NFL Draft Dynamics and Team Strategies

Colin’s joined by John Middlekauff, host of “3 and Out” to break down the NFL Draft!

They start with the Jaguars giving up WAY too much to draft Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and believe unless he is a two-way pro bowler… the move isn’t worth it. They debate whether Cleveland reached for DT Mason Graham at #5 and believe there’s a real chance the Jags pick they received could be a top 6 pick.

They react to the Raiders selecting RB Ashton Jeanty at #6 and point out that Geno Smith has played very well with a solid run game and play action, but John adds the caveat that Jeanty played against subpar competition in college.

They laud the Jets for passing on skill players to invest in their offensive line, and worry the Panthers selection of T-Mac at wide receiver is risky since he struggled with separation in college. They argue that few 2nd year quarterbacks in the history of the game have had more weapons to work with than Caleb Williams after the Bear drafted TE Colston Loveland at #10.

They agree that the Cowboys were smart to bolster the offensive line by drafting Tyler Booker after Zach Martin retired, and express concern with the Dolphins pick of Kenneth Grant.

Colin gives kudos to Colts GM Chris Ballard for staying patient and drafting Tyler Warren at #14, believes Warren could be one of the steals of the draft. They point out that high character led to Emeka Egbuka moving up draft boards to land at #19 with the Buccaneers and that Baker Mayfield will now be working with a stacked offense.

They react to the surprise pick of the Broncos passing on offensive skill players to draft Texas CB Jahdae Barron and John explains why teams have put a premium on slot corners.

They discuss Shedeur Sanders making it past the Steelers at #21 and they predict he could fall out of the first round entirely and Colin argues the last 10 picks of the round are more interesting than the first ten.

The project that the Titans and Raiders will be the two teams that gain the most offensive juice, and Colin argues that the pick of Omarion Hampton makes the Chargers a “Jim Harbaugh football team”

They talk about the massive crowd in attendance for the draft in Green Bay, why it’s one of the best sports cities in America despite its small size, and why the Packers drafting WR Matthew Golden is in response to injuries to Christian Watson. Colin argues the Commanders draft position puts them with a group of teams with far better rosters.

They debate whether the Giants trading up to #25 to grab QB Jaxson Dart was a huge reach, and were SHOCKED the Falcons traded a future 1st to draft James Pierce Jr. They discuss the resurgence in the value of safeties after the Ravens draft S Malaki Starks from Georgia

They point to the later teams selecting for need, including the Lions selecting a defensive tackle as a product of the slew of injuries they suffered on defense in 2024, and the Commanders beefing up their offensive line to protect Jayden Daniels.

Colin expresses his surprise that Shedeur Sanders fell out of the first round in a quarterback needy league, and they look at potential landing spots for the Colorado star and marvel at the number of picks made from schools in the SEC and Big Ten.

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Timeline

0:00 Start

0:15 Jags gave up WAY too much to Cleveland to draft Travis Hunter*

3:30 Did Browns reach for Mason Graham at #5

5:45 Jags pick next year could be top 6

7:00 - Geno Smith is pretty good with a run game, now he has Ashton Jeanty

9:45 - Jets smart to pass on skill guys and focus on their offensive line

12:15 Panthers selecting T-Mac feels risky

15:45 Bears are surrounding Caleb Williams with talent, draft TE Colston Loveland*

20:30 49ers took the best player available with Mykel Williams

23:00 Cowboys were smart to draft Tyler Booker

25:30 Dolphins headed for disaster in 2025?

28:15 Tyler Warren at #14 could be one of the steals of the draft*

30:45 Everybody Colin talked to loved Emeka Egbuka, maturity and leadership boosted his value

34:00 Baker Mayfield will be working with a STACKED offense

39:15 Broncos surprise, draft Jahdae Barron instead of getting Bo Nix a weapon

43:30 Steelers pass on Shedeur Sanders, will he fall out of the first round entirely??

46:45 The draft is more interesting in the 20’s rather than early

49:45 Titans and Raiders will be far more dynamic offensively based on their picks

52:00 Omarion Hampton makes Chargers a “Jim Harbaugh football team”

57:00 Chargers will run the ball down your throat

58:00 Green Bay draws 250,000 people to the draft, one of the best sports cities in America

59:00 Packers add yet ANOTHER wide receiver with Matthew Golden

1:05:00 Commanders drafting near teams with much better overall rosters

1:07:15 Will never criticize a team for picking offensive line - Vikings draft a guard

1:10:00 Giants trade up to draft QB Jaxson Dart, pass on Shedeur

1:15:30 Falcons were crazy to trade away a future first to move up to #25*

1:17:00 Rams will have 2 #1’s next year, in prime position to draft a quarterback

1:21:30 Ravens now have two first round safeties, draft Malaki Starks

1:24:30 Teams drafting late don’t have many holes, can draft guys they know will be starters

1:30:00 Detroit loads up their defensive line

1:34:00 Commanders focus on protecting Jayden Daniels

1:39:30 Shedeur Sanders drops out of the first round - Could he land with Cowboys?

1:44:30 Predictions for Eagles/Chiefs picks before they make them

1:48:00 Jihaad Campbell to Eagles, best value pick in the draft?

1:51:30 Chiefs take a tackle to end the first round

1:54:15 Big Ten + SEC dominate the first round

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.)

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