Miami Dolphins Rebuilding Phase

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The conference is the AFC. Today, we are doing something I do every year, which is we are going through every single team in the AFC. We will do the NFC next week, most likely. and we are picking an X factor for every team, not a quarterback not a head coach. everyone else is fair game on the roster. Joining me to do so is my friend Brentley Wiseman Brentley. Mina. Thankks for having me. exxcited to talk about this AFC Xactors. reallyally excited. and onlynly three months away from the season. so I feel like we're getting closer thank goodness. this was I like doing this every year because it really makes you kind of sit down with a roster. And to be clear, what the way I'm defining the X factactor is Pler who could be the hinge upon which this team season swings. And that could be their performance, it could be their health, it could be a lot of things. But You know, I generally try not to choose like I said, no quarterback I try out to choose I often don't choose the best player because the best player, you kind of know what you're going to get, although there's a few very good players on my list, including the one that I have at the top. I'll start first apparently. I'm gonna to do Baltimore Ravens And The point I want to make is that this player is not only an X factor for the Ravens. I think he is arguably an X factor for this coming NFL season. And that's Nami Medibuie who is to me one of the more interesting off season storylines in the NFL in terms of whether he comes back When he comes back, how he looks. so For those who have forgotten, Madawque missed almost all of last season, had a neck injury, seemed honestly like his football career might be over and was a huge reason why his loss was a huge reason why the Ravens pass rush was pretty abysmal last season. thirtieth in pressure rate, thirty first in Sack rate, twenty eighth in past rush win, thirtieth and past rush win with the four man rush, veryy bad So Mariques makes a ton of money. He was kind of the the Ravens defensive lineman who they chose to reward with the big contract after he put up eleven sacks in twenty twenty four and fifteen sacks in twenty twenty three. And between twenty in twenty twenty three and twenty twenty four, his final two seasons, he led all defensive tackles in quarterback hits as well with fifty. if he comes back You are looking at a Raven's defensive line. That has Madig, Travis Jones, who who I really like is a player. I like him more with Madig in the mix broughtic Washington. They brought backS. Campbell unreal It makes no sense. St will give you those Yeah, I know. I love. I love one of my all time faves. And then they added in terms of passast rushers, they added Tree Hendrickson, of course, they drafted Zion Young You have Tavius Robson and Mike Green from last year. So you're looking, you know, the Hendrickson edition is a big deal obviously as well, especially for the past rush argue if you put Madouque into that mix and he looks anything like he did before the injury You might see one of the biggest leaps in the NFL and pass rush I think you will see given how bad they were last year from last one hundred percent. I mean for me you thought there was a chance he might never play football again, you know, And so if he comes back in twenty twenty six There's a huge chance this defense can kind of look and go back to what they were in twenty twenty four when they were one of the best defenses in the entire NFL. and he was a huge part of that, obviously with his ability to Cuse pressure, cause disruption from the interior of the defensive line Definitely the Ravens defense missed that last year And his presence along that defensive front opens up One on onees opportunity for Travis Jones. You mentioned U, you know, having Klis Campbell back. likeike I think Matabu he's such a key point and figure for this defense to also like keeping the linebackers clear in the second level he's so good in holding gaps and keeping people free and being able to flow and plug holes His role to me is one of the most important in that defense So getting him back would be Massive, especially with the new head coach. Yeah, well that's another great point. Jesse Mentter comes in and Jesse Mentter, you know was it's a return, right from Baltimore. But last year that defense had to change a lot of their DNA because I would say born of desperation. I mean, for example, the chargers under Jesse Mentter had the fourth highest light boox rate in football. That's a signature of the Mike MacDonald defenses. The Ravens last year were thirty first in the light box rate. So they had to put extra bodies in the box to stop the run. And you talk about Madibuque and the defensive lineman potentially keeping those linebackers a little bit clean. There's just a trickle down effect from his presence that makes everything else a little bit easier. I will say too, the light boox thing is going to be interesting with Hendrickson who is an exceptional pass rusher and a below average to worse one defender. So you know, they got to figure ways to kind of compensate for that to you know, while they're having him on the field if you want to play the. No one hundred percent. I think for me like Cal Hamon coming back healthy, Madabu. I mean, this defense could take a massive step back in the right direction. It all depends on health and and obviously injury and things like that, but I love the moves they made this last season. Madabuke to me would be the icing on the cake because like again, I don't know how much you can count on him coming back and being the player where he was in twenty twenty four and earlier But if he is anything like that, This defense, this team is going to be back in it and I fully expect them to compete for the AFC North if he can kind of be back to the level we saw them last I gave you the Pittsburgh Steelers. I had no idea what you're gonna do with this. This one was challenging, I would admit. You know, thought maybe when DK, but I was I don't want to go DK. I ended up going with a Whing Husky Choy Fatano, the offensive tackle he started every game last year at right tackle. He's entering his third year in the NFL The jump he made, Mina from his rookie year to his second season was phenomenal He was seventeenth last year in the NFL out of all tackles and past block win rate and I think his ceiling is sky high I love him coming out of UW. I think he's a really, really talented player And for the steelers, currently trying to figure out if Brodererick Jones is going to play this year He has a massive neck injury. They have no timetable for his return So I think the plan is they're going to move Fatano to left tackle a position he played in college. And then they obviously drafted Max Iana chore out of Arizona state to be their rights hackle So having two young talented, physically gifted tackles with Vatana at left with Ianaor at right Give Aaron Rogers, who's forty two years old, right? where he's going to need that pass protection Be for me Oense for the Steelers has evol thirty percent of Earon Rogers' passes were at or behind the line of scrimmage is not a sustainable way to win in the NFL. You can't be dinking and dunking your way to fifteen plus play drives and think you're going to compete. They have to get more explosive. You got to throw the ball down the field. How you do that is you need pass protection. You need time to allow the receivers to run down the field You need time for Aaron Rogers to be able to sit back and find the open receiver So Fatana going to the left side, I think really solidifies offense to line still got some questions inside, but I' like a some of those players So phot at left, Ion to show at right I think you have a foundation that give Rogers more