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Daniel Jeremiah
We got a Fun1today. 2026 NFL rookie class. Predictions and award winners. It's a Dan Comer joint. I'll explain in a little bit. Just 350 days until the NFL draft. You good match?
Bucky Brooks
I'm not in the backseat of a Waymo, so yeah, I'm pretty good.
Daniel Jeremiah
What is wrong with you, Tucker? Roll the be. Dan Comer's our producer. He's fully producing this show. We finally have just given him the green light. All right, I've heard enough. You don't like the way I structure things around here, Dan, so you produce the damn thing and that's what he's done. I think it's actually turned out to be a pretty good show. We'll see how we execute it. Mench. It's all on us now.
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Daniel Jeremiah
Rookie class. It's the rookie classes in and we've, we've kind of dissected by round. We've gone over fits, we've done every which way. Let's kind of spin it forward. Right, right. Like we've, we've done all those the things that we normally do. So now we're spinning it forward with the rookie predictions and yeah, we're talking some fake awards, some real awards and kind of everything in between, so. And we'll continue to project the rookie class when we come back on Monday. Monday's show is going to be fantasy football expectations. It's also going to be a Dan comer joint. We'll see how things go. See if he gets a third joint come middle of next week. But the third joint in middle next week. Just a reminder to everyone, if you're not a subscriber to the McShay Report, subscribe now. You can Google it, the McShay Report, and you can subscribe there or you can jump on our website and where I'm sure a lot of people. Traffic's been awesome there, man. The web, the website that we, we're developing and we saw phase one of, phase one of, I like to call it, for the 2026 draft. It's theringer.com mcshay. It's going to develop into our all encompassing database. And on there you can just go, and right There is the McShay report. If you subscribe, you get all our premium content. And for this situation, you're going to get an email to your inbox directly from me asking for questions. Send in those questions and we're going to do a whole show. Just answer your question. We can finally take a deep breath, right? And there's a lot of like big picture questions that were asked about our scouting process or what people in the league are doing or how do you attack this? Those are some of the questions we'll get to. And then any, any other specific questions? How's this guy gonna fit our team? What, you know, what, what, what I get excited about for, for the third or fifth round pick, Whatever you want to ask, throw it in there. We'll get to as many questions as we can. Middle of next week. All right, man, let's open this thing up.
Bucky Brooks
Let's go.
Daniel Jeremiah
We got a few short awards. We're going to end with offense and defensive rookies of the year. Okay? And I should note, as Dan put in his trusty notes, if you ever look, see me looking down during the show today, it's because I'm, I'm trying to follow the producer's lead, trying to be a good boy.
Bucky Brooks
This is why we need Dan on camera, by the way, so he can roll in here and be like, here we go already.
Daniel Jeremiah
I've already talked to the executives. They are, they are in the process of shipping a camera and lighting to him so we can get more. He's bulked up now, man. We gotta, can. We gotta get him on camera.
Bucky Brooks
Bulking season.
Daniel Jeremiah
It's bulking season post draft. All right, let's just kick it off. But we're going to revisit these predictions at the end of the year, which will Be, oh, boy. Into the NFL season. Right. So we'll have some good laughs, I'm sure. All right, I'll throw it to you, Mensch. The Better as a Pro award. This goes to a good college player. Obviously they were drafted, but maybe someone that were expecting to kind of come in their own and blossom and maybe have a better pro career than even the one that got them drafted from their college ranks.
Bucky Brooks
I'm starting off with Marlon Klein, the tight end the Texans took. We've. We've hit on him a little bit. Right. I mean, he.38 catches for 364 yards and a touchdown in college, and it's kind of easy to see why. To be honestly, Michigan's passing attack has been a mess the past two seasons. I think that's really hurt.
Daniel Jeremiah
I don't know what was a harder experience. Let's just call it what it is. Watching Underwood try to hit the broad side of a barn or Marcel Reed.
Bucky Brooks
It's. It was. It's not good. And I hope that Underwood turns around, man, because he's so talented. But whatever. I'm not falling down.
Daniel Jeremiah
Okay, go ahead.
Bucky Brooks
I'm not going down. I'm not falling into that trap. But let's, let's focus, let's spin it forward because I think we've talked about that a lot and why. I think where he landed with Houston is going to be a big deal for him. And when you look at it, first of all, who's your offense coordinator? It's Nick Kaley. And what was Nick Kaley before he was an offense coordinator? He was the tight ends coach for the Rams and he was the tight ends coach for the Patriots. These are two organizations that really know how to develop and use tight ends. And I know that they had some talented guys there. I know that Rob Gronkowski was going to be good wherever he went. I understand all of that, but this guy has a tight end background. You look at Dalton Schultz last year, he had 106 targets. And I know Dalton Schultz is still there for another couple years. I understand that. I think they're going to get Marlon Klein involved, and here's why. He's 6 foot 6, he's 248 pounds, he runs a 4, 6, 1. When you watch him on tape, and he gets an opportunity to make a play, he's going to make a play. And then out onto that, there's. Think about the rash of injuries that the Texans have dealt with at the outside receiver position. I think Marlon Clan is going to get more run than people might realize. Even with Dalton Schultz still there. I think they know how to use tight ends. I think this kid is so talented, it's going to be hard not to get. To get him the ball and immediately. It would not surprise me if he had better numbers as a rookie that he did his entire career at Michigan, which is three seasons.
Daniel Jeremiah
It wouldn't shock me either. And I can remember sitting here doing his tape study and watching specific plays, being like, oh, I wish there was more of this. And to see him drafted where he was drafted was like the league saw it too. Like I told you that, like that seam route against Texas in the bowl game, just getting whacked. But down the seam, popping right up the, the speed. He's got some tools, man. That's a good call. I'm gonna go with the first rounder. And you say, well he got drafted in the first round. He obviously had a good college career and he did. But Keldrick out of Auburn, I, I just have this clear vision and I think that was the thing when talking to some, some people in the league is they felt like they lacked a clear vision. Well, my clear vision for what he could be when I did his report was I saw some shades of Rashawn Gary, but a lot more shades of Eric Armstead.
Bucky Brooks
Love it, love that comp. Yeah. Especially this defense. But go on. Sorry.
Daniel Jeremiah
Well, and then they get. And then he gets drafted by the Titans. Guess who it was? Eric Armstead's coordinator at San Francisco. And I'm like, you know, just for folks who maybe, you know, are clued in on all. It's 6 foot 6, 276 pounds, 34 and 3, 8 inch inch arm length. His sack production was not great. I get hit of the top 10 edge rushers in this class. He had the lowest pass rush win rate. I think it was 11.3. But man, did I see flashes when he kicked inside. You know, and, and thinking about him, the utilization. Excuse me, and Robert Sala and that, that, that defense for the Titans, they traded up for him for a reason. They didn't want to wait till the early second round and, and risk a team taking him in those handful of picks between the, where they moved up to get him and, and thinking of Salah, like utilizing him on, on first and tens or, or like, or second in threes or you know, like obvious, not, not obvious but higher percentage rundowns on the edge, setting a hard edge with his length and then kicking him inside on third and 13, you know, third and nine even second and 14, whatever it is. And I like, I can still in my mind see him. There are like a handful of plays where it's like that quick first step with his length against short armed guards. It was such a mismatch when he, when he was reduced inside as a pass rusher. So I'm intrigued by that, by that fit. And we knew like Edge was certainly a neat area. Even though they brought in Jermaine Johnson, they brought in Franklin John Franklin Myers, they still needed defensive line help and they're coming back.
