0:00Here we are. Who would have guessed?
0:04Football's upon us. Training camps have opened. People are catching and not catching passes. Coming up lame, coming up short. People are going on pup and
0:12not all.
0:13>> People are being told to tie their shoes.
0:15>> People are being told to tie their shoes. Not me. I wear Vans for that very reason. I'm Bob Harris. He's Matt
0:21Walman. This is the Feel It [ __ ] Podcast. happy to have you on board as we start getting, you know, maybe a a
0:27little bit of >> trickles, >> semiactionable intelligence or at least some things that can kind of start setting the battlefield from what we
0:35last heard. It's been over a month since we've had real information from practice fields, football fields. And so, uh, now we're getting some of that and we can
0:43start going through it. And it's always a joyous occasion because it is the start of football which I think uh real
0:48football snaps and anger is still far enough away that we can discuss some of these things with a little speculative nature and also we can uh talk about
0:57what Matt Wman's going on at mattwalman.com with the rookie scouting portfolio >> that and Bob and what's going on at footballguys.com.
1:03Yes. So, we well, let's see. We're getting ready for the August 10th update for the um rankings and projections for subscribers to that $24.99 service. You
1:14can get it now. You'll get the June update when you get it. Um I will mail it, email you the um link and password
1:23to access that within about 24 hours of purchase. And that's the case whenever you purchase the RSP projections and um dynasty rankings. you get um long-term
1:34and or long build and short build win now type of rankings. Um two of those along with projections for every player
1:42that I think is going to make a roster um for every team. So they're tabbed by team. Um and then you get a linear
1:49ranking with some with maybe a sentence or two of commentary for each of the 350 to 400 players that are going to be
1:56ranked in both the win now and long build. Then of course there is the RSP, you know, draft guide and the the
2:05post-draft guide. Both are still things that I would highly recommend. It's probably the the gateway um product that I would recommend most. Um, especially
2:17because it kind of removes all the the the be I call it [ __ ] but I know that everybody likes to have, you know, the
2:25small little adjustments here and there about every little news item. And I certainly do that for you in the projections and the postdraft and I mean
2:33the projections and the rankings. But um I like the rankings that I put out postdraft and often tend to draft the
2:41cheat sheet that's used with that in dynasty leagues because it's it's more rooted in film study and in long term and you know long-term thought and not
2:50reactionary thinking. You can get that the pre-draft and post-draft for 1995 at mountwaldman.com.
2:57Um, so you know, a lot of people get that both of those products between now and the end of August. Find that very
3:04worthwhile. Um, and then, you know, just put out something on Kenneth Gainwell at the gut check um, column that I do at
3:11football guys. We're nearing about 700 of those. Um, not nearly probably about halfway to what Bob's written in his lifetime. Um, in terms of features.
3:21Yeah. No, in terms of if we do news bits, he writes that in a week. um you know, but um that's what I'm doing.
3:28Rankings, you know, updated some rankings last night. Um we'll continue to do that. And of course, you know, with Bob Harris, what you know, like I
3:37said, you know, I mean, he's probably done 700 of these things, you know, in the past week, if not the past two days.
3:43So, what do you >> also done this?
3:45>> Yes.
3:46>> Football Guys draft guide 2026 is available. award-winning uh huge coffee table [laughter] worthy book worthy edition with great articles by many of
3:56the people that you've come to know and love at football guys including Mr. Matt Waldman. So check that out. Order it
4:01now. Uh you get a nice delivery setup now. Priority mail, tracking number, everything. So you can follow it along as it makes its way right into your
4:08grubby little paws. So congratulations for that.
4:11>> It could block Aaron Donald, >> huh?
4:13>> It could block Aaron Donald.
4:15>> It could block Aaron Donald. There's no doubt about it. Easily. Um, also, uh, fantasy notebooks going up. There won't be one this week. I got some things
4:22going on. There won't be me. I won't be here next week. Uh, but I will be back at some point unless Matt Wallally picks
4:28me. We'll figure that out.
4:29>> Maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe. In the meantime, uh, let's get down. And by the way, the rankings, Matt's rankings are fantastic in football, guys. They've
4:36each got a comment. I steal about half of those comments every week to, uh, write my articles. So, it's a great way
4:42for me to to get ahead of the curve.
4:44But, you should read his comments are always fantastic. Nice nice addition on Football Guys. Little bonus attraction.
4:50Uh when you check the rankings, check Matt's comments. They are worth the price of admission alone. Um so let's dive in. There's things going on, things
4:58that we can start talking about. One of those things is Josh DS. Um the talk is that he's going to play a more prominent
5:05role. We've heard this before. I mean, he's been serviceable as a slot receiver. for mass kind of finished in the the just outside the wide receiver
5:13three territory but with weeks you know where you could where he is playable and uh he had one good season 72 catch 83
5:20yards in 2024 five touchdowns but the crowded uh crowded uh receiving core kind of kind of hit him last year this
5:28year it's less crowded Michael Pitman Jr's gone and there's talk that he's going to play more outside and some inside um top 24 season possible feel it
5:36or [ __ ] it >> oh I think It's possible. I'm feeling that. But I would say the baseline for him is still wide receiver 4 in fantasy.
5:44Um, right now I haven't projected it as wide receiver 48 or ranked at wide receiver 48, but I think that that's
5:51more his his floor than it is his ceiling. I have him at about 114 targets, close to 80 um close to 80
6:00receptions, about 850 yards, and leading the team in touchdowns was seven. Um, I just I could see how he'll be some being
6:09able to play outside and inside. He'll be very good in the red zone. Teams will be more focused on Tyler Warren this
6:15year. Um, so I think that we could see a situation where DS is, you know, vying for the lead in that category. And I
6:23think that's what puts him in an area where, you know, wide receiver 48 sounds low, but say he does get to 125, 140
6:34targets and becomes the the wide receiver one cuz maybe Alec Pierce doesn't get doesn't heal up fast enough or that Tyler Warren gets exposed a
6:43little bit more in terms of game plans trying to stop him and they're able to do that a little bit better, especially
6:51if Daniel Jones isn't all the way back right away. You know, all those down scenarios could prop up um Josh Downs to
7:01an area where now he's a wide receiver, too. Um but I think it's going to take a lot of those ifs for it to happen.