pass protection. So for me X factor is fotado He plays well. I think the offense can kind of look and take the next step in its evolution Yeah, I think that moving him to the left and having Max Yanchar on the right side is yes, the optimal case for Pitturgh. Of course, Yanor played right tackle at ASU. he's coming to the league a little bit raw. you know, ideally, he would have been in a situation where he doesn't have to play right away. You know, I do think he's capable of it and I do think how Tanu's arrow is pointing up, you know, and I to say his name, right? But I would loved him as a prostmute. I loved him at you Dub I think Um, you know, for you we talked about you talked about the pass protection, but the run blocking too. I think the world in which the Steelers's offense improves upon what we saw last season is one where they continue to run they ran the ball fine last year, but I would say you want to continue to be a run first offense for the most part. I think with Rogers, the question is even if the line plays better, will he push the ball downfield? Will he hold on to it? I generally don't know. It probably won't be as much as folks would like, but you know, will it hold up enough to where if they're in third and long, he can take a shot or he'll mix in a few opportunistic explosive passes Because if not, it's just going to look exactly like last year, right? The receiver additions help to Pitman Jr., who's b steady and stable ats a short intermediate Bernard as well. But yeah, I think And I would say T is not important not just for this year, but also next year, right? Like We talk we're talking extractures for this season, but success for this season for Pittsburgh is also about setting up their next quarterback because we know Aaron Rogers says he's gonna retire. we'll see it All right, Chucker But I like that pick player. I like the general direction of the Steelers offensive line. They have dpped well on the inside as well as you alluded to. Similar pick for me with the Browns, although I'm going to go with the Rnder this year and Spencer Fado And it similar logic to what I just said, which is this is about this year, but it's also about the future for the Browns. And like when we think about X factors, you know, you think about differentnt teams needs Like with the Ravens, the need is to have like a legit pass rush this season. We should be contending. Nobody thinks the Browns are going to contend. So for me success and like the hinging The X factor for success is also about like, are we setting up this roster for twenty twenty seven, which is obviously priority for them. And I think Fano is just massive in that regard, right? He is their first round draft pick, the's he's going to play left tackle for them. out of Utah. So you know, he played left and then he switched to right to accommodate Caleb Llomu, but he's going to play on the left side. So you're looking at Fano Zion Johnson Alan Jenkins who I also considered taking by the way, because he's just a constant like fascinating player to me because of all the different positions he's been asked to play. Tvy Jenkins and then Titus Howard So like really theoretically, This could be one of the most improved lines I think for that theory to manifest itself Plano has to be good for them and I guess what do you think of him as a player? I know you atch a lot of West cooast I don't even what you' call it West cooast football. What do you think about him like them taking here? What do you think about them straight? I mean, I love Fano. He was my offense tackle one coming out of Utah. I mean the feet, the athleticism, the lg like all that you love. I do think needs to get stronger. I think, which that will come naturally. I don't think he's a road grader in the run game by any means, but The potentially he has a pass protector is skky high. So I love that pick when they drafted him.. This offense is fascinating, right? Because they have so many pieces that I love the receivers, Casey Conceception, Denzel Bosson and you still Jerry Judy Harold Fannon, I think is going to go crazy this year So they have a lot of young pieces quarterback obviously is a conversation, you know, we don't have to have, but they're going to need to find one eventually Getting a cornerstone left tackle to go along with those skill positions, not just for this year, but for next year as you allud to was so important So massive because yeah, you can have all the receivers in the role for the next quarterback. If he doesn't have time It doesn't matter being aggressive, getting funano this year in theont in the top ten to me was Great move. I think he's a really good player I like the other offensive Lion moons, I think they paid Zion Johnson a little too much, but that's free agency. and Yeahah, that's one I'm looking at L that's the one I probably like the least of one hundred percent that they made and you know well one hundred percent At the end of the day, I think they did well addressing the offense to line and I think Fano's going to be potential really good cornerstone type of player. And yeah, I'm a big fan of the pick and a big fan the player mean Full offensive line makeovers like this are always interesting, right? Like four of the five, you know, it is Really interesting and I think you don't need all of them to hit, but like if a couple of them hit, that's a good foundation. Like I said, Jenkins is also interesting because he's playing center. he He's playing literally everybody's pos. I think I'm not sure center is his best position. So that's something I also considerered him because I think they're going to have to figure out whether you should play center or guard or whatnot if either the tackles get hurt, you could easily play tackles. So He's like your jack of all trades, but you know, Fano, I think is the most pivotal player of the class, which is's a first take player take is not exactly a bold take All right Who do you have for the Cincinnati Yeah? This was interesting. Obviously the low hanging fruit was Dexter Lawrence, but I decided to go with another acquisition they made this offseason, which is Brian Cook The safety. Yeah, ye. I comoming from Kansas City. Okay. I like this is like I love Bran Cook as a player, but it's also more about who he's replacing. Genoostone was Awful last season. I mean, truly terrible The Bengals allow the most explosive twenty plus yard plays on defense in the NFL A lot of those plays were long run plays And that was directly because of Geno Stoness mist Tackles. Last year in twenty twenty five, he missed seventeen tackles, seventeen percent of his t of his attempts. he missed unacceptable, took poor angles to the football. U just really not a good player as your last line of defense Brian Cook coming in look, he's not Kyle Hamilton or anything like that, but what he provides his defense is a good reliable player in both coverage and rent support Good taking takes good angles of the football Good open field tackler. And for me, like that improvement over stone is going to yield major differences in this defense. five miss tackles all of last season compared to Stone seventeen. like that's pretty crazy Um so I think Brian Cook playing and being a serviceable, stable presence in the backkend is going to really help this unit because The front floor is fantastically better, like dramatically improved. Boy Mafe, Cashus Howal, Dexter Laurerence, L, I think that unit's going to hold its own The question that remained for me was the bac endnd But was Yeah. young guys, but with Brian Cook Yeah that guy that who's playing in the box as well as as a force player and Rnt support to me is going to go a long way in this defense taking a few steps in the right direction because that's all they need. I mean you know offensively what the team is. of the defense can