RC's daily streaming notes on football, and other, things going on this week...
Just an open page for me to drop notes/ideas/things I'm hearing/seeing/working on or just caffeinated or lack of sleep thoughts on football items.
SUN 4/20
(8:31amET)
HAPPY EASTER!!!
-- Let’s talk about the Aaron Rodgers/Aaron Glenn/NYJ breakup.
If you’re not up to speed on this/the details, please read a quick article about the situation (from Rodgers’ standpoint) first to get up to speed on the basics: https://nypost.com/2025/04/17/sports/aaron-rodgers-slams-aaron-glenn-for-contentious-meeting-that-ended-jets-career/
Since this info/story leaked, the whole thing has been reported/discussed from two vantage points...
1) From one side, mainly the media, it’s ‘isn’t that weird?’...and then they pivot right to -- so, what is Rodgers doing...he’s gonna have to play for the Steelers now, right?
2) From the other side, mainly the NY Jets fanbase, there’s a -- ‘Great! Glad it happened that way. We hate Aaron Rodgers. We love Aaron Glenn!’ vibe happening.
What I haven’t seen is -- if this story, told by Rodgers, is mostly correct...and I have no reason to believe it is not because Rodgers is pretty forthright on some inside baseball/football stuff but mostly because this story fits Aaron Glenn’s m.o. to a ‘t’...what I haven’t seen is any incredulity on the way Glenn treated Rodgers.
You don’t do business like this...just because you can. We got some insight into how poorly run many NFL teams are with this account (by Rodgers) and it's not even discussed with this story...it's more laughed at or celebrated. Coaches are holy! They are supreme!
The Jets were already just graded (by the players) as one of the worst franchises to play for in the NFL, with their management receiving the lowest grades in the league. Then the Jets bring in a new regime and one of the first things they do is treat the 2024 locker room leader and future 1st-ballot Hall-of-Famer like a piece of garbage.
Who is gonna wanna do business with this organization on purpose? The lowest grades from its very own employees and now they’ve installed a low-key maniac (my words) in Aaron Glenn.
We’ve seen Glenn operate in various places, but we got a full dose of it in Detroit and behind the scenes on Hard Knocks. There’s a fine line between ‘disciplined’ and ‘maniacal’. You can be an overbearing drill sergeant at defensive coordinator...even though it didn’t really work that well in Detroit, their defenses underperformed almost every year -- his 4 seasons in Detroit, his defenses were ranked #31-28-23 and then #7 (2024) in points allowed in a season. I give the credit for their 2024 good season more to Dan Campbell and the GM...what they’ve built over the years. I bet Detroit’s defense gets better without Glenn.
Glenn is so in love with football, hard nosed football and barking at players -- he’s gonna be another version of Robert Saleh, a more/differently unlikable version...a lot of football screaming and cursing and a high volume of tough guy talk -- but no real skill managing an entire football operation. And the GM the Jets hired doesn’t seem too swift either -- he’s going to get run over by/be a rubber stamp for Glenn’s desires.
Disrespecting Aaron Rodgers...a $40M contract for Justin Fields? You can install all the ‘culture’ you want but if you don’t have a QB, and no QB with options/worth is ever gonna wanna play for you...nor will any other top positional players. The outlook for the Jets is grim...and this Rodgers story/account of his final meeting shows the problem to come to me...the same issue the Jets have had for years now -- they are incredibly, poorly run. They are the anti-Minnesota Vikings franchise, and that can be confirmed by all the player grading of the organization...and the recent results of the football team.
Aaron Glenn is going to ‘change the culture’ but it’s just gonna be differently bad...not an improvement and advancement of the franchise.
For mock drafting purposes: Don’t mock a player to NYJ unless they have a background in overt, maniacal eat-sleep-drink football mentality. Talent is secondary to -- who does Aaron Glenn thinks drinks/guzzles his type of Kool-Aid?
For FF: Get ready for a team leading the league in rushing attempts and bottom of the league pass game volume and output.
-- The new season of our Betting Subscription option is now open for sign up. See our invite on the ‘Betting’ tab for more description on the details and how to sign up, etc., or click here:
https://ffmetrics.com/betting/5453-the-2025-betting-subscription-season-is-now-open
-- Trades I think will happen before or (especially) during the draft...
I got a trade rumor/prediction a day to throw out there. I’ll try to throw one out a day, up to the draft, and I’ll put a school grade on how much I believe it at the time of writing. We’ll see if any of them end up in reality...
4/20 Rumor/Prediction = I think there are five players in the draft that NFL people are on fire for, right now...
Three we all know: Ward-Hunter-Carter.
The fourth is not a big surprise: Ashton Jeanty. In a year of the RB prospect surge, Jeanty reigns supreme. His 2024 season was legendary...his NFL jersey selling projections are tasty. I won’t be surprised if a team tries to jump into the top 5 to get ahead of Las Vegas at #6 to snag Jeanty...and we’ve already addressed that in a trade rumor segment a week or so ago.
It’s the fifth of the 5 that we’ll discuss here as the trade rumor of the day: The hottest ‘new’ name for the top of the draft is Jalon Walker, the Georgia linebacker who people throw around the current football Messiah’s name around as a comp -- ‘a next Micah Parsons’. When a player gets Micah Parsons comp, NFL execs will fall in love. Abdul Carter also gets the Parsons comp, and Carter is part of the group of 5 who are beloved by NFL people...probably the most beloved player in this draft.
My trade prediction is: Carolina moves from #8 to #5 in a trade with Jacksonville and takes Walker.
My confidence grade in this is: D+...just a D-level grade because it is very difficult to get any trades done, especially trades into the top five. But I have a little faith that the new Jaguars GM is going to be one of the league’s smartest/savviest GMs...and the savvy move at #5 is to trade back, leverage his #5 pick into more picks/assets later in the draft...the juice in this draft is gonna be all the value in rounds 2-7.
I think Carolina tries to get to #5 for Walker, but I can also see the Bears trying to get to #5 to get Jeanty. One way or the other, we have some reason to believe the Jags will move out of that spot...they will probably wait on a deal until picks 1-2-3-4 are made, just to be sure something silly doesn’t happen like Travis Hunter falls to #5 for some reason.
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish today.
*The mock DRD series wraps up today with drafts from slots #10-11-12.
*Best Ball top 600 and the top 600 Dynasty were updated this past weekend.
