Power Hour 4: Ranking All 32 Teams with Nick Wright

30:40Okay, Packers are the dropper. Packers fans are sitting in the draft room right now cursing Nick Wright's name. We're going to, for the 10th spot, we're going to go Packers versus Bengals.

30:56I'll go with the Packers. The Bengals are so tough, man. The Bengals are so tough. Yeah, I mean, I'll go with the Packers. I think when I do my playoff picks, I think I'll probably have both those teams not in. Really? Yeah. Yeah, and I don't think that's that. I mean, the Packers, to me, last year were a good team, but not a great team. And we'll get to the Bengals when we get to the Bengals. I, once upon a time, I had a take that was, if in the modern NFL, would you rather have a roster full of B minus B players with no A pluses because of the salary structure and all that. And the Packers are really trying out that take.

31:52They're like, what if everyone on the team's just solid and no one's all. Have you seen the video of the comedian making fun of Elon Musk and Doge where he calls them his army of twos? No, I have not. I started to use that phrase to talk about the Packers receivers. Just join love army. Anyways. No, it's tough. And so again, I don't want to be, I don't want to be dismissive because there is something to be said to just be solid everywhere. But like aside from McKinney, who's the difference, like the, like stud on the roster. Am I forgetting someone? He's a rookie. I think he's really good. Like, but he's a rookie.

32:35He's a second year player now. Yeah. No, the edge, the Packers are really good, except for at the most important positions outside of quarterback, which is like receiver and edge in corner. too? And is it fair to say that Love is... I like him.

32:54I was going to say, is it fair to say he's a question mark going into this year? No, I don't think so. I don't think he's... Okay. That's not my issue with this roster. It's receiver and corner. Okay. So, the Bengals, we'll get to them when we get to them. They are truly the conundrum of this, in my opinion. I'm going to put the Bengals up against another AFC team for the 11. We're outside the top 10. We're going to go Bengals versus Broncos. I knew you somehow I knew you're going to say the Broncos. I will go with the Bengals. I just think there is no one has explained to me why the Bengals are not going to have the exact same year they had last year.

33:34Why would anything be different? The offense is going to be awesome. The defense is going to be terrible and they'll win, you know, a minimum of eight, a maximum of 10, and we'll see if they sneak into the playoffs. Like that, the, the, who's the edge, the older Hubbard, they lost him. The, the, and he wasn't that good, but he was still there. One of their starting edges. Hendrickson is in Florida. They draft Shamar. Shamar is at Texas. And so it's like, but now Jamar and team make more money. Well, so what? Like I, and so I don't, I don't, it is almost impossible. for burrow to be better than he was last year so like and and so i just to me they are staring at a very very similar year awesome offense terrible defense and not good enough um and so i know that's weird for me to be putting them where they are but that's more about uh broncos skepticism that i guess we'll get to um and i promise i do think some teams are really good we just haven't or good we just haven't gotten to some of them uh but that's where i stand on the bangles like am i and i know they changed d coordinators but i don't know that that's yeah yeah yeah no i don't disagree with anything you said i just wonder who you think is really good that we haven't gotten to maybe it's really good is probably too strong but good um we're going chargers versus broncos here afc west showdown okay so that is that's a team you would have had higher i take it uh hold on let me let me glance real quick and see there was one team you haven't mentioned i thought i'm wondering who it is um no the the it's the chargers um and i mean there's a couple other teams i think are going to make the playoffs that you haven't mentioned but that's we're still in yeah we still got plenty of time um so uh listen i love the coach uh they had the number one scoring defense in football last year um herbert's good um i know he's probably another guy who i actually don't didn't watch the film right he played awesome in that playoff game i just don't understand he was not good in the playoff game um i will say that he was not and and so and uh again listen again i the year six will be the year justin herbert wins a big game i i know it um but i I like Harbaugh a ton.

35:58I still think they have thrown a lot of resources at receiver. And it has, I like Ladd. I think McConkie's good. I think, I don't think it's obvious he's good. And yeah, I think the Chargers, I expect them to actually be somewhat similar to last year. And that I think Herbert will be a little more prolific as a passer. I think the defense won't be quite as statistically dominant. and I think they'll be a solid wild card team. And so, yeah, I think the Chargers fit there. The Brancos have dropped a couple spots. Will their drop continue? I am going to put them up against the Dallas Cowboys. Oh, now you're forcing my hand here.

