For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves. Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At SpryEvent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more.
Thrive and where money means more. Connect with us at ThriveInt.com. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody! Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show?
You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show. We've got a podcast, so you can listen anytime.
But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment.
Now. On with the show. Live from the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, it's the Rich Eisen Show. Earlier on the show. NFL Network Insider Ian Rappaport.
Fox Sports Lead College Football Analyst Joel Klatt. Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. Coming up. ESPN NFL draft hosts Reese Davis and Mike Greenberg.
And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hour number three, it's our final hour of our three-day residency here in the draft town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, just mere steps from the confluence across the rivers from Acroshur Stadium in the makeshift draft hall, from which the ESPN, NFL network, and ABC draft coverages all emanate. And that is the way I welcome in our third hour guests. This is just always a pleasure for me to be able to do this with you guys, not just separately when we're doing our own broadcast, but to have us all together here, two guys that I've known for 30 years now, and counting the ABC host, Rhys Davis, the ESPN host of the draft, Mike Greenberg. Thank you, guys.
How are you? Great, man. First time that we're doing this with actually us being on ESPN Radio and Disney Plus. We're all one part of the same family, man. It's an annual rite of spring, I said to you the other day.
This get together, it wouldn't feel like the draft without it. It's a lot of fun. I appreciate it. You guys are awesome to do this. Last night felt like it was cardio.
Hosting last night. The eight minutes really, you know, early on. I'm wondering, did it affect you guys in any way, shape, or form? Because I was like, this is going fast, man. It did in a way.
I wasn't as opposed to it as some of the people in our truck. Yes. But what we had to adjust, because our philosophy on ABC is a little bit more player journey driven. Yes. So when we would show the vignettes or do the family interviews, we had to get to them faster than we had in the past.
In the past, we'd let the walk happen, or at least most of it, maybe even the hug. Yes. Then vignette, then highlight, then family interview. Couldn't do all of that last night.
So we just started doing the vignettes a little earlier, two boxing them sometimes, showing them walk. It worked out fine for us. But if you're discussing, hey, this trade happened, they're moving draft capital, which is not necessarily our focus, I can understand where it might have been squeezed. There still would have been times we would like to have talked a little bit more about picks. Ty Simpson, for instance.
Here's what I'm proposing. I love that you're going solutions-based. We're tag teaming this. I lay it out, and now Greene's got an answer. Generally, it's good because I try to.
Think of it if I'm home watching, which I was for the entirety of my life until five years ago, then I think I like it being paceier. Like a lot of the things that happen in between are very exciting for us because we've done months and months of research on these players, but the audience is probably happy with it moving forward. I do think there were a few moments in the draft that. Maybe demand is too strong a word, but certainly suggests that we should pause and reflect on it for a moment.
So when Jeremiah Love goes three, when you have a running back going three that high to a team like the Arizona Cardinals, it would be nice for if we could just say, all right, hold on, we're calling our, we get like two timeouts. Oh, as a broad clicker, we can stop the clock.
Okay, hold it a second.
Okay. Just put the, who was for? Tennessee. Put Tennessee on pause for just a minute. We need three minutes to talk about this.
And then the same thing at 13. I like it. Ty Simpson just went 13 to the Rams. This is reminiscent of Tommy Maddox getting drafted by Denver and John Elway being all upset about it and Dan Reeves ultimately leaving there. Those of us who remember that remember that and all that.
And the Rams making what was clearly the signature decision of night one. And we had 45 seconds to talk about the impact of it before I hear in my ear, you know, 30. Move on, yeah, right.
So I'd like to have been able to call a timeout right there and say, no, we need two minutes to discuss. This. Most of it, I think we could just roll along. There were a few moments that I thought it would have been nice to have a little extra time.
So, how does it, by the way, great idea. How does this work, though? Like, what if Reese and I don't agree with your decision to stop the clock on ESPN? We've got our own broadcasts. Or what if Reese, I do it, and suddenly you guys are like, wait a minute, I don't think that merits it.
Do we have a preemptory on somebody else's challenge?
Okay, I've got another suggestion. Sure.
So, this is going to be a really, really ridiculous comparison for me to make. Great set. Have you ever watched like America's Got Talent? Sure.
Each of them gets one golden buzzer. Each of them gets to put, like, you know, Simon gets one person out of the whole.
