RC's daily streaming notes on football, and other, things going on this week...
4/12 SUN
(8:25amET)
Today
-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...
A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.
-- Next Scouting Report
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- NFL Draft position grades updates and adds underway thru to the draft and beyond.
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 ==
-- The NFL Draft is in less than two weeks!
Just an FYI...
I’ll be live streaming the entire draft night one/1st-round.
Night two, I’ll be live streaming it with Ross Jacobs planned.
No livestream day three.
The draft feels like it is super early this year, so I had to check...
The dates for the last five NFL Drafts were:
2025 NFL Draft April 24–26, 2025 Green Bay, Wisconsin
2024 NFL Draft April 25–27, 2024 Detroit, Michigan
2023 NFL Draft April 27–29, 2023 Kansas City, Missouri
2022 NFL Draft April 28–30, 2022 Las Vegas, Nevada
2021 NFL Draft April 29 – May 1, 2021 Cleveland, Ohio
April 23rd kicks off this year’s draft. Pretty soon the draft might during Easter the way the trend is going...
-- HEADLINE: Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley reports that the Jaguars had a virtual meeting with Miami WR CJ Daniels.
That headline is not what got my attention.
It was the commentary under an NBC headline: Daniels revealed his meeting with the team in a recent interview. The Jaguars do not use top-30 visits. They prefer to keep their pre-draft information gathering under wraps under Jaguars general manager James Gladstone (who had a nine-year run working with the Rams).
In a league filled with a lot of stupidity and nepotism, like any big corporation, there are some pockets of ‘smart’ and ‘business sense’...and this simple tactic by Gladstone makes a lot of sense in such a high stakes event as the NFL Draft.
Ross Jacobs was on the James Gladstone train early, and once he pointed it out...it’s something I can’t ‘unsee’ either. This is really simple and smart business sense exercised by, I think, the youngest GM in the NFL...in a series of clever things I constantly see Gladstone doing...AND he actually makes trades, bold ones, right out of the gates...AND he did nothing in free agency, he didn’t chase. Very unique.
The other day I was trying to explain to my sons the difference between the wussification of the NFL GM for all the years I’ve been in the business and how smart/slick many Major League Baseball GMs are. The NFL is dying for its Billy Beane or Jeff Luhnow to rise up and truly change the way teams are run, but the system will destroy that first guy that rises up like they did Beane...but others will steal the groundbreaker’s ideas and principals, improve them and maybe finally change the way NFL teams are run, scouted, fiscally managed. Maybe Gladstone is the first martyr to come. Too soon to tell. They did go from bottom five team in 2024 to division winners in 2025. A nice start.
I so want to become a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, for my adopted hometown of Jacksonville...but the thought of supporting a team with Trevor Lawrence at QB...I can’t seem to force myself to do it. But if someone buys a slick ‘real’/official Parker Washington jersey, maybe I’ll bite the bullet. I need to be courted.
Gladstone and Liam Coen did create Lawrence’s best season of his 5-year career in 2025, so there’s that. It becomes more cap manageable to move on from Trevor, if needed, in 2028 at the earliest and for sure 2029...if the thought arises for them. By 2029, there will be 50 +/- viable starting NFL QBs wandering around the league.
== QUOTES & QUOTABLES ==
-- Kirk Cousins (Raiders QB) on Brock Bowers: "My father-in-law is pretty happy I get to play with a 'Dawg.' I met him on Monday... it's a privilege anytime you can play with a really talented player, and he's a really talented player." Source: Raiders.com / Press Conference (4/11)
-- Charles Omenihu (Commanders Edge) on Lamar Jackson: "Honestly, you bring a five-man rush on him and collapse that pocket, he's drifting backwards and, unfortunately, he might make a play that isn't going to be the best play for the Ravens." Source: NFL.com / Speakeasy Podcast Interview (4/11)
Lamar Jackson (Ravens QB) responding to Omenihu: "Instead of trying to bring me down, ask GOD to bring you up. #JESUSCHRISTKINGOFKINGS"
-- 14 Charles Omenihu (Commanders Edge) on Josh Allen: "I don't think the league has truly figured [Allen] out... if you put him on the Ravens, you have Derrick Henry... you have a defense. With the Ravens, he ain't gonna have that problem." Source: NFL.com / Speakeasy Podcast Interview (4/11)
Daily Transactions: April 11, 2026
- Philadelphia Eagles: Officially processed the trade for WR Dontayvion Wicks; signed him to a 1-year, $12.5M extension.
- Indianapolis Colts: Granted CB Kenny Moore II permission to seek a trade.
- San Francisco 49ers: Signed CB Jack Jones.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Signed DT Haggai Ndubuisi.
- Atlanta Falcons: OT Kaleb McGary has officially retired; team signed Jawaan Taylor to a 3-year deal.
- New York Giants: Signed G Daniel Faalele and C Lucas Patrick.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Officially signed S Kyle Dugger and CB Ja'Sir Taylor.
