RC's daily streaming notes on football, and other, things going on this week...
4/5 SUN
HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY
(9:47amET)
Today
-- New Scouting Report: Drew Allar
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- Pro Day Notes Series: paused while I go through the coaching pressers
-- NFL Draft position grades ...OCs group underway, to debut SUN/MON
This Week’s/Month’s Agenda…
-- Prospect grades by position and rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly for the next 5 months.
-- Dynasty and Best Ball rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.
-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.
-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.
-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.
-- New coaching staff hire’s analysis series...going through the entire staff...I am working on the framework of how I want to present that. This will be a first ever series (for me) where I go beyond ‘just the new head coaches’. ETA in early April to start it up.
== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==
-- I don’t know how Philly is gonna make it through this chaos with so many unhappy players and coaches.
-- I attached this to the Jacob Rodriguez scouting report, but in case you missed it -- it’s worth a look from a human interest standpoint...
https://youtu.be/ROtfV52Ihzk?si=cQsBgIkCPVWOfhe9
-- The company/brand PFF is ‘no more’...bought out by another company, which subsequently then fired like 50% of the staff...the media side mostly.
Some of my opinions on PFF...
To me, PFF was a football analysis company with an initial good idea that had bad/worsening execution that only existed/thrived because there was nothing else really like it nationally. Eventually, most PFF subscribers came to a similar conclusion -- why did I subscribe to this?
The info PFF was producing/promoting was cute and neat, but was it effective? What did people do with it? All the NFL teams subscribed to this...but do you see NFL teams being run any better in the PFF era? It always felt like, to me, a lot of data vomit that conflicted with itself all the time...there were just too many acronyms and stats that didn’t really translate into anything...one datapoint was not ‘holy’ or repeatedly predictive year after year. Then when people dug in to their ‘way/methodology/details, they found that there was a lot to question.
I always maintained that you couldn’t trust the human graders...it was people judging art, and not an obvious science...there was no way to judge these things accurately and good/evil bias was bound to be rampant. I knew some of the ‘workers’/’judgers’ and thus I knew a little bit on how their sausage was made, and it didn’t make me ever feel that confident or engaged. I subscribed for one year...a promo for a year, like early 2024 into 2025...I wanted to see more on their draft prospect data that I thought may save me time or give me ideas on concepts. And...well...not at all.
I messed around with their website some for a few days and then I never really used it/went onto it again for the year of subscription. I wasn’t alone in that feeling...PFF was bleeding out/constantly churning subscribers...constantly trying to replace the heavy annual losses...and eventually the numbers go against them. Then it seems they did what most failing businesses do...cut back on quality to account for the slowdown. And you’re gonna see in a second that belief has some inside corroboration.
There is not one person I know in the business or that plays football (Fantasy or gambling) at a high spend level, that ever went past 1-2 seasons of subscribing to PFF. No one at a high level has it has a key part of their studies/information feed. Everyone tried it for a year and left, never to renew.
Anyway...
One of their former employees (just let go) went on a podcast and spoke his truth. Here’s a GEMINI summary I thought some might find interesting, especially 1-2 things that will make you realize that the football industry is not holy, they have all the same flaws and then some that most big corporations do. And I just knew there was gonna be Chis Collinsworth nepotism and greed in the details...and there seems to be, according the this person.
Here you go with GEMINI’s summary and a link to the full show if interested.
---------------
GEMINI SUMMARY:
This video from the Check The Mic podcast features Steve Palazzolo, Sam Monson, and guest Mike Renner discussing the recent acquisition of PFF (Pro Football Focus) and the subsequent layoffs that effectively ended the media side of the company.
The Acquisition and Layoffs
- The Sale: PFF’s "Enterprise" (B2B) side, which provides data to all 32 NFL teams and many college programs, was sold to Teamworks for over $100 million [01:04].
- The Media "Funeral": While the B2B side was acquired, nearly the entire front-facing media and content staff was laid off. The hosts describe this as the "funeral" or "wake" for the PFF they knew [01:11], [03:32].
- Physical Closure: The physical office in Cincinnati was closed two weeks prior to the announcement, leaving no central hub for the company [04:40].
Factors Leading to the "Downfall"
The hosts attribute the decline of PFF's culture and media presence to several management failures:
- Failed Pivot to Gambling: The company shifted focus and heavy investment toward a multi-million dollar betting app that ultimately failed, siphoning resources away from the core consumer product and B2B infrastructure [22:21], [29:18].
- Leadership and Nepotism: Sam Monson specifically cites the leadership of George Chahrouri and Austin Collinsworth (son of owner Chris Collinsworth) as a primary reason for the company's decline, arguing that nepotism prevented fair performance analysis [38:52], [40:29].
- Neglect of Staff: The hosts highlight a "lack of humanity" in later years, noting that while leadership made millions from the sale, many long-term employees who built the brand were left with little to no recognition or equity [26:19], [32:00].
- Product Stagnation: Management was often unwilling to invest in "cost-only" improvements, such as fixing the 0-100 grading scale's mathematical pain points, because it didn't generate immediate new revenue [01:08:29].
Mike Renner’s Departure
Renner shares specific reasons why he left in 2023:
- Canceled Success: Management canceled his successful show, It’s Just Football, despite high organic growth, simply to force a different vision they preferred [13:23].
- Missed Opportunities: He attempted to bring a $20,000 PFF-branded partnership with Bleacher Report for draft coverage, but management shut it down, choosing to do a lower-budget in-house show instead [23:47].
Legacy and Impact
- Changing the Game: Despite the "death" of the company's original form, the hosts take pride in how PFF permanently changed football discourse. Concepts like "yards per route run" and PFF grades moved the league away from basic stats like "starts" and "total yards" [01:13:20], [01:13:35].
- The Future: While the PFF brand may continue under Teamworks, the hosts remain skeptical of its future as a media entity without the original talent and vision that defined it [01:52:17].
Video URL: The REAL Story Behind the Death of PFF (w/ Mike Renner)
RC, again...