7:08>> Yeah, I think, you know, it's it's funny over the last few years talking to some of the beat writers, James Boyd from The
7:13Athletic in particular has really been a big, you know, like, man, this guy can be very good. Uh but, you know,
7:18acknowledged last year that the struggle was real with just all the targets who were there. Uh, I think you're right.
7:23The the Alec Pierce and Daniel Jones situation. Daniel Jones is cleared. He's going to be practicing fully. I don't know if he'll take part in 11on1vens.
7:31Uh, Patrick Mahomes is fully cleared. He won't be doing that. And that's probably the smart choice. I'm hoping they go easy with Daniel Jones as well. This
7:37offense averaged 31 points a game in his 10 fully healthy games. Then he fractured the fibula and they kind of dropped off to oh, 28 points. We were
7:46still pretty happy, but the whole thing went off the cliff then. And you're right about Alec Pierce. I'm hoping he gets on the field early. I'm probably
7:53still drafting him more aggressively than I'm drafting >> uh downs just because I think there's more upside there, you know, when he
8:01gets back and the price is really good.
8:03So, but I'm with you. I think I think this is a case where where you know, like James White kept think kept
8:09predicting until last year that that DS would be the most targeted receiver. It wouldn't surprise him if DS was the most
8:16targeted receiver. I don't think that's going to happen, but I think the targets that you mentioned, you know, I think like 100 targets might be possible for
8:24him.
8:26>> So, it's it's funny because I have I do have Downs as the most targeted receiver, but I have Pierce not that far
8:33away, like 114 to 91. Um, and really Pierce is third. I've got Warren at 95.
8:40Um, but I think it's going to be one of those deals where what you alluded to, Bob, is great is that
8:46>> Pierce is dropped because of the prognosis for when he's going to start, but once he gets on the field and he
8:51rounds in the shape, he's going to be the man.
8:54>> He is. You didn't They didn't pay himund what 134 million to not be the wide receiver one. They reset the market
9:03basically for guys in his in his price range. So, you're 100% right there. And we'll see what Tyler Warren does. Maybe
9:08a more maybe a busier year for him as well. I think your numbers are are not far off. Numbers should be off the
9:13charts for one Tedaro McMillan. You have been pounding the table uh here at the Fel It or [ __ ] It podcast, feeling the
9:21usage in the slot, the big slot role, and we're hearing that that's going to be the plan. Uh wide receiver one, feel
9:28it or [ __ ] it.
9:29>> I'm much more amendable to feeling this now. I'm all last year I was like, "Yeah, [ __ ] that." and he ended up being
9:35on the edge of a wide receiver one close to that last year. Depending on your league, he was a wide receiver one um
9:42depending on the size of it. But to me, his biggest failing as a wide receiver, and I wouldn't even call it a failing,
9:49just a weakness. Everyone has weaknesses with their game, um except Bob Harris, of course, but the McMillan was um really had trouble getting off the line
10:00of scrimmage against press whenever they pressed him. that was a problem and they didn't do it very often. Um the only guy
10:07who could actually win press last year on that team was Jaylen Coker. Um so adding Chris Brazzle who is eventually going to be able to do the same things
10:17that Coker can do on that level and offer a little bit more downfield possibly really is a boon. And I thought
10:24this would be a boon for McMillan if the Panthers were seeing what I was seeing.
10:28And I'd have to think they were absolutely seeing that and more. Um, and they did because when Canales came out or the the team came out and it's
10:36reports that they expect to put him out McMillan out there in the slot a lot more. Well, it makes sense because when
10:42you looked at the tape last year, they often schemed McMillan into situations where he would face a linebacker or a safety or a corner playing off so that
10:52he didn't have to win at the line of scrimmage. Um, so now this is more of a Drake London situation instead of him
10:59having like a T. Higginslike upside where it's like, yeah, he's a wide receiver, too, that everybody says, oh, he could be a wide receiver one cuz we
11:08saw him make contested catches. Um, now we're looking at a guy like like Drake London when London's in the slot. And
11:15you could see if the quarterback situation continues to improve and the offense improves overall, McMillan could wind up with Londonlike targets and that
11:25puts him in the top five possibly as a as a ceiling. I don't think it's happening this year. I'd say he's more
11:32of a low-end wide receiver one at best.
11:34Um, but you've solidified they've solidified what they need to do with McMillan [clears throat] and identified who he really is and I
11:42think that's going to maximize his skills. I think you have to feel when you're talking about Drake London's targets, you have to differentiate
11:50between Penn's targets and the rest of the rough targets because Michael Penn has eyes for nobody else. So, we'll see what happens there, right? Tankoa is
11:59your starter as it seems likely early in the season. We'll see what goes on there. Jonathan Brooks, woohoo, all aboard the hype train. Let's go, Matt.