Bucky Brooks
They. Yeah, but they.
Daniel Jeremiah
Right, but, but we knew that they were going to take a guy and to bring in a deforest Bunk, Bunk Buckner, Eric Armstead type for Salah. I just think that this is a great fit. I, I think you're going to see some of his best pass pass production, whether that's in the form of a sack or pressures, whatever it is. It's kind of that three technique and some obvious passing downs.
Bucky Brooks
Right. It's this whole thing of is it a three man front, is a four man front, those things. It's, it's. People need to kind of get, get out of that thinking everybody's multiple and Keldrick Falk is going to be that three, he's going to be that four. I, he's going to be a five. You're going to see him moving all around, around offensive tackles and guards. Super talented player. I think he's probably the best example of a dude he's going to be, especially in the first round. Maybe Monroe Freeling, the offensive tackle of the Carolina guy could be another guy
Daniel Jeremiah
that we could have targeted.
Bucky Brooks
But I think Helder Fox, a really obvious one. I like that one.
Daniel Jeremiah
All right, on to the next one. I like this one. The missing piece award. This is for a player that you, you feel like, okay, they insert them already a playoff team or like a team that like just needs to take that next step, whether it's get into the playoffs, deep run in the playoffs. Like this is a piece that that organization, that football team needed and you feel like they got it in the draft and we could see them being a part of why this organization takes that next step.
Bucky Brooks
I'm going to Eli Stowers, another second round guy for the Philadelphia Eagles. And don't give me Makai Lemon because I like Makai Lemon. I like that pick. He's not an upgrade over A.J. brown. If A.J. brown is leaving the building, you didn't get better at wide receiver and that's why I couldn't Go there. But Eli Stowers is interesting to me, man. Sean Manion, the new offense coordinator is a little bit of a wild card but we can expect because he coached under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay and that he played in some McVeigh systems. I think we're going to see some wide zone. I think we're going to see some play action against systems that know how to use the tight end. And I imagine these, you know, kind of play action boots where you have Stowers as your backside tight end engages for a second and then releases and Jale Hertz just dumps the ball off to the flat. This guy and he has the wheels to make plays after. I hate when other people say this. I am such a hypocrite. But I think you have to look at Stowers as a weapon more than just a tight end and I should take all kinds of heat for that because I give everyone else a hard time about it. I think they're going to use him in a number of different ways. I think he is. I like the Dallas Goddard's coming back. I don't. I like that he doesn't have to be the number one tight end because now you can use them different ways. The other thing I think we'll see from Manning is motions and this guy because of his frame, his, his mind, his ability to exploit different coverages and his speed is a matchup nightmare. And when you put in the element of motion and now you have defenses declaring coverages. I think the Eli Stars pick when we look back at it all people are going to be like wow, how he did it again. That was a great one.
Daniel Jeremiah
I don't disagree. And I essentially he's another. Essentially they're. Those two picks were on wide receiver, wide receivers, pass catchers.
Bucky Brooks
Right. Whatever way you want to look at it. Yeah.
Daniel Jeremiah
And. And teams more so and I feel like we'd throw that out a lot pre draft and but teams more so were looking at him, at him as like in the receiver room than they were in the tight end room. Like the more I dug in and talked to team so they're clearly planning for life after. After A.J. brown and and and that's pretty good way to do it with. With like proven commodities. Guys that are really good at the. What they do in lemon and sours. But I agree with you. Stowers could be a weapon that diversifies them a little bit. Right. Yeah. I'm gonna go with Edge. Akeem Messador Chargers.
Bucky Brooks
It's a good one.
Daniel Jeremiah
I, I I texted Joe Ortiz after that, and I was like, you must have said your prayers, taken your vitamins and done all the right things to have Macedor fall to you at 22, man. Like, I just didn't think he was going to get that far. There were a lot of.
Bucky Brooks
He's old, Todd, but he's too old. He's. He's going to retire in two years. He's got. He's already, like, looking at timeshares and, and Buena Vista, Florida or somewhere like that.
Daniel Jeremiah
And, And Joe. Joe told me that he and Jim were really, really worried about in six, seven, six, seven, eight years, what was going to.
Bucky Brooks
What are we doing?
Daniel Jeremiah
It was like, broken up about, you know, in five years, like, we'll. We'll have to re. Reevaluate. I'm not sure this is going to be the right. Yeah. What are we talking about?
Bucky Brooks
It's crazy.
Daniel Jeremiah
Good point. But I, I don't know. I. I've. I was not the biggest. I was not like an anti Herbert coming out. I was not the biggest fan because everything that I said about Herbert coming out is, believe it or not, and I took so much for it. It's exactly what's happened. It doesn't take a super scout to figure out this guy's supremely talented, but winners win was my argument. And I, I just didn't. Having sat in the room with him where an offensive lineman are kind of talking for him and see, like, I just didn't know. But I'm seeing Herbert develop, and I don't mean as a, As a quarterback. It's like I'm seeing him develop like an edge about him and like, and. And last year I thought could be the breakthrough year. Like, that's a different Justin Herbert than I sat with in the room in Eugene. Eugene, Oregon, having a trouble time, a tough time talking today. And so that part's exciting. But then the offensive line collapses and all the injuries. I'm telling you, man, this Chargers team is, in my estimation, as we sit here in May, like, might be the scariest team in the league. It just might be because there's.
Bucky Brooks
They.
Daniel Jeremiah
They were so close and then the injuries. But now you get the guys back healthy and so then you look at. All right, personnel wise, they lost Oda FA away right in free agency.
Bucky Brooks
Yep.
Daniel Jeremiah
You've got one edge in Tuli, the other edge in Khalil and now. But you got to have a third. You got to have that, like that, that closer, that ringer that you bring in on third downs and keep the keep these guys fresh and allow you to be a little like NASCAR and do some unconventional things. So that's what Macedor is. And he's an absolute dog. And guess what? Yeah. You can look at his career and the production wasn't there for a while and he had some injuries and he's 25 years old, but the light came on. You know why it came on? Because he learned how to do it. And he learned how to do it from one of the NFL's greatest of all time and Jason Taylor. Right. And you don't just forget how to do it the year after. So this guy's coming in loaded for bear and he's going to bring a nastiness and like an extra surge. I honestly, like, give me, give me all day long. Mesador over over Oda Fay away all day long.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, I agree.
Daniel Jeremiah
So, so this and, and what looked like. Oh, I don't like the fact that they lost their, their third, third edge rusher and pass rush specialist. This is actually so that, that's why I think they could put I, I, I, this Chargers team. I gotta find Tucker, find out for FanDuel. What's the Chargers odds to win the super bowl next year? I think I'm, I might put a little. I'm gonna encourage that. Let's put it that way. All right, who do you or you went Stars. Okay, next. Next category. The outlier. Didn't matter a word. Oh, plus 1600. Plus 1600. Just saying. It's interesting.
Bucky Brooks
Wow. I, I, I, I, my brain just caught up with what you were saying.
