeah, that's the thing with a lot of these guys.

[B]

They.

[C]

They're set up for failure. There's like a good young quarterback behind them or something. But I don't know.

[E]

I always think that Thomas has a giant spider above his head when. When he has this view.

[C]

Is that a fan?

[F]

No, it's a light fixture.

[C]

Oh, okay.

[F]

Yeah,

[C]

but the thing with Kyler, from a fantasy Standpoint, guys, is he could still run for close to 600 yards, right?

[E]

Well, fantasy is different. Like, fantasy, he's clearly the best.

[C]

I don't know. I mean, what's. Is he. Is he better than Malik Willis? Because he could run. He could run pretty damn well too.

[E]

Yeah, I mean, that's a fair question. I, I think at least you've seen it from Kyler, you know, so you, like, you, you. You illustrated, you know, he's been a very good fantasy quarterback for the majority of his time as a starter. You hope that's the case for Malik Willis. And obviously, if you're putting them in the same offense as Willis, by all accounts, based on everything you saw in. In the games that he's played and by the reporter, you're like, he may be the best running quarterback right now in the league. Like, you know, he just has that much potential. So he.

[C]

He played 64 of the snaps at the Bears in week 16, completed 9 of 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, rushed for 44 yards. Is Malik Willis 15.2 fantasy points and 2/3 of the game at Chicago? Week 17. He. He got hurt late. He played 83 of the snaps against the Ravens, but he started this game. He scored 33.5 fantasy points. He rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He was 18.

[E]

Dave remembers that game very well.

[C]

Oh, yeah, he was 18 of podcast

[B]

league

[C]

18 of 21. So in two starts or. No, not two starts, one start, but two games where he played most of the game. 27 of 32 with two touchdowns, no picks. And I watched all those throws and I didn't see a ball that was even close to being intercepted. Maybe I missed one, but he didn't put the ball in harm's way. He made some really good throw. Tape was much better than Kyler Murray's for what it's worth last year. But I, I would have voted for Malik Willis. I. I don't know. It's such a small sample size, but he and Kyler are going to be really intriguing for fantasy purposes because they

[D]

both can run as soon as they have starting jobs. They're both going to be in the conversation for borderline top 12.

[E]

Yeah, especially Willis ends up in a good situation, like if he goes to the jets or to the Dolphins, like, it's not the most ideal. The Dolphins make so much sense because of who's running the team now. Like, they obviously know him and have them best track record with him. We also are talking about a guy that couldn't beat out Ryan Tannehill, Will Levis, or, for what it's worth, Jordan Love, which was never going to happen, but, you know, had a hard time beating out some pretty mediocre quarterbacks. Is he going to be consistently good, especially without Leflore at the helm?

[C]

I'm stuck with this internal debate of how do we separate the Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones of the world from the Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, probably Geno Smiths of the world. When do you know a guy is done? Because I think a lot of times the NFL tell you when a guy is done. That's why I wasn't so optimistic about Russell Wilson last year. It's like the Broncos didn't want him, Steelers didn't want him, Justin Fields, the Bears didn't want him, the Steelers didn't want him. You know, Aaron Rodgers, the guys you

[D]

brought up, that aren't done in your mind, didn't they all go through that same thing?

[C]

Yes.

[D]

Or the NFL told you that they

[C]

were done is what I'm saying.

[E]

Yeah, but those guys all went through the same thing of where they went. They went to pretty good coaches to get, I think, a good understanding of maybe how to play the position. You know, Baker Mayfield spent some time with Sean McVeigh. Daniel Jones spent time with Kevin O'. Connell. Sam Darnold spent time with Kyle Shanahan and Kevin o'. Connell. I mean, they've all gotten good coaching in their quote, unquote, you know, purgatory situations, you know, where they weren't starting options and just being backups. Like, I think that matters, you know, like.

[C]

But Josh Allen and. And Jackson Dart would tell you that Brian Dable were good coaches. Right. And didn't work for Daniel Jones.

[E]

Well, I mean, I think for one year did.

[C]

It's a good point.

[E]

Just.

[C]

I wish it were easier. I wish it were easier to.

[E]

Well, I. I think, like, if in Kyler's situation, like Heath alluded to the. The. The cost here is so conducive to every team that needs a quarterback right now that they should be begging for him to come. Now, if you're Kyler, you have your pick of several teams you would assume, like, if you're looking at Minnesota and the Jets, I don't think resurrecting your career is going to the Jets. Yeah, to me, it's. I'm gonna go attach myself to Kevin o' Connell and Justin Jefferson and hope for the best, you know, and look, if he stinks, clearly he's going to stink on a Bad situation. But if he can't beat out JJ McCarthy and get better coaching and have better weapons around him like then he just is what he is.

[C]

Who's the best quarterback for Garrett Wilson, for Justin Jefferson? You know these number one receivers that Joe Flacco.

[B]

Yes, thank you.

[E]

I would say of. Of the guys who might be available, I would probably take Mac Jones.

[D]

I don't think that Jones is available.

[E]

Well, he's available. Trade. You have to trade for him. So.

[A]

Right.

[E]

Who is in the same boat. And that was on Adam's list. So is Geno Smith. You know, so they're not free yet.

[D]

Well, right, but.

[C]

But two is expected to be released, right?