*Your moment of Zen for today (watch to the end): https://x.com/fun_viral_vids/status/2042893944502026578?s=43
== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==
It’s March/April...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 Final Four (reseed on 2025 records): (2) CHI v. (3) PHI ...OK let’s frame this up with RC’s ‘Big 3’ (OL-QB-CB/d):
QB...big edge to the Bears now. Caleb ascending, Hurts eroding under all kinds of pressures and a fading O-Line. This is as much about the difference between Ben Johnson and Nick Sirianni.
O-Line...two years ago, the Eagles were O-Line kings and Super Bowl champs. Now, the Bears have fired right past them.
CB group...edge to the Eagles, a really nice CB group now. The Bears are improving/emerging, but edge to the Eagles.
In season 2025, the Bears went to Philly on a (black) Friday night and spanked the Eagles. Since then, the Bears only improve...and the Eagles continue to fade. I really love the Bears roster over the Eagles right now/this 2026 season.
Tomorrow...the FINAL FOUR/AFC finals happen: (2) LAC v. (4) PIT. I’m still shocked PIT is here every time I see it.
Past results:
AFC Final Four: (4) PIT d. (1) NE, (2) LAC d. (3) IND
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 Final Four: (1) LAR d. (4) ATL, (2) CHI d. (3) PHI
NFC East: (1) PHI d. (4) NYG, (2) DAL d. (3) WSH = (1) PHI d. (2) DAL
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB = (1) CHI d. (3) MIN
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB = (3) ATL d. (4) NO
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF = (2) LAR d. (1) SEA
----------------------------------------------------------
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===============================
4/11 SAT
(7:38amET)
Today
-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...
A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.
-- Next Scouting Report: KC Conception
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- NFL Draft position grades updates and adds underway thru to the draft and beyond.
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 ==
-- TRADE: Eagles acquired WR Dontayvion Wicks from the Packers in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
I haven’t read or listened to any commentary on this, but I’m sure everyone has the same thought/conclusion -- this move is another in the series of trading AJ Brown.
Speaking with people the last 48 hours and then seeing this Wicks trade, I’m 100% sure AJ Brown is being traded (post-June 1st). Where? Likely to the Patriots but I think the Rams may still be in the mix despite saying they are no longer. It is a fact of life -- AJ Brown is gonna be on the move.
I’d put my money ‘to the Patriots’ for a variety of reasons but add in...Mike Vrabel needs some ‘good’ publicity and diversion stuff this offseason, I bet.
As far as the acquisition of Wicks goes...it’s not good for ‘enthusiasm’ on it when I go three paragraphs to start and don’t even mention anything about Wicks. It’s that kind of trade. Not a game changer but Wicks is a solid hand, and the Eagles have been trading for and signing such garbage WRs outside of AJB-Devonta--that Wicks feels like an all-star move by comparison!
Green Bay wins this trade -- they get something for a guy that they don’t need, and especially the win by not having to pay Wicks $12.5M this year (the contract Philly just gave him). There’s gonna be 10+ WRs available rounds 3-5 of this Draft who are better and exponentially cheaper than Wicks.
It probably does mean Philly won’t draft a WR 1st-round now.
-- Here’s a sample of Dianna Russini being ‘funny’, I guess? https://x.com/polymarketblitz/status/2042392131583819950?s=43
Dianna Russini has the cadence of a stand-up or roast comedian. She seems horrifying to be married to, but she seems to have a punchy, lewd, comedic personality to be on stage perhaps. Not my cup of team, but I’m just thinking about where she can possibly go from here...not many places aside from ‘in hiding’, but I don’t think she’ll hide...she seems like she has no shame and will potentially lean into this situation and try to do so on another platform.
Maybe she can go on like ‘The View’ (as a regular cast member) or something and just wear a big scarlet letter and embrace it.
I have no idea how she survives this and continues on in an NFL reporter career...even if she is totally innocent, we’ll never know and the court of public opinion I think has already decided...and those pictures, I mean...come on.
I know Vrabel WILL ABSOLUTELY survive this. Not because he’s ‘the man’ in this ‘event/s’...just that he’s an NFL coach and he can shout down questions or critiques as ‘not football’ (reporters don’t ask Rashee Rice about his car driving ability or the event a few years ago every week, and Deshaun Watson is not pestered by the football media every week after the initial kerfuffle, etc.)...and also consider half or more of his locker room are probably doing worse things...and we know his owner ‘understands’. This event is likely a ‘positive’ for Vrabel inside the locker room. He will be the butt end of jokes and laugh it off.
She, on the other hand, now has her journalistic integrity ruined, no one can trust her with inside info...and anyone with a borderline IQ could do her job. She’s easily replaceable and has no real following...she’s insignificant in football. They will not try to hold onto her for dear life unless...