Daniel Jeremiah
What? How 1600 teams are. How many teams are ahead of them. I would guess that they're like seventh on the list or something. If it's plus 1600, I could be wrong. All right. Outlier, that didn't matter. That's sixth. Sixth on the list.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
Daniel Jeremiah
Outlier, that didn't matter. A player most likely to overcome the red flag measurable that we talked about so much leading up to the draft. Who's that guy for you?
Bucky Brooks
This is like role reversal for. Because I already know who you're going to talk about and I just want to make it clear that you clearly stole him for me. But that's fine because I'm gonna go, I'm gonna say that I'm gonna go with a guy that you, you could have talked about.
Daniel Jeremiah
Well, that's what happens when you get your answers into your producer first.
Bucky Brooks
You. I don't know what you were doing yesterday, but apparently you were just waiting for Dan. You and I don't know if Dan gave you some kind of a heads up and you just got the answer. You got the questions before I did. It felt a little bit, it felt, it felt a little bit slanted. It felt a little. Maybe you guys were going behind the big guy.
Daniel Jeremiah
Well, you guys were. No, no, I was actually in a meeting. I was tied up. I got done with something and I looked down and you, you guys had like 47 texts back and forth. And so when you guys were done with your cute, like, you know, oh, that's such a great job, Dan. You produce such a great show. Maybe we could break it into two shows. All that stuff. I just got hammering on answers. Go ahead.
Bucky Brooks
Good, good, good for you. Dan did say it had to be immeasurable. By the way, I don't listen to Dan all the time. Sorry, Dan. Because I'm going with a guy who's an outlier for different reason. I didn't fall into the trap of Reuben Bane Jr. Who I love. And I think he's going to be a guy who overcomes the outlier. It's not going to matter cashless how I'm more concerned about. But the guy I went with was our boy Ty Simpson and the, the starts and how he has way too many starts for a guy to be successful. But it comes back to this. He has a general manager in less need who knows how to build a roster, is going to continue to put him or whoever, whoever the quarterback is. But in this situation, it's going to be Ty Simpson. He's going to put the quarterback in the best position to succeed, whether that's through trades or the draft or whatever they got to do to build that roster the right way. And then you have Sean McVeigh, who's one of the greatest play callers, I think, in the history of the game. And I'm not going to, I'm not. I don't think that's hyperbole. I think he's that good. And you have a quarterback who's. One of the reasons why he can overcome this lack of experience is he has a different kind of brain and he can process and handle information in a different way and he can handle the McVeigh offense. One of my favorite clips of all time is Matt Stafford in the huddle with McVeigh calling the play and Matt Stafford saying he's still going, he's still talking. Because that's what that offense is. It's so designed. And I mean, it's so, I, I, I hate, I don't like to use the word complicated. I will use the word sophisticated. And I think that Simpson can handle that sophisticated kind of offense. So even though I'm not convinced that Simpson's gonna get there, I'm still not. These are the reasons why I think he's in the best position to overcome. Overcome being an outlier.
Daniel Jeremiah
I love that you're coming aboard on the Ty Simpson.
Bucky Brooks
We, when we knew it, as soon as he went to the Rams, by the way, we knew that, that this, this was.
Daniel Jeremiah
We covered that in ad nauseam. There's a lot, there's a lot that has to play out before I, I feel like, you know, I have conviction in how it went down and feel good about that. But let's.
Bucky Brooks
We'll right.
Daniel Jeremiah
You know, the verdict's still out. I'm gonna go with.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, you're right.
Daniel Jeremiah
It is role reversal. Spencer Fano, your favorite offensive lineman in the draft and you're our offensive lineman, offensive line guy. But I just, I, I like this fit. And, and at the end of the day, I think this is the case for both of these guys. Two of the biggest outliers at their respective positions in Simpson and Fano. Reuben Bain was the other one. He fell a little bit, so I, I felt more comfortable. Ifano was the first, first offensive lineman off the board with those short arms as a projected offensive tackle. Right. 32 and 1/8 of an inch. It was 32 and 3/4 at the Utah Pro day. Why? Why? First of all, Cleveland saw what I think, what I know you saw and what I saw. This guy can be different and be an outlier because A character the way he's wired, B athleticism, C experience and on both sides, D, versatility and E, fit for Cleveland. Okay with that. Todd Monken offense with the, the different things, especially some of the outside zone stuff that he majored in in kind of a unique Utah offense where I'm watching him, he's like going like running out to the sideline more than most tackles you've ever seen in your life. But I just look at this situation, right? And I jotted down some notes. This organization has tried for so long. I think of all the times they had two picks in the first round. They took a skill guy, whether it was like a corner or receiver and they took a quarterback, you know, and whether that was trying to think Brady Quinn, Brandon Weeden, oh, Johnny Manziel, right. And they, it never felt like they. Baker Mayfield, they never felt like they had the, the offense or the organization. The roster set to plug said quarterback into and so they put him in they put all of them in awful situations. Now I wasn't a Quinn fan and I thought Whedon was a total reach and Johnny Manziel had Johnny Manziel issues but Baker look at him now. So I I went through this this note Titus Howard an offensive tackle acquired in a trade with Houston Elgin Jenkins signed in free agency after being released by the Green Bay Packers. Zion Johnson signed him free agency solidified the solidify to help solidify the interior Tevin Jenkins resigned okay potentially a starter right guard if not worse not worst case best case he's he's depth Spencer Fano they drafted offensive tackle with the ninth overall pick after trading back would have taken him to six if they were stuck Parker Brailsford they they drafted Austin Barber right so now I look at the depth chart. Let's go right to left. Titus Howard is your starting right tackle solid. Zion Johnson could play center but but starting right guard Parker Brailsford and Luke Wipler are going to compete for that starting job at the center spot. Elgin Jenkins as I mentioned with Zach Zinter behind him at left guard and Spencer Fano with dejuan Jones if he wins that spot which I assume he's going to be if he's the ninth overall pick and then Austin Barber providing depth. That's an NFL offensive line and this is all in preparation for hopefully Shador surprises us this year. If not we're going to draft one of those quarterbacks in 2027. I think Fano the outlier didn't matter and I'm excited to see him prove that beyond just where he was drafted, you know.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, I hear you. I'm a preach I think you did a good job. I know it was hard for you for talking about an offensive lineman for three minutes but you did it.
Daniel Jeremiah
How did he fall Award is the next category given the given to a late or mid round player who fell in the draft but proves to be a star right away. Who's your project prediction on that?
Bucky Brooks
The Bucks got Keonte Scott the versatile defensive back at pick one 16 and a lot of this is where do guys end up and what's the fit and keonte Scott had five sacks 13 tackles for loss last year. He that's why he his stock skyrocketed at Miami is because they knew how to use him which was very aggressively. He is a 5 foot 11193 pound defensive back who put up those kinds of numbers. That that is that is unusual now you're sending him to Tampa Bay where Todd Bowles, the head coach, is also one of the most aggressive defensive play callers in the league and will know exactly, exactly what to do with this kind of a player. And we'll use him as a pass rusher. We use him as aggressively on rundowns. And I think that when you look at the fit and, and just the scheme and the play caller, it's, it's a match made in heaven. And so to me, this is going to be quick production with a talented player who is probably dropped because he's not a traditional safety or corner, depending on what kind of scheme you're looking at. But for the Bucks is perfect. I think he's going to be someone where people are gonna be like, what? How in the world was this guy there in the fourth round? Look at his numbers.
