Sports Krunch w/DKROM

1. Chase Young is clearly the best prospect in this draft class. This past decade, we have seen pass rushers of Young’s ilk get drafted high and go on to have productive careers: Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Joey and Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett, etc. How does he compare to those aforementioned players as a prospect and would it surprise you if he ended up having the best career out of all of them?

2. There is quite a sizeable drop-off after Young as far as this EDGE class goes. The player widely expected to be the second EDGE off the board is LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson. Chaisson is an extremely versatile player, who is able to rush the QB from the edge and inside on sub-packages, plus drop into coverage and cover RB’s and TE’s as well. He is also a freakish athlete. However, there was a similar prospect taken in the top-15 three years ago in Haason Reddick, and he’s pretty much been a bust thus far. Do you get Haason Reddick vibes from Chaisson?

3. In August, many (if not most) people were talking about Iowa DE A.J. Epenesa as a top-10 pick. However, an uneven season plus below average testing at the Combine could have him potentially falling out of the first round altogether. Several believe his best chance at long-term success in the NFL is him putting on an additional 15-20 pounds and moving inside to three or five-tech DT. Do you share that view? 

4. Headed into the Combine, most had Derrick Brown as a top-five pick. But there has been some buzz from many in the NFL and Draft Twitter alike that Brown isn’t that much of a pass-rush threat and could fall out of the top 10 because of that. Would you be comfortable using a top-10 pick on Brown?

5. South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw is one of the most inspiring stories in this draft. He grew up homeless and began his college career at JUCO before transferring to SC and becoming the anchor of Will Muschamp’s defense there. Many believe he can be an interior disruptor in the Chris Jones mold. However, Kinlaw’s stats were rather underwhelming and Marcus Mosher, who was on the program in recent weeks to break down the receiver class, did a study on DT prospects and noted that those at the position whose stats didn’t match their traits in college have rarely succeeded at the pro level. Do you think Kinlaw has a better chance than most to buck that trend?

6. Ross Blacklock of TCU is somebody who could have sniffed the top-15 if it wasn’t for an Achilles injury he suffered in 2018. Like Kinlaw, he is a freakish athletic interior pass rusher. If he can get stronger and clean up his technique, do you think he can end up being the best DT from this draft class?

7. Buy Or Sell: Yetur Gross-Matos, Terrell Lewis, Josh Uche, Jabari Zuniga, Alex Highsmith, Derrek Tuszka, Justin Madubuike, Jordan Elliott, James Lynch, Leki Fotu, Neville Gallimore, Marlon Davidson, Davon Hamilton, Jason Strowbridge

8. Best Team Fits

-Young: Redskins

-Chaisson: Falcons, Jets

-Epenesa: Patriots

-Brown: Cardinals

-Kinlaw: Jaguars

-Blacklock: Vikings

1. CIN: Joe Burrow

2. WAS: Chase Young

3. LAC (via DET): Tua Tagovailoa

4. NYG: Isaiah Simmons

5. MIA: Justin Herbert

6. DET (via LAC): Jeffrey Okudah

7. CAR: Andrew Thomas

8. AZ: Tristan Wirfs

9. DEN (via JAX): Henry Ruggs

10. CLE: Mekhi Becton

11. NYJ: Jedrick Wills

12. LVR: CeeDee Lamb

13. SF: Jerry Jeudy

14. TB: Javon Kinlaw

15. JAX (via DEN): Derrick Brown

16. ATL: K’Lavon Chaisson

17. DAL: Xavier McKinney

18. MIA: Justin Jefferson

19. LVR: C.J. Henderson

20. JAX: Kristian Fulton

21. PHI: Denzel Mims

22. MIN: Jeff Gladney

23. NE: Cesar Ruiz

24. NO: Patrick Queen

25. MIN: Jalen Reagor

26. MIA: Josh Jones

27. SEA: Yetur Gross-Matos

28. BAL: Zack Baun

29. TEN: Isaiah Wilson

30. GB: Brandon Aiyuk

31. IND (via SF): Jordan Love

32. KC: A.J. Terrell

1. As of right now, you have CeeDee Lamb as your top receiver. Why is that?

2. There has been buzz building for quite a while now that Henry Ruggs will be the first receiver off the board on April 23. And it makes a ton of sense since Ruggs appears to be the new WR archetype NFL teams prefer after witnessing the success of similarly skilled players like Tyreek Hill and their ability to dictate coverages, which gives defensive coordinators headaches. However, you have another speedster, TCU’s Jalen Reagor ranked one spot ahead of Ruggs at the present time. Why you are slightly higher on Reagor than Ruggs?   