kind of hold its end of the bargain They can compete for the division. So I think Brian Cook to me is really important to the sux of this team. Yeah, your point about the explosive runs is so important. I mean, the FTN fantasy does run defense by like different levels and it had the Bengals this twenty ninth, both at the second level and in the open field, which honestly is better than that serious list. If not for the New York Giants and Bills. Yeah, the thing about the Bgles too is like, a lot of their improvement last year, I think came from cornerback play, but the safeties were still such an issue. I love this signing And I think like you said, like the first level is going to be better. I think the third level is going to be better. My biggest question is about those young linebackers, but I thought this was a very like smart to bring in the capable veteran Um And like, you know, that with Cincinnati, I keep saying all they have to be is average, but like You know Bringing in someone like this is kind of one of those pieces when you look back and you ask, how does this defense go from being a bottom five unit over the course of the season to average? It's through signings like this and. I mean Brian Cook lookook, he's not this is how I explain it. He's not a ceiling razor, but he's a floor raisor for the unit. And I think to me, that's really what they needed You know, no one's asking the Bengals to be the eighty five bears, but can we just be clloser to league average because if you are You know, this Maybe they can Yeah this team can be really competitive. So Brian Cook bigig fan of him and big fan of this fit All right, let's go to the let's go to his old team, AFC West because I have the chiefs I just feel like the only player to pick here is Ri Rus. who Adam Shrater posted. I'll just read it So Rashiv Rice violated his probation think it was a weed situation Scheter posted, Rashi Rice did not know that he was going to be in jail for thirty days. If he did, there's no way he would have had knee surgery last week. He is currently in a jailail. Just that sentence alone, I feel like captures how messed up things have gotten for this young man who at one point looked like he was going to be like a top fifteen receiver in the NFL Look, the NFL decided not to punish him U, but This is a new thing. I don't know. I look I have no idea. I don't understand the NFL's disciplinary process quite frankly. So I don't know if this will introduce any I think no I don't know. I really don't know. but he obviously I think the other thing is like, okay, we just to. actually aine about what he did here Like I'm not going to get worked up about a player to spoke at Weed. I think it's more just about the judgment hair when he's already under such scrutiny that has his future in question with the chiefs because he's been accused of you, you may more serious things than that But he's the next factor because they desperately need him. I mean, the chiefs did not address the receiver position in free agency, barely in the draft. They drafted Cyus Sal in the fifth round. So you're looking at Rashi Rice, Xavier Worthy Ty on Jordan Um, and It's really, really dubious what this passing attent looks like without him. I mean, last year Rashi Rice was the only receiver. So Kelsey was first On the chiefs with over fifty catches and he only played an eight game Crazy. That's crazy. So you know, I actually think he didn't look it was obviously a step back from his rookie season But I didn't think he looked like he had some pretty bad drops I don't think he looked like athletically that much worse or anything. I think the whole thing was the whole offense was just kind of, you know, hit a hit a hit a wall Fly like they And honestly, this is such an indictment on the organization that they put themselves in the situation where they desperately need them because they desperate one thousand percent. I mean, first off, can you just imagine rehabbing your knee in a jail cell? I mean like that's just insane But the chief's not being smart to have Rashi Rice insurance because he's shown the chiefs who he is. let's be honest. the lack of judgment You know, when someone tells you who you are, you should just listen and the chiefs shouldn't know you can't rely on him on or off the field and the fact that they never added any sort of insurance to that position group to me is crazy. When he's on the field, he's a talented player Great chemistry with M homes, good after the catch, can get open, can make tough catches But he's just you can't count on him And he's got to miss games whether it's injury, whether it's disciplinary issues, he's missed games every single season And the chiefs this passing attack, Kelsey's only older Um, what you're going to rely on a fifth round rookie? probablyrobably not. You need the homes to have trusted weapons coming off an injury. And they didn't do it. And I you know, I heard a rumor potentially, they might still revisit AA Brown. I mean, who knows with that As it stands, it's she rides her bus And like that's the scary proposition. you know, and obviously Kenneth Walker can help the run game, but You still got to move the football through the air and that's just a challenging thing. So the event I was in the run game and I like the Walker signing. I think, you know, they brought Erk B enemy back. And if there's going to be a schematic transformation or evolution in the run game where they're less RPO centric and it's more under center play action like Chicago. I actually think Rice is still extremely important because he would be the primary short to intermediate beneficiary, intermediate, particular working over the middle of the field from those concepts. No one like Dav worthy ain Yeah Runan Digs, like I just it's just Yeah. I mean,, AJ Brown, I can't see, I think he's locked un loaded Patriot. Stont Digs is still out there. mayaybe by the it's entirely possible by that we're taking this a little bit advance by the time you're listening to this. evenven though the chese at this moment are in the red They could certainly use him, but that would take some financial maneuvering. I'm not sure it's possible, but we'll see again, maybe you're listening to. If Stevon Diggs is a chief somehow so much I feel a lot Better? Yeah So you know, he would still be an important player. Dg' obviously getting up in the aars But yeah, this past sketching group right now is it's kind of it's crazy Like a lot of what the Chief did on defense. We're I'm not talking about that for a reason, but offensively I have some concerns about this passing game. All right, you have the chargers Chargers. So you know, obviously considered going for Saun Slater or Joe Alth. I think both of those players are going to be vital coming back from massive injuries But I decided to go with Tyler Batish, the center they they signed from the commanders and for me I guess I don't think people realize how bad Bradley Boseman was last year We're talking one of the worst center seasons in the past ten years of football like Scouts gr him as a reent like it was brutal. Um Justin Herbert. you know, NFL lead leading hit one hundred twenty nine times, but A hundred and nine quick pressures, Mina, which means it's like off the snap whichich interterior pressure? It was like jail brereak was the middle. I think this is so important when we talk about Justin Herbert because there's so there's different kinds of cordack rushures. There's time to pressure. There's where is the pressure coming from. I'm telling you on so so many chargters games. it was He has no sign. He has no signck. And Loseone is letting free rushers in from the interior like Beodish is not going to be Jason Kelsey, but he doesn't need to be. Can he just be an above average Starter inside and if he is This offense is going to be ten