12:08>> Yeah, absolutely. You know, we refurbished it. We we we uh you know we basically reinforced the chassis a little bit and made sure that the uh
12:18that the suspension system is working just fine and apparently it's running at top speeds now like it used to. Um so
12:26look listen I mean Chuba Hubard's been a nice story. He's developed well um since his days at Oklahoma State where he was
12:33kind of more of a Forest Gumpian type of runner um where you needed to point him in the right direction and tell him to
12:40move hard and fast and he pretty much would do that anyway but you know he improved his decision-making over the years. Brooks to me Brooks was up there
12:49with guys like um you know guys like Bejian Robinson like um Jir Gibbs. Now, both of those guys,
13:00when I say up there like that, I'm not talking about their quick twitch athletic skills, um, and their ability to make flashy moves that, you know,
13:09Brett Coleman will show on highlight videos somewhere or someone else will show those type of videos on YouTube and, you know, give you mythological
13:17music and, you know, all of that thing where you can fetishize the athleticism.
13:21Um, you know, but in terms of smarts, if you want someone who's going to fetishize the smarts and footwork and the contact balance, well, you know, I'm
13:32here for that. That's right up my alley.
13:34Um, so, so, and Brooks is Brooks is definitely that. He's one of the smarter runners to come out of the draft. He's a
13:41he's one of the best pass blockers. He's a very good receiver. um one of those guys that if Carolina can build a lead
13:51and they can just hand the ball to him and that O line is doing well, this is the type of closeout back that's going
13:57to scare defenses shitless. Um you know, kind of in the Jonathan Taylor type of mold, but he's more he's he's kind of in
14:06between Bejon and Jonathan Taylor in terms of like um movement skills, but not as explosive as either of those guys. I'm I'm trying to think of a back
14:16that I have to go back and look where I compare who I compared him to in the RSP, but definitely a guy that I'm
14:23looking at now at 200 carries based on what we heard. It was more of an even split. Now I think it's going to be 200
14:31to 210 carries for Brooks. Hubard probably somewhere around 120 to 125. So you're looking at, you know, closer to 900 yards for Brooks, closer to 500
14:42yards for Hubard. and Brooks outscoring him two to one in touchdowns at least in the the running game. And I I think
14:50he'll actually outpoint Hubard in the passing game, too. Um so, but I think it's going to be a closer margin. So,
14:57for me, Brooks now becomes a guy that you put up there, you start looking at him with guys like JK Dobbins or Bashel
15:04Tutin, you know, in terms of where you would rank him.
15:07>> He's actually going ahead of Dobbins right now. um right behind Kenny Gainwell, Rico Da, RJ Harvey, Roer Stevenson. I would probably take him
15:15ahead of some of those. He's moved up.
15:17He's he's like in the last what month he's gone from >> right around the running back 40 range to running back 34. Uh meanwhile, Chuba
15:27Hubard's dropping, but not as fast as Brooks is rising. So, there's still a little inefficiency there. If you're drafting today, you might want to take
15:34that into account. that somebody drafts Chuba Hubard. Maybe that's your trip wire to say, "Ah, go ahead and take my share of Jonathan Brooks here." Uh,
15:41they're going about what, 20 picks apart right now. 72nd pick overall. So, sixth round, 95th overall for Brooks. So, uh, reap that V, reap that value while you
15:51can. I feel that and I totally agree with all that. Uh, here we go. Speaking about hype, uh, Cyrus Allen had a good
15:58day of practice in Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes is looking his way. Should we take his fantasy potential in 2026 seriously? feel it or [ __ ] that.
16:06>> Um, I will say we should take his dynasty potential seriously. I'm going to say unless there's injuries across the board, [ __ ] that. I like Cyrus Allen
16:15in terms of he's an intriguing player in a tank dell type of mode. Um, and people will be excited about that. But we also
16:23heard a month ago Jaylen Royals was really literally taking over that Rashi Rice role while Rice was g gone. And we
16:32know that Taquan Thornton's a proven commodity. Xavier Worthy continues to be a guy that they're very invested in.
16:39Travis Kelce, maybe next year he's going somewhere, but he's not he's not going anywhere this year. And he's got a near
16:46telepathic bond with Patrick Mahomes.
16:49So, for me, Allen's going to have to rely on a lot of injuries. Keep an eye on him. Um, but this is not a guy I'd be
16:56drafting.
16:57>> I like the attitude. What was the comment? You know, he said he's working to build chemistry with Mahomes. This isn't college anymore. This is big boy
17:04ball. I'm on Mahomes time and everything is very precise. So, at least he understands the assignment. That's half the battle, right? So, so I'm with you.
17:14Dynasty >> talks a good talk. I like it.
17:16>> Dynasty Stash for sure. Uh I'm a Booty guy. Long have been. Kahan Booty is someone I love. He's making huge plays.
17:24I thought you were gonna say Josh Booty, but >> actually they're they're just big plays.
17:28But I think the translation here is he is available for trade. Somebody come get him, please. Feel that or [ __ ] it.
17:35>> I absolutely feel that though. I hope I wish I just wish that the the New England Patriots would take their head
17:43out of their ass and actually decide that you know what, forget Kyle Williams for now. Forget Deario Douglas. Put Kahan Booty in the
17:55slot, put AJ Brown in flanker, put Romeo Dubs at X, and you actually have one of the better receiving cores um in the
18:04league. Maybe not the best. Maybe there's maybe outside the top five, but still a damn good receiving core. And Booty could literally be like you could
18:15wind up being like your second leading receiver after Brown in that mix. He might even be your leading guy if you
18:23wanted him to be. It's just insane to me that they decided that they're going to make this Clydesdale uh like a racehorse
18:31and he's actually beating half the field um in that capacity. Um so I whoever gets him is is stealing him if you ask
18:41me. But that's you know we'll see what happens. This is the NFL and weird [ __ ] happens.
18:47>> Come on commanders, we're all waiting.
18:49Don't sign a retra. Get yourself something young and fresh now.
18:53>> Yep.
18:53>> Uh so yeah, we'll see.
18:55>> Atlanta could use them. Jesus.
18:56>> Atlanta could use them for sure. There's a handful of teams like like there's there's a universe where you could say
19:01the Kansas City Chiefs could use a certain type of wide receiver.
