Podcast Summary: The Athletic Football Show – "The 2025-26 Debut of Building the Beast with Dane Brugler"

Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Dave Helman
Guest: Dane Brugler (The Athletic Lead Draft Analyst)

Overview

The debut episode of "Building the Beast," a weekly in-season NFL Draft podcast, sees host Dave Helman joined by draft expert Dane Brugler. Together, they give listeners an inside look at how the annual NFL Draft Guide (“The Beast”) is built, providing insights into the process of scouting, ranking, and evaluating college prospects from the ground up ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The episode sets the stage by exploring Dane's summer scouting workflow, how NFL teams and media start their draft boards, and previews key position groups and prospects for the upcoming college football season.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. The Genesis of "Building the Beast" (01:55–07:17)

• Background: Dave and Dane reflect on a decade-long partnership covering the NFL Draft, and the journey from humble beginnings in a makeshift Cowboys podcast studio to a flagship, interactive podcast at The Athletic.
  • “We want to stack prospects and argue about whose stack is the correct one. There's so much about the draft that we love and that fans love that really has nothing to do with where these guys end up.” — Dave (05:42)
• Show Purpose: Focus not just on specific teams' needs, but deep dives into scouting processes, player evaluation, and the work that builds the annual draft guide.
• Listener Demand: Noted strong listener interest for in-season draft content after a hiatus.

2. The Summer Scouting Process & How NFL Teams Operate (07:17–15:09)

• Dane’s Routine:
  • Takes May slowly, dives in post-Memorial Day.
  • Watches over 1,000 draft-eligible players by the end of summer, laying the research foundation for the fall/winter.
  • “All the work in the summer, it limits the surprises in the fall and helps you better prioritize your time about what you need to focus on in season.” — Dane (08:23)
• NFL Team Approaches:
  • Utilization of two main scouting services (National and BLESTO) to set initial boards, with services giving verified measurements and spring grades (12:44).
  • Scouts start campus visits in August, building on spring reports to update grades through the season.

3. The Challenge of Projection with Old Film (15:09–18:44)

• Importance of Context and Growth:
  • “You're making bets on certain traits that, you know, translate to certain schemes and certain organizations… But largely what you do in 2025 is going to dictate your final grade.” — Dane (15:40)
  • Balancing confidence in prior years’ tape with openness to player development, especially for young, toolsy players (e.g., quarterbacks).
• Early Positional Takeaways: Top 7 players are clear, but the field is wide open beyond, particularly from pick 8 through the rest of the top 50.

4. Position-by-Position Previews

Running Back (24:04–29:27)

• Thin at the Top:
  • Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame) clear RB1, possibly a first-rounder.
  • Significant gap after Love; Nick Singleton (Penn State) top senior, but with areas for improvement.
  • Underclassmen from Texas, Oregon, and Ohio State expected to challenge with more playing time.
  • “In terms of proven top 50, top 100 guys, it’s a lot more wait and see…” — Dane (27:14)
  • Notable: Makai Hughes (Oregon, ex-Tulane) only 1400+ yard returner; Bryson Washington (Baylor) buried by last year’s stacked class.

Wide Receiver (29:27–39:27)

• Lacks Elite, Top-10 Options:
  • Jordan Tyson (Arizona State) viewed as a likely late first-round/mid-teens prospect if healthy.
  • Second tier deep, including Chris Bell (Louisville, six-one-and-a-half, 227, 4.4 speed), Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Makai Lemon (USC), with questions on role and polish.
  • Littered with "slot-only" and undersized players, opening debates on inside vs. outside value.
  • “It will be fun... There's a lot of names once we get to Day Two, guys jockeying for position...” — Dane (30:09)

Offensive Tackle (40:32–49:15)

• Deep and Promising:
  • Kaden Proctor (Alabama) and Utah’s bookends (Spencer Fano & Caleb Lomu) headline a deep underclassmen group.
  • Up to 10 tackles could appear in the initial Top 50.
  • Seniors like Drew Shelton (Penn State) and Jude Bowery (Boston College) mentioned as possible risers.
  • “Even the tackles that maybe aren’t thought of as first or second round guys... might get there by the end of the year.” — Dane (47:43)

Edge Rusher (51:27–59:51)

• No Obvious Superstar, But Substantial Depth & Breakout Potential:
  • Keldrick Falk (Auburn), TJ Parker (Clemson), Mateo Uiagalelei (Oregon), LT Overton (Alabama), David Bailey (Texas Tech) headlining potential first-rounders.
  • Bailey’s transfer to Texas Tech and NIL environment sparking debate on player development and evaluation.
  • “You see the flashes... but at least guys that tease their potential and say hey, I've got traits to work with now I just need to put it together.” — Dane (53:15)

Quarterback (60:43–73:49)