3. I’ve been hearing buzz that some teams view Jerry Jeudy as a slot-only wide receiver. Do you share that view and if so, is that a big reason you could see him sliding out of the top 15?

4. One of the biggest winners at the Combine was LSU’s Justin Jefferson, who ran a 4.43 40. Jefferson was obviously one of CFB’s most accomplished receivers last year as he was one of Joe Burrow’s most trusted targets in his historic season. However, several have voiced similar concern about Jefferson as some have about Jeudy. Do you think Jefferson can be a good boundary receiver as well as a reliable slot option?

5. Arguably the biggest winner of the entire draft process up to this point has been Baylor’s Denzel Mims. I saw him with my own two eyes dazzle everyone down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, and he continued it at the Combine, where at 6-3, 207, he ran a 4.39 in the 40 and posted a freakish 6.66 time in the three-cone drill. Now, some buzz suggests that not only could he go in the top 20, but he also could be the third WR taken, if not the second. Would it surprise you if he gets selected before Jeudy or Lamb?

6. Given the circumstances we are in with Covid-19, a receiver likely to experience a drop down boards is Colorado’s Laviska Shenault. Shenault re-aggravated a nagging groin injury at the Combine and his extensive injury history coupled with the fact there will be no med re-checks likely suggest he could be one of the best possible draft bargains this year. How far do you see him falling and what is the earliest spot you’d be willing to pull the trigger on a rare athlete like him?

7. Buy Or Sell: Tee Higgins, Brandon Aiyuk, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michael Pittman, Devin Duvernay, Collin Johnson, Antonio Gandy-Golden, Van Jefferson, K.J. Hamler, John Hightower, James Proche

8. Best Team Fits

-Lamb: Raiders

-Jeudy: Broncos

-Jefferson: Saints

-Ruggs: Buccaneers

-Reagor: Vikings

-Mims: Titans

1. While there has been smoke to suggest otherwise, most all signs still point to the Bengals making Joe Burrow being the first overall pick in the draft. Some believe him to be the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck. Regardless of whether or not you share that view, what makes Burrow such a special prospect?

2. Health aside, the main concern some people have about Tua Tagovailoa is that he was more of the product of the weapons around him and not the other way around. Why or why not is that a reasonable concern?

3. There is still some people who believe that Justin Herbert will be the second QB off the board as opposed to Tua. However, he didn’t show the growth most wanted to see during his senior year at Oregon. That said, Jordan Reid of The Draft Network, a friend of the pod and one of THE brightest football minds out there believes that the offensive system the Ducks ran last year wasn’t designed to feature some of the main components of Herbert’s athletic toolkit. If Herbert can land in the right place, do you think there’s a good chance we could see the progress most wanted last season during his rookie season?

4. Jordan Love is arguably the biggest wild card in this QB class. He may have the highest ceiling of any QB’s, yet he may have the lowest floor as well. In 2018, he had a 32-6 TD/INT ratio. Yet in 2019, that ratio drastically fell to 20/17. What factors do you think were mostly to blame for his regression last year? Did you initially think he should have stayed in college and transferred to a larger program?

5. Since Jalen Hurts is not the athletic freak Lamar Jackson is and is WAY behind as a passer than Jackson was coming out of school, some scouts anonymously told reporters that they want him to switch to running back in order to succeed at the pro level. Do you think Hurts has a future under center in the NFL?

6. Another QB that slid down draft boards during the 2019 season was Georgia’s Jake Fromm. With a downgraded supporting cast in the passing game, Fromm’s limitations (lack of size and desired arm talent) were brought to light more than ever last year. However, many believe teams will still want him because of his football intelligence and his ability to do most of the basic things right. Do you think Fromm can turn into another Kirk Cousins if he lands in the right situation?

7. Best Team Fits

-Burrow: Bengals

-Tua: Dolphins

-Herbert: Chargers

-Love: Colts, Bucs

-Hurts: Chargers, Raiders, Bucs

-Fromm: Patriots, Colts

-Eason: Bucs, Titans

1. Last night, Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini reported that despite a unamious recommendation from GM’s to delay the draft due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the NFL held firm in its plans to hold the draft April 23-25 as originally scheduled. One of the main concerns GM’s had was the disadvantage of some teams in areas that are currently hotbeds for Covid-19 (i.e.: NY/NJ area) having to draft from home with others still being able to use their team facilities. That said, the league is also ordering all team facilities to be closed from tonight through April 8 at the very least, which could signal that all 32 clubs might have to conduct the draft from home. Do you think that’s the case? If yes, would you say the draft occurs as scheduled and if not, how much does that increase the odds of the draft being pushed back?