36:51It sounds like you're not high on either of these teams. No, I don't. The Broncos thing is mystifying to me, but I think the Cowboys have. Broncos, incredible D. No doubt about it. There is no doubt about it. Especially mystifying. Well, defense plays too. No, I understand that. I also think, if I may, I think that the defense, is it fair to say I'm a little curious if the defense this year against a slightly different opposing quarterback lineup than they had last year when after beating Baker Mayfield, the quarterbacks they beat were Rodgers, Gardner, who was playing for the Saints at that point, Rattler, Bryce, Kirk Cousins in his last game, Gardner again, whoever the hell was starting for Cleveland.

37:48Regression is definitely possible. They also had a lot of turnovers, which is never good. However, I do like the pieces that they added up to spine and linebacker and safety. If they play. Listen, I like Greenlaw and I like Hufanga. Wait, sorry. Are you taking the Broncos instead of the Cowboys? Taking the Broncos. Okay. Yeah, yeah. Sorry. Are you not a bow lever? No. I mean, I just, I think, I think coming into last year, I said the quarterback he reminds me the most of, of the last few years drafts is Mac Jones. And then he has a year where the team makes the playoffs and everyone's like, ah, you son of a, you didn't believe in our guy.

38:33And I'm like, eh, I kind of still think the same thing. Mac Jones did that. And the, I saw, what was it? that maybe it was you, maybe it was you guys. I saw they had the six best roster, according to something we talked on the show this week. I think it was ESPN's roster. Mine is incredible. I, I do not think the Broncos will, I mean, this is, how about this? I think the AFC West is going to have three playoff teams again, and the Broncos are not going to be one of them. wow okay i'm excited to talk about that team with you uh they're not gonna be i'm not gonna bring them up yeah you can't bring them up i know it throws off your whole thing it also just i i don't know if i agree because of one side of the ball but we'll get there um okay we're still we still got the cowboys we're almost at the end of the first half i'm gonna go cowboys versus

39:37Niners. Niners.

39:43I, the best thing they, I shouldn't, it's not the best thing they have going for him, but the biggest addition this off season to me is very clearly Salah. And I think he's, he's going to have to, he has the most work he's ever had cut out for him with the Niners with this team because this is the least talent on defense he's ever coached since he's you know from when he's been with the Niners and maybe with the Jets too now I think about it the Jets had a lot of talent on defense um Bosa's obviously awesome Fred Warner's obviously awesome And then it's a bunch of massive question marks. I also, I, you know, I am not as high on Purdy as some.

40:39And I certainly think that last year was not nothing when those of us that were Purdy skeptics were like, I just wonder what he would look like if he didn't have the most talent in the league around him. And then last year, the talent was hurt and he didn't look anything close to the same. And I don't know, like the receiving core is not going to be as good as it should be better than last year, kind of. But I don't know when Iuke will be back. And I, you know, Jawan Jennings is a good number three, but past that, I'm not sure. And Pierre Saul's an idea. He showed flashes at the end of the year.

41:19And then Christian McCaffrey is a huge question mark. If he's awesome, if he's healthy, he's awesome. And if he's, you know, which means if he's healthy, he's the engine that runs the offense. And I, so, but I, I think this is less raw talent than they've had in San Francisco all, you know, on both sides of the ball in, I don't know, six years. Like, is that fair to you? They got a hit on some of those picks, man. Like, I think now is where you're seeing the Trey Lance trade actually affect the team. For years, it was like, ah, it's fine, whatever. they're so these who cares that they you know traded away all of those picks but now because you had talent walk out the door because they had to pay purdy and other players you need some of those rookies to play really well um yeah but the health thing is you know they're not the last year they were the most injured team in football so the cowboys uh now are still available to you at 15 we're going to wrap up here i am going to go cowboys versus

42:20Steelers.

42:24There was a team I was hoping you were going to say, but I won't say it because it was spoiled the exercise.