[E]

I mean if somebody's gonna pay that

[B]

salary, I wouldn't want to

[C]

do.

[D]

It will be another guy that'll basically be free once he's released, right?

[C]

No, the Dolphins are going to pay the salary, right?

[D]

Yeah. So somebody can just be able to sign him for the minimum. Gino might be the same situation. I.

[C]

This one's tough too. I don't know. I really don't know.

[D]

Yeah, I think it's. I think it's.

[E]

Pocket passer is going to, you know, allow guys to make plays down the field. We've obviously seen it with Joe Flacco, you saw it with Brian Thomas for, you know, with Mac Jones there. He was good for the 49ers last year and helping their receiving core play well. So you know, again, you want guys that are going to have opportunities to be coached well and you know, make plays for their, their pass catchers.

[C]

So Kyler has been one of the worst downfield throwers in the NFL for the last three years with. That was the. That's the biggest difference in his career is he made a lot of big plays with DeAndre Hopkins. Since he lost DeAndre Hopkins, he's been horrible and some of it's. I think a lot of it's on him. But yeah, I mean, Look, Marvin Harrison Jr. Had a really bad drop when he was wide open on a deep ball last year. That would have really helped his Kyler's numbers but man, there were some horrible throws. His off target rate on throws of 20 or more air yards was 43% which is insanely high. So that's just something to keep in mind. This. That's been the biggest issue for Kyler is he's just, he's missing the explosive plays over the last several.

[B]

Well, and there's also the indictment of what Jacoby Brissette did when he got his opportunity to play that offense turned around in a major way when Kyler Murray wasn't on the field, and that's what's making it easy for Arizona to get away from Kyler Murray. Yeah, it's, it's clear as day. Once Kyler got off the field, Jacobi Brissette got in there and he operated that thing. They, they looked good, they were competitive, and with Kyler, they weren't quite as good. And that's going to be like, I get the whole financial element of it, and that's why Kyler is going to be super appealing to all these teams. But they're going to have to look back at what he did and say, man, are we sure we can make him a better processor of coverage and a more accurate thrower? Because I don't know if he's got that in him.

[C]

Someone's saying, we get it, Adam. You don't like Kyler, and it's kind of true. But I have been a big Kyler Murray fan. I've been a little slow to accept that he's not the quarterback he once was. Maybe he can get back to that. But, but again, he's still, even in these bad years, he's still on pace for 580 rushing yards. It's. And he's. Other than last year, he's still finishing top 12 and last year was only five games. So maybe he could have turned it around.

[B]

That makes him appealing for fantasy. I don't know if he being the quarterback for the Vikings makes Justin Jefferson more appealing. Yeah, it's better than Jefferson with J.J. mcCarthy.

[E]

Right.

[B]

But I don't know if it's Justin Jefferson with some of these other quarterbacks that we've talked about that we'd rather see go to New York. If they went to Minnesota instead, I think we'd be happier.

[D]

Another name to throw in there is the guy who played for Kyra last year, Jonathan Jones had an article on up this morning that said a good Day three pick could get Jacoby Brissette from Arizona.

[B]

That's interesting. I heard that they didn't want to get rid of Jacoby Brissette.

[E]

Yeah, I, I would imagine if the draft pick is right. I, I you're also hearing that LaFleur, Mike LaFleur wants Jimmy Garoppolo. So that's another name, too.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Maybe it's Malik Willis as a starter and Jimmy Garoppolo backing him up.

[E]

Could be.

[C]

All right. Some more news from around the NFL. So the Colts are using the transition tag on Daniel Jones. That would give him a 1 year 37.8 million dollar deal. If they can't agree to a long term deal, they do not get any compensation if another team signs Daniel Jones. However, they do have the right to match any offer made to Jones with the transition tag. Again, he played through a hairline fracture in his leg. Things started to go a little south once he once that happened, then he tore his achilles in week 14. We've got that report from the Athletic about the sense being that the Bears are going to keep DJ Moore, but it's not guaranteed the Raider or the Chargers, pardon me, are going to release offensive guard Makai Becton, who was really good for the Eagles a couple of years ago and dealt with some injuries last year. Big news for the Bears, Drew Dahlman, their center, is retiring at age 27, who's a pro Bowler last year, their left tackle is hurt, is going to miss time. So Dave, that's 2/5 of what was one of the best offensive lines last year that they have to replace, at least at left tackle in the short term and long term at center.

[B]

I'm not sure of the name. I think it might be Newman as someone that the Bears already have tagged as their center of the future. If it's not Newman, I'm apologizing for that. But I think they've got somebody on the roster that they would rather that they're going to try and use at center. But tackle is obviously a big need

[C]

for Chicago and Sean McVeigh is confident about getting a deal done with Matthew Stafford. That's all I got. Good show guys. Heath what? It's coming up on beyond the Box.

[E]

Just kidding.

[C]

You know I got a comment, a negative comment on YouTube. Jamie, thank you for this. I think it was from yesterday, from Monday show. I was like, why is this guy promoting their podcast? He doesn't even know which one Ryan Wilson hosts.

[D]

Also doesn't know which one Heath Cummings hosts.

[C]

Yeah, it's true.

[D]

I don't know much.

[C]

All right. Anyway, this thanks for listening to Fantasy Baseball today. Outfield Preview Part 2 Tomorrow we'll talk to you.

[G]

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