One of my questions about all this is, after hearing similar complaints for years...why did all these Fantasy analysts, etc., stick with the company they knew was failing? Because PFF was one of the only jobs that people early into football analysis love could get...it was the Holy Grail job people got when I was first starting to gain traction. They were a growing start-up company with money.
There was nowhere for a ragtag football enthusiast who wants to be a Fantasy analyst (that could draw a paycheck) to go like 15 years ago. And today, there’s even less opportunity than 15 years ago. All independent football media/analysis sites are slow or fast failing -- they had a little boom 10-15 years ago, when Fantasy really took off in what people were willing to pay and niche sites they could sample/subscribe...and these smaller independents were going along fine, but growing in expense/payroll/headcount and now there’s too much free info out there, and most Fantasy websites were just reworded repeats of ESPN/NFL Network ‘takes’...so one-by-one all the people I knew who started up independent companies years ago...they’re gone or gonna be gone in the next year or two, they just can’t admit it.
A.I. is coming to clean out the last of the independents over the next 1-3 years. A.I. can mimic free ESPN, NFL Network (a subsidized, losing venture forever now run by ESPN) better and faster and 99% cheaper than a group of humans can do.
A.I. can create almost any statistic you want in 15 seconds and there’s a bunch of people that post their PFF-like infographics hobby on Twitter/X for free. You can get basic ESPN-like Fantasy advice without ever reading/looking at ESPN...just ask ChatGPT a question on a player or sit-start or waiver claims or a trade and you’ll get an instant answer...an answer which comes from the thoughts of ESPN and NFL, etc.
The technology of a website presentation used to take months/a year to create at a high cost...now you can build a website in an hour with A.I. tools for near nothing. So, anyone can have their own Fantasy website now (so more oversupply)...but there’s no way to get any traction because everything is going to be promoted for/through ESPN and NFL.
And then there’s me/FFM. People ask me...is A.I. gonna put you out of business? Not only is not putting me out of business...it’s killing all other independents off one at a time. There is no real competition for me, per se...because there’s really no one else with the history of scouting and observation of football like I do or have done. I’ve never been a football thing with 5-15-50 other writers/analysts with a then hodgepodge of unreliable opinions...I have me doing a ton of maniacal work and a few experts that assist me greatly (shout out to Ross, Chris, Andrew, Xavier, and other FFM cult members who want to remain anonymous) but it doesn’t take away from my unique business model -- that I watch all the games, I have and still do watch/study all the games (all NFL and many college for draft scouting), I have a unique and expert alternative voice/opinion away from an entire echo chamber...at it’s just not at one football position, it’s all the positions...including O-Line. There is no business like FFM. There is no one doing the work that I do and have done. No one would be crazy enough to try to repeat my business model or work schedule. And in this era, if they did, they wouldn’t be found in the sea of A.I. and a million solo voices on Reddit or Twitter, etc. The marketplace needs me now more than ever.
It’s FFM vs. ‘Skynet’ from here. It’s FFM vs. A.I. reports you don’t know are being done by A.I. (which is just a collection of echo chamber big sites). Let’s GOOOOOOOOO! It’s even easier to take them down know that they are of one A.I. brain.
I outlasted PFF.
...I take an odd pleasure in that, although it’s not very Christianly of me on Easter to rejoice in other’s pain (hey, Collinsworth got $100M+, so...who really ‘won’? Still, me...).
Now, if you would just tell everyone in your league about FFM!
I know the answer to that request...and I respect it.
QUOTES & QUOTABLES (pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’)
-- Jon-Eric Sullivan (Dolphins GM) on the Offensive Line: "We will build this team—it starts with the quarterback. Then we will build this team inside-out. We've got to be dominant on the offensive line." Source: A to Z Sports (4/3)
-- Eliot Wolf (Patriots GM) on Romeo Doubs: "Romeo gives Drake [Maye] a veteran target who knows how to find the end zone. That investment reflects our belief in him." Source: Patriots.com (4/3)
-- Ian Rapoport (Insider) on Trent Williams: "The Niners and Trent are in a holding pattern, but the expectation is a deal gets done before the draft." Source: NFL Network (4/3)
-- Jesse Morse (The Fantasy Doctors) on Zach Charbonnet: "ACL rehab puts his 2026 debut in the mid-season range. Don't expect him to be a factor for your rosters until November."
Draft & Prospect Buzz
- Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana): His "pro-day to visit" momentum is peaking; teams are specifically eyeing his 10-yard split as evidence of elite separation.
- Denzel Boston (WR, Washington): Visited the Bills yesterday; Buffalo is looking to add his 6'4" frame to complement the shiftier DJ Moore.
== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==
It’s March...March Madness time...so let’s do it tournament style. One matchup per day. Teams seeded in their division by their 2025 finish. We go through the divisions to the Final Four in each conference, to the overall Final Four, and then the finals. Strictly my early grades on the teams after all the coaching staffs have been put in place and most all of free agency worth noting is done. Assuming every player on the roster is healthy/never hurt.
The first round will likely go pretty predictably, but I do see at least one major ‘upset’ by a bottom seed.
Here we go:
NFC East finals/Sweet 16: (1) PHI v. (2) DAL...This one is interesting. I really don’t love either team. I could easily see NYG or WSH winning this division, but they have all kinds of issues and/or are retooling things and they are not ‘on paper’ better than these two teams (PHI, DAL)...yet. The draft may change that. I think PHI and DAL belong at the top of the NFC East, for now, because they have the best O-Lines in the division. So, let’s elevate one of them in this tourney...
As always, I start with O-Line, QB, and CB to judge teams. O-Line? This has been a Philly stranglehold for years, but I think Dallas is on the verge of surpassing them. Let’s call it a draw, but our 2025 numbers had Dallas as better (but lane Johnson missed a ton of time too). QB? Tough call. The mood around Hurts is very sour...but the guy just won the Super Bowl MVP two years ago. Dak is getting better/healthier, Hurts is sinking and has ANOTHER O-C change...it’s advantage to Dak now. Dallas has some control of this matchup here, but then we get to the corners/the defense and it’s a ‘no contest’ -- Philly is great here, signing Riq Woolen to the mix, and Dallas is dying for CB help. Vic Fangio is a 'plus' that Dallas can't match.