42:34I'll go with a very light shrug, the Steelers. I did not understand the Ramsey for Minka trade. That was that I didn't. I don't think it's a football trade. I think it's both teams just be like, I don't want to deal with this guy. Okay. All right. Then, then that's the biggest motivating factor. Okay. Just cause I think Minka is better than Jalen at this point. Um, I, I listen, I am. I, I think that any real. like deep playoff run aspirations are foolish. However, they have acquired a fair amount of talent this offseason. Maybe they got better at quarterback. I don't know if they did, but the defense should be excellent.

43:26Tomlin's excellent. And I don't look at the Steelers as having gaping holes the way I do the Cowboys. You know what I mean? To me, they're just fine. and so that's a good place for them. There's a couple teams. Let me see. Hold on. I'm not going to say who they are, and I know you're going to break, but one in particular. Yeah, there's one and a half teams, one and three quarters teams that I think could be legit good that we haven't mentioned. All right, when we come back, let's see if I can guess who those teams are. Low energy, unfocused, Foggy? You might be dehydrated Gatorade Zero Powders have been scientifically designed to help improve hydration balance in the body with a clinically proven electrolyte blend and no artificial colors or flavors Great tasting hydration no matter where you're going Shop now online or at retailers nationwide Gatorade hydrates better than water.

44:29Is it in you? Symptoms noted are signs of mild to moderate dehydration Consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist This episode is brought to you by Facebook So you were scrolling on Marketplace, and there it was, the bike you'd been searching for. You sent a message, and it turned out the seller was super chatty, kind of funny, and an avid cyclist. The next thing you know, you're in a cycling crew. Well, a community cycling group. The thing about Facebook, you might find more than what you're looking for. From a browse to a bike ride, this summer, find more on Facebook. In ESPN's Wild World of College Football, every Saturday begins with a ritual.

45:13And then the migration turns to mayhem. Predators hunt. Territories are defended. Rivals clash. In this Wild World, legends are unleashed on Saturdays. No one brings you closer to the wild than ESPN. College Football on ESPN kicks off August 28th. Witness the wild on ABC ESPN and the ESPN app. All right, we're back. Second half of the power hour with Nick Wright. Cowboys fell, so they're available to you at 16. I'm going to put them up against the Minnesota Vikings here. Ooh, interesting.

45:53I'm going to go Vikings. this was not one of the teams I was thinking of um I listen obviously they have great coaching on both sides of the ball they have a guy who's in the argument for the most impactful non-quarterback in the whole league and you yes um and the you would think that getting Derisaw back you know will instantly help JJ. I also am really, you know, interested to see how JJ looks and I will, you know, hand up. I didn't understand whenever someone like, it felt like going into the draft when people talked about him, it was all stuff. Like when they were talking glowingly about him, It was all stuff like firm handshake, looks you in the eye type of stuff and not like, oh man, guy throws a hell of a spiral and that always worries me.

47:01But they clearly, you know, they actively moved off Darnold to give him a shot. And you feel like Kevin O 'Connell deserves the benefit of the doubt. And so Flores running the defense, O 'Connell running the offense, Justin Jefferson, and I think some nice pieces on defense, a healthier offensive line, that should be a dead average. What are we having, 16? Yeah, we're 16. Yeah, I mean, variants, right? This is the team where if JJ is any good, they're a playoff team. But who knows? It's the great mystery of the 2024 season. Correct. I think this is the right spot for them. I was just looking at my JJ notes.

47:44I'll give you a few things that are a little more than handshake meditation really good throwing on the run really good attacking the middle of the field uh which are things i think that they're going to lean into with him he actually had the best qbr of any college quarterback that year of that loaded draft throwing on the run so um i also like this is might sound silly i like that he's young like recently though which threw me oh well that happens but i just mean like i like um i just mean the it looks like it i like the if i'm gonna bet on a guy i like the guy who's 21 coming into the league and has a lot of room to grow okay cowboys

48:28versus bears there's the team the bears uh now i did pick the bears to make the super bowl last year i understand that and you know what if that hail mary hadn't happened who knows what would happen butterfly flaps its wings um but uh the massive undeniable upgrade at coach offensive line and maybe d coordinator as well i think will be enough i listen i don't like Dennis Allen as a head coach. Oh, he's amazing. We talked about this. That was to me, one of the sneaky best tires of the entire off season. Oh, okay. The way you looked, I thought you were a district. I was like, well, I thought, no, no, no, no, no, no.

