Sports Krunch w/DKROM

1. Even if this saga ends the way most expect it to (with Micah Parsons staying in Dallas on a market-setting extension), does this make you wonder why Jerry Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame before the late Pat Bowlen and Robert Kraft?

2. If the Cowboys do end up trading Micah Parsons, which of the 31 other NFL teams would you say need his services the most and why?

3. Who would you say has more leverage in contract negotiations between the Commanders and Terry McLaurin?

4. Is this the year the Chiefs passing game re-emerges as one of the NFL’s elite?

5. Did Sean Payton put a lot of unfair expectations on Bo Nix and the Broncos with his comments?

6. If Chris Godwin misses the first few games, can you see Emeka Egbuka emerging as one of Baker Mayfield’s top two targets in the passing game and never looking back?

7. Do you believe that the Bengals are helping themselves avoid another slow start by getting Joe Burrow and the starters a healthy dose of snaps during preseason play?

8. Panic Meter (Scale of 1-10)

-Matthew Stafford’s Back

-Caleb Williams' up-and-down training camp

9. Truth or Exaggeration

-Unless Daniel Jones clearly separates himself in the competition, Anthony Richardson will be the starting QB for the Colts Week 1 against the Dolphins

-Jakorian Bennett will emerge for the Eagles as the starting boundary CB opposite Quinyon Mitchell, and thus end up being another heist for Howie Roseman

-The Raiders will have a top-five scoring offense in 2025

-Patriots RB Tre'Veyon Henderson will catch 50+ passes for the Patriots in his rookie year

-Matthew Golden will be the Packers clear-cut WR1 by season's end

-Travis Hunter is a serious threat to win both OROY and DROY honors

-Either the Browns or Saints will have the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft

1. Which one of those six aforementioned players still on a rookie contract (Jalyx Hunt, Moro Ojomo, Kelee Ringo, Sydney Brown, Andrew Mukuba, Tyler Steen) do you think is most important to the Eagles success in 2025?

2. Can you see either Chiefs rookie (Jalen Royals or Brashard Smith) making a healthy impact with Rashee Rice out?

3. LOOKING TO GET OVER THE HUMP

-Do you think there's a real chance Malaki Starks and Mike Green turn out to be the final pieces that help get Lamar Jackson and company over the hump and in the Super Bowl?

-Which new piece on defense, in your view, is the biggest potential factor that could determine whether or not the Bills make it to Santa Clara in February?

-On a scale of 1-10 (1 being "not at all", 10 being "hide the kids"), how worried are you about the Lions offensive line taking a rather significant step backwards this season?

4. If you had to bet on one of these two teams (Bucs or Texans) playing deep into January, which one would it be and why?

5. THE NASTY NORTH

-If Jordan Love can avoid the injury bug, do you think he'll play like the version we saw of him in late 2023?

-Do you think it's a safe expectation that the Vikings will come out of the gate pounding the rock like they never have before under Kevin O'Connell?

-Is it realistic to think that the requisite step forward for Caleb Williams in Year 1 under Ben Johnson may be more incremental than massive?

6. THE WILD WEST

-If two of those three receivers (Tre Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Oronde Gadsden II) are able to carve out small, yet significant roles early, would you be willing to say that the Chargers have all the firepower they need to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC West?

-Do you think the Broncos did enough to help Bo Nix develop a counter-punch to whatever new wrinkles these defensive coordinators will throw at him this season?

7. If you had to bet on one of these two teams (Raiders or Patriots) to be this year's surprise playoff team, which one would you bet on and why?

8. Even if both contractual disputes eventually get resolved, do you think another slow start to the season for the Bengals is all but guaranteed?

9. Do you think the addition of Von Miller can give the Commanders an above-average pass rush?

10. Is it safe to say that if Trevor Lawrence doesn't play up to his potential this year, then he never will?

11. Do you think the Rams have an equally strong chance of missing the playoffs as they do of making a deep playoff run?

1. In the Broncos eyes, what does a successful step forward for Bo Nix in Year 2 look like? Based on your conversations with folks around the league, what is the overall sentiment about Bo Nix?

