Mike Mayock on Eagles Draft Strategy

0:00It is the WIP afternoon show with Ike Spike and Fritz who better to kick off draft coverage with than Mike Mayock of Sumer Sports. Mike, thank you for joining us. The show you're doing for Sumer Sports that you can watch on YouTube. The evaluation where you guys go over all the different positions and stuff is great. So you're doing great stuff there and I'm sure you'll have great stuff with us today. So thanks for joining us. My pleasure is always. So let me ask you this. Is there a point at which going into a draft where you go, okay, I've done all my homework. I think what I think or does that process of thinking what you think go all the way up until draft? Are you asking me as a GM or are you asking me as a member of the media? Ah, as a member of the media. GM, I'm sure it never stops, but member of the media. Is there a time you can put the pencils down and test is over now you just know your answers? You know what's crazy is that Daniel Jeremiah has kind of taken my place at the NFO network

1:00and we work together before I took the Raiders job and I love DJ and we talk and he does a massive call with media from all over the country every year, which I used to have to do. And when I did it and it was two to three hour media call, when I got done that, I was kind of like if and he didn't know what the order of questions was, it might be a reporter from Utah State asking about a fourth round corner or it might be you know spike asking from WIP want to know about the eagle. And there was no way you could know either had to know your stuff or not. And every year when DJ gets through that, I text them and say, dude, you're ready to go. Don't listen to any other crap now. And he responds, I'm chasing ghosts. And what that means is that there's these rumors out there now about this guy or that guy that worked out and did this or that and he's chasing it all down because the most embarrassing thing for him or I would be to not know somebody that got drafted.

2:01So that's a long answer to your question, but eventually it comes to an end on the media side. Well, I guess the follow up is and this is I think a combo question, a GM, a former GM question and a media question, when we hear this stuff about so and so is moving up boards and then so and so is moving down boards. Is that more of a media creation of discovery of information or is it really that players are gaining momentum and going up or losing momentum and going down? I think for the most part, it's media energy now. It doesn't mean that you don't reset things on your board. And there's not I mean, your final board isn't really even done until about this coming weekend. Everybody does a little bit differently, but right around now is when you're bringing your most trusted people into the building and you're going to close the door and put together that board and you've got all the coaches input, you got all the scouts input

3:03and it's time for the decision makers to say, okay, we're going one to one 50 or whatever your number is and we're going to that's going to be our board. That's going to be the Bible for the three days of the draft. So I mean, that's what you're really going on right now and there's not a whole lot of you might get right now there are medical rejects in Indianapolis. So there are certain guys that have to go back and you're waiting on medical answers. Guys can go up and down the board a little bit on that. You take a guy off the board if it comes back really negatively. So there's some things that move around a little bit, but at this point, not not much fight. I had to do the recheck thing when you go back to Indianapolis. Yeah, oh, really? Oh, yeah, was there something on you? Yeah, I had a dislocated shoulder in the season and when I did the combine, it wasn't completely healthy. So then they made you come back. What is it, Mike? A couple of weeks afterwards, you come back and do the recheck to see where it's at. I'm always interested, Mayo and from the GM perspective, how you guys set up your

4:07draft board? How much is evaluated by talent and being ranked versus position and need? Every team is a little different. And if it's driven by a coach, if the head coach has final say, often it might be a little bit more pointed towards position orientation. Certain teams, they're GM or in the teams that have veteran GMs will always tell you it's best player available. Now the key either way is to meld everything together and come up with a common sense solution so that if you need a corner and you're up in four picks and there's a corner up there with a 68 and an offensive guard with a 68, same grade, identical grade, two different positions. You're probably going to need more towards the position you need and or the position of

5:08most value. And often off the ball, linebacker, safeties and guards don't have as much positional value. So in the analytics, people have really brought a lot of that stuff to the forefront even more so than in the past. So a lot goes into the final decision. So Mike, you know, we've heard, I think just in the general draft talk that it's not the deepest quarterback draft. Is there a position or two that you think this draft is particularly deep in? Yeah. I think good news for the Eagles. I think it's a really good draft kind of in the middle rounds for tight ends. You know, typically there's only five tight ends that go in the first three rounds. There's seven eight guys probably with grades in the first three rounds. So there's going to be value in round three and four for a bunch of tight ends, whether you're looking for a blocker or a receiver. I think that matters to the Eagles.