49:13That was a, that was like a, yeah. Yeah. Uh, so I, so I, I worry a little bit about the defensive personnel. I don't worry about the offensive personnel. Um, you'd like to see a little more from Roma dunes a in year two, but some of that's going to be on Caleb. And I just, Caleb was such a sensational college player, like a truly one-of-a-kind collegiate player every year of his career from the first moment he walked onto the field that I just can't believe he's not going to be awesome in the pros. I just can't believe it. And if he's awesome and they have a smart head coach with a creative offense and, you know, He actually learns how to watch film and gets that stuff.

49:59And Dennis Allen coaches up the defense. I think that team a hundred percent can make the playoffs. And if the lions, if what we were talking about with the lions, which is those devastating losses were too much in the, you know, the interior of the offensive line, I don't think it's off the board that they surprise you and win the division. I want to bring in the first time I brought them in this high, a spicy option, one that I think will intrigue you in particular. For the 18th spot, Cowboys versus Jaguars. I knew you were going to say this. Yes, this was my half when I said I have one and three quarters good teams.

50:40The one full was the Bears. This is actually my quarter, the Jags. So this is just a man. Come on, Trevor. Come on all your top five picks. You should be really good getting after the passer. You should be really good passing the ball. Like, I have seen it from Trevor. Brian Thomas Jr. is awesome. I was surprised you and Bomani thought what they were doing with Travis Hunter was silly. I am skeptical of the stated approach towards deploying him, but teams lie a lot and I don't know exactly what it's going to look like in the regular season I do not think in the NFL he can play I I am very apprehensive of him playing as much on both sides of the ball as being advertised we gotta see it though I don't know yeah I mean I I love him as a player by the way and a prospect yeah there is the to me there is like an Otani quality of like it seems insane until the guy does it and then it's like oh maybe it's not insane for him and so listen i i here's the i guess problem for the jacks the like meat and potatoes things you typically need to be good at to be a good football team i don't know that they're going to be good corner right the the can you can you stop the run can you protect the quarterback can you defend I don't know, but this is, you know, we are approaching make or break territory for Trevor.

52:26I think Brian Thomas Jr. is a stud. I think Travis is going to be awesome. And they seem just checked out on Liam Cohen. And I'm sorry, on Doug. And so I don't know if Liam will be good or not. And it's just so weird to me, Mina. they win the division, they win a playoff game. The next year they're 8-3 on Monday Night Football. If they win that game, they're the one seed. Yeah, it was crazy. And that's the game Trevor got hurt and they didn't have a cart. And since then it's just been a s**t. That was so weird. Yeah, you don't want to pin a lot of that on coaching malpractice. That's how I feel, but maybe it's making an excuse for my guy.

53:10The weirdest thing was just the defense was so bad. And it was just bizarre. are and there's a lot of reasons. I haven't done my FC South preview. I have a lot of thoughts on that, but are you taking them over the Cowboys? Am I hearing this correctly? Oh yeah, definitely. I'm going to pick them to win that division. Or with the Texans. Yeah, you can't have the same four teams win the division every year. It can't just be Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Texans. It can't be. Cowboys versus Cardinals. This is where the Cowboys slide ends. Cowboys. This is an unfair thing to do, but I'm curious your opinion.

53:49If Micah Parsons actually was like, screw you, I'm out of here. You're not paying me. Just say he's off the team. I know they're going to pay him. It actually has nothing to do with him. I just didn't want to say if he got hurt because I don't like it. If you removed Micah from the Cowboys, is that the worst defense in the NFL? Ooh, it's bad. They have a lot of injuries. It's on the list, right? Yeah, corner, linebacker, nose tackle, all issues. Yeah. It's rough. And that's a major concern about this team. I just think they could have a top 10 offense this year. I really do. So, listen, the young guys on the right side of the offensive line have to play well.

54:33Dak will be fine. It is, even in the modern NFL, their total disregard of the running back position seems foolish. And, I mean, I'd rather just draft a guy in the fifth round, a guy in the sixth round, than go Javante Williams and Miles Sanders in 2025. But CD's awesome. Dak will put up numbers. I just think Schottenheimer, to me, is a total wild card. I don't trust the defense. It's fair. Cardinals versus...

