Ideal Rookie Fantasy Landing Spots
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
1 hr 8 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Mar 18, 2026
Published
Wed, March 18, 2026
41
Player insights
39
Players mentioned
Topics
Aaron JonesJordan MasonAaron RodgersAidan O'ConnellChase BrownChris RodriguezD'Andre SwiftDerrick HenryDJ GiddensDK MetcalfDrew AllarEmanuel WilsonFernando MendozaGardner Minshew
Player analysis
Player insights
Aaron Jones
PositiveDepth Chart0:20
Aaron Jones was restructured and will stay on the team this year, but both he and Jordan Mason could be gone by next season.
Insight pagePositiveDepth Chart0:20
Aaron Jones was restructured by Minnesota rather than cut as rumors had suggested, indicating he will remain on the team this year despite being in the final year of his contract.
Insight pageAaron Rodgers
PositiveProjection0:31
Aaron Rodgers hasn't decided if he's coming back to the Steelers, creating uncertainty about Pittsburgh's quarterback situation.
Insight pageAidan O'Connell
PositiveDepth Chart0:31
Aiden O'Connell is the current backup quarterback for Las Vegas, but Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the starter.
Insight pageChase Brown
PositiveProjection0:09
Nathan Yonke notes that Chase Brown has been very good from a fantasy perspective, ranking among the top five running backs in receptions and receiving touchdowns the last two seasons, though there is room for a better running back to potentially be the starter.
Insight pageChris Rodriguez
PositiveRole0:29
Jacksonville brought in Chris Rodriguez to pair with Brent Sheltut, giving them options at running back without needing a rookie immediately.
Insight pageD'Andre Swift
NegativeDepth Chart0:05
DeAndre Swift is being discussed as a potential cut candidate for the Chicago Bears, with John Macri noting that everything on his Google News page is about him as a cut candidate, suggesting uncertainty about his long-term future with the team.
Insight pageDerrick Henry
PositiveRole0:26
Derrick Henry is 32 at the start of the season and while he's been awesome, at some point he will lose that magic, creating a need for succession planning in Baltimore.
Insight pageDJ Giddens
PositiveRole0:25
One analyst still believes in DJ Giddens as a backup option in Indianapolis, which is why they didn't prioritize the Colts as a rookie landing spot.
Insight pageDK Metcalf
PositiveRole0:32
The Steelers got DK Metcalf, adding a star receiver to their offense alongside Michael Pittman.
Insight pageDrew Allar
PositiveProjection0:34
Drew Aller is mentioned as a potential quarterback option the Jets could draft in the QB 2-4 range to develop behind Geno Smith.
Insight pageEmanuel Wilson
PositiveRole0:17
Emmanuel Wilson was added by Seattle in free agency from Green Bay, but has mostly handled backup duties and filled in a few times, with no extended time as a starter in the NFL.
Insight pageFernando Mendoza
PositiveProjection0:30
Las Vegas is expected to draft Fernando Mendoza at number one overall, with plans to sit him initially to let him learn.
Insight pageGardner Minshew
PositiveDepth Chart0:35
The Cardinals added Gardner Minshew as a backup option behind Jacoby Brissett.
Insight pageGarrett Wilson
PositiveRole0:33
Garrett Wilson signed a four-year contract extension with the Jets and needs a quality quarterback to get him the ball and maximize his potential.
Insight pageGeno Smith
PositiveProjection0:33
The Jets signed Geno Smith, but he had a down year in a bad situation, and the team may still look to draft a quarterback of the future.
Insight pageJacoby Brissett
PositiveProjection0:35
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to go with Jacoby Brissett as their starter, but he will be 34 at the start of the season, creating a need for a quarterback of the future.
Insight pageJacory Croskey-Merritt
PositiveDepth Chart0:12
Ja'Cory Krosky-Merritt remains on the Washington Commanders roster as a fine back, though not someone the team heavily invested in, leaving room for a rookie to eventually take over.
Insight pageJavonte Williams
PositiveRole0:28
Javante Williams signed an extension with Dallas but is not necessarily a long-term solution, leaving room for a rookie running back.
Insight pageJeremiyah Love
PositiveProjection0:03
Nathan Yonke identifies Tennessee as the prime landing spot for Jeremiah Love, with the Titans holding the fourth overall pick and potentially trading up to select him, positioning him as a potential week-one starter for the entire season.
Insight pageJeremy McNichols
PositiveDepth Chart0:15
Jeremy McNichols was brought back to the Washington Commanders roster, adding to their depth at running back with four veteran options now on the roster.
Insight pageJerome Ford
PositiveDepth Chart0:15
Jerome Ford was added to the Washington Commanders roster, joining Rashad White and Ja'Cory Krosky-Merritt as veteran running back options.
Insight pageJonah Coleman
PositiveProjection0:05
John Macri identifies Jonah Coleman as a potential day-two running back target for the Chicago Bears, suggesting he could be a good fit for their second or third-round pick.
Insight pageJonathan Taylor
PositiveUsage0:25
Jonathan Taylor has missed significant time in three of the last four seasons and has run over 300 times each of the past two seasons, creating wear and tear concerns.
Insight pageJordan Mason
PositiveDepth Chart0:20
Jordan Mason remains on the Minnesota Vikings roster, providing another veteran option in the backfield alongside Aaron Jones.
Insight pagePositiveDepth Chart0:20
Jordan Mason is still on the team but could be gone by next season, creating a potential opening for a rookie running back in Minnesota's succession plan.
Insight pageJustice Hill
NegativeRole0:26
Justice Hill is not really an early down back and is not a succession plan for Derrick Henry in Baltimore.
Insight pageJustin Fields
NegativeDepth Chart0:33
The Jets traded Justin Fields away, leaving Geno Smith as their starter.
Insight pageKeaton Mitchell
NegativeDepth Chart0:26
Keaton Mitchell is gone from the Ravens, leaving no clear succession plan behind Derrick Henry.
Insight pageKenneth Walker III
PositiveDepth Chart0:17
Kenneth Walker left the Seattle Seahawks in free agency, creating a clear short-term need for a running back in their backfield.
Insight pageMalik Willis
PositiveProjection0:37
The Dolphins signed Malik Willis as a backup, but he is an unknown as a true NFL starter, creating uncertainty about Miami's quarterback situation.
Insight pageMason Rudolph
PositiveDepth Chart0:31
Mason Rudolph is one of two quarterbacks on the Steelers roster, but if Aaron Rodgers doesn't return, Pittsburgh will need a quarterback of the future.
Insight pageMatthew Stafford
PositiveProjection0:36
Matthew Stafford's 2026 season could potentially be his last with the Rams, creating a need for a quarterback of the future.
Insight pageMichael Pittman
PositiveRole0:32
The Steelers traded for Michael Pittman, adding a receiving option to their offense.
Insight pageQuinn Ewers
PositiveDepth Chart0:37
Quinn Ewers is the backup quarterback for the Dolphins behind Malik Willis.
Insight pageSamaje Perine
PositiveRole0:10
Samaji Perine is the third-down back for Cincinnati and will continue in that role, though he will be 31 before the start of the season and saw increased playing time as Chase Brown struggled with his workload.
Insight pageTahj Brooks
NegativeRole0:10
Taj Brooks, drafted by Cincinnati last season, only saw playing time on offense when there was an injury to one of the top two running backs, suggesting the team does not trust him to be the backup.
Insight pageTony Pollard
PositiveDepth Chart0:02
Tony Pollard is in the final year of his contract with Tennessee and could be released to provide cap relief, potentially opening the door for a rookie running back to become the starter.
Insight pageTy Simpson
PositiveProjection0:34
Ty Simpson is mentioned as a potential quarterback option the Jets could draft in the QB 2-4 range to develop behind Geno Smith.
Insight pageWill Howard
PositiveDepth Chart0:31
Will Howard is one of two quarterbacks on the Steelers roster, but if Aaron Rodgers doesn't return, Pittsburgh will need a quarterback of the future.
Insight pageZach Charbonnet
NegativeInjury0:17
Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January with surgery in February, with typical recovery time suggesting late October at the earliest return, potentially not until December, and he may not be the player he once was upon return.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00Every team, every topic, everywhere. This is Belief. With the dust settled from free agency and 2026 rosters beginning to take shape,
0:07there is still, I would say, one massive shift for all teams still yet to take place, which of course is the NFL Draft.
0:14And that's where we'll begin to shift our focus this offseason.
0:17I'm John Macri, joined as always by PFF's lead fantasy analyst, Nathan Yonke.
0:21And for this episode of the PFF Fantasy Football Podcast, we'll be talking about our ideal landing spots for the incoming rookie class.
0:28We each have our own pick, so we'll see where we differ and where we agree.
0:32But it should be fun to kind of play some offseason fantasy roster management.
0:36So, Nate, how are you good, sir? I'm doing well.