2. As you and others have reported recently, arguably the biggest prospect whose stock is in limbo due to Covid-19 is Tua Tagovailoa. Since there will be no med re-checks, many QB-needy teams might have additional pause about drafting him. Should the Dolphins opt to select Justin Herbert instead and the Chargers decide to take an OT at 6 overall, how far can you see Tua falling?

3. There is expected to be a lot of wheeling and dealing early and often in this draft. As of January, the consensus belief was that Joe Burrow and Chase Young would go first and second overall, respectively, and the draft would essentially begin at #3 overall with the Lions likely trading down. However, there was buzz coming out of the Combine that the Redskins may move down from two and there’s even some chatter that the Bengals may even trade down from one overall in a blockbuster deal with the Dolphins. Do you still believe the Lions are the most likely of those three teams to trade down or is that buzz surrounding Cincinnati and Washington real?

4. Another spot in the draft where things can get really wild, as Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff hinted weeks ago in a radio interview, is around the range from picks 9-11 to picks 20-22. A big reason why? Wide receivers. Although this is arguably the deepest, most talented WR class in years, there is a pretty sizeable drop-off in terms of tiers from the top three WR prospects: Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb. The Jaguars at nine and the Jets at 11 have been mentioned as trade back candidates given the alarming holes all over their respective rosters, and the Browns at 10, since they are back to a more analytics-driven approach, have been mentioned as a possible candidate to trade back as well. And look at the amount of WR-needy teams picking behind the Jets: the Raiders (12, 19), 49ers (13), Broncos (15), Eagles (21), and the Vikings (22, 25). Out of the three trade back candidates (JAX, CLE, NYJ), which one do you see as most likely to move back and which of those teams urgently in need of immediate WR help do you see as their most likely trading partner?

5. LISTENER QUESTION: What should the Packers game plan be for the draft?

6. LISTENER QUESTION:  What do you think the Bears to do with their two second-round picks?

1. Amidst an atmosphere of economic uncertainty for the NFL and the country in general due to Covid-19, NFL owners and 51% of dues-paying players breathed a sigh of relief a little over a week ago as the NFLPA ratified the new CBA, albeit by a very narrow 60-vote margin. Matt and I are ardent critics of this deal, but now that it’s done, what does the NFLPA have to do next?

2. The New League Year began with a flurry of trades beginning with the Houston Texans trading DeAndre Hopkins and a 2020 fourth-rounder to the Cardinals for a 2020 second-rounder and a 2021 fourth-rounder. Do you ever remember such a big trade being more one-sided than this one? If you’re Deshaun Watson, do you tell the McNair family that either Bill O’Brien leaves or I leave?

3. Another big blockbuster trade that occurred involved your San Francisco 49ers as they traded Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner to the Colts for Indy’s 2020 first-round pick at 13 overall. Buckner also got a mega-contract extension from the Colts that will average $21 million per year, making him the second-highest paid DT in the game. Is Buckner worth that amount of money for the Colts, and do you think he and Philip Rivers give them a good shot at potentially winning the AFC South? As far as the 49ers are concerned, I think they have their eyes on five prospects at 13 overall, DT’s Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw, and the top three WR’s in the draft (Ruggs, Jeudy, Lamb). Would you be surprised if the Niners go with any of these five, should they be available? Should the Niners consider trading down from 13, if they think it will net them better picks than trading down from 31 will?

4. What are your thoughts on Tom Brady’s fit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Do you trust Bruce Arians to adapt his offense for Brady? Should the Bucs be considered either favorites or co-favorites in the NFC South as of now?

5. Best fits for QB’s still without work or on the trade block

-Jameis Winston: Chargers

-Andy Dalton: Patriots

-Cam Newton: Steelers?

6. FA Absolutes

-Team with the best free agency period? Cardinals

-Team with the worst free agency period? Texans

-Best signing? Melvin Gordon to Broncos

-Worst signing? Tom Brady

-Biggest steal? (whether via trade or signing): 

1. Tristan Wirfs is an EXTREMELY athletic, versatile lineman from Iowa, which is arguably college football’s main offensive line factory for the NFL. He has experience at both left and right tackle, and many also believe he has the skill-set to be a good guard as well. Also, he delivered an historic performance in the vertical jump and broad jump. In your view (and your Hawkeye bias aside), what makes Tristan Wirfs the best OL prospect in this draft class?