Her big payday...write a tell all book about the behind-the-scenes NFL stuff and make millions in one shot and never worry about money again. The NFL may be so afraid of that exposure that she may stay employed with an NFL subsidy but in a changed role. The NFL may pay her for that book and then put it on ice/kill it on purpose. The stories she can probably tell on coaches and execs and employers, etc. She can take out a zippo and burn it all down potentially.
https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/2041954196258533877
-- Your moment of Zen for the day (don't blame me, they keep making new ones almost every day!):
https://x.com/drclownphd/status/2042045076394930404?s=43
== QUOTES & QUOTABLES ==
-- Howie Roseman (Eagles GM) on acquiring Dontayvion Wicks: "We've always been fans of Dontayvion's play-strength and his ability to win at the catch point. Adding him to this room gives us a different dimension opposite A.J. [Brown]." Source: Eagles.com / Official Press Release (4/10)
-- Chris Ballard (Colts GM) on Kenny Moore II: "Kenny has been a special part of this organization for nine years. We’ve mutually agreed to see if there’s a fit elsewhere that makes sense for both sides as he enters this next chapter." Source: ESPN / Stephen Holder (4/10)
-- Charles Omenihu (Chiefs Edge) on Lamar Jackson: "I think NFL defenses have figured out how to defend Lamar. You have to stay disciplined and force him to be a pure pocket passer for 60 minutes." Source: NFL Network Interview (4/10)
Charles Omenihu (Chiefs Edge) on Josh Allen: "Defenses are still struggling with Josh. If he were on the Ravens, he’d already have a title. He’s the hardest guy in the league to gameplan for right now." Source: NFL Network Interview (4/10)
-- Ian Rapoport (Insider) on Deebo Samuel: "Keep an eye on the 49ers and Deebo. While he's on the roster now, multiple teams have made calls to see if San Francisco is looking to move into the top 10." Source: NFL Network (4/11)
Daily Transactions: April 10–11, 2026
- Philadelphia Eagles: Acquired WR Dontayvion Wicks via trade from the Packers for a 2026 5th and 2027 6th; signed him to a 1-year, $12.5M extension.
- Atlanta Falcons: Officially exercised the fifth-year option for RB Bijan Robinson.
- Indianapolis Colts: Mutually agreed with CB Kenny Moore II to seek a trade.
- Denver Broncos: Officially acquired WR Jaylen Waddle via trade from the Dolphins.
- Detroit Lions: Acquired OT Larry Borom via trade from the Bears.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Officially signed EDGE Trey Hendrickson to a 4-year, $112M extension.
== 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 Final Four (reseed on 2025 records): (1) LAR v. (4) ATL...OK let’s frame this up with RC’s ‘Big 3’ (OL-QB-CB/d):
QB...massive edge for the Rams.
O-Line...big edge to the Rams.
CB group...that’s now an edge to the Rams, as LAR took drastic measures to fix a sore spot for them for the past couple seasons.
A clean sweep for the Rams. The Falcons deserve ‘a hand’ for getting this far. The NFC South is a minor mess, and any one of those 4 teams can win it. Both L.A. teams are now in the Final Four. Guess where the Super Bowl is being held in Feb. 2027...
Tomorrow...the NFC Final Four wraps up with: (2) CHI v. (3) PHI
Past results:
AFC Final Four: (4) PIT d. (1) NE, (2) LAC d. (3) IND
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 = (1) PHI d. (2) DAL
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB = (1) CHI d. (3) MIN
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB = (3) ATL d. (4) NO
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF = (2) LAR d. (1) SEA
----------------------------------------------------------
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4/10 FRI
(7:48amET)
Today
-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...
A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.
-- Next Scouting Report: Jonah Coleman on Friday
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- NFL Draft position grades updates underway thru to the draft and beyond.
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 ==
-- It’s official...
https://x.com/esidery/status/2042389586043621405?s=43
This is continuing great news for a certain Jags WR.
-- Interesting draft tidbit...
https://x.com/mikerenner_/status/2041863007098097892?s=43
They’re (draft prospect classes) getting more athletic, better trained than ever, better academic performances than ever...and all that at a younger & younger age.
-- Cardinals draft tidbit...
https://x.com/johnnyvenerable/status/2041923559543758933?s=43
-- Mike Vrabel scandal meme-mania continues...
Moneyball angle: https://x.com/that_hurts/status/2041963438247747669?s=43
-- Your moments of Zen for the day:
https://x.com/drclownphd/status/2042097672769958323?s=43
https://x.com/fantasypros/status/2041674916290851169?s=43
== QUOTES & QUOTABLES ==
-- Jim Harbaugh (Chargers HC) on Justin Herbert: "The Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert pairing... that's going to bode really well for the Chargers. I expect Mike's scheme to keep Justin upright more often in 2026." Source: Chargers.com / NFL Annual Meeting Recap (4/9)
-- John Harbaugh (Giants HC) on the O-Line & D-Line: "The goal is to build the best offensive and defensive lines in football. Maybe it's a one-year proposition, maybe not." Source: Giants.com / Owners Meetings Transcript (4/9)
-- Jacob Parish (CB): Described as the "most consistent" and "best corner" this year, despite playing as a rookie nickel back. -- Said by Todd Bowles after the final game of 2025 (I just came across it and noted it for IDP)
== 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 Final Four (reseed on 2025 records): (2) LAC v. (3) IND...You could make a case that either of these two teams were the best AFC team at one point in the season in 2025, and then injury ripped the story away from them and we’ll never know.
