We Debate The Biggest Draft Steals And The Riskiest Picks

The draft is over, the highlight reels are everywhere, and now comes the part that actually matters: figuring out who got better and who just talked themselves into it. We sit down as a panel and break down the biggest NFL Draft storylines coming out of Pittsburgh, starting with the teams everyone is arguing about most. Are the Giants truly set up for a fast turnaround? Did the Browns quietly stack another strong class? And why do the Jets always feel like they are one move away while also being ten moves away?

We dig into “draft winners” and what that label should really mean, then get specific on the picks we think were steals and why. The conversation turns into a scouting-style debate on value, scheme fit, and versatility, including big-play prospects like Jeremiah Love, Carnell Tate, and Caleb Downs. We also talk about how coaching and development can make a good pick look great or make a talented rookie disappear.

Steelers fans get a full segment, because the quarterback room is messy. We debate the Drew Allar pick, what it says about the team’s plan, and how the Aaron Rodgers uncertainty changes the whole timeline. From there we hit team-building philosophy with the Jets at No. 2, the Rams taking Ty Simpson as a quarterback of the future, where the NFL Draft should go next after Pittsburgh, and we close with the AJ Brown trade rumor and the most realistic landing spots.

If you like NFL Draft analysis, roster building, quarterback development, and honest fan arguments, you will fit right in. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves to argue football, and leave a review. Which team do you think actually won the draft?

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Transcript

Welcome And Rapid-Fire Intros

SPEAKER_05 4:48

Welcome, everybody, to another episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast. This is, as always, your host, Mike Bono. Have a great annual episode for us today. We're going to be breaking down the NFL draft back in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and see how everybody thinks each team did in the draft. And I got a panel of guests here. I'm going to let them introduce themselves here. But guys, you know we can't get through these roundtables without a couple 50 questions to start out the show. So I need your name. And did you go to college? And what is your degree in? And will Bill Belichick get fired after the 2026 season at UNC? And Mr. We're going to start with you.

SPEAKER_01 5:30

Yes, sir. Mr. Askew, aka Vampire Coach. And yes, sir, the vampire has absolutely gone to school. He did graduate. And yes, I did take the distinct route. It took me a little while, but I did get I did get that degree. I got my undergraduate degree in business administration, concentration and management from Elizabeth City State. And I got my master's degree in at West Virginia University in athletic coaching education. And Bill Belichick would not absolutely not get fired.

SPEAKER_05 6:02

Okay. AJ, let's go to you next.

SPEAKER_02 6:07

Yeah, AJ Saunders from Pittsburgh. That's where the draft was at. So I got one up on you guys. I went to Slippery Rock University, did get a degree in IT and management. So after football, I kind of like went towards my uh degree. I'm loving it. I love IT, love AI stuff. And then Bill Belichick getting fired. I don't think he's gonna get fired. I think he's there for a couple years, turn that program around. Okay.

SPEAKER_05 6:35

Jordan, let's go to you next.

SPEAKER_03 6:37

Yeah, Jordan DeMarco. I did go to college and get a degree. I went to Wingate University, played some ball down there, and then I switched my degree and finished up my schooling after I figured out what I wanted to do at Bethany College and just got my physical education there. So I'm a physical education teacher in Pittsburgh. Bill Belchick will not get fired. UNC doesn't have the balls to fire him with where their pentagram's at.

SPEAKER_05 7:01

All right, last but not least, we got Tony.

Are The Giants Playoff Ready

SPEAKER_00 7:04

My name's Tony Bogan. Yes, I did graduate from college. I graduated from comedian college with a just a general arts degree. And I say, no, Bill Belchick will not get fired. He would resign before he got fired.

SPEAKER_05 7:20

Gotcha. That is our guess. Everybody knows me, Mike Bono. Uh, I did go to college, Bethany College. I got my degree in communications with a minor in management with a track on the sports broadcasting with my communications degree. So with Bill Belichick, I agree with everybody. I don't I don't think that UNC, Jordan, I think you put it perfectly. They don't have the balls to fire Bill Belichick. I don't know anybody that really does it other than Robert Kraft. Other than that, yeah. I think he gets at least through the 2026 season, and then he may see the writing on the wall and he'll resign himself. But we're not here to talk about Bill Belichick. We are here to talk about the NFL draft and to see our thoughts on that. So, Mr. We're going to start with you. But you know, most people associate the NFL draft, say the Giants, Browns, and Jets were the best three teams coming out of the draft. Which team out of those do you think is the best in your opinion?

SPEAKER_01 8:20

I'm gonna have to go with the man, the Browns. I really think the Browns did a real good job this year. And, you know, they actually, I think they done put together two good solid quality drives back to back. So it's gonna be interesting to see how they can make those guys do the things that they want to do in their football field. And I would even go, I think that the Bengals and the Raiders did pretty good and also Dallas. But I have to go to Browns. I think the Browns are gonna be a sneaky team, man. I think they are gonna be somebody to look at, especially coming down in that December and January. So I'll have to go with the Browns.

SPEAKER_04 8:55

Okay. AJ, what about you?

SPEAKER_05 9:00

Draw me.

SPEAKER_02 9:02

I'm sorry, I was on. I don't know, man. The sleeper team is the Cardinals. I I know I'm switching the subject, but the Cardinals, man, they get Jeremiah love, man. That's that's that's pretty that's pretty dope, you know. And the one-two punch with James Connor, I think that's that's where it's at, man. I think that's that's all I got for you right now. You know.

SPEAKER_04 9:27

Okay, Jordan, what about you?

SPEAKER_03 9:29

Yeah, I agree with Mr. I think the Browns have put together, I mean, I'm a Steelers fan, but I think the Browns have put together two solid drafts. I mean, they already have such a great defense, such a great defense front, and it seems like they they always have drafted well these last two years. Seems like every pick they take, you know, you're like, man, I wish the Steelers would have got them. But I think in terms of right now, out of those three teams you mentioned, I I like the Giants. I think the Giants are more set up for quicker success as in today. I could see the Browns, you know, they've got to solidify that quarterback position. Is Shador gonna be their guy? Is he is he not gonna be their guy? They got the pieces around him to build off the future. So I could see the Browns in a year or two really picking it up. I think the Giants are the ones that could have potential success faster than any of those three teams coming off of this year's draft. And then my sleeper team, I thought the Dolphins had a great draft. And you look at that AFC East, like the Jets stink. I don't care how good their draft is, I don't think. I think the Jets are the new Browns from the early 2000s, 2010s. I think that's where they're gonna be at for a long time. I think the Dolphins had a quality, real quality draft, but I would say the Giants had the quickest route to success after the draft, after all that.

SPEAKER_05 10:38

I got Tony Brown us out here.

SPEAKER_00 10:42

I'll have to say the Browns tend to draft really well, but I'm gonna say the Giants had a good draft. Yeah, Arville Reese, a player I got to see when he played at Glenville going to the Giants. And they've they've got a core, they've got they finally got an actual good coach for once. So I think the Giants will, if their guys can stay healthy, I think the Giants will be better. So I'll say the Giants hit the best draft.

First Round Steals We Love

SPEAKER_05 11:09

I gotcha. Yeah, out of those three, I gotta go Giants on that one. Browns, I mean, they always draft well, but they they they just can't seem to pull it together and put it all together to make it work for them, it seems like and I think with Harbaugh coming in with the Giants, I think I think that helps them turn that around with coaching. And that actually leads us right into the to the next question, you know, with the Browns and Jets and Giants, sorry, in the past, you know, after the 2025 draft and this draft, you know, draft well, but in back-to-back years, and now have new coaches. Do you think are these two teams playoff contenders? And Tony, let's stay with you.

SPEAKER_00 11:52

As far as the the Giants goes, I'll say yes. If that court takes steps forward, I'll say yes. If Cam Scadabo can stay healthy and the defense and the good coaching, I say yes. The Browns, I think they're a dark horse. I think they're a potential dark horse, depending on what happens in the north.

SPEAKER_05 12:15

Gotcha. Jordan, what about you?

SPEAKER_03 12:18

Yeah, I lean towards more of the Giants just because it seems like their their division is a revolving besides the Eagles, is a revolving door between those three teams. Sometimes you never know who's gonna be the second best team in that conference, in that division, and who's gonna make a run there. The Cowboys they'd have a good draft though as well, but it's just uh more unpredictable in my opinion than the AFC North is. Yeah, I think the Browns would have a tougher road ahead of them, but they do have such a great defense. So again, if they can get some solid quarterback play, the Browns, I could see them making a run, but I'm gonna go Giants out of those three teams. If I had to bet money on who could make the playoffs, I'd go the Giants. I got you.

SPEAKER_04 12:57

AJ.

SPEAKER_02 12:59

Yeah, I've got to agree. The Giants probably have a better opportunity. It it's tough. AFC North is tough because you never know. I don't even know what the Browns even have right now. You know, it's I'm a Pittsburgh guy, so I'm always gonna talk bad about the Browns anyway. So I'm gonna lean towards the Giants, man. I like I like Scatterboot. I also like the quarterback, too, that the Giants have. I think he got some grit to him. So that might be a possibility for them dudes to, you know, do some damage in the East, NFC East. I got you. Mr. Round us out here.

SPEAKER_01 13:33

I'll tell you what, man, I would have to agree, man, with the the Giants. They most definitely have the coaching staff. And Adam Harbaugh, man, you know, that's you know, he's the you know, he's he's the guy who can put things together, especially with with the with that staff that he had. I think a lot of times, you know, we we talk about the players, but sometimes the coaching staff can get overlooked. But I think with with the Giants, with Harbaugh, he's gonna make, I mean, he's gonna put that team back where it needs to be. And the thing with the Browns, the one thing I have to say with the Browns, when you look at who they drafted, you know, you're talking about, you know, they got what two wide receivers, two tight ends, offensive tackle, you know, 6'6 and 6'7, big guy, Austin Barber from Florida. If they can get that guy to play hard and to get, you know, get him to play how they think he should play, I think they're gonna be okay from the from up front. You know, but that's the thing, you know, you know, you look at the weapons that they're trying to get Shandor. But I think you know, Shandor, you know, if he can continue to grow and just be a professional football player and leave everything else, you know, leave all the outside notice and to be a football player, I think he can be a heck of a heck of a player.