So each of us gets one.
So there'll be three. Yes. So, Rich, you get one. You've got to use it judiciously. Yes.
Reese gets one and I get one. Whereas over the course of the night, there will be three pauses. Yes. And we each get to choose where they go. Or it could be like the voice where I turn my chair, right?
Then if you did that where we are, you would see the stage then. You'd turn it down. That's true. Right. And then you'd see Rich turned his chair because I'm kind of in your periphery.
You're in mine. You're all the way up front. The thing that got me last night that was particularly difficult was when we were two. By the way, this is all T V problems, I understand. Because you wa how was it to you guys watching it?
I likened it to Major League Baseball's pitch clock. When you're watching at home, it's great because it's going fast and it keeps things moving. But when you're physically at the game, it goes way too fast. Huh. Because we were, you know, physically there.
It felt. Like it was moving really fast to the point where a couple of picks were not yet announced. And there's the third team on the clock. We were at 1.3 picks behind. And I get antsy when that happens.
Certainly, when we're two picks behind and we're about to be three picks behind, Roger comes out and the band kept playing. Did you guys notice that one where the house band kept playing music?
Sort of the Rogers interrupt, Sweet Caroline. He just sort of stood there and let them keep going. I actually said on the NFL Network broadcast, like, what are we doing here? Up the music. Like, the commissioner comes out.
You're cutting the music. Like, let's go. We've got two picks to go. And at one point, I'm like, what is they? Are they waiting for the commission to put five bucks in the tip jar?
So, Reese and I were having a lot of time. I couldn't help myself. We talked about it. We talked about it. And I'll let you explain our mutual position, but the bottom line of it is: there are two experiences you can have watching the draft.
Yes. If you're home watching, one of them is online, and the other one is not.
So if you're just watching television, then I don't think it makes any difference, Rhys, whether we're two picks behind or whatever the case may be. It's not us who are two picks behind, it's the announcements that are two picks behind. If you don't, if you're not on Twitter or anywhere else, you don't know that it's two picks behind. And I think that's the problem. Yeah, I didn't pay attention to social media during the broadcast.
I just don't do that. I can't. I mean, you can't. You can't.
So in the aftermath, though, I look back and I see a lot of this. Everybody's a few picks behind. And my reaction was: how do you know that unless there's intel being leaked from someplace else? Because we didn't miss an announcement. Every time Commissioner Goodell went to the podium, we took it live.
So it's not like we missed one.
So I didn't have a big problem with that. And I think you have to decide how you want to experience the draft. And it's okay to do it both ways. I'm not criticizing anybody that wants the information right then. But if you're watching and you want to see the analysis of the pick, whether it was a good value choice, whether if you're watching our show and you want to see their backstory, I don't understand why that bothers you so much, you know, as a viewer.
I mean, I guess. Rhys Davis and Mike Greenberg here on the Rich Eisen Show the Friday after a big night on Thursday. There was another big moment where you could have taken your time out, if you will. Carnell take on four. That was kind of a surprise.
But the Ty Simpson moment, again, I'm still catching up on stuff, but still sitting here. What did Saban have to say about that? He thought for Ty, it was the perfect spot for him simply because he only has 15 starts in his career. He's a really smart guy. He can learn from Matthew Stafford and from Sean McVay.
I think he was also very happy for Ty that he didn't. Plummet in the green room and have to wait until tonight to be drafted. But, you know, I think it was a bit of a surprise to everybody. I mean, Matthew Stafford's still the reigning MVP of the league, and you feel like they're a Super Bowl contender, and maybe you want something to help right now.
So, look, I'm very happy for Ty, and it's one of the things that I feel like sometimes that people get a little offended personally, and then they end up projecting on the player if they don't agree with it a little bit. Ty's a terrific player. Orlovsky loves him, Chase Daniel loves him, Gruden loves him. You know, so people that don't, that's okay too, but there are plenty of people who do.
So I think big picture, long term, I understand. Why would you make the pick, but for their particular situation, I questioned it. A lot. I would have much rather, I'm a forget-them picks kind of thing in the future. Everybody's reconfiguring their roster every year, just like we are in college football now.
