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Sam Robinson
3:01
Hey everyone, hope it's been a good week. Let's get started!
Roger
3:12
Sam, isn't the silence around Jauan Jennings strange? How does Doubs get 4/68 at the start of free agency and Jennings is still sitting out there at the end of March? Thanks.
Sam Robinson
3:12
Hi Roger, yes. I think so. Other than Rasheed Walker's stunningly tepid market, this might be the biggest surprise among this year's free agents. Jennings' age (28) and recent production likely produced a high-ish asking price. Jennings bailed out a 49ers team during the Brandon Aiyuk drama and Ricky Pearsall's injury trouble last season.

It is clear teams' valuations did not align with almost everyone else's regarding the former Aiyuk/Deebo Samuel sidekick. This is not a good year for Jennings to need to settle, either, as he will be 30 before the 2027 season begins. A deal where 29-year-old Jakobi Meyers went (3/60) or where Rashid Shaheed (3/51) landed is unrealistic at this point.

The 49ers wanted to re-sign Jennings, but they now have Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. They are expected to move on. Jennings waiting for the draft to see how needs are filled now makes sense. He may still do OK -- Tyrann Mathieu got 3/27 from the Saints post-draft in 2022 -- but a one-year deal may be how this ends.
SteelerProud
3:19
Do you see the Steelers drafting a wide receiver in the first round?Or, are they more likely to draft a cornerback with their top pick?
Sam Robinson
3:19
SteelerProud, it would be out of character for the Steelers to go WR in Round 1. They haven't done so since Santonio Holmes 20 years ago. This franchise has justifiable confidence in its ability to develop receivers; Day 2 has been its sweet spot, as Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Diontae Johnson and George Pickens have shown. Roman Wilson's struggles and Chase Claypool not panning out have brought rare missteps, though Wilson is not a sunk cost just yet.

With the Steelers swooping in with quality Michael Pittman Jr. value (both trade and contract) to go with D.K. Metcalf, I'd be a bit surprised if they went WR in this year's first round. With Jamel Dean arriving, CB may be where they go either.

But a rookie deal to complement Joey Porter Jr.'s forthcoming extension wouldn't be flawed thinking (as Dean will turn 30 this year). But with Dean and Jalen Ramsey around, another CB in Round 1 might be overkill.
SKOL Clap
3:29
What do you realistically see as J.J. McCarthy's future in the next year or two? Will he still be a Viking by the time his rookie deal is up?
Sam Robinson
3:29
SKOL Clap, McCarthy's development is off. But it would seem notable he lost his rookie season to injury and has played 10 games. For the most part, they went poorly. But the Wentz signing represents the latest warning the Vikings do not like what they've seen through two years.

Minnesota bailing on McCarthy so soon would bring another chapter in a run of draft issues for the team at the position. FAs and trade pickups -- going as far back as Warren Moon -- have been the team's successes here. Still, it does seem McCarthy would have had more time to develop had the Vikes not built a quality roster. A rebuilding team would probably give him a second starter season. That seems unlikely to happen now.

I do not expect McCarthy to be a Viking when his rookie deal expires in March 2028. A trade would not bring good value, but with Darnold winning a Super Bowl and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired (amid a widespread search for a QB vet), enough smoke is present here McCarthy's next legit shot will be elsewhere
Desert Dan
3:39
Other than Mauigoa, who do you see as a fit for the Cardinals at 3?
Sam Robinson
3:39
Desert Dan, whichever EDGE the Jets do not take at 2 will be a place to start for a non-Mauigoa route. David Bailey is a pure rusher who would start opposite Josh Sweat immediately, while Arvell Reese would require a good developmental plan due to his hybrid skillset. Reese would remind of Isaiah Simmons or Deone Bucannon a bit -- not as much in talent but in role -- but Micah Parsons' arc helps the Ohio State prospect. A high ceiling is there, and that might be enough.