But they’re here now, so let’s do the RC’s ‘Big 3’ for team judgement...
O-Line...I don’t think anyone will touch LAC this year (if healthy). If they draft a legit Guard at #22 this year...it’s ‘over’.
QB...fairly easy call for LAC.
CB/defense...Indy has the CB group advantage and possibly the overall defensive advantage over LAC. There are two of the low-key best defenses in the AFC.
Indy put up a fight, but LAC is moving on to face the Steelers (how did that happen) in the AFC Finals!
Tomorrow...the NFC Final Four begins: (1) LAR v. (4) ATL
Past results:
AFC Final Four: (4) PIT d. (1) NE, (2) LAC d. (3) IND
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 = (1) PHI d. (2) DAL
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB = (1) CHI d. (3) MIN
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB = (3) ATL d. (4) NO
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF = (2) LAR d. (1) SEA
----------------------------------------------------------
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*Our Betting Subscription offering (including private Discord chat access): https://ffmetrics.com/betting/betting
=========================
4/9 THU
(7:32amET)
Today
-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...
A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.
-- Next Scouting Report: Jonah Coleman on Friday
-- Ross Jacobs Mock Draft 2.0
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- NFL Draft position grades updates underway thru to the draft and beyond.
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 ==
-- Just an FYI on the Dynasty Rookie Draft rankings after the actual NFL Draft, when we do our official rankings for the DRD...
I will start putting together the top 350 (with IDPs) list as the NFL Draft ends each day (THU-FRI-SAT) and debut the top 25-50 on Sunday, and then we work all week expanding the list every day the whole post-Draft week...from 50 to 100 to 150...all the way to the top 300-350 by week’s end.
We add commentary (talking about the talent, the landing spot, the pros and cons, etc.) on the top names to start and we keep adding commentary as fast as we can put it on there and keep adding commentary all week.
After we get the top 300-350 in place, we update all the valuations/rankings once a week and add several more commentaries and update commentaries every week up to kickoff of the 2026 NFL regular season.
A few days after the NFL Draft, we’ll begin the next DRD mock series to give guidance on all the immediate DRDs happening post-NFL Draft.
Just an FYI, so you know what’s coming when you’re in prep for whenever your DRD is. Some have it in August. Many have it the very next weekend after the NFL Draft. We’ll try to have as much mass information as we can get out about the DRD as fast as we can.
-- Is the future now?...or is future mass dead cap money being prepped when the contract extension deals happen for this duo and it doesn’t live up to the major deals they get? https://x.com/adamschefter/status/2041903905647317499?s=43
-- Oh boy, this is unneeded worry for those holding Harold Fannin...
https://x.com/dbro_ffb/status/2041935885235569135?s=43
-- The other top draft TE may be headed in a different direction...one that’s better for FF? https://x.com/rapsheet/status/2041471799280509144?s=43
-- More things to worry about for FF assets...this one is an attention getter...Bijan?: https://x.com/coachspeakindex/status/2041952616423551118?s=43
You don’t know what Stefanski is capable of...
Bijan is on his third head coach in his short career.
Most coaches say they want to have some ‘balance’ in their backfield...rare actually do it.
-- OK, it’s ‘open season’ on Mike Vrabel and his ‘business colleague’ this week...
A million of these: https://x.com/nflmemes/status/2041978764754653212?s=43
Others caught? https://x.com/canedad19/status/2041852013370040753?s=43
Russini Notes: https://x.com/game7__/status/2041706437454528977?s=43
Russini speaks...she seems quite ‘likable’?: https://x.com/collegefbportal/status/2041933983873953963?s=43
Drake affected: https://x.com/ghetto_gronk/status/2041893783969681856?s=43
Tradition: https://x.com/nflhatememes/status/2041876475314393352?s=43
Sean McVay enters the chat? https://x.com/that_hurts/status/2041888493324947752?s=43
== QUOTES & QUOTABLES ==
-- Zac Taylor (Bengals HC) on Myles Murphy: "I thought Myles Murphy took a huge jump at the end of the year, all around as a football player... just from a football IQ, from a physicality standpoint." Source: SI.com / Bengals.com (4/8)
-- Zac Taylor (Bengals HC) on Jordan Battle & Bryan Cook: "I think (Battle) paired with Bryan Cook is going to pay dividends for us. They’ve all got experience together... I'm really excited about the jump they can make as a unit." Source: SI.com / Bengals.com (4/8)
-- Deepak Chona (Predictive Health) on Malik Nabers: Nabers (ACL) continues on a high-performance trajectory. Percentile rankings for 2026 suggest he remains a Top-10 production threat by mid-October.
Daily Transactions: April 7-8, 2026
- Las Vegas Raiders: Officially signed QB Kirk Cousins (5-year, $172M).
- Las Vegas Raiders: Re-signed DL Charles Snowden (Exclusive Rights).
- New York Giants: Signed OL Ryan Miller (Exclusive Rights) and OL Lucas Patrick (from Bengals).
- New York Giants: Signed DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (from Buccaneers).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Signed WR David Sills and RB Kenneth Gainwell.
- Arizona Cardinals: Re-signed K Joshua Karty and DL PJ Mustipher.
- Atlanta Falcons: Re-signed DL Elijah Garcia.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Signed EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
- Cleveland Browns: Signed DL Myles Bryant (from Texans).
== 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 Final Four (reseed on 2025 records): (1) NE v. (4) PIT...OK, let’s go through my ‘big 3’ for team judgement...
QB...modern day...goes to Drake Maye over Will Howard/Aaron Rodgers. I respect Rodgers but you’d likely rather have Maye today.
O-Line...the Steelers have built a really nice O-Line the past 1-2 years. Pitt has the edge there.
Defense/CBs...Before you immediately jump to the aces of the Patriots, and they are the better group, please take note of how good the Steelers secondary is Joey Porter and Jamel Dean on the outside is great...and Patrick Graham as the new D-C is so fortuitous; he’s really solid.
Close at QB...close on defense...not as close at O-Line. I’ve surprised myself. Even though I gave two out of the 3 categories to NE, the two were debatable and then the main one, O-Line, was strong for the Steelers...so, I’m going with the Steelers here. I thought for sure, gut reaction before actually going through all this, that Cincy was coming out of the AFC North. I’m glad I’m doing this tourney/study...the Steelers are pretty formidable the more I look at them. A change at head coach for Pitt might be the trick that was needed. I assume Rodgers will be there...?
Tomorrow...the remainder of the AFC Final Four (2) LAC 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 = (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 = (1) PHI d. (2) DAL
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB = (1) CHI d. (3) MIN
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB = (3) ATL d. (4) NO
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF = (2) LAR d. (1) SEA
----------------------------------------------------------
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4/8 WED
(7:41amET)
Today
-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...
A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.
-- Next Scouting Report
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- NFL Draft position grades updates underway thru to the draft and beyond.
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 ==
-- HEADLINE: Dolphins RB De’Von Achane did not report to voluntary OTAs.
If the Dolphins eventually trade Achane and cite the contract stuff...the Dolphins may be my new favorite underdog team. Trading Waddle was smart and the deal was nice. If they trade Achane (because you should not pay up for an RB) after saying ‘he was a pillar’, but then that gave Achane a thought of holding out (low level at this point, but stakes get ramped in July)...but that’s what Miami really wanted him to do so they could trade him...brilliant. We’ll see.
I think there is a 40% chance they will trade him. It’s silly to give him a big deal with a team rebuilding.
-- Look at this early 2027 DRD ranking from a random Twitter source...
https://x.com/elite_drafters/status/2040847572172943381?s=43
Everyone is saying ‘Oh, the 2027 NFL or DRD Draft is SO much better than 2026!!’. I’m not so sure. I think 2026 is getting bashed because we’re all collectively prepared to be negative on things...and at some high attention positions it’s likely true...and everyone is echoing the sentiment, so it must be true. And I think 2027 is potentially being way oversold as some sugar plum fairies dancing around.
2027 has WAY more interesting QB prospects, for sure, which is the #1 reason why people see it as a better NFL Draft...but it’s only the 2nd biggest reason the 2027 DRD is seen as so much better...and that is true. We might get 3-4-5 legit QB prospects coming (as a guess), but that’s just going to create a massive, inevitable bottle neck of QB talent at the next level...and who wants to pay big for rookie QBs in Fantasy?
The biggest reason people love the 2027 NFL Draft for the DRD is for one thing...Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith...who is getting 2-5x the hype of any OSU WR ever, even more than Marvin Harrison. He may be due it all...but one guy isn’t the entire DRD. If you look back at the list above and take Smith off it...what are we SO excited about at this point? Are there multiple prospects you love to make 2027 so awesome? Ryan Williams? He’s probably not in the top 3-5 (minimum) WRs in this current/2026 draft.
Maybe 2027 is ultimately better...but it’s too early to definitely say that, and I say that with 15+ years of experience at seeing/hearing about these future drafts and how good/bad they are a year in advance. It’s too early to really say it outside of Jeremiah Smith is sweet...and a lot of QBs coming, potentially.
-- HEADLINE: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia is visiting with the Panthers.
I pray Pavia goes to Vandy and rips that QB job away from Bryce in 2027, or sooner. Not saying Pavia is a messiah...just better than Bryce or I am trying to find anything rather than Bryce.
-- HEADLINE: Giants coach John Harbaugh said Malik Nabers (knee) won’t be on the field until “in to training camp and closer to the season.”
I don’t expect to see Nabers until late August, if at all in the preseason...he’s 50/50 to start the regular season on the PUP list.
-- This is a story that is just beginning, but they are denying it like we're all idiots. I have no idea what's true here, but those pics are not 'nothing'. I don't want to waste a ton of time on it, but know it's gonna be a thing for a bit...