*Positional NFL Draft Scouting Grades The (2.0+) versions of each position are coming out all prior to draft day...with more of the Pro Day’s processed.
*Daily Dynasty Briefing videos are on a pause with the NFL Draft prep crunch going on. I plan to start them back ASAP.
SAT 4/19
(8:04amET)
-- You’re likely aware of this story, but if not please catch up to it here:
This may be the proverbial ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’...on Shedeur being drafted in the 1st-round. Of all the obvious things about the Sanders family right in front of every NFL management team’s and media member’s faces, it’s odd that this ONE thing is going to be the tipping point.
Another example of Deion meddling, handing out things to his son that are not deserved...and here doing it in the faces of all the Colorado players in history who haven’t had their jerseys retired, and doing so before the player hasn’t even hit the NFL -- it’s crazy.
What does this have to do with Shedeur’s QB talents? Nothing, per se. But it has everything to do with giving everyone yet more examples of the overall mindset of these two (Shedeur and Deion)...and the maturity and personality issues have been pervasive in Shedeur’s press conferences and private meetings with teams. Shedeur thinks he is God’s gift to the world...because Deion created a monster with him. Entitled, spoiled kid created by uber-successful, rich dad -- is a storyline that has played out through the ages. And if Shedeur had Travis Hunter’s talents, it would be one thing...or Deion’s talents...but Shedeur is a very flawed, suspect marginal QB talent that a team, at best, would hope they could develop into a decent QB over time. But there will be no coaching Shedeur. Only Deion coaches Shedeur...and he will, from Boulder via the press for Shedeur’s entire career.
Teams spend all this time and effort and money on ‘building a culture’ and ‘locker room fits’...and the QB position is always seen as the CEO of the 53-man roster, the face of the franchise -- who in their right mind would vet Shedeur and the Sanders family circus and think: This is our franchise QB!!! Everybody is gonna love him!
I think the media is scared to death of Deion, so even Colin Cowherd...who crucified Baker Mayfield and Johnny Manziel pre-Draft, among others, for their potential personality flaws at a position that demands uber-maturity and leadership -- but Colin is totally pushing Shedeur as a great, high draft pick option. The guy (Colin) who makes news when he criticizes QBs who wear their hat backwards in press situations...well, he has been silent, as far as I can tell, watching Shedeur wear his hats at every juvenile angle that exists in press conferences. You may not give any credence about ‘hat wearing and QBs’...I’m just saying a guy (Cowherd) who makes an annual fuss about it such a thing when it comes to QB scouting/mindset -- oddly doesn’t care as much about it in this situation.
And Colin used to be the voice of reason...the voice of really debating all the fine points of QB prospects, but he’s totally good with Shedeur. I’ve never seen him rail on all the rail-able things about Shedeur’s actions and Deion’s meddling (but to be fair I don’t watch his show anymore, just see some YouTube clips here and there...but I’d figure there would be a firestorm of clips if he did rail on it).
Why is Colin (and others) silent/tame/defensive about Shedeur’s personality? Because no one wants to make any enemy of Deion Sanders -- because you’ll get into a Twitter/social media war with him, and you’ll lose...you’ll also have no access to the Colorado program or access to whatever team/deranged NFL owner who hires Deion as a head coach in the future. There’s nothing to be gained by slamming Shedeur or any of the Sanders family drama, so they all smartly endorse it or go silent about it.
With the money they all make in football media...I would probably go silent myself. It’s not worth the hassle or financial risk to properly criticize Shedeur nationally.
Ross Jacobs asked me the other day where I thought Shedeur was going now, and what I thought the validity of ‘insiders’ still saying Shedeur would go 1st-round, etc. My response was something like...I think there are 32 teams who, when asked, privately say/think: We will never take him, but some team probably will.
If 32 teams think/say that...then there is no place for him to go (1st-round).
And if you think the whole jersey retirement thing is dumb...my favorite part of it now is a pretty big/major media member coming out to try to defend it all by saying: This WASN’T Deion’s idea, it was the A.D.’s!!
Are you kidding me?
And we listen to these same people’s football ‘takes’ like they are people coming down from a mountain top getting wisdom bestowed on them from God.
The timing of this couldn’t be worse for Shedeur’s hope to go in the 1st-round. I’m wondering if he’ll even go in the 2nd-round at this rate. The Malik Willis fall may be about to happen to Shedeur.
But...it only takes one team, one owner, one arrogant coach to think they can ‘fix it’ and saves Shedeur from a big embarrassment.
All this drama pre-Draft. Imagine what’s to come with Shedeur/Deion at the pro level?
-- The new season of our Betting Subscription option is now open for sign up. See our invite on the ‘Betting’ tab for more description on the details and how to sign up, etc., or click here:
https://ffmetrics.com/betting/5453-the-2025-betting-subscription-season-is-now-open
-- Trades I think will happen before or (especially) during the draft...
I got a trade rumor/prediction a day to throw out there. I’ll try to throw one out a day, up to the draft, and I’ll put a school grade on how much I believe it at the time of writing. We’ll see if any of them end up in reality...
4/19 Rumor/Prediction = OK, there’s too much discussion of this in the past couple of weeks...let’s look at the potential Ravens trade of Mark Andrews.
I haven’t wanted to believe it, because Andrews is one of those ‘heart and soul’ players for John Harbaugh, or so I assumed. But the chatter is heating up, and Andrews is a fiscal issue as well...final year of his current deal and he’s set to make $16.9M ($4M bonus already paid/hit)...or they can trade him for a $9.9M hit, if I am reading all this correctly.
My confidence grade Andrews gets traded: Was an F+ all offseason-to-date, but now I’d say it’s a D+.
The market is a bit weird for a TE...with Andrews AND Dallas Goedert on the market.
Who would be interested in Andrews? Likely the same group who we had as interested in Goedert -- the contenders looking for a rent-a-TE for a season, a veteran hand who can help them faster than taking a flier on a rookie TE.
So, the Colts and Seahawks were our top 2 for Goedert. But we’ll also add a Ross Jacobs recommendation (on an Andrews trade) -- to the Chargers, to brother Jim. Would John give Jim a heart and soul player...in the same conference (AFC)?
My confidence grades on landing spots IF Andrews is traded...
B+ = Tampa Bay...why them? You’ll go ah-ha if you didn’t already think of it...the reuniting of Andrews and Baker.