SPEAKER_05 14:45

Yeah, I out of those two, I I I gotta go Giants, just because the AFC North is just such a toss-up every year, it's just such a tough division to play in. Really, all four teams, I mean, can win that division every single year. The Browns, I mean, they as a Steelers fan, I hate to say it, but then you know, they've been coming on ever since the Baker Mayfield, debacle, you know, they're relevant, I will say, in that division. They're not the bottom dwellers that they used to be. But I think the combination of Dart, Scataboo, and Harbaugh is going to shine this year. And I think I want to say a bold statement. I say the Giants win the East in this year, which is just uh that combination alone, the ball uh with Dart and Scataboo if they can stay healthy. I think the Giants win the East and make a run into the playoffs for that one. But Mr. Who was your first round steal in this year's draft?

Steelers Take Drew Allar Debate

SPEAKER_01 15:50

Oh, first round steal. I tell you what, man, to be to be honest with you, you know, you know I play running back and I'm uh and I'm a running back guy. And I think, you know, send the guy from from Notre Dame. Jordan Love. That dude can play. Yeah, love. Yeah, uh, you know, I seen him, I've seen him play in Notre Dame. And when I first saw him, I mean, he has everything. I mean, I thought he was better than the other guy that was that that that Notre Dame with the pushing. But I think you know, he's he's he's the dark horse right now. You know, if he can if Z can stay healthy, put him in the right system. You know, I think you know, the one thing about him, he's a he's a complete running back. I mean, you're talking about somebody that can naturally catch out of the backfield with hands on like a wide receiver, put him in a slot, you know, you know, just depending on what they what they do with him, but they keep that guy healthy, man. I think you know he's gonna he's gonna be a big time player long term in the NFL. So hopefully he can stay healthy.

SPEAKER_05 16:47

Yeah, absolutely. AJ, I know you kind of already hinted at this. I think you might be agreeing with Mr. But who was your steal?

SPEAKER_02 16:56

I like Jeremiah Love. I think he's I think he's a beast. But the the sleeper pick is Cornell Tate from State. He went to Tennessee. They needed a receiver, so you got Calvin Ridley and him. That's that's kind of a good duo to have. I mean, he's done a lot at Ohio State anyway, and he's already projected to be one of the top rookie receivers coming in already. So I'm gonna have to go with him, man.

SPEAKER_05 17:20

Yeah, I I I like Tate, I like love. Uh Jordan, what about you?

SPEAKER_03 17:25

I'm gonna go Dallas, Caleb Downs. I mean, he fell to he fell to 11. He's a Swiss Army knife. I see a lot, uh, you know, being a you know, a stealer guy, I see a lot Troy Paul Malo in this game. You can float him down in the box, you can blitz him off the edge, he can bail out. He's so freaking fast, sideline to sideline, physical. But he's a player in my mind, in in the defensive backfield, that you don't that doesn't you're not gonna get that type of player every year in the draft. And he's a once every 10 years, once every five years type of guy where you can really do a lot of creative things with him in your defensive backfield that can give quarterbacks problems and you can move them all over the place. Him going at, I think it was 10 or I think it was 11 the Cowboys picked. I thought that was a stretch that he went that far just because you can do so, so much with him. He's a great player. I thought that was a steal to get him at 11.

SPEAKER_05 18:17

Yeah, absolutely. I like that one. But Tony, what about you?

SPEAKER_00 18:20

I'm gonna go with Carnell Tate at number four. I thought Carnell would at least go eight or nine, but Titans uh didn't mess around. They decided to pick him at number four, and he's uh he's gonna be a good I think he's gonna be a good receiver. We have him and Calvin Ridley, and even if when Ridley moves on, as long as they as long as Tancy has good quarterbacking, as long as you could keep their QB upright, then the Titans should be Titans should be better than they were last year.

SPEAKER_05 18:54

Yeah. I I like all of those. I don't think love was a steal. I think he was going three regardless. I I love him as a running back. I hope he does well in Arizona. I just don't think they have the line right now for him to really shine as a running back. He's gonna be making a lot of catches out of the backfield, I believe, this year. And that one-two punch with Connor. I like that one. Cornell Tate is another big one out of Ohio State. I mean, I don't know how he felt as far as what was he four? Right? I think he was he was Cornell Tate was four or was he eleven?

SPEAKER_00 19:37

He was four.

SPEAKER_02 19:40

Right after Jeremiah.

SPEAKER_05 19:42

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But yeah, still, like, I mean, I those guys being being there. But I think I think the Rams got their quarterback of the future after Matthew Stafford hangs it up with taking I just had his name and it just left me. Yeah, Simpson.

SPEAKER_02 20:07

He didn't even mean with the with the coaches. He he was he was stunned that he got beaten by that.

SPEAKER_05 20:12

Secretly called, like they him and McVay had just been secretly calling each other. Like that was huge. Like everyone was saying he was gonna fall to Pittsburgh. I was hoping they weren't gonna take him in the first round, but then I'm but I'm glad to see him there. And you know, I think it when with him sitting behind Stafford, I think he's gonna be a steal, the steal of the draft for LA there. And speaking of quarterbacks and the Steelers, Tony will stay with you on this one. The Steelers draft Drew Aller from Penn State to join their already pretty packed quarterback room right now with Rudolph Howard and possibly Rogers if he returns, which I don't know how he hasn't just been. I thought I thought we had a deal with uh he had to make a decision before the draft, but it is Rogers, so I guess he gets a little bit more of a leash, I guess. But was this the right QB pick for the draft for the Steelers in Drew Aller?