It doesn’t feel right, but I still have to push Philly as the NFC East ‘best’...but I would not bet on it, at all.
Tomorrow...we have the NFC North finals...(1) CHI v. (3) MIN
Past results:
AFC East: (1) NE d. (4) NYJ, (2) BUF d. (3) MIA = (1) NE d. (2) BUF
AFC North: (1) PIT d. (4) CLE, (3) CIN d. (2) BAL = (1) PIT d. (3) CIN
AFC South: (1) JAX d. (4) TEN, (3) IND d. (2) HOU = (3) IND d. (1) JAX
AFC West: (1) DEN d. (4) LV, (2) LAC d. (3) KC = (2) LAC d. (1) DEN
NFC East: (1) PHI d. (4) NYG, (2) DAL d. (3) WSH
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF
----------------------------------------------------------
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4/4 SAT
(7:18amET)
Today
-- New Scouting Report: Jacob Rodriquez
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- Pro Day Notes Series: paused while I go through the coaching pressers
-- NFL Draft position grades ...ILBs will debut today
This Week’s/Month’s Agenda…
-- Prospect grades by position and rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly for the next 5 months.
-- Dynasty rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.
-- Final components and studies for publishing Best Ball debut rankings ASAP.
-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.
-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.
-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.
-- New coaching staff hire’s analysis series...going through the entire staff...I am working on the framework of how I want to present that. This will be a first ever series (for me) where I go beyond ‘just the new head coaches’. ETA in early April to start it up.
== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==
-- HEADLINE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the NFL concluded Chiefs WR Rashee Rice did not violate the personal conduct policy and there will be no discipline at this time. In a lawsuit from February, Rice was accused of “violent and abusive behaviors” filed by the mother of two of his children and former girlfriend, Dacoda Jones.
My reaction/wandering commentary on this without a lot of deep research...
It seems like there is a pattern developing for ‘knucklehead WRs’ (low IQ/hangs with the wrong crowd, substance issues potential/likely)...the WR is accused of ___ by a female, lawsuit threatened/goes public for real or spite or money, it’s a shocking headline for a few days, then nothing ever comes ever of it. Most times the case is thrown out because it wasn’t much of, or really a case. No suspension or jail time. We all (collectively) don’t even blink at these things anymore.
We don’t know which of these ‘knucklehead WRs’ are getting swindled with false allegations/shake downs, and what is real but they have the money to play tough in court. These guys are wide open targets to be 'conned'...the idiot WRs that get themselves among/exposed to low-life’s by hanging out in low-life places and being idiots/low IQ themselves -- moneygrubbers see them coming a mile away, but they’re too stupid to realize it. And it doesn’t mean they aren’t good/great at football, or guilty of any real crimes...it just means, at a minimum -- they are idiots.
While the majority of players are grinding and working on their game/craft/career protecting their bodies and self...these knucklehead WRs are constantly at the club and buying more cars and jewelry. It’s hard to know what to do with them for FF, because nothing ever really happens to them that affects their on-field performance. But if you are 'against' some players due to injury worry...should we consider IQ/knucklehead worry? Or just let it go...because it never is a real issue until late in their careers?
Antonio Brown and Tyreek Hill are some of the best ever in the NFL, and they produced most of their careers despite a consistent, growing level of ‘crazy’. Once they were no longer great/in the spotlight then things really went nuts.
At age 30, Antonio Brown caught 104 passes for 1,297 yards, and 15 TDs for the Steelers...and then the Steelers dumped him on the Raiders the very next offseason, where he never played a game and his ‘crazy’ escaped and took over. At age 29, Tyreek had a 119 catch, 1,799 yards, and 13 TD season...his best season of his career...with Tua. And Tyreek will probably rehab off a wicked injury and have a good/great year in 2026 at age 32+.
Rashee Rice and Puka Nacua have a ways to go until they hit 30+ years old. Until then, the NFL will protect them or they turn their lives around/mature.
The only thing is...it’s different now...in this new era the WR talent is flooding the NFL...and most all of them are honor roll students, and/or all conference academic honorees, etc. I don’t know if there will be the long patience for ‘knucklehead WRs’ (or any position) today like there was 5-10 years ago because of the supply/demand of talent.
You’ll know what the Rams are thinking/worried about by what they do with pick #13 in this upcoming draft. I think they are almost forced to draft a WR, but if they don’t...you know they are not that worried.
-- HEADLINE: The Ringer’s Todd McShay reports that “someone in the Cardinals’ building is pushing really, really hard” to draft Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love.
Boy, the Cardinals are really trying hard to trade their #3 overall...
And, man, are draft analysts trying to get Travis Etienne 2.0 (their words, not mine) drafted in the top 3.
QUOTES & QUOTABLES (pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’)
-- Jeff Hafley (Dolphins HC) on Jalen Tolbert: "Jalen gives us a vertical threat that fits the speed profile we want. We're excited to see him work in Phase Two where we can start specific drill work." Source: MiamiDolphins.com (4/2)
-- Howie Roseman (Eagles GM) on Marquise Brown: "Adding 'Hollywood' gives us a speed element we felt we needed to complement A.J. [Brown] and DeVonta [Smith]. He stretches the defense in ways that open up the run game." Source: PhillyVoice (4/2)
-- Robert Saleh (Titans HC) on Wan'Dale Robinson: "We wanted a playmaker who can win quickly in the slot. Wan'Dale is a twitchy kid who creates yards after the catch that our offense was missing." Source: Tennessee Titans Team Update (4/2)
-- John Harbaugh (Giants HC) on Darnell Mooney: "Darnell is a professional route runner. He’s going to be a great asset for Jaxson [Dart] as he continues to grow in this league." Source: Empire Sports Media (4/2)
-- Mike McCarthy (Steelers HC) on Rico Dowdle: "Rico is a physical runner who doesn't shy away from contact. He fits the AFC North identity we're re-establishing here." Source: Steelers.com (4/2)
-- Jesse Morse (The Fantasy Doctors) on Malik Nabers: Notes that Nabers' "cutting mechanics" in Miami rehab look fluid; however, the true test will be 11-on-11 drills in June.
== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==
It’s March...March Madness time...so let’s do it tournament style. One matchup per day. Teams seeded in their division by their 2025 finish. We go through the divisions to the Final Four in each conference, to the overall Final Four, and then the finals. Strictly my early grades on the teams after all the coaching staffs have been put in place and most all of free agency worth noting is done. Assuming every player on the roster is healthy/never hurt.
The first round will likely go pretty predictably, but I do see at least one major ‘upset’ by a bottom seed.
Here we go:
AFC West finals/Sweet 16: (1) DEN v. (2) LAC...Denver’s defense was starting to falter last year, but they got saved/hidden (statistically) down the stretch by getting Las Vegas 2x, KC without Mahomes or Minshew, and LAC Week 18 with Trey Lance and everyone that matter staying out...all 4 games happening in the 2nd-half. They allowed 10.0 PPG to those 4 teams. Outside of those 4 gifts, they gave up 26 points to Marcus Mariota in a lucky win, 26 points to GB, and 34 points to JAX. They then gave up 30 to Buffalo in their first playoff game.
If Denver is no longer a defensive juggernaut, then what’s there to get excited about with them? The Chargers may now have a better defense, top-to-bottom...and then it’s not even close comparing the LAC QB and O-Line to Denver’s. Denver isn’t in LAC’s league in 2026. The Broncos are very lucky LAC lost all their O-Line last year.
Tomorrow...we have the NFC East finals...(1) PHI v. (2) DAL
Past results:
AFC East: (1) NE d. (4) NYJ, (2) BUF d. (3) MIA = (1) NE d. (2) BUF
AFC North: (1) PIT d. (4) CLE, (3) CIN d. (2) BAL = (1) PIT d. (3) CIN
AFC South: (1) JAX d. (4) TEN, (3) IND d. (2) HOU = (3) IND d. (1) JAX
AFC West: (1) DEN d. (4) LV, (2) LAC d. (3) KC
NFC East: (1) PHI d. (4) NYG, (2) DAL d. (3) WSH
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF
----------------------------------------------------------
*How to sign up for our monthly or annual access: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/total-football-advisor
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4/3 FRI
Happy Good Friday!
(7:35amET)
Today
-- New Scouting Report.
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- Pro Day Notes Series: paused while I go through the coaching pressers
-- NFL Draft position grades ...ILBs will debut Saturday.
This Week’s Agenda…
-- Prospect grades by position and rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly for the next 5 months.
-- Dynasty rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.
-- Final components and studies for publishing Best Ball debut rankings ASAP.
-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.
-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.
-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.
-- New coaching staff hire’s analysis series...going through the entire staff...I am working on the framework of how I want to present that. This will be a first ever series (for me) where I go beyond ‘just the new head coaches’. ETA in early April to start it up.
== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==
-- HEADLINE: Raiders signed QB Kirk Cousins.
The Raiders have been talking about bringing in a mentor QB to potentially start to allow Fernando Mendoza time to grow...and they weren’t kidding. Excellent choice of a mentor QB. Very smart, big picture move by Kubiak/the Raiders.
And Kubiak is a guy from that 49ers system that worships Cousins, so this checks a lot of boxes. Great news for Mendoza...he gets time to learn from a real pro, and he doesn’t have to learn on the fly behind a spotty O-Line. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cousins started most of the 2026 season, yielding to Mendoza late.
For FF purposes...it’s good news for all Raiders FF-things, whatever they may be first and foremost/Brock Bowers. Which WR? Let me weigh in on that in a separate report I’m working on, plus let’s see who they draft at WR.
https://x.com/betmgm/status/2039737339048538285?s=43
https://x.com/fanduel/status/2039727917438054441?s=43
-- This is a nice story on Treylon Burks. I think redemption is possible here...if he can stay healthy:
QUOTES & QUOTABLES (pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’)
-- Klint Kubiak (Raiders HC) on Fernando Mendoza: "In a perfect world, he’s watching a mature adult go and run an offense and run the team. You want to give young guys as much continuity as you can; asking them to rewire their brain immediately makes them a step slower." Source: Hindustan Times / Owners Meetings (4/1) RC NOTE: They weren’t kidding.
-- Mike Macdonald (Seahawks HC) on George Holani: "I think people are kind of sleeping on the guys we have. George played great for us down the stretch, and we have confidence in his ability to step up." Source: Yardbarker (4/1)
-- Eliot Wolf (Patriots GM) on Alijah Vera-Tucker: "Adding Alijah is about toughness. We want to be able to run the ball and protect our quarterback, and he’s one of the best at both when healthy." Source: Patriots.com (3/31)
-- John Harbaugh (Ravens HC) on Joe Flacco: "He’s one of a kind. I love him... he’s going to have to be thrown out of the league. When you think he's done, he's got two more years." Source: Bengals.com / Owners Meetings (4/1)
-- Deepak Chona (Predictive Health) on Malik Nabers: ACL + meniscus data remains favorable for his age (<25); lean toward a Week 1 return with high production metrics.
Draft & Prospect Buzz
-- Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana): Raiders HC Klint Kubiak explicitly noted he prefers Mendoza to "initially learn from a veteran" rather than start Week 1.
-- Arvell Reese (LB/Edge, Ohio State): Scouts are calling him a "unfinished work of art" with Micah Parsons-esque upside, though he remains a "high-upside developmental" pick for the Top 5.
-- Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame): Rising into the top tier of RB prospects; scouts compare his versatility to Travis Etienne Jr. (RC NOTE: Wow, how thrilling! The ‘next Travis Etienne” SPECIAL!)
-- Rueben Bain Jr. (Edge, Miami): Despite "alarmingly short arms," scouts note his power and demeanor are making him a lock for the top half of the first round.
== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==
It’s March...March Madness time...so let’s do it tournament style. One matchup per day. Teams seeded in their division by their 2025 finish. We go through the divisions to the Final Four in each conference, to the overall Final Four, and then the finals. Strictly my early grades on the teams after all the coaching staffs have been put in place and most all of free agency worth noting is done. Assuming every player on the roster is healthy/never hurt.