?
https://youtu.be/e3XBK8iWrC8?si=F9AJCvYrbYpnqpsb
?
== QUOTES & QUOTABLES ==
-- Kellen Moore (Saints HC) on the backfield of Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr.: "I envision a strong backfield featuring both Alvin and Travis. They have complementary skill sets that will allow us to be very multiple in how we attack defenses." Source: New Orleans Saints Official (4/5)
-- John Harbaugh (Giants HC) on Jeremiyah Love: "I’d probably put very, very good player. Put a couple very’s in front of that, maybe a couple more. He’s really good." Source: Giants.com / NFL Annual Meetings (Official Transcript)
Daily Transactions: April 5-6, 2026
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Signed DE Travon Walker to a massive four-year extension worth $110 million ($77 million guaranteed). (4/6)
- San Francisco 49ers: Officially processed the trade for QB Andy Dalton from the Panthers. (4/6)
- New Orleans Saints: Hosted several top safety prospects for Top 10 Tuesday pre-draft evaluations. (4/6)
- Kansas City Chiefs: The NFL officially closed its investigation into Rashee Rice regarding assault allegations; no discipline will be issued. (4/5)
- Stephon Gilmore (CB): Officially announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons. (4/5)
== 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 finals/Sweet 16: (1) SEA v. (2) LAR...OK, let’s go through my ‘big 3’ for team judgement...
QB goes to Stafford/LA.
O-Line goes to LAR, of course...our top-rated OL group in 2025.
And wait...what? Now does this new CB group give the lean to LAR (via KC) as well? Nope...still to Seattle. But O-Line and QB rule everything/mean more, which means LAR wins/moves on...like they should have in 2025 season and won the Super Bowl.
Seattle is still in range, knocking on the Rams’ door...but I still maintain that the Rams should’ve had the season-end that Seattle had last season. In a broad sense, LAR and SEA are two of the five best rosters/teams in the NFL...but someone had to advance, and I am still biased to the Rams.
Tomorrow...the Elite 8 begins.
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 = (1) PHI d. (2) DAL
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB = (1) CHI d. (3) MIN
NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB = (3) ATL d. (4) NO
NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF = (2) LAR d. (1) SEA
----------------------------------------------------------
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4/7 TUE
(6:06amET)
Today
-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...
A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.
-- Next Scouting Report
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- NFL Draft position grades updates underway thru to the draft and beyond.
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.
*RC Medical update...
I’m starting my 3rd week back home...two full weeks and a day past radiation. I was told it would take 3-4 weeks at best for the radiation to be worked out of my system...4-8 weeks at worst, but I have been beating time estimates all along the way, so I’ve been hoping for 2-4 weeks of recovery/rid of radiation out of my system.
Radiation still in my system causes all kinds of potential issues at any time during the day with little rhyme or reason -- affects my bathroom functions, makes me ‘seasick’ (dizzy and nauseous), makes me extra tired among other things.
And all the above has been true since I’ve been home/done with radiation.
I am starting Week 3 back home, but Week 1 back home was rough...if I physically picked up anything, even my sneakers off the ground as an example, I’d get dizzy and make myself seasick for hours just from a simple bend over and raise back up or if I grabbed a 10+ pound item/any with a few pounds on it, my heart would race and I’d make myself sick and tired from just lifting a bag of groceries out of the car. Some days, during Week 1 back, I slept for 10-12 hours in a day with 2 naps...which is annoying to miss so much of a day to sleep.
Week 2...all the above/Week 1 issues were cut by 25% of so. Still had episodes but not as many, not as strong most times, less need for mass sleep. But still I’d get hit hard randomly...Week 2 oddly saw way more random hot flashes that would make my heart race and I’d need to sit down and put a fan on me and close my eyes and try to calm my system. If I get anywhere where it’s ‘hot’ (to me), and I can go from totally fine to feeling like near death in a finger snap with mass sweat and heart palpations and feeling like I’m literally on fire (believe your middle-aged wives/girlfriends/moms/sisters/aunts, etc.! The hot flash struggle is real). Makes sleeping at night under blankets tricky...I have to sleep with a lighter comforter and a colder temperature and a jet airplane strength fan blowing right on me. All this made worse by the fact that my hormone therapies strip me of a lot of natural defenses, so I like freezing a lot of the time...but being super cold and walking around with a hoodie and sweats on is nothing compared to when something triggers a hot flash session and I have to deal with that. It’s a really weird existence, but manageable.
Week 3...a good start over the last 2 days/start of the week. Still having episodes of all kinds but I’ve learned to take it easier and make adjustments to help myself avoid trouble and bad/hot temperatures...my wife won’t let me pick up anything so I won’t set myself off, which makes me feel so bad that we go to places and she carries the groceries ...she pumps the gas, etc. But in all the improvements of the last few days, starting to feel like maybe things were really improving -- ‘boom’...I woke up incredibly sick on Monday, after a great night’s sleep...sick for no reason other than just my body fighting and cleaning up the radiation. By midday, I felt wonderful. The first half of the day, I was The Walking Dead.