SPEAKER_00 21:10

I am gonna say as much as I like Drew Aller, saw him, I unfortunately didn't get a chance to see him play when he was in Medina. I'm gonna say no. Because especially you because given you drafted somebody last year, you drafted Will Howard in the sixth round, you have Mason Rudolph, who's a more than capable backup, he knows the system. And even with Aaron Rodgers being Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Rodgers was pretty decent last year. And I'm gonna be honest, I think that Aaron Rodgers comes back this year and then just hangs it up after. And then one of those guys, not Aller, but either one of Howard or Rudolph will get traded.

SPEAKER_05 21:53

Okay. I I got some thoughts on that. We'll we'll I'll save mine for the la for the end here. But uh Jordan, what about you?

SPEAKER_03 22:02

Yeah, it's it frustrated the pick frustrated frustrated me being in the third round like that. I thought you could have got him a little later if you really wanted to. I hate when you draft guys off of just intangibles. You know, McCarthy has preached since he came in. He likes big, long-armed, big-hand quarterbacks, and Aller fits that mold. You saw a lot of inconsistencies with his play at Penn State. Penn State quarterbacks don't have a great track record over the last 10 years of coming out and having success in the NFL. I would have been totally happy with keeping Howard and Rudolph, and even if Aaron doesn't come back, let those two go at it. And the Steelers got they always draft middle of the road because that's what they are. You gotta let one of those two figure it out and kind of move on and turn the page. The only thing that I can see as a positive of drafting Aller is maybe McCarthy wants to see a true competition. I think everyone knows Rudolph's your safe backup. I think if Aaron doesn't come back, they want to see Aller and Howard battle it out in camp. And which is something you don't always see a true quarterback battle, it seems like in the NFL in the preseason. But if Rodgers doesn't come back, you're gonna have that with those two. I don't think Aller is anywhere near ready to come in and play immediately. I think he's got some learning to do. Not that Howard is either, but I would have been totally fine with just rolling with let's see what Howard's got. And if he's completely terrible, run with Rudolph the rest of the year and then move on to get your guy the following year. So I'm not a super big fan of Gotcha.

SPEAKER_05 23:30

AJ, what about you?

SPEAKER_02 23:34

Yeah, I don't I don't know what to think of it. I mean, uh, it's possibly what he just said, you know, bringing in Drew Aller. I guess they won a QB competition, but give Will Howard a chance, man. He's been there. You know what I mean? He has a year under his belt. I really don't like Mason Rudolph. That's just a personal thing I have against him. I mean, I don't really he had his opportunities to play, and he has really done nothing. I don't know. That's how I feel. But I like Will Howard. I like his game. You know what I'm saying? He's a little savvy. I think, I think he'll with the help that the Steelers got, Michael Pittman's there, Rico Donald's there. I mean, he has outlets. I think he could be successful this year if they just give him a chance. Just they gave Mason Rudolph a chance, you know. Give him a chance. You know, why not just ride with it? I think Aaron Rodgers is holding Steelers stale with making a decision. I think McCarthy's like, listen, we're gonna have to let's draft a quarterback, let's do what we need to do, and you know, we'll see what camp brings. But I like Will Howard. I think he should start.

SPEAKER_05 24:38

I gotcha.

SPEAKER_02 24:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 24:39

Mr. What about you?

SPEAKER_01 24:41

You know, when you look at it, look at the quarterback situation with Pittsburgh, you know, Roger, if he comes, if he don't, you know what, it's almost like, I mean, you know what, man? It's almost like, you know what I'm saying, when you had that had that girlfriend, and you like, you know what, man, yeah, today, you know what I'm saying, I like you, but tomorrow, you know, we'll we'll see. But when Friday comes around, you and her kicking it for sure. Because, you know, you got that Friday and Saturday, but then Sunday come around, you know, I'm going to go with Susie. But, you know, that's that's how Aaron Rodgers is, bro. I mean, it, you know, that's what he is as he got late in his career, you know what I'm saying. I think, you know, you let the quarterback that you have on on a roster right now and battle it out. You know, I think Will can do some things. You know, if you got the quarterback that you drafted from Penn State, you know, he's, you know, one thing battle. I mean, he goes. I mean, you know, he he's one of them guys, one of them guys, man. He likes to try to make plays. But you can only make so many plays or try to make up some of the plays in the NFL. You know, and I think you're gonna learn quick, fast, and hurry. That's it's a little different, you know what I'm saying, in NFL compared to Kyle. You can't just just, you know what I'm saying, think you're gonna make up a play out of nothing. But I will let the quarterbacks that they have on roster battle it out, man. I would go ahead and move on with Aaron and just let them two guys battle it out and see, you know, what this rookie can do, if he can do anything. But I mean, that's that's you know what I'm saying, that's they saga. They love it. I like it, I guess.

SPEAKER_05 26:06

Yeah, I I hated this pick. You have Will Howard, a national championship. He's been there. I'm not a huge fan of Ohio State quarterbacks. I I just they they don't really pan out in the NFL, but I think this kid has the moxie to to be one of the few Ohio State quarterbacks that have made it. I mean, and he's been there, and he sat behind Aaron Rodgers for a year. So, like he he had to learn something. I know he didn't play much because he got hurt in crank in camp, but why why why are we drafting a quarterback? This wasn't a strong quarterback draft as it was. We're drafting one in the third round. I know McCarthy probably wants the battle. If it was Me, I'd have told Aaron to kick rocks. And you know what I told you, you know, before the draft, I needed a decision. If you didn't give me okay, you're cut. Bye. I'm sticking to my guns. I don't care what you did for me in Green Bay. I know him and McCarthy have that history, so he's giving them a little bit more of a leash, but it's time to hang him up, Aaron. You know what I mean? Like you're you're you're old. Let's just say it. You're old, man. You're in your 40s and you're playing quarterback. I mean, not everybody's Tom Brady can do it. Even he knew it was time to hang him up. Aaron, I think I don't think he comes back. I think he waits to the last possible minute before camp and then he makes his decision that he's not coming back. And I mean, I'm fine with it.