times better They were thirty first in run blocking of win rate For me, Mike McDaniel coming over is gonna have such a huge J emphasis on the run game. He saw what he did in Miami with De Vaon A Chain where he moster I think this offensive run game with scheme is going to be a key opponent to the offense and kind of taking some pressure off Herbert Beyodish is an excellent zone blocking center moves really well laterally, can climb the second level, can land on moving targets I think he's going help this run game drastically and really kind of elevate O Mari and Hampton to what I think is going to be a really productive season And again, if he can just be serviceable pass blocker, he has a good anchor to holding against bullrash And he's not going to have the just complete utter whiffs that we saw from Bradley Boseman compare him, you put him together with Joe Al, Rhawn Slater at left and right tackle This off to line could be one of the most improved units in the league. No guards still Don' don't feel great about it. As I say. That's why he's even more important, right? Because I think Bard is a question, Mark, Cole Stange don't, you know, not not super thrilled there. Jake sllaughter, I did like as a zone blocking well put that, but like, you know, he He's going to play guard for them. And so I think schematically that made a lot of sense to me. And also you get maybe he'll play center at some point. We'll see. But yeah, this whole thing, I think really does is why it's a great pick by you hingen Beodish at least giving them competent center play. And if he does, I share your enthusiasm about the run game with Mike McDaniel. M Hampton was good, man. I know he was in awful situations last year a lot of the time. But like now you've got improved offensive line, Charlie Kolar Alec Ingold, you you got Keaton Mitchell as a as a change of pace. This could be a very improved run game. and I'm really just excited to see it with Mike McDaniel largely because of the coach, but also I think they added the right players to execute his vision in L. That's a great. No one understands like how much importnce centers have to the run game You know, those are the ones a lot of those kind of runs are off the center Um, so the odd is even just being A morginal improvement over Bradley Boseman let alone drastic improvement, which I think he is is going to take this round game to the next level. So I'm excited to watch the charges this year and I think this offense in particular the round gamees going to be drastically improved All right, so unfortunately another offensive lineman. I think I've got more, but I'm sorry. Oens and lignment are really important for the Raiders. I what would DJ Glaze onene of my favorite names to say in the NFL. DJ Glaze. The right tackle. The Raiders offensive line was absolutely abysmal last season They didn't have Colton Miller, who you could argue is also extremely important. I just assume he's going to be good because he's a good player. And they signed Title Linderbaum, We talked about the importance of Center. This is a similar, by the way, it's going to be a zone blocking offense, right with Clint Kubiak I feel like if Glaze can't take a little bit of a step forward Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza will be in trouble. I mean, last season, this team ranked thirty second in yards before contact per carry, thirty second in adjusted line yards, which is the FTM metric that basically they give responsibility to the offensive line for different runs based on like if it's an explosive run, the offensive line doesn't get quite as much credit as if it's like a successful power run to just kind Uh, and Claze was Not great. He was tied for the third most pressures allowed in football and it wasn't like you know, I know everyone hates Jino Smith now, but he oneon horn ons the ball me tell you ten stacks allowed, second most behind Stone Forsythe. never a player who you want to put that Youre name in a sence. So anyways, the point is it was a rough season, but I think the hope is with Miller backack with Linderbaum. everybody's going to be better and they're kind of betting on Glaze taking another leap. So for me going offensive line here, a lot of it was just about how bad it was last year, but I do think for a rookie quarterback It can't be. If it's as bad as it was last season, it's going to be DOA. Yeah. I think that's a great pick. Mina. I mean, you know But what Kubiat can do the lack of skill players. I think his skie can kind of come around to that. I you can fix that But you can't really fix a right tackle whiffing on on pass blocks or, you know, not being able to sustain in the run game. like that's man on man. a coach can't hide you. And so I think his development is massive for the Raiders because to your point Mendoza, Yeahah, he's a good athlete, but he may not play her cousin's a statue. And so if he doesn't have any time Doesn't matter if Rck Powers is going to be a phenomenal player this year, which I think he is He's not going to have time to get the football. But then Ashton Genti Like you drafted running back six overall you know you give him no guy. I don't know if there's ever been a running back who had a worse time coming into the NFL last Literally none. And so you need better run blocking that give him even a semblance of an opportunity to get up fielding and hit a hole. So I think Glaze taking that next step is huge for this offense One thing I'll say to you about Clint Kubiak the schcheme helps, but I think something that maybe we don't talk enough about with the Seattle Super Bowl run was Abe Lucas played the entire season and he was excellent, their right tackle. And arguably the biggest difference between the offensive line versus the previous two years was his health and presence. So I, you know Blaze, you can't cover you can cover up some of the offense li. You can't cover up all of it U by the way, the Raiders, if you're listening to this now to go back to Digs that team may me theyet somebody. they can't go into the year with any Jaylen Naylor as the wide receiver one. I mean, that's that's just malpractice Yeah. a reliable vvent would be huge for them. Okay. you have the we're going to wrap up here with this happen with the Broncos who you have. So Broncos was debating Jayalen Waddle, but I ended up going with JK Dobbins. Yeah, ye. I I think JK Dobins guys, they obviously resigned him in free agency two years sixteen million dollars deals. So they obviously value him. And for me, JK Dobbins was actually the ninth most efficient running back in the NFL last year in terms of yards over expected And over the past who sees Amina, He's one of three running backs to the positive EPA. The other two were James Cook and Derek Henry. So when you think of a top ten running back, you don't really think it JK. Dabins he's on the field. He's very much a top ten level running back and This offense from weeks one through ten when he was healthy They were seventh in the league at four point eight yards per carry When he was out weeks eleven through seventeen They were twenty first. and like I like RG Harvey But he's not going to be a bell cow between the tackles runner. He's best used as a receiving back. A lot of his production was from the receiving game And so that's why they also get gap to Jonanah Coleman. So JK Dobins coming back healthy. addding a level of balance to this offense because I'm an Oregon guy, Lub Box They can't ask Bll Nick to throw thirty five to forty times a game. Like Sean Payne just gets too pass happppy So having a reliable Bll c running back to Handle the early down carries, allow Bonenx to throw more off play action to me is what they need to get back to doing and I think J K Dobbins, if he's healthy, can come back and be that player for this offense. I really slipped