Ian Hartitz Previews The 2026 NFL Draft

0:00Hey, this is John Rothstein, the host of Inside College Basketball Now, part of the CBS Sports Podcast Network reminding you that our show is going ramp up over the next two months. That's because we're counting down a selection Sunday and March Madness. We will be coming to you each and every week with multiple episodes, featuring exclusive interviews with the biggest and best names in the sport. It's the all-you-can-eat buffet for college basketball junkies everywhere. Follow and listen to Inside College Basketball Now in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back. Junkies come to you live on 106th of the fan and the team 980 here in the DMV 910 the fan 105.1 FM enrichment. You can watch us on the Monumental Sports Network. All you're long celebrating 30 years of the junkies presented by Main Street Bank, Cheer Local, Bank Local, Main Street Bank as a business focus community bank, probably serving the DMV since 2004. Visit mstreebank.com to learn how to put their team in your office. Main Street Bank member FDIC equal housing opportunity lender. An hour ago we announced the next stop of our world tour. It turns out it's only five miles from

1:04where we are right now. Correct. But we're looking forward to it. Hope you can join us, spread the word. We're going to be a par city golf next Tuesday for a junkies happy hour, four to six. We'll do a longest drive contest, closest to the pin contest, got some prizes. Hanging out as we celebrate the 30-year anniversary all year long. All right, let's talk some football. Ian Hart has joined us right now on the Rude Gas Hotline. Rude's the most reliable heating and air conditioning products in the DMVs. The host of the fantasy life podcast. Hey Ian. What's going on, fellas? How's it Monday? Yeah, happy Monday, buddy. Getting excited, watching the combine, getting geeked up for the drive. For the agency is in a week. Are you in Ohio, guys? Somebody told me that you're based in Ohio. Born, raised, man. This is the car that we're doing the whole call soon, but not been a annoying Ohio State fuck. I pretty much mind. All right, so let's get into the Ohio State, guys, because here in Washington with the seventh pick, you know, you see sunny styles and you see what he does at the combine. And you wonder if he would be the

2:06perfect fit on defense, although there's been a lot of buzz here because offense is more fun for Jeremiah Love. So let's put you in as GM. You're Adam Peters. And I'm going to give you sunny styles on the board. You're a guy from Ohio State and you can talk about him. I'm going to give you Jeremiah Love on the board. What would you do and why? Give me sunny, man. You can call me by sort of, Jeremiah Love, the best running back in the class. You can say he's been the best running back prospect the last few years. I won't overly disagree with you. I just look at Washington and man, when you got a healthy Jaden Daniels, I don't think scoring points is the biggest problem. The problem is that defense that is just so old at this point. And yeah, Bobby Wagner has some great years. I know he wants to go ahead and try to break that all-time tackle record, which is fine and dandy, but just with sunny styles, it does feel like you're getting a legit thread at water level prospects. You can just be roaming the middle of the field for you for the next decade plus. So obviously test it out of control, but just everything about this is from the start, man. Five-star recruit converted from safety down to lineback or just the prototypical modern

3:07linebacker. And man, whether he's going to be going to Washington a few picks later since in Addie, I just think we're going to be seeing this deal again on this really haul pro list for some time to come. So Ian, if you go with sunny styles there, give me a name or two from the free agent running back class that you would add to Bill in the back field here because he's the only running back currently under contract heading into next season. It is wild, man. Literally every single other one of them is out the picture. It's you guys, the cardinals, the chiefs, Jack the breeze hall leaves. I don't think he's going to. There's kind of the top open spot right now. So it does sound like again, as I was saying, breeze hall is either to get that franchise tag or the transition tag. So I think at least can have Walker, the obvious suitable MVP as the best running back available. Could be a fun fit in Washington. He doesn't do everything perfect. You know, all of us fans, he nerds, love the complaint about the split between him and Jack Shubb and me. But I'm pretty sure it might be a company kind of know what they're doing when they're rotating somebody's running back. So Walker, he's very explosive. You always just see him near the top of the leaderboard in terms of breaking tackles and things like that. That said, you

4:10know, you will get these, you know, success rate sort of metrics, you know, how often are you picking up the first down on third and short? And that's where he can't struggle just a little bit. So I'm not sure if he's, you know, the best compliment in the world to Bill. I don't know, Bill, it needs to be someone that necessarily carving out a big role in the committee for anyway. But just out of the, you know, available free agent right now, I do think kind of Walker is the cream So get back to the drafty and suit the Ohio State guys are, you know, we might see four guys going to top 10 with styles and Reese and Caleb downs and offensively carnal tape. But just kind of comparing styles and Reese taught to me. Yeah, it's interesting because Reese got so much hype and he's been this guy kind of at the top of everyone's bigboard for the better part last three to four months. There's a lot of what he was doing as an ed rusher, even though he was mostly an off-ball linebacker. But the way Matt Patricia was running his defense, you know, just very, very versatile, very unique in terms of why he was sending some of these blitzes at times. So when you do look at Reese and you try to say like, okay, why is he going higher than sunny? I do think it comes down