SPEAKER_01 27:28

I think you gotta remember, he probably didn't have a reception, so he probably couldn't make the phone call.

SPEAKER_05 27:33

In another dark room or something, you know, or whatever, retreat, whatever the hell he was doing, or whatever the those things that he does. Man, the dude's just I mean, he was a hell of a quarterback. I mean, he's obviously going to be a Hall of Famer, but you gotta have him up before you can get there.

SPEAKER_00 27:48

Do you uh let Aaron Rodgers walk and then pick up Josh Johnson to hold the clipboard?

SPEAKER_05 27:53

I mean, let's just let Mason hold the clipboard. You know what I mean? Yeah, give it to Mason, man. Mason's good at holding that clipboard, he's been holding the clipboard for us for years, so he knows the system. Let him do it. He's a he's a proven backup. That's what Mason Rudolph is, is a proven backup. Yeah, so yeah, I did not like this pick at all. I think it was a wasted pick for Pittsburgh in the third round.

unknown 28:19

Mr.

Who Should The Jets Pick

SPEAKER_05 28:20

Let's go with you on this moment. If you were the Jets at number two, I mean, you know, the Jets need help in uh anywhere and everywhere on their team. They're just habitually the bottom feeders of the league. Who would you personally have drafted for this team in the spot, knowing Mendoza was already off the board? Finney said he, you know, he he had to do the I had I have to get a Jets question in here with Finney helping run the show as a Jets fan. But Finney said he would have taken Sony Styles for this pick. Would you consider that?

SPEAKER_01 28:51

I was just about to say that. I would have, I would have taken, I would have taken Sonny Styles. That's exactly who I would have took. I would have took Sonny style from a high state. You're talking about somebody that's that's versatile. He can play, you know, linebacker, you know, strong safety. Heck, he can probably play nickel. But he is somebody that I that I would have took, I would have taken Sonny style. And if I could, I would have got his goddamn brother too, Lorenzo style.

SPEAKER_05 29:18

Would you have taken Jeremiah Love it too?

SPEAKER_01 29:21

I would have gone with Sonny. Okay. I would have went with Sonny Styles, yeah. I would have as hard as much as I would love to, I would have gone with Sonny because from a decent defensive standpoint, you can put him in a lot of different positions. I mean, he's he's he he is the he's the guy, man. Man, you're talking about somebody that can play outside. I think he can play strong safety, probably even nickel. I mean, he's a he's a strong, quick, fast. And one thing that you look for with football players is they instincts. And he got instincts. Instinct. If there was a measure of instincts, his would be off the chart.

SPEAKER_05 29:53

I got you. AJ, what about you?

SPEAKER_02 29:57

I can't I can't go against that either, but I would have gone with Caleb Downs, though, because they got Minka, you know, and they just got rid of you know Soss Gardner too, so they need a DB. You know what I mean? And to help the defense out because they sucked, they didn't get any interceptions all year. That's kind of crazy. You got fired at whole defensive staff when you can't get interceptions. So you you got Minka and you got Caleb Downs at two. I think that's gonna help you out.

SPEAKER_01 30:25

Hey, hold on, coach, man. Come on, man. Nah, hey, players play coach to coach. I can't, I can't I can't pick the ball off for you, baby. I could put you in a position, but I can't do it no more.

SPEAKER_02 30:36

Well, you you know how professional professionalism is. It's not always on the player, it's on the coach, though. So I gotta put you in a position to make plays. If I can't do that, then I guess you got fired.

SPEAKER_04 30:50

Jordan, what about you? Who would you take it to if you were the Jets?

SPEAKER_03 30:53

Two words, or I guess three. Ohio State defense. You got Sonny Styles, R Vell Reese, Caleb Downs. You couldn't go wrong with any of those three at that pick. You get someone for the edge, you get Sonny Styles who's a Swiss Army knife in the box, you get Caleb Downs who can play anywhere on the field, like AJ said. You can't go wrong there. When your team sucks, okay, when your team stinks, you draft defense. They don't have a quarterback, they don't have an O-line, your team's terrible. You gotta build on the defense for the future. Then when you're drafting one or two overall next year, and then the year after that, then you get your big boys for the offense, your playmakers. So when you stink and you know you're gonna stink this year, and you know you're gonna stink next year, you draft Ohio State defense when you got those three opportunities that high. Gotcha.

SPEAKER_02 31:42

I just kind of like Geno Smith though. I think he's a game manager, so like he's better to me, he's better than Justin Fields in that aspect.

SPEAKER_03 31:50

You know, I just think he's gonna get killed off the edge. But I a hundred percent agree because their O-line stinks. Yeah, yeah, but I he's a much better uh upgrade for from Justin Fields. I fully agree with that.

SPEAKER_05 32:05

I gotcha, Tony. What about you?