0:39We talked about free agency a week ago. There were still a couple other moves that happened here and there.
0:45It seemed like the quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends, all the major moves have already happened.
0:50Wide receiver seems like the one key position where there's still a lot that could happen.
0:55But I think that also speaks to this upcoming rookie class.
0:58So a lot of teams need a wide receiver.
1:01We'll probably see plenty of teams draft wide receivers, probably over half the league drafting wide receivers this year.
1:07And then it might be a while before we find out some landing spots for some of the remaining free agent wide receivers.
1:14Yeah, it's I mean, it's always interesting this time of year.
1:17But yeah, after free agency, like it feels like a lot of the, you know, at least like I felt at least
1:23like running back spots really kind of got filled up.
1:26As far as like the true ideal ones, like Kansas City obviously brought in Kenneth Walker.
1:31You got the Saints signing Travis Etienne, right? Tampa Bay, you know, they added Kenneth Gainwell, but they already had Bucky Irving.
1:38Brees Hall got a franchise tag, right? So there's all these kind of spots that I think could have been really good.
1:44But I think there's still some that we can work with here as we're looking at potential fits for our rookies.
1:50And we literally just talked about the free agency moves last week.
1:54We talked about the team needs and potential fits the week before that.
1:58And again, now that the dust has kind of settled in and we start to transition into this rookie season, we figured
2:04this would kind of be a good way to talk about the teams where there's still maybe a need for certain positions
2:11that could be fantasy friendly and provide some positive outlook for our incoming rookies.
2:15And yeah, we both came up with our top landing spots for running back, wide receiver, quarterback and tight end.
2:21And we'll compare here, talk about why we like them, put our kind of hopes and dreams out into the world for
2:27the 2026 rookie class so that they can become fantasy stars.
2:31So, Nate, what do you say we get into it here?
2:34And we'll start with the running backs because we've already, you know, kind of been on that conversation.
2:39So tell me your number one spot for a rookie running back right now.
2:43My number one team is the Tennessee Titans. They're the one team that I thought might address a running back in free agency.
2:50They have two running backs in the final year of their contract, Tony Pollard and Tajay Spears.
2:55Both of them could get released and provide some cap relief and not leave too much dead money.
3:01None of that happened during free agency. They didn't make any moves at running back.
3:05They made plenty moves at other positions, but they seem to be the prime team that could get Jeremiah Love.
3:11They have the fourth overall pick in the draft.
3:14We just had a mock draft go out that had them trading up to get Love.
3:18So I think Tennessee, if they draft a running back, whether or not it's in the first round or wait until the
3:25second or third round, even though they have running backs on the depth chart, I wouldn't be surprised if they release one
3:31of their running backs or trade one of their running backs if they end up drafting one.
3:37And I think that running back could end up being a starter.
3:40And I think they're probably the only team where there's a potential for a rookie running back to come in, be the
3:47starter week one, be the starter for the entire season, even if it's not Love.
3:51I think there are plenty of other teams that could end up with Love and then he'd be the starter for the entire season.
3:58But I think Tennessee is probably the only team where a different rookie running back could come in and be the starter
4:05for the entire season since we really don't know what this coaching staff feels about Pollard and Spears.
4:10But we do know this duo has been a little bit below average each of the two seasons that they've been the two running backs.
4:17Nice. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's an interesting one. I like it.
4:21There was a few teams where I looked at expiring contracts at the end of this coming season here.
4:26And there's actually probably a couple here that I'm going to talk about.
4:30But yeah, Tennessee is a good one that definitely were on the list.
4:34Not in my top five, but it's basically a toss up for all these potential expiring contracts in the backfield here.
4:40So I like that one. Yeah, I kind of went for me where I went.
4:45I wasn't looking necessarily at where Jeremiah Love would fit in right away.
4:49Instead, I was looking at first the team that maybe needs a running back right away.
4:53I have like a Jeremiah Love spot a little bit later, but I was thinking about the team first.
4:59And where I went was I went Chicago Bears.
5:02DeAndre Swift, we'll see what happens, right? Because if you go to his Google News page for DeAndre Swift right now, everything
5:08is about him as a potential cut candidate essentially.
5:11So it doesn't mean that he will be cut, but it at least has me feeling that he's not long for the Chicago Bears.
5:18We'll see what happens. And I think this was a team, you know, even last year that we really liked as a
5:25potential landing spot for a rookie running back. And that hasn't really changed for me.
5:29I still think it can be a prime spot like they picked 25th in round one.
5:34So it's too late for Love. I think it's too early for maybe some of the other backs, but they pick like
5:4060th in round two, 89th in round three. I think it might be kind of perfect for whoever they like the most
5:47there, whether, you know, it may be a Jonah Coleman or somebody like that a day two back.
5:52Either way would not be or I think it would be kind of tough not to love that spot for fantasy because
5:59I think you can talk yourself out of DeAndre Swift being done in Chicago, even if it's not this year.
6:05Probably not beyond this season, right? So, yeah, I kind of liked Chicago.
6:08I think they're set up for success out of the backfield, especially with that roster.
6:13And, yeah, I kind of landed on Chicago being my favorite right now.
6:17That's fair. Like when I was going through the teams, I ended up with a good 11 to 12 teams that I
6:23could see ending up with a running back and a lot of different definitions of why they need a running back and
6:30what would be good for that team. And for Chicago, I think they're the most upside.
6:35If a rookie ends up being the top running back in Chicago, I just think it's a rough path for running back to get there.
6:42Like you said, there's plenty of articles talking about Swift being a cut candidate.
6:46A lot of that having to do with the salary cap space they would save by cutting him.
6:51But I think most salary cap moves have happened by this point.
6:55I know I just mentioned Tennessee is a potential one where they could release a running back after drafting a running back.
7:02But Chicago drafts a running back, say, in the second or third round.
7:05I wouldn't be surprised if they're third on the depth chart to start with.
7:10Then they would have to work their way up.
7:12But if they end up playing well, then they'd end up being at the top.
7:17And then if they're at the top with Chicago's offense, with Chicago's excellent offensive line, that's probably the most upside for fantasy production.
7:23Out of any of the 12 or so teams that could draft a running back, I just found a hard time of
7:30them potentially getting there, especially considering the running back class.
7:33I don't think they're trading up for Love. If they did, then Love would be like a top five fantasy pick immediately.
7:39But if not, they're drafting, like you said, second, third, fourth round, which is where probably most of the other landing spots
7:46I have for these running backs are. So I didn't end up having Chicago in my top five.
7:51So I think we'll have some pretty different lists.
7:54I wouldn't be surprised to have other positions we have a little bit more in common.
7:59But like you said, with the running backs, with so many teams addressing the need in free agency, that there's not many
8:05teams that absolutely or I don't think there's really any team that absolutely needs a running back.
8:10Just a lot of teams that they could benefit from having a running back or a running back could benefit from being there.
8:17Yeah, that's the thing, right? Like as much as it's a top five and I try to put them in order, like it's super tight.
8:25Like I could, you know, switch this order around by the hour, basically, depending on how I feel.
8:30So, but yeah, I still like Chicago and you're right.
8:33I think it would have to be the right running back in that round two or three.
8:38Somebody that, you know, can make an immediate impact and be effective to win that starting job.
8:43But yeah, it's hard to imagine right now with this class, like anybody other than maybe Jeremiah Love that, you know, can
8:49be an immediate contributor right out the gate, especially with the way these backfields have already kind of filled up a little bit this offseason.
8:57So we'll see how things go. But Nate, tell us who your number two landing spot would be for a potential rookie running back.
9:04Oh yeah, I feel my number two spots even more a little out there and that's the Cincinnati Bengals.
9:10The Bengals are a team. I looked at a bunch of criteria of like why teams might need a running back and
9:16a couple, a little bit arbitrary, but it still got the Bengals to one of the clear teams that need one.
9:22Every team either had a running back with a 77 overall grade last season or a Russian grade of at least 81
9:29or recently invested in a running back in the first or second round or added a running back in free agency or trade.
9:36So a lot of different ways to view a team not necessarily needing a running back either because they played well or because they've invested in one recently.
9:44And the Bengals and the Titans are the two teams that didn't fit any of those four criteria.
9:49They have Chase Brown as a lead running back.
9:52He has been fine from a real life perspective.
9:55He has been very good from a fantasy perspective because he's been among the top five running backs in receptions and receiving
10:01touchdowns the last two seasons, as well as all the work he does as a rusher with the team.
10:07I think he has been a fine running back.
10:10I think there is room for a better running back to potentially be the starter going forward.
10:15And there's definitely room for a new backup in Cincinnati.
10:18Samaji Piran has been the third down back. He'll continue to be the third down back most likely.
10:23Will be 31 before the start of the season.
10:26He started getting more playing time as the season progressed because Chase Brown wasn't doing a great job handling so much workload that he had.