2. Based on the latest intel you have, which one of those four players (Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen, Nik Bonitto, John Franklin-Myers) would you say is the most likely to receive a contract extension and which one of those four is the least likely to get one? Is it reasonable to anticipate an extension or two getting done before Week 1?

3. Do you see the Broncos and GM George Paton agreeing to an extension some time within the next 12 months, if not sooner?

4. In free agency, the Broncos were selective, yet aggressive as they signed four notable players in S Talanoa Hufanga, LB Dre Greenlaw, TE Evan Engram, and RB J.K. Dobbins. While all four signees have had star-studded seasons recently, they also come with high injury risk. Which one of those free agent acquisitions do you think is most important when it comes to helping the Broncos achieve their full potential in 2025?

5. What exactly does Jahdae Barron bring to the Broncos defense that was lacking in 2024?

6. Is it reasonable for Broncos fans to expect R.J. Harvey to total 1000+ yards from scrimmage this season?

7. Do the Broncos see Sai'Vion Jones as a strong candidate to replace John Franklin-Myers in 2026 should the latter depart in free agency?

8. While there are currently four EDGE rushers ahead of him on the depth chart, would it surprise you if Que Robinson leapfrogs one of them at some point this season for reasons other than injury?

9. If you had to bet today, which one of those four WR's (DeVaughn Vele, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin) would be your favorite to eventually end up in that WR2 role for the Broncos?

10. Record-wise, what would you say is the floor and ceiling for the 2025 Denver Broncos?

1. AFC South

-How would you describe the overall ecosystem Cam Ward is entering?

-Did Femi Oladejo's performance last year suggest to you that his best football is still very much ahead of him?

-The Jaguars already have an absolute stud WR in Brian Thomas, Jr., and when you add Travis Hunter to the mix, you just might have the perfect receiving duo to unlock the greatness inside of Trevor Lawrence. What do you think?

-Do you think Bhayshul Tuten brings anything to the table that Travis Etienne does not?

-Given the Colts highly questionable situation at QB, do you anticipate Shane Steichen to use Tyler Warren in similarly creative ways as he was used at Penn State?

-How much of an upgrade is J.T Tuimoloau over Kwity Paye?

-In what ways (if any) does Jayden Higgins complement Nico Collins and in what ways (if any) does Jaylin Noel complement Christian Kirk?

-Would it surprise you if Aireontae Ersery makes a strong case for the starting RT job in training camp?

2. AFC East

-Given how effectively he played with an outright atrocious support cast last season, do you think the stars are aligned for Drake Maye to make a significant "sophomore jump" in 2025?

-Can you see this Jets offensive line as one of the 10 best in the league, if not better, by 2026?

-Would you be surprised if Mason Taylor ends up being the best tight end from this class?

-Do you think the Jets were one of the best possible landing spots for Azareye'h Thomas?

-Just how high is Kenneth Grant's ceiling in your view?

-What in Maxwell Hairston's game, aside from his 4.28 speed, do you think sold Sean McDermott on his potential fit in Buffalo?

-Which of those three players (T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, or Deone Walker) are you the most bullish on and why?

3. AFC North

-Would you say this draft haul is a pretty solid start for the Browns as they re-shape their roster for the post-Deshaun Watson era?

-Would you anticipate one of Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco getting traded before Week 1 and both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel starting their fair share of games this season?

-Did you see Shemar Stewart as someone likely to be remembered as a "workout warrior" a la Mike Mamula, someone likely to evolve into one of the NFL's most feared QB disruptors, or somewhere in between?

-Do you think Derrick Harmon is the ideal candidate to succeed Cam Heyward as the linchpin of that Steelers D-Line?

-Would it surprise you if Kaleb Johnson eventually becomes the focal point of the Steelers offense this season regardless of who starts at QB?

-How better positioned (at least on paper) are the Ravens to win that third Lombardi Trophy due to Malaki Starks and Mike Green?

4. AFC West

-Would it be a massive disappointment if the Raiders don't have a top-10, if not top-5 scoring offense this season?

-Can you see one of Caleb Rogers or Charles Grant (or both) emerging as starters for the Raiders OL in 2026?

-Why were the Broncos right to take Jahdae Barron and just how big of an upgrade does he bring to that Denver secondary?

-Can you see R.J. Harvey getting the lion’s share of the touches in the Broncos backfield this season?