Cade Otton? The Bucs are ‘going for it’ in 2025...so Andrews might be a welcomed addition to the TE group for a team try to go to the next level, and with Baker chirping about it to management. Otton is a free agent at the end of the year as well. Are they going to go all-in on Otton as their future? Maybe. Andrews for a year doesn’t necessarily block that.
C = Seattle...moving him out of the conference -- but the Seahawks may want a better blocking TE instead?
C = Indy...I think they’d go Goedert before Andrews, as a hunch.
D+ = Chargers...maybe John takes care of Andrews and takes care of his brother.
If Andrews gets reunited with Baker, it will be an FF-boost Andrews on the news...I think. But the real winner/boost is Isaiah Likely, who would instantly be a top 3-5 TE the next moment. Buy into Likely now, if you’re sure Andrews is going away...Likely is a bargain pre-Andrews trade...Likely will be nearly untouchable post/if-Andrews trade.
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish today.
*Best Ball top 600 and the top 600 Dynasty were updated this past weekend.
*Positional NFL Draft Scouting Grades The (2.0+) versions of each position are coming out all prior to draft day...with more of the Pro Day’s processed.
*Daily Dynasty Briefing videos are on a pause with the NFL Draft prep crunch going on. I plan to start them back ASAP.
====================================
***For those into playing DFS or Best Ball style tournaments for prize money, we have Promo Code (FFM) for matching funds deposited with our friend, The Podfather and Playerprofiler for their new tournament prize drafting App FastDraft.
Link to learn more and get the Promo Code: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/5363-upcoming-rc-interview-video-who-what-why-ff-contest-promo-code
I think FFMers could do quite well in the unique contests they have…especially jumping on things early, ahead of the curve -- like the all-Rookie (2025 class) FF draft/lineup contest and the D-Up/all IDP Best Ball tournament play. They are trying to bring unique game play to the DFS/Best Ball draft world, I think you might enjoy.***
*TWO NOTES OF INTEREST* On the FastDraft App/prize tournaments...
1) The FFM Promo Code opportunity has now been doubled by FastDraft for a stretch of time...matching funds of +$50 when you deposit $50 when you use the promo code FFM.
2) Also, there is a free to enter contest just opened on FastDraft...it’s an abbreviated Best Ball type draft...open for a limited time.
And note... The ‘all rookies’ tournament/prize contest ‘Origins’ closes April 24th...it’s a pre-Draft contest/battle of rookie scouting skills, so a great opportunity to try and take advantage using your rookie research.
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
FRI 4/18
(7:27amET)
*HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY*
-- I was listening to NYG GM Joe Schoen’s press conference the other day, and man...if anyone is less inspiring about their job it’s ‘Sleepy Joe’. He talked/beamed (for him, ‘beamed’) about all about the zoom meetings he’s had with prospects -- I’m sure Schoen really lights up a room when he’s on the phone or video chat with them...as witnessed by his career-killing (eventually) performance on the HBO Hard Knocks last year talking to Saquon Barkley, trying to ‘negotiate’, I guess you’d call that, with Barkley.
I learned nothing of FF note from listening to Schoen’s pre-GM Prom/NFL Draft presser, except for...
He spoke about the draft preparations being crunched because the draft is earlier (calendar wise) than it has ever been, so he said. I believed him when he said it...and it made instant sense as to why Ross and I were just talking about feeling/being so far behind this draft study season -- it must be because the time schedule is reduced.
I had to go look it up, just to make sure he was telling the truth....and, well...
2025 Draft = 4/24 start
2024 Draft = 4/25 start...really, a whole extra day earlier is the 2025 draft?
2023 Draft = 4/27 start
2022 Draft = 4/28 start
2021 Draft = 4/29 start
The draft keeps getting started a little earlier of late...and the final week/games of the NFL regular season (and the Super Bowl) keep extending on the calendar with the 18th week now. What’s it gonna be like when they go to a 19th week in 2026 (I bet)?
-- A quick Nick Chubb update...
-- If the following report is true, and I am of the belief that it is from a source...and I could just believe it blind because every meeting Shedeur has goes poorly, because Shedeur is an arrogant, spoiled, Deion-created disaster of a personality...but if this report is true, Shedeur is running out of places to land in the 1st-round.
-- Comedy Break...
https://youtu.be/M9fbdJyd08g?si=EMKOqVqbQq9k1QLB
-- The new season of our Betting Subscription option is now open for sign up. See our invite on the ‘Betting’ tab for more description on the details and how to sign up, etc., or click here:
https://ffmetrics.com/betting/5453-the-2025-betting-subscription-season-is-now-open
-- Trades I think will happen before or (especially) during the draft...
I got a trade rumor/prediction a day to throw out there. I’ll try to throw one out a day, up to the draft, and I’ll put a school grade on how much I believe it at the time of writing. We’ll see if any of them end up in reality...
4/17 Rumor/Prediction = There’s been a lot of chatter in New York (Jets) about Breece Hall being traded. Mostly chatter by fans...no real heat behind it beyond speculation. I’ve wondered myself if the Jets might trade Breece because it is the smartest thing they could do...but NFL teams rarely do the smart, pre-emptive thing.
The trade logic -- the Jets are rebuilding, and Hall is going into the ‘I want more money’ phase (this summer) of his looming free agency in 2025...but he’s gonna want his money now, but the Jets don’t have to pay up for multiple reasons -- reasons like you shouldn’t pay up for any RB...and they already have Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.
For the right deal, I think this is the perfect time to move Hall...the problem is, not many other teams are looking to pay big for an RB. ‘Pay’ as in ‘in trade’ or giving a new, big contract.
My confidence grade on Hall being traded = D+/D
Where would he get traded to, if he is traded? My first thought would likely be him traded to a contender who wants an established RB to try and win a title with...not wanting to put it all on a rookie from this draft. However, he more fits the profile (if he is traded) of going to a team that can never attract talent in free agency -- because of their terrible geography and/or franchise, so they have to over-trade for things to possess them. The desperate would be the place/team where they would trade for and immediately sign an extension with a guy like Breece.
My order of possibilities, by grade IF Breece were traded...
B = Jaguars...the Jags want to be a run game team, and they can get an instant lead back for sure with a Breece trade.
B- = Cleveland...big need for a lead RB, and always there to over-trade for other team’s stars.
