NFL Draft Podcast Notes: How to Get an Edge on Props

The NFL Draft is never an exact science, we’re continuously learning on the fly what these teams look for in prospects and who are some of the hot names that NFL teams are anxious to draft. When it comes to the NFL Draft prop market, we really don’t know anything. The numbers we see in Vegas are just educated guesses. When the steam starts coming down on a player, you know he's been mentioned a lot because you watch Vegas react in real-time by adjusting these lines. Even so, we still don’t really know anything.

One thing we can do is help our readers and those who follow the NFL Draft make the best-educated decisions on which side of a prop to land on. The easiest way we can do this is by deciphering what we learn from draft podcasts. That’s what this column will try to do weekly—interpret which players are hot and which players are not as we get closer to the NFL Draft.

Below I share relevant draft notes I learned from listening to some of the best draft podcasts every week:

• The Athletic Football Show
• NFL: Move the Sticks with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks
• First Draft with Mel Kiper and Todd McShay.
• You Pod to Win the Game
• The Underdog Football Show

This will be an ongoing series, so if you find any interesting podcasts you'd like me to listen to, hit me up on Twitter.

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Jump To: The Athletic Football Show Notes | Move the Sticks Notes | First Draft Notes | You Pod To Win The Game Notes | The Underdog Football Show

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2022 Draft NFL Draft Date & Time

Date: Thursday, April 28 (Round 1), Friday, April 29th ( Rounds 2 & 3) & Saturday, April 30th (Rounds 4-7)

Time: 8:00 PM EST (Round 1), 7:00 PM EST (Rounds and 3), &12:00 PM EST (Rounds 4-7)

Channels: NFL Network, ESPN & ABC, also FuboTV Livestream

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More 2022 NFL Draft Resources: Draft Props Betting Tracker | Mock Draft | Big Board | Dalton Kates' Prop Bets

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The Underdog Football Show

• Hosts: Josh Norris & Hayden Winks
• Guest: None
• Date: April 6th, 2022

"Charles Cross went ahead of Evan Neal in this mock draft."- Josh Norris

• According to Josh Norris (last year's most accurate mock drafter), Giants beat reporters noticed at Charles Cross' Pro Day he was asked to take right tackle snaps, which would indicate they want to keep Andrew Thomas at left tackle. That's interesting because most mocks have Ikem Ekwonu and Evan Neal as the top two offensive linemen but Cross goes ahead of Neal in Josh's mock from this podcast.

"There's only been three times Ron Rivera has left his house to go watch a prospect's Pro Day, those being 2011 (Cam Newton), 2011 (Patrick Peterson), and 2017 (Christian McCaffrey)."- Josh Norris

• Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey were both selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round when Ron Rivera was the head coach. This nugget was shared by @Billy_M on Twitter. Norris found it interesting because Rivera was at Ohio State's Pro Day on March 23rd and cameras caught Rivera and wide receiver Chris Olave talking extensively. If we follow the tea leaves, this means Olave is most likely to be drafted by the Washington Commanders at 11 overall.

"At 19, he took Skyy Moore, ahead of Treylon Burks and Christian Watson."- Josh Norris

• This is interesting because most mocks have Treylon Burks and Christian Watson ahead of Skyy Moore, but listening to Daniel Jeremiah last week as well, Norris said to keep an eye out for Moore in the 20s, so this makes sense.

"Teams are noticing that you have to pay $20 million to retain a top-end WR and with this new wave of WRs getting top-end dollars on the market, more teams will elect to choose a WR in the first round to have that fifth-year option. Don't be surprised if we see six or seven WRs in the first round."- Josh Norris

• Norris mentions the Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, and Christian Kirk deals from this offseason and the amount each respective team had to pay as reasons why. Norris thinks teams would be smart to elect to take a low-cost receiver in the first round who comes with that coveted fifth-year option.