10:33And then they drafted Taj Brooks last season. But Brooks only saw playing time on offense whenever there was an injury to
10:40one of the top two running backs. Never saw the field at any point when Brown and Piran were both healthy outside of special teams play.
10:47So it doesn't seem like they trust Brooks to be the backup.
10:51So if Cincinnati were to draft a running back in, say, the second, third, or fourth round, then I think they could
10:57pretty quickly be the number two running back on early downs.
11:01And if they're playing better than Brown on early downs, then they can take over as the early down back, in which
11:07case there is an opportunity to be a top 10 fantasy running back there.
11:11So I think a little similar to Chicago in that they are just a very good team that could use a running back.
11:18And I think there's just an easier path for a running back to be the backup in Cincinnati.
11:23And then they started where in Chicago, I think they have to overcome both Swift and Kyle Minungai.
11:29But I think the Bengals also a good landing spot, not quite as much for their offensive line, but more so just
11:35because their offense is so good and their defense not as good.
11:39So the offense gets a lot of volume and scores a lot of touchdowns and all that.
11:44Yeah, I mean, it would be a lot of fun, right?
11:47Like, I like Chase Brown. I think, yeah, I can't imagine they spend whatever they're like, they're drafting 10th overall, something like that.
11:54Like, I can't imagine they spend a pick on Jeremiah Love.
11:57There's just too many other needs for that team that if they spent on running back, as fun as that would be
12:04for fantasy, I can't imagine them doing it in the first round.
12:07But like you said, you know, maybe round two, round three, maybe there's somebody there that they like who has some potential
12:14that can move up the depth chart. Because, yeah, that could absolutely work.
12:18Again, we really like the Bengals offense. Again, not the offensive line so much, but hopefully they can continue to address that.
12:24But, yeah, that could be a fun one. So I went with the Washington Commanders.
12:29So we kind of talked about them, I guess, a couple weeks ago, right, when we were talking about ideal fits.
12:35But they obviously just signed Rashad White. That's just a one-year deal.
12:38Ja'Cory Kroski, Merritt, still there. A fine back, but not somebody that they, you know, invested in a ton.
12:44They're picking – well, I'll talk about where the earliest pick first or later.
12:48But they are picking, you know, like 71st-ish overall in round three, like if you're looking at a more realistic spot for them to spend on running back.
12:57Because we did talk about Washington as a favorite spot.
13:00I liked it for Kenneth Walker. I kind of feel still the same post-free agency here as a spot for somebody to come into that backfield.
13:07Like you can bring in a young, promising rookie and kind of ease them into that eventual RB1 role in that offense
13:14behind Rashad White and Ja'Cory Kroski, Merritt. At least at first.
13:17Because they don't – I don't think scare you that that job is kind of unwinnable, right?
13:22And, you know, if they do want to really get nuts, Jeremiah Love at like seventh overall.
13:27He's currently the sixth overall pick from mock drafts at this point.
13:31Especially, you know, because I feel like top five is probably too rich for the running back position.
13:36The Browns, they're at six. They drafted two running backs last year with decent capital.
13:40The Saints and the Chiefs, they're drafting right behind Washington.
13:43But they spent big at running back in free agency.
13:46Bengals are picking tenth. Like I said, I don't think they should be spending a high pick on a running back, at least a first-round pick.
13:54There's been some talk about like a Chase Brown extension.
13:57I don't know if that'll actually go through or not.
14:00But I think, you know, if Jeremiah Love is going to go top ten, barring, you know, somebody trading up to get
14:07him, I feel like Washington is the best fit for him and could be an immediate impact player.
14:12So, yeah. Jaden Daniels obviously being healthy would help.
14:15Same thing with Terry McLaurin in that offense. Maybe they can still add wide receiver as well.
14:20But, yeah, I think I would like Jeremiah Love quite a bit in Washington.
14:24And then, but even if it's like, you know, a day two back, I don't think you're overly scared of, again, Rashad White, Ja'Cory Krosky, Merritt for somebody.
14:32If you really like the running back and think they have potential, I don't think we should be too scared to draft
14:39them in rookie drafts because I think there's a path there at least over time.
14:43And as soon as year one. So, I put the Washington Commanders at two, Nate.
14:48How do you feel about that one? I think that's fair.
14:51Like I said, I came up with about 12 teams and that's one of the ones that I came up with.
14:57I think this is a fun exercise because you're trying to balance a couple of different things here.
15:02One is how good is the landing spot at the rookie where to see playing time, taking into account the offense, the offensive line, those kind of things.
15:11Another is the path to playing time. How easily could someone become the starter, which I took into account quite a bit
15:17of just how quickly can someone find playing time?
15:20And then there's how likely is that team to get one of those running backs?
15:24And like you said, there's a chance that he lands at seven.
15:28They could draft him at seven. I was just concerned that Washington might not draft a running back because they've added a
15:34couple of veterans recently rather than just White and Krosky Merritt.
15:38They also added Jerome Ford. So, Ford is on the roster.
15:41They also yesterday brought back Jeremy McNichols. So, right now they have four veteran running backs on the roster.
15:47That kind of told me that they don't think they will get love at seven.
15:51I think if they thought that they wouldn't be getting so many running backs, it sounds like he's going to go top five.
15:58That's what I'm guessing he's going to end up.
16:00So, Washington would need to trade up to get him, I think.
16:04And then I think there's still a chance that they draft a running back later.
16:08But the fact that they've added so many veterans tells me that they might not end up getting a rookie.
16:14And yeah, they don't have maybe the long-term solution at running back on the roster currently.
16:19But since they've added so many different pieces, we could see those pieces all having some kind of role this season.
16:25But Washington similarly had four veteran running backs last season and ended up drafting Krosky Merritt at the end of the draft.
16:32And he ended up factoring in. So, certainly a chance a running back gets involved, in which case there's a path to playing time.
16:39I just didn't include Washington in my top five because they've added three running backs in the last week plus.
16:45So, that tells me I don't think they are planning on prioritizing running back, at least in the draft.
16:51Yeah, that's fair. Yeah, we'll see what happens. Again, like you said, Jerome Ford and Rashad White.
16:56Those guys, I think, are serviceable as kind of a whole.
16:59And just thinking about one spot in particular where I think a star running back could make an impact.
17:05But yeah, I agree. I think there's so many different possibilities for all these different teams.
17:09Especially Jeremiah Love. I feel like, I don't know.
17:12I mean, if he's going to go top five would be, I don't know.
17:16Maybe it happens, but we'll see. Anyways, tell me who your number three landing spot was for running back sneak.
17:22Sure. So, this is one that we might have agreement in the top five, and that's the Seattle Seahawks.
17:28We'll see if you included Seattle in the top five.
17:31But they had the duo Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.
17:34Walker left in free agency. Charbonnet tore his ACL in January.
17:37Didn't have surgery until February. And typical recovery time means, I think, late October at the earliest is when we could expect him back.
17:44Maybe not until December. And even then, any time in that time range, he might not be the player he once was.
17:51And all they've done so far is add Emmanuel Wilson in free agency from the Green Bay Packers.
17:56So, there is a clear short-term need for a running back.
17:59But I think that could also potentially turn into a long-term need in that Charbonnet shared the backfield with Walker all last season.
18:06There's a chance that they could continue using two running backs.
18:09So, I think there's definitely room for a rookie running back to get involved.
18:13The Seattle offense relies heavily on the run game.
18:16The Seattle team is very good. So, they're running a lot late in game.
18:20So, it is a good situation for whoever's ending up running the ball there.
18:24I just also wouldn't be surprised if they add another veteran.
18:28I think there's a couple. Or there's at least a few veteran running backs who are still available in free agency.
18:34Guys that we're not expecting to be starters going forward.
18:37But I don't see them going into the season with just Wilson and the other guys that they currently have on the roster.
18:44So, whether it's a rookie or another veteran or both, there's room for more running backs to be fantasy relevant early on in the season in Seattle.
18:52Yep. I'm 100% with you, Seattle, in my top five here.
18:55And, yeah. I mean, like you said, it's hard to imagine that they don't bring in somebody, right?
19:00Emmanuel Wilson, not really extended time as a starter ever in the NFL.
19:04Mostly handled, you know, backup duties while he was in Green Bay.
19:08He's filled in a few times. But that's really about it.
19:11And Charbonnet, who knows how long it's going to take him to recover from the ACL, is going to be effective right
19:17away when he comes back as well. So, this is obviously a Super Bowl winning team.
19:22They don't want to have those holes in their offense, especially right.
19:26And with Kenneth Walker gone, I think it makes perfect sense that they do look to add somebody, obviously, picking at the
19:32end of the first, end of the second, end of the third.
19:36I think, you know, obviously not end of the first necessarily, but that day two picks, I think, could be perfectly fine
19:42for somebody to come in and be there next, starting running back.
19:46And we'll see what happens. Maybe they still believe Charbonnet can be that guy.