55:10I'm going to mention the team here. This now I feel safe introducing this team. I thought it was too early or early on. I'm going to put the Raiders in here who you alluded to. Raiders are finishing second in the AFC West America. Are you taking them over the Cardinals then? Yes. Make your case. After you just said the Cowboys. They had a bottom three quarterback in the league. They now have a top 10 quarterback. They had a bottom two coach in the league. Pandering to this. They now have a top six coach in the league. Like I, the top eight, whatever. I'm not trying to do a rankings thing, but they went from downright awful at the two most important spots to top 10 at the two most important spots.

55:54Brock Bowers is awesome. Ashton Jenty could win the rushing title in year one. Do they have a single receiver I love? Probably not. do they have a similar Cowboys issue of um outside of Max Crosby what do we love on the defense I get it I understand that um but I think I when Carol was like I win 10 games every year one 10 games 20 years I don't even think about it not winning 10 games I just love it and I think they're gonna sneak up on some up on some people and I think that they are uh a playoff team I think the Raiders are a playoff team and I think that Gino will be excellent. Bowers will be excellent.

56:36Gentee will be excellent. And Carol will coach up the secondary. I'm all in on the Raiders offense. The Raiders defense makes me very nervous, uh, from a talent perspective, not a coaching perspective. Uh, but we're in the range where no, all these teams have major flaws, you know what I mean? Like, so it's, and one other thing, do the chargers or Broncos who is going to play for their games on have the weapons on the outside to really punish the Raiders defense I don't you know what I mean I don't it feels like it would be a bigger problem if they were playing in the AFC North against some of those weapons I don't know but go ahead all right let's go NFC West on NFC West here for the 21 spot Cardinals versus Seahawks they're very close in my opinion yeah I agree.

57:26I will begrudgingly go Seahawks. And when I say begrudgingly, I just thought the moving on from Gino to bring in Darnold was so insane to me. But I, the, the Seahawks by a hair would be my answer there. I know we have to go faster or else it's not an hour. CX defense is good. Well, it's okay if it's a little bit over, but the CX defense is going to be really good. I think if you look at those two teams, offense, defense, offense, defense, the Seahawks defense is the best unit. So I think that's a reasonable case. Okay, yeah. Okay, Cardinals versus Patriots. Oh, I'll do the Patriots. Listen, I think the Patriots could legitimately have a very good defense.

58:17and I think they get half the upgrade I'm talking about or maybe similar upgrade from the Raiders in just disastrous coaching situation to very good and maybe a similar one at the quarterback just from Drake May in year one, like figuring it out on the fly to what he's doing now. My concern for the Patriots is very simple. I thought they could have used five new offensive linemen And Will Campbell is not going to play all the spots, and he's probably going to be playing a spot he shouldn't be playing because he probably should be playing guard, not left tackle. And I think they have a bottom four receiving core in the league.

59:00I don't think Diggs will be an impactful player. But I like the running back. I liked some of Drake May. Drake May is tough because I actually really like his athleticism and running, but I think he got multiple concussions last year. He definitely got at least one, so that worries you. But Vrabel's excellent. The defense, they spent a ton of money on. And so, yeah, they should be competitive. Vegas loves them. I think I was on SportsCenter, and one of the hosts was like, you know their favorite in every game? And I was visibly shocked on air when I learned that information. It made no sense to me.

59:42outside. That can't be true. no, no, no. They're not favored in every game, but they're, they're, they're win totals like eight and a half. And I think they're favored in like 11 games, 11 games. Pardon me. 11. Obviously in every game. That'd be bananas. Yeah. But, but yeah, I think the bills are actually favored in every game. Okay. For Cardinals versus Falcons.

1:00:13I'll go Cardinals just because I think the Cardinals, not that America spends a lot of time thinking about the Cardinals, but if they did, I think America's collective memory of the Cardinals last year is that they won six games and they actually won eight. Does that make sense? I think the Cardinals... It makes sense, yeah. They were on top of the NFC West. People forget it. Right. Right. Going into their bye week, I think that they were in first in the NFC West because they had the little winning streak in the middle of the year. I'm not a 17 game Kyler believer, but I am a 12 game Kyler believer.