5:14to that possibility to have him be this ed rusher as opposed to an off-ball linebacker. And then again, it just kind of comes down to positional points and all that stuff that we worry about in the year 2026. But in terms of just like if you took put on the tape from last year and you know, I really love doing this. Like if we took an alien who has never watched football and just made them watch like every single snap of house they football last season, I think they tell you sunny styles is a better football player. It's more about the long term upside and the potential for Reese to again be more important just as that pure past rusher. So again, on today, he's the better football player. I think it's sunny, but if you give one just lean to the guy who probably has a better chance to be that all-world past rusher a couple years from now, that's where you take Reese. What about Tate and some people kind of knock him. He's a big guy. You know, the difference between like 447 and 451 is minuscule. It's like it's blink of an eye. It's kind of silly, but we do get caught up in those kinds of things. Is that number going to hurt him at all? It just cracked me up guys. I thought the combine was supposed to be this one independent. Let's get some wall numbers sort of

6:15event. Then the second some guy runs slow as the agent's waking though, you know, every insider. I don't know. Our guys actually had it, you know, five tenths of the second faster. Everyone's arms are also longer than they got measured out. Can we figure this out already, please? But now I'm with you. I don't think 447 versus 452. Matters, he is fast enough for a guy that just again turns 50-50 balls in these 80-20 propositions. I think he caught like 12 or 14 contested targets this last year. I let it up, man. Since 2019, the top three single seasons in contested catcher rates are Carnot tape this last year. Jackson Smith and Jigman 21. Then that amazing Justin Jefferson season in 2019. So great company, great pedigree coming from again. Widerceeber's youth. Want to get the LSDU? That's fine too. Ohio State has certainly been churning him out. I guess my one concern with Kate is just like, if he had a legit Alpha number one to go to your passing game around, or is he more of an overqualified Widerceeber 2. I'll wait for six missed tackles this last season, and it wasn't like he was being constantly used in the screen game, like a McCoy lemon stuff like that. But that would be the

7:16one concern. He's a little bit of a blankier guy. He just already wasn't breaking a ton of tackles and call it. So I just think he could be a little bit more of this vertical-minded extra seeber. He can't do a ton of stuff around a line of scrimmage, but either way, I thought to be complaining about a guy who has at least a couple, you know, elite rates. We're joined on the Rude Guest Hotline by Ian Hartitz, host of the Fantasy Life podcast. So if you were in the war room for the Raiders, are you completely sold on Fernando Mendoza as the number one overall pick, or would you have reservations about making that selection? I don't think there's any perfect prospect out there. I don't think his reddish flags are as red as any other quarterback. So I think some of the things he's deserving of going 101. I think if we were comparing them to some of the past quarterback draft classes, like I wouldn't have had a hard day on hand, and I would Jake May, or Caleb Williams, or probably even Jake Daniels. I think once again to the JJ McCarthy's and the bone mixes of the world, that's where we can more comfortably say, even with hindsight of McCarthy, I know, but I think even as a prospect, you know, Mendoza will come out on top.

8:16I just wonder if a little bit guys were falling into the trap where like we just see this guy win all these big games, and then it just doesn't even become as much of a discussion about what he's actually pulling off, because look, pick nothing away from Indiana, them and Mendoza have one of the best seasons of my lifetime. I'm sure you guys too called football, but just when you look at some of those games, Mendo, wasn't like he was going out there and just, you know, 60 straight minutes of perfection, 300 yards and six touchdowns didn't have to. They won the games anyways, but you know, 1310 nail-biter overall high up steak got a nice block front against Miami wasn't doing a ton until the fourth quarter in that game. The one concern I did see down the stretch was this dude was just taking a ton of sacks as a competition got harder. So yes, he is mobile. We all saw that incredible, you know, fourth and five draw for a touchdown against Miami. He can move, but it's not exactly as super powerful of his. And just again, the one concern about him just letting too many pressure drop backs turned the sack. I do wonder if we could see that really weird ugly head at the NFL level. And in Las Vegas later's offense, that let's face it guys didn't make like easy for anyone involved last year. Ian, what are the most logical landing spots for Tua and Kyle