19:05>> Yeah, that would be that definitely in this universe, you know?
19:10>> Kind of like the thing and and the thing in Marvel. Is it DC comics or in or Marvel? Marvel.
19:16>> I don't know. like if he's the thing they're, you know, they're they're the Fantastic Four, so that could work.
19:23>> I'm with you there. All right, let's move on to >> All right, >> let's move on to [laughter] Let's move
19:28on to some some less enjoyable conversation. Uh Shawn McVey putting us all on notice that that we're going to see a lot more Blake Corm. Could we see
19:35a 5050 split with Kairen Williams? Feel it or [ __ ] it?
19:39>> I'm gonna say ultimately [ __ ] it. But I but I think in theory, yes. I absolutely feel that because Blake Corm I thought
19:45was one of the better running backs of his draft class. Um, and he's he certainly has the vision, the quick
19:54footwork, the the the short area burst and and change of direction skill, and he's a hard runner. He knows how to
20:02finish. He's a smart player. It's just that Kairen Williams has been so um reliable and equally skilled in those departments in the pro game. So I think
20:14they they look at this and say, "Well, we've got to keep Corm motivated and involved." Williams, we eventually we know we're not going to resign him. It's
20:24just going to be not going to be cost-effective for what we do down the line. They're both the same age. Um, so
20:31we'll probably roll with Cororm if he's got a little if he's a little fresher.
20:35Um, so I look at it as this. If I'm going to project it right now, the Rams are getting are probably going to give
20:42um running backs about 415 T um runs for about 2,000 yards worth of um, you know, production in the running
20:52game. Probably 16 touchdowns. and then another 64 targets, 45 catches for about 300 to 320 yards. Mainly because you
21:02know that they don't they don't throw much to backs because they use them as foils in the play action game. I see
21:09Williams getting about 230 of those 415 attempts and Cororm at about 175. And then you've got a 175 for Williams,
21:19about 800, probably 875 to 900 yards for Cororum and a 97 touchdown split. It's pretty even. Um, but the difference but
21:29I would say the difference is about 30 points, 30 foul. I think I think we saw last year, you know, Cororm had some
21:35really big games where he dominated, but when all like uh what was it against Arizona had that huge game, 12 carries,
21:44but 128 yards and two touchdowns. He had another big game. I think it was against Carolina week 13, but so did Cororum.
21:50They both or so did Williams. They both had big games. Um but they ended up going 6535 in Williams favor was how it ended up
21:58last year. Uh, and so like I think I think we'll see more cororum. One thing, Williams was trusted with what 84% of
22:06the running back receptions. He had 39 catches to quorum seven. So maybe that maybe we have to see a shift there for
22:12the the numbers to even out enough. But I I'm with you. I think there will be more Cororum this year. Um, is it enough
22:18to make you not draft uh Williams at ADP, which is kind of running back 15 in round three? Um, I
22:29think I would probably I it's enough for me to hesitate. Um, I would ultimately probably still take him in certain in
22:37certain settings and with certain drafts, but the the the the gleam is not as uh it's not as shiny as it once was
22:47>> for me. With Bree Hall going just ahead of him, I'm pretty much in on that. Um, Javvante Williams going after him, I'm
22:53pretty much in on that. Uh Josh Jacobs and Travis Hen. Okay. But Cam Scataboo a couple picks later. I'm all in on that.
23:02>> I'm all in on Cam and that crazy that he is.
23:05>> Yeah. Right. Like I wrote a thing my latest fantasy notebook, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Uh I wrote I took the
23:11contrarian view on the backflip. It was good. I mean, it's it's him being him.
23:15Like whatever you think of him, like his persona, how he acts, his behaviors is part of how he plays. and I'm here for
23:22it as long as the uh as long as the flame is burning.
23:25>> Now, this is the important part that I will mention to give an argument for why you take Kyan Williams over all those
23:32guys, and that's that the Rams are a offensive machine with a good offensive line. And as long as Allaric Jansson can still be on the field, um,
23:43as long as this offensive line is intact and Matthew Stafford is the one leading the way in the passing game, um, you're
23:51at least knowing you there's you're you know that he's running behind a good line and that you're going to get efficient play and opportunities. The
24:00opportunities may not be what you wanted them to be, but they will be probably predictable in the number overall compared to some of these other guys
24:09that Bob just mentioned who, you know, do we really want to rely on the Jets as an organization? We need a little more
24:17proof from that. Javvante Williams, I get Cam. I like and I think they're going to try and Dererick Henry cam as
24:24much as they can get a Derrick Henryesesque flavor out of him which I think is you know maybe more of a
24:30high-end David Montgomery but that that could be good but still the offensive line and Jackson Darts are kind of scary. Yeah, the the the moves some of
24:39the moves they made you know like Alan Ricard the fullback coming over makes or Patrick Ricard I'm sorry makes a little
24:46bit of a difference. So, so yeah, I I think the runheavy approach, they added some on the offensive line as well. I'm
24:52with you. Um, so yeah, I'm uh I'm I'm I'm not down on Williamard, >> captain. What What is his name? Pickard.
25:02>> There we go. Okay.
25:03>> Kenneth Gainwell. 50-50 split with Bucky Irving. Feel it or [ __ ] it.
25:06>> Absolutely feeling this one. Um just because the coaches told us so and the GM told us so. They basically were like,
25:14he's, you know, we don't see, we see Kenneth Gainwell as the 1B to Tucker, Sean Tucker's 1A. And I'm not Sean
25:24Tucker, Bucky Irving's 1A. And that's based on the fact that Bucky Irving's going to be healthy and going to be able
25:31to finish the the season from wire to wire. And I just have doubts about that.