The first round will likely go pretty predictably, but I do see at least one major ‘upset’ by a bottom seed.
Here we go:
AFC East finals/Sweet 16: (1) JAX v. (3) IND...I baseline judge teams by three roster things, #1 O-Line, #2 QB, #3 CB...what I think are the three most important position groups in the NFL...the three that render all the other position groups pretty insignificant otherwise.
If I look at this matchup with a healthy Daniel Jones – then QB goes to Indy. O-Line goes to Indy...last year, with Dan Dimes their O-Line was a top 5 or so in the league in our metrics and then when Jones was lost everything went to crap because of the QB play...with Jones, O-Line goes to Indy. CBs...’memba’ when Indy traded for Sauce Gardner? When healthy, you take the Indy CBs.
It’s all close, not a blowout overall...and the coaching staff can’t help JAX ‘get over’ because I respect Liam Coen, but I think Shane Steichen may be right there/they are both good coaches/staffs. Indy was (8-4) tied with the Jags (8-4) facing each other Week 13...Jones got hurt early in that game, Indy got blown out and the Jags went on to win the AFC South, while Indy lost their final 5 games of the 2025 season without Jones.
This is VERY close between these two teams, and the draft may change our assessment of these two teams...but for right now, a slight edge to Indy for me. This division is really close overall...even the Titans are making up ground. If Daniel Jones is any issue at all...everything goes to Jacksonville. Trevor is the Jags weak spot.
Tomorrow...we have the AFC West finals (1) DEN v. (2) LAC...geez, I wonder who I will say wins that?
Past results:
AFC East: (1) NE d. (4) NYJ, (2) BUF d. (3) MIA = (1) NE d. (2) BUF
AFC North: (1) PIT d. (4) CLE, (3) CIN d. (2) BAL = (1) PIT d. (3) CIN
AFC South: (1) JAX d. (4) TEN, (3) IND d. (2) HOU
AFC West: (1) DEN d. (4) LV, (2) LAC d. (3) KC
NFC East: (1) PHI d. (4) NYG, (2) DAL d. (3) WSH
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF
----------------------------------------------------------
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4/2 THU
(7:48amET)
Today
-- New Rewind Report.
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- Pro Day Notes Series: paused while I go through the coaching pressers
-- NFL Draft position grade ...QBs update and adds
This Week’s Agenda…
-- Prospect grades by position and rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly for the next 5 months.
-- Dynasty rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.
-- Final components and studies for publishing Best Ball debut rankings ASAP.
-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.
-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.
-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.
-- New coaching staff hire’s analysis series...going through the entire staff...I am working on the framework of how I want to present that. This will be a first ever series (for me) where I go beyond ‘just the new head coaches’. ETA in early April to start it up.
== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==
-- HEADLINE: Rams WR Puka Nacua checked into a “luxury treatment center.”
I (and most everybody) suspect Puka has some kind of drinking or other type of issue (and has for a while), and this is not him hiding out from the recent allegations against him, per se...but this does help him get away from all that (and I think some of the legal requests made by the lady trying to sue him are already being denied/shot down). Hopefully, Puka can get help and mature...and not throw away a great career acting like a constant 12-year-old, as he has for about a year now.
The Rams are gonna take a WR in the first-round. They got Puka in rehab. They pissed Davante Adams off. Does Jordan Whittington get some extra work this spring/summer? He’s currently projected as the #3 WR.
-- HEADLINE: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports a source within the Eagles organization believes Jalen Hurts is “not the most coachable” player.
I wonder if this is a Hurts vs. Sirianni contest...that Hurts is sick of Sirianni like most coaches seem to be, since most of his assistants are leaving him fast and not coming back and they couldn’t find anyone to take the O-C job. Philly is constantly changing coaches/losing coaches (for good and bad).
I think, just like a lot of people around the Eagles (AJ Brown, etc.), Hurts can’t stand Sirianni and his ‘management’...it’s been a thing for years now. They did get to (and lost) and won a Super Bowl through great assistants helping -- Shane Steichen in 2022 and Kellen Moore in 2024...they showed they can win whether people like Hurts’ demeanor or not. Last year they hired Kevin Petullo as O-C and that was a total disaster hire. I don’t know if you can blame Hurts when Sirianni and one of his ever-changing O-Cs wants to radically change things...Hurts speaks up or expresses dismay at things he doesn’t like.
This is either Sirianni’s last season, or Hurts’. The Eagles have to decide...and they seem to not like Hurts, for some reason...a guy who just helped carry them to a Super Bowl. The Eagles have a rich history of snubbing their Super Bowl winning QBs...
And I wouldn’t be surprised if Hurts asks for a trade if/when the 2026 season is a let down and Lane Johnson runs out of gas.
The Eagles are hanging on as the leaders in the NFC East by a thread...2026 is probably the year they come apart and need to be rebuilt starting 2027. If Hurts was available in trade in 2027, that would be wild. Hey, Tanner McKee is awesome...they say!
-- Just FYI, file this in the ‘heart & soul’ RBs for coaches...
https://x.com/PSchrags/status/2038995732594929789
And you know what it means when a head coach gets emotionally attached to an RB.
== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==
It’s March...March Madness time...so let’s do it tournament style. One matchup per day. Teams seeded in their division by their 2025 finish. We go through the divisions to the Final Four in each conference, to the overall Final Four, and then the finals. Strictly my early grades on the teams after all the coaching staffs have been put in place and most all of free agency worth noting is done. Assuming every player on the roster is healthy/never hurt.
The first round will likely go pretty predictably, but I do see at least one major ‘upset’ by a bottom seed.
Here we go:
AFC East finals/Sweet 16: (1) PIT v. (3) CIN...Do you know what Joe Burrow’s record is the past three seasons? In games where he has played 80% of more of the snaps? 32 games...a paltry average of 10+ starts per season the past 3 years. I’ll answer at the end.