The Cards regressed badly on defense despite a better depth chart compared to 2024. They still need help there. I would not have an issue with them going Bailey or Reese at 3.

Will the Ty Simpson hype train be a factor here? The Cardinals need a QB, and GM Monti Ossenfort may not be assured of 2027 status (Though, Keim and Rod Graves getting 10 years apiece may give him confidence). If I were the Cards, I'd wait on QB until 2027 when better options await. But we have seen enough QB pre-draft rises not to completely discount Simpson here
Nick
3:50
Should I be worried the bears took a step back this off season?  Question marks at CB, S, DE, DI, and LT.  Better have a hell of a draft.
Sam Robinson
3:50
Hey Nick, maybe a little worried but not overly so. The Bears nailed their HC hire, and that stabilized their QB's path. Considering the franchise's history in these rather key areas, it is a time for optimism in Chicago.

You're not wrong to question the plan in some of these spots. The Bears were dealt a bad hand up front with Trapilo's injury and Dalman's retirement. Bradbury could be a big step down at C; I do like the Jedrick Wills LT flier, though. But they were not flush with cap space despite Williams' rookie deal and the Moore trade (CHI is currently last there with just $243K). An interesting position, but they loaded up with OL/DL contracts last year. That ate into their 2026 FA budget; I did like the Coby Bryant signing, however.

Getting a second-rounder for Moore was also impressive. That pick will be critical to addressing one of these areas, but even with three top-60 picks, there are a few roster issues compared to when we last saw the Bears suit up. Critical draft indeed.
Donkos
4:02
how would you grade the Waddle trade? I was hoping months for them to go get him, and they finally did! Some people said it was an overpay, but would they get a better receiver at no. 30 overall? I don’t think so. Plus they kept their 2nd rounder and moved up in the 4th. I think it’s a great deal. Thoughts?
Sam Robinson
4:02
For where the Broncos are, I like the move. I also liked it for the Dolphins, who got about as much as they could for a player whose best work came in 2022 and '23. That said, Waddle will be better positioned for success under Sean Payton and with Bo Nix than he was with an increasingly unreliable Tua Tagovailoa.

As Adam La Rose noted in his mailbag last week, the Broncos getting three years of Waddle control (via his 2024 extension) on this trade makes it a good investment and not an overpay. The cost is steep, especially for a team that traded three first-round picks from 2022-23 (for Payton and Russ), but the Broncos needed a proven explosive player. They have been overly Courtland Sutton-reliant; while he is an upper-crust WR, he will be 31 in October.

As you said, this is a better player than (likely) what DEN could have added at 30. This roster also doesn't have glaring needs. The second-rounder becomes critical now, but Waddle raises the Broncos' ceiling and gives them interesting WR depth
Lions
4:10
The Lions play one of the easiest schedules next year, that said with the decent free agent haul and the probability that they will draft a starting OT with first round pick, do they have the talent to get to their first ever Super Bowl this year?
Sam Robinson
4:10
I do think the Lions are being slept on a bit. But Ben Johnson's defection to the Bears hurt. And after John Morton's one-and-done year (not even that, with his play sheet being yanked midseason), Drew Petzing's Cardinals work does not inspire much confidence. Petzing may be the top Detroit variable from this offseason.

A top-shelf O-line from 2024 now looks diminished, but this is a decent first round to replace Decker (a trade-up may be necessary, but perhaps not). And if the Lions want to fill their long-running need for a second EDGE, there will be Round 1 options too.

As we discussed above, the Bears have some roster questions after free agency. The Vikings' QB outlook is still foggy, and the Packers have Parsons and Kraft coming off major injuries. Provided Petzing is a solid upgrade on Morton, I like where the Lions are. Big choices are coming, though, and how they proceed with their impact 2023 draft class via extensions will be the key non-Petzing 2026 domino.
Sam Robinson
4:10
We will wrap there for today. Thanks for the questions, everyone. Have a good weekend!
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