25:37I mean, he's not too small, but he played most of his career, probably in that 178 to 185 range. Bulked up when he
25:47got to the league. And so, I just don't And a lot of these guys that we see, they're listed weight, you know, when
25:53they say they're 205, 105, they find their way down to 185, 175 as and can't keep the weight on as the season goes.
26:02and then when they get hurt, it's difficult for them to recover or play hurt um as a result of that. And I have
26:10concerns that Irving might end up being that guy. He only played 10 games last year. I only have him projected for 10
26:17games this year, but at Football Guys this week, I ran through a number of projection scenarios of what I think would happen if Irving played a full 17,
26:27whether he played 10 or whether it turns out that he plays a certain number, doesn't look good, falters a bit, and
26:35becomes a Gainwell 1A bellcow with Shawn Tucker being maybe the the distant 1B.
26:43um if you wouldn't just call him a two at that point. But right now I have right now I I I have it my mid my
26:50midline for this is that Irving and Tucker are both going to get 100 attempts in the running game. Gainwell's going to get 200. Um and it's it's a
26:59it's not a conservative look. I mean I'm being aggressive on Gainwell. Um, but I could see how it ends up being more of
27:07a, you know, maybe 220 for Gainwell and then 200 for Irving. Uh, or I mean, excuse me, like 180, 170 to 180 for
27:18Irving, and then Tucker just gets a smattering. Um, but right now, Gainwell to me is a a guy that safely you can get
27:26as your running back three, running back four in value, and give you running back two value in the long run. That's the
27:33key. The Irving's ADP reflects last year's points per game finish. He finished as what running back 18 in points per game.
27:40>> Yeah.
27:40>> Right. So, he missed his game. Uh game balls going as running back 34 in round eight. That's a big discount. That does
27:47not reflect his finish last year. Second half of the season, what do you do from week 11 on last year? 13.3 touches, 85 yards, 17.8
27:57fantasy points a game. only six backs scored more during that span over that final six, eight weeks of the season >> than Kenneth Gainwell.
28:06>> Yeah. So, let me give you a let me give you an idea about Kenneth Gainwell that goes beyond the stats um and from more
28:12of a scouting eye. I remember studying him at Memphis and thinking, "Wow, this guy is a very intelligent runner and all-around football player. if he only
28:22had better speed and explosion in his game. If he had that, he'd probably be like Tiki Barber. And when you think of
28:30Tiki Barber, if you don't remember him and weren't playing fantasy football between 2004 and 2006, he was almost, you could say he was
28:40dominant in many respects. He had huge seasons, 15,600. He had an 1860 yard rushing season during that span. Um, and
28:51he he he looked good at the end of his career. In the beginning, he was a returnman, um, you know, out of the backfield
29:01receiver who fumbled the ball a lot. Um, and they liked him as a prospect, but he had to get his ball carrying, his ball
29:08security together. Well, you know, it took him about five years for him to have his first, you know, kind of emergent season. Another guy who it took
29:20about five years to have his first emergencies and was Priest Holmes. And Priest Holmes was also a guy that you watched at Texas and go, "All right,
29:29he's pretty good, very smart, very versatile, but he's no Ricky Williams who's coming down here from San Diego to take over this Texas backfield." And he
29:38went undrafted. And he and neither of them had great 40 times, great all, you know, great explosion. um metrics. And
29:48when you look at Gainwell, Gainwell took a year off during COVID um because multiple members of his family unfortunately passed. And so he was
29:58concerned about whe you know probably dealing with being there for his family as well as the risks that might be associated if he got COVID back with
30:06whatever we knew back then. And he trained on his own and I my hope was he'd come into the combine and really
30:12tear it up and he didn't. It wasn't bad.
30:15I mean it was it was all his scores were you know I would put it as worthwhile of making a football team and maybe even
30:23contributing. His 40 was nice. It was 4.44 which is a good number. Um, so but every coach has loved this guy um in the
30:33NFL so far. And I think that, you know, because he didn't have the opport the the prototypical size and the prototypical numbers across the board in
30:45the combine, his value dropped. But in terms of running back smarts, um, would not shock me at all if this guy winds up
30:54having a 2 to threeyear career with Baker Mayfield at the helm behind an improved offensive line where maybe it's not Priest Holmes dominance, you know,
31:04behind Kansas City's line or the the Tiki Barber Super Bowl run era that they had, but think, you know, think a
31:13mid-tier version of that 1,00 to,00 100,200 yards, maybe another three to 500 yards of receiving and you're getting double digit touchdowns total
31:23and you're putting them in the top 15 to top 10 of running backs at that point.
31:28And so if you can get Kenneth Gainwell, I know he's 27, but that, you know, again, those other guys took four to
31:36five years, >> so I would if you can get him cheap, you probably can't get him cheap now, but if you did earlier, congratulations. Hold
31:44on to him. He's still I mean he is still a value to be. I mean where's he going right now? He's moved up to running back
31:5033. So he's going in he and Jonathan Brooks are going in the same price range basically.
31:54>> So yeah. So take one. You know you could probably reach for one. You >> get Rashad White later.
32:00>> You can get Rashad White later. That's right. There you go.
32:03>> Running back 38. So a lot of value to be had at the running back position. Like the high side, but there is a great
32:09group of guys in that middle who may far exceed expectations. Med zone >> far exceed expectations. Speaking of expectations, we're all wondering what's
32:18Malik Neighbors going to do? Is he going to play the entire season? Matt Waldman, feel that or [ __ ] it.
32:23>> Well, there's a little bit more optimism because the fact that he's not going to the PUP list, but >> right,
32:30>> but again, I remember that there's been optimism about other guys not going to PUP lists and then their knee locks up
32:36on them and >> throw the cold water on my Malik neighbors party. This listen I the cold water is already it's already there. I'm
32:45just trying to unplug the heat lamp so you don't shock yourself get electrocuted. You and Bloom I mean like I you know he jokes I'm a wet blanket.