on how big a deal his loss was when it happened. I was like, Yeah, you know, they can run the ball becausephenss lot so good at run blocking. And it really was felt, to your point, you mentioned some of the stats. This is also an offense too that The passing game didn't really scare defenses. They faced the six most stacked boxes in the NFL last season. And one would think that adding Waddle will open up opportunities for the run game, which was I love Waddle trade. Denver, it's awesome. So yeah, I think the question is and this has kind of like been the question in Denver, okay, if the opportunities are there, who's going to take advantage of it? because we know they have a good road blocking offensive line. And if there's lighter boxes That should it should be a top ten Absolutely. Russhing attack. This just there's no reason why this can't be But yeah, Dobins has to be healthy for that to happen I did like the Coleman pick as insurance and short yardage and I think is a very efficient backing catch passes. So now you got like a nice little group there U, but yeah, did that was It was interesting because I think that was a team where folks thought they might do like a big signing in free agency at rununning back and they didn't. And that was toly one hundred percent I thought they could be a Kenneth Walker destination that would have been a great fit But they clearly valued and and targeted Dobbins resigning him early on, which just shows they what they think of him even after the injury. you know, And I think A lot of NFL fans D't look at Dobbins and think, o, he's, you know, a top running back, but Clearly peopleeople at the Broncos and the stats even say G good when he's healthy. So I think him coming back will be huge for this offense pick. I love it. All right, let's take a quick break Come back and do the AFC South Get summer going with a Firework Freeze five hour energy shot. You get that iconic freezer pop flavor, but with zero sugar and a five hour energy boost. Bursting with cherry lime and blue raspberry flavors, Firework Freeze five hour energy shots bring a caffeine kick without the sugar. 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Check Responssees set upp required compatibility and availability varies eighteen plus All right, we're back The AFC South Bye I will go first here I will do the jags Yeah be try. Yeah Um For a litineany of reasons. I mean this was a player. They gave so much to get. There was so much hype. There was questions about what he should do and his rookie season. he got really injured before he got injured. I think there were still debates about are they using him correctly? Now it seems like he's going to primarily play corner. And I think That's the correct decision for him personally and for the team And one of the reasons why I'm this is important because of again, the investment in the draft capital, he has to be worth it for them. situationally, they can still use him a receiver But I also think, Brentley, that if Travis Hunter is above average to better coronner, which I think he's capable of. I'll get to a second This could be one of the better secondaries in football. This could be this is a Jags defense that was seventh in past EUA already despite losing, you know, I mean, he didn't play corner that much They really found some gems. I mean, Monteric Brown who they brought back played really well for them. He was actually seventh in DPA for play passerating as the nearest offender last year. Antonio Johnson was very good. Jordan Lewis is good at Nickel before. he got hurt. So then you have Hunter in the mix and suddenly like this is a very good group. They kept their you know defensive coordinator. with Campanili. and you know, I think suuddenly, this team just feels so balanced and like they don't have significant weaknesses So I want to say Hunter, I went back because he didn't play a ton of cororner, but I went back and watched U two of his games, his reps against Y Houston and the Ram And Houston was the team that gave the most trouble U, Nicael Collins It's tough matchu up for him L,ch. Yeah. And I think that's kind of if I think, okay, what is Straisider need to work on? You saw him pushed around a little bit at the line of scrimmage. He's still very slim. He was good tackler though. You also saw and this was very apparent in the Rams game when he got to he played press against Avante, like he has all of the other attributes to me. He's got the footwork, he's got the recovery, he's got the ball skills, he's got the instinct. So I really I am buying Travis Hunter as a corner and I think for the jags, that could be a pivotal. Pivotal story. aggree one hundred percent on everything you said. I think the emergence of Jacobi Myers in Parker, Washington last year really allows this move to happen. They don't need Travis Hunter to be the unicorn dual threat. player they drafted him to be and this will allow him to really get settled in at one position at corner, which I think the consensus and I I'm a part of this thought he was better at in college was at corner and's certainly the more valued position So I think allowing him to be that number one lockdown corner and have all the reps in camp and have them be that focus is going to pay dividends for this defense. as you mentioned, they have really talented young players in the secondary, but none of them have the upside of the Travis Hunter U Certainly getting stronger at the at the line of scrimmage is is important for Hunter. You don't want to see him just get bullied when he's trying to press, you know, that's never that's never a good thing. forite Nico Collins that's a lot of but to your pointic aleticism, the quickness, just the change of direction he has to be in coverage is just outing and then the bos goles and playmaking ability. he'll be able to take away of the football and then once the ball's in his hands, Look for some pickixes. I think he has a really good chance to be a pro bowl type of corner. this season and that this defense was great last year. I mean, it was phenomenal, you know, and having a corner with that potential impact They could be they could be really fun team to watch this season balanced squad man. I was looking at the depth chart and I know like folks have mixed feelings about the grass agency and whatnot. But like they' Part of the reason why I can't get too worked up about is this is already a good football team. and I think you really saw that in the second half of last season. Okay, you have the Colts. I'm interested in seeing where you go. This is one of the hardest teams for me to get arms. Yeah I feel like I was obligated to go sauce Gardner. I mean, the team traded two first us Pix for. I feel like I have no choice but to call them the X factactor for twenty twenty six Um, you know I wasn't a fan of the trade. I thought that was kind of rich for a corner and I didn't think the cololts were a corner away. and clearly Band ended up losing, I think seven other last eight games or whatever it was. So U, But the past defense for the Cs last year was the weak link. They were thirtieth and the NFL and pass yards allowed. So certainly Adding a corner like sauce Gardener. should help with that. He only played four games with the Cold since being traded. He had a annoying calf injury that kind of knocked him out the last half of the season The him coming back healthy Playing like he played is rookie in second year when he was all pro. is what's going to be the key to help this defense take the next step When sauce is healthy and on the field Outstanding. I think he's allowed under thirty five yards in eighty percent of his career game so like He may never be the Antonio Camari type ball production But in terms of the length, the movement skills, the instincts to blanket opposing number and receivers He