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You Pod To Win The Game Notes

• Host: Charles Robinson
• Guest: Eric Edholm
• Date: April 1, 2022

“I spoke to an AFC GM who told me that Aiden Hutchinson is ranked by some NFL teams in the 20-30 range on their NFL Draft board.” – Charles Robinson

• This might be the latest we’ve heard of Hutchinson on teams' boards, but it also lines up with what they said earlier on the podcast. There is so much variation among the top of a lot of NFL teams' draft boards that people shouldn't be surprised if Hutchinson doesn’t go first overall. They also mentioned how there really isn't a single consensus blue-chip player in this draft, which makes the top of most boards so hard to guess.
• Most teams also left the NFL Combine thinking Kayvon Thibodeaux was either a top-10 pick or he was going to slip. He didn’t do very well with interviews and people thought his ego was too big, according to Robinson. They also said as a side comment, that they don't think Thibodeaux will be a New York Jet (No. 4 overall) and he has way too many questions about his character to go in the top five, but they could see the Jets with a surprise pick of Garrett Wilson at 4.

“Two teams no way in hell that don’t add a quarterback by the end of the NFL Draft or via free agency, they are absolutely going to take a quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t an option for Seattle, though.” – Charles Robinson

• The two teams Robinson mentioned were the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers.
• Eric Edholm, who was also on the podcast, said he spoke to an assistant GM, one college scouting director, and an area scout about who could take a signal-caller in the draft. The scout and assistant GM both said maybe one quarterback in the top 10. Both mentioned the Panthers at six as a team to watch.
• They also mentioned how John Schneider loves Malik Willis. They mentioned Tarvaris Jackson and Russell Wilson as quarterbacks Schneider has loved and how they fit the mold of what Willis is. So if Willis is still there at nine, they think Willis is the pick for Seattle. If not, they speculated they take Sam Howell or Matt Corrall with their second-round picks.

“Jermaine Johnson, Charles Cross, Jordan Davis, Derek Stingley, and Jameson Williams are all players you need to keep your eye on to go in the top 10.”- Eric Edholm

• Edholm also goes on to say that had Jameson Williams not torn his ACL in the National Championship game, he’d be a lock to go top-10 this year. Williams was already running at Alabama's Pro Day.
• Derek Stingley's freshman tape might be way too good to pass up in the top 10.

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The Athletic Football Show Notes

• Host: Robert Mays
• Guest: Dane Brugler, Nate Tice
• Date: April 25th, 2022

"There is a good chance we don't see any QBs in the top 10." - Dane Brugler

• After saying this, Brugler made sure to note that while he doesn't see a QB in the top 10, if the Carolina Panthers got desperate enough, they would be the one team to make such a selection at six.

"What the Jets do at four will decide how the rest of the top 10 shakes out." - Dane Brugler

• This was my favorite segment because this draft does rely heavily on the New York Jets, who have two top-10 picks at four and 10. Brugler also said Mekhi Becton, the Jets' selection at 11 overall in the 2020 draft might not ever play another down for them. That's a massive news drop because the GM who selected Becton, Joe Douglas, finds himself in the same predicament again, searching for a left tackle to protect his second overall pick from 2021 in Zach Wilson. Brugler thinks the fourth overall pick will come down to who the Jets value more between Ikem Ekwonu and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

"I have heard through some people that the Houston Texans have interest in Garrett Wilson at three." - Dane Brugler

• This is the earliest we've heard about any wide receiver going in the top 10. Many of the podcasts and most media heads think the receiver market would start at pick seven, which is when the New York Giants are on the clock. This could be a smokescreen, but I trust Brugler a lot. If he's saying this, it's something we should file away.

Additional Notes:

• Brugler thinks the New Orleans Saints trade up for Charles Cross if he slips.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers were very impressed with Desmond Ridder when he met with ownership.
• Chris Olave could go as early as 11th or as late as the mid-20s, same with Devin Lloyd, as an off-ball linebacker is not a high priority for NFL teams.
• Brugler thinks picks 11, 12, and 13 will be the sweet spot for Kyle Hamilton.
• Players Brugler thinks end up in the back half of the first round are Logan Hall and Quay Walker. Nakobe Dean is a player routinely mocked in the first round who could fall.
• The boldest prediction Brugler made was Tyler Linderbaum falling out of the first round and seven wideouts will be selected in the first round.