SPEAKER_00 32:08

I can never go wrong with an any Ohio State defensive player. I would have gone with Sonny Styles as a Saints fan. The fact that we drafted his brother is actually hilarious. He could have had two brothers on the same team, not only in college, but the professional level.

SPEAKER_05 32:27

I gotcha. I don't hate the Sonny Styles. I mean, choice by Fitty on that one. But yeah, Jordan, you hit the nail on the head. The Jets suck. Like that, that's the that's the there's no nice way of putting it. They suck.

SPEAKER_03 32:42

Aaron Glenn's got about a six-game leash this year, and I bet you he's fired before week seven.

SPEAKER_05 32:48

I was gonna say that that's a long leash for me. Uh, I would you're not gonna get into week six for me.

SPEAKER_00 32:54

Aaron Rodgers can't even fix that team.

SPEAKER_05 32:56

Yeah. You know, like everybody said, when you when when you're habitually that bad, you've got to shure up that defense and then work on your offense. If you can't stop them from putting points on the board, you're not gonna win many games. You got you got to go defense, and I like all those picks. Tony, we we hinted at this a little bit. What do you like about the Rams pick there with Ty Simpson in the first uh first round? Uh does he I mean, I mean, obviously, I mean he's sitting behind NFL, MVP, QB. You know, how does that help him and learn and grow with that system?

Rams Draft Ty Simpson For Future

SPEAKER_00 33:32

Honestly, it gives him some time to just it's kind of like I kind of like Green Bay, like Aaron Rodgers did with Brett Farr. Jordan Love did with Aaron Rodgers. It it can only help him, to be honest, is because one, you're not rushing him into action, like, or it could be one of those Atlanta things potentially. Maybe Stafford gets hurt and then you throw him, throw him in there and see what he's got. So I think it can only help him.

SPEAKER_05 34:02

I gotcha. Jordan, what about you? What do you think about Ty Simpson?

SPEAKER_03 34:06

Yeah, I think a lot of people to the naked eye, when I say the naked eye, people that don't really follow football or play football or coach football, they look at that pick and they scratch their head and they go, Why in the world would you draft someone at 13 that's not gonna help your team right now? And it is more of the Jordan Love, you know, template. But I think more teams should do this. If you know you're gonna need a quarterback in the next two to three years, it's such a gamble when you don't have one to draft one high and just hope he can start immediately, than it is to put him in behind a Hall of Famer, let him learn, and then you give him the keys in two years. You know, you don't just give your son the keys to a car when he's never gone behind it before. You know, you gotta you gotta train him and work him into it. And I think it's actually a smart pick. It's just tough because people are gonna look at it and go, there was other people right there that can help you in right now, but it's a safe bet to have stability for the future and success for the future. So I don't mind the pick at all. I thought it was a good pick.

SPEAKER_05 35:04

Yeah, I mean, I don't think the Rams need help right now. I think they they need to start preparing for the future, and I think that's what they did with that pick with Ty Simpson for me. But AJ, what about you?

SPEAKER_02 35:16

I for Ty Simpson, I think it's the best situation for them to sit back and you know learn from somebody who won a Super Bowl. I think that's the best situation you can be in. You know, I and that obviously they're gonna keep on winning. They have a great offense and they have a you know a subcore defense that's gonna get the job done. But they just win. So you're gonna learn how to win. And that's the best situation you can be in. A lot of rookies that come in, they come in not good situations and coaches coming and going and stuff like that. They've been there. So he he's gonna know the system. And I guarantee you, if Mick Vay leaves, I get I guarantee you the OC's probably gonna stay and take his position because they're that's just how the Rams work. But they took a gamble. The Rams took a gamble years ago by cashing in all their freaking picks and just going into free agency to win a Super Bowl when Aaron Donald was there. And I think this is with him being there, I think he's gonna learn, okay, this is how I'm gonna win. Puka Naku is gonna be here for a while. That's the future. And that's that's probably gonna be his go-to guy in the future. So it's it's a good situation for him.

SPEAKER_05 36:20

I got you, Mr. Round Us out here.

SPEAKER_01 36:23

Yeah, I believe it's a solid pick for them, you know, getting a quarterback for the future. Because, you know, when you draft um a quarterback that high and you have one on the table, I think right now they're preparing for the future and they're saying, like, this guy can, you know, we're saying that this guy can be seven to ten years, you know, saying can give us seven to ten good years. I mean, that's what you do when you say that when you you know when you draft somebody like that, and you're hoping him that he can be a franchise quarterback. So if he can sit and learn and just absorb everything that he gets, you know what I'm saying, in the classroom, in the film room, and continue to learn, uh it can really pay out big dividends for them. So I think it's a good one for them. It's a solid, it's a solid choice, solid pick.

SPEAKER_05 37:06

Yeah, I'm I don't hate this pick. Like I was shocked when they made the pick because I I didn't even know he was on their radar or to go that high with the limited starts he had at Alabama, but you give him that opportunity to sit and learn behind an NFL MVP and a Super Bowl champion. I mean, who wouldn't want to do that? You know what I mean? Yeah, I'm gonna make first round money, I'm gonna sit, hold a clipboard, and learn from one of the best in the game and Matt Stafford, and how to win games and learn the system so that when it is my time in one, maybe two more years after Stafford decides to hang it up, and I'm ready to go. I know the system, I'm ready in it, and let's just keep winning. And I think most people, Jordan, you hit it on it, but you know, people that you know not know that don't watch football, don't follow football, don't coach football, hate this pick. I love the pick. Get your guy, get him now, lock him in, and get him ready for when he's ready to play. That that that's simple GM work right there, and that was an easy decision by the Rams. They were sneaky with calling him and not letting it be known to the public that they were taking him. I like that pick. I like that strategy by McVeigh. You were to say something.

