The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 2 – Featuring Peter King and Matt Miller

Release Date: March 4, 2025
Hosts: Dan Patrick, Julie Stewart-Banks, Peter King, Todd Fritz
Guests: Matt Miller (ESPN NFL Draft Analyst)
Co-Hosts: Former NHL Player Nate Thompson

Introduction

In the second hour of "The Dan Patrick Show," listeners are treated to an in-depth discussion on the upcoming NFL Draft, focusing primarily on quarterback prospects, with special attention given to Shador Sanders. Hosted by Dan Patrick alongside Julie Stewart-Banks, Peter King, and Todd Fritz, the episode delves into the complexities of draft evaluations, team strategies, and player potentials. Notably, Matt Miller from ESPN’s Mothership joins the conversation to provide expert analysis on Shador Sanders' draft outlook.

Shador Sanders and NFL Draft Prospects

The primary focus of the episode centers around Shador Sanders, a quarterback prospect generating mixed reviews leading up to the NFL Draft.

• Peter King’s Opening Remarks [03:08]:

  "Come on in, stay a while, spend a lot of time, maybe too much time, talking about one report that came out about Shedeur Sanders being arrogant and brash in one of the interviews at the combine."

Peter King sets the stage by highlighting a report questioning Sanders' demeanor and its potential impact on his draft stock.

• Dan Patrick’s Overview [03:08 – 07:28]: Dan provides an overview of the current sentiments surrounding Sanders, emphasizing the lack of conviction among draft analysts regarding his first-round potential.

  "I’ve heard all the same things. I think all of us have, especially coming out of the combine."

Expert Analysis with Matt Miller

Matt Miller joins the discussion to offer his perspective on Sanders' viability as a first-round pick.

• Matt Miller’s Assessment [26:00 – 33:36]: Matt concurs with the skepticism surrounding Sanders, noting the decline in his draft ranking based on recent performances and scouting reports.

  "Cam Ward from Miami. So, that is in line with what I’ve seen watching the tape over the last two Years."

He underscores the importance of consistent performance and adaptability to the NFL's faster-paced environment.

• Challenges for Sanders [27:24 – 29:00]: Discussion revolves around Sanders’ physical attributes and mental readiness for the NFL. Matt highlights:

  "He’s 6 foot 1. He put on some weight for the combine. He got his mom's feet right. He's not a 4:3 athlete."

Matt emphasizes that while Sanders possesses certain strengths, his physicality and decision-making under pressure may not align with NFL expectations.

Contract and Salary Cap Considerations

The conversation shifts to broader NFL team strategies, particularly regarding contracts and salary cap management.

• Dak Prescott’s Contract [04:.... – 06:22]: Dan criticizes the Dallas Cowboys for delaying Dak Prescott’s contract renewal, leading to higher salary demands.

  "Dak Prescott’s cap hit is 89,900,000."

He suggests that earlier negotiations might have mitigated the financial strain, allowing for better roster flexibility.

• Implications for Other Players [06:23 – 09:00]: The discussion touches on how contractual delays impact other players like Michael Parsons and Jamar Chase, potentially inflating their salaries due to delayed negotiations.

  "If Micah Parsons is a sure thing, then can you pay him something commensurate to what Miles Garrett gets or, you know, T.J. watt."

Comparative Analysis: Cam Ward vs. Shador Sanders

Peter King and Dan Patrick compare Sanders with another quarterback prospect, Cam Ward, to highlight differing draft potentials.

• Cam Ward’s Elevation [28:53 – 30:00]:

  "Cam Ward from Miami… if we were talking about last year's drafts, Cam Ward would have been the sixth or seventh guy drafted."

Cam Ward is positioned as a more favorable pick due to his stronger arm and leadership qualities, despite similar challenges in adapting to the NFL.

Running Backs in the First Round

The discussion briefly explores the trend of drafting running backs earlier than traditional wisdom suggests.

• Running Back Class Strength [34:57 – 35:56]: Dan expresses optimism about the current running back class, anticipating high draft picks for standout players like Bijan Robinson and Jameer Gibbs.

  "This is one of the best running back classes, if not the best running back class I've ever seen."

He predicts a potential record for the number of running backs drafted in the first round, breaking previous records from 2017.

Additional Draft Insights

Further analysis covers other draft prospects and team strategies.

• Travis Hunter’s Position Flexibility [35:56 – 38:27]: The conversation examines Travis Hunter’s desire to play both wide receiver and cornerback, comparing it to Shohei Ohtani’s dual role in baseball.

  "It's very hard to be great at one position in the NFL. Just mentally, it's so hard."

Dan questions the feasibility of excelling at two positions simultaneously in the NFL.

• Nick Iman Zorba's Rising Stock [38:37 – 39:03]: Highlighting defensive prospects, Dan identifies Nick Iman Zorba as a top rising star, noting his physical attributes and performance metrics.

  "He's from Philadelphia, him and Bo. They ended up at Loyola Marymount."

Audience Interaction and Callers’ Contributions

Throughout the episode, callers contribute to the discussion, adding diverse viewpoints and personal insights.

• Listener Polls and Questions [07:28 – 08:12]: The show engages listeners with polls about the accuracy of pre-draft news, revealing a majority believing only 25% is reliable.

• Stat of the Day [45:17 – 46:22]: Fun segments like "Stat of the Day" are introduced, showcasing listener creativity and engagement.

Closing Remarks

As the episode winds down, hosts recap the key discussions and tease upcoming segments.

• Final Thoughts on Draft Strategies [39:05 – 32:26]: The conversation reiterates the complexities of the draft, emphasizing the need for teams to balance immediate roster needs with long-term investments.

  "If you have your quarterback, if you're a team that has that figured out, that's the time to draft a running back."

Notable Quotes

• Peter King on Shador Sanders' Perception [12:29]:

  "Maybe that's what it is. But you know, to be called arrogant is that, that's, that's we're okay with cocky, confident, brash, arrogant."

• Dan Patrick on Cam Ward’s Potential [29:00]:

  "I don't get the sense right now that the Titans feel like Cam Ward is going to turn this football team around."

• Matt Miller on Draft Consensus [39:05]:

  "Mel's not getting fired for his draft board, but a guy who says, let's take Shador Sanders, number two overall, could get fired."

Conclusion

The episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the NFL Draft landscape, with expert insights into quarterback prospects, team financial strategies, and emerging trends in player selections. Matt Miller's evaluation of Shador Sanders adds a critical perspective, challenging the consensus and urging teams to consider both on-field performance and off-field demeanor in their draft decisions. Hosts Dan Patrick, Julie Stewart-Banks, Peter King, and Todd Fritz facilitate a lively and informative discussion, enriched by listener interactions and in-depth statistical analysis.

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