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah, he's, he's got this tone setting and there's certain guys coming in the league where you're like, I hope it translates. He has all the talent in the world, you know, and then there's certain guys like this guy's just a football player and he's gonna bring, he's gonna bring that into like, I feel like hard. Huh?
Bucky Brooks
Those Miami kids play hard, man.
Daniel Jeremiah
I mean beyond. I'm gonna go with Jonah Coleman and he didn't fall. Really. It's exactly where we projected him to go in the fourth round and thought he was, I thought he was the third best back in the class. But I've said all along it won't shock me if he winds up being the second most productive or like when we look back, or like he was the second best back of that class. Now it's uphill sledding against with knowing who the, the most talented one is. One of the highest grades ever in Jeremiah Love. And then his, his backfield made at Notre Dame is now going to Seattle where he's the clear cut number one back. Right. But I'm not talking about just rookie year, but I think you're going to see early on, like don't forget that Sean Payton, like we loved RJ Harvey last year in the draft. You and I agreed on that one. And still it was kind of early. You know, we talked about this the other day. Like when you see a player that you. Caleb Black or Malachi Lawrence was the other one where we, yeah, we love them but like that's a little, like a little rich. Right? So that's, that was a situation with Harvey a year ago and Harvey like not great in Pass pro. Even though he's. He's nasty and he's. He's tough and he's got all those things and dealt with some durability stuff. And then you've got J.K. dobbins hopefully coming back and. And will return to form. So you look. You look at this and you're like, Dobbins could easily just be the third back in a rotation and get like 70 carries this year, you know? Or. Or he could just turn out to be the best back in that backfield and those.
Bucky Brooks
Coleman.
Daniel Jeremiah
You mean Jonah Coleman? Sorry, Jonah.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, sorry. Okay, I want to make sure we're clear there.
Daniel Jeremiah
Yes. Jonah Coleman, who I'm. I just. I'm obsessed with. I just think he's like this. This bowling ball. I get it.
Bucky Brooks
But the body type is so awesome.
Daniel Jeremiah
Like a bowling ball. But I told you, I'm like. With like a joystick attached, you know? One fumble lost in four years, 25 touchdowns the last two seasons. So we're not. This isn't about the fantasy stuff, but he could be your. Your short yardage goal line guy. You know, you get in there. Yeah, I just. I've got a sense for him. I. I just. I. I think that he's going to come in and be a little bit like the guy that Peyton starts to lean on and rely. Rely on. But we'll see how it plays out. I want to throw in an honorable mention. And he's one of your guys. Of course you do. So don't get mad at me. Don't get mad at me.
Bucky Brooks
Here we go.
Daniel Jeremiah
How do you not get fired up? I don't think we talked about enough. Chandler Rivers. I love first. We were first to market on him. He's this undersized slot corner who plays the game. And I'm. And it pissed me off because you got to him before I did on tape. And so I'm. I'm the slot guy. I'm like, slot receivers, slot corners, they're my. They're like. But I have a thing for him. I don't know why. I just. I love them. And I've always. And I've said for a few years now, like, we're watching the rise. I think the Ravens in the fifth round at 162 overall in Chandler Rivers found their slot corner. You know, he's the only one. Only one in the FBS. FBS with 20 pressures and 20 past breakups. That's. No, that's a wild. That tells you everything you want to know about a slot corner.
Bucky Brooks
Yep. Right. I agree.
Daniel Jeremiah
This Raven secondary allowed 4,214 pass yards last year, third most in the NFL. He's going to come in and make a difference. So watch out. He's going to be a player that we look back on. Oh, this is interesting because this is a Dan Comer joint, right? And Dan couldn't look any different than Spike Lee, and no one's comparing him to it, but it's a. This is a Dan Comer joint. But it's interesting how now it's our fault that the. The show's going long and he's texting us. Hey, Dan, reap what you sow, bro. You know. You know, you know who your two hosts are here. Reap what you. So, bro, this is.
Bucky Brooks
By the way, this is a. A third of the show that he
Daniel Jeremiah
wanted to do two and a half hours.
Bucky Brooks
I do not.
Daniel Jeremiah
And he's. I do wedding. I. I don't either. Because I know you have a heart out this afternoon. Okay, here's the next award. Should have gone. And I'm not cutting it short. We're going. As long as these questions are here. Could have, should have gone. Top five award. I want to preface this. Not what we thought leading up in the draft. This is the first rounder who will be. Who will. When we get to the end of the year, we always do our. Our look, our redraft, right? When we redraft at the end of the NFL season, as we always do, this will be a guy that you're convinced will be in the top five because you think he's headed towards stardom. And we're. We're going to look back and be like, yeah, he should have been a top five pick.
Bucky Brooks
Yolo. Do we say that anymore? Does anyone. No one says yellow anymore, right?
Daniel Jeremiah
I literally, I just physically cringed.
Bucky Brooks
It's tough. It's tough to be my friend sometimes. I understand that. This is what I will say. Okay, well, you got a bad.
Daniel Jeremiah
And you're a bad man, but in hearing you yell yolo.
Bucky Brooks
Just Comer says it all the time. Apparently, this is a comer joint, so I'm allowed to say it. Apparently. I'm stunned. I think maybe we should both stop saying it. Dan. That aside, I'm going. Caleb Banks, the defensive tackle from Florida, drafted by Minnesota. I get it, man. To be really where we stand right now. I think Vikings fans are like, hey, Mitch, don't jinx this. We just want him to get healthy after the surgery and be okay and ready to play this year. I'm looking at A player who's that talented and I'm taking the optimistic view. I think he's a great favorite for what Minnesota does. I think he's an absolute game wrecker. If he's healthy and I'm taking a shot now, I could go here and be like, oh, this guy went, you know, 10th and I think he should be a top five pick or this, you know, we can do the safe thing. I think Caleb Banks, if, if he's healthy and if he's right is going to be an absolute force in this league. And so I'm not going to sit here and be like, you know what? Well, we'll say wait and see. I think I'm going to be optimistic and say, this guy's going to play early and in December. We're going to be like, yeah, that's, that's why they took the shot. That's why they took the chance. And this time it paid off.
Daniel Jeremiah
Honest to God, I would love to just beat you over the head with this one.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, I know you. I'm not sure you're wrong. Right.
Daniel Jeremiah
I promise you. I promise you. Like, his best tape is among the best. I could say 10 players in this draft. When he, when you get the best of now, a lot has to happen. Foot has to recover. He's got to stay healthy. He's got to play with his pads down. They got to find what kind of
Bucky Brooks
playing shape is going to be early in the year. All. There's a lot of things in the air. I get it.