19:50But coming off injury, it's a little bit harder.
19:53So, yep, I'm with you. Absolutely. I think Seattle is a great spot for somebody to come in and potentially make an impact right away.
20:00Okay. Well, since – okay. I'll jump to, I guess, my next – I'll cross out Seattle.
20:05And I want to talk about Minnesota, too. We know Aaron Jones kind of got restructured.
20:10So, he's not going to be cut like the rumors had kind of said, right?
20:14It does seem like he's going to stay on the team this year.
20:18Jordan Mason also still on the team. But, you know, talking about teams that have expiring contracts, right, both Aaron Jones and
20:25Jordan Mason could be gone by next season, right?
20:27So, Minnesota, again, another offense that I think has potential.
20:30We'll see what happens at the quarterback position. But I think that also could be one of those spots where somebody could
20:37come in and be kind of their, you know, succession plan out of the backfield.
20:41And obviously, maybe not as easy this year, but they have these kind of mid-second, mid-third round picks.
20:47I think third round somewhere around there would be a decent spot for somebody who – I think there are serviceable running
20:53backs that have potential going in that range. But I, you know, I think we'd have to be patient with them because
21:00year one won't be easy to get those touches barring injuries.
21:03And both of those starters have dealt with injuries, so maybe.
21:06But, again, another spot that I don't think I would hate for a running back hopeful in this class.
21:12And, yeah, I could see myself, you know, getting behind whoever ends up landing there.
21:16If I like that running back in Minnesota, just, again, Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason.
21:21Aaron Jones is getting older as well, but Jordan Mason.
21:24We'll see if they – you know, he extends or anything like that.
21:27But I think there's a path there for the long term for a rookie running back.
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22:25I agree. A long-term running back definitely fits there, especially I don't see Aaron Jones being back after this season.
22:31Jordan Mason, I could see signing maybe not an extension before the season, but if he plays well enough an extension after the season.
22:38I looked more short-term for my running backs. I think there were a lot of teams that addressed running back and free agency, a team like Arizona.
22:46Hopefully, they're not the next one on your list, but a team that has multiple running backs.
22:51But I think there's a path to a running back being the starter there as early as next season.
22:56But also, if they draft a running back, they could be fourth on the depth chart this season.
23:02So, I kind of avoided some of those teams that I'm like, I'm focused more on the short-term who I think could
23:08end up being fantasy starters at some point in the 2026 season.
23:12But I agree, if you're looking more at 2027 and beyond Minnesota, definitely blue logs on this list.
23:17Cool. Yeah, that's kind of a fun way to do it too, right?
23:21Yeah, I mean, I was thinking kind of long-term for a lot of mine, and you got the short-term.
23:27So, it did create a nice mix of teams in our list here.
23:30So, a fun way to kind of look at it.
23:33I mean, so far, the only overlap really has been Seattle.
23:37I mean, we've got teams that are similar on our full list.
23:40But I think, you know, as far as top five goes, not a ton of overlap because we're looking at it a little bit differently, right?
23:48So, yeah, and Minnesota could be fun. Oh, yeah.
23:51I guess, I mean, tell me your next pick for running back.
23:54Oh, yeah. So, my fourth team on the list, I think we'll have more agreement at the other positions, but I don't
24:01think we'll have agreement at these last two spots because I ended up looking at more teams that have number one running
24:07backs but don't have number two running backs at this point.
24:11In which case, after the number one running back suffers an injury and then the number two running back becomes a starter
24:17and has a chance to be a fantasy starter pretty much immediately.
24:21The first team on that list for me is the Indianapolis Colts.
24:24They have been looking for a backup running back for Jonathan Taylor for a couple years now.
24:29Zach Moss, Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson, Amir Abdullah, all guys over the past three years that have been either primary backups or
24:36just guys who have seen significant playing time over these past three years.
24:40All of them are free agents right now. No team has signed any of them.
24:44They took swings at DJ Giddens, Khalil Herbert last year, but they ended up going with Abdullah as their primary backup.
24:50Right now, it's just Giddens and Ulysses Bentley as the only other running backs on the roster.
24:55So I think if they drafted a running back from the second to fourth round or so, they would have a very
25:02easy path to being the number two running back in Indianapolis.
25:05And Taylor has missed significant time in three of the last four seasons.
25:09He didn't miss too much time last season, but he's also run over 300 times each of the past two seasons.
25:15Lots of wear and tear, so would not be surprised.
25:18If at some point in the season, Taylor ends up missing time, in which case any running back selected in the second
25:25to fourth round would go from being the backup to being the starter behind one of the best offensive lines in the
25:31NFL in an offense that relies pretty significantly on the run game.
25:35So I think there is a chance that Indianapolis drafts a running back, which I would not be surprised if they draft
25:41one because there is definitely a need there that that player ends up being a fantasy starter at some point during the 2026 season.
25:48Yeah, I had considered Indianapolis as well, but I found I still believe in DJ Giddens.
25:53So I was like, I didn't want to put them as a spot.
25:57So I put another team that I think has obviously a locked in RB1, doesn't have a lot behind that RB1.
26:03And I went with the Baltimore Ravens. Now, Derrick Henry, obviously there.
26:07Can he last forever? You know, probably not, right?
26:09He's 32 or he'll be 32 at the start of the season.
26:13I know he's been awesome. He's been obviously a completely different breed, which is why he's lasted this long in the first place.
26:20But I think at some point, you know, he's going to lose that magic.
26:24Right. And Keaton Mitchell is gone. Justice Hill, not really an early down back.
26:28There's there's nobody really in place as like a great succession plan right now in Baltimore.
26:33They have picks in every round. I'd be surprised if they didn't add some backfield insurance.
26:38And like you said, like if Derrick Henry were to get hurt, they don't really have, you know, just kind of just like Jonathan Taylor.
26:45If something were to happen, that's a big loss to that to that offense.
26:49So having somebody in there that, you know, maybe they believe in or that is capable of carrying that workload, I think would be key.
26:57So, you know, whether that's in round two or three or four, whatever it happens to be.
27:02But, you know, taking a shot on one of these, you know, decent running backs here and young running backs as well
27:08to be a succession plan for Derrick Henry at some point.
27:11We'll see if he ever slows down. But, yeah, I kind of like Baltimore as one of those places similar to the way you were looking at Indianapolis.
27:20Yeah. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Looking at it from a long term perspective, that's probably better than any of
27:26the teams that I have left looking at more of the short term perspective.
27:30I think the only reason I didn't include Baltimore amongst these teams that need a clear backup is Justice Hill.
27:36Did have a little experience, has an early down back and has graded well.
27:41But like you said, not a succession plan for Derrick Henry.
27:44So they could very well need a new starting running back in 2027, in which case drafting a rookie now would make a lot of sense.
27:52I debated a couple of different teams for my last spot, similar teams that like need a backup running back for sure,
27:58in which case if the starter gets injured. Dallas and the Raiders were two teams that fit for me, but I ended up with the Atlanta Falcons.
28:06They lost to Tyler Algier, so they definitely need a running back.
28:10The only other backups they have on the roster right now, undrafted free agents who basically haven't seen any NFL playing time to this point.
28:17So could very well use a running back. I think they would end up being a backup for the foreseeable future because B.
28:24John Robinson isn't going anywhere. But I kind of felt similar with Dallas and the Raiders, even though Williams, not the super long term solution in Dallas.
28:32But he did sign a new contract that makes him on the roster, at least for the next two seasons, potentially longer.
28:38So all short term options. And I think Atlanta has the best offensive line of the group, best possibility of that B.
28:45John Robinson suffers an injury. They could be a clear fantasy starter because of the offense, because of the offensive line and being built around a running back.
28:53So I think Atlanta is another good situation for a backup and a team that definitely needs to address the running back
29:00position at some point, whether it's later on in free agency or the draft.
29:04Nice. Yeah. Those three teams that you mentioned were all my next three teams as well, like just as kind of the
29:10ones that were on the fringe of making it Atlanta, Las Vegas, Dallas.
29:14Like I think there's potential there. The Raiders obviously only have Ashton Gentty.
29:18Clint Kubiak's talked about, you know, bringing in another back as well.
29:22And Atlanta for sure hasn't added any real competition as far as, you know, replacing Tyler Algier in that backfield.
29:28So I think that makes perfect sense as a team just to add some depth behind B.
29:33John and then Dallas. Yeah, they gave Javante, you know, an extension, but we'll see.
29:37And, you know, if he's if he can continue staying hot here the way he did this past season, we'll have to see what happens there.
29:45But yeah, I think those are all good spots.
29:47Yeah, there wasn't really I'm just looking like there wasn't really a lot of other ones like Jacksonville, you know, obviously losing ETN.
29:54And I still like by Sheltut and they brought in Chris Rodriguez.
29:58So I think they can try that out at least for a year before they add any real competition.