has that And if he comes in in twenty twenty six and provides that level of playmaking ability to be a lockdown corner, And then you have T various war coming back from his concussions, which hopefully not going know he's able to This calls the events specifically as past the events is going to be significantly better Past rash is improving. Latu Latu continues to take that next step like some of the moves they made at the second level with CJ Allen from Georgia at the second round of pick To me sauce Gardener being that lockdown corner change the numbers for this evense and really help this team compete in the AFC South Defense I was dead averagage last year in most metrics and so it kind of feels like who go and either, you know, could This is one of the more interesting like units in the NFL coached by Luanna Rumo who's obviously very inventive. I think also just having The corners be sort of the foundation of this D or like the thing you trust is being very good makes you feel better better about potentially having two rookies in the spine of the defense. if CJ Allen and AJ Hallsey start right away. You feel a lot better about that if you feel like, okay, well, at least we've got lockeddown corners and teams are afraid to throw outside the numbers a little bit Um And yeah, like, you know, mixed trade obviously, especially with the Daniel Jones injury that's tough. It's kind of like the trade in some ways, right? wor than the actual player. And I have no idea we're going to get out of the quarterback position from the Cals this year. truly a mystery to me So that's the other reason why I think there's going to be greater onus on this defense to improve aboutove fifteenth or so. So that makes a ton of sense All right, back to my offensive lineman because I'm talking about the Texans and who can you choose other than an offensive lineman if you're talking about the Texans I'm going to go with theirone Ersery, who's their left tackle. They remade the offensive line yet again U bring in Bradden Smith from the Colts. They drafted Kelen Rutledge who by Gardor Center. We'll see. that shakes out, but the continuity will be on the left side with Ursary. who u Yeah had his ups and down flashes. I think it wasn't Flashes, it wasn't in the past protection, but you know, and I think he's a developing player. But the thing I think really needs to improve is the run blocking. I mean, it just felt like every run to the left side of the Texans line was a waste of time quite frankly. And that's not entirely on him. I actually look this up ' I was like, this feels So the Texans offensive line averaged a full half yard per carry worse rushing to the left side than the right last year. Titus Howard is now he's a brown That has to improve because I mean we talked about it last week with the quarterbacks P CJ Stroud was constantly and third and long. It's been the story of his career. The run game was as bad as it was the previous season And you bring in David Montgomery, you know, sure we'll but to really improve the blocking has to be better No. I mean, I watched a ton of Texans last year and Woody markarks in that run game. specifificlephense to line. they had no chance. you know, it was just a brutal watch and Sious Strad gets a lot of the blame and obviously the playoff game wasn't good, but he's put in these ridiculous situations time and time again So are onery being that presence on the left tackle to actually Make room for the runitning backs, Montgomery, Woody Marks, whoever it is is vital Because to your point, the Texas can't leve in thirty nine anymore. They need to be more third and fours, more manable situations to open up the playbook because he Strad is getting under theress And I b Ursary to me like He showed enough last year to warrant some positive thinking, some optimism coming in his second year in the NFL. I liked him coming out of Minnesota, a big massive player with who I think as average foot quickness for a man his size and so I think Tking that next step, specifically in the running game to your point. is just so important for this run game offense because Yeah. I they just couldn't run the ball at all last season. no matter who was toting the rock, whether there's Nick Chob woody markarks Ursory, the addition of Keelan Retleood, who's an outstanding run blocker. Braading Smith is reliable. This unit take a huge step in the right direction, which I think again will allow C Srouout to be the player we saw his worky year I prefer their makeover this year to their makeover percent. yeah, But ErS to me is like the one where I'm like, all right, this he has you're betting on development here. We'll see how that goes Okay, Titans, you could have picked a million players. So I genuinely I know you mentioned, you know, you tried to avoid picking the team's best player, but it was it was unavoidable for the Titans Had to go, Jeffrey Simmons. I did think about, you know John Franklin Myyers como from Denver or Jermaine Johnson, who they traded for from the Jets. but To me, this Defense starts and ends with Jeffrey Simmons He's the best player on the team And last year, he led the team of eleven sacks first in the NFL out of interior defense alignemment with nineteen point four pass rest Rin rate. So he was just Ostanding last year. But I think Nina playing in this Robert Soala four three scheme the three tech to get up field and penetrate more than what his three four hybrids game last year did with Simmons I think Simmons could be just another level this year I think he could go for thirteen to fourteen type of sack season. and really allow the players I mentioned, John Franklin Myers Jermaine Johnson to eat on one on ones. I think this front fouro is drastically improved since last season and When you think about Robert Soala's scheme and the players he's coach at that three tech spot The forestctor E Karam said uinnan William All three of those players had their best year U Robert Salla Jeffrey Sibmons. Yeah, Jeffrey Simmons is more talented than all three of those players And so I think he's just got to be a monster this year And we saw Robert Sala He doesn't need a secondary to coach put to coach a good defense on the field Secondary isn't very good but the front floor has a chance to be really good Reminiscent of the nineers in twenty nineteen whereing the front four was phenomenal when they made the Super Bowl Secondary was kind of average And so I think with Jeffrey Simmons plays to the level I think he's capable of playing. timing these events could actually be really competitive Yeah, like I like I actually like Jermaine Johnson. I don't think he's, you know a star, but I think he getives a competent edge play. Crick Fawk. I think an interesting young player who they got at twenty six, which I thought was good value, but Simmons is the strong and Jonhon Frlam Myeyers like is good He's kind of thoses always ready, you know But Simmons is the straw that serves to drink. I was looking at pulling up some of his stats from last year. I mean, they're pretty astounding. You know, you talked about Sacks and pressures. He was second to only Chris Jones in passast rush win And when he got pressure, U the Titane defence allowed a QBR of zo point eight. Yeah. It's not That's zero point That's insane. So he He was not only you know, incredibly good at winning, but when he did win, he was able to affect the quarterback in a way that killed place. And so I agree like I love your point about Sala and the three texts. and I think Um, you know, if this team can just be more competitive you get probably more of a national spotlight for what he's doing. MLB.tv on ESPN is your home for every oututo markarket game, live or on demand. Getch your favorite teams and players plus MLB network and ESP and app features like multiviewer, Sncing your stats. e plays