Daniel Jeremiah
Of it. But if you're to take a shot on this of a guy that's not chalk, like, like you said, top 10, that's a pretty good shot. I. He's. I hope people, I hope we did him enough justice explaining how talented he is because I know we spent a lot of time on the pad level inconsistency, what he wasn't and what he should have been. But I, I also know we spent a lot of time on what this dude is when he's right and that's special. I'm not going to go top 10, but I'm going to go 11. Caleb Downs, you. The Dallas Cowboys had a bad 20, 24 defense and then things got worse in 2025. 377 yards allowed in the passing game per game. 30th in the NFL, 30.1 points, 30.1 points per game allowed. 32nd. There's only 32 teams in the NFL, so what do you do? You just, you tear it down and build it back Up. If you go off of last year's starting lineup, week one, eight new starters will be your week one starters this year is what it is, what it's lining up to be. And they did that, obviously, getting rid of their best player, Micah Parsons, but they brought in, you know, some. They have overhauled the whole thing, including bringing in the young. The young wonder boy from University of Richmond. Christian Parker, defensive coach, coordinator, who was with Vic Fangio and was the past game coordinator, secondary coach and played an integral role in what Philadelphia has done the last few years. And quite frankly, like Seattle last year, but the year before it was. It was the Eagles in terms of like the defense you just didn't want to face. And so he brings a lot of those intricacies and complexities to Dallas and what does he need? He needs all new personnel and he's got it. Jerry and Steven run the, run the organization. Like, here you go. Why is down so important? Important because Caleb Downs is going to be the glue. And you don't often say that about a rookie, but that's, that's why he's so special. That's why he's a safety who's not that tall, not that long, not that fast. There was taken 11 overall, higher than Kyle Hamilton. Right. And he plugs in as this, this nickel, not nickel, this, like slot, big corner, big safety that can play there.
Bucky Brooks
Swiss army knife.
Daniel Jeremiah
Swiss army knife. He becomes the communication hub.
Bucky Brooks
Yep.
Daniel Jeremiah
He becomes a little bit of an enforcer and an intimidator around the line of scrimmage. Christian Parker was going to utilize him as the chess piece and I'm here for it. And I think we're going to watch a Dallas defense go from among the worst in the last two years in the NFL to maybe a top 10 unit this year. I really feel like that's. We're headed towards that and I think we're going to be like, how did that guy who's among the best players on that defense already not get drafted in the top five? And we'll probably look at. I don't know where we would say, like the Giants would have been a possibility, any one of those teams, but I think, I think you will view him as a potential top five pick when we come to December, January when we do that exercise.
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Daniel Jeremiah
All right, next up, extend the gm, the player that makes the GM look like a genius. Go ahead, Mensch.
Bucky Brooks
Can't wait to see Elliott Wolf combine this year, man, because this this is a pick that when I'M I'm digging through these and I'm like, well, you know, I don't want to go with, you know, like, I love Ryan Pohl's getting Dylan Thienaman at 25 for Chicago, but I think that was kind of like that. That just fell into his lap. I'm looking at some of these picks and I'm like, what's one that really jumped out to me and the more I thought about it. Elliott Wolf from the New England Patriots drafting Notre Dame tight end Eli Raritan in the third round is one. I think that we're all going to look back and be like, of course. And for two reasons. Drake May and Josh McDaniels. Drake May loves throwing the Hunter Henry his number. Henry's number one in targets two years ago, second in targets this past year. He likes throwing the big guys over the middle and I think a lot of quarterbacks do. He's going to love the 6 foot 6 Raritan, who's got big mitts and can make plays over the middle form. He's also going to like the fact that Raritan runs a 46 and can take the top off the coverage or, you know, at least make plays down the seam because Drake may like to throw down field too. And Josh McDaniels loves talented tight ends. And you look at some of the tight ends, the Titan tandems that he's had, like I think of Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, those two tight ends, and what he can do with that kind of a personnel setting with 12 personnel on the field where he has two tight ends on the same time. This is one we're going to look back and say, of course, why didn't we see that? I mean that they always, always looking for a talented second tight end and they now have this kid coming in and who's probably flown under the radar a little bit at Notre Dame, another guy. I mean, can you tell I like the tight end class. There's another player that I think is going to be way more productive in the pros than he was in college. It just makes way too much sense. I think it's one of those ones where it's like, wow, that's going to be a third round steal for them.
Daniel Jeremiah
Well, I'll take a former Patriot executive and, and, and one up you here. I Nick Casario is getting a heater.
Bucky Brooks
By the way. This draft is insane.
Daniel Jeremiah
It's the best roster in the NFL with the quarterback position is the question mark. It absolutely is. And it's moves like this moving up to 36 just ahead of the New York Giants who are going to take Kaden McDonald. It was a. I think one pick later, right? Do you know that for a fact
Bucky Brooks
if they weren't they should have their heads checked. I mean they that should have been running if he was there.
Daniel Jeremiah
Honestly, Honestly that is a fact and I have not fact checked it and I refuse to believe anything else besides that. And they will certainly say that because they're not going to admit that they wanted somebody else over their 37th pick. I can't even right come to mind at this moment but I'm sure you guys can look it up. The point Here is Kaden McDonald, right? Number one defensive tackle on our board. He had 65 tackles. He was fourth on the team. Think about that team in tackles from the defensive tackle spot. He's 6 2, he's 326 pounds. He played 34 games at Ohio State, but only started 14. He is 21 years old and just turned it. I'm telling you man, it won't shock me if we see a. Dexter Lawrence wasn't the pass rusher that Dexter Lawrence is in the NFL when he was in college. Right. And I'm not saying he's going to become Dexter Lawrence but I'm telling you there's a hell of a lot more pass rush in him. And even if not, man, even if not they knew exactly where to go get him. And he's a first round talent who's the only guy left in the green room because the Lee everyone in the league was surprised it didn't go. Peter woods gets drafted ahead of him as we projected that and, and, and Caleb banks, your guy, what, 18 to the Vikings?
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
Daniel Jeremiah
Gets drafted ahead. So he's the third defensive tackle off the board. Unexpected. 21 years old and now you plug the Texans for, for their lack of holes. They did need someone like this. Maybe not to this level or this caliber. Now they get a guy who I honest to God think is going to come in and be one of the best interior run stuffing defensive linemen very quickly emerges that in the NFL like top five.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, they've been good on the inside but not elite. But this guy can be, he can be elite.
Daniel Jeremiah
And it's like, like how's that make sense? He gets to play next to next to play next to Will Anderson and. Yeah, and, and, and, and Daniel Hunter.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, stop.
Daniel Jeremiah
I just think this is. That was an awesome pick. They could have gone some different directions, gotten cute. Let's go get this guy when you don't have a lot of holes in your roster, then go ahead, trade up and go, go identify a couple guys and if they had taken him with that first pick in the, in the first round, I would have. Awesome pick. I may have even mocked that there, you know. All right, next one. Future Madden 99 overall club member. By the way, we're, we're huge with the Gen Z. I found that out at the, at the sales meeting, at the meeting with the buyers for Spotify the other day. And females. Thank you, females who are.
Bucky Brooks
Let's go.
Daniel Jeremiah
I love that. I'm not ignorant. I know it's mentioned the beard and the awesome hats every week about that and his yolos. But anyway, I just like the idea
Bucky Brooks
that we've created a community that everyone feels like they can come and hang out. That's what I like.
Daniel Jeremiah
I love it too. Future Madden 99 overall club member, basically, who will ultimately be the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft when we look back on it.
Bucky Brooks
Nice try, Comer. Not falling for your bait. Not falling for your little trick here of who's the guy? What are we talking about? I don't know what we're talking about. And shame on you because I already know you picked another name. It's Jeremiah Love. Like I'm not going to forget what's in front of my face like right here, staring me in the eye, which is the best running back prospect to come out in, in like quite some time. One of, you know, right up there with I think, some of the great running back, running back prospects of all time. Here's why is it not Jeremiah?