30:04So I didn't really put them in consideration here.
30:06But yeah, I think that's kind of the running backs for me.
30:10So let's talk quarterbacks now, Nate. Quarterback position. We only did a top three.
30:14There's not many spots left at this point. Right.
30:17You know, sometimes it feels like there's a lot of potential landing spots.
30:20But did you include Las Vegas as one of your teams?
30:24I did put Las Vegas first because they're the clear team that needs a quarterback.
30:28Everyone knows that they're probably going to draft Mendoza.
30:31They've made that even more clear by not addressing the position and free agency to this point.
30:36Wouldn't be surprised if they add a veteran somewhere down the line, because it sounds like they want to sit Mendoza for
30:42the start of his career and let him learn a little bit.
30:46So they'll add a veteran at some point. But the fact that they weren't in on any of the top three agent
30:52quarterbacks speaks even more to the fact that they plan on drafting Mendoza number one.
30:57So they're the clear team that needs a rookie quarterback the most.
31:00And therefore, they're at the top of my list.
31:03Yeah. No, I definitely put them at the top.
31:06I didn't know if they counted or not, but I put them there anyways.
31:10And then I added a bonus team at the end of my top three.
31:14But yeah, right now, I think it's Aiden O'Connell.
31:17That's it, right? So unless they add somebody, I can't imagine that Mendoza isn't the starter this year because it does feel
31:23like they're definitely going to take him. We'll see how he does, obviously, in year one.
31:28But I don't think that, you know, I don't think they could afford taking anything other than a quarterback there and taking a shot on Mendoza.
31:36So I'm with you. I think Las Vegas, obviously, the prime spot.
31:39But yeah, I got a couple other ones. But I'll be curious, who was your second spot that you liked as a potential quarterback spot?
31:47Number two was also relatively easy for me. It's the Pittsburgh Steelers because Aaron Rodgers hasn't decided if he's coming back or not.
31:54Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the two quarterbacks there.
31:57But if Rodgers doesn't return, there's plenty of other veteran quarterbacks who could go there.
32:01Kirk Cousins, Tyra Taylor, Jeremy Garoppolo, Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Derek Carr, Carson Wentz, lots of veteran quarterbacks.
32:06Regardless of who they pick out of any of those guys, if it's not Rodgers, they're still going to have one of
32:13the oldest quarterbacks in the NFL, in which case they will still need a quarterback of the future.
32:18So regardless of what they do, it could make sense for them to draft a quarterback of the future in this draft.
32:25So Pittsburgh, whether it's for the short term or the long term, they made a lot of sense here.
32:30Yep, I had the exact one for my number two spot.
32:34Because yeah, who knows what's going to happen with Aaron Rodgers when he'll make his decision.
32:38I wouldn't be surprised if it's after the draft.
32:41Who knows what will happen there. But yeah, like you said, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, they traded for Michael Pittman.
32:47They got DK Metcalf there. They don't really have like a, I think as a starting worthy quarterback and, you know, not
32:53necessarily saying that there are starting worthy quarterbacks beyond Fernando Mendoza in the draft.
32:58We'll see how they feel about, you know, guys like Tyus Simpson or Garrett Nussmeyer or whoever it ends up being.
33:04But this is a team that I think, you know, is typically a playoff contender every year.
33:09We'll see what that, if that continues without Mike Tomlin.
33:12But, you know, defense is definitely competitive. They got some pieces on offense.
33:16So I think, you know, the quarterback position is absolutely a need there for the Steelers.
33:20So my other team, we'll see if you have the same one.
33:24I put the New York Jets. They just signed Geno Smith.
33:27Okay. But they traded Justin Fields. And for me, we'll see what happens with Geno Smith.
33:32Obviously, it was a down year, but it was also a bad situation.
33:36This is another not great situation, obviously, for the Jets and that offense.
33:40They have Garrett Wilson, obviously. But I would love to see somebody be able to, you know, get the most out of Garrett Wilson.
33:47He signed that contract extension as well. I think it was four years, a contract extension this past offseason.
33:53So Garrett Wilson's going to be there. He needs somebody to be able to get them the ball.
33:58Could they, you know, surprise with, I think it's the 16th overall pick.
34:02Maybe it's the 44th overall pick. And they take like a Ty Simpson or, again, you know, Garrett Nussmeyer or Drew Aller.
34:08Whoever they view in that kind of QB 2-4 range, if they think that's somebody that they can develop behind Geno Smith for at least the foreseeable future.
34:17I think that this is a team that has to keep looking at the position and taking shots.
34:22And maybe Geno works out, and that's great. But, you know, worst case, at least you have another option to fill in
34:28there and give that, you know, fan base some hope as well.
34:32Because, yeah, the quarterback position has been a struggle.
34:35And I think, you know, just making sure that you have some options in place could be beneficial to the Jets and
34:41ideally beneficial for Garrett Wilson, who we care about the most in that Jets offense.
34:46So, yeah, how about you, Nate? Where did you go for your number three or, yeah?
34:50First, the Jets, I think that's certainly fair. I included them as a possibility for my third spot.
34:56The only thing, it was similar to why I didn't include the Washington running backs.
35:00And that's because I don't think the Jets will draft a quarterback this year.
35:04They have three first-round picks in 2027. I think they are planning on drafting a quarterback in 2027.
35:10And because of that, I think they would rather use their 2026 picks to help at other positions.
35:15So the only reason I didn't include them, not because the Jets don't need a potential quarterback of the future, but because
35:22I don't think this is the year that they will get the quarterback of the future, where I think other teams are
35:28a little more likely to draft a quarterback. The Arizona Cardinals are the team that I ended up with third.
35:34It sounds like they're going to go with Jacoby Brissett as their starter.
35:38They added Gardner Minshew as a backup option. Brissett's going to be 34 by the start of the season.
35:43So they are a team that needs a quarterback of the future.
35:47And I think they were kind of the one destination for me where if things aren't going well by the middle point
35:54of the season, if they draft a rookie quarterback, that rookie quarterback could end up being the starter over the second half of the season.
36:01So because they were the only other team I could really think of that has that situation where a rookie could come
36:07in and take over in the middle of the season if things aren't going well, that's what was the tiebreaker that led Arizona for me to be third.
36:16But I also mentioned teams like the Rams, the Packers, the Buccaneers, all teams that need a backup quarterback right now.
36:22The Rams probably ahead of the others because Matthew Stafford, this could be his last year potentially.
36:27So the Rams need a quarterback of the future.
36:30But Packers, Buccaneers, other teams that need a backup quarterback and if something would happen to love or may feel over the
36:36course of the season, then the rookie would be in a position to succeed with all the players that they have around them in those offenses.
36:44Yeah, that's the thing. With this last spot, I feel like whoever is already on the roster right now is going to be fine for 2026.
36:52And it's just a matter of if that player just has a terrible season or gets injured or something like that or
36:58we're looking at a potential succession plan for the future, something like that.
37:02Because yeah, Arizona was on my list. I mean, Cleveland is on the list as well.
37:07New Orleans, I put just as a later name on the list.
37:10I think Tyler Shuck was fine as a rookie, but I don't think he's necessarily a franchise quarterback.
37:16We'll see. Yeah, I said Arizona right. You said Arizona.
37:19The other one too, like Miami, they signed Malik Willis.
37:22We'll see what happens on that one. Quinn Ewers is the backup.
37:25But Malik Willis is also kind of an unknown as far as being a true NFL starter.
37:30So I think you kind of increase your chances of unknowns by adding another rookie quarterback.
37:35Maybe this isn't, again, the best spot for right away.
37:38But I feel like, yeah, outside of those top three-ish or top two even that we talked about, Raiders and Steelers, like,
37:44I mean, yeah, and considering the rookie class as well, like, it's not ideal for anyone.
37:49But I think, you know, Miami could be in consideration as well.
37:53I don't think that'll necessarily happen this year. Anyways, but just wanted to put them out there.
37:58We'll see what happens with Malik Willis. But again, just looking at teams that kind of have unknowns at the quarterback position, Miami at least came to mind.
38:06All right. We'll go on to the other positions, Nate, in a second here.
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39:18All right, Nate, let's talk about the wide receiver position.
39:21We went back to a top five list of potential landing spots here for wide receivers.
39:26I definitely felt like, yeah, I'm with you. I think there were more spots that I could have come up with for
39:32wide receiver than running back and even quarterback. So I'll be interested in what was your number one spot for the wide receiver position.
39:40Yeah, it's also nice with wide receiver because with running back and quarterback outside of Love and Mendoza, we're kind of making
39:46the assumption that the players end up doing better than expected.
39:49And that's the only way it really makes sense for some of these teams to try addressing running back and quarterback.
39:56But at wide receiver, there's plenty of wide receivers that drafting one in the first round, the second round, the third round
40:02could all end up to immediate impact players and lots of teams that need wide receivers.