1:00:53And what number did I give them? We're 23. Yeah, exactly. So that's where we're at. I am curious if Marvin Harrison takes a leap. Same. I would expect him to. I'm just going to admit my ignorance here, Mina. Is their defense going to be any good? They're going to be better. They were really insane last year, like, schematically, because they were so talent deficient. The defensive coordinator did all kinds of crazy stuff. They went out. They added Josh Sweat. In the draft, they added Walter Nolan, Will Johnson. They added a couple veterans. I think they're going to be at least average, I think.

1:01:31Gannon's good. On the defensive side of the ball, at least. Go ahead. Low energy? Unfocused? foggy you might be dehydrated gatorade zero powders have been scientifically designed to help improve hydration balance in the body with a clinically proven electrolyte blend and no artificial colors or flavors great tasting hydration no matter where you're going shop now online or at retailers nationwide gatorade hydrates better than water is it in you symptoms noted are signs of mild to moderate dehydration consult a health care professional if symptoms persist. This episode is brought to you by Facebook.

1:02:09So you were scrolling on Marketplace and there it was, the bike you'd been searching for. You sent a message and it turned out the seller was super chatty, kind of funny, and an avid cyclist. The next thing you know, you're in a cycling crew. Well, a community cycling group. The thing about Facebook, you might find more than what you're looking for. From a browse to a bike ride, this summer find more on Facebook. so the Falcons are gonna go head to head versus the Dolphins here for 24 so my answer is the Dolphins I also think I I wouldn't be shocked if the Dolphins won 10 games um I I'd be surprised I wouldn't be shocked I the the top end like is tight was last year from Tyreek a sign of age or was it a sign of I hurt my wrist, I had off-field stuff going on, I kind of was over to my heart was hurt that the team I left can't stop winning Super Bowls without me.

1:03:16I kind of like, you know, I don't know the answer to that. And I do like the Minka upgrade over Jalen Ramsey. I don't know how much else I like about their back seven other than Minka. uh concerning it's a concerning group but i also feel like mike mcdaniel knows like even though he got that extension last year like yeah could get laid early here so i i yeah it wouldn't it would who was my you said dolphins or who falcons yeah so it would i would be shocked if the falcons won 10 games. I wouldn't be shocked if the Dolphins got the final wild card spot in the AFC. Let's stay in the NFC South. Falcons versus Panthers.

1:04:09Falcons.

1:04:13Did you see today Panix was like, spin all practice, getting the ball to Kyle Pitts. No. He's like, throw the ball to Kyle Pitts a lot. Which is a bummer for me because I, one of my kind of chiefs fantasies was that the chiefs would trade a conditional fifth round pick for Kyle pips. Oh, it was like the ultimate buy low. Um, I love B John Drake London might've had like the quietest top five receiving yards. Yeah. Um, and so the defense is probably going to be bad, right? Like we just think the defense is going to be bad. and Penix is just a massive question mark. But those guys, they spent those super high first-round picks on an offense.

1:05:04Bijan's an excellent player, and Drake's a really, really good player. And so... The defense, at least they tried. They really went ham in the draft on pass rush. So if just one of those guys is decent, Jalen Walker, Pierce Jr. Don't they have an insane stat? Like the last 10-sack guy they had is like... or something. Yeah. I think it is John Abrams. Yeah. I mean, Jesse Bates is really good. Okay. Yeah, Jesse Bates is also Panthers versus

1:05:39Titans. Oh, God. I mean, we're a little bit. I know, but this could have literally been last. This could have been the 31-32. Six teams could be last. stick like when we get to these other teams no one you're gonna be like why didn't you have them higher no you're right um I'll go Panthers uh I I would like if I think it is I think the way people talked about Bryce last year was almost meaner than people being like this guy sucks I think the like the like you're a both what little homie doing his best yeah exactly that We went out like three years ago, and it stuck with me ever since. So whenever we talk about Bryce Young, we were like, Yeah, like if I were Bryce Young, I'd be like, I'm not.

1:06:28Like, I was the number one pick of the draft. You guys don't have to patronize to me. Like, oh, we're so happy for him. They talk about it like he's someone that overcame a catastrophic injury. We do that on TV, too. I know. It's like. Just can't help but root for the kid. Yeah, exactly. It's like, wait, what? But they got outscored by 200 points last year. and I know that they were frisky at the end of the year um but I don't he did no he did he had a nice four game stretch at the end of the year um but I and this is I guess confirmation bias for me just going into that draft I have a tough one on my resume I guess in that going into that draft I was like, I think CJ is, you know, just going to be league average.