C+ = Chicago...instead of chasing a rookie RB, Aaron Glenn helps his buddy Ben Johnson land his lead RB of the future. Then the Bears are freed up to take something else at pick #10.
C = Washington...the one contender that might be in play -- more and more we’re seeing they want out of the Brian Robinson lead back business.
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish today, an off-the-grid RB prospect.
*RB-p positional rankings (1.0).
*Best Ball top 600 and the top 600 Dynasty were updated this past weekend.
*Positional NFL Draft Scouting Grades The (2.0+) versions of each position are coming out all prior to draft day...with more of the Pro Day’s processed.
*Daily Dynasty Briefing videos are on a pause with the NFL Draft prep crunch going on. I plan to start them back ASAP.
====================================
***For those into playing DFS or Best Ball style tournaments for prize money, we have Promo Code (FFM) for matching funds deposited with our friend, The Podfather and Playerprofiler for their new tournament prize drafting App FastDraft.
Link to learn more and get the Promo Code: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/5363-upcoming-rc-interview-video-who-what-why-ff-contest-promo-code
I think FFMers could do quite well in the unique contests they have…especially jumping on things early, ahead of the curve -- like the all-Rookie (2025 class) FF draft/lineup contest and the D-Up/all IDP Best Ball tournament play. They are trying to bring unique game play to the DFS/Best Ball draft world, I think you might enjoy.***
*TWO NOTES OF INTEREST* On the FastDraft App/prize tournaments...
1) The FFM Promo Code opportunity has now been doubled by FastDraft for a stretch of time...matching funds of +$50 when you deposit $50 when you use the promo code FFM.
2) Also, there is a free to enter contest just opened on FastDraft...it’s an abbreviated Best Ball type draft...open for a limited time.
And note... The ‘all rookies’ tournament/prize contest ‘Origins’ closes April 24th...it’s a pre-Draft contest/battle of rookie scouting skills, so a great opportunity to try and take advantage using your rookie research.
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
THU 4/17
(7:39amET)
-- Today, we start a 12-part series, 3 reports a day (morn., midday, night)...a five round, pre-NFL Draft Mock DRD series...drafting from each of the #1-12 spots in a draft vs. computer models for the other picks.
Each report will be its own mock...showing all the picks, but with commentary on my picks/pick logic, and occasional comments on the other picks.
Mocks from #1, #2, and #3 will be released all throughout today...and there will be 3-a-day posting the next 4 days (THU-FRI-SAT-SUN).
-- An exchange with Grok that may be important for those in IDP leagues...and non-IDP leagues might need to pay attention to this as well, as most don’t know what’s hidden in their league details for unusual/not normal FF player scoring...
Q: on the sleeper app (used this as a random platform example) for fantasy football, will a two-way player like Travis Hunter have his stats for offense and defense/IDP count in the same game in an IDP league?
A: On the Sleeper app for fantasy football, the handling of a two-way player like Travis Hunter—who is expected to play both wide receiver (offense) and defensive back (IDP) for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2025—depends on how the app categorizes him and the league's scoring settings. Based on available information and current sentiment from posts found on X, here’s the analysis.
Sleeper allows for Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues, where you draft specific defensive players (e.g., defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs) instead of or alongside a team defense, scoring them based on stats like tackles, sacks, and interceptions [web:2] [web:7]. The app’s scoring system is highly customizable, enabling commissioners to assign points for various offensive and defensive actions, including stacking categories (e.g., a pick-six deducting points for an interception and adding points for a touchdown) [web:0]. However, Sleeper does not natively differentiate between specific defensive positions (e.g., cornerback vs. safety) or allow position-specific scoring adjustments for the same action (e.g., more points for a defensive end’s tackle than a cornerback’s) [web:7] [web:15].
For a two-way player like Hunter, the key question is how Sleeper will list him. If Hunter is designated solely as a wide receiver, his defensive stats (e.g., tackles, interceptions) would not count toward IDP scoring unless the commissioner manually adjusts his eligibility, or the app updates his position mid-season.
Posts found on X from users like RuthlessRaider0 and @FFBallGuru1 (April 2025) raise this concern, asking if Hunter’s IDP stats will be credited if listed only as a receiver, with responses suggesting uncertainty but leaning toward “yes” if he’s recognized as a dual-position player [post:4] [post:2]. Historically, Sleeper has adapted to unique player roles—e.g., Shohei Ohtani’s dual pitcher/hitter status in fantasy baseball—but football’s positional rigidity poses a challenge. The app’s lack of DT, DE, CB, or S designations, grouping all into DL, LB, and DB, complicates this [web:7].
Critically, the establishment narrative assumes platforms like Sleeper will seamlessly integrate two-way players, but this overlooks the app’s current design, which ties scoring to a player’s listed position. Without an official update from Sleeper (e.g., listing Hunter as “WR/DB”), his defensive stats might not auto-count in IDP unless the commissioner overrides it via custom settings. Given Hunter’s projected 2025 role—potentially 600-700 offensive snaps and 300-400 defensive snaps [web:2]—his fantasy value hinges on this. A commissioner could manually score his IDP stats, but this requires league-specific action, not a default feature.
In conclusion, as of April 16, 2025, Travis Hunter’s offensive and defensive/IDP stats will not automatically count in the same game on Sleeper in an IDP league unless he’s listed as a dual-position player (e.g., “WR/DB”) or the commissioner customizes the settings to include his defensive contributions. Check with your league commissioner or await Sleeper’s official stance, as the app’s flexibility suggests a potential mid-season adjustment [web:0] [post:2].
-- Just some quick thoughts on Tyler Shough...
I have three thoughts about Shough, from discussions over the last 48 hours and my scouting of him this pre-Draft season:
1) He’s the 2nd-best QB in this class...and #3 isn’t close.
2) I think NFL teams also think he is the 2nd-best QB right now...the most arm talent and mental talent by far over the obvious other contenders -- Dart, Shedeur, Milroe.
3) But there’s no way Shough is good enough, nor are NFL GMs aggressive enough, to overpay to take the QB they all really want...when he has all the question marks swirling around him...AND the media is not in love with Shough, so they are not gonna be excited for a team to reach for him.
Every time I hear analysts/insiders speak about Shough, it’s the same thing...they say: I am hearing that NFL people love Shough, but he’s only started one season of football in his LONG seven-year career...and he’s so injury prone.