As to judging CIN v. PIT = Joe Burrow is your FF choice, but Aaron Rodgers is your ‘win the game’ choice. Better O-Line? PIT. Better defense? PIT. Coaching edge? I’m not a fan of either...Rodgers is the best coach of all of them. The awfulness of the Bengals organization has finally halted that Bengals moment from 2021-2022. The Steelers move on to the Elite 8. Burrow is (17-15, 53%) in his last 32 starts when playing 80%+ of the snaps in games over the past 3 years.
Tomorrow...we have the AFC South finals (1) JAX v. (3) IND
Past results:
AFC East: (1) NE d. (4) NYJ, (2) BUF d. (3) MIA = (1) NE d. (2) BUF
AFC North: (1) PIT d. (4) CLE, (3) CIN d. (2) BAL
AFC South: (1) JAX d. (4) TEN, (3) IND d. (2) HOU
AFC West: (1) DEN d. (4) LV, (2) LAC d. (3) KC
NFC East: (1) PHI d. (4) NYG, (2) DAL d. (3) WSH
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF
----------------------------------------------------------
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4/1 WED (April Fool’s Day...beware at work, etc., 20-30 years ago this was a big deal to play tricks)
(6:54amET)
Today
-- New scouting report...keeping on the Penn State theme.
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- Pro Day Notes Series: from 3/12/26?
-- NFL Draft position grade OG debut today.
This Week’s Agenda…
-- Prospect grades by position and rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly for the next 5 months.
-- Dynasty rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.
-- Final components and studies for publishing Best Ball debut rankings ASAP.
-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.
-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.
-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.
-- New coaching staff hire’s analysis series...going through the entire staff...I am working on the framework of how I want to present that. This will be a first ever series (for me) where I go beyond ‘just the new head coaches’. ETA in early April to start it up.
== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==
-- HEADLINE: Yes, the Rams would have traded WR Davante Adams -- if they had traded for Eagles WR A.J. Brown.
Sean McVay has said it/confirmed it. It’s public news.
I would assume Davante Adams is not happy about this information. I’d say a trade is still possible, now that they’ve insulted a Hall of Famer publicly, especially a trade to the Steelers if/when Aaron Rodgers returns.
Are the Rams are gonna draft a WR...and then trade Davante to PIT?
-- HEADLINE: 49ers GM John Lynch said the team would not re-sign WR Jauan Jennings.
The 49ers are drafting a WR...whether that’s first-round or 2nd-round or moving up in either round to do so. They have been in serious meetings with some of the top WR names in the draft.
The Rams and 49ers will be chasing WRs this draft season...they both may trade up for their desire.
-- HEADLINE: Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said if he were in the war room when Will Howard was drafted, “he wouldn’t have been around” in the sixth round.
A lot of buzz for Will Howard for the past 5 months now. I don’t know if it is wishful thinking or real...the buzz is real. His ability...I don’t see it, but maybe he’s really clicking at the pro level? We’ll find out more in August 2026.
-- This is an oddly intriguing watch for you scouts out there:
https://youtu.be/Yi3p0BKv2vg?si=k_HkDXjydja5wEPa
QUOTES & QUOTABLES (pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’)
-- Joe Brady (Bills HC) on Josh Allen: Confirmed Allen had a broken bone in his right foot that required offseason surgery; Allen is expected to be "good to go" for the offseason program. Source: NFL Network (3/30)
-- Jeff Hafley (Dolphins HC) on Malik Willis: "I want Malik to be himself. I don’t want him to change because he’s an incredible human with leadership qualities guys rally around. He needs to develop and grow, but I’m not putting a ceiling on him." Source: MiamiDolphins.com (3/31)
-- Eliot Wolf (Patriots GM) on Romeo Doubs: "We’re all excited about the guys we added. Romeo gives Drake a veteran target who knows how to find the end zone. That $70M investment reflects our belief in him." Source: Patriots.com (3/30)
-- Deepak Chona (Predictive Health) on Zach Charbonnet: Confirmed the torn ACL will likely sideline him for the first half of the 2026 season; projects a "cautious return" around October.
Draft & Prospect Buzz
- Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama): His father, Jason Simpson, confirmed they are having "great conversations" with several teams and are "excited about the situation he's in."
- Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana): Remains the consensus #1 overall pick in most league circles, despite the Orlovsky/Simpson debate.
- Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana): Projected by multiple analysts as a top target for the Steelers and Cowboys due to his vertical speed.
Daily Transactions: March 30-31
- Commanders: Signed DT DJ Davidson (from Giants).
- Lions: Signed S Chuck Clark (from Steelers).
- Eagles: Signed LB Chandler Martin.
- Bills: Picked up 5th-year option on TE Dalton Kincaid.
- Giants: Released K Graham Gano.
- Patriots: Officially signed WR Romeo Doubs (4 years, $70M) and OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (3 years, $42M).
- Chiefs: Finalized 3-year extension for TE Travis Kelce.
== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==
It’s March...March Madness time...so let’s do it tournament style. One matchup per day. Teams seeded in their division by their 2025 finish. We go through the divisions to the Final Four in each conference, to the overall Final Four, and then the finals. Strictly my early grades on the teams after all the coaching staffs have been put in place and most all of free agency worth noting is done. Assuming every player on the roster is healthy/never hurt.
The first round will likely go pretty predictably, but I do see at least one major ‘upset’ by a bottom seed.
Here we go:
AFC East finals/Sweet 16: (1) NE v. (2) BUF...I think the public is too skeptical on the Pats because of their ‘easy schedule’ last season. And I think the pubic is too nostalgic for the ‘old Bills’...they still think the Bills are a ‘a thing’ because they have Josh Allen. Time has passed that by...he’s not the advantage he used to be, no QB is...there’s tons of good QBs. The O-Line and the coaching staff are now more important than ‘the QB rules everything’.