9:22or Murray if and when they get released in the next week or so? Yeah, we had a good article on his 10 yesterday from Jimmy Fowler and Dan Groussion. I guess you'll all check it out. And it was actually saying that Kyler and then even you know, never tickets, at least could be the primary targets for the Minnesota Vikings. So I mean, a little surprise that Kyler got that job. I'm just not sure if he's a guy with a quarterback at KLC. I want to be building his offense around, but it doesn't seem like Minnesota is really going to try bringing some Steve competition forward, JJ McCarthy. So whoever ends up getting that job is going to be in a good spot because that just by far guys is the most fancy gunlay and just real life quarterback. I should say spot for someone who lands. So we got the dolphins and the Cardinals obviously moving off from those guys. The Browns and the Jets are probably like the next two offenses that we can just really look at and say they definitely need to bring in a quarterback because the Raiders and Duplamendoza Steelers are probably bringing back Rodgers and Colts are probably bringing back Daniel Jones. So in terms of Tua, I also saw in that same article they float out the Falcons as being a potential match. All lefty QB room with Michael Pentax. Why not? So I will say I'm certainly more, I would say

10:25often missing about Kyler having a bounce back. We've seen him play out of all pro level before and how it was giving you know, increasingly more interview. But just with Tua, man, I know we play some good football, but at this point in his career, you can't have a guy who really can't extend plays. He's doing nothing. Cushions and everything understandable, but can't really extend plays. He's not scaring you with his arm talent. We saw the drop off when Tyrick wasn't there. And on top of all that, you're not exactly a great decision maker and you're having too many turnover. So I don't exactly see a light with Tua these days. We'll see you recall obviously only so many good quarterbacks in the league, but right now, certainly more optimistic Kyler in terms of that. Ian, are you a high guy? Are you a Browns fan or a Bengals fan? I am unfortunately even sadder thanks to my mom, a Cowboys fan who has seen I think three Clioff victories in my life. All right. Well, just getting back to, if you were a Browns fan, what do you think they should do at quarterback? Man, I don't, so these are things Cleveland, Pittsburgh, some, but we're like, oh, welcome. They don't do something. I don't think there is

11:26a great solution out there to try to turn things around. I think you probably try to get lucky in his 2027 draft and you two best of all for one more year. I catch up with the Sean Watson, Shadora Sanders experience. So again, it's the same thing with all why this deal is bringing back Aaron Rogers and it's just like, well, if you're trying to win as many games in 2026, specifically, which is every team's goal. I don't think there's a ton of better off you out there. So probably sitting tight for a year, maybe top-monthing, coming and make life easier for out of those guys. But it's not pretty guys. I mean, you remember that old Tim Couchers, who they just kept adding all those different names to a man like that thing is only going to get longer. I think for another year too. Hey, Ian, give us the offensive player that in about a week is going to get a way bigger sack of money than anybody's expecting. Like we're just going to be blown away by it. Yeah, the easy main, well, I don't ask the thing is going to be available without Pierce Cole's wide receiver. One doesn't great job field stretching, but again, it sounds like he's probably going to be more of an extension slash tag candidate. So research that he is a candidate.

12:27Obviously didn't go off of the Seahawks on offense. There's some good things as a returner. I'll say an underrated name, Taikwan Thornton. Obviously was a bit of a bust former top 50 picks of the pages, but he went into Kansas City last year. And honestly was one of the more efficient receivers and their best deep threat overall. So 23.1 yards for a section guy that actually was higher than Pierce's lead leading mark. And I just think that when you look at kind of the archetypes of players who get paid more than we expected for the agency, it feels something like receivers that every single offense is looking for. That led to guys like Tutu Atwell and Diamond Brown last year getting north of $10 million dollars and Thornton even if it began just one year of evidence so far. It was a good efficient season for the guy. So again, everyone looking for maybe a discount version of Alex Pierce. I do think Taikwan Thornton could as well. Talking to Ian Hart is host of the fantasy life podcast. All right, quick fantasy question related to the commanders. Jaden Daniels obviously suffered a ton of injuries last year. Going into last year, he was amongst the top fantasy guys. Where does he fall this year?