1:07:18And I think Bryce is way too small. And because of that, if I had the number one pick, I would take Anthony Richardson because he's so cool. And whatever. And then it turns out Anthony Richardson is the least accurate player in NFL history. Scouting quarterbacks, sorry. The NFL is as bad as any of us. Okay. so the Panthers go off the board which means the Titans remain can I are you getting seeing a lot of this nobody talks about the Titans and Cam Ward and I'm like yeah there's a reason why you looked at the rest of the team it's not a Cam Ward problem well it's a little bit of a Cam Ward problem in this regard Cam Ward was not a a high profile or phenomenal enough college player to make his team a story by himself, the way like Joe Burrow kind of was.

1:08:22It's very hard to be that, by the way, but like Bryce Young won the Heisman and nobody was talking about the Panthers the year they drafted him. So I don't think that's like a big knock on him, but yeah, this whole like Cam Ward's the least talked about number one pick it's because there was no debate over who was going number one and everyone thinks the team stinks i'd also like challenge most of football media to name three titans on defense you did your or you know what i mean obviously chief's great no i i might be done oh yeah okay all right so uh sorry titans i will by the way titans fans if you're sitting at home seething you know i like ward i've talked about him i'm going to talk about your team in depth on the AFC South pod.

1:09:04So relax. Titans versus Giants. Wait, I might feel like I'm. No, Titans. That's too soon for the Giants. Sorry. I left two teams out. Titans versus. Can we do the other New York team? Yeah. Jets. I actually have the Jets here. Titans versus. Yeah. I think Jets. I think the. Here's what I like about the Jets. For the first time in honestly nearly a decade, that team gets to have a season where the story isn't their quarterback. And I think that'll be good for everyone involved. You know what I mean? Because it had just been about this top pick quarterback they drafted and then Rodgers, whatever it is.

1:09:44And I think Aaron Glenn will be an upgrade. They obviously have some talent on the roster. Fields, you know, his toe, you know, God willing. they'll be fine. So I think the Jets will be fine. I think they'll have a good defense, a below average offense, and win seven games, which is probably higher than that part of the list. The Jets actually have good players. It's not a good team, but there's good players on the team. It's not well-rounded, but it has – oddly, if we were to combine – where were the Packers on our list? Ten. And where are the Jets? 27. And the best six players between the two rosters, five of them are Jets.

1:10:32It's funny. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, yeah, like if you merge them, you would have a super team. Oh, absolutely. Because you'd get the stars from the Jets. Your water's deeper one. Sauce Gardner on the outside. Quinn and Williams. The defensive tackle. It's such a funny. Okay. So the Jets go off the board at 27. which means we're going to go Titans versus Colts here. Colts. This might be too low for the Colts, to be honest. It could. I mean, listen, it feels the Colts. Steichen is like very good at not being terrible. You like the, and that's, you know, they just, they have had disastrous quarterback play in his tenure there, and they won eight games.

1:11:20They won nine games. and I don't think Daniel Jones is markedly worse than the quarterback play they have gotten the last couple years, right? Like, he can't be. Is it possible to be? Is that a threat? No, I mean, I don't know. And so, like, would it – we have him 29. Yeah. Would it be shocking to you – or 28, sorry. I like Tyler Warren. and I like Tavarius Ward, probably their two biggest additions in the offseason, would it be shocking to you if they once again win seven-ish games? That wouldn't be shocking to me. I think they could finish a lot higher than this. I do. I think Luana Rumo, Tavarius Ward, Cam Bynum.

1:12:11Oh, I forgot that's where Luana Rumo went. Yeah, I think the defense could actually be a lot better. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Titans versus Giants. Giants, because I think it's on the board that they have the best D-line in the league. 100%. No question. And that's, you know, and then even if everything else is bad, if you just have the best defensive line in the league, that should win you a few games. I don't know why. Can I ask you a quick question? Why do you think they named Russ the starter immediately? I didn't understand it. I think that Jackson Dart has a big adjustment to playing in the NFL, and they didn't want to put that pressure on him.