Injury prone...that’s a totally logical reason not to like him, as a scout or GM. It’s a bit overblown of a reason, to me, but I get teams that don’t want to take whatever risk.
The LONG, seven-year career...that stuff doesn’t matter anymore. It’s now that ‘experience’ is seen as an advantage, not a liability...worst case it’s not the negative that it used to be. You’re not getting to age 35 with any of these QBs staying with their original team for a decade+, so stop with the age whining...it’s so 2020 and prior.
But the one Shough ‘knock’ that makes no sense to me -- He only started one season in college! I heard Todd McShay say it like ten times in the span of 5 minutes today...and maybe he was misspeaking but I’ve heard it from others as well -- he only was a starter in 2024, after 7 years. The thing is -- that statement is not true, not even close.
Shough started for Oregon in COVID 2020...and won the PAC-12. It’s not his fault or scouting issue that he was behind Justin Herbert his two prior years...and then COVID hit once he earned his starting role.
In 2021, he transferred to Texas Tech and...guess what? He was the starter there Week 1! He went (3-0) to start the season and then got hurt and lost for the season in game #4...a collarbone issue that he elected to rest and not surgically repair.
In 2022, coming off his collarbone rehab...guess what? He was the Texas Tech starter Week 1, AGAIN!!! But he also hurt his collarbone again, in Week 1...but this time he had surgery and returned to be the starter in their final 4 games...and went (4-0) with a bowl game upset of Ole Miss. He was (5-0) as a starter that season.
In 2023, guess what...Texas Tech starter Week 1, AGAIN! Got hurt game #4 and was lost for the season.
In 2024...starter again, and was that/stayed healthy for the entire season for Louisville.
Seven college seasons, one redshirt year, one backup season to Justin Herbert, and five straight seasons as the Week 1 starter since for Tyler Shough.
Shedeur Sanders has 24 active games and 24 starts at the D1 level.
Tyler Shough has 42 active games and 32 (21-11) starts at the D1 level.
Please, football analysts...get out of here with the ‘lack of starting’ narrative on Shough. He’s started 33% more games at the D1 level than Shedeur. And also has more starts than Jalen Milroe (26). Cam Ward has started 6 more D1 games than Shough.
Shough has about as much/more experience as a starter at the D1 level than any of the other top QBs in this draft...and he has a better arm, awareness, and foot speed than most all of them. ‘Injury prone’ is the only thing you can ‘ding’ him with vs. the 2025 top QB prospect pack. Other than that, he belongs with and over (rankings wise) most QBs in this draft. He can’t help it that it’s a weak draft and that’s he’d be a day three QB if it were the 2024 draft...he can’t help it Shedeur-Dart-Milroe are way more flawed than him.
Side report, supposedly one head coach is with me:
-- The new season of our Betting Subscription option is now open for sign up. See our invite on the ‘Betting’ tab for more description on the details and how to sign up, etc., or click here:
https://ffmetrics.com/betting/5453-the-2025-betting-subscription-season-is-now-open
-- Trades I think will happen before or (especially) during the draft...
I got a trade rumor/prediction a day to throw out there. I’ll try to throw one out a day, up to the draft, and I’ll put a school grade on how much I believe it at the time of writing. We’ll see if any of them end up in reality...
4/16 Rumor/Prediction = This one is almost a layup...the Eagles will trade Dallas Goedert before/during the draft. My confidence grade on that is: A-/B+ (not an A+ because there is a wrinkle/way to keep him).
This has been way too telegraphed for months.
Where is Goedert going?
Everyone thinks he goes to the Colts, because the Colts always need a TE (it seems) and HC Shane Steichen has history with Goedert. Outside of that, the team to think of for Goedert are contenders in need...who don’t want to mess with a rookie TE in a season where they can win a title...and lower teams don’t want an older and/or expensive TE in the last year of their current deal.
So, who are the contenders for Goedert?
My guesses, with confidence grades on each...
‘A-‘ = Colts...the obvious choice, and they think they are an AFC South contender. He will be like the Zach Ertz move to Washington.
D+ = Seattle...they will cut Noah Fant soon...they save $8M CAP by cutting him.
D+ = Re-works his deal with Philly taking his final year money 2025 and splitting it over 2025 and 2026, with a little extra money to do so...but Philly would leave themselves in a situation where they can easily cut him next year and send him to free agency.
I don’t think Goedert goes for this because he’ll make more money getting fully paid now and getting to the open market clean next year. So, trading him is Philly’s best ‘out’...and Goedert has Super Bowl rings, so he can play for the last vestiges of money his final few years remaining in the league.
For FF purposes, a move to IND or SEA would be another shift down in his 2025 FF projections.
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Mock DRD series starts today.
*Next scouting report will publish THU or FRI, a deep sleeper RB report.
*RB-sm positional rankings (1.0).
*Best Ball top 600 and the top 600 Dynasty were updated this past weekend.
*Positional NFL Draft Scouting Grades (1.0 versions) remaining: RB-s and RB-p...will be out over the next 24-48 hours. The (2.0+) versions of each position are coming out all prior to draft day...with more of the Pro Day’s processed.
*Daily Dynasty Briefing videos are on a pause with the NFL Draft prep crunch going on. I plan to start them back ASAP.
====================================
***For those into playing DFS or Best Ball style tournaments for prize money, we have Promo Code (FFM) for matching funds deposited with our friend, The Podfather and Playerprofiler for their new tournament prize drafting App FastDraft.
Link to learn more and get the Promo Code: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/5363-upcoming-rc-interview-video-who-what-why-ff-contest-promo-code
I think FFMers could do quite well in the unique contests they have…especially jumping on things early, ahead of the curve -- like the all-Rookie (2025 class) FF draft/lineup contest and the D-Up/all IDP Best Ball tournament play. They are trying to bring unique game play to the DFS/Best Ball draft world, I think you might enjoy.***
*TWO NOTES OF INTEREST* On the FastDraft App/prize tournaments...
1) The FFM Promo Code opportunity has now been doubled by FastDraft for a stretch of time...matching funds of +$50 when you deposit $50 when you use the promo code FFM.
2) Also, there is a free to enter contest just opened on FastDraft...it’s an abbreviated Best Ball type draft...open for a limited time.
And note... The ‘all rookies’ tournament/prize contest ‘Origins’ closes April 24th...it’s a pre-Draft contest/battle of rookie scouting skills, so a great opportunity to try and take advantage using your rookie research.