13:28Hi, this is Jill Slesinger, CBS News Business Analyst Certified Financial Planner and the host of the Jill on Money Podcast. With the new year upon us, there's no better time to take control of your financial life. And the Jill on Money Podcast is here to help. It's your questions that make it possible for me to provide unconventional and I hope entertaining insights on your money, more importantly on your life. Follow and listen to Jill on Money wherever you get your podcasts. He's still going to be in that top five conversation. I think he's kind of right there next to a guy like Joe Gurro and Jill and her. I'm just a man. It wasn't a great step, guys. It wasn't a great step. And I know he was injured and everything, but just the seven games we did get every single stat you want to look at, man, just a big time drop off. And I don't want to see Marcus Mario to come in the same offense and actually move things a little bit better. So look, offensive line wasn't doing his job. Deepest never had him in good position. Terry McClure and I had the whole about stuff going on and then was injured once and came back in the year. So it was hardly like

14:31Daniels is dropping this excellent offense environment. But man, I just think it's need to be easier in that passing game. Otherwise, this dude's going to feel like he needs to put that Superman cape on and run around as much as he has been. I just don't think that's exactly the hold up over the course of the 17 game season. So really in fancy football and I added up the extra that I think guys quarterback that run the ball at least a hundred times in the season. They finished top 12 like 31 of 34 instances 90 percent over the last 10 years. So it's not rocket science. I think everyone knows these days like running quarterbacks or she goes to fancy football land, but it really is tough for these guys to bust long as they can stay on the field. Hey, Ian, give us your way to early 2026 fantasy top five draft picks. Doesn't have to necessarily be in order just that who you know is going to go in most top fives of drafts. Yeah, I think that's a one on one is going to be Bees on Robinson deservedly. So these are the peak of his powers and catch the ball. Obviously break off some big runs we saw last year. No questions there. The other running back that are going to be in their conversation for the top picture mere gives a pick, particularly guys with

15:32Dave Montgomery looking like he could be out of the picture. And then whenever Christian McCaffley obviously is healthy, he'll be tough not to have in there. And then we got a big three. I want to see you as well. Jamar chase two from the two and Jackson split with jiggle deservedly. So that would probably be kind of like the top six. And I used to top five, but kind of tough to leave CMC out of there. Personally, you know, you'll have had any reservations about these guys. I do think there's some level to the CMC coming off just the massive touch total. I've tried to run the numbers and looked at it and just ends up being kind of luky and you know, it's like, I do I want to hold this against CMC up 400 touches last year because David Johnson broke his wrist in week one, you know, eight years ago. So it's a small sample size icon off the touches, but at the same time, you know, I was listening to Barry Sanders talk about safe on Barclay this last year and Barry was saying how after his like 1997 season going for over 2k, it was exhausting and the next season, he didn't have the same kind of pep and his pep and I'm pretty sure Barry Sanders knows, you know, just a little bit more about football than all of us. Yeah, there is something to be said about against the CMC coming out that touch total, but then again, guys, he's going to catch a hundred

16:36patch. It's going to be tough in the fall or fall or too long. Where would where would Jeremiah love go in a draft? He's probably going to be sitting there in the top 10. Again, at this point, it seems like he's going to be a top 10 real-life pick and just when we do see the history of those guys, man, they get forced to football. Even Irish and Gen T last year, as bad as things were in our Raiders offense and as bad as I think people realized that, you know, he kind of did. He was still a top 15 running back in the fancy land because he got forced to the football and he had a couple big games here and there. So again, very, very high floor for someone like Jeremiah Love. I think the concern would be if he does find himself, maybe he goes to New York Giants and they kind of use him 1A1B to can't scatter them, but even then, guys, just explosive playability and his ability to catch the football. I think he's going to be going in that top 10 worst case, top 15 from day one. And love chatting with you. Hopefully we'll talk again soon. Good stuff. Thank you, buddy. We're sure to take care. Host of the fantasy life podcast, he is in the sunny styles camp.

17:39Related, I put up the junkies pole of the day brought to you by Surfside. Use the code Junk's at store.statesidevodka.com. You get 25% off select merchandise. T's, hats, hoodies, and more. Use that code Junk's at store.statesidevodka.com. What's the question? If the commanders draft their highest state linebacker, sunny styles with their number seven pick, how would you feel? Alright, thrilled, love it. Happy, like it. Right. Meh, whatever, bitter, want love. Those are your four choices. I think vote at Junk's rating. I think thrilled is going to get a bunch of votes. So you're thrilled, happy, meh, or bitter because you want your mind. I don't say, I don't know, you're going to get meh. Come by freak. I don't think you're going to get a bunch at a huge need. Yeah. I mean, how could you tard not to like it? Get some votes. We'll report on it by the end of the show also at 9.45. Your chance to win two tickets to see the Washington capitals Monday, March 9th. So that's in a week. We'll do that at 9.45. But next we open up EV's

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