You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Front Office NFL Chat
powered byJotCast
Sam Robinson
4:04
Hey everyone, draft month upon us. Let's get started!
West New Yorker
4:11
Have the Bills done enough so far to improve their defense from last year?
Sam Robinson
4:11
I don't know if the job is finished. I liked the Jim Leonhard hire a lot, and change for that unit may be a good thing considering its continual inability to produce in the playoffs. Had long been a Taron Johnson fan, though his 2025 was iffy. Lukewarm on their move to Dee Alford in the slot, and Hairston's 2025 certainly did not indicate he is a set-it-and-forget-it CB2.

Bradley Chubb is a good piece; I was just surprised it took $21.75MM fully guaranteed to land him. The former top-five pick is going into an age-30 season, but he has two ACL tears and a notable ankle issue (which marred his 2021) on his resume. More should be needed opposite Rousseau, especially with Hoecht coming off an ACL tear.

Buffalo could also use another linebacker, with longtime McDermott mainstay Matt Milano unsigned (and Terrel Bernard not living up to his extension in Year 1). Another safety probably, too. There are things to like here, however, ahead of the draft.
Unclemike1526
4:20
While I'm on the subject what is your opinion of the "Rooney Rule" In general? I think it's a sham that just gets some people phony  interviews that have zero to none chances of ever being hired anyway. It should go away IMO. Thoughts? Thanks
Sam Robinson
4:20
I am a supporter of it in general, but we do regularly see teams pinpoint a candidate and treat the Rooney Rule process like hurdles (the shorter long-distance ones even) rather than an opportunity. We went 1-for-10 in minority HC hires this year.

The problem lies in viable minority HC candidates primarily working on the defensive side and teams preferring to hire offense-oriented leaders. That provides long-term play-caller security. This strategy regularly leaves non-white candidates in the cold, but there are not enough options for teams to choose from in terms of minority play-caller types.

I'm glad the rule exists and includes OCs/DCs and has been further modified to include, as our Nikhil Mehta noted this week, QBs coach positions (since 2022). Those are the fast-track slots to OC roles. Until the NFL has more minority play-callers or OCs, this problem will persist.
Unqualified Bengals GM
4:26
Why hasn’t anyone signed Bobby Okereke yet? I know he is going to be 30 but he is still a good LB. Cincy should be all over that.
Sam Robinson
4:26
Good question. Okereke operated as the Giants' lead LB option for three years; he will land another chance before training camp. Sometimes vets' price points are out of step with the market after a release. Okereke could be waiting for the draft to clear up fog about needs around the league.

There are also a handful of starter-level LBs available. Bobby Wagner, Matt Milano, Devin White, Kenneth Murray, Jahlani Tavai, Jerome Baker are among them. Okereke joins Wagner atop that list.

It is a bit interesting the Giants sprung for a $23.7MM Tremaine Edmunds guarantee (far more than what Okereke had left on his deal), but a new staff came in. Okereke won't come close to that guarantee, which should make the eighth-year vet a value buy somewhere. As a street free agent, he could sign before the draft without affecting any compensatory formulas (whereas UFAs, for the most part, will now need to wait).
Bibs
4:32
Do you think the latest happenings with Puka Nacua are going to give the Rams pause about a lucrative extension?
Sam Robinson
4:32
Bibs, I do. The price for a Nacua extension will surpass $40MM per year, and his camp can argue -- based on performance -- for a deal north of where Smith-Njigba went ($42.15MM). Considering the recent headlines here, the Rams slow-playing this is not the worst idea.

The Rams have not shown a hesitancy in paying WRs under McVay, having extended both Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods in the same summer (2020). They also re-upped Brandin Cooks after a trade and revised Kupp's deal following his monster 2021. A Nacua extension is surely on the radar, but it shouldn't be considered a lock it happens this year.

L.A. has the franchise tag available and could have another receiver piece via the draft soon. The A.J. Brown talks pertain more to Davante Adams, but the prospect of the Rams letting Nacua play out his rookie deal and completing a 2027 tag-and-trade seem higher based on recent events than it was a few months ago.
TD-Machine
4:39
Does Love have the highest upside for skill-position prospects? The WR class is said to have good depth but lack star power.
Sam Robinson
4:39
For pure talent, I have to say yes. For long-term value, I'd probably lean no.

While Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs proved the Falcons and Lions right for taking a running back in the top half of Round 1 and are on track for $20MM-plus-per-year extensions, the primes of 2023 WR draftees Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison and Puka Nacua (physical style and recent headlines aside) are likely to last longer. I can understand teams' potential leeriness re: Love in the top 10.

But if the goal is for a dominant dual-threat back coming in and providing 5-8 years of strong play, Love should be the pick this year. Without factoring in timelines beyond Year 7 or 8, he is the clear prize for skill-position cogs in this pool.
Breaker
4:46
Who is your way to early pick to win the superbowl
Sam Robinson
4:46
Glad you classified this as way too early...I'll say Rams if Stafford stays healthy enough to get them a favorable seed. Their No. 13 overall pick -- provided it isn't Ty Simpson -- will matter plenty this season. If Stafford's age becomes an issue and more missed time ensues, I'll say Broncos. For a dark horse, how about the Lions?
SteelCurtain
4:55
If the Steelers and Jets pass on drafting Ty Simpson, do you see any other team picking him in the first round?
Sam Robinson
4:55
If the Jets and Steelers pass at Nos. 16 and 21, I do think there's a reality in which he goes in Round 1 still. The Giants' Jaxson Dart climb to 25 could be a roadmap here.