You got to try to win now. I would have gotten them some more help right now. Another receiver, offensive line, edge rush, whatever, anything. I would have waited. And if you are willing to spend, and you guys are more in tune with the draft capital aspect of it, but if you are willing to spend the 13th pick on your future quarterback, then I would think you can probably find somebody to make a deal with to trade back up later on and get him in the 20s and still make your 13th pick in order to help Matthew Stafford.
That's part of it that I do. Yeah, there's no doubt about that. It's just though. You never know, man. That's the whole thing.
Right. You never know which part. You never know if you can get back into going back to the bank. Maybe you can. That's genuine.
And the perfect example is that the Steelers think the Cowboys are taking a defender here.
So let's call him a Kai Lemon. They're on the phone with him, and you saw that video, right? My customer's like, What are the Eagles doing calling me right now? You know, which is the way you always look when you're on TV or whatever, and you look down at your phone, like, this person knows I'm on TV right now. What the hell are they calling me?
He's like, What are the Eagles calling me right now? And the agent comes up to him, because the Eagles have just traded for you. And the Steelers are sitting there probably going, What was that all about? That's why if you got the 13th overall pick and you think about the kid, you're going to trade down and then. Run and then now spend the next two hours Grinding it out, right?
I don't know. That's why you do it. And it doesn't matter if a trophy winds up in the case. Let's be as direct as we can be. Yes, sir.
It's a terrible pick. It's an absolutely terrible pick by the Rams. Why do you feel like we're not saying that he's a terrible player? Absolutely not. He may wind up being the greatest player of all time, but they have Matthew Stafford at an age where he is the very definition of year-to-year.
They had the best team in the NFL last year and didn't win the whole thing. They could have used any, they literally got for the most valuable asset they had in this entire exercise of the NFL draft, they got someone who will contribute zero to their effort to win the Super Bowl next year.
So this is, to me, it's reminiscent of: look, if he winds up being Aaron Rodgers and maybe Jordan Love, then maybe you could argue that those picks worked out well for Green Bay because they got them in the long run. But at the end of the day, from the time that they drafted those players, Brett Favre didn't win any more Super Bowls, and neither did Aaron Rodgers.
So, I think one could look at the Green Bay Packers and say, you should have won more than you did with Favre. You should have won more than you did with Rodgers. And I think we could look at the Rams and say, you should have gotten someone who will help you win the championship this year and figure out who your next quarterback is going to be another time. I think that, too. I mean, look, I love that.
Round of applause from Brockman right there. I love Ty Simpson, but I agree with you. Try to win now. You don't know what's going to happen in the future. But they got Trent McDuffie.
With the other pick. I understand that that could have been one more. And the issue that Les Sneed has in pushing back on something that you just said is his track record is basically. His own track record is his biggest issue. To deal with in pushing back on you because he's so great at turning picks like the 13th overall into somebody that can go and crush it for them right now and generationally potentially over next 10 years.
So that's the issue. And I totally understand that. It is a head scratcher at the least in the way that you placed it out there at the worst. If you're going to use the 13th pick in the draft, and I know this is not, like, every draft is not created equal.
So I know the 13th best player in this draft might not have been the 13th best last year or next year, but it's still a very valuable asset. If you're going to use that on your future quarterback, on someone who's not going to play in a perfect world for at least another year, if not two, then I think the projection on him, again, Ty Simpson might wind up being terrific, but he doesn't check any of the boxes, literally any of the boxes. He doesn't have the size. He doesn't have the huge arm. He doesn't have the number of starts in college.
He doesn't fulfill any of the Bill Parcel's rules of quarterbacks. To use a Pick that. It's one thing if you use the 29th pick in the draft. This is the 13th pick in the draft. That seemed like a.
That is a very, very aggressive move that I have a real hard time understanding. The one thing I would push back on is true, though. He is the one guy in this quarterback class, and maybe one of the few in the next quarterback class that kind of comes out of the pro system. I remember we did a tape on game day that I worked with a scout on about him identifying, changing protections, and making a third-down throw in traffic to complete a third and seven against Georgia on a big drive. And the guy I was working with on the tape said, you don't see this in college.
You just don't see it. And I think because of that, that it might change the dynamics. I agree with you. He's not the biggest guy in the world. Once he lost all that weight after he got sick and injured and all that happened to him, he was not the same physically.