betets and fantasy All in one place. Sign up now for mlB. Tv in the ESPN app. Separate subscriptions required blackouts and other terms apply, visit stream d. pn dot com slash mlbTv for more information All right, I'm going to go with Soalas's old team, the Jets and We're going to move to the AFC East to wrap here and This is my only is this my only first round pick? No I infano. Okay I'm going David Bailey here. So this is my other first round pick from this season U reallyally because you know, like offensively similar to what we were saying about the Browns you're setting the table for next year. I think you could pick a litany of players who will be important for next season. But I think we all agree like it seems to be trending in the right direction but defensively U There's still so many holes on this defense. The secondary is still really defeensive tackle and they kind of need Bailey to give their fac attacks pretty quickly.. This was team that was thirtieth and sac right last year They did add some players, you know, after trading Quin Willams, they had They added Joseph Asi from Cincinnati, Kingsleet Bar I do think Will McDonald's a good player, but they don't have a Yeah You know, they don't have like a true game changing pass rusher. And I think for Bailey, It's not only important that he gives them double digit sacks, but They need to figure out pretty quickly if he could stay on the field on the early downowns, which is kind of the big mark around him U So I think like He's a pivotal player not only for the defense this year, but like for the franchise the decision to take him second overall over Arville Res and then ultimately Ruben Main Jior M a lot later. I think is something that could bigig role in determining like is the Darren Mujie regime in New York a success? So Yeah, to me, there's no more important player on this team this year is coming Totally agree. I think that the David Bailey to your point in terms of like this year You just want to see Steady improvement from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. And I think yeah hisis ability to get home to the quarterback at least early on is going to be what's what keeps him on the field because I don't have too many questions about him as a pass raster. I do think His speed, his lateral agility, his power is going to be able to allow him to get some fresher. But can he get firmer at the point of attack? Can he get stronger? in the run game, that's going to be the key. to him really living up to that second overall billing because that is partly of the reason why thought Rvill Rees Maybe made a little more sense because you actually saw him set a firmer edge in college than David Bailey did But David Bailey's passfush upside obviously one out Um But yeah, they made him to be a cornerstone of this defense So that way next year when they're looking for the quarterback They can they can hand. We had David Bailey We'll figure it out on that side of the ball Let us get the quarterback in place for twenty twenty seven That's massive. They need him to be a guy. they need him to be a star Who did you pick for the Buffalo bills? Yeah, the bills was tough. I kind of wanted to go defense, but I just decided Go and DJ more I'm going DJ Moore and Yeah. I look. I didn't like the trade in terms of the value they got. I think Riding Pes fleeced them. I don't know what Brandon Bean was thinking with the actual value of trading the second round pick But to me, Day more in terms of his skill set and the scheme fit Great addition to this offense Joe Brady, who coached him in Carolina Panththerers was quoted saying We needed a player who can win outside and get down the field vertically as Killo Sakore and Dalton K they do most of their damage short to intermediate areas of the field and also over the middle They have no one to win down the field and stress the actual like vertical parts of the field Joss Allen, who s one of the best deep balls in the NFL was ty fifth in the NFL in Air yards pass attempts. likeike he was he was a d d quarterback And it's not because he can't throw deep 's because they didn't have the personnel And DJ Moore, you know, his areiras per target was eleven point four last year, which was above average Celosis occurs with three point four So it's just like drastic and you really see the role DJ Moore is going to have and, you know, people say he had a down year last year with Chicago when he did, but I don think that's because he's washed by any means I think he's still a good player. I think he still has the ability to win deep and stress the defense vertically And if he's able to do that opens up this offense so much more is going to allow James Cook to have more room running the ball because now defenses are going to play high air boxes because they're going have to respect the vertical speed of DJ Moore And so addving element of explosiveness to this offense to me, is just gonna open things up and really change the way defenses can, you know, attack this offense So Bill's office just felt so congested. Yeah, ye, it was. Um, you know, I've talked about this a bit but like the face of both band coverage in football because defenses did not they knew that the bill's offense was significantly worse against manan then Zone, they knew that Dalon Kin Cade was by far their best weapon against mann coverage, that they didn't they didn't fear the bill's receivers. U and whether like theseJ more, I would argue doesn't even have to be, you know, a top fifteen receiver to be impactful in terms of just kind of loosening that up a little bit. And like you said, creating some room underneath I think we'll see, you know his chemistry with Alen is something I'll be watching because I agree with you, like he's such an interesting player because I do think he's gotten a little bit underrated because folks really, but I also do think that his effort level in individual games, oscillated a bit Chicago. So I think what version of DJ Moore we see could go a long way towards determining whether or not he does or improves upon some of the things we've been discussing in terms of just like creating some ir in this Absolutely nice. It's very much needed, very much need. I've got the Patriots. I'm sorry. I know I picked like how many offens of linemen have I picked? Let me scraub. It's important. L there one Fano Gaze two Only three Well, I guess that's of eight So that's a lot. Okay, so half my picture offensive lineman It's got to know has, right? I mean, will Campbell is arguably the biggest reason There's a mlenany of reasons why the Patriots lost Superval. They were worst team in many every you know, just obviously. But like when you look at the Patriots playoff run and the offensive struggles, Will Campbell deservedly took a lot of the heat. And I think there's just so many questions around him, his future there, not not as a player, like how is he going to be a Patriot, but like what position he plays and how good he is And also I think how impacted he was by the injury coming back. So I looked this up. Uh weeks one through twelve. before his injury, Will Campbell allowed twenty pressures which was nineteenth, so that's pretty good. And twelve quarterback hurries, which was twenty ninth in the that's twelve games in the post season alone He allowed nineteen pressures in thirteen hurries. As many as he did over the course of the entire season Now He played more difficult competition in the post season. I think. and I think you know some guys particularly gave him a hard time, but like I do think The optimistic case for Will Campbell is that he was not himself after coming back I think my question Brendley is like, is he because they immediately have to super b their questions. arere you going to keep them at left capal or tackle you can move him inside They have been