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• Host: Dane Brugler
• Guest: Lance Zierlein
• Date: April 20th, 2022

"Is Aidan Hutchinson really locked into one of the two spots? I really don't know?" - Dane Brugler

• It seems consensus has been you slot Aidan Hutchinson into one of the first two picks in your mock draft and call it a day, but Brugler isn't so sure about that. He questions it because of how some teams have Hutchinson ranked. Some might have him first and others might have him ranked 10th on their draft boards.

"For a win-now team, why do we think the Carolina Panthers want to draft Kenny Pickett at 6?" - Lance Zierlein

• This was an interesting discussion between Brugler and Zierlein. They ask if the Panthers' Matt Rhule is really on the hot seat then why would he take a developmental quarterback sixth overall? Why wouldn't you rather shore up your offensive line and go after either Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo?

"I don't think Sauce Gardner is very high on the Jets' Draft Board." - Dane Brugler

• Brugler doesn't think the Jets are in on Ahmad Gardner because of Robert Saleh and the scheme they run—Cover 3/Quarters doesn't value corners highly. Zierlein said this thought process can also be applied to the Texans. Lovie Smith believes pass rush dictates coverage, but Nick Caserio comes from a New England Patriots system that does value corners highly. Zierlein said whichever philosophy they choose to go with will dictate the Texans' pick.

"This wide receiver class is very deep." - Dane Brugler

• Brugler believes we could see an NFL record eight receivers drafted in the first round. We know the main five wide receivers drafted in the first round are going to be Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams, Chris Olave, Treylon Burks, and Drake London. Brugler thinks we could see three more wide receivers drafted in the first round and he mentions Jahan Dotson, Christian Watson, Skyy Moore, and George Pickens as names to watch.

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• Host: Dane Brugler
• Guest: Lance Zierlein
• Date: April 13th, 2022

"I was given info three weeks ago that made me feel confident in putting Travon Walker as the first overall pick in my new mock draft on NFL Network." - Lance Zierlein

• This new information is different than what we've heard for weeks—Aidan Hutchinson would be the pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars at first overall. The consensus all along has been Hutchinson at one, so this is a new wrinkle. One thing Zierlein did question was how accurate this information is since three of the biggest media heads all said this past week that Travon Walker will go at one to the Jaguars. Those media heads are Field Yates, Mike Garafolo, and Peter Schrager.

"Houston will most likely pass on Kayvon Thibodeaux at three; he doesn't check the character boxers for Nick Caserio, Jack Easterby, and Lovie Smith. Lovie will most likely want an EDGE rusher if they don't take one at 3." - Lance Zierlein

• Zierlein goes on to mention Jermaine Johnson, but I'm not sure the Texans would want a 23-year-old EDGE rusher at third overalL, so they could wait until their next first-round pick (No. 13). Zierlein picked Evan Neal for the Texans in his latest mock draft.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers have done the most extensive work on quarterbacks this year." - Dane Brugler

• It seems to be a consensus that in the first round, the Steelers and Panthers will both leave the first round with quarterbacks. In Brugler's new mock draft, he has Kenny Pickett at six to the Panthers and Desmond Ridder at 20th to the Steelers.

"I still feel like Jameson Williams and Treylon Burks are the top two WRs, according to the film last year." - Lance Zierlein

• Zierlein thinks Jameson Williams and Treylon Burks are the two best wide receivers, but can a team convince themselves Williams will be able to return from his ACL tear in time for training camp? As for Burks, do you have a coach who can scheme him open or would a team decide to go after the more pro-ready receivers in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave?

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• Host: Dane Brugler
• Guest: Lance Zierlein, Bruce Feldman
• Date: April 8th, 2022

"Derek Stingley's floor is 13th overall; the Houston Texans have too big of a need at cornerback to pass on Stingley at 13." - Lance Zierlein

• This is interesting because Lance Zierlein is as plugged in with the Texans as one can be. Another interesting take Dane Brugler and Zierlein both had was that the Minnesota Vikings at 12th overall would be a perfect fit for Stingley. Why? Because Patrick Peterson is currently on the roster and he could act as a big brother since both are from LSU. On DraftKings, Stingley's O/U is currently 10.5 with -105 odds on him being selected over 10.5 picks.