But he does have some things that he has experience in that other quarterbacks coming out don't have, I think. I got Rhys Davis and Mike Greenberg here on the Rich Eisen Show. We both kind of touched on it in the times that I've run into you in our hotel. But I went back to Bristol a couple of Sundays ago and I was just absolutely out of body. I didn't recognize the place, but it was just going back in a time machine.
when I first met you guys 30 years ago. It was unbelievable. You know, but you guys, when was the last time you guys were in Bristol? Are you down in New York? Are you there regularly?
I mean, I'm there like probably. Twelve, fifteen. Daves a year, something like that.
Okay, so in the last couple of selection day, I was there selection day and for a couple of days in the NCAA tournament. Yeah, because I watch it when you're on. I watch you there. I haven't been there in a little while, but I'm very much aware of what you're talking about. It is.
See, what was funny is he said to me, I can't believe the old sports center set. And I said, Well, you're actually two sporters. You're a couple of picks behind. It's sort of like the NFL last night. Like, there have been two other sports center sets since the one you remember.
Yeah, but I had no bearings. There are buildings where parking lots used to be. There's a cafeteria where a parking lot used to be. You know, building five, which is the old garage, right, where I used to do some deuce wraps for college basketball. That was there.
And then I finally did get my bearings. I walked past my cubicle, which wasn't too far from yours, if I'm not mistaken, on that third floor area. Just walked past there and saw. The offices of the doors of the offices that I would never be able to get because I was too untenured. Walked down the steps, went into the old sports centers, finally found the old sports center studio, and it blew me away.
You know, the old baseball tonight set. I don't know. I just wanted to share that with you guys. I have no questions for you. No, I understand the way you feel.
It is hard to believe sometimes. Like, I don't, I assume Rhys feels this way. This past year, I turned 58 and I reached my 29th anniversary at ESPN.
So I literally have worked at ESPN now more than half of my life. And that was a stunning realization for me to make. And it sort of all goes along the same lines. The ESPN News Studio doesn't exist anymore. No, based on it.
Did you do your first broadcast from the ESPN2 studio? Yeah, from the ESPN2 studio doing the Sports Smash with Stuart and Susie Calber. Stuart Scott and Susie Calber were hosting the show. That was your first? That was my first broadcast.
Where did you come from? When you came from Michigan? Beautiful downtown Flint, Michigan. You got a call from Flint, Michigan, come on and you'd start doing deuce reps. I did, yeah.
That was pretty much it. Yeah. I miss that guy, dude. Yeah, he was the best. I mean, you know, he he I don't know.
I can go down that road with him for sure. But it it just wigged me out. And I'll be I'll be I'll be straight up honest with you. I don't know if I said this on the air here, so pardon me yet. But I wore rich eyes and show gear to go back there on purpose.
Um because I was going to walk through The door that I walked out of the last time when I had a cardboard box and I had my belongings. I was like, I'm going to go walk out that door with my belongings, but I'm going to walk in this time with my show gear. It's a different, you know, different Broadcaster, okay. He was walking around there taking pictures and stuff like that. And I'm like, I'm going to do that.
Just for my own self. You know, it's been 30, something, 23 years, you know, with all that stuff. And I went to look for that door, and it's now a brick wall. There's a message in that song. And I'm like, wait a minute.
It's a brick wall now. But the Sports Center crew was as great as it was back then. The camaraderie around the pods, watching the Masters and then the NBA regular season finale, and all of us talking about the rundown and the scripts. As great as ever, you know, and it's pretty cool.
So. What are we doing at Sports Center again? We should do it. We should do it. Let's do it.
I'm serious. But Technique, we better mean it because we put it on your show right now. I mean, everybody's like, three of you today. He's calling you out. I mean, I did that to Dan.
I did that to Dan the other day, too. Let's go. Because you and I sat down for the show that's coming out this summer called This Was Sports Center, where you and I, where I'm interviewing, and I want you as a guest as well, talking about the old days, what it was like to be on Sports Center. Exactly, I want more stories like the one you just said. Hey, I just came from Michigan and I went on the Deuce set and all that stuff.
So I'm doing all that, and it's going to be coming out. I've interviewed you and Berman and Fowler. Chris Fowler came into the LA studio on his way back from the Australian Open, and we're going to put this together and we're going to throw it together. And the nostalgia aspect of it is just as great as ever. You know what I mean?