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
WED 4/16
(7:09amET)
-- Very quietly, way too casually, we got news/reminders of the trade availability of two top/star CBs...Jalen Ramsey and Jaire Alexander. Teams breathlessly chase any form of pass rusher than can find in the offseason, and then two stars at one of the four most crucial positions on an NFL team (per me), shutdown corner, is available, and...a collective yaaawwwnnn from the NFL.
Ramsey and Jaire can change top contenders’ defenses and odds of going to the Super Bowl in an instant.
I think Ramsey is a little more coveted than Alexander right now, because Jaire has had injury issues lately and has been much ‘whackier’ with comments about team things in the press. Ramsey just makes too much money for a ‘starting to dismantle and rebuild’ Miami team.
NFL and FF DST fortunes will be changing soon, for the better, for the teams that acquire either one of these guys. The strong will get stronger...
-- Reports from CB Will Johnson’s 4/14 private Pro Day are not helping his draft momentum...
Reports that he ran in the 4.55+ range. Fears that it might have been a 4.6+. All not great for a supposed elite CB.
Known for his agility, he did the shuttle run...at a reported 4.3+ time; not a great time. The one thing everyone would bet on that he’s crush, the three-cone, he didn’t do. But he did the shuttle?
A head scratching private workout. Why run at all? He had the excuse not to run due to a major hamstring/leg injury sustained in November. If you are gonna do things, why not the three-cone that people think you could hit the 6.6s in potentially? Unless that was gonna be an issue too.
I think this weak Pro Day (reportedly) is the kind of thing that will take him down some NFL draft board some, but others who have watched him on tape, and who love him -- they’ll still take him top 20, unless something happened at that Pro Day that really scared them...something outside the speed times. There’s a built-in excuse, for those in love with Johnson, an excuse that may be legit -- he’s coming off the injury...he isn’t up to full speed yet. Which may be true, but I’m stuck wondering...Will Johnson is a smart guy -- why did he try to run at this private Pro Day?
Ramsey, Jaire, Will Johnson...all possible defense-changing corners, all in the news heavily yesterday.
-- The new season of our Betting Subscription option is now open for sign up. See our invite on the ‘Betting’ tab for more description on the details and how to sign up, etc., or click here:
https://ffmetrics.com/betting/5453-the-2025-betting-subscription-season-is-now-open
-- Trades I think will happen before or (especially) during the draft...
I got a trade rumor/prediction a day to throw out there. I’ll try to throw one out a day, up to the draft, and I’ll put a school grade on how much I believe it at the time of writing. We’ll see if any of them end up in reality...
4/16 Rumor/Prediction = Well, we might as well see it through...continuing on with ‘CB note day’...let’s discuss the Jalen Ramsey trade scenarios.
Confidence grade that Ramsey will be traded = ‘A+’...if I read the contracts right, it’s much more fiscally prudent for Miami to trade Ramsey than it is to outright cut him.
$39M to cut outright pre-June 1st, but ‘just’ a $29M hit if the trade him. That’s the way I’m interpreting the impact of moving him from the contracts themselves and from Grok 3.0. The Dolphins avoid a roster bonus of an extra $19M+ if he’s not on the Week 1 roster. So, one way or the other...Ramsey is gonzo from Miami.
I heard speculation of the Ramsey move for the past few weeks, but now it’s essentially ‘official’...as the Dolphins are allowing him to seek a trade.
Ramsey is a gamechanger now available...and obviously he will go to a top contender for 2025. But which contender?
Likely not the Rams, as he didn’t leave on great terms in 2022...but it wasn’t too bad. I’d say the tippy top contenders are all in-play, but the top contenders that as southern-based and in no state income tax states will have the advantage...and Ramsey is more of an east coast person, all things considered...so that really puts the teams that fit the matchmaking as...
Tampa Bay, Houston, Atlanta...those would be the top guesses if Ramsey gets to dictate things.
If Miami is willing to trade him to wherever, I would say the Bills would be in hot pursuit along with Minnesota.
My ranking/confidence grade of where he will wind up...
Tampa Bay = B
Atlanta = B
Buffalo = C+
Minnesota = C
Houston = D (they are already set at outside CB, but could make adjustments for Ramsey)
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish today.
*DE positional rankings (1.0).
*Ross Jacobs next 1st-round mock.
*Best Ball top 600 and the top 600 Dynasty were updated this past weekend. IDP update will post today.
*Positional NFL Draft Scouting Grades (1.0 versions) remaining: RB-s and RB-p...will be out the week of 4/14. The (2.0+) versions of each position are coming out all prior to draft day...with more of the Pro Day’s processed.
*Daily Dynasty Briefing videos are on a pause with the NFL Draft prep crunch going on. I plan to start them back ASAP.
====================================
***For those into playing DFS or Best Ball style tournaments for prize money, we have Promo Code (FFM) for matching funds deposited with our friend, The Podfather and Playerprofiler for their new tournament prize drafting App FastDraft.
Link to learn more and get the Promo Code: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/5363-upcoming-rc-interview-video-who-what-why-ff-contest-promo-code
I think FFMers could do quite well in the unique contests they have…especially jumping on things early, ahead of the curve -- like the all-Rookie (2025 class) FF draft/lineup contest and the D-Up/all IDP Best Ball tournament play. They are trying to bring unique game play to the DFS/Best Ball draft world, I think you might enjoy.***
*TWO NOTES OF INTEREST* On the FastDraft App/prize tournaments...
1) The FFM Promo Code opportunity has now been doubled by FastDraft for a stretch of time...matching funds of +$50 when you deposit $50 when you use the promo code FFM.
2) Also, there is a free to enter contest just opened on FastDraft...it’s an abbreviated Best Ball type draft...open for a limited time.
And note... The ‘all rookies’ tournament/prize contest ‘Origins’ closes April 24th...it’s a pre-Draft contest/battle of rookie scouting skills, so a great opportunity to try and take advantage using your rookie research.
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
TUE 4/15
(7:07amET)
-- Breaking headline this morning, I'll comment later: Miami is allowing Jalen Ramsey to explore trade options.
-- Headline from yesterday: Giants To Privately Work Out Shedeur Sanders
This news item got people’s attention. It set everybody to re-speculate and to ask the question -- “What is this all about?”
Is it the straightforward answer: The Giants ARE interested in Shedeur, so they are going to have this private workout.