The Pats are ascending and the Bills are collapsing...and it already happened in 2025...it will become bigger of a gap in 2026. Allen is not automatically better than Maye in 2026...it’s roughly even. The Bills have the O-Line edge for now, but NE may take that over this season. On defense, at CB especially, the Pats rule the Bills. Also, the Pats are way better off with Mike Vrabel than the Bills now with the suspect hiring of Joe Brady. The Bills are still formidable but the Patriots are clearly better top-to-bottom. Pats advance to the Elite 8.
Tomorrow...we have the AFC North finals (1) PIT v. (3) CIN
Past results:
AFC East: (1) NE d. (4) NYJ, (2) BUF d. (3) MIA
AFC North: (1) PIT d. (4) CLE, (3) CIN d. (2) BAL
AFC South: (1) JAX d. (4) TEN, (3) IND d. (2) HOU
AFC West: (1) DEN d. (4) LV, (2) LAC d. (3) KC
NFC East: (1) PHI d. (4) NYG, (2) DAL d. (3) WSH
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF
----------------------------------------------------------
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3/31 TUE
(7:58amET)
Today
-- New scouting reports, a double header of the PSU RBs will post Tuesday.
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30 analyzed.
-- Pro Day Notes Series: from 3/12/26?
-- NFL Draft position grade OG debut being worked on for TUE/WED
This Week’s Agenda…
-- Prospect grades by position and rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly for the next 5 months.
-- Dynasty rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid April.
-- Final components and studies for publishing Best Ball debut rankings ASAP.
-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.
-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.
-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.
-- New coaching staff hire’s analysis series...going through the entire staff...I am working on the framework of how I want to present that. This will be a first ever series (for me) where I go beyond ‘just the new head coaches’. ETA in early April to start it up.
== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==
-- HEADLINE: Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said De’Von Achane is one of “three pillars” on the team’s roster. NBC Notes: The other two that Sullivan named were LB Jordyn Brooks and OG Aaron Brewer. Sullivan said that he hopes to secure extensions for all three players in the future, and called Achane a “priority” deal he hopes to get done.
Those are strong words. You wouldn’t say ‘pillar’ then trade Achane.
So, Achane staying in the wrong offense with the wrong QB for his receiving gifts + they have very much talked about wanting a power run game...so Ollie Gordon or ___ power back coming will be in some kind of split as well, in theory. Good for Miami...’in flux’ for FF.
-- HEADLINE: Rams HC Sean McVay said he hopes Puka Nacua is a Ram “for a really long time.”
I don’t think anything will come of Puka’s latest allegation besides tarnishing his reputation and lowering his contract value that LAR will give him. The Rams have 1-3 years min./max. left of Stafford, they will connect Puka with that final run.
But it’s possible they now drag a Puka contract discussion out (to see more about the latest allegations as an excuse)...wait to see if they land Lemon/Tyson from the draft...then get tough on Puka.
The FF-ground is starting to shake under Puka’s feet.
Puka without Stafford = ‘not interested’.
-- There’s the Jeremiyah Love tweet itself which I like, but I love the comments/reactions more.
https://x.com/scottbarrettdfb/status/2038427176807067774?s=43
-- NEWS: 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said he wants less “wear and tear” on Christian McCaffrey this season.
Shanahan says this every spring/summer. He never does it. If he were serious about it, he would have kept Brian Robinson...who looked really good last year, and who they could’ve used to reduce CMC more in 2025...and didn’t.
-- I really enjoyed this video about the origin story of Jordan Tyson. I think you might too...
https://youtu.be/Ja6TSFIIk-w?si=YkC_o6G4aQX2ngyf
== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==
It’s March...March Madness time...so let’s do it tournament style. One matchup per day. Teams seeded in their division by their 2025 finish. We go through the divisions to the Final Four in each conference, to the overall Final Four, and then the finals. Strictly my early grades on the teams after all the coaching staffs have been put in place and most all of free agency worth noting is done. Assuming every player on the roster is healthy/never hurt.
The first round will likely go pretty predictably, but I do see at least one major ‘upset’ by a bottom seed.
Here we go:
NFC West: (2) LAR at (3) SF...The big 3 position groups all lean to the Rams here. O-Line, QB, and defense all lean Rams...but it’s close across the board, but it goes to LAR across the board. This closes out Round-1.
Tomorrow...we start the Sweet 16 in the AFC East with (1) NE v. (2) BUF.
Past results:
AFC East: (1) NE d. (4) NYJ, (2) BUF d. (3) MIA
AFC North: (1) PIT d. (4) CLE, (3) CIN d. (2) BAL
AFC South: (1) JAX d. (4) TEN, (3) IND d. (2) HOU
AFC West: (1) DEN d. (4) LV, (2) LAC d. (3) KC
NFC East: (1) PHI d. (4) NYG, (2) DAL d. (3) WSH
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI
----------------------------------------------------------
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3/30 MON
(6:20amET)
Today
-- Dynasty valuation/rankings update today.
-- New scouting report, a double header of the PSU RBs will post Tuesday.
-- Pro Day Notes Series: from 3/15/26
-- NFL Draft position grade OG debut being worked on for TUE/WED
This Week’s Agenda…
-- Prospect grades by position and rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly for the next 6 months.
-- Dynasty rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by the end of month/early April.
-- Final components and studies for publishing Best Ball debut rankings ASAP.
-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.
-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.
-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.
-- New coaching staff hire’s analysis series...going through the entire staff...I am working on the framework of how I want to present that. This will be a first ever series (for me) where I go beyond ‘just the new head coaches’. ETA in early April to start it up.
== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==
-- Jim Harbaugh quotes on the RB Rotation (March 2026)
On the "Three-Headed Monster" (March 12, 2026): "When you look at Omarion [Hampton], Kimani [Vidal], and now adding Keaton [Mitchell], it’s a beautiful thing. It’s like a law firm where every partner wins cases. We aren't looking for one guy to carry it 30 times and be a shell of himself by December. We want fresh legs, hot blood, and guys who can finish. We’re going to rotate them, keep them fresh, and let them hunt. If one guy has the 'hot hand,' we’ll ride it, but the vision is a collective effort to wear defenses down."