2. The other prospect neck-and-neck with Wirfs to be the first OT off the board is Mekhi Becton of Louisville. A mountain of a man at 364 pounds, he moves incredibly light on his feet and ran a jaw-dropping 5.10 40 at the Combine. Why do you think many analysts and teams view Becton as the best OL in this class?

3. Alabama’s Jedrick Wills rounds out the first tier of offensive tackles. However, there were rumors coming out of the Combine that his stock may be falling a bit. Tony Pauline, respected draft analyst and NFL insider, reported that teams think Wills isn’t quick enough to process more complex blocking schemes and projects far better at guard than at tackle. Do you think he’d be a better guard?

4. Georgia OT Andrew Thomas is a very interesting prospect. Entering the fall, most draftniks had him as a sure-fire, can’t miss, top-10 prospect. Now, it has been reported that his stock can vary from a top-15 pick, to a late first-round pick. Why do you and many others think that Thomas isn’t in the same tier as Wirfs, Becton and Wills? Can he play guard?

5. One of THE biggest winners at the Combine was Boise State OT Ezra Cleveland. He finished best among OL in the three-cone and 20-yard shuttle, and he also finished in the top-five amongst OL in the bench press and 40. But in as early as late December or early January, Tony Pauline was reporting several around the league believed that Cleveland could go in the first round. Based on what you’ve seen on his game tape so far, do you think that such beliefs are justified?

6. While this interior OL class is relatively unspectacular, there are two REALLY good center prospects in this year’s class: Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz and LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry III. Many project the two to be selected in the top-50. Give us your impression of both and where/why you currently rank them on your board.

7. Buy Or Sell: Josh Jones, Lucas Niang, Austin Jackson, Isaiah Wilson, Matt Peart, Colton McKivitz, Damien Lewis, Ben Bartch, Robert Hunt, Matt Hennessy, Keith Ismael, Michael Onwenu

8. Best Team Fits

-Wirfs:

-Becton:

-Wills:

-Thomas:

-Jones:

-Niang:

-Ruiz:

-Wilson:

1. Yesterday morning, lawyers from the NFL and NFLPA completed the 456-page document of the proposed CBA, and shortly thereafter, the full populace of players began a week-long vote on the proposal. The deal, if ratified, will bring uninterrupted labor peace all the way through the 2030 season, expand the regular season from 16 to 17 games by as early as 2021, expand the playoff picture from 12-14 teams, raise minimum salaries, and strip Roger Goodell of most of the disciplinary powers that he has under the current CBA. While that may sound good on the surface to some, it is obviously way more complicated than that. And those of you who have been listening to the pod and reading my tweets and Facebook posts in recent weeks know very well that I firmly believe the players did NOT receive enough in return for a 17th game. What are your thoughts on this proposed CBA, Hal? Do you buy the argument that if the players reject this deal that the overall pie will shrink in a year or two leading to a substantially worse offer?

2. Even with most league business currently on hold until the CBA vote ends at 11:59 PM ET on March 12, two trades went down this week. First, the Jaguars traded CB A.J. Bouye to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round pick, which means nearly all of that star-laden 2017 Jaguars defense is no longer in Jacksonville. Next, the Carolina Panthers traded Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner to the Chargers for LT Russell Okung. It is clear both the Jaguars and Panthers are having a fire sale and will treat 2020 as a rebuilding year. Which of those teams do you think is trying harder to tank for Trevor Lawrence like the Dolphins supposedly did for Tua last year?

3. Tag and Trade…or Tag and Keep?

-Yannick Ngakoue

-Chris Jones

-Shaquil Barrett

-Matt Judon

-Arik Armstead 

4. Biggest Combine Takeaways

-Me: Henry Ruggs will be WR1, Justin Jefferson and Denzel Mims now at the top of the second tier of WR’s. Combine format will have to be changed back to the previous one where workouts and drills occurred early in the morning as opposed to mid-to-late afternoon/evening.

-Hal: More and more amazing athletes are coming into the NFL

5. Word out of New England is that Patriots owner Robert Kraft is fiercely trying to convince Bill Belichick to keep Tom Brady regardless of the cost whereas Belichick is indifferent. Bob Kraft has rarely, if ever, undercut a decision made by Bill Belichick. How good of a chance is there that Kraft will actually do so here?