My question on that thought is: Why now, why this late in the process? Wasn’t everyone crowing that the Giants attended all the Colorado games in 2024? And they were also the ones so prominently meeting with Shedeur at the East-West Shrine? Given all the work they have done on Shedeur...NOW they want a private workout? To find out what things that are not already known?
Maybe they ARE going to draft Shedeur at #3...you can’t overlook the Giants, or most NFL teams, from being dumb as a box of rocks with their personnel moves/drafts.
OR
Could this be a big show/production/act to spotlight/telegraph/fake an interest to see if it pushes anyone harder to trade up to #3 for Shedeur? Does it motivate the Steelers or Saints? Maybe the Giants ARE wanting out of the #3 pick, as I speculated the last few days -- and they are just running a kind of ‘advertisement’ to spotlight that anyone hot for Shedeur can come on up! Or any team interested in Abdul Carter, can come on up!
BUT...
It’s a lot of effort to go through a whole private workout just to make the Saints squirm...and GM Joe Schoen doesn’t strike me as a mastermind of anything clever/devious.
Maybe the Giants will take Shedeur at #3...or maybe they might look to take him at #34 (or anywhere in-between)...they may have word/faith/hope that Shedeur is not going in the 1st-round (as the speculation grows stronger and stronger) and they could target him 2nd-round.
Can you feel it? It’s almost draft time...and Shedeur is going to be THEE story to watch by a mile! It will be so anticlimactic if the Giants take him at #3.
In other QB’s to be taken #2 news... Jalen Milroe to be the 2nd QB drafted odds have gone from +2200 a week ago, to +1400, to +1000...to now a new low +600.
-- The new season of our Betting Subscription option is now open for sign up. See our invite on the ‘Betting’ tab for more description on the details and how to sign up, etc., or click here:
https://ffmetrics.com/betting/5453-the-2025-betting-subscription-season-is-now-open
-- Trades I think will happen before or (especially) during the draft...
I got a trade rumor/prediction a day to throw out there. I’ll try to throw one out a day, up to the draft, and I’ll put a school grade on how much I believe it at the time of writing. We’ll see if any of them end up in reality...
4/15 Rumor/Prediction = My prediction is...the Bears are going to trade up in the draft for Ashton Jeanty. The question is where are they going to/what pick # in order to get that done?
Confidence grade the Bears trade up into the top 5 = ‘D’.
It would be quite the bold move, so you have to bet against it...so, just a ‘D’ grade.
Where do the Bears move to? Two scenarios...
1) On draft night one, as the Jaguars are getting ready to pick at #5...the trade (that was agreed to prior, but agreed upon to wait until pick #4 happens to make sure Jeanty has not gone off the board) is announced, as the Bears sneak right in front of the Raiders and they select Jeanty.
The new Jags GM is sharp...and I can see him willing to fall back a few picks to gain draft pick assets later. The two teams swap picks #5 and #10 and the Jags get like a 3rd-round pick in 2026 or something.
It could be the extra pick exchange is -- the Jags get the Bears #41/2nd-round pick (one of their two 2nd-round picks) and the Bears get one of the extra Jags’ 3rd-round picks (that they have two of), #88 overall in 2025. In this scenario: the Jags send #5 and #88 for the Bears’ #10 and #41.
Whatever it is, the Jags are willing to drop to #10, pick up asset/s and draft their O-Lineman, as everyone is mocking to them.
Confidence grade that the Jags trade #5 with Chicago = ‘A’...if you told me there would definitely be a Bears move to the top 5.
2) The bold move...maybe the only team from #3-5 willing to move, so it’s all the Bears have as an option -- the Bears trade to #3 with NYG. Referencing back to the Giants not wanting Shedeur or if they do want him, they don’t need to use #3 on Shedeur.
The two teams swap #3 and #10, and the Bears give their #41/2nd-round pick (one of two 2nd-round picks) and the Giants add their 2025 #99/3rd-round (one of their two 3rd-round picks) pick in return...since the NYG GM is on the hot seat and 2026+ doesn’t matter unless they win, improve NOW/2025.
The Giants wait to announce a deal once they are sure Ward-Hunter are #1-2, then they get cold feet on Abdul Carter -- they don’t need another edge rusher, and they definitely don’t need to draft Carter only to see him need foot surgery and be out of part of the season and/or be ineffective because of it...and the ‘all in’ on 2025 logic goes out the window if Carter can’t help right away. The Giants fall to #10 to take an offensive lineman or whatever.
Confidence grade that the Giants trade #3 with Chicago = ‘C’...if you told me there would definitely be a Bears move to the top 5. I just don’t believe the Giants GM has the guts to make radical or savvy moves.
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish today.
*Daily Dynasty Briefing videos are on a pause with the NFL Draft prep crunch going on. I plan to start them back ASAP.
*Best Ball top 600 and the top 600 Dynasty were updated this past weekend. IDP update will post today.
*Positional NFL Draft Scouting Grades (1.0 versions) remaining: RB, DE...will be out the week of 4/14. The (2.0+) versions of each position are coming out all prior to draft day...with more of the Pro Day’s processed.
====================================
***For those into playing DFS or Best Ball style tournaments for prize money, we have Promo Code (FFM) for matching funds deposited with our friend, The Podfather and Playerprofiler for their new tournament prize drafting App FastDraft.
Link to learn more and get the Promo Code: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/5363-upcoming-rc-interview-video-who-what-why-ff-contest-promo-code
I think FFMers could do quite well in the unique contests they have…especially jumping on things early, ahead of the curve -- like the all-Rookie (2025 class) FF draft/lineup contest and the D-Up/all IDP Best Ball tournament play. They are trying to bring unique game play to the DFS/Best Ball draft world, I think you might enjoy.***
*TWO NOTES OF INTEREST* On the FastDraft App/prize tournaments...
1) The FFM Promo Code opportunity has now been doubled by FastDraft for a stretch of time...matching funds of +$50 when you deposit $50 when you use the promo code FFM.
2) Also, there is a free to enter contest just opened on FastDraft...it’s an abbreviated Best Ball type draft...open for a limited time.
And note... The ‘all rookies’ tournament/prize contest ‘Origins’ closes April 24th...it’s a pre-Draft contest/battle of rookie scouting skills, so a great opportunity to try and take advantage using your rookie research.