"I don't think the Saints made the trade with the Eagles to move up for a QB."- Dane Brugler

• Our first 2022 NFL Draft trade happened with the Philadephia Eagles and New Orleans Saints swapping first-round picks and more. Brugler's take was the Saints didn't make the trade up for a quarterback unless one of their targets falls. He thinks they want two impact players since the Saints feel like they have a win-now roster.

"I spoke to a couple of high-level coaches and executives who are surprised to hear Kyle Hamilton could be a top-five NFL Draft pick, he'll be a first-round pick, but top five? I'm not so sure." - Bruce Feldman

• This seems to be the talk of NFL Draft media and scouts alike lately, especially since Daniel Jeremiah last week said he wouldn't be surprised if Daxton Hill went ahead of Hamilton. Over 1.5 Total First-Round Safeties currently sits at -250 odds on DraftKings.

"NFL Executives and NFL Teams are a lot higher on Devin Lloyd than Draft Media and Draft Twitter" - Bruce Feldman

• It seemed everyone Feldman talked to said something effusive about Lloyd. Feldman even had Lloyd as a top-five pick in his latest mock draft. Brugler also has Lloyd as a top-10 prospect. On DraftKings, he currently has 12/1 odds to go in the top 10 of the NFL Draft.

"The Carolina Panthers are making calls to trade back from the sixth overall pick." - Dane Brugler

• This shouldn't come as a surprise since Scott Fitterer traded back four times in the 2021 NFL Draft—his first draft as the Panthers' GM. I know a lot of people are locked into the Panthers taking a signal-caller at six, but this throws some cold water on that take.

"We should be shocked if we only see one QB taken in the first 25 picks of the NFL Draft." - Lance Zierlein

• Zierlein thinks we should see two quarterbacks taken in the first 25 picks with Matt Corrall and Desmond Ridder both as first-round wild cards, in addition to Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis.

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• Host: Robert Mays
• Guest: Dane Brugler
• Date: March 29, 2022

“Ikem Ekwonu is talked about in NFL circles as a locked-in top-five pick.” - Dane Brugler

• Ikem Ekwonu is seen as the top offensive tackle in this class, and at a premium position, he’s going to be drafted highly, so this take by Dane Brugler shouldn’t come as a surprise to many. Our very own Move the Line crew has also bet Ekwonu to be the No. 1 overall pick at +450.

“This pass-rushing class is very strong with at least seven pass-rushers projected to go in the first round.” - Dane Brugler

• The seven Brugler mentions are Aiden Hutchinson, Travon Walker, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Jermaine Johnson, George Karlaftis, Jordan Davis, and Devonte Wyatt. That’s not even including David Ojabo, who just tore his Achilles at his Pro Day last week. He also mentioned Logan Hall from Houston. Our very own Anthony Staggs also has seven pass-rushers in his latest mock draft, which lends credence to how strong this pass-rushing class is and how different it is from last year's class.

“We need to be on Desmond Ridder Watch once we get to around pick 20 in the NFL Draft.” - Dane Brugler

• Desmond Ridder has routinely been mocked as the third quarterback off the board in most mocks. After Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett are off the board, it wouldn’t surprise me if a team traded up in the first round as the Baltimore Ravens did with Lamar Jackson in 2018. Keep an eye out on the Pittsburgh Steelers he mentions.

“Kayvon Thibodeaux could still sneak into the top five, but if he doesn’t go until picks 8-12, it shouldn’t surprise anyone.” - Dane Brugler

• At one point in the 2021 NFL Draft cycle, Kayvon Thibodeaux was considered the first overall pick until teams got scared off by his ego. If a team is spending a top-10 pick on you, they want to make sure football is your number one priority. Brugler came away thinking many teams thought Thibodeaux would rather build his brand than focus on football.

“Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner could absolutely be a top-five pick.” - Dane Brugler

• Sauce Gardner has all the physical tools but if Brugler could, he says, he would put Trent McDuffie as his CB1. The Houston Texans, New York Jets, and New York Giants hold picks No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5, respectively, and have shown strong interest in Gardner. Brugler also mentions how if Derek Stingley had his 2019 film and his 2021 film flipped, he would be talked about as the number one overall pick, but now he could fall out of the top 10. Gardner and McDuffie are looking to be likely top-15 picks.

