The Ryen Russillo Show: Biggest Things to Watch at the NFL Combine with Daniel Jeremiah
Date: February 25, 2026
Host: Ryen Russillo (Barstool Sports)
Guest: Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network, Move the Sticks Podcast)
Episode Overview
In this episode, Ryen Russillo catches up with Daniel Jeremiah live from Indianapolis ahead of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. The focus is on non-quarterback position groups, the hottest debates among NFL insiders at the combine, and which prospects and teams are generating the most buzz. Russillo and Jeremiah break down the edge, wide receiver, and offensive tackle classes, discuss player evaluations and draft strategy, and share their favorite "perfect fit" matches for the upcoming draft. The episode is rich with behind-the-scenes combine banter, prospect analysis, and classic Russillo tangents.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Stage: The Combine as the NFL's Annual Convention
- Open with Combine as an NFL convention—agents, scouts, GMs, coaches all mingling, exchanging rumors and info.
- Jeremiah: "The fun part is you have all the discussions happening—quarterbacks always come up, but this year, after Mendoza [QB] at 1, it gets really interesting." (04:53)
2. Quarterback Market: Ty Simpson Decision and NFL Promises
- Ty Simpson is a hot topic: why did he declare with only 15 starts, turning down $5–6 million in NIL?
- Idea that Simpson received "as far as you would fall" first-round promises from teams, possibly the Rams.
- Jeremiah: "It's well known...there's $5–6 million bucks waiting for him. The theory is—the Rams might have told him, if you’re there, we’ll take you." (06:43)
- Both agree this is not the strongest QB class; minimal focus on QBs throughout episode.
3. Wide Receiver Class: Tiers, Types, and Movers
How to Tier the Top
- Consensus: Tate and Lemon are in their own tier (big, outside vertical threat vs. inside high-volume catch guy).
- Jeremiah: "For me, Tate and Lemon are in their own category. Do you want the inside guy or the guy who’s more vertical?" (09:08)
Rising Names
- Omar Cooper Jr.—shoots up Jeremiah's board after tape; now in top 20.
- Jeremiah: "I hadn't watched him. I’m a one-man band over here. Then I watched and was like...he's just so strong, such a ball winner." (10:15, 11:47)
- Injury/durability concerns shape views on Jordan Tyson ("He’s probably the most talented if healthy, but durability is a thing," 13:19).
Ohio State Factor
- Tate's pedigree boosts his prospects ("Ohio State run at this position...might be a tiebreaker," 14:21).
- Jeremiah: "The more you talk to people, the more you hear about [Tate’s] wiring, work ethic, intelligence, grit." (14:21)
4. Offensive Tackle: Debates and Draft Reality
Fano (Utah) vs. Maui Noah (Miami)
- Most see Fano ahead; Jeremiah now has Maui Noah higher. Why?
- Styles: Fano is agile, Maui Noah is stronger; Noah might be 345 lbs with <20% body fat.
- Jeremiah: "If you can't get through a right tackle...that’s how I split the tie." (17:56, 21:00)
Draft Strategy
- Sometimes you overdraft OTs for need—there aren’t enough elite ones, even if edge class is deeper.
- Jeremiah: "The pool, the divide has grown...there’s not a big talent pool of O-linemen. If you need one, you almost have to plug your nose and take them earlier than you'd like." (24:28)
5. Edge Rushers: Three at the Top, Different Flavors
Bailey, Arvell Reese, Bain
- No consensus; close grouping, different styles:
- Bailey – Elite athleticism, production
- Reese – Most raw, physical, powerful
- Bain – Bully, stout, versatile inside/outside
- Jeremiah: "They're all together, distinctly different styles...Bailey’s a little more sure, Bain's a bully, and Reese is raw but strong." (26:44)
- Amusing high school stat: Bain with "48.5 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks as a junior...77 career sacks." (29:27)
Combine Workout Nuggets
- "Ankle flexion" as key trait; D-Line coaches value watching prospects "run the hoop" in combine drills to see bend. (34:03)
- College schemes often prevent guys from showing true pass-rush ability—combine drills fill in the scouting gap.