40:07I don't think any team needs a wide receiver more than the Cleveland Browns do, though.
40:12The Browns by PFF grade last season had the lowest graded wide receiver group, and they have the exact same top six
40:18players on the depth chart now that they did throughout the season, led by Jerry Judy, Cedric Tillman, Isaiah Bond.
40:24I think they could draft two wide receivers and then be the top two wide receivers on the depth chart potentially.
40:30So I think Cleveland, probably the team that needs a wide receiver the most.
40:34Other teams at least have a number one wide receiver that's more reliable than the Browns' number one wide receiver or have
40:41more depth than the Browns do or invested more recently in wide receiver than the Browns have.
40:46But the Browns really haven't made too much investment in wide receiver recently, and they didn't make any investment in pre-agency.
40:52Yeah. Yeah, you're right in saying that we're going to have right away, we're going to have some similarities at the top here for the wide receiver position.
41:01Cleveland definitely is the one for me as well.
41:03Jerry Judy, Cedric Tillman, Malachi Corley, nobody really consistent there, at least recently, right?
41:07So they're picking sixth. And as much as I'd love to see them maybe get help for Myles Garrett on the edge
41:14as well, like either David Bailey or Ruben Bain, if possible, like those guys, they're also being mocked inside the top five.
41:20I feel like wide receiver is still going to be the top priority for them.
41:25You've got Carnell Tate, you've got Mekhi Lemon, Jordan Tyson.
41:28I think all of those guys should be in play for the Browns with their first pick.
41:33Who knows how quarterback is going to shake out, obviously, but you're not getting a new quarterback this season.
41:39So you worry about that next year, right now.
41:41And at this point, you take a top weapon for that eventual QB1, whether that's Shador Sanders who emerges, Deshaun Watson who
41:48bounces back to form, or whoever it ends up being.
41:51But I think wide receiver, I'm with you, Nate.
41:53I think that's the top spot for me, as well as the Cleveland Browns.
41:58So we'll see if our number two is the same as well, Nate.
42:01Who do you got? I wouldn't be all that surprised.
42:04It's the Raiders for me at number two. Devontae Adams and Jacoby Myers were the top two wide receivers for the Raiders two years ago.
42:12Traded both of them away. So Trey Tucker emerged as the top wide receiver on the depth chart.
42:17They drafted two wide receivers last year in Thornton and Bess.
42:20Neither of them performed all that well as rookies.
42:23I think there's still a chance that they are able to improve this season and be more involved in the offense, which
42:30is a big reason why they're number two and not number one.
42:33They did add Jalen Naylor and free agency. Naylor has been the third wide receiver for the Vikings.
42:38I think he is a five, number two, or number three option.
42:42But right now, at least for me, he's penciled in as the top wide receiver on the depth chart.
42:48So I think wide receiver makes a ton of sense for the Raiders.
42:51The only thing is because they invested in wide receiver a lot in the draft last year.
42:57We'll see how much they invest in it this year, but I think there's that clear path for there to be a
43:03number one wide receiver on the team. And if they don't believe in their wide receivers they drafted last year, I think
43:10they are another team that could draft two wide receivers again this year and both of them be among the top three on the depth chart.
43:17Yeah, same pick, Nate. Also the Raiders here. Raiders and Browns, I mean, I look at 1A and 1B, but I think
43:24with the Browns, they have the more likely chance to spend a first round pick on a wide receiver.
43:29So that's why they get the edge for me as well.
43:33But yeah, Raiders are right there. Like you said, Jack Bash, Dante Thornton, Trey Tucker, Jalen Naylor.
43:38Obviously, round one pick is going to be quarterback.
43:40Can they immediately pair their new quarterback with a solid wide receiver prospect maybe at the start of round two?
43:46Omar Cooper Jr. of Indiana, he's kind of being mocked as like a fringe round one, round two pick.
43:52I would love seeing him kind of reunite with Mendoza as well.
43:56Maybe one of the other potential first rounders falls into that range, whether it's Denzel Boston or Casey Concepcion.
44:01If they like those guys, then that's probably a must here at the start of the second round.
44:07After that, it just depends on who they like.
44:09But to make life easier on Mendoza really is the most important part.
44:13And I think they have to invest in the wide receiver position still.
44:17So I'm with you. I wouldn't be surprised if they spent multiple picks on the wide receiver position.
44:22Ideally, one in the second round. We'll see who's available to them and what makes sense.
44:27But I mean, what does definitely make sense is they need wide receiver help right now.
44:32So, yeah, we got the same top two. Who do you got at number three, Nate?
44:36I have the Jets at number three. Garrett Wilson is the clear top wide receiver for them.
44:42So they do have a top option. But to be fair, the Browns and Raiders do have top receiving options.
44:47They're just at tight end rather than wide receiver.
44:50The Jets had eight different wide receivers run at least 150 routes last season.
44:54Half of them are already off the roster. Where Adoni Mitchell and Isaiah Williams were the second and third wide receivers, at least currently on the depth chart.
45:03Neither of them were on the team even to start last season.
45:06And then Arian Smith's the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart right now.
45:10He led the team in routes while only catching seven passes, which is pretty remarkable.
45:15So the Jets, another team where they don't need a number one wide receiver, but they could use a number two wide receiver.
45:22They could use a number three wide receiver. They do have a decent number of picks early in the draft.
45:28So multiple opportunities to get wide receivers. I wouldn't be surprised if they get one.
45:32And like we mentioned earlier, probably planning on getting a quarterback next year.
45:36So the more weapons they can get for that quarterback now, the better.
45:40So I would not be surprised if they draft at least one wide receiver, if not multiple wide receivers.
45:45And I think there's a chance that this team could have two fantasy relevant wide receivers because I don't think they'll have a fantasy relevant tight end.
45:53Brees Hall is there running back and can catch some passes, but I don't think he'll be the number two receiving options
46:00if they invest heavily enough in a wide receiver.
46:03Yeah, I like the Jets spot. They're on my list.
46:05They weren't three, but I put a team with similar kind of ideas like looking for a wide receiver to in that
46:12offense at my number three spot here. And that was the New Orleans Saints.
46:16They got Chris Olave as the clear kind of wide receiver one.
46:20They added Travis Etienne for the backfield. This offseason, we'll see what happens with Kamara, but also an offense that I think,
46:26you know, depending on what happens with quarterback, like I said, Tyler Shuck, who knows if he's going to be, you know, the franchise guy or not.
46:34But I think if you find that out by adding more pieces for him to be, you know, to have to use
46:41as weapons in that offense, in Kellen Moore's offense, where we've seen Kellen Moore have success, you know, in the passing game, especially before as a play caller.
46:49I think there's potential there for somebody else next to Chris Olave to have success.
46:54I know they got Devon Vele, who they added last season during the year, and he's been fine.
46:59They got, you know, other guys like Mason Tipton.
47:02They've, you know, taken a shot on like Jalen Polk.
47:05Like there's not really like that clear wide receiver two for me next to Olave.
47:09And I think having a consistent option in that passing game, I think has potential there.
47:14So, yeah, I'm with you. Like I think the Jets, the Saints, not to spoil it, but I think there's some other
47:20teams as well where wide receiver two makes a lot of sense to add in this draft and to have some potential.
47:27And then the Saints were just kind of the one for me that I think I would have liked to see the most right now.
47:34Fair. I had the Saints fifth on my list.
47:37The only reason that they were a little bit lower for me is I still have a little bit of faith in
47:43Vele of potentially emerging as a clear number two option.
47:46He has graded well, just not on the largest sample size.
47:50He really didn't do much most of last season, but the last four weeks before he suffered an injury, he was getting
47:56a bit more involved in the offense and finding success there.
47:59So because I think there's still a chance he could emerge as the number two wide receiver, they weren't quite as high for me on the list.
48:07But like you said, a definite need for at least a third wide receiver there who could see significant playing time and
48:14eventually surpass Bailey on the depth chart. And then I thought it was also worth mentioning that that rookie wide receiver could
48:20end up being the leader in targets on the team at the end of the season.
48:25Because Chris Olave does have that history of concussions that scared a lot of people from drafting him last season in fantasy drafts.
48:32But just because he didn't have a concussion last year doesn't mean that history of concussions isn't there.
48:37So there's still some risk with Olave. Juwan Johnson, the tight end who's been playing well, but he will be 30 before the start of the season.
48:45And Kellen Moore is historically limited running backs in the passing game.
48:49So if Olave were to suffer a concussion, there's a chance that a rookie drafted by the Saints could end up leading
48:55the team in targets at the end of the season.
48:58So even though I think there's a chance they could be third on the depth chart to start the season, there is
49:05a chance of that really high upside situation with the Saints.
49:08Thanks. Yeah. So same page there, Nate. For number four for you, who did you end up going with?
49:14A four I put the Tennessee Titans. They have a similar two of the Raiders in that they have four guys who
49:20are penciled in as the top four on the depth chart.