• Much Improved Over Previous Year, High Ceiling:
  • Arch Manning (Texas): QB1 entering the year, despite likely to stay in college — “natural quarterback rhythm.”
  • Len’Norris Sellers (South Carolina): Dual-threat, uniquely powerful runner; mechanical improvements sought.
  • Other notables: Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Drew Allar (Penn State), Sam Levitt (Arizona State), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana).
  • Seven QBs likely to make the early Top 50.
  • “If the draft were tomorrow, I would certainly understand why a team would roll the dice on a guy with that type of talent and just that type of ability.” — Dane (66:49)

Defensive Standouts & Others (74:32–85:47)

• Blue-Chip, Non-Edge Defenders:
  • Peter Woods (DT, Clemson): “90% of Jalen Carter” — versatile, powerful, and athletic (74:32).
  • Caleb Downs (Ohio State): Elite instincts at safety, likened to Eric Berry, but may not test as elite pre-draft (78:07).
  • Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee): Coming off ACL, still high on potential.
  • Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon): Exceptional tight end prospect, potentially best pass-catching option in the draft.
• Group of Five/Small School Notes:
  • Dane points out that due to NIL, fewer “small school” stars remain under the radar — most transfer up.
  • Bryce Lance (NDSU, WR) and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo, S) among top non-power prospects—Toledo emerging as a developmental hotbed (85:47–86:38).

5. Early Look at College Football: "Prospect Games to Watch" (86:58–93:54)

• Week Zero: Highlight — Iowa State vs. Kansas State: DT Dominique Orange vs. C Sam Hesh as the best prospect-vs.-prospect matchup.
• Week One:
  • Texas vs. Ohio State: “Both programs lost 12+ draftees; new talent and QB debuts make this a draftnik dream” (90:22).
  • LSU vs. Clemson: Nussmeier vs. Klubnik battle for potential QB1 status.
  • Alabama vs. Florida State: Trench matchup — OG Jaden Roberts vs. DT Daryl Jackson.
  • Notre Dame vs. Miami & others highlighted for prospect depth.
  • “It’s what dreams are made of…” — Dave (91:44), re: Nussmeier vs Klubnik

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Summer Scouting:
  “All the work in the summer, it limits the surprises in the fall and helps you better prioritize your time about what you need to focus on in season.”
  — Dane Brugler (08:23)

• On Wide Receiver Depth:
  “It will be fun... There's a lot of names once we get to Day Two, guys jockeying for position and trying to prove they're worth a top-32 pick.”
  — Dane Brugler (30:09)

• On NIL and Transfers:
  “It is a very interesting storyline what's happening out in Lubbock... Texas Tech paid [David Bailey] a good amount of money to go... [and] what is this guy like when he gets money? Is he still working?”
  — Dane Brugler (54:50–55:40)

• On Quarterbacks in 2026:
  "There's no Caleb Williams or Drake May... but it's wildly more promising than what we had at this time last year at the quarterback position."
  — Dane Brugler (60:43)

• On Peter Woods (Clemson):
  “He could be 90% Jalen Carter… His ability to rid himself of blocks and go make plays is exceptional.”
  — Dane Brugler (74:32)

• On Group of Five Talent and NIL:
  “It's tougher to find these guys because they usually transfer up. Siobahn Revel turned down 500 grand from LSU and Texas... a few years ago Tucker Kraft turned down six figures from Alabama to stay in the FCS.”
  — Dane Brugler (83:26)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening & Reason for Show Relaunch: 01:55–07:17
• Summer Scouting & How Teams Begin the Draft Process: 07:17–15:09
• How Summer Film Informs (but Doesn't Decide) the Top 50: 15:09–18:44
• Running Back Preview: 24:04–29:27
• Wide Receiver Preview: 29:27–39:27
• Offensive Tackle Preview: 40:32–49:15
• Edge Rusher Preview: 51:27–59:51
• Quarterback Preview: 60:43–73:49
• Top Defensive & Other Standout Prospects: 74:32–85:47
• Prospect Games in Week Zero & Week One: 86:58–93:54

Tone, Language, and Style

• The episode is energetic and conversational, with both hosts balancing expertise, draft “sicko” enthusiasm, and friendly banter.
• Both Dave and Dane use vivid, approachable language, peppered with memorable analogies (“blue-chip”, “the hay is in the barn”, “chasing traits”, “the Wild West of college football”, “foundation for your draft”) and inside references to listeners deeply invested in NFL Draft minutiae.

Conclusion & Coming Attractions

• The show will run weekly throughout the college football season (except for a brief skip after week zero).
• Promises deep, position-by-position breakdowns, ongoing prospect riser/faller discussions, and live reactions to college football developments as they relate to the 2026 NFL Draft.
• Closes with excitement to provide listeners with the “building blocks” of Dane’s annual Beast guide, offering a front-row seat to the scouting process.
  • “We’ll be doing this weekly between now and the 2026 draft. This is going to be a blast. Very excited to go on this journey with you.” — Dane Brugler (94:28)

For More

• Visit The Athletic for detailed written position previews by Dane Brugler.
• Next episode drops after week one of the college football season.