1:12:58I mean, the offense he played in college is so radically different from NFL football. Just fake? Yeah. It's a lot of fake offense in college. So I think they just wanted to – Okay. And also, if you look at the schedule, I don't think they wanted to throw him to that early on. Yeah, but I guess – Nothing better. It's very – No. Maybe I'm an idiot for this. Like, why sign Jameis if you're not going to let him? That's the one I don't understand. I don't get that one. That's what I mean. Yeah. But, okay. All right. Parmy thinks they might still trade him if somebody gets her backup. Maybe. I think.

1:13:33But, yeah, that's the one that made no sense to me. Okay. By the way, long shot betting idea. Dexter Lawrence, DPOI. I was looking at DPOI odds. That's a long shot. But I kind of like it. Kind of like it. Okay. Titans. Okay. So the final three teams have it's the final two. Actually, the Titans have fallen. They've been a little bit higher, but the final the last two teams have been the same. The Browns and the Saints are going Titans, Brown Saints. I'm going to go Titans versus Browns here. Titans. The final two are going to say the final two. Just the Titans, like oddly, you know, they they acted last offseason like we're going to be good.

1:14:14And then they got the number one pick of the draft. I know you love that they got Tyler Lockett, I'm sure. They did spend money on their offensive line this offseason. I don't know if it was good money, but it's at least in the short-term upgrades. I, you know, my guy, LeJarius Sneed, I don't know that he's going to be healthy for them. He's a good player, but that's probably a bad contract. and I just, aside from, Mina, aside from their D tackles, like where are they supposed to be good on defense? I don't know. The Titans defense is Jeff Simmons. Yeah, I mean, aside from you said that, it's not, it's a tough situation.

1:15:03Listen, you hope Cam Ward crushes and you like Cam Ward. I do and I think the offensive line is going to be a lot better. I do. But yeah. So that's the tricky thing. Both of these things can be true. They overpaid for kind of aging offensive. Like the contracts won't age great, but the offensive line, but this year it'll pay big dividends. And that's important when you have a rookie quarterback. Yes. It's not about long-term team building. Okay. Final two teams every time Browns and the saints. Who do you have as the 31st team? And then of course the worst. The saints are the worst team. And listen, the Browns have miles Garrett.

1:15:41That's fun. I just am waiting on behalf of myself, Bill Barnwell, you, and a bunch of others for long apology letters from fake Saints Media that swore we all were wrong. No, you don't get the f***ing plan, guys. You don't understand. Sorry, other owners aren't as savvy as ours. week and salary caps fake. Oh, really? Your team is ruined till 2030. And we all warned you about it. I have it. I just, because I do genuinely like Saints fans. I feel like they're finally, they finally ripped the bandaid now because of all the disastrous decisions in recent years, it's going to take even a couple more years, but at least, at least the, the, the hopium is no longer being inhaled there.

1:16:41But yeah, this is pretty comfortably the worst team. I mean, not pretty comfortably. I would say the Browns are close. But I'm rooting for Tyler Shuck. I interviewed him. He's great. I'm a fan. Okay. All right. The final. So I want you to listen to this final 32. And I want you to tell me who you think should be higher. Listening to this list. Eagles, Chiefs, Spills, Ravens, Lions, Rams, Commanders, Texans, Bucks, Packers. That's your top 10. Bengals, Chargers, Broncos, Niners, Steelers. 16, Vikings, Bears, Jags, Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks, Patriots, Cardinals, Dolphins, Falcons, Panthers, Jets, Colts, Giants, Titans, Browns, Saints.

1:17:32I'll hold it up for you to look at. I want to flip the Raiders with the Broncos right now on my own list. Woo! that's what I want to do the Raiders at 13 yeah listen the Raiders are gonna finish second in the AFC West this is a great that's a great thing I believe in Gino and Pete Carroll um and I'd say move the Bears up but I've lost Bears equity by picking them to go to the Super Bowl last year and they won six games that was tough yeah um okay well you heard it here first Raiders in the playoffs that's a good one that was spicy uh Nick Wright who you can find everywhere uh what's right first things first are the main prop yeah those are the really yeah well you can also occasionally watch me play and broadcast poker but yeah uh if you're listening or watching this on youtube uh subscribe to what's right with nick right if you don't mind uh and i hope to join you again maybe around this time next year when we can discuss how 2026 is going to be the year lamar gets it done see ya all right thank you so much uh i will be back in a couple days to preview the NFC West with Jordan Rodrigue.