6:10I think there's some depth to the wide receiver class, again, a potential issue to the Eagles. I think there's some depth to the defensive end or edge class, which is good to the Eagles. And there's more linebacker off the ball, linebacker depth. And I would say top end safety talent, but usually we don't even average one safety a year. And I think three safes are going to go in the first round this year. Wow. So yeah, so there's every year is a little bit different. You know, when you look at the off the ball, linebackers to me, sunny styles is a different dude. And to me, he's the new age of off the ball, linebacker in the NFL that's on the field for three downs and can impact all three downs, especially in sub-backages, very similar to our values. Depending on how you look at them. And there's some really good linebackers in the strapped and some really athletic ones too, down in like the guys are almost similar to safety size that are linebackers and you

7:16got to figure out how to play them. When you look at this Eagles office of line, Mike, because a lot of us been talking about do they go take a tackle and if they do, where does he play? You think they're set for this year at that office of line position? And do you think with a team, take an old line in the first round and not play them? Yeah. I mean, here's where I am with the Eagles of line. They were starting to get beat up and fall apart a little bit last year. And you guys know it as well. Me, Lane Johnson's got maybe a year left. Land in Dickerson despite only being in the league since 21, he's beat up. They've got to look at that offensive line really honestly and they need some quality and they need depth. And I think it's going to be directly tied to last year's draft, where on day three, they took three guys in the offensive line. They took a fifth round kid out of Boston College, Kendall, who is a center flash guard.

8:19And they took two really, even though they went in the sixth round, two really long talented, but very raw tackles. Cam Williams in the sixth round and Miles Enten in the sixth round. And I don't know only the people in the building know what they're feeling on those three kids are. And I think if they are bullish on those three kids, they might not be as aggressive in the draft this year. If they're not as bullish or they're worried that only one out of three might hit, I think there's a real chance that the offensive tackle is in and maybe even guard if the kid from Penn states there. But I think offensive line would be in the conversation to 23 for sure. Yeah, why don't we stay there for a second because I want to ask you about guys at 23 for wide receiver. But for offensive line, I've seen a few different players mock to the Eagles. Who are the few that you think may be around at that spot and that you after watching and

9:23evaluating you think a lot of? Yeah. So a lot of it's tied to whether or not AJ Brown gets traded in my mind, right, especially before the draft. And are they looking for a big body guy to replace him that is plus or minus similar to what he does from a trade perspective? I mean, my favorite white out in the whole draft is a little different than most people. I love Mikailemmon out of USC. Now I'm not sure he's going to match up with what the Eagles want. Number one, I don't think he'll be there. I don't think Tate will be there. I don't think Tyson from Arizona State will be there. So I think what they're kind of looking at, potentially, if they sit at 23 is Omar Cooper from Indiana, Denzel Boston from Washington. And I think Casey concepts y'all from A&M would be there. But again, he's more of a slot than he is an outside guy.

10:26So Cooper and Boston of the two in that draft range that will be available, I think, that they might be evaluating. Yeah, Boston's a big kid. Couldn't run after the catch. Yeah, Washington. Yeah, you should see Ike's face right now. Yeah, he's a good one. Yeah, I like it. I like him. Yeah. He's a big, strong guy. Yeah. Yeah, but you're right. Ike, back, back, shoulder, big body, catches. Still, he's going to have to learn how to run around for a little bit, but he's a big, strong, physical dude. How's your DK? A little bit of DK, Matt Kaff? Yeah. Yeah. I agree. I think there's one of the two of us who are sports with us now just because it is a big topic in general. And it doesn't seem like it is particularly deep quarterback draft. I want to know what you think of Mendoza, who is everybody expects to go at one. And if there are any quarterbacks beyond Mendoza that you think were particularly talented that you watched. So the Mendoza conversation is, the more I watched him, the more I liked him, especially

11:30as we got towards the end of the season in the playoffs. And the bigger the game, the bigger the situation, the more he embraced it. A little better athlete than he's kind of a gangly, awkward kid, but he's a better athlete than you think he is. And the more I watch them, the more he reminded me of one of my favorite guys coming out of college and that was Matt Ryan. And also kind of a big, long, gangly kid who loves football and had, he had the face of a choir boy. And, but he would throw a dagger in your heart to beat you. And I think this man, those a kid is similar. I really like him. I don't think he's the most talented quarterback I've ever seen, but I really like him. And I think the Raiders will take him and they'll do a really good job building around him as they're quarterback in the future. I'm not a big fan of taking quarterbacks that are one-year starters. The history of that is awful. Ty Simpson's a one-year starter.