6. If Tom Brady does leave New England as ESPN’s Jeff Darlington anticipates, would the Titans or the 49ers make more sense for him?

7. Ideal landing spots for the following (non-QB) free agents:

-Byron Jones: Eagles

-Chris Harris, Jr.: Lions, Titans

-D.J. Reader: Dolphins

-Jadeveon Clowney: Colts

-Cory Littleton: Broncos, Jets, Raiders

-Anthony Harris: Dolphins, Raiders

-Joe Thuney: Jets, Lions

-Jack Conklin: Browns

-Robby Anderson: Jets, Raiders, Patriots

-Austin Hooper: Packers, Patriots, Texans, Steelers

1. Yesterday, the Broncos traded the 4th-round pick they acquired from the 49ers in the Emmanuel Sanders trade to the Jaguars for CB A.J. Bouye. It was a move that makes sense on the surface given that Bouye likely would’ve commanded a higher salary if he was released plus the fact Chris Harris, Jr. is likely headed elsewhere in free agency. What are your thoughts on this trade and based on what you’ve seen on film so far, how much does Bouye bring to the Broncos secondary? 

2. Of all the Broncos in-house free agents, retaining All Pro S Justin Simmons is the team’s top priority. All signs point to him getting the franchise tag by the March 12 deadline next week. That said, every player who’s received the tag under John Elway’s stewardship of the front office eventually ended up getting a long-term deal. Do you anticipate a similar outcome with Simmons or do you have a feeling this case could be different?

3. Some other notable Broncos coming out of contract include Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris, and Will Parks. Which one of those three SHOULD the Broncos re-sign, in your view?  

4. What outside free agents do you anticipate the Broncos signing?

5. Aside from the A.J. Bouye trade, the biggest move the Broncos have made so far this offseason was parting ways with OC Rich Scangarello and hiring former Giants HC Pat Shurmur in his place. You seemed initially skeptical about this hire, and while caution is recommended since nothing is a guarantee to work out, are there any legitimate reasons to believe Shurmur could very well be the guy to develop Drew Lock into a legit starter and make this Broncos offense into a much more fearsome unit?

6. Which player do you think will have the biggest leap under Pat Shurmur?

7. Broncos 7-Round Mock Draft

-(15): Henry Ruggs

-(46): Denzel Mims

-(77): Ezra Cleveland

-(83): Darnay Holmes

-(95): Akeem Davis-Gaither

-(108): Damien Lewis

-(161): Terrell Burgess

-(214): Darius Anderson

1. Earlier this week, Benjamin Allbright (Pro Football Network) reported that the Bears are looking at veteran QB options. While Trubisky is still going to get a shot to prove he’s the guy, his leash will be VERY short like Marcus Mariota’s was last season. He also noted that if the Raiders were to trade or release Derek Carr ($21.5M cap hit, $7.9M in dead money), they’d be interested. And another name he mentioned that the Bears are discussing is Andy Dalton. The Bears salary cap issues aside, which one of those two QB’s would be the best get for the Bears and why?

2. In order to get those QB’s, the Bears will likely need to free up more salary cap space. While they did just that yesterday by releasing Taylor Gabriel and Prince Amukamara, that only puts the Bears at an estimated $18M and change under the cap according to OverTheCap.com. Two other such moves that will net them more cap space are Leonard Floyd ($13.222M savings, $0 dead), Akiem Hicks ($8.8M savings, $3M dead). Do you see the Bears releasing one of those two players? 

3. Another way they could potentially free up more cap space is with a contract extension for WR Allen Robinson, who is slated to count $15M against the cap this year. How realistic is it that a new contract (with a lower 2020 cap number) will be in place for ARob before the season?

4. The Bears made some coaching changes, particularly on the offensive staff. They fired OC Mark Helfrich and replaced him with former Dolphins and Bengals OC Bill Lazor. What potential upgrades over Helfrich does Lazor bring?

5. Another one of those coaching moves was puzzling to me was the firing of OL coach Harry Hiestand. Hiestand, to me, is a top-five OL coach in football at all levels. What did you feel about Hiestand’s dismissal?

6. What free agents do you see the Bears signing?

7. Bears 7-Round Mock Draft

-(43): Julian Okwara

-(50): Brycen Hopkins

-(145): Devin Duvernay

-(176): Antoine Brooks, Jr.

-(180): Darryl Williams

-(203): Salvon Ahmed

-(210): Kindle Vildor