32:53I'm just trying to unplug the sun lamp on the rainy day out in the middle of the and as you guys are trying to put
32:58them in puddles. Um but no seriously like I'm I would love to see Neighbors be that guy. I have him for about 82
33:07targets, 50 catches, 620 yards, and three touchdowns. And that's that's based on him playing 10 games. If he if we can feel comfortable that he's
33:18looking good enough that we're going to put him at 15 to 17 games, now we're talking about an 800 to 900 yard season,
33:25maybe 6 to eight touchdowns. And that puts him in the realm of maybe the fourth or fifth round. um right now um
33:33second round I'm not feeling that we're going to need to see >> he's he's still going well you know outside he's going early in round four
33:41that that's going to change it's going to be it's it's round three >> uh this week it'll probably be round two
33:47the next week if he's out on the practice field doing something he's going to come out and do the Willy Wonka
33:53just do that forward somersault and throw the cane away and and we're all going to go why did we not rank him
33:58higher >> I hope I hope I'm wrong I hope I But I'm I'm I'm not uh >> I'm not buying it. Not right yet.
34:05>> Yeah. This is the thing about heading into training camp. There's a lot of information that's still to come and we
34:10will sour scour through scour.
34:13>> We'll sour and probably sour and probably >> Wman will sour on your parade.
34:18>> Yeah. [laughter] Matt Wal will definitely do that. Much like Nathaniel Hackett who had some words for everybody invested in Jeremiah Love when HE SAID
34:29HE'S definitely a rookie. Uh James Connor is in the mix. Will he be the back to have this year or is it or is it
34:36Iser Algier or is it is it Jeremiah Love?
34:42>> I still think it's love. I just think that Yeah, I still think it's love. I'm not buying them. I I love James Connor.
34:48always have loved his game and I still think that he can be a factor. Um, but I I think that that's just more motivation
34:57to say, listen, rookie, you don't have this thing yet. Let's, you know, you better be you better come into this ready to play and ready to compete.
35:06>> Anyone who's watched the NFL for a minute or two knows what's going on here. This is just a rookie uh nonsense.
35:13And uh and I saw some, you know, if you're buying into the 15-second clips of practice, Jeremiah Love was very impressive yesterday. Yeah. In his
35:2215-second clips. Uh so, who was it that put it up? Was it maybe Josh Wine?
35:26Someone just talking about And I mean, it's 15 seconds, but it's true. He was showing power and explosiveness and doing all the things you'd want him to
35:34do.
35:34>> There'll be a split early on and some touches from from folks. And if and if Connor makes it through training camp
35:41and doesn't get traded, you're going to see a split early, but eventually it's going to be love.
35:45>> I did see Trey Benson liked a comment from somebody on social media saying if the Packers aren't seeing much from
35:52Marshon Lloyd, they should make a move for uh Trey Benson. He liked he liked that comment. Yes, somebody please make a move. And yes, I've been, you know,
36:01lamenting that we have had zero information on Trey Benson. I have gotten some updates since then and he is practicing. Uh doesn't seem like the
36:10Cardinals are that enthusiastic about him. So, we'll see where that goes.
36:13Maybe a trade is in the offing. They are enthusiastic about Carson Beck. Uh except for when he's not hitting all his
36:20passes, but uh is he have the edge over Gardenner Mu to be the QB2 in Arizona?
36:25Feeler [ __ ] >> Oh, I totally feel that because it's based on draft capital. Um and they're going to want to see what they get with
36:32him. If Jacobe Brassette can't lead the Cardinals into a contending level record midway to threequarters of the way through the season, if they're not
36:41contending for the playoffs, they're going to go with Beck. They're going to put him as QB2 so that they can have him
36:46ready to go um in terms of giving him enough preparation so that he that he can be at least as mentally ready as a
36:55rookie can be. And they know with Gardner Mchu that they could list him as QB 15 and if the game if the game
37:02requires it that he needs to come in and play, he's going to be just fine. And that's as a backup. And that's how
37:08that's played out. If if Beck sucks and it's just overwhelmed, they'll put Mchu in there. No big deal. If it's a or if
37:16it's a close game and they don't Beck's not ready.
37:19>> If it's a single game situation, if it's an injury in game, you're probably going to see Gardner Mishu. If it's an injury
37:24the ne if the injury extends beyond that week, you can start thinking about Carson Beck for the next game or or
37:31sometime there shortly thereafter. I'm with you as well. Um and Jacobe Brousette again I'm going to stress he is not going to get as much lead as he
37:39got last year. There will be no one and 11 with Jacobe Brassette as a starter.
37:43If we're going into week 13 and that's the record, he will have been gone by the wayside long in advance of that. So
37:50>> So I will just add just as a little bonus nugget, do not Bob, I did see to yesterday that Marvin Harrison dropped a
37:57ball and everyone got all pissed off.
37:59Oh, dropped a couple and then he hurt his ankle in his back or something like that and again the, you know, signal and
38:07noise. The noise. Oh, look how buff and pumped up he is. You know, another year of looking great on the runway. Um, and
38:16then when it comes time to take off and do the job, that's the nor that's the signal. We need to see more signal from
38:22Marvin Harrison's game.
38:23>> Matt Waldman is so mean-spirited about this.
38:25>> I'm telling you, I'm just saying >> Liam Co Liam Cohen made some noise. Or was it a signal? Uh signal big
38:32expectations for uh Bashel to Toot saying he'd have a big year. Does that translate into a Bellcow role in Jacksonville? [ __ ] it.