49:24And I was a little concerned putting them in because they drafted two wide receivers last year.
49:29But there's a clear need for a number one wide receiver because they have Calvin Ridley, who only has one season with a PFF grade above 75.
49:37So he is much better suited as a number two option.
49:40Wanda Robinson they added in free agency. He's been a better slot option.
49:44He did get more involved with the Giants offense last year, but he's not a number one wide receiver.
49:49They drafted the two wide receivers in the fourth round last year.
49:53But I was a little more okay, including them, similar to the Raiders, because they did change coaching staff.
49:59So it's not the same coaches who drafted these wide receivers that are currently coaching them.
50:03So there's a chance that the human or DK could get more involved in the offense and potentially emerge as a number one option.
50:11So it's a little weird in that if they draft a wide receiver and wait for the second or third round, that
50:17wide receiver might start the season fifth on the depth chart.
50:20But there's definitely a lot of room to move up at wide receiver.
50:24So Tennessee was the fourth option for me. Yep, they are the fourth option for me as well, Nate.
50:30It's just, I'm with you. Like Wanda Robinson, nice little addition there.
50:33Not necessarily a wide receiver one. Calvin Ridley has not really been a wide receiver one really outside of, you know, small spurts in his career.
50:41Eleko Uminor I think is fine, but more of a depth option.
50:45Same thing. Chimray DK, you know, special teams guy as well.
50:48So they're picking fourth. I mean, maybe they like one of these wide receivers enough to spend a top five pick on
50:54them, in which case, yeah, they would absolutely be the wide receiver one.
50:58They obviously invested the first overall pick in Cam Ward last year.
51:02You want to make sure that you have the weapons for him.
51:05I, yeah, everything you said, I'm in 100% agreeance with Nate.
51:09I think Tennessee still makes sense as a team that absolutely should be looking to add a true wide receiver one to this offense.
51:16And, yes, surround Cam Ward with the best offense that they can.
51:19And I think he's just missing that wide receiver one right now.
51:23I think he can make an argument that may be a tight end as well.
51:27But I think wide receiver definitely the more valuable position.
51:30I don't think anybody would disagree with that. So, yeah, I'm with you.
51:34I think Tennessee is absolutely in that spot. So, really, so far, only what the one difference for us in here so far.
51:41Just the ordering, yeah. Yeah, just the ordering, right?
51:44So, I'll just go with my fifth one here because I'm thinking it's maybe a little bit different because I'm, again, thinking long term.
51:51But I went with the Denver Broncos. You know, Cortland Sutton has been solid.
51:55But there's, I think, little consistency from the rest of the wide receiver group.
51:59And, you know, as much as I love Troy Franklin and I think Pat Bryant, you know, has potential.
52:05They haven't been, I guess, like overly encouraging so far.
52:08So, I think there's still reason to add there.
52:10You know, they're drafting late first, late second. I think late first could be really fun depending on who they like in that range.
52:17Like, I think there's potential there in Denver to continue improving that offense.
52:21Because, obviously, the defense has been the strength of that roster over the past couple of seasons.
52:26The offense has been good. But I think there's, it could be even better.
52:31And I think what it's missing is at least some consistency at the wide receiver position.
52:35Arguably outside of Cortland Sutton because he has been good.
52:38But I think, you know, whoever it ends up being at the end of the first, because that's where I'm kind of picturing them drafting.
52:46Outside of that, I don't know that there's necessarily a great option.
52:49Like, end of the second, end of the third.
52:52We'll see. But end of the first round pick, I think, for Denver, adding a wide receiver there, I think could be fun.
52:59And I think could be somebody that emerges, you know, as wide receiver two this season.
53:03Potentially as a wide receiver one in future seasons for that offense if they hit.
53:08So, yeah, Denver kind of just made the cut for me.
53:11How do you feel about them? And then what's your number five?
53:15I guess your number five is Saints. Yeah, sorry.
53:17Yeah, my five was the Saints. But I agree.
53:20The Broncos were right there for me. I definitely considered putting them at five.
53:24They're an interesting team in that sudden bend there.
53:27He's been consistent. He's been the number one guy, but they could probably use a better number one guy.
53:33I think the one thing that led me to not include them is because Pat Bryant, as a rookie, rated decently well,
53:39especially with where he was drafted as a rookie.
53:42So I think he can continue to improve and at least be that number two guy in the offense.
53:47So I think they have at least two of their top three guys.
53:51Because Marvin Mims has done fine at times, even though they won't give him more playing time for whatever reason, unless it's the playoffs.
53:58So we'll see if he gets more playing time this year.
54:02But I do think they could add a wide receiver and that could definitely help their offense and potentially move on from
54:08Sutton eventually and have Pat Bryant and some other guy be the top two guys in the offense long term.
54:14But because the Saints had a more clear need at wide receiver, but the Broncos potentially a better landing spot with Bo Nix at quarterback.
54:21Nice. Yeah. So, yeah. Did you have one other team in your top five?
54:26No, I went through all my pie. Okay. Yeah, that's right.
54:29Okay. Nice. Okay. So, yeah. I mean, yeah, there's other spots, you know, like I think Washington, you know, looking at teams
54:35that also could maybe use like a wide receiver to just like honorable mentions, like Atlanta, I think is one that only have really Drake London right now.
54:44And then, you know, Washington also across from Terry McLaurin at Depot Samuel, still a free agent.
54:49And, yeah, I mean, we'll see what happens in Philadelphia with the A.J.
54:53Brown situation. Maybe there's some movement there. If he goes, then maybe there's another need for another wide receiver.
54:58Baltimore, I was looking at like, say, Flowers, Rashad Bateman, Devontes Walker, like those are the guys.
55:03But again, maybe could use some help there. But, yeah, it didn't really make the cut for me.
55:09So, those were our top picks. But, Nate, let's wrap it up with the tight ends now.
55:14We did, again, top three spots for the tight end, just like the quarterback position because it is a smaller position group.
55:20And, yeah, I'll be interested to know who your number one is for the tight ends.
55:25Yeah, a little part of the reason why Denver wasn't included at number five wide receiver is I did put Denver as my number one for tight end.
55:33I think tight end, there was just a little bit of movement at tight end and free agency, a lot of movement in terms of blocking tight ends.
55:42But most of the teams have a receiving tight end, either the receiving tight end that they had last year or they
55:48brought in a new receiving tight end. So, no clear and obvious team like there was at wide receiver.
55:54But I think Denver, Evan Ingram didn't really pan out last year, only had one game with more than 45 receiving yards, only one touchdown on the season.
56:02He's going to be 32 years old before the start of the season.
56:06So, I think there's definitely a need for a receiving tight end.
56:09It might be difficult for them to overtake Evan Ingram immediately.
56:13But, again, being the tight end for Bo Nix, I think, would be very valuable.
56:17Sean Payton has had a lot of tight ends that have had some sort of fantasy value, even though their playing time has always been limited.
56:25So, that's always been frustrated that their ceilings been capped a little bit.
56:29But I think they're still capable of drafting a tight end for them being a fantasy starting tight end in Denver.
56:35So, even though they're not the team that I think maybe most absolutely needs one, I think, in this case, the opportunity
56:41to play in this offense with this coach, with this quarterback, with some limited opportunities at wide receiver.
56:47That's what led me to put Denver as my top spot.
56:50Nice. Yeah, I like that. Denver was not in my top three, but they were on my list as potential options as well.
56:57Yeah, it's interesting, right? We'll talk about it eventually.
57:00But I'm not overly excited about this tight end class.
57:03I think I struggle with this one a little bit because there's really only two guys that I was looking for potential
57:09spots to come in and be fantasy assets, right?
57:12But I think one of the ones that stood out to me, too, was Miami.
57:16Now, they're drafting 11th overall in the first round.
57:19So, they're not going to spend a pick on a tight end there.
57:23But 43rd, so second round, I think could be a nice spot for a potential tight end.
57:28Obviously, they had Darren Waller. They had some success with him last year.
57:32But it's a new coaching staff as well. So, we'll see how that offense runs and how important the tight end position becomes for them.
57:39But I think there could be somebody, whether it is Kenyon Sadiq, who I guess is likely going to be a first round pick.
57:46But Stowers as well, Eli Stowers, I liked a fair bit.
57:49And he's been somebody that's moved up in the consensus mock drafts as well.
57:54He was like 80th a few weeks ago. He's moved up to like 49th.
57:58So, he's kind of in that range there for Miami to be a potential option on the board for a position in need.
58:05So, Miami was one for me that I think there could be some need there, especially with just really Jalen Waddell as the top receiving option.
58:12They let Tyree Kill go. So, if they could bring in a receiving type tight end, then there could be some fantasy production out of that spot.
58:20Fair. His and Iden is Greg Daltchitz did resign with Miami, and he graded fairly well as a receiver last season.
