The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

Dane Brugler, The Athletic's draft expert, dives into the intriguing yet unpredictable 2025 quarterback class. He highlights Cam Ward as the potential top pick for the Titans and evaluates the prospects of Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, and Jalen Milroe. The discussion also covers how recent signings, like Russell Wilson and Stefon Diggs, could shift team strategies in the draft. Brugler emphasizes assessing quarterbacks based on skills and leadership qualities, offering insights into what makes a winning starter in the NFL.

Justis Mosqueda, community producer at Acme Packing Company, shares his expertise on NFL draft prospects. He delves into the relationship between college production and NFL success for edge players, comparing standout athletes like Abdul Carter with less productive ones like Mykel Williams. The conversation tackles the intricacies of scouting metrics, defensive schemes, and the importance of a versatile skill set. Mosqueda also hints at future discussions regarding the upcoming quarterback class, adding an exciting layer to the draft narrative.

Jordan Reid, an ESPN draft analyst known for his sharp insights into NFL player selections, joins to dive into the excitement of the upcoming draft. They discuss the Titans' potential first pick, focusing on quarterback Cam Ward and the implications for team strategy. The conversation expands to the Browns' urgent need for a quarterback and the Giants' interest in players like Travis Hunter. They highlight the importance of player versatility and how it shapes draft decisions, especially for the Jaguars with their crucial fifth pick.

The hosts dive into proposed NFL rule changes that could reshape the game, particularly focusing on defensive penalties. They discuss the tricky landscape of evaluating off-ball linebackers and how supposed can't-miss prospects sometimes falter. The shifting dynamics of football fandom are explored, especially with the impact of analytics and fantasy sports. Quarterback evaluations take the spotlight, analyzing key players and their roles in team success, while strategies for the upcoming draft are also examined.

Plenty of team needs were addressed when the free agency period opened, but not every team can fill every hole by signing players off the market. So what are the biggest needs that remain as we put the first wave of free agency behind us and turn our attention to the draft? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into that question—considering Patriots left tackle, Chargers wide receiver, Bengals defensive line, and more—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The effects of free agency are felt long before teams take the field in September. Hopes are up in certain fanbases. Not so much in others. Teams are making plans that they couldn't consider a few weeks ago because of this player or that one. And, of course, teams can now plunge headlong into the draft knowing exactly what their needs are. So how did free agency affect the draft? Dane Brugler joins Robert Mays to dive into that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dane on X: @dpbruglerTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teams like the Vikings, Giants and Seahawks have been active in free agency. There's no doubt about that. But how much better are they really? That's exactly the question Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen strive to answer on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.The guys also discuss the extensions for Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Derek Stingley.Rundown Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins Derek Stingley signs an extension with the Texans Vikings Seahawks Giants Panthers Rams Cardinals Bears Buccaneers Packers Saints Commanders Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teams like the Patriots, Colts and Jaguars have been active in free agency. There's no doubt about that. But how much better are they really? That's exactly the question Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen strive to answer on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown Patriots Colts Jaguars Titans Jets Bills Broncos Chiefs Dolphins Raiders Texans Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free agency hasn't been fun for everyone. Just ask Cowboys fans, who have watched their team mostly sit out free agency again. Or Bengals fans, who have watched their team make a couple small moves on defense while seemingly antagonizing even further the trio of players on offense that makes them special in the first place. It's safe to say those fanbases are freakin' out, and they aren't the only ones. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen discuss the teams might have their fans a bit on edge on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown Rams release Cooper Kupp So...you're freakin'out Bengals Steelers Seahawks Lions Ravens Chargers Cowboys Browns Falcons The latest in free agency Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Vikings capped off day one of free agency with a couple of big moves, bringing back Byron Murphy Jr. and bringing in Jonathan Allen. They picked right back up on the morning of day two, signing Will Fries and reportedly agreeing to a deal with Javon Hargrave. They were the big spenders on day two of free agency, but they certainly weren't the only spenders. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive into day two on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys discuss Dre Greenlaw to the Broncos, Daniel Jones to the Colts, Chase Young and Juwan Johnson sticking with the Saints, Najee Harris going to the Chargers, the seeming change that's afoot in San Francisco, and more.Rundown The Vikings spend big Jevon Holland to the Giants Tershawn Wharton to the Panthers Dre Greenlaw to the Broncos Daniel Jones to the Colts Kristian Fulton to the Chiefs Najee Harris to the Chargers Texans/Eagles trade Leonard Floyd to the Falcons Changing of the times in San Francisco Small moves from day two Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices