40s and Free Agents: Free Agents, Trade Targets and Rookies to Watch in NFL Playoffs

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1:18Then once your to-do list is done, get ready to kick back, relax, and enjoy the game. Shop in-store or online now and earn your Sunday with help from Lowe's, official partner of the NFL. You know how it's never really about where you're going, it's about who you're going with? The right people can turn any drive into a great memory. That's something Toyota really believes. They design vehicles around real life and real people, the ones who make plans happen and bring everyone together. Inside, everything's built with passengers in mind. Comfortable seating, smart layouts, and space that actually works so everyone can relax and enjoy the ride.

2:01There's room for the people, room for the stuff, and room for the moments that happen along the way. Because when people are the destination, your ride is important. Learn more at Toyota.com and find the vehicle that fits your people. welcome back to 40s and free agents i'm greg rosenthal i'm here with daniel jeremiah and if you're new to the show we are coming at you now every week in player acquisition season it's not just about the draft this time of year dj we're looking at free agency we're looking at trades and now you've got me as a part of your life every single week through the draft are you looking forward to it i am i don't know i'm not smart because i went to appalachian state but i know like you know when you go to when they send those rockets up to space and it's kind of just kind of going up nice and slow then they drop all that stuff and then it just really takes off like now is the time where we we really take off okay you went to two lane you explained that better but that was my image oh no two lane um was a safety school for for many people but uh it is a college football powerhouse now and so uh that's what we stand on okay this show we're not gonna get Your draft takes, that's kind of what I want, but you're, you're warming up to that.

3:17The college football playoffs are on. You can listen to move the sticks obviously for some of your takes there, but for this show this week, what we're going to do, we're going to look at some of the rookies that are playing in these playoffs. Just ones to keep an eye on. We'll pick our offensive and defensive rookie of the years. I hope you have a ballot because they asked for a ballot. It's one, two, three. It's not just one guy. I've got a ballot. I want that AP vote. I found out who has the AP votes at the NFL media now that they're allowing that. And I'm not happy with it. And then we're going to go over some free agents of the teams playing in the playoffs for for fans that are maybe knocked out to look ahead and start scouting guys they could add to their team.

4:00I'm so excited, man, to get this thing back going. And I will give you one draft nugget before we before we get on to all these rookies. But, you know, we're not we're NFL affiliated, obviously, currently. And so we usually wait until we get past the deadline for everybody to declare before we jump in full boat with the draft stuff and talking about who could go where and get the underclassmen aspect of it. So I try to speak in code, which I think people are going to get. But our buddy Patrick Claibon not not catching what I was putting down on TV the other day because he was like, what do you think in the top 10?

4:33And I said, well, look, I can't really say who these guys would be. But, you know, the first overall pick, the Raiders, you know, who's your quarterback going to be? I don't know. And just right over his head. And then I said, next up, I got it. Next up with the Jets. I mean, with the Jets, I would say more, you know, more work to be done. And then neither. Oh, for two struck out on both those. You know, in Patrick's defense, we had him in the studio till 11 p.m. the night before doing our live recap show for the first time. So I'm going to defend him. Let's go through some of the rookies that are playing this week and then we'll give our awards and we'll get to the free agency stuff, too.

5:11And I'm including possible trade candidates, too, and some of the guys to keep an eye on that are playing in the playoffs, that everything that happens in January could really affect that. But let's start with some of the rookies you're keeping an eye on as the playoffs start. So this is kind of how I broke it up. And just guys, I think you're going to be that I have my eye on. I think you're going to be key factors and whether or not their teams advance. So let's start, first of all, with the pass catchers. I wrote down a few names here. Let's start. First of all, I think the one who's going to have the most impact is Ted Rowe McMillan.

5:39Like they they have got a tall task in front of them. I know they they beat the Rams earlier this year. It was a game where they ran it twice as much as they threw it. They controlled time of possession by 10 minutes. They turned Stafford over three times. That's a tough one to duplicate across the board there. They're going to need more offensively, and I think he's going to have to have a big game there if they're going to pull that upset at home against the Rams. So I'll just list through these names, Greg, and then I'll get your thoughts of who you think will be the most impactful. I lumped Loveland and Burden together as pass catchers for the Bears.

6:09Two guys have really come on strong in the back half of the year. Green Bay can't rush the quarterback. I think they'll have an opportunity to have a big day in the passing game. I like both those guys. For the Chargers, I put Gadsden in there. Um, this is, uh, you know, someone now you've got everybody fresh. They rested guys last week. We'll get to another rookie for them and the running side of things as well. But I think working in the middle of field, some, some, uh, some key third downs Gadsden could be a nice piece. And then finally I lumped together the two Iowa state rookies, uh, with Houston and Higgins and Noel is just, uh, guys who've, I saw them both make big plays against the chargers a few weeks back.

6:44Kiggins did it again last week. Um, finding a way to make an impact with those guys. I think what's fascinating about that group is how, especially T-Mac and then the two Bears rookie pass catchers are who the offense is really built around. Like if, if, and it's, it's why we'll get to the awards, but T-Mac's obviously in the mix for it. If they didn't have him, there's nothing. And the one advantage he has in a matchup like this too, where it's not a team with the Rams that has a bunch of physical corners. It's the weakness of their team. They're not playing press, which maybe he's struggled at times with it.

7:24Certainly in that Seattle game, he did like he is the guy like it. And when he had that bad game, Dave Canales even said after the game, look, it goes through Tedaroa. That's on me for not making the plays to help get him open. And I think it's kind of similar right now with Loveland and Burden to me. To me, they're the most two important guys catching passes. Because DJ Moore, I don't think, is going to be there next year. He's not a big factor. Adunze has just been hurt. And they've really built the whole ship out of, I think, Loveland first and Burden next. So it really shows what incredible development they've had because they were quiet early in the year.

7:59Yeah, I think if they get Adunze back, maybe it scales that back a little bit because he's definitely in the trust tree with Caleb. But if you're looking at who Caleb's comfortable with, both those guys, I would say, over DJ Moore, he just feels more comfortable in key moments trying to get them the ball outside of the game winner against the Packers with DJ Moore. But yeah, I think both those guys and in this particular matchup right now where the Green Bay's defense is health-wise and lack of pass rush, I think they end up having a really good impact. Don't we get to the running backs here? Sure.

8:27Although I am, as a Patriots fan, a little worried about Gadsden. It's not a great safety Patriots group. They've had some struggles against tight ends. They're not the fastest linebacker group. Hopefully they get Robert Spillane back. We're not sure there. So that could be a good matchup for the Chargers. Yeah, it's going to be a fun game. How about that, though? We just kick off 40s and free agents with our team scoring off in the first round of the playoff. But you're you're rooting for my team because you're like a couple of weeks away from the senior bowl. You've got to be thinking you're, of course, the voice of the Chargers.

8:56You've got to be thinking if I go on a long playoff run here, what am I going to do? I got to go to senior bowl. I got to start getting ready for the combine. So maybe maybe you're kind of quietly pumping your fist when Drake May is hitting Kayshaun Booty down the field. I just want at one point in time to be around MJD when he's wearing that Super Bowl ring he got for calling Rams games. And just to just pull one out of my pocket and say, yeah, I got one too, but I'm not going to wear it. I call the games. I don't play for the team, MJD. And put it back, just kind of quickly to slide it right back into my pocket.