SPEAKER_02 38:21

Yeah, and and not only that, he fell in the right lap too, because they they have offensive-minded coaches. Like LA, they their offensive-minded coaches are very genius. Like McVeigh is a genius when it comes to offense. And he learned that. You know what I mean? All his coaches are like that too. So I think he's gonna learn a lot, not by X's and O's, but like the way he's gonna manage a game. He's gonna learn from Matt Stafford and how he does it. You know, and it's gonna help him grow in those next couple years. He might even take over sooner than we think, you know?

SPEAKER_05 38:53

So Yeah. I yeah, like I said, I I don't hate the pick, but Mr. Let's go back to you. Pittsburgh was the host of the draft, and it seemed to be done outstanding by the city and the team and the NFL. What is the one city you would want the NFL draft to go to next? And do you think, and how do you think? I mean, would it be as incredible of an experience that it was in Pittsburgh?

Where Should The Draft Go Next

SPEAKER_01 39:20

I'll tell you what, yo, Pittsburgh really, they do everything good. They do everything well out there. You know, I that's one of the things, one of the things that I've thought about for a while, you know, because you know, the draft was always in New York. And at first I was like, you know what I'm saying, just keep it, you know, if it ain't broke, you know what I'm saying? Why try and fix something? You know what I'm saying? It's in New York, that's where everybody wanted to go to in New York. But I think it's what it does, it's just give, you know what I'm saying, that whole country of a time and a piece, you know what I'm saying, of the draft, you know, when draft time has come. So I think the NFL did a pretty good job and just moving around. Then also, you know, for them, it's a good marketing thing for them too. And that's all they're all about anyway, marketing and getting their product out. But I would like to see it, you know what I'm saying. Probably, I'll tell you what, here, here's a crazy one. Take it down to Savannah, dog. Go down, go down and go down in the in the in the the swamp, you know, take it down to the swamp area. Just go down to Savannah with the trees and the beach. You know what I'm saying? Something different, totally different. Now I know they don't really have the you know the stadium or the the you know the place for it right now, but they do got the that banana, that banana baseball stuff going on. But I would have to say probably Savannah or Key West. Somewhere just weird, somewhere just weird. No, all this little city stuff. No, take it to somewhere that's just totally weird, man. Off the radar type stuff. You know, I'll go to the Ozark, you know, me, yeah. But hey, that's me though, you know.

SPEAKER_04 40:49

Gotcha. Hey Jay, what about you?

SPEAKER_02 40:54

Where they play the Hall of Fame game, man. Have it in Canton. Why not have it there? You know, you you have the draft, and then you have Kenton right behind it, and then you can just you can go through Kenton and look at all the stuff, all the records being broken, all the jerseys that are hung up. The history of the NFL is there, you know what I'm saying? It's something different, but I don't think it's ever been in Canton, you know, and it might be just something different. That just came to my mind because I I've never seen the draft at Canton, Ohio.

SPEAKER_05 41:26

I'm so mad because I didn't think anybody was gonna say can, AJ. And because I was gonna say can you took you took my you took my city, man. Like I was ready to I was prepared to say Canton because I didn't think anybody was gonna say it. I'm not mad at it. I'm not mad at it.

SPEAKER_02 41:40

You can say it again, you know. You can I know you got more to say than I got you.

SPEAKER_04 41:46

Jordan, what about you?

SPEAKER_03 41:47

Yeah, AJ beat me to the punch. I was watching, you know, the the draft in Pittsburgh. I'm like, you know what, man, Canton would be a sweet place to hold it. You got all the history. Like, I thought it was really cool, not only because I'm from Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh shows out. I mean, it's the biggest draft ever, they said 805k. But having it in a true football town that's got history, it made me think of Canton when I was watching it. Like the keeping it in the rust belt of you know, Ohio and PA and Western PA and stuff, like it makes so much sense because there's just so much football pride and history there, and that's why so many people show out, man, because it's what those two states have in common is they are football through and through. So Canton would be really, really cool. Like AJ said, you got all the history there, the Hall of Fame's there, all that stuff. Going back to Mr. You want to have them somewhere off the wall that they haven't had it yet, take it down to Hawaii. Take it down to Honolulu, take it to Hawaii. They don't do much in Hawaii in the NFL anymore, they don't even have the freaking Pro Bowl there. So you want to get back in Hawaii with the NFL, you take the draft down to Honolulu, you call it a day. The only problem is you have to start that bad boy pretty early because of the time change. But having it in Hawaii would be pretty freaking cool if you want to have it somewhere off the wall. But I like keeping it in the rust belt, keeping it in football pride, western PA, Eastern Ohio, all of Ohio. Let's do it there.

SPEAKER_05 43:14

Yeah. Tony, what about you?