Daniel Jeremiah
I'm not even going to let you. I'm not going to let you finish. Here's where I'm going.
Bucky Brooks
I'm so flustered I can't even make a coherent point. It's Jeremiah here.
Daniel Jeremiah
Here's where I'm going to argue with you. Is there you could, you could argue quarterback, let's throw quarterback. Let's talk position players. The other 21 starters on a, on a football team, offensive defense. Is there a position more reliant upon what is around him than running back? I mean quarterback, the other 21.
Bucky Brooks
Oh, sorry, sorry. Yeah, I don't know. No, probably not.
Daniel Jeremiah
And do you that by saying that when we look back he will be the best of that you. And yeah, you could argue maybe he gets traded or maybe the Cardinals, everything works out great, but you're reliant upon that that organization is going to allow him to be the best version of himself or do we have a Saquon Barkley and if he doesn't find another home that he's not going to be because Saquon Barkley was not the best player from that draft until he got to the Eagles. And I don't know, if you go back and look at that draft class, you can argue that a little bit. But a position player, you could probably argue that he is. But we weren't saying that when he left New York for Philly. So my only. And I'm not saying that Jeremiah Love won't be. I'm kind of just saying it won't shock me at all if Arvel Reese's. Because I think everyone was nervous and by everyone I mean the, the three teams beyond the first pick that Arvell Reese isn't going to develop into what you hope he can be because it's not proven yet. And yeah, he had a split of like 371 edge snaps versus 278 or whatever it was off ball linebacker last year and he's a one year starter. I don't even know that it has to be. I just love the way they're going to utilize him. He's 64 and change. He's 241 pounds, probably play closer to 250 in the league and he runs a 4, 4, 6. He's got power, he's got like this, this leverage ability to drive guys back. He's also got spatial awareness. He's also one of the guys that when we talk to Scott Goldman, like talk about someone who's like uniquely equipped to handle a role that requires him to do different things. On the line of scrimmage, off the line of scrimmage in the NFL when the intelligence testing. So it just won't shock me. I'm not saying he's the best or else I would have had a number one overall. It won't shock me with the Giants, how they utilize him and then his development over the next few years. If we're looking back and saying, man, he was. I mean Micah Parsons was what, the 12th pick?
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
Daniel Jeremiah
So I'm not saying he's gonna be Micah. I'm just saying it won't shock me if we're like that guy would turn out to be the best. And we, and we knew we called him a cyborg. We should have known.
Bucky Brooks
You know, it's Jeremiah.
Daniel Jeremiah
All right.
Bucky Brooks
Okay, moving on.
Daniel Jeremiah
Men's Trenches award given to the best offensive lineman in this class, regardless of position. When we look back on it. Who. This is us projecting.
Bucky Brooks
I found it fascinating that you participated here. I believe it's called men's trenches just because it's, it's, if you, if you aren't watching, then I won't let listening at home. I've, I, McShade has gave me an eye roll that would rival any that I've gotten from my six year old daughter Stella. I mean, a hard eye roll.
Daniel Jeremiah
I was always known for that. That's what I've got into it. Go ahead.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, I, I, I think there's a lot of good answers here. Man, I like this offensive line class. And there was just one name that, you know, just spoke to me and it kept popping up in my head. I'm gonna go with it. And that's going to be the Texans offensive guard Kelon Rutledge and out of Georgia Tech. And maybe it's just because I think he's the perfect combination of athletic ability, aggressiveness. I think he's got some polish to him. I think he steps in immediately as a starter and I think the Tech, the Texas, that Texas team is, is like you said, dangerous. I think that they're going to have a really good year and I think he's going to be a big part of it. I could have gone with maybe five other names. I think there's gonna be a lot of young offensive line. They're gonna play this well, play well this year. I'm just going with Rutledge because he's the guy who, I think he's, he's captured my heart.
Daniel Jeremiah
I'm gonna take the, the better guard from this class and that's Venga Yoane.
Bucky Brooks
You could argue that Maui Noah is the better guard too, by the way. I mean, that's good to keep an eye on the Giants.
Daniel Jeremiah
It's a good opportunity.
Bucky Brooks
I hear you, man. I hear you. Go ahead. Sorry.
Daniel Jeremiah
That's all right. Bengal, you want it goes to a situation where I thought the Ravens you could argue at the worst guard tandem in the league, right. With FA Lay Lay and Andrew Voorhees. Right. And now they bring in John Simpson and they, and they draft Yoana. I like latch and mash guys as guards latch on and mash. Man, he's a mover of men. And protecting the quarterback in any systems, the priority, protecting Lamar is absolutely a priority. But it's part of protecting Lamar is being able to line up and run the football with that big badass in your backfield in Derrick Henry. And this guy's just going to step in and provide just that. Right. So I think when we look back on it, it's not going to be sexy. He's not going to be a left tackle. He's not going to get the big contract, all of it. But 13, 15 years from now, he's still going to be, like, kicking people's asses on the inside in the NFL. And I'm here for it. So you want a is going to be my mentors Trenches award winner. And you're going with Rutledge. The McShay Sam Roush Oatmeal award to be given to any player but Sam Roush. These are the parameters to the.
Bucky Brooks
I see. Jeremy Bernard, I think was also removed from the equation. I don't think. Because we love those.
Daniel Jeremiah
I understand. But here. Here's the problem. As the producer of this show, that means you've probably listened and watched to this entire show.
Bucky Brooks
I know.
Daniel Jeremiah
Every. Every episode. Maybe. Maybe some of them twice. I wasn't calling Roush boring. You were calling Jeremy Bernard boring. Roush's oatmeal. Because, my gosh, you as a quarterback, you got to wake up in the morning and I'm going to go chop wood out in the field. I need nourishment. I need something to just feel my. I need something I can count on in the eighth hour because I don't have a lunch break. I can count on this guy. And that guy's oatmeal. Right. And that. And that oatmeal is Sam Roush. So to say boring means you don't. You're not even listening to the show. But semantics aside, who is your guy that. Whether you're calling them boring. Oatmeal equals boring is what Dan's saying. This is why we get to get you a mic.
Bucky Brooks
Love it.
Daniel Jeremiah
I've had enough text messages that I have to relay to folks. Who's the guy that you think is just like oatmeal or. Or boring, if Dan wants to call it that, but is going to just be a really damn good.
Bucky Brooks
Probably. What a complicated relationship former Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller and I have had so far.
Daniel Jeremiah
I started last year at this time when I told you he's going to be a first. When I said, by the way, you're
Bucky Brooks
pretty close about where he went too, which is a little eerie, a little weird. I just think he insert him at right tackle and you worry about it in 15 years. Like, I just think that he's that kind of a player. I think he's going to be maybe not all probably But a great fit for what Detroit does. Solid starter. And when you look back at it, you're Lions fans are probably going to very fond memories of that player because of how steady and solid he was. And I mean, there's not much else to say about it. I just think that that, that is who Blake Miller is for the Lions. Yeah.
Daniel Jeremiah
And if it's not a tight end as a quarterback, there are two guys that are your oatmeal in the morning, you know, and. And it's the tight end and it's your center. Your center's your guy. Right. You think about like Jeff Saturday for, for Peyton Manning, like, he's you. You just. You gotta count on that guy. I think Logan. Logan Jones is going to be that. And I think the Bears made. Made a statement by taking a guy who could have been there in the third round, but we're not letting him go anywhere else now. He's a center. You're using a second round pick on the center and he's from Iowa. And there's nothing flashy about this, but like, I like my oatmeal.