-Is it a reasonable expectation for Pat Bryant to evolve into a reliable safety valve for Bo Nix in third-down and Red Zone situations?

-Do you anticipate both Omarion Hampton and Tre Harris to emerge as starters early this season, and if they make an instant impact, do the Chargers have enough firepower on both sides of the ball to dethrone the Chiefs for the AFC West crown?

-If you're the Chiefs, are you willing to put Josh Simmons on PUP to start the season and subsequently insert him into that starting LT position around late October/early November?

-Which of those three (Omarr Norman-Lott, Ashton Gillotte, or Nohl Williams) do you see making the biggest contribution to Steve Spagnuolo's defense in 2025?

-If you're choosing between Jalen Royals and Brashard Smith in the later rounds of a dynasty league draft, who would you take and why?

1. NFC East

-When you add a special talent like Abdul Carter to a defensive front that includes star DT Dexter Lawrence, edge rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, plus DT and 2025 third-round pick Darius Alexander, would you say the Giants have, at least on paper, the most fearsome pass rush in the entire NFL right now?

-Do you see Jaxson Dart starting five or more games this season?

-Do you think the added presence of Donovan Ezeiruaku to that Cowboys front four is going to free up Micah Parsons, schematically speaking, like never before?

-How helpful can Tyler Booker, Ezeiruaku, and Shavon Revel, Jr. be in helping the Cowboys get the most out of George Pickens?

-Do you think the best Week 1 OL combination for the Commanders includes Josh Conerly, Jr. at RT with Brandon Coleman kicking inside to guard, or is it Coleman staying put at RT with Conerly moving inside?

-Would you anticipate Trey Amos growing into that No. 1 shutdown corner for the Commanders at some point this season?

-I'm not saying Jihaad Campbell is Micah Parsons, but does Vic Fangio now have a weapon he can deploy in a very similar way?

-Do you think Andrew Mukuba pushes Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown for one of the starting safety spots in Philly?

2. NFC South

-How does Tetairoa McMillan help Bryce Young continue on this promising trajectory?

-Will the Panthers be getting the 2023 version of Nic Scourton as opposed to the 2024 version?

-How ideal is it for the Saints to begin a roster makeover with two starting tackles on rookie contracts?

-Would you bet on Tyler Shough being the Saints starting QB when they face the Cardinals in Week 1?

-Just how skeptical are you that James Pearce, Jr. will end up living up to the price the Falcons paid to get him?

-Does Emeka Egbuka bring anything to the table that Chris Godwin does not?

-Would it be a surprise to you if both Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish are NOT playing starter-level snaps this season in Tampa?

3. NFC North

-After bringing in an innovative offensive mind in Ben Johnson to be their new head coach, re-vamping the OL, and ensuring that Caleb Williams will have four solid targets on the field at a time, is it safe to say the Bears have done everything possible to right their disastrous wrong in 2024?

-Do you think Ozzy Trapilo has a legit shot to beat out Braxton Jones for the starting LT spot?

-How do Matthew Golden and Savion Williams immediately upgrade the WR room in Green Bay?

-With Donovan Jackson sliding in to that LG spot, do you see the Vikings as a top-five offensive line in 2025?

-Do you see such upside in Tyleik Williams when it comes to rushing the passer?

-What does the ceiling look like for Isaac TeSlaa?

4. NFC West

-Would you be surprised if Mykel Williams ends up winning 2025 NFL DROY honors?

-Do you think Walter Nolen ended up in one of the best places possible that will help him reach his immense potential?

-If the concerns about his knee end up being overblown, just how special a talent are the Cardinals getting in Will Johnson?

-Can you see a scenario where Jalen Milroe ends up as the Seahawks starting QB in 2027?

-Do you see Mike Macdonald utilizing Nick Emmanwori in pretty much the same way he used Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore?

-Does it feel that most (if not all) signs are pointing toward the Rams landing their long-term successor to Matthew Stafford on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft?

-Which one of Jarquez Hunter or Chris Paul, Jr. do you think is most likely to far outplay his draft slot and why?

(Photo via New York Giants)

1. In each of the past three drafts, five trades or more occurred during the first round. Would you be surprised if we get less than that this year?