58:26An 80.6 receiving grade, which was among the top 12 for tight ends.
58:30So, it was on a relatively small sample size.
58:33He only played 10 games for them, only at 31 targets.
58:36So, because it's a small sample size, they could definitely move on to a different tight end.
58:41But he did play well given the opportunities. And while it is a new head coach, Bobby Slokes, the offensive coordinator, he
58:48was an assistant there last year with Greg playing well.
58:51So, I wouldn't be surprised if that is the at least short-term plan for a tight end for Miami this season.
58:57And I think he is someone who can be a fantasy sleeper, not someone you want to draft to be a starter.
59:04But in the late rounds of drafts, I think there are definitely worse tight ends that you can get that are starting tight ends in the NFL.
59:12So, that's fair. Yeah. Okay. Who did you have as your number two landing spot for a tight ending?
59:17Number two was Carolina. I think them and Denver were the two teams for me that definitely need a receiving tight end.
59:24They have Tommy Trimble and Jatavian Sanders. Out of all the tight ends to run at least 500 routes over the last
59:30two seasons, they have the two worst grades out of the 37 tight ends in terms of receiving.
59:36So, I think they have the biggest need for a tight end in that they don't have someone who's shown that they can be a starter.
59:43The only reason I had Carolina lower than Denver is because Dave Canales doesn't have a strong history of throwing to tight ends in the past.
59:51Ideally, having a better tight end would improve that.
59:54But that's only the main reason why they were number two rather than number one, even though I think there's a more
60:00immediate need for a receiving tight end in Carolina than Denver.
60:03Yeah, Carolina was number three for me as well, Nate.
60:06I think where they're picking 19th, 51st in those first two rounds, there's kind of good spots for whichever tight end they like the most.
60:14I think depending on how they view that as a need, like you said, the reason they dropped for me is just
60:20I don't know how much of a need it is for that offense in particular, the tight end position.
60:26But I'm with you. I could see them being a great spot as well if there is somebody that emerges there as a really solid option in Carolina.
60:34But yeah, I also like, you know, I still don't mind Jatavion Sanders, but I know he hasn't been great.
60:40So there's there's the reason they can't they crack the top three, but also the reason they weren't number two for me
60:47because I put number two is Tennessee. Again, not going to be a first round pick fourth overall is where they're drafting.
60:53But they're also drafting early second round. There's some and early third round depending on who's available.
60:58Like they lost Chico Conquo this past offseason. And then, you know, they brought in Daniel Bellinger as well for for Brian Dable's offense.
61:05And I think is, you know, he's fine. I don't necessarily know that he's like a tight end one.
61:11So if they do find somebody that they really like, I don't think that should stop them from adding at the position.
61:18They do have a bunch of tight ends on the roster, though.
61:21So I'm not in love with the spot. I'm not in love with any of the spots really for tight end just
61:28because I also don't think there's any locked, you know, a real lock for fantasy potential in this tight end class.
61:34But I could see Tennessee again, you know, just on the same kind of rationale of adding weapons to Cam Ward's offense.
61:40I think if they were to bring in somebody that isn't a wide receiver, then tight end also makes sense here.
61:47So, yeah, Tennessee just just kind of made the cut for me as well.
61:51But not none of these teams I'm really overly excited about.
61:54But, yeah, how do you feel about Tennessee? And I guess who's your last pick for the group?
61:59Yeah, I definitely consider Tennessee because they were the one team that lost receiving tight end and didn't add a clear receiving tight end.
62:07But similar to Washington at running back, the fact that they've added a couple of guys at tight end told me that
62:13they probably aren't planning on drafting a tight end.
62:16So that's why I didn't include them in my top three, because one day I had a Daniel Bellinger, who was with Brian Dayball back with the Giants.
62:24So there's definitely experience there. So I think he'll be one of the top three tight ends.
62:29Connor Helm will at least be one of the top three tight ends.
62:33They added Colin Granson, the former Eagles tight end.
62:36And before that was with the Colts. So I could make the roster.
62:39And then David Martin Robinson graded well as a blocking tight end.
62:43So I'm not sure they could add a tight end and probably have four on the roster the entire season.
62:49But the fact that they have added two recently when they had two decent young tight ends last season suggests to me
62:56that they aren't going to get one. So I still had to get creative with my third tight end spot because, like
63:02you said, lots of teams already have the receiving tight end.
63:05But I went with the Kansas City Chiefs for my third tight end spot.
63:09One, Travis Kelsey is the oldest tight end in the NFL.
63:13So a very good chance that he retires at the end of the season and they need a tight end of the future.
63:20But also Kansas City is in the top three in terms of teams that use 12 personnel on passing downs over the past two seasons.
63:27The other two teams, the Ravens with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.
63:31And then the Raiders with Bowers and Michael Mayer.
63:33With Kansas City, Noah Gray's been that second tight end option.
63:36But he hasn't graded all that well as a receiver.
63:39With the addition of Kenneth Walker, I could see them using 12 personnel even more.
63:44And we have seen the past two years, any time that they were lighter at wide receiver, whether it was an injury
63:50or something, that they ended up using more 12 personnel.
63:53So they are a team that is a little thin at wide receiver right now.
63:58So we could see the Kansas City Chiefs being the team that uses 12 personnel the most on passing downs out of
64:04any team because Baltimore has a new coaching staff, doesn't have likely any more chance.
64:09The Raiders are also up there in terms of how often they pass the ball on 12 personnel.
64:14But I think Kansas City, based on what they've done in the past, could very well be there.
64:19And if they invest in a rookie tight end, that would make sense for them to use that a lot on passing downs as well.
64:27So while it's very rare for a team to have two fantasy relevant tight ends at the same time, it's at least possible.
64:34So we could see a tight end, especially in deeper leagues, emerging there and then beyond 2026 being the tight end of
64:40the future for Kansas City, catching passes from Patrick Mahomes when they throw more to tight ends than anyone else, in part because they've had Kelsey.
64:48But we could see another tight end still being a very significant part of the offense in the future.
64:54Yep. Makes sense. Like you said, Kelsey not likely to play beyond this year.
64:58I wasn't even sure that he was going to play this season, but he's back.
65:02So maybe this does feel like the last season for him.
65:05And yeah, you got at least a succession plan there.
65:08And yeah, tight end was tough because Philly brought back Dallas Goddard on a one-year deal.
65:13Tampa Bay brought back Kate Otten on a three-year deal.
65:16Even Washington, I thought, was a potential spot. They signed Chico Conquo.
65:20Giant signed Isaiah Likely, right? So there was spots that could have been good, but they all kind of got filled up in free agency.
65:27So yeah, I found tight end was a tough one.
65:30But yeah, I like those picks that we kind of highlighted.
65:33But maybe other people have other ideas. So let us know in the comments as well.
65:38But that's going to do it for today. So thank you all for tuning in.
65:43If you're watching on the YouTube, please don't forget to like and subscribe.
65:46Leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts as well.
65:49We'd greatly appreciate that. But Nate, thank you to you as well.
65:53Please do let everybody know what you got going on over at PFF.com.
65:56Sure. With free agency pretty much done. I did update my rankings.
66:00You can see all the rankings on the website, but also had the PPR rankings and article form go up on Monday.
66:07Also had a recap of all free agency. I know I had a couple of different articles last week recapping different days
66:13of free agency, but have an overall one-up now that covers everything and updates everything for all the moves that happened.
66:19Also, if you want to see this in article form, we'll have this in article form up later this week.
66:25And then we'll continue covering rankings, start covering the rookies a whole lot more starting next week as well.
66:31So definitely starting to look more and more at the rookie class and looking at dynasty stuff.
66:36Yeah, looking forward to it. Yeah, we're going to cover a lot of rookie stuff in the weeks ahead, obviously leading up
66:42to the NFL draft and then afterwards as well as people are doing their rookie draft.
66:47So yeah, tune in for all of that. And then for me, what do we got?
66:52I got this week how each running back in this 2026 class performed by different situations.
66:57So again, stack boxes from zone or man run concepts or gap scheme run concepts on third downs and receiving down.
67:03So it kind of breaks down how everybody performed in this class in those different situations.
67:08That'll be an article over on pff.com. Going to do the same thing with the wide receivers and their different situations.
67:14We've done that for the past few years for both of those positions.
67:18And yeah, just providing some extra detail and context for how these running backs and wide receivers produced in their college careers.
67:24And then I'll be doing the updated versions of the rookie models as well as updated draft capital.
67:30Expected draft capital that is comes in and just kind of updating their scores and then adding some more players and in-depth
67:36analysis on their prospect profiles as well. As yeah, we get closer and closer to the NFL draft.
67:41So make sure you check those all out at pff.com.
67:44But thank you everybody for tuning in. And until next time, peace out.
67:48If you like the show, please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe.
67:52It really does help the show to grow. Thank you for listening.