38:39>> Oh, I would say I would say right now, it. Um, but I think that he's going to have an even split with Chris
38:47Rodriguez and with the chance of him taking over that backfield. So, while I don't want him quite as high as that I
38:56would want Jonathan Brooks, um, the possibility of him having the same type of season as Brooks is absolutely there.
39:03Um, so to me, I would give the slightest edge of to to of Rodriguez. Um, but I think Rodriguez is a guy that's more of
39:14a Liam Con goes, I know you. I know what you can do. You're solid. I can put you in here. Things aren't going to be bad.
39:21I know you're going to get some internet people in the corners of the internet going, he's way better than what people
39:26think. And maybe he is. I I may go re-evaluate his game a little bit in the next week or two and see. And maybe I
39:34come back with the same conclusion. But for right now, I think it's Toutton's job to um to emerge and take it over,
39:42but he's gonna have to show it.
39:45I think that's fair enough. Uh Tyreek Hill posted some videos of his workout.
39:49Says he still has no power. That would be less than not very much power in the injured leg. Uh have we seen the last of
39:57Tyreek Hill on an NFL field? Feel it or it?
40:00>> I'm gonna have to go air with the side of feel it. and and you know it's sad because he was a fantastic player um and
40:08you know better route runner than people realized and just one of those one of those athletes that NFL athletes say you
40:15know there's everyone who's pretty much on the same tier all elite athletes and then there's that guy that every all the
40:22top athletes look at and go what the is that you know and that was Tyreek Hill from the beginning so I
40:29think that you know the fact that he has no power right now and he's saying but that's going to come. I believe it'll
40:36come but then in the next breath doctors didn't think I'd walk again. Um you know it's hard to know what to believe with
40:43with that type of thing. So air on the side of caution and then hope for the best.
40:48>> Yeah, I think that's uh I think that's that's the right approach. And like I'm not like I've been drafting I have not
40:55been drafting him. I did early in early best balls last round pick kind of thing. I haven't drafted any Debo Samuel. just not interested
41:04signed or unsigned. Have drafted no Brandon Aayuk because I don't think he's going to play because he seems to be more interested in other things. Stfan
41:12Diggs I have been drafting and I think he will land a job somewhere and be a productive player for a year. Uh so
41:19>> if if you're in a dynasty league and you have Hill and your team's not bad, your team's not bad and you're Yeah, hold him
41:26a luxury. Otherwise, >> nah.
41:31That makes sense. Sam Leaporta sounds like he's recovering nicely from his situation, the back surgery, had the herniated disc. He is fully cleared for
41:40training camp. I know that doesn't excite Matt Waldman, but I'm a little enthusiastic about it. Leaporta, you know, started the run of the super
41:49high-end rookie tight ends. He was a creature like we had not seen finishing his tight end one a few years back. It's
41:56not been great since, but when he went down, he was what, seventh in points per game last year when he when he went a
42:04season that ended. Are you feeling optimistic about Sam Leapora's uh season this year? Feel it or [ __ ] it?
42:10>> I am now because I think Bob Bob made a compelling case a few weeks ago when we talked about him that the the back issue
42:18isn't as as um concerning as some people think. [clears throat] Excuse me. Um, so I think that with Leaporta,
42:30you know, now we're looking at a range of him possibly being the very solid number four option
42:38in this offense and he might be able to increase that with an injury. So the problem for me isn't Leaporta's talent
42:46or injuries at this point now. It's the fact that Jamir Gibbs, you know, is probably going to get somewhere between 80 and 90 targets. You know, Aman Ross
42:56St. Brown's going to lead this team in targets, probably somewhere between 130 to 150. I haven't met 150. And then you
43:03got Jameson Williams who really has come on strong lately. I think he's at 130 targets. So, you know, unless Jared Goff
43:12is gonna be throwing for 600, you know, attempts, I'm to me, I think Leaport is somewhere in the range of 70 75 targets.
43:21>> I I think, you know, one of the things one of the dots people are going to be connecting is say, "Wow, Drew Petting in
43:26Arizona, they threw the ball to Trey McBride a lot." Well, there weren't there weren't any Ammon Ros St. Browns or Jameson Williams.
43:32>> There was that seal Marvin Harrison Jr.
43:35There was that guy and the unexposed Michael Wilson who probably would have been busier had anyone knew known he could play. Who knew?
43:44>> Who knew?
43:45>> I suppose there were some people.
43:47>> Um yeah, I think that would be I think that's fair. I I think like looking at maybe him getting Leaporta getting what do you think a 100
43:56targets possible?
43:58>> It's possible, but that to me that means that one of the three guys ahead of him is going to have to be banged up. Um or
44:05Petting has >> or they go heavier on the run with Gibbs and don't throw him as much.
44:09>> Yeah. And Exactly. And then you could see uh you know 90 to 100 targets for Leapora. I think that's possible from
44:17that end.
44:17>> Don't be scared, Matt. Don't be scared.
44:19Don't be scared.
44:19>> I love Sam, but I don't I I don't know.
44:22I don't know if I believe that with the offense. I will say just to to note, we are rooting for Marvin Harrison here,
44:28even though I make fun of him and says, >> "No, you're not."
44:30>> Yeah. I I No, I really am. Like I want there there's some there's so much about his game that could be good, but I just
44:37it just bothers me when I see a guy who has the talent that he does and he's still focused on winning a bodybuilding
44:45competition rather than focusing on the right things.
44:48>> Worked out well for David Boston.
44:50Another >> Did it work? Did it? Yeah. You know, >> he's like an upside down bowling pin the way he WAS SHAPED. [laughter]
44:58>> JESUS.
44:58>> OKAY. WELL, so let's quit picking on Marvin Harrison.
45:01>> Okay, good. Uh, I have a better target.