2. Do you believe we will see three RB's get selected in Round 1 for the first time since 2012?

3. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being 'not at all', 10 being 'ludicrous'), how dumb do you think it would be for the Saints to select a QB at 9?

4. If you were putting together a parlay for Day 1 of the draft, would you be willing to bet that Jaxson Dart gets selected before Shedeur Sanders?

-4B. Staying on Shedeur Sanders for a moment, Todd McShay said on his podcast a few days before we recorded this that word has it Mike Tomlin "really likes" Shedeur and he may be the pick for the Steelers at 21 regardless of what happens on the Aaron Rodgers front. But as I mentioned on our NFC East Draft Preview, no team has done more work on him than the Giants have. They had a representative on hand for every Colorado game last season and their top decision-makers just held a last-minute, private workout with him in Boulder. Therein lies the rub for the Giants at 3. Do you take Shedeur there, or do you take one of Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter there and then do your darnedest to trade up to 20 or the late 'teens to land your potential QB of the future?

5. If Will Johnson falls outside the top-15, or even the top-20, why, in your view, would a team be getting an absolute steal by selecting him?

6. Truth or Exaggeration (Do you buy the Day 1 buzz?)

-Mason Taylor

-Carson Schwesinger

-Tyleik Williams

-Emeka Egbuka

-Jared Wilson

-Tyler Shough

7. First-Round Mock Draft

1. Even though he's a RB, do you believe that Ashton Jeanty is, by far, the best prospect likely to be available at 6 that can help the Raiders win now?

2. Which one of those four scenarios (RB, TE, DL/EDGE or trade down) do you think would be the most ideal for the Broncos in Round 1?

3. Let's say two solid WR's (Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka) and two solid DL/EDGE options (Mykel Williams and Kenneth Grant) are all available for the Chargers at 22. If you can't trade back, which position would you prioritize and why?

4. Which one of those four positions of need (OT, G, TE, DL/EDGE) do you think the Chiefs should eye at 31 overall in order to give them the best possible chance to win both now and from now on?

5. Raiders three-round mock

6. Broncos three-round mock

7. Chargers three-round mock

8. Chiefs three-round mock

1. If you're [Giants GM] Joe Schoen, would you be willing to take one of Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter at 3 and subsequently trade up from 34 to 19 or 20? Or do you just bite the bullet and take Shedeur Sanders at 3?

2. Do you think the Cowboys should prioritize improving the OL over improving the offensive skill positions at 12?

3. Which one of those three aforementioned roster holes (EDGE, CB, RB) is the biggest one separating the Commanders from dethroning the Eagles in the NFC?

4. If you were [Eagles GM] Howie Roseman, which of those two approaches (trading up or stockpiling more picks for next year) would you prefer to use on Draft Day 2025?

5. Giants three-round mock

6. Cowboys three-round mock

7. Commanders three-round mock

8. Eagles three-round mock

1. If you're Browns GM Andrew Berry, would you be willing to trade back into the first round to as high as 19 or 20 and take Shedeur Sanders? Or would you prefer to roll the dice on a Day 2 project QB and wait to address the position in the first round next year?

2. Where do you think the evaluations of [Bengals Director of Player Personnel] Duke Tobin and his team have gone wrong these past three years, and what changes must the Bengals make when it comes to scouting talent on the defensive side of the ball?

3. Do you think Steelers GM Omar Khan should make it a high priority to trade back from 21 so they can recoup some of the value lost in the D.K. Metcalf trade?

4. Who are some prime candidates in this draft that can make the strengths of this Ravens roster even more dangerous?

5. Browns three-round mock

6. Bengals three-round mock

7. Steelers three-round mock

8. Ravens three-round mock

1. What do you think an ideal draft haul would look like for the 49ers later this month?

2. Which one of those aforementioned positions (OL, DL, CB) would you say the Cardinals need to upgrade the most in order to take that next step forward in 2025?

3. With five picks in the top-100, would you be willing to spend four, if not all five of them to upgrade the OL and WR if you were the Seahawks?

4. Which position that the Rams likely plan to address in this draft can turn out to be the final piece of their championship puzzle in your view?

5. 49ers three-round mock

6. Cardinals three-round mock

7. Seahawks three-round mock

8. Rams three-round mock