12:30And really, half a year, a really good productivity. The other half, albeit with injuries or not, the other half was not productive. And the only one-year starter that ever came out and played at a high level was Cam Newton. And he started at junior college before Auburn, so it doesn't really even count. So Simpson's a pretty talented kid. He's more like to me a second round kind of talent. He may get pushed up boards just because of the necessity of quarterbacks for so many teams around the league. I think Nussmeyer from LSU has kind of gained some traction and I like him. I've done a lot of his tape. He's died an offensive coordinator in the NFL. The kids got some ability and on top of that, he's smart as hell as football IQs off the charts. I think the kid from Penn State is really physically gifted but he did not develop the way he should have.

13:31And I think the kid from Miami, Carson Beck, I wouldn't trust him in big situations. All right, Mike. Well, Mike's gonna join us every Tuesday of four, leading up to the draft. We just told me, which is great. We love your draft stuff, Mike. So we will talk to you next week. Again, the evaluation and SumerSports.com is where you can see more draft stuff from Mike. Thank you for joining us and we'll talk to you again next week. Appreciate it, Mike. You got to follow. Thanks, Mike. Thanks, Mike. There is the great Mike Mouth. Look at how smooth that was. Oh, come on, man. That's how smooth. I also like to then drop his middozer line on him, which I really wanted him to. What's the Mendozer line? I thought I'd call him middozer. Oh, that's a good name. That's a dynamic name. Yeah, I couldn't do that though. No, no, no, no, no, no. You hear that Nussmeyer conversation? Yeah. Come on, man, third round. He likes him. Yeah, he likes him. Oh, you didn't like him. I thought you liked him. No, he didn't like the Penn State. Yeah, I don't like that. Oh, okay. He has nothing to do with Penn State. You little crazy psychos out there. Yeah. It does have something to do with it. It does have something to do with it. You don't like when they raise money with Thon and you're...

14:33Right. Yeah, you hate... Oh, he doesn't love that. He doesn't love that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know she's alumni. As is half my high school. I don't care. Oh, and that's what it is. He didn't get to go. Well, I wasn't good. I was strictly a PSAC level talent. Well, the thing is with Penn State, once you go there, you have to keep going back year after year pretending you still go. Right. Check out the front. It's like a lifetime commitment. You're in your 50s. Look at us. We're back at the Fred Bargit. Yeah. Yeah. Parents weekend. Yeah. I got to listen. I got to listen. If East Lansing was two hours away, I would probably make more trips. I would make more trips to campus. I'm sure you would. You'd be Michigan Statestein. Yeah. I think I would. And it's the we are. Yeah. Yeah. We are. Yeah. You are annoying. 8887299494. Frank and Wilmington. You're on WIP. What's up, Frank? What's up, fellas? How you doing today, man? What's up, Frank? Another day.

15:33So I wanted to address the conspiracy real quick. But before I do, if Corey got a problem with the fans here in Philly, he listened to 97.1 in Columbus and leave us alone. Oh, that's right. That hammerdown, Frank. I don't know. You can't. You can't talk crap about the guys who call here because you live here. You don't even live here, bro. Get out of here. So. Yeah. I was wondering what's up, man. Step up and say that. Yeah. Anyway, what I've been said, I do think there is conspiracy. I think it's like 40% Ike is or spike is right. I take 40%. I think they want to motivate them. And I think this is them trying to be like, hey, if you do want an extension, and you want to get really paid, you're going to have to show us that you're worthy because it's been a lot of talk about he can't, like I'm not even talking about the coordinator. It's been a lot of talk. He can't go over the middle with the passes. Yeah. A lot of mechanics. He can't do. And as much as I want to be like defend Jalen, these things are there.