SPEAKER_00 43:16

They took my answers as far as Canton goes. I would have liked to have seen it in Canton as well. But if we had to keep it within that rust belt, I'd say Buffalo. I don't think Buffalo's ever held the draft. I think that would that would be pretty sweet, especially with their new stadium that's I think this year. What a way to break in a new stadium. That or, and I'm just saying this as a Saints fan, New Orleans. How about a party on the French quarter, eh? Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_05 43:46

I I I don't hate that pick. Buffalo's tricky because of where they're at and the time of the year that the draft is with the weather in Buffalo. The snow. Yeah. I mean, hell Tony, you you were having snow today. It's May May the 2nd when we're recording this here, and you had snow in Ohio here. So you know what I mean? You take that up to Buffalo, New York. You may you might you might not get anybody there because if it snowed in, you know, but uh I don't hate it. You know what I mean? Like that's that's a good city. That that's a party city too, as well. So many tables getting broken if it's up in up in Buffalo. I uh yeah, I like Pittsburgh. I like the Canton one. Just I I don't think there's off the wall places, Hawaii is a good one, but yeah, the time change is really gonna really gonna screw some people and how early you'd have to start it and getting people there to Hawaii. But yeah, take it, take it down to the swamp, mister. That's that's not a bad idea. Get some people, some some culture down there and and get them out into the into Savannah and let's go see some Savannah bananas. You know what I mean? You know, who who doesn't like watching them? Like that's just entertaining baseball debate. Like that's amazing baseball. But here we go, Tony. We're gonna round out the show with this question. Now that the draft is over, do you think AJ Brown from the Eagles is being traded? And if so, where does he end up?

SPEAKER_00 45:15

I think that he does end up being traded. Where he ends up, I don't know. He could end up in New England, he could possibly end up in Denver as a compliment to uh Jalen Waddell, or he could go down to South Beach to Miami. Uh those are my top three options for him.

SPEAKER_04 45:35

Okay. Jordan, what about you?

Will The Eagles Trade AJ Brown

SPEAKER_03 45:39

Yeah, I think he's gone. I I think they're they're over that situation over there. I mean, they drafted you know Mikhail Lemon, who's gonna be a plug-and-play guy immediately. Um, not that he's the same type of receiver as AJ is. He's definitely not different body style, different play style. Um, I think they're done with the baggage of that relationship, just seems to be on the rocks now for a little bit. The Patriots, I mean, they keep blinking them in the Patriots. You got a young quarterback, you just went to the Super Bowl, you need a little bit more talent on the outside. I that that makes the most sense. But who's gonna be willing to make that trade? I'm not sure. I would if I had to bet, I'd bet the Patriots. But uh, they got a lot of stuff going on right now over there in the Patriots organization, if we know what we're talking about, you know. So who knows what's happening there.

SPEAKER_04 46:28

Yeah, AJ, what about you?

SPEAKER_02 46:32

Yeah, yeah, he's definitely gonna get traded. I mean, Syriani, he can only take so much, and then that that front office is like, yeah, he has to go. But where he goes, I have no idea. The Patriots, maybe, but maybe Washington. I think they need somebody else with Terry McLaurin, man. I think that'll be a good, good pickup for them. I know Debo Samuels is still looking for a spot to be at, but for AJ, I think he yeah, he's going, he's going, he's getting triggered. He's getting triggered.

SPEAKER_04 47:01

Mister, what about you?

SPEAKER_01 47:03

So I tell you what, you know what? Those are two something that Tony mentioned, Jordan. I mean, everybody mentioned New England, you know, that might be one of the perfect spots. We know they love taking backers. That as many backers that that owner has, and many players I had that came to New England, that would be almost probably a perfect, that's probably a win-win situation. You know, and then uh and Washington might not be bad, but if we get to New England, I think it'd be it can probably be a good situation. You know, I know we always talking about, you know, I'm saying new start, new new this, new that. You know, uh I I think it's it's to a point now, man. Some people just like to have other people's dirty baggage, dirty luggage, and you know, but can't wait.

SPEAKER_05 47:48

They they make it work for them in New England. Like they have like they've been known to have that baggage type of deal, and they'll take anybody, and it works for them. I think I mean AJ Brown, he's definitely not gonna be in Philadelphia. Like, that's just I mean, anybody with with a brainstem can see that. Like, if you know anything about football or even how to spell the word football, like you know, like no team wants to deal with that baggage typically for that long. Sirianni's dealt with it for enough, he's over it, and you know what? It's time to cut ties. We drafted a receiver, we're gonna draft your replacement. I pretty much told him, hey, you better have your bags packed because you're going somewhere else. It's just going to be able to find the suitor and somebody willing to do it. I've heard ties with him in New England. Miami's a good choice for him, too, as well. I think Denver is the sleeper to get him and Waddle out there together. And with that young core there, I think that would do well for Denver. Denver and would really help them elevate to where they want to be and maybe even make a run towards a Super Bowl this year. I think if he ends up in either New England or Denver, I'm calling it right now. Those that team will be in the in the Super Bowl and be a contender, and it'll be an entertaining Super Bowl. Not like this last one. This last one was just terrible to watch. But I think, yeah, if it's Denver or New England, I'm calling it right now. Those that team will be in the Super Bowl. That is actually going to do it with that thought there for this episode of the Ride Home Brands Podcast. I want to thank all of my guests here, Mr. AJ, Jordan, and Tony, for joining the show and get to break down the NFL draft. This was a lot of fun. I love my city of Pittsburgh growing up near there. I think they put on a hell of an event, and it really shows that this is going to be a normal and annual thing going around to other things. And as always, if you enjoyed the show, be a friend. Tell a friend. If you didn't, tell them anyways. They might like it just because you didn't. That's gonna do it for me, and I will see y'all next week.