9:28That's what I'm looking for here. It would be cool. It is a game. I don't have mixed feelings, but if the Patriots win, I'm going to be annoyed for Justin Herber and all the clowns that talk about him. And if the Patriots do lose, I'll be happy. They're kind of my number two AFC team. So either way, I win. There you go. So these runners, speaking of the Patriots, Travion Henderson, in terms of just the big play potential, he's a he's a big factor and someone who stepped up on the big stage in college. So I just go back to that Rose Bowl where he was popping long ones. you got Manungai adding to that Chicago you know nucleus of rookies that are going to have a big impact here Omari and Hampton I thought it was big he got a rest last week against Denver so he'll be fresh so it can be fun to watch those two rookies in that game in Foxborough and then the two guys all lumped together Woody Marks and RJ Harvey you know excellent excellent you know kind of undersized backs who can do some things you know not only run the ball but catch the ball out of backfield can have an impact there obviously we won't see won't see Harvey this week we have to wait but he'll be he'll be rocking a roll when they get to the next round yeah i think harvey and their running game in general is kind of the x factor for that team you you just saw your chargers backups like hold harvey to under 30 yards on 15 carries and that that that could be the fly in the ointment for them if they can't get the running game consistent although i've liked what i've seen out of him you bring up travion and watching this chargers defense from the outside like that seems like the Patriots big play best possibility is actually getting Travion Henderson and he's had a lot of big plays this year whether it's in a dump off or for a big run to go long because they're a very tough team to throw the ball deep against and that's basically the Patriots specialty they almost remind me a little bit of the Ravens I don't know if you would agree in that like they're they're a good offense but they really rely on four play drives.

11:24They are not like a 12 play drive type of team. Yeah. And it's, that's going to be the fascinating part of it because the chargers are outside of that start of that Houston game are a team that's going to make you have to march the ball down the field. So, I mean, that can be very simply how that game's decided and we can get into the matchups, you know, we'll have time to do that in terms of the veterans that we're looking for here. But actually I'll give you one right now, because I'm going to switch to some of the run, some of the, the offensive linemen. I'm not going to do many here. I'm just going to give you a few.

11:51I'm going to go Gray Zabel, who has been dominant. That game, by the way, watching that tape back, Seattle's offense against San Francisco's defense, I don't know that there's a more athletic combo right now than Sundell, the center, and Gray Zabel. When they get out in space and run, I mean, they are incredibly athletic. And Zabel's been, he's already immersed one of the best guards in football. He didn't make the Pro Bowl, did he? I don't think he did. That performance, though, might have gotten him some. Could he even get some rookie of the year votes? You get three guys. It's not that crazy.

12:27He is really good. Will Campbell coming back is big for the Patriots. I haven't got a chance to finish up the tape from from last week. I know he didn't play the whole game. I just watched their their pressure reel and stuff, which he did not show up on and look like he was moving well. But that's going to be a challenge for him because the the knock on him obviously was the length coming out. how is he going to handle guys who can get to him? And the Chargers are a power edge rush team outside of Owe. There's more, you know, try and win with speed. But when you've got Tui Pelotu and you've got Khalil Mack, those are two of the heavier handed, you know, power rushers.

13:00So he's going to have a big say in keeping Drake May upright. And I think that'll be one of the big keys to that game. And then I don't know what health-wise where Urshri is. Is he good to go going forward? he did not play at the end of the season and yeah they they look better when he was in there he's he's played better than i thought he would he's he's been a really good player so um that to me is a big key for them if he's out there one of the nice surprises i was skeptical that will campbell pick i think for the most part uh that's been proven to be a really nice selection for them he makes a huge difference in the running game and again i kind of focus on that with this matchup and he had some flashy blocks in that week 18 game against a Dolphins team that didn't quite look like they wanted to be there, you know, stopping the run.

13:48But man, he he is athletic and he had some great blocks. Yeah, that's going to be fun. That's going to be one of my favorite matchups in that game is going to be him versus those two edge guys. All right, let's we'll finish it up here. We'll go to the defensive side of the ball. I didn't go heavy on the defensive side of the ball. To be honest, it was an underwhelming defensive draft class for the most part, especially in regards to the teams that are in the playoffs. You look at those Atlanta rookies were great, but they're not in the tournament. You've got some other teams that had some impressive guys.

14:16But I'll give you four names here that I think can be big. Derek Harmon, who has been really, really good with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and not only against the run, but has started to flash some pass rush as well. Everybody's kind of chalked that one up as, ah, Houston's going to go in there and beat them. That's a tough place to play in the playoffs. That's a Pittsburgh defense that's kind of got a lot of their pieces back healthy. The secondary is where they're most vulnerable. And are they going to be able to fully take advantage of that? We'll see. But that's a key one. Eman Worry has been awesome.