“We could be looking at five or six wide receivers in the first round.” - Dane Brugler

• Brugler compares this class to that of the 2020 NFL Draft class where we had six wide receivers go in the first round. He has heard that Jameson Williams is the top receiver on a lot of NFL teams' draft boards but can you sell his ACL recovery to the general manager? His three top wideouts are Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams, and Drake London. He also mentions Chris Olave, Treylon Burks, Jahan Dotson, Skyy Moore, and Christian Watson as wide receivers to watch to round out the first round. DraftKings currently has a prop of Over 5.5 Wide Receivers Drafted in the First Round at -150 odds.

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NFL: Move the Stick Notes

• Hosts: Daniel Jeremiah & Bucky Brooks
• Guest: None
• Date: April 25th, 2022

"Biggest draft question is who do the Jacksonville Jaguars take at one? I've heard through various people that Doug Pederson, the HC, wants Ikem Ekwonu, while Trent Baalke wants Travon Walker." - Daniel Jeremiah

• This is literally where the draft starts, figuratively and literally. If the Jaguars take Travon Walker, it'll impact the rest of the top 10. Same deal with Aidan Hutchinson—if they take him, the rest of the top 10 will be impacted. Jeremiah capes for Hutchinson citing various pass rush win rates from PFF. He also mentions how the EDGE rushers as a whole are a deeper draft class than it is for the offensive tackles, which could alter how the Jaguars see the first overall pick.

"The Houston Texans love Ikem Ekwonu." - Daniel Jeremiah

• After mentioning whichever player falls between Walker and Hutchinson will most likely go to the Detroit Lions, Jeremiah mentions how the Texans love Ekwonu and he would be the pick at three. He also throws us for a loop by mentioning Kyle Hamilton, who most have pegged as the biggest faller in this draft class. The reason he mentions Hamilton is because he says he's the perfect Patriots player and as we all know, Nick Caserio, the Texans' GM, spent almost two decades with the Patriots.

"If I'm the New York Giants, I double-dip on the offensive players at five and seven." - Daniel Jeremiah

• Jeremiah mentions Evan Neal and Garrett Wilson here. He mentions Neal because Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the offensive coordinator at Alabama and he could get intel from his days there. He also mentions Garrett Wilson because his NFL comp for Wilson is Stefon Diggs, who Daboll saw elevate Josh Allen, and he could hope to recreate the same magic with Daniel Jones.

"Jahan Dotson might be gone before pick 20." - Daniel Jeremiah

• Another day, another wide receiver going in the top 20. This class could potentially have six wideouts go before pick 20. Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, Drake London, and Dotson. If you've been keeping tabs on this article, this shouldn't be news to you but more confirmation on how deep this receiver class is as a whole.

Additional Notes:

• Jeremiah says tackle or bust for the Carolina Panthers at six.
• Jeremiah has heard Drake London's name connected to the Atlanta Falcons a lot.
• Jeremiah was told the Seattle Seahawks would end Kayvon Thibodeaux's slide if he fell to 9.
• Jeremiah mentions in a wild scenario that if the Jets traded the 10th overall pick for Deebo Samuel, which has been a hot topic as of late, the 49ers would draft Treylon Burks. Burks currently has 12/1 odds on FanDuel to be the 10th overall pick.

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• Hosts: Daniel Jeremiah & Bucky Brooks
• Guest: None
• Date: April 20th, 2022

"I wouldn't be surprised if Jameson Williams is the first WR off the board in the NFL Draft." - Daniel Jeremiah