saying he is playing the left side, whatnot actly drafted Caleb Lomo in the first round who played on the left side at Utah. So I guess there's questions now about like how is he going to be used in what capacity Maybe Lil Mood plays the right side or eventually after for Marg Mosa, but He's just to me like a very interesting player for New York. one hundred percent. I think Will Campbell isn't as bad as he looked in the playoffs. I think that's very fair to say. obbviously the injury was bothering him and the whole offense of line bad in the playoffs. It wasn't just Bill Campbell, by the way, the The whole unit was terrible Um But I also don't think He has the physical upside to ever be a top five left tackle in the league when they drafted him for overall. So I think that's always going to be the push and pull where fans and analysts are going to want a lot more than Bill Campbell will ever be able to give them. And I think his kind of ceiling is Yeah, top twelve tackle in the NFL. you know, I think that's kind of where he's going to fit The question is if for the Patriots, could he be a top five guard And and that's where I think could And they drafted Caleb Lomu whose natural position is left tackle I don't think that's by. accident, you know, I think they're giving themselves some insurance to where in order to get the best five on the field That may be a move they eventually do. don it may not be this year, but it may be in future years. but I think in terms of this year and what they need him to do, they need him to play how we play early on in the year and take incremental steps in the right direction because You can't get worse than he was in the playoffs. That was brutal. U Drake May obviously is going to continue to be one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL So having a left tackle that you feel comfortable about. is vital And him improving game by game is just so important for this offense. and more importantly for this team and this quarterback. in twenty twenty six Final team. B for last. Mamy Donkins. I gave you best for last Wh buddy this team. Yeah. I mean whereere do you even go? G great greatly on this on this one in Middal East. So obviously the Glphins are entering a full scale rebuild, tearing things to the seams here U, I went with Chop Robinson as as as the as a good thing I was. I mean, obviously, you know, the pass rash was okay last year. They were twenty third in the NFL with thirty nine sacks, but Bradley Chub, who led the team Sax is gone. went to signed with the billsing free agency They obviously traded Jayen Phillips midseason to the Eagles last year And Even with that trick to Phillips, Chop Robinson N was a factor last season. He only played three hundred and ninety nine snaps in his second season. That's down from his rookie year. where he had five hundred and thirty four and it wasn't really injury related U, you know, last year you had nineteen total pressures Only four sacks. so he had coming off of the end of his rookie season where he was really productive and People got really excited died last season. and now I mean, it's a question He get traded mid here if he doesn't turn it around. I think that's going to be something we hear about I think opppportunity for chop is Massive. it's in front of him. There's not a ton of other players in this passassroom This sign John Uche who's average, you know, but I think The team's probably hoping Chop Roberintsson takes that step because he was a first roundal pick in twenty twenty four And with Jeff Hatley coming over, I do think this defensive scheme Fix chop a lot better than what he was in last year Obviously halfy had Mecca Parsons before the injury last season and That was a great, great fit. He was probably on pacace toin defensive player the year before he got hurt You gott toa imagine Halfley sees some similarities in Chop's game Certainly the Penn State thing, but more importantly how he plays with speed and power off the edge in that wide nine for three type of defense that is really kind of attacking penetrating You've gotta hope and think unlock something out of Chop Robinson Because if he if he doesn't, it's they're probably going to cut him or trade him, you know, at the end of the end of the season O from eleventh in Past Rush when twenty twenty four to not even ranking in the top fifty last year. And I think it's a really good pick because you know, we talk about these teams and like what are we what's the point of the season And the point for the Bills is very different from the point from the dophver or the Patriot. You know what I meanike the dolphins it is about Okay, who who are our guys We traded away a bunch of people and we let, you know, folks walk. rebuilding, but when you rebuild, you have to start establishing your foundation. Clearly they feel their offensive line is their foundation. I think they've really started continuue to invest in that, including in the first round this year. HN is part of the foundation. defefensively there just aren't a lot of foundational players. And so I think Outside of Robinson, when you you highlight this, when you look at the pass rush I mean, you know, Cealer is a good player, but like they they they need Robinson T be that first round pick because there's really not many alternatives and they need him to bounce back I would say offensively in the receiver group. I think you could also Chris Bell is an interesting one to me because I thought he was such an eye upside draft pick and the receiver room is, you know so bad that If he ends up being anything for them, that's a big deal, but Robinson is like you said, the one where you're looking at him and asking, can you get back to the player that saw at the end of that that rookie season? So Yeah, one hundred percent. I think it's very's in there. I Yeah, it it's in there, but C canan he do it on the field to your point, like I like your point. Finding out which players you want to build around is the priority for the dolphins and Robinson, they're going to know youither way at the end of the year. they don't know. So it's a big earf kind of take that nick bonido type, you know, like trajectory, I think is what they're hoping for. Um All right, that's it for the AFC Fntly, where can folks find you on socials and whatnot for more takes Yeah, they can find me on X at Brentley twelve and then on TikTok, I'm trying to grow my channel actually. so it's Yeah, yeah, we're making some some TikToks here, Mina, you know, we're grinding at Brentonose Ball is my at and Yeah I I appreciate it. It's easy to remember. All right, I need to get better by posting a Tik talkk to. You guys can also check out of your discretion, my TV pod with David Dennis Junior. It's out now. We recap the finale of the boys ell as perfect match if you want to check that out What did you what did you think of the ending? I'm a big the boys fan so this N feelings about the finale loved the final Homelander scene. I thought ye Anthy Starr was ye, I know We've been listen to the pot There's mixed feelings. someome of it I lik but you know it's tough. I don't, Lan is always hard. I do think they landed it though. I think that I think my one takeaways is they landed it Yeah. Maybe maybe bumpy, but little bumpy, a little rushed, but I do think the way it finished made a lot of sense. And again the home I agree A stuff So go check that out. You can check it out on YouTube dot com slash at Mina Cimes or viewer discretion review your pods. Of course, we are going to do the NFC. if you're an NFC fan listening to this and you want to hear us talk about that. Maybe by the time we do that, AJ Brown'll be on so know. So anyways, check that out. We'll be back next week. And thank you as always to everyone at Omaha Productions, Krirsten Specky, O Sailor Jack Foster and Spertsion. We out