14:50I was joking with somebody the other day that Seattle doesn't have to do a period of practice on screens. They just go, Eman Worry's got those. Don't worry about the screens we're going to see this week. We can just get on with the rest of practice. And the other two names I wrote down were Nick Scorton with Carolina and Upton Stout coming off a big game. He played really, really well, actually, against Seattle last week. He's been a really good player for the Niners. So those are four key guys for me. Skorton's come on of late. I was thinking about 40s and free agents from a year ago when you were talking about him as a guy who had potentially sort of on the borderline of your top 50.

15:24And man, they need some production out of some young players. And late in the season, he's kind of come on as, you know, other than Derek Brown, they don't have a lot up front. He's kind of their key guy. If someone's going to make a play up front it's probably going to be nick scorton so that that's a good shout out and you're right it's not it's not a great defensive rookie class especially with these playoff teams which is not which was you know supposed to be it was supposed to be a really good defensive class and another reminder to hey be patient i saw some people freaking out about uh certain players and you know and you can go through history and find a whole lot of guys that it takes a little time so just be patient on these guys your guy josiah stewart had a big play last week and has has been popping up as a situational pass rusher guy for the Rams.

16:08So, okay, you kind of alluded to some of the guys maybe that would be on your awards ballot. I guess I worked harder on this. I came up with a ballot as if I was an Associated Press voter. They ask for three. You don't have to make an order on the fly. But I settled on my offensive rookie of the year ballot. Let's start there. I went with TMAC, number one. I ultimately think if you don't play the whole season, Tyler Shuck is obviously an option. I think the bar has to be so high for me. It's just like 17 games versus nine or 10 games. To me, that's just a big difference. And to me, T-Mac was the centerpiece of an offense that was surprising.

16:52And so he is my number one pick. It is really tough after that. I actually went. I already know who you go. Oh, you did. Okay, go ahead. What? Who do you think I got? No, Travion's good. You know, I actually went Shuck and then Dart. So I went quarterback, Kevin. See, I mean, that's just what the voters do. I'll just pick the best quarterbacks, you know. I love Travion. But just to me, the underrated of those three, the TMAC is obvious, you know, with the production and being the focal point of that offense. I think Shuck, because of the way they, you know, piled up some wins and he played really well coming down the home stretch.

17:32I think the less obvious of the three is Jackson Dart. I think when people really look at what he was working with after the neighbors and Scadaboo went down and the fact that he played as well as he did with nothing, zero, zilch, nothing. He didn't have his coach was gone. I mean, everything was removed from them and the defense had underachieved all year long. So I think what he accomplished in and out of concussion protocol most of the season. But when he was out there, I thought he was really impressive. I think the way he closed the season, because everyone was not watching the Giants at that point, kind of fell under the radar and he played well.

18:08You're absolutely right. If you just look at the numbers like QBR and certainly some of the volume sets, like he actually had better numbers than Chuck. And it's why I decided to not put any quarterbacks on there for the hell of it, because it's not most valuable rookie. I hate the word valuable in MVP because it just means because, yeah, of course, Chuck was the most valuable. He turned that whole season around. He's he's turning the hopes of that franchise around. But to me, it mattered if you could play the whole season. So I went Travion. He ends up going over a thousand yards from scrimmage.

18:35He turned a couple games around for the number two seed, one of the surprising teams in the league, one of the most efficient guys in the league per touch because of those big plays. And then I'm going to throw on and there are some great options, by the way. Harold Fannin, you know, went over 700 yards, like 70 catches. He's kind of fun. Certainly the two quarterbacks. But why not give a shout out to Armand Membu? everyone I talked to around there and has watched that. And I've watched, you know, some of him, like he's a plus starter as a rookie that they are feeling great about moving forward that played basically every single snap the whole season.

19:09And so why not be the change you want to see in the world? Maya Angelou there for you. There you go. Why not? Why not put some offensive linemen on there? Why not throw just Membu? Give him a shout out. By the way, yeah, I was obviously a big fan of his coming through the draft process. He played well. That stat, by the way, I cannot get out of my head. Did you see the stat that was floating around the internet about how their leading receiver, the yards that Garrett Wilson had? It was under 400, right? It was in the 300s, and he hadn't played since week six. I mean, some of the stats to pull from this Jets season are like, they're hard to fathom.