Bucky Brooks
Jesus, I can't wait for this to be over.
Daniel Jeremiah
I like my oatmeal. Like there's a. There's a specific way. And you don't just eat a. Oh, I know.
Bucky Brooks
You only have the steel cut. Fancy rich boy oatmeal. That's that.
Daniel Jeremiah
Well, there's two boilers going, right. And you got to mix the. Mix two types of oats. That's for starters. But that's not even what I'm talking about. I'm talking on top of like what you're getting. That's. That's nourishing your soul. Not, not to mention your body is. You've got to melt a little piece of butter on the top. It's a sprinkle of. Of. Of cream, cinnamon, oh, brown sugar, salt, you know. Right. The flaky salt. Okay. Mulden's, I think it is Muldanes.
Bucky Brooks
Here we go.
Daniel Jeremiah
I don't mind a little bit of. If you want to throw some fruit and stuff in there. And so for, for Logan Jones as an Iowa center, there's some accoutrements with it. You're in the fastest 40 of the offensive linemen. All of them. Okay. Second fastest short shuttle, excellent broad jump, lower body explosion. You see it? So those are like the, the sprinkles on. This guy's going to step in right away and like 50. College start, former defensive tackle. He's your center. He comes in for the Bears and he's going to upgrade the. The retirement of Drew Dahlman is concerning. You get a quarterback, by the way, who's entering just his third year, second year in the system. So they better get this pick right. He's my oatmeal. Logan Jones is. And he's going to.
Bucky Brooks
You.
Daniel Jeremiah
You ask Caleb at the end of this year who is oatmeal guy is. It's not going to be.
Bucky Brooks
I can't wait.
Daniel Jeremiah
It's not going to be.
Bucky Brooks
If I get one question of Caleb Williams, it'll be, hey man, who's your oatmeal guy?
Daniel Jeremiah
I bet you he'll know. It'll be. It'll be Logan Jones. All right, offensive rookie of the year. Who is it for you mention.
Bucky Brooks
I'm stunned right now. It's gonna be. It's gonna be Carnell Tate. I think from. From the Titans.
Daniel Jeremiah
Jeremiah Love is plus 430, tied with Mendoza at plus 430. So you're going away from chalk.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah, I don't think. I think that's easy to do because those are the first. Like, I think we're going off a draft order really there more than anything else. And Jeremiah Love is. Is just an elite talent, but he's going to be. Teams are going to focus on him like they did with Ashton Genti and the Raiders last year. And it's just going to be tough for him to put up the kind of numbers to win that award. And then the Mendoza, I. I have a hard time believing that. I mean, how many games is he gonna start as a rookie? Although there's just too much up in the air there. Give me the. Give me the two guys who are in the top 10 picks for wide receivers and that's Tate or Jordan Tyson. I'm going Tate. If you tell me you. I think you took Dyson or. I don't know. But if you take Tyson, I get that too. It's one of those two in my mind.
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah, I'm gonna go with Jordan Tyson. Chris Olave obviously is opposite him. You don't have that caliber of player, but Olave has had trouble staying healthy and we'll see how that works. And I just. I envision Jordan Tyson in that Kellen Moore offense as they're trying to, you know, with a second year starting quarterback. And I, I just, I. Jordan tyson according to FanDuel, plus 650. Let me throw one out to you if you're looking.
Bucky Brooks
Let's do seven honorable mentions. We haven't gone long enough today.
Daniel Jeremiah
If you're Looking for a balloon pick here. Right. I don't even know what that means.
Bucky Brooks
What's a. What's a balloon pick? Educate the the guys who aren't as good at grambling as you.
Daniel Jeremiah
If you're looking for. For some one to just. Just try to hit the you know hit a gold rush on.
Bucky Brooks
Okay gotcha.
Daniel Jeremiah
Antonio Williams, wide receiver for Commanders. I can. Can't you just see him coming in and being like an 85 catch guys or rookie, you know. Heyman oatmeal for Jaden Daniels third plus three three hundred. Antonio Williams is a third round pick Commanders. I'm just saying it's a long shot. Defensive rookie of the year. Who you got man? Reuben Bain and David Bailey. That's interesting enough because Bane was yeah overall pick. Bailey was the second currently tied on FanDuel at FD Sportsbook by the way. Best partner we have here.
Bucky Brooks
Wow.
Daniel Jeremiah
Promise you if you like this show, you love FanDuel. They're currently tied at plus 500 to be defensive rookie of the year.
Bucky Brooks
What's interesting about this is you wouldn't think off ball linebacker but Carson Swessinger won it last year for Cleveland and you have Reese could be an offline linebacker this year with all that pass rush and then Sonny Styles. That's really surprising to me. I get leaning edge rusher but I didn't think it would be Bane there. I'm. I like Delane. Look, Brett Veach wasn't the general manager when they took Marcus Peters in 2015 in Kansas City, but he was there. He was the co director of player personnel. I I feel like, I think man Delan is going to have that kind of an impact on the Chiefs this year and I think because he's a rookie teams are going to test them and I think that they're going to get burned. I think that he's going to stand up to the test and he's going to do really well. I really like Mansour Lane in that system with those coaches in that scheme. Give me Mansourt line.
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah. If they can get pressure on the quarterback then there's going to be opportunity. And there was no cornerback in this class that is more zen like or at peace when the ball is in the air. And that is one of the most important parts of playing that position. So that'll be fun to watch. I, I touched on it earlier and all the reasons why but I'm just going to reiterate and I'm doubling down on my stance. Caleb Downs, that defense is going to skyrocket from what it was a year ago. And I could see him in Dallas. The star.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah.
Daniel Jeremiah
Tension every week. He's got a two or three highlight plays every week. He's getting everyone lined up, you know, and also they.
Bucky Brooks
They've done enough to help around him too. You know what I mean?
Daniel Jeremiah
That's what I'm saying.
Bucky Brooks
Yeah. He doesn't have to be the savior. He just has to be. Yeah, I get what you're saying.
Daniel Jeremiah
It's a deep in pass rushers now, and they, you know, so like, there's. There could be opportunity for him to be that impact player. But interestingly enough, Styles is plus 1000. I could see him having a monster year, too, in Washington.
Sponsor Voice
Yeah.
Daniel Jeremiah
But if I had to put. If I had to put. If you told me I only got one shot at it, I would say Caleb Downs +850. In fact, just looking at that now, I'm like, we might pull up my app.
Bucky Brooks
I like that number.
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah.
Bucky Brooks
All right.
Daniel Jeremiah
I think we kept it around an hour too, which kind of pisses me off because I was hoping that we were gonna go really long here to pay Dan back, but maybe he produced a good show.
Bucky Brooks
Hey, should we do a quick retirement ceremony for oatmeal or no? Are we gonna keep doing that?
Daniel Jeremiah
I'm done with it. I was done with it a while ago. You guys just keep bringing it back.
Bucky Brooks
Here we go.