On Omarion Hampton's Role (March 23, 2026): "Omarion has displayed one trait I've never seen from another RB. It’s that 'Back Together' mentality. He’s the foundation. He’s the guy who sets the physical tone for the entire group. He’s entrenched for us, but he also knows that having Kimani and Keaton there makes him more dangerous because he’s not taking every single hit in the first quarter."
On Kimani Vidal (Post-Free Agency Opening): "Kimani is a guy who plays like a number one running back. Not just for us, but in the entire league. He’s a vital piece. He proved last year he can carry the load, and he’s going to be a heavy factor in our short-yardage and red-zone packages. He’s got that 'time to shine' DNA where the bigger the moment, the better he plays."
On Keaton Mitchell (March 15, 2026): "Keaton is a lightning bolt. He’s a guy that makes a secondary hold its breath. In this league, you want to be competitive without being reckless, and Keaton’s vision—combined with that home-run speed—gives us a dimension that stresses a defense's DNA. He isn't just a track star; he's a football player who fits exactly what Mike [McDaniel] and I want to do."
RC NOTES: The future of all backfields, eventually, is not running one back into the ground...having 1-2 other guys that get a decent amount of support and relief work. Hampton is in store for 65-75%+ of the touches in this backfield...but so are most lead backs anymore. CMC and Saquon are unicorns soon to disappear because every RB room is gonna be stacked on supply/demand machinations...NFL teams by accident or on purpose will have too much talent on the depth chart not to use some rotation and keeping backs fresh for the long haul. RBs are, and have been for years, becoming plentiful and disposable and interchangeable. And now, instead of the league having 3-4 great NFL RBs in total...NFL teams will have 3-4 good and great RB talents on their roster/at their disposal.
The RB1s of the future...likely RBs in a split or committee, and one of them gets hurt and gone...and the other main RB inherits the workload due to crisis and becomes a star (of the moment)...i.e ‘the Kenneth Walker late 2025 season story’, that the Chiefs stupidly paid up for.
QUOTES & QUOTABLES (pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’)
-- Kyle Shanahan (49ers HC) on Trent Williams: "I know John [Lynch] is working hard. We love Trent too much and eventually, that will work out." Source: 49ers Offseason Media Session
-- Kyle Shanahan (49ers HC) on WR Denzel Boston (Visit): "He’s a unique specimen at that size. We’re always looking for guys who can win one-on-ones, and his tape shows he can be a real problem in the red zone." Source: 49ers.com / Team Visit Recap
-- Shane Steichen (Colts HC) on WR Alec Pierce: "The extension for Alec is about reward for the work. He’s a vertical spacer that opens up everything underneath for Josh [Downs] and our run game." Source: Colts Press Release
Medical & Injury Updates
-- Deepak Chona (Predictive Health) on Malik Nabers: "ACL + meniscus. Data is favorable for players under 25 with elite pre-injury metrics. Expecting a Week 1 return." Source: SportsMedAnalytics (3/29)
-- Deepak Chona (Predictive Health) on Patrick Mahomes: "Projecting 9-10 months to return from the Dec 15 injury. Passing efficiency typically doesn't dip for QBs in Year 1 post-op." Source: SportsMedAnalytics (3/29)
Draft & Prospect Buzz
-- Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama): "If NFL quarterback coaches wanted to show young passers video footage of flawless footwork and mechanics, they'd circulate Simpson's work. He’s a pinpoint touch passer." Source: NFL.com Draft Analysis (3/27-29)
-- Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana): Conducted a high-profile Top 30 visit with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles over the last 48 hours. Source: CBS Sports Draft Tracker (3/29)
-- Arvell Reese (EDGE, Ohio State): Completed formal visits with both the New York Giants and New York Jets this weekend as a projected Top 5 pick. Source: NFL Network Visit Tracker (3/28)
-- Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State): Confirmed Top 30 visits scheduled for this coming week with the Bengals, Ravens, and Commanders. Source: CBS Sports / Bengals News (3/29)
-- Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana): Visited the Las Vegas Raiders facility yesterday; current consensus is that he is "essentially a lock" for #1 overall. Source: NFL.com / Bucky Brooks (3/28)
-- Denzel Boston (WR, Washington): Completed a private workout for the 49ers; scouts noted his "unique size and red zone efficiency." Source: CBS Sports Prospect Tracker (3/29)
Daily Transactions: March 29, 2026
- Minnesota Vikings: Officially signed OL Ryan Van Demark (RFA tender matched).
- Cincinnati Bengals: Re-signed QB Tyler Huntley (2-year, $11M deal).
- Dallas Cowboys: Signed DE Jonathan Bullard (1-year veteran deal).
- Washington Commanders: Signed S Jeremy Reaves to a contract extension.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Completed trade for QB Andy Dalton (from Panthers).
- Atlanta Falcons: Completed trade for S Sydney Brown (from Eagles).
- New York Giants: Re-signed EDGE Malcolm Koonce (1-year, $11M).
== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==
It’s March...March Madness time...so let’s do it tournament style. One matchup per day. Teams seeded in their division by their 2025 finish. We go through the divisions to the Final Four in each conference, to the overall Final Four, and then the finals. Strictly my early grades on the teams after all the coaching staffs have been put in place and most all of free agency worth noting is done. Assuming every player on the roster is healthy/never hurt.
The first round will likely go pretty predictably, but I do see at least one major ‘upset’ by a bottom seed.
Here we go:
NFC West: (1) SEA v. (4) ARI...The Cardinals have a decent roster, but it’s not good enough or proven enough to get past Seattle here. And the coaching staff and GM differential is massively in favor of the Seahawks. Easy move on/ahead for the defending champs.
Tomorrow...we finish the NFC West and the 1st-round with (2) LAR at (3) SF.
Past results:
AFC East: (1) NE d. (4) NYJ, (2) BUF d. (3) MIA
AFC North: (1) PIT d. (4) CLE, (3) CIN d. (2) BAL
AFC South: (1) JAX d. (4) TEN, (3) IND d. (2) HOU
AFC West: (1) DEN d. (4) LV, (2) LAC d. (3) KC
NFC East: (1) PHI d. (4) NYG, (2) DAL d. (3) WSH
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB
NFC West:
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