6. Draft Evaluation Philosophies & “Perfect Fits”
Safety: Caleb Downs
- Some say not as elite as the buzz; impressive interviews, but "doesn't have as many splash plays" as Derwin James, Kyle Hamilton types.
- Jeremiah: "I'm cursed on safeties. I watched Ed Reed daily. Downs will be very good, but not top-tier elite on tape." (35:34)
Team/Player Fits
- Jeremiah's favorite “too perfect” draft fits:
- Sonny Styles (LB/S) and Washington: "That would be an unbelievable fit—Adam Peters has experience with Fred Warner." (45:49)
- Omar Cooper Jr. to Rams: "The ramsiest receiver in the draft." (46:09)
Trend: NFL Teams Investing More in Player Development
- "Smart teams are hiring development 'caddies' to work with young players post-practice, just as baseball builds player plans." (42:37)
- Offensive line coaches are becoming as valuable as coordinators—developing mid-round OL is a major competitive separator. (43:45)
7. Notable Quotes & Anecdotes
- Daniel Jeremiah on combine workouts:
"Both of them, without question, said 'the hoop'—just running the hoop so I can see how they bend." (34:03)
- Jeremiah on Omar Cooper Jr.:
"He runs through the ball—his feet always in the ground. Your speed plays if you run through the ball." (11:47)
- On Maui Noah’s frame:
"He was verified like 345 (lbs) with less than 20 body fat. That changes your perspective." (18:49)
- On need vs. best player available:
"If you need an OL, you almost must plug your nose and take one a little higher than you’d like." (24:28)
- Jeremiah on the Rams and WR fit:
"Omar Cooper Jr. ... is the ramsiest receiver in the draft." (46:09)
Notable Timestamps
- 04:53: Combine "headline" moments—QBs, edge/WR debates
- 06:43: Ty Simpson's early entrance/NIL money/NFL first-round promises
- 09:08: Breaking down wide receiver tiers, Tate vs. Lemon
- 11:47: Omar Cooper Jr. evaluation
- 14:21: Ohio State WR pipeline, tiebreakers in WR evaluations
- 17:56: OT debate—Fano vs. Maui Noah
- 21:00: OT draft strategy and positional value
- 26:44: Top three edge rushers—Bailey, Reese, Bain
- 29:27: Bain's wild HS statline
- 34:03: "Ankle flexion," combine evaluation process
- 35:34: Hesitancy on Caleb Downs as top-five safety
- 42:37: NFL teams’ development infrastructure
- 43:45: Offensive line coaches’ rising value
- 45:49: Daniel Jeremiah's “too perfect” draft fit (Sonny Styles to Washington)
Memorable Episode Moments
- Early banter about hotel room backgrounds and art; both hosts joking about bad scenery and pride in keeping rooms tidy.
- On hotel art deals:
Russillo: "You get that Marriott gig, you got all the artwork in those rooms—that guy's freaking rich, man." (03:50)
- Quick aside: high school football war stories ("let's just not get anybody hurt out here" vs. Maui Noah as a freshman, 18:49).
- Bain high school stats drop—pure comedy (29:27).
- Lively exchange on "ankle flexion" as a combine nerd-out term (34:03).
Tone & Takeaways
The episode strikes a conversational, insider-y tone, with plenty of humor and candor. Daniel Jeremiah’s expertise shines as he walks the audience through not just the who, but the why behind draft debates. Russillo bridges the football talk with relatable observations, keeping things flowing smoothly. The dialogue provides both a detailed positional breakdown for draftniks and enjoyable banter for casual fans, with special focus on the quirks, strategies, and unpredictability of the NFL draft landscape.
If you want to know which names are climbing or falling before official combine numbers roll in, or understand how teams strategize need vs. value in an age where certain positions are always at a premium, this episode is a must-listen.
For More
- Daniel Jeremiah: Move The Sticks Podcast, NFL Network Combine coverage (Thursday–Sunday)
- Ryen Russillo Show: New episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (Barstool Sports)