Daniel Jeremiah
It was a Dan Comer joint. And for all the that we like to do to Dan, this is. This is well done. And if you like the Dan Comer joins, you'll be back on Monday. You'll be thrilled. We're back with another one, so come join us. Don't forget the. The website as I mentioned before, the ringer.com McShay, any scouting like as you're going through and you want any scouting report, what we said, it's all in there. And we'll have. We'll have opportunities with the newsletter coming out with the McShay report. The next opportunity is next Wednesday, Wednesday, Thursday. We're gonna have a show coming out. It's all mailbag. All of your questions for premium subscribers. And if you enjoyed this show, send Dan some love. I don't know what his handle is. I don't. Does he have a. An X handle? Send it to us.
Bucky Brooks
He's off grid.
Daniel Jeremiah
You good mensch. I know he's got Instagram kind of a wild ride in his Instagram, if I'm being honest at you. Good mensch and at McShay 13. I love when I get mention laughing so hard that he can't that he can't even compose himself. Mensch for that smile and for all your content. Five stars, brother.
Bucky Brooks
Thanks, man.
Daniel Jeremiah
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Podcast: The McShay Show (The Ringer)
Episode Date: May 14, 2026
Hosts: Todd McShay & Bucky Brooks
Summary by: [Assistant]
In this episode, Todd McShay and Bucky Brooks engage in a spirited, in-depth discussion breaking down the 2026 NFL rookie class through the lens of predictions, creative superlatives, and “fake awards.” The duo evaluates which rookies could thrive beyond expectations, who might be early stars, and which GMs could see their reputations bolstered by smart draft-day decisions. The episode leans heavily on insider knowledge, schematic fit analysis, and candid, often playful banter.
Players expected to outperform their college careers in the NFL.
Bucky’s Pick: Marlon Klein, TE, Houston Texans
“He’s 6’6, 248, runs a 4.61. Their OC Nick Kaley was a TE coach for Rams & Pats – this is a team that will know how to use tight ends. Even with Schultz there, injuries at outside receiver mean Klein could get more run than people realize.”
Todd’s Pick: Keldrick Falk, EDGE, Tennessee Titans
“He had the lowest pass rush win rate, 11.3, among top-10 edge rushers. But flashes inside were special. For Salah’s scheme, think shades of Armstead—he’ll move all over and show off his athleticism.”
Who pushes their team over the edge toward contention?
Bucky’s Pick: Eli Stowers, TE/Weapon, Philadelphia Eagles
“I think you have to look at Stowers as a weapon more than just a tight end. The motions, match-up nightmares, the way they’ll use him…People are going to be like, ‘Howie did it again.’”
Todd’s Pick: Akeem Mesidor, Edge, LA Chargers
“I texted Joe Ortiz and said, you must have said your prayers, taken your vitamins, and done all the right things to have Mesidor fall to 22. He’s an absolute dog…going to bring nastiness and surge.”
Rookies expected to overcome major red flag measurable concerns.
Bucky’s Pick: Ty Simpson, QB, LA Rams
“He has a different kind of brain, he can process the McVay offense… He’s in the best position to overcome being an outlier.”
Todd’s Pick: Spencer Fano, OL, Cleveland Browns
“Character, athleticism, experience, versatility, fit for Cleveland…He can be different and be an outlier, prove the league wrong.”
Mid or late-rounders likely to be instant stars.
Bucky’s Pick: Keonte Scott, DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“A match made in heaven – will use him as a rusher, aggressive on rundowns. Quick production, talented player…People are gonna be like, ‘How was this guy there in the 4th round?’”
Todd’s Pick: Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos
“One fumble lost in four years, 25 TDs the last two—he could quickly become the guy Payton leans on.”
Honorable Mention: Chandler Rivers, CB, Baltimore Ravens
“We were first to market…he’s the only one in FBS with 20 pressures and 20 pass breakups. Ravens found their slot corner.”
The first-rounder most likely to make teams regret not picking him earlier.
Bucky’s Pick: Caleb Banks, DT, Minnesota Vikings
“If healthy and right, this guy’s a game-wrecker. December, we’ll say, that’s why they took the chance.”
Todd’s Pick: Caleb Downs, S, Dallas Cowboys
“He’s the communication hub, enforcer, intimidator, Christian Parker’s chess piece. This Dallas D could rocket from bottom to top-10 with him at the core.”
Which rookie will make their GM look like a genius?
Bucky’s Pick: Eli Raridon, TE, New England Patriots
“…A player who’s probably flown under the radar—makes way too much sense. That’s going to be a third round steal.”
Todd’s Pick: Kaden McDonald, DT, Houston Texans
"21 years old, 6’2, 326. Only started 14 games but productive—he can be an elite run-stuffer, Dez-Similar to Dexter Lawrence."
Who will ultimately prove to be the best player from this class?
Bucky’s Pick: Jeremiah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals
"The best running back prospect to come out in quite some time…not falling for Comer’s bait, it’s Jeremiah Love."
Todd’s Pick: Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, New York Giants
“He’s 6’4+, 241, runs a 4.46, high power, spatial awareness…could become the cyborg of the class, like Micah Parsons' impact.”
Bucky’s Pick: Kelon Rutledge, G, Houston Texans
"Perfect combination—athletic, aggressive, polished. Texans are dangerous, he’ll step in immediately."
Todd’s Pick: Venga Yoane, G, Baltimore Ravens
"Not sexy, but he’s a ‘latch & mash’ guy—will ignite the Ravens’ run game, be the unsung hero for a decade plus."
Dependability/Steadiness, not flash.
Bucky’s Pick: Blake Miller, RT, Detroit Lions
“Insert him at right tackle and worry about it in 15 years—just steady, solid, perfect Lions fit.”
Todd’s Pick: Logan Jones, C, Chicago Bears
“I like my oatmeal—a solid center you trust every play. He’s your Jeff Saturday for Caleb Williams.”
Offensive:
“Teams will focus so much on slowing down their new-look run game, Tate will rack up enough numbers. If not him, then Jordan Tyson.”
“Olave has trouble staying healthy, Tyson in this Kellen Moore offense could take off.”
“Balloon pick — I can see him as an 85-catch guy for Jaden Daniels.”
Defensive:
“Rookie corners get tested — Delane will burn teams, reminiscent of Marcus Peters’ impact. Zen-like at the catch point.”
“I’m doubling down — Downs will be everywhere for the new Cowboys D.”
“When you watch him on tape...he’s going to make a play.” — Bucky Brooks [06:01]
“[Mesidor] is an absolute dog…loaded for bear.” — Daniel Jeremiah [14:11–17:19]
“I like my oatmeal…you got to melt a little piece of butter, sprinkle of cream, cinnamon, brown sugar, flaky salt…” — Daniel Jeremiah [55:00–55:43]
“He becomes the communication hub...a Swiss army knife, the enforcer, intimidator. I think Dallas’ defense goes from worst to top ten with him at the core.” — Daniel Jeremiah [36:58–37:47]
The episode is energetic, witty, and highly detailed—full of direct evaluations, NFL insider insight, and the hosts trading friendly jabs. Both are unafraid to take strong stances and call out “pet cats” (favorite prospects), especially with creative analogies (“oatmeal” players) and references to coaching, scheme fit, and organizational context.
Listeners who want actionable insight into the 2026 NFL rookie class, appreciate draft process transparency, and enjoy a “scouts’-eye view” enriched by humor and personality.
For more, visit [theringer.com/mcshay] and subscribe to the McShay Report newsletter for premium draft breakdowns and mailbag opportunities.