19:42Right, and it just shows you how you can be great at one premium position because they're pretty great at tackle. There aren't many teams in the league that would take their tackle situation over the jets but that's only going to get you so far yeah no interceptions is is famous of course but uh a friend of the show aaron shots you know he's been doing the dvoa kind of overall efficiency numbers nothing's perfect but they evaluate it strength of schedule all that he had them as the second worst pass defense since 1979 that's awesome and if you took out special teams where they were elite they were actually one of the best special teams units in years if you took out special teams they were one of the worst five teams period since 1979 so that's hard that's hard to believe can i guarantee you by the way yes uh five dollars um oh let's just you know we can just do lunch that i guarantee we have the same three names for defensive rookie of the year guaranteed i don't think we do because i went with a fun one so i'll i'll take that lunch at the huddle or maybe we did i don't know all right who are yours you give me your three in order in order swissinger is my was my winner same pierce is my number two and emanwari is my number three i had emanwari as well i decided here's a double digit sacks didn't he i did i decided to get frisky yeah it's fair and i'm sure he's gonna get a lot of votes and i put watts in there yeah okay that was my fourth but he was a really good player and maybe i'm being a little you know way in the end of the season too heavily but those two games 17 and 18 because i watched all of falcons saints because i'm just that that sort of guy i love that game he he was awesome in that game too and he was really good all season so i just gave him a little love on my pretend i'll buy you lunch but um he was my fourth played well pierce got some good rookies you know it's interesting going back through and uh right when the draft ended i think the two that i had as the best draft classes it was san francisco was or no sorry it was new england i think was number one and then um gosh was it um oh it might have been the bears i can't remember it was like literally they they these teams were led by their rookies like these teams went off um with what they accomplished with that didn't do terry fondno any good and it's not going to do the next gm i guess that much good that he doesn't have a pick but he does have james pierce which you'd probably at this point take i know rams fans are like and everyone made fun of them for that trade partly because you just don't know if the player is going to work out or not but now after the rookie season like would you rather have a mid first round pick in 2026 or would you rather have james pierce i'd rather have james pierce um with what you saw there but um no it was the browns was my other one so it was the it was uh new england and cleveland and both those rookie classes ended up being awesome give some hope there especially to cleveland they got they already have have the accomplishments in uh in new england but in cleveland get some hope for the future well that is uh the first daniel jeremiah sly pat on his own back uh of the season i'm looking forward well they had they had tons of picks so volume helps volume helps it was a good job by you it was a good job by them it was a good job by you we're going to take a quick break and we're going to come back we're going to talk about some of the free agents i've heard a lot of trash talk about this free agency crop and there's some truth to that but there's also possible trade candidates uh we'll come back with some players to watch in the playoffs if your team is looking for some player acquisition bonus this off season also one other quote from maya angelou don't be a jerk

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27:40back on 40s and free agents and this is going to be the first of many conversations about the possible veterans that are available this off season we'll we'll break it down by position i'll have my big top 101 list that you can help me with and and poke holes in but i think trades are also a big part of this time of year increasingly so especially if there's not a lot of free agents but i gotta tell you like let's just start with philadelphia like there are some really interesting free agents that are going to be available this off season. And you look at one of the best defenses in the entire NFL that's playing this weekend against the 49ers in Philadelphia.

28:14And you think Jalen Phillips, he's made himself some money this year. N 'Kobe Dean is a free agent. I know he's had injuries, but he played really well. He's played really well this year when he's been out there. Reed Blankenship is another guy who I think is just an interesting player out there. So, you know, Phillips is a guy that is going to be very high on my list. You have to tag Jalen Phillips. He's been a major difference maker for them. You think so? I think so. That's, it's going to be what, upwards of$25 million. I haven't looked at the numbers yet, but that's fine. Just do it. And I have been told that he loves it there too.