The Steelers make sense for Simpson because of their regular draft standing; they are unlikely to land near the top of the 2027 order. That makes this year -- the Kenny Pickett miss notwithstanding -- a key window, as Simpson could be there at 21. The Jets may be jumping the gun. I'd consider the Geno move sufficient to keep them from diving in until 2027.

The Browns at No. 24 or a Cardinals climb in front of Cleveland or perhaps after the Browns' second pick makes sense due to their depth chart.

The big thing with Simpson in Round 1, though, is a probability he barricades a team from taking a QB in the '27 first round. Only two teams have chosen first-round QBs in back-to-back drafts over the past 45 years -- the Colts (1982-83) and Cardinals (2018-19) -- and both instances involved the teams landing the No. 1 pick (Elway, Murray)
Roger
5:02
Sam, where do you think Ty Simpson ultimately goes? Thanks.
Sam Robinson
5:02
Hey Roger...as for where Simpson ultimately goes, I am back and forth between the Cardinals and Browns. Both have GMs on hot seats -- Andrew Berry surviving this Watson mess remains one of the great NFL acts of perseverance, and Monti Ossenfort's turnaround went the wrong way in 2025 -- who could use an immediate answer.

The Browns also obtained a second first-rounder in this draft. Unless they trade Myles Garrett -- and the party line insists this isn't happening -- it will be hard to pry a 2027 first-rounder. Though, Cleveland can probably count on a high pick next year.

Because the Browns chose Gabriel and Sanders in 2025, I'll lean Cardinals. Ossenfort can't be assured of 2027 status, and the team has two bridge options to give Simpson a long runway this season.
Unclemike1526
5:10
If the NFL continues to deny the Bears the Comp picks they deserve, Should the Bears sue them? Would that work? Has there ever been another case where a team has been denied those picks? I've never heard one. I can think of no reason at all that the Bears shouldn't receive those picks. Thoughts?
Sam Robinson
5:10
I think the Bears have a case. The NFL awarded the 49ers two third-rounders for Martin Mayhew's Washington GM hire in 2021, even though Ron Rivera was the organization's top decision-maker. That is effectively the same situation as this Falcons overhaul, where Cunningham is GM but overseen by Matt Ryan.

I doubt the Bears would take the Al Davis nuclear route, but there would be ruffled feathers. The Bears can (and surely will) cite the Mayhew precedent in their plea to get the NFL to reverse its decision. It will be interesting to see if the NFL will essentially cave here, as the Cunningham trajectory is one of the goals of the Rooney Rule.
Mosi
5:17
Patriots go from the easiest schedule to one of the toughest.  Is just making the playoffs this year a success?  What are your expectations?
Sam Robinson
5:17
Yes, the Patriots caught several breaks last year. The schedule was a rather important component. Schedule strength obviously isn't fully known until seasons begin, but the Pats drawing the AFC West and NFC North looks vicious. With a Seahawks matchup also here, yes, I think making the playoffs would be a win for New England.

Last year's AFC upstarts caught the conference during a Chiefs decline and another Ravens year with a Lamar Jackson injury (the Bengals' Joe Burrow issue was a factor, I suppose, but Cincy was not positioned as a lead 2025 contender for multiple reasons). With the Broncos and Texans still carrying strong rosters, and the Jaguars bouncing back under Coen, the AFC could be a gauntlet should the Chiefs and Ravens bounce back.

I expect the Pats to take a step back, wins-wise, but the Bills have some issues right now too. With the Dolphins and Jets not in positions to compete, the Pats will be in the mix for the division title again.
Breaker
5:26
Who do you see falling to the Cowboys at 12 and 20 in the draft.
Sam Robinson
5:26
Breaker, a corner probably needs to come in Round 1. There is just too much uncertainty at this premium position for that not to happen. Will the Cowboys gamble on another player recovering from injury in Jermod McCoy? Not if Mansoor Delane is on the board. I'll give them McCoy, as it may be tough to get Delane past the CB-desperate Dolphins at 11.

At 20, one of the second-tier EDGE players has to be in play. Clemson's T.J. Parker, Miami's Akheem Mesidor (maybe) and Texas A&M's Cashius Howell stand to be options. I see two of those being there by then -- after Reese, Bailey and Bain are gone.

The Cowboys generally do a great job identifying early-round talent -- knowing when to pay them? Less good -- and BPA-type picks have obviously worked for them in the past. Lamb is a clear example. I don't expect Downs to be there at 12, but if he is, Dallas would be wise to pounce and lock down a long-term S.
Donkos
5:34
Who are your strongest teams going into the 2026 season? Don’t be afraid to include your personal biases! Just gotta justify your favorites!
Sam Robinson
5:34
The Rams filling their CB needs by importing the 2025 Chiefs' starters makes this one of the strongest rosters in recent memory. Issues may crop up beyond 2026, as decisions on 2023 draftees need to be made, but L.A. is loaded for this season.

I see Seattle as an obvious threat, trusting Mike Macdonald to replace what the team lost in the secondary. The team needs more RB help given Charbonnet's timeline. The Eagles cannot be ruled out, but asking for a third straight full season of Saquon Barkley appears risky. Lane Johnson's health continues to be a concern (and he will be 36 soon).

Buffalo has to be considered yet again. D.J. Moore will be in an age-29 season, and I'm high on Jim Leonhard as DC. Denver does not have many weaknesses, but the team got by on too many close games. Is running back the same roster (feat. Waddle and a late second-rounder) going to be enough?

I like the Chargers with McDaniel calling plays as well, but they did not do enough to maximize their window in free agency
Sam Robinson
5:34
We'll call it there for today. Thanks for the questions, everyone! Hope you all have a good weekend
Connecting…