16:34And it's hard to be like, no, this isn't true. So I think I think Spike has something here like his motivation less. I don't think they actually want to get rid of him. I think it's just the motivation factor. Well, that's not like conspiracy. It's kind of with me. It would be on that front. And that's okay. But here's where I agree with you at. I do believe there is something there. I just don't believe it's as diabolical as Spike believes it is from a conspiracy theory. Yeah. Well, it could be. That's that's my. Who do you think killed JFK? Do you think it was one guy? Yeah. All right. So here's the one thing I'll say for you. I listen. I like Jalen. And I don't mind defending him at times, but I can't defend him against everything. And there are things where he needs to improve his game. The way he goes about things and playing well next year is something that he's going to have to do. I was in favor of giving him an extension. They aren't. Nobody's going to get on top of a mountain and stump for Jalen to get an extension because

17:36he didn't play well this past year. So he has to go out there and do that. As they say, the ball is in his court. It definitely is. Frank, next question today, it is Russell Crowe's birthday. So we're looking for somebody with an animal in their name. What do you got? I got an eagle. I ain't eagle. I ain't eagle. I ain't eagle. That's a good one. He and eagle's a great name. I ain't. He and it's I ain't. It's only one in the world. It's not. That's a good one. Beverly Hills, 90210 is Iain Zierring. I also kind of didn't realize he's now the voice of the tournament. I forgot Nance gave that one up. Oh, did he? Yeah. I missed Nancy. He got Iain with, with, with Rafferin and, and Gio Granny. I didn't realize Bill Rafferty hasn't coached in college. It's Michael Jordan was in high school. Like he's, like he's, like he's, I'm gonna say, I've never seen anyone as a coach in college yet. Like Lee Corso, Lee Corso and him. Like having coached him forever. Yeah, Lee Corso and him and Dick by tail. Yeah, I've never seen him coach. Never, never. Dick by tail. Yeah.

18:36At least 50 years, right? Yeah. Bill Rafferty is, I love Bill Rafferty. I believe Dick by tail coached in business. Oh, that's right. I know. Yeah, I know. Yeah. Well, it's him as an NBA coach. Yeah, I would think that he probably wasn't the same guy. But who knows? Well, these guys like Rafferty and, and Vital, they, they become, Oh, yeah. You know, caricatures of the guy that they wanted to gain. Yeah. So, and to clear it up. Frank had my conspiracy all wrong. And that's why he agreed with it. Yeah. The conspiracy I had is why he agreed with you. Yes. And I got love Frank and Frank throw in the shade at Corey. I enjoyed that as well. Frank had my conspiracy wrong. My conspiracy is not that the Eagles put it out there to motivate Jalen. My conspiracy is that how he is trying to soften the blow when they do move on from him because he wants to. I believe that how he looked at his team building for the 17 Eagles with a quarterback on a rookie contract, his team building for the 22 and

19:3924 Eagles when they weren't paying a quarterback a ton of money. He looks at these other teams that are getting to NFC champion, aFC championship games and super balls with quarterbacks on low salaries. And he is jealous. And he believes that if you're not, if you don't have a quarterback, that is a true defense maker. Like one of the ones that really is earning the money then spending this money on a quarterback is too much. And I think he wants to move on. And this is all just a preface to that. And I am not asking you to say that 100% that that's true. All I am asking is do you think it's possible? That's all I'm asking because a great conspiracy. You just, you don't need to believe it, but you need to lay in bed at night and go, I don't know. And I like conspiracy there. Why can't we get back to the moon since 1969? It's a pretty weird technology gotten worse. Yeah, it's pretty weird. It's pretty weird. Yes, 888-729-9494. The Phil's did win last night. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, wait till 430.

20:42We all agreed to wait till 430. Big boy. It sucks because these late night games, I'm convinced that the, oh, nobody sees them, you know. I definitely miss to come back. Yeah, so I watched early. I watched to the fifth inning live. And then I watched the rest this morning. But the high hopes Jackie baseball report is next. I stayed up for it. Of course. Look at it. Ah, the best fan. 888-7. Oh, you're other chumps. Yeah, losers. And we do have a new phone number, 888-8, at least for today. 888-729-9494. This is the WIP afternoon show with Ike Spike and Friends. Hey, looking for a great deal to stay connected. Now, for limited time, new Verizon mobile and home customers can get files and allow the mobile for just $69.99 a month with auto pay, get files 300 megabit per second for $20 a month and unlimited welcome for $50 a month plus taxes and fees when you're bringing your own phone. Visit a Verizon store today to learn more and make the switch.