The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is in the books. What were our favorite picks? What were the biggest surprises. Who do we feel different about because of his landing spot. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, Dane Brugler and Bruce Feldman answer those questions, and also take a look ahead to night two, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Rundown

• Favorite picks of the night
• Biggest surprises
• Biggest head-scratchers
• Best fits
• The guys you see differently because of where he landed
• The best players remaining going into night two

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

With: Dane Brugler and Bruce Feldman

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

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Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Friends, the 2025 NFL Draft has arrived. All our questions will finally be answered. But, for the time being, we still have questions! How many quarterbacks will go in the first round? Who, if anyone, will make a big move up the board? How will the receiver and corner positions shake out? Will any veteran players get traded? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dane Brugler ask the questions that still have them flummoxed on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Rundown

• All things quarterback
• Who makes the move for Ashton Jeanty?
• Who's going to be the trade-up team?
• How high do the toolsy pass rushers go?
• Are both tight ends really gonna go that high?
• How do the receivers shake out?
• How does corner shake out?
• Veteran player trades
• Does the league buy these interior offensive linemen?
• What do the 49ers want to be on defense?
• Who's the back-half-of-the-first-round surprise pick?

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

With: Dane Brugler

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...

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Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

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Follow Dane on Bluesky: @danebrugler.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

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Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A great comedy movie isn't going to win any Oscars, but it's a fun two hours at the movies. That's the offensive line class in the 2025 NFL Draft. It may not be stocked with potential future All-Pros, but it does have more than its fair share of players who project as quality starters. Dane Brugler and Brandon Thorn from the Trench Warfare Substack join Robert Mays to break down the class on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

With: Dane Brugler and Brandon Thorn

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...

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Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

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Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

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Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back On the Clock on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Mike Renner from CBS Sports joins Robert Mays to wrap up the first round and make picks 26 through 32 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That covers first round picks for the Rams, Ravens, Lions, Commanders, Bills, Chiefs and Eagles. The Ravens go for traits at pass rusher! The Lions get some oomph in the middle of their defensive line! The Eagles replace Josh Sweat! Come and join the draft fun.

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

With: Mike Renner

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

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Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

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Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @tampabaytre.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

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Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into the mailbag one more time before the 2025 NFL Draft on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Can one division support as much head coaching talent as the NFC North has? Should teams be wary about giving out top-of-the-market extensions to players at non-premium positions? Who were your favorite running backs to watch play? The guys answer those questions, and a whole lot more.

Rundown

• NFC North loaded at head coach
• What's the easiest position for a world-class athlete who has never seen football to play?
• Giving top-of-the-market extensions to players at non-premium positions
• Should we expect Jayden Daniels to regress along the same lines as CJ Stroud?
• Teams that are good/bad at drafting
• Use of the fifth-year option affecting draft decisions
• Should teams consider division opponents in team-building process
• Should teams think about second-year players who had huge rookie seasons?
• What are the most fun "caution-to-the-wind" picks that could happen this year?
• Who were your favorite running backs to watch play?

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...

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Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass

Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three receivers went in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft. That isn't likely to be the case this year, but we could see 10 come off the board by the end of the second round. The tight end position might give us our highest-selected pass-catcher this year, with both Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland getting top-10 buzz. No matter what, the pass-catchers are going to give us plenty to talk about draft weekend. They also give Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dane Brugler plenty to talk about on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

With: Dane Brugler

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...

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Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social

Follow Dane on Bluesky: @danebrugler.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass

Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler

Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bucky Irving...125th overall in 2024. Nick Herbig...132nd overall in 2023. Kerby Joseph...97th overall in 2022. Teams can, and do, find themselves difference makers on the second and third day of the draft. Who might be those players this season? Dane Brugler and Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network join Robert Mays to highlight the potential mid-round gems in the 2025 NFL Draft on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Get The Beast: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

With: Dane Brugler and Daniel Jeremiah

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...

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Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social

Follow Dane on Bluesky: @danebrugler.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

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Follow Daniel on X: @MoveTheSticks

Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back On the Clock on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus joins Robert Mays to make picks 19 through 25 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That brings us our first batch of last season's playoff teams, including the Buccaneers, Broncos, Steelers, Chargers, Packers, Vikings and Texans. The Buccaneers make a statement at EDGE! The Steelers and Chargers grab receivers! The Packers add a corner! Come and join the draft fun.

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

With: Trevor Sikkema

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...

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Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social

Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @tampabaytre.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

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Follow Trevor on X: @TampaBayTre

Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the many things we love about the TAFS mailbag is that it reflects the conversations real football fans are having in the moment. As such, it should come as no surprise that this edition of the mailbag is heavy on draft questions. What are some plausible draft day surprises we could see this year? Why do certain players seem to have dramatic climbs or tumbles down draft boards in March and April? Should teams recalibrate how the think about premium positions in a draft like this one? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into those questions, and a whole lot more.

Rundown

• How much do teams know about other teams draft boards?
• Evaluating contact balance for college prospects
• Favorite coordinator hires this cycle
• Surprising draft day trades
• How the Steelers have handled the QB position
• Why do players rise or fall on draft boards
• Draft day shockers
• Premium position vs. premium talent
• Which Georgia EDGE defender is the better bet?
• Favorite and least favorite metrics
• How many Hall of Famers were active in 2024?

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...

Apple

Spotify

YouTube

Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass

Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dane Brugler has been telling us for months that this is a good draft to need defensive players. That's exemplified by a defensive line class that features 28 players inside the top 100 of The Beast. Dane and Fran Duffy from the ALLCITY Network join Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show to break down the DL class in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Rundown

• Abdul Carter
• Mason Graham
• Mykel Williams
• Jalon Walker
• Walter Nolen
• Derrick Harmon
• Shemar Stewart
• Mike Green
• James Pearce Jr.
• Kenneth Grant
• Landon Jackson

Get The Beast: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

With: Dane Brugler and Fran Duffy

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...

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YouTube

Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social

Follow Dane on Bluesky: @danebrugler.bsky.social

Follow Fran on Bluesky: @fduffy.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass

Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler

Follow Fran on X: @FDuffyNFL

Theme song: Haunted

Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs

Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.