• The drumbeat grows louder for Jameson Williams to be the first receiver selected in the NFL Draft. Jeremiah said offenses in the modern NFL are obsessed with speed. He cited John Ross who went ninth overall in 2017, Henry Ruggs, who went 11th overall in 2020, and Jaylen Waddle, who went sixth overall in 2021. He also subtly mentioned NFL scouts really love Skyy Moore. Jeremiah also mentioned he thinks seven wideouts go in round one. If you're a reader of this article, you already got in early on the line on FanDuel of 5.5 first-round WRs. The line is now 6.5 and the over has odds of -108. On March 29th, the odds were at -150 for O5.5 WRs drafted in the First Round.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Kayvon Thibodeaux or Kyle Hamilton fall out of the Top Ten." - Daniel Jeremiah

• Jeremiah said this while discussing which highly-regarded prospects he could see sliding in the top 10, even out of the top 10. On FanDuel right now, Thibodeaux has odds of O4.5 at +118, but I'm of the belief he goes to the New York Jets at pick No. 4, based on the draft podcasts I've listened to.

"Derek Stingley won't fall out of the Top Ten." - Daniel Jeremiah

• This was very interesting because Derek Stingley Jr., for most of the process, has been talked about as a player who will fall because teams had questions about his foot from the injury. Since he performed well at his Pro Day, teams seem to be correcting their prior information and he has risen up draft boards. This also probably has to do something with Ahmad Gardner being mocked as a top-three draft pick. Stingley currently has odds of U9.5 at -114 at FanDuel.

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• Hosts: Daniel Jeremiah & Bucky Brooks
• Guest: None
• Date: April 13th, 2022

"If the top three EDGE rushers are gone (Hutchinson, Walker, Thibodeaux), don't be surprised if the New York Jets take a WR at 4." - Daniel Jeremiah

• Jeremiah goes on to say this while citing the massive contracts teams are handing out to receivers on the open market these days. You could get two receivers in the first round for the price of a Davante Adams or a Tyreek Hill, which could help build your team and aid with cap savings. Receivers are currently the third-highest paid position in the NFL behind quarterback and EDGE.

"Tennesse Titans are an under the radar team to select a QB at 26." - Daniel Jeremiah

• Jeremiah notes this because of Ryan Tannehill's massive 2022 cap number ($38.6 million). He also mentions the Seahawks could trade back in the first round if they pass on a signal-caller at ninth overall since they own two second-round picks.

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• Hosts: Daniel Jeremiah & Bucky Brooks
• Guest: None
• Date: April 6th, 2022

"Don't be surprised if Kaiir Elam and Andrew Booth sneak into the first round."- Daniel Jeremiah

• This is interesting because we're usually used to only talking about Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Derek Stingley, and Trent McDuffie as first-round corners but Jeremiah says we could be looking at more who could sneak into the first round such as Kaiir Elam and Andrew Booth. That would make five defensive backs in the first round, and we're not even counting safeties. On FanDuel, they currently have a prop for the Total Number of Cornerbacks Drafted in Round 1 — Over 4.5 at +112 odds.

"Don't be surprised if Daxton Hill goes ahead of Kyle Hamilton in the first round."- Daniel Jeremiah

• This was a shocking statement, to me at least, as most mocks and film analysts have Kyle Hamilton as the best overall player in this draft. According to Jeremiah, we live in a world where Derwin James went 17th overall to the Chargers back in 2018, so it's not out of the realm of possibilities. With that in mind, it wouldn't hurt to sprinkle some Hamilton Will Be the Second Safety Drafted at +7000 odds on BetRivers.

"Don't be surprised if Jameson Williams is the first WR drafted off the board."- Daniel Jeremiah

• The more podcasts I listen to, the more this statement comes up. If it weren't for a torn ACL in the NCAA National Championship game, there's a legit chance Williams is the first wideout off the board. Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks also both said this is a clean prospect class in regards to medicals, meaning there are no real injury concerns with any prospect.

"Don't be surprised if Desmond Ridder sneaks into the first round."- Daniel Jeremiah

• Jeremiah compared Desmond Ridders' draft ascension to that of Jalen Hurts. Jeremiah wasn't big on Hurts coming out, same with Ridder, but the more the process plays out, the more he's heard of Ridder, and the more he thinks he'll go earlier than people think. He said when he updates his latest big board Ridder will be a big riser. We know Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis get most of the first-round love but don't be surprised if we see Ridder drafted in the first round as well. On FanDuel, they currently have a draft prop up of Over 2.5 Quarterbacks in the First Round at -198 odds.