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
MON 4/14
(7:40amET)
-- FYI... Brandon Aiyuk’s doctor is telling the 49ers there’s a chance Aiyuk will be ready by Week 1, which goes against the ‘back by mid-season’ estimates thrown around in the media.
Whether it’s true and to what capacity Aiyuk would be back is all unknown, but positive news on Aiyuk potentially...which affects the FF-love for Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall out of the gates in 2025.
...unless the 49ers trade Aiyuk, which is still very possible...and even more possible if he’s back running around/starting to play in August.
-- Headline (NBC): Browns Could See Significant Cap Relief Due To Insurance Policy On Deshaun Watson’s Contract...
(a slice of the report): Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk adds further context. According to Florio, Watson’s deal contains an addendum that allows the team to recover over $58MM for an injury occurring between the start of the 2024 offseason program and the start of the 2025 offseason program (Watson sustained his season-ending Achilles tear in October 2024 and suffered a second tear in January 2025, and both occurrences fall within the addendum’s timeline). Most of the potential recovery (over $44MM) stems from Watson’s fully-guaranteed salary of $46MM for 2025.
In other words, if Watson is unable to play in 2025, and if the Browns’ prospective claim against the insurance policy is successful, Cleveland could get back over $44MM in cash with a corresponding credit to its cap sheet. Given the stakes involved, though, the insurance carrier may well attempt to find an exclusion or exception that would justify denial of the claim.
RC note: This made me think/wonder, in my conspiratorial mind – back when I was wondering why the Browns weren’t benching Watson...might they have been playing their best card as a business/franchise? That ‘card’ being: If Watson got hurt, it would be a giant windfall/rebate for the Browns. You can only increase the odds of that by continuing to play him...even when it made no sense.
Just a twisted thought. $44M is a lot of money.
-- Comic relief for a Monday morning:
https://youtu.be/xAKznUoQa-I?si=0K_heuYCBoYPY_eX
The line... Brought to you by Taco Bell: ‘Should meat cost less than gum? Don’t ask.” …about caused me to choke to death on my Diet Coke.
-- The new season of our Betting Subscription option is now open for sign up. See our invite on the ‘Betting’ tab for more description on the details and how to sign up, etc., or click here:
https://ffmetrics.com/betting/5453-the-2025-betting-subscription-season-is-now-open
-- ‘I (RC) heard that too’ news...
I saw an article on Ben Roethlisberger’s comments on the Steelers’ QB situation on a podcast with Pat McAfee...the things Big Ben said, I had been hearing as well...that’s why I’ve not been ready to lock Aaron Rodgers into the Steelers.
The basics of the discussion: Russell Wilson did not like his time with the Steelers because of Arthur Smith (SHOCKING!!!) and did not want to return. And that speculation is (and I’ve heard it too) that Russ is telling Rodgers, as a professional courtesy, to be wary of the Steelers situation because of Art Smith.
The Steelers have a recent (like the past 3-4 O-C’s) knack for hiring the most awful offensive coordinators...and it’s catching up to them, it appears, because QBs are avoiding that situations (as it stands today). Whenever I think about the Rodgers/Steelers situation, I ask myself, ‘Why hasn’t Rodgers just signed there already, since there is nowhere else to go?” Maybe it’s because Rodgers is not going to sign there...because he doesn’t want to work with Art Smith?
If wishes and dreams come true, I pray that the Steelers draft Shedeur Sanders and thus give us a year of Sanders family v. Art Smith...Art deserves that nightmare situation/ending to his career. He’s done it to himself. Shedeur seems like the most humble, likable person on the planet compared to entitled, bullheaded Art Smith. Just ask the Falcons players and management that had to deal with him.
If the Steelers O-C’s are causing all their QB/offensive issues, then we could also wonder/speculate...
Should Kenny Pickett not be counted out yet (in the NFL) for having to start his career in a total mess, pre-Art...but just as bad, differently bad O-C’s to deal with?
What is Mike Tomlin’s glitch with ‘offense’?
...and how does he keep logging winning record seasons?
-- FYI, on the league schedule release...
-- Trades I think will happen before or (especially) during the draft...
I got a trade rumor/prediction a day to throw out there. I’ll try to throw one out a day, up to the draft, and I’ll put a school grade on how much I believe it at the time of writing. We’ll see if any of them end up in reality...
4/14 Rumor/Prediction = The scenario is: The Giants do draft Abdul Carter #3, because that’s what the league and fans and media peer pressure leads them to do...make a pick that won’t be criticized/will be heralded for the NFL Draft. The draft is ‘prom night’ for NFL GMs...the one time they most matter/are discussed...and the dumb ‘grades’ they are instantly given by the draft media is their report card/vote on who the prom/draft king and queen are, and who is on their ‘court’.
Giants GM Joe Schoen is not a radical, he does not get things proactively done...he’s the ultimate ‘sleepy joe’. I bet against him hustling a radical deal to fall down from #3...and too much of a puss to take any basic offers to so...and too weak to make a radical pick not-Carter at #3. When NYG picks Carter, many will say ‘they got the best player in this draft at #3!!’...because the football hivemind values pass rushers over everything...and Schoen wants that nice accolade...and does not want the opposite, ‘How could Schoen pass on Carter, the best player in the draft!?!?!’ No pats on the back for Schoen if he passes on Carter #3.
Once NYG takes Carter, then they will do the ‘expected’ thing...the easy thing...the value reduced thing because everyone knows they have to/want to dump him -- they will trade/giveaway Kayvon Thibodeaux, which ironically is a fine example of another wasted top 5 NYG draft pick under GM Joe Schoen...a useless edge rusher.
Confidence grade that Thibodeaux is traded: B-...but it’s an ‘A+’ if/when Carter is announced as the pick on day one.
Where is Thibodeaux going to? My guesses in confidence grade order...
KC = C+
ATL = C+
CLE = C-/D+
ARI = D+
SEA = D
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish today.
*New ‘Betting’ post/concept out soon.
*Daily Dynasty Briefing videos are on a pause with the NFL Draft prep crunch going on. I plan to start them back ASAP.
*Best Ball top 600 update today. The top 600 Dynasty was updated yesterday. IDP update projected for Monday.
*Positional NFL Draft Scouting Grades (1.0 versions) remaining: CB, RB, DE...will be out the week of 4/14. The (2.0+) versions of each position are coming out all prior to draft day...with more of the Pro Day’s processed.