I really never know what my situation will be at any given hour, so I have a wonderful excuse to skip everything I don’t want to do anyway! One of the great positives of my cancer...I can play the ‘cancer card’ with no resistance! The thing is...it’s real. All the meds and the radiation still in my body -- I do not know how I feel in the next 15 minutes or 5 hours or whether I’ll sleep 8 hours overnight or 3 (like last night for me) and thus be tired for a nap by 9am.
Seriously, it all sounds like a pain/weird existence...but it’s pretty manageable to work around, to be able to work and sleep as I’m allowed. Thank God it’s not football season! And when all this started, I seriously thought from the early reports that I had 3-7 years to live...so, some sickness or tiredness on my way to recovery? Beats the alternative.
Thank you all for checking in on me and/or praying for me. I am getting better (from the radiation hit) each week, I feel like. But I still have a lot of battles left to fight in this war...still 1.5+ years of meds/chemical manipulations to battle through towards total defeat, I pray. A ton of medical appointments next week as they keep constant tabs on everything. Prayer team...keep praying! I have to agree with Jim Harbaugh, as silly as I thought this was at first hearing of it -- who's got it better than us? We’re still in the game of life, no matter the current score. Things can change positive on a dime.
== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==
-- NBC HEADLINE/COMMENTS: Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley believes “it certainly seems like the Jaguars are set to keep their running back group as-is.”
As things currently stand, incumbent second-year RB Bhayshul Tuten and free agent signee RB Chris Rodriguez are set to duke it out for the backfield committee’s lead role.
I don’t think they are not duking it out for the lead role...there are not ‘lead roles’ in many backfields anymore...it’s duos and trios and committees and specialists for the future.
My prediction: Rodriguez will start but Tuten goes in and out with him and LeQuint Allen does a lot of 3rd-down protection/pass game work.
-- I made a mistake on AJ Brown trade analysis yesterday...and an FFM cult member got me the right info/corrected me. Thank you!
There was a report Sunday that the league believed the Eagles would trade AJB post-June...and I thought that was silly because I thought Philly would need to know they had a deal this month because they would then need to draft a WR/likely draft a WR 1st-round. But more important than that was the way the money/payroll expense hits the Eagles depending on the time of the trade...I didn’t think the post-June impact would be so vast. But it is.
Here’s some notes from GEMINI on salary cap/AJB trade situations I posed...
An April trade of A.J. Brown would be a massive financial pill for the Eagles to swallow, as the NFL’s "acceleration" rules treat pre-June trades very differently from those that occur in the summer.
Pre-June vs. Post-June Cap Hits (2026)
If the Eagles trade Brown in April 2026, all of his remaining prorated bonus money "accelerates" and hits the 2026 cap immediately.
- The "Hit": An April trade results in a $43.4M dead cap charge. Since his current 2026 cap number is $23.4M, the Eagles would actually lose $20M in available cap space this year just to move him.
- The Post-June Benefit: Waiting until June 2 allows them to split that $43.4M over two years ($16.3M in 2026 and $27.1M in 2027), which creates $7M in immediate 2026 savings.
How to Minimize the Hit in an April Trade
If Howie Roseman insists on an April deal (likely to secure 2026 Draft capital from New England), there are two primary ways to manage the cap:
1. The "Salary Retention" Flip
The Eagles could agree to pay a portion of Brown’s 2026 compensation (like his workout bonus or a portion of his base salary) as a signing bonus right before the trade.
- How it works: Philly converts his $1.3M base salary or other roster markers into a signing bonus. They pay the cash, but it stays on their books as dead money.
- The Catch: This doesn't actually lower the total dead money Philly owes ($43.4M); it just makes Brown "cheaper" for New England, which usually allows the Eagles to demand a higher draft pick (e.g., a 1st and a 2nd) as compensation for eating the cap space.
2. Post-June 1 Designation (The "Virtual" Wait)
Under current NFL rules, teams can designate up to two players as Post-June 1 cuts, but this does not apply to trades.
- To get the Post-June 1 cap treatment for a trade, the Eagles and Patriots would have to agree to the deal in April but not officially file the paperwork with the league office until June 2.
- The Problem: New England wouldn't be able to "pay" for Brown with 2026 draft picks (since the draft is in April), and Brown couldn't practice with the Patriots until June.
3. Post-Draft Restructures
The Eagles traditionally carry a lot of "dead cap" and manage it by restructuring other veteran contracts. To offset a $43M Brown hit in April, they would likely look to restructure:
- Jalen Hurts: Converting his 2026 base salary/bonuses to a signing bonus could easily clear $20M+ in space, essentially "neutralizing" the loss from the Brown trade.
Bottom Line: An April trade to New England is a "cap killer" for 2026 unless the Eagles are willing to essentially buy a high draft pick by eating $43M in dead money while restructuring other stars to keep the lights on.
-- https://x.com/finsxtra/status/2040910406898602426?s=46
Miami is not drafting Ty Simpson.