45:03Kyler Murray. Time to pick on him some more. Feel it or [ __ ] it. [laughter] >> Yeah. Well, you know, it's like it's
45:09like catnip for me at this stage. It is.
45:12I mean, it's just the fact that that, you know, JJ McCarthy has not looked good early on. And that there's been
45:20some problems with accuracy to a degree that just seems like wild and has been wild. And now you bring in Kyler
45:30and he's not looking good enough in camp to be the clear-cut number one in some people's estimation. But here's the thing, as Bob's size, we remember when
45:42people were wondering about this with lots of players at this stage of the game and Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson were a dead heat at this time
45:51last year. Um, and it was undecided and then it was clearly Jones and we saw what happened. So, I just, you know, if
45:59I can take away the things I dislike about Kyler Murray's game and just try to look at it that way, look at it
46:08outside of that, I would say Kyler Murray's going to start the year as the QB won and then we'll see if he can hold
46:14on to it. I would say that the notion that like Kyler Murray has expressed some frustration at having to share snaps with somebody as he's learning the
46:23offense and probably is not learning the offense as fast as he'd like or as fast as maybe they'd like. But also, you
46:30know, again, talking to the local observers, there seems to be little doubt about who the starter is among people who cover that team on a daily
46:37basis. However, Ian Rapaort came out and told us it's going the competition is going to go right up to week one. Wonder
46:42why that came out, >> right? Wonder who told him that. Was it McCarthy's agent? Was it >> Kevin Oonnell who said, "Hey, let's push
46:49these guys a little bit." Uh, I don't know. So, I'm still thinking it's going to be Kyler Murray, but like I'm not as
46:55I'm not eager drafting him as eagerly as I was with that little bit of uncertainty. It's enough where he is that I say Malik Willis looks tastier a
47:02little later. I'm pretty sure he's going to be the starter and I'll I'll gamble on that upside. Either way, you're not
47:08paying you're not overpaying for either of them.
47:09>> Yeah. As long as you're gambling that I'm okay with that. Yeah. Yeah, and you know, you're gambling with either of
47:15those guys. You're also gambling with Eden Eli Hiden Reich, uh, who apparently has a long way to go to make it on the
47:22Steelers final roster. Turns out the new coaching staff might like Caleb Johnson as much as the last one.
47:30>> Well, last one heading into heading into the year.
47:33>> Heading into the heading.
47:34>> Let's add that to that. Yeah, just to make sure. You know how people are.
47:37They're going to hear they're going to listen to that. They're going to give that rejoinder, you know. Well, also I'll go back and fix Patrick Ricard
47:44after I called him something else to start with. I've corrected it, but I'll correct it again.
47:49>> Yeah, not Allan. Patrick.
47:51>> Um, and also um you're right though. I mean, I think that's the that's the uh the issue for these guys like you know
47:58Hiden Reich and he's got some people ahead of him. Should they be?
48:03>> Yes, absolutely they should be. Hiden Reich is not a running back in in the NFL. Well, he's not a running back in
48:09the NFL. He he he wasn't running college.
48:12>> No, he took draw plays. He ran he he ran, you know, Jets Jet sweeps. He was a better wide receiver prospect if you ask
48:21me. And he still had a ways to go from that standpoint. It's just that one, he's from Navy, so everybody genulex,
48:27you know, it's the Marines that take over, you know, the secure the location.
48:32Then Mar the Navy, well, we appreciate the taxi service that they provided, right? So, no kidding. But um anyway, the seriously, it's the fact that he was
48:40a million. There's still this kind of like bias and gushing from media about about
48:49players who play multiple roles in a milit from a military school, military academy. They just I don't know. They just think I think there there's still a
49:00level of like editors probably at this stage who are retiring who still remember Roger Stall back, you know, and they've like and they literally have a
49:09fetish for that kind of thing going on.
49:12The way Bob likes speed, the way I like smart smart movement. Um, you know, it's the same kind of it's it's just bias
49:19with a different flavor. And I think the hideand-re thing was some of that. Um, you know, I think that he could be a a
49:26viable return specialist. Um, maybe a coverage guy in special teams and work his way to becoming a a a
49:36backup receiver who can give you some touches in the run game. Um, but it's going to take a few years and I don't
49:43know if it's ever going to be, oh, he's Julian Edelman. You know, I I I So, we'll we'll we'll see. He's going to get
49:50a few more chances just like the the rest of the Navy or the Army guys that have come out over the years and Bill
49:57Bich's regime took a took a look at them, you know, look looks at those guys and then promptly cut them within a
50:04year. Um, same same deal, >> same principle. All right, that's it for this week. That's it for me for two weeks. Unless I get Wally, you may never
50:14see me again. People, this might be your last exposure to Bob Harris. That being the case, let me remind you the football
50:19guy's [laughter] draft guy.
50:23>> Yeah. The the likelihood of never seeing Bob Harris again on this show or if you never seen Bob Harris again, it's more
50:32likely that you would never see me again than it [laughter] would be that you never see Bob Harris again, who I looked
50:39online somewhere and he's headlining some Vegas event. Um, you know, you're never going to see me headlining some Vegas event. Bob, you're gonna see.
50:48>> Well, I'm not actually headlining. There are real stars there. I'm just in ancillary piece.
50:53>> They put your p they're the ones that put your picture up on the advertisement.
50:57>> Yeah, they have other ones, too.
50:59>> Oh, okay. Well, they they they chose they still chose you to put them up on one of them. So, I don't care the
51:05excuses you're making.
51:07>> I don't care for them. [ __ ] it. I love you.
51:09>> [ __ ] it. All right. Love you. We'll talk to you soon, Matt. We'll talk to you next week. Go to football guys. Go to
51:14mattwalman.com.
51:16Check out all the content there. It's all fantastic and you can't go wrong.
51:20Over and out.