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• Hosts: Daniel Jeremiah & Bucky Brooks
• Guest: None
• Date: March 28, 2022

"Aiden Hutchinson is still my number one prospect." - Daniel Jeremiah

• Daniel Jeremiah says he understands why the Travon Walker talks have heated up as the number one overall pick, but he thinks Walker holds a little more risk than Hutchinson. If he's using the number one overall pick on a player, he wants to make sure they check all the boxes. Even though the heavy favorite on most sportsbooks for the first overall pick is Aiden Hutchinson, it doesn't mean it will happen, we still don't know who the pick will be even with a month to go.
• Jeremiah still believes Walker will end up going in the top five, even if he doesn't go first overall.

"Would not surprise me if Kayvon Thibodeaux is still there at pick 20." - Daniel Jeremiah

• This is very interesting as many mocks and drafts have Thibodeaux as high as the second overall pick (including ours). Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks both think he's a Jadeveon Clowney clone, as in, the allure of him is way more appealing than his actual production on the field. One college coach told Jeremiah they didn't even have to gameplan for Thibodeaux. They both think Thibodeaux would rather focus on things outside of football than actual football.

"My top five guys, I usually like to be high-character guys who don't carry many risks." - Daniel Jeremiah

• His top five "guys" in this draft are Aiden Hutchinson, Ikem Ekwonu, Ahmed "Sauce" Gardner, Kyle Hamilton, and Garrett Wilson. Each one of these players, according to Jeremiah, is a player you know exactly what you'll get from them on day one, which is what you want from a high first-round draft pick.

"Wide receivers will be pushed up in the draft because of the offseason market and what these teams are paying for high-end WRs." - Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks

• Jeremiah and Brooks both say wide receiver will be pushed up in this draft because of the cost control you can have for these guys for five years. Mentions A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf, and Deebo Samuel as examples. You don't want to be stuck paying the Christan Kirks of the world $72 million like the Jacksonville Jaguars did this offseason. They also mention how scheme, fit, and role matter way more for receivers than any other position in the NFL Draft.

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First Draft Notes

• Host: Field Yates
• Co-Hosts: Mel Kiper Jr. & Todd McShay
• Date: March 28, 2022

"The Detroit Lions shouldn't take a QB at the second overall pick." - Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay

• Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay were both in lockstep that the Detroit Lions shouldn't take a quarterback second overall. They think they should draft Kyle Hamilton instead.

"Matt Rhule only studied QBs on his Pro Days."- McShay

• This isn't a surprise as the Carolina Panthers have done everything to show their hand that they're desperate for a quarterback. Both Kiper and McShay think six overall is too high to take one of the 2022 QBs. They end up settling for Charles Cross, their third-rated offensive tackle in the draft.

"Drake London probably won't be there at 10." - Mel Kiper

• This is something we should file away for draft day. The New York Jets just happen to hold the 10th overall pick. After they failed to land Tyreek Hill, who went to Miami, they could see the Jets try to trade up in the draft to ensure they land a playmaker for second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. Kiper also thinks the receiver market will start at the seventh overall pick in the draft with the New York Giants.

"Jameson Williams is a dark horse to go top-10." - Todd McShay

• This now makes two podcasts that both mentioned Jameson Williams is the top wide receiver on some teams' draft boards and that he could go top-10 in the draft. Our own Anthony Staggs also has Williams as the top wideout on his Big Board. Many NFL teams have Drake London and Jameson Williams as the two top wide receivers in this draft class, according to McShay. If you're feeling lucky, Jameson Williams to be Drafted in the Top 10 on DraftKings is currently at 15-1.

Bottom Line

• This quarterback class is still seen as shaky, 24 hours out from the draft.
• This class has three wildcards: Jacksonville, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Kyle Hamilton. I feel like those three will decide how the top 10 shakes out.
• The wide receiver position is deep and there isn't a receiver a scout has talked about they don't like. There are so many different types of wideouts that any team could have any of them as their No. 1 WR.
• How teams in the top 10 value EDGE rushers and offensive tackles will most likely shape how the top 10 is decided.