Malik Willis is not a 1-year look or ‘fingers crossed’ or ‘next Justin Fields to Jets-like signing’...he’s their franchise QB and has a couple of years to fully take over/see how well he does...with the assumption and grace that he could be their franchise QB for the next 5-10 years.
I was not impressed with Miami’s new regime’s free agency signings, outside of Willis. But they have been smart in trading/dumping players and accumulating picks...they can turn this team around ASAP with a great 2026 draft given they have a ton of picks -- seven top 100 picks alone. Let’s see if they have any clue what they’re doing in the draft...because they didn’t seem like they had a clue in free agency.
-- Chuck Norris again with today’s moment of Zen...
https://x.com/gunblaze1969/status/2041202732535832724?s=43
== 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 South finals/Sweet 16: (3) ATL v. (4) NO...The only 3 v. 4 seed battle of this tourney. This is gonna be wild...and not at all the way I expected.
I assume Tua will start for ATL, and because of that...I give the Saints a slight edge at QB with Tyler Shough -- because I can’t stand Tua. If Penix was 100% healthy, it might tip to ATL. Because of this anti-Tua bias, I thought for sure I’d advance the Saints here...but the more that I look at it...the Falcons have the edge from here. The better O-Line = ATL. The better CB group = ATL, the better defense = ATL.
Even though the Falcons had an absolutely dreadful offseason/free agency...they still have a decent foundation from 2025. And just think back to last year -- you may know I thought all along that the Falcons were the best team in that division (after seeing them Week 1) and were gonna take the division title, and they ended up tying for the division but lost on tiebreakers (and costing me some money). So, for this tourney matchup...the Falcons shockingly go to the Elite 8.
Anyone could win the NFC South...is the lesson here. It’s close between all the teams...the draft may be the differentiator (and injuries).
Tomorrow...we have the end of the Sweet 16/the NFC West finals...(1) SEA v. (2) LAR
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 = (1) PHI d. (2) DAL
NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB = (1) CHI d. (3) MIN
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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4/6 MON
HAPPY EASTER MONDAY!
(7:58amET)
Today
-- New series begins: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...
A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. You’ll see who/the details when it opens up today.
-- Dynasty Rankings update
-- Next Scouting Report MON or TUE
-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.
-- NFL Draft position grades ...OCs group debut MON
-- Top 100 prospects update list from Xavier Cromartie
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 ==
-- HEADLINE: The Athletic’s Mike Sando reports several anonymous NFL executives believe A.J. Brown will be traded to the Patriots in June.
June trade? That makes no sense. If it goes down, I think this long-awaited trade would be done ahead of the draft...for both team’s sake. Philly needs to know how hot they need to come after a WR in the draft. If they trade AJB pre-Draft...don’t you have to put them in play for drafting a WR at #23?
I still think there’s a chance they hold this all together one more season and blow it all to smithereens in 2027, if 2026 isn’t a big/great season. Sirianni (fired)...Hurts (trade)...AJB (gone)...Fangio (retires)...Lane Johnson (retires) -- this group could all be gone this time next year as the Eagles decide to have a rebuild season.
-- HEADLINE: Titans coach Robert Saleh said “I love our running back room right now.”
Saleh said, “Shoot, Pollard dropped over 100 on us (last season) so I think he’s pretty good ... Spears has tremendous versatility as a three-down back and they both play with a physical mindset. … I’m a believer in our backfield and I think it’s a group that can help our team,” Saleh continued before saying it was one of the better running back rooms in football.
Yeah, I don’t know why Tennessee would waste a high draft pick on Jeremiah Love when Tony Pollard is arguably just as good, and way cheaper. I know it’s hard to be better than ‘the next Travis Etienne’ (their words, not mine).
I like Love, but drafting him in the 1st-round is silly...but it’s gonna happen.
-- HEADLINE: The Athletic’s Zac Jackson believes that, barring a trade down, the Browns will take Ohio State WR Carnell Tate with the No. 6 overall pick.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Cleveland made this huge mistake, seeing how they wasted last year’s 1st-rounder on the stiff DT Mason Graham...but I think they are just fishing for a trade back to ultimately take an offensive lineman (no matter where they pick) and add draft capital.
-- FACTS...
https://x.com/sleepernfl/status/2040198316185772298?s=43
The Bears and Bills are going in opposite directions. The Bills are being run into the ground by their awful GM, who has been living off Josh Allen for a long time now. The Bears fleeced the Bills out of a critical pick, one where I bet they draft a Center from this class rich with nice Center prospects (to replace Drew Dalman).
-- Your moment of Zen to start the week...
https://x.com/drclownphd/status/2040655922997985309?s=43
== 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) CHI v. (3) MIN...I’m not sure how Minnesota got here, but they aren’t going any further. The Bears are better than the Vikes in every way from coaching staff to QB to defense, etc. And after the draft, I’m sure the gap between them will get even wider. Easy win for the Bears.
Tomorrow...we have the NFC South finals...(3) ATL v. (4) NO
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 = (1) PHI d. (2) DAL
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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