So we're going to do it. I think we should start doing this. That would be fun. I'd love to. All right, very good.
But let's get through tonight first.
Some of us are going to get through tomorrow also. What are you doing tomorrow? I'm flying home at 8:36. Green, we could practice co-hosting Sports Center tomorrow. You could come.
I'll come. Yeah. Look, I. I don't know how you do that many.
So I do the first three rounds. Yes. So that is what the compensation is. I don't remember how many compensatory picks we're going to have tonight. It doesn't matter.
There's way fewer compensatory picks than day three picks that Reese and I have. Oh, for sure. But what I'm saying is, so I'm going to do roughly 100 players. Roughly 100 players will get drafted on my watch.
So this year I did, I prepared 169 players. Because my goal is always to try and get all of them. I never have succeeded before. And as I always say, if you're watching on ESPN and you hear the commissioner say a name, and all you hear me say is, Mel, then you'll know it's someone I didn't do. But you must do, what, 300 and something, 400 players?
I feel like, in a lot of ways, because I do college football, there's a little bit of a headache. You know these guys a lot better than I do. And I'm hosting the Combine, and so 98% of drafted players come from the Combine. That's right. I've already seen the draft just out of order, is what I like to say.
That's great, you know what I mean?
So that, you know, that kind of helps. I just sit in my room and practice saying Oli Vavinga Johanne. There you go. Just keep practicing his name. Oli Vavinga.
That was very good. He's very good.
Well done. Yeah, you just call him Venga for short. Right. But I thought he was the best. Honestly, I thought he was the surest thing in this draft.
If you were going to say there's one player who you would bet your life savings is going to be a great pro, it's that guy. You watch the way he mauls people. There's that one video where he's coming from the left to the right and he just destroys a safety. That's the guy everyone should have drafted. Very rarely will I remember a combine workout.
Out for a guard. But he did this past year. It was like, whoa. Like, he was the one who stood out, too. And I honestly thought he would be a Charger if he lasted that long.
And instead, the Ravens took him, which is a very Ravens draft choice for sure. Hey, good luck tonight. May you tell the band to turn the music down. May that work out for you. Yeah, my spot's a little louder than you guys.
But you're closer to the band, and the canopy's over you. We're just sitting in the back. You know, the only people we have to talk over are the people yelling at Pat for three. Is he back there tonight? No, I'm not sure.
Or is he one of her? Is he one of the? I'm not sure if he is or not. You could hear people, you could hear the reaction last night, especially when Dan Rolovsky came up on his set after Simpson was picked. Oh, yeah, that would be a problem, too.
Carnation. No one is, there's not a happier video. I'm telling you right now, we should have had a video of Dan with his family, like all the picks, you know, like all the players with their families are gathered around them. When Dan got the call, Ty Simpson is going 13, and they're all gathered around and cheering and screaming. That's the video that we need.
What should have happened last night? Yeah. Ty Simpson goes up to that mirror to put on his hat, and there's Dan right behind him, like looking at him in the mirror. You know, like step brothers. That would have been great.
Reese Davis, best of luck on the ABC broadcast. You sir on the ESPN2. Thank you. My friends right here. Reese Davis.
Davis, as well as Mike Greenberg here on The Rich Eisen Show. Any world? I need to do some business, but you understand this. You remember these days, you know, back in the day. Only too well.
In a world in need of a hero, one man rises to the challenge in style. He is just driving the kids to soccer practice. Make every day feel epic in the all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid with up to an EPA estimated 619 miles of range on select trims, advanced tech, and class-leading interior space. Because when you're hauling kids gear, snacks, and backpacks, space matters, and so does comfort. Just make sure they keep their cleats off the seats.
The all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for details. No pressure reading a read in front of two leadpipe-wielding three-decade professionals just checking me out doing that. Thank you for coming on, Reese and Mike Greenberg. We'll come back a what's more likely Friday here at the draft in Pittsburgh. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast.
For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves. Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrive Ent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more.
ThriveEnt, where money means more. Connect with us at Thriveent.com. Rich Eisen here. Every time I travel for a major sports moment, whether it's a playoff run or a huge prime time matchup, I see firsthand what happens to a city. Hotels fill up fast, energy builds, everyone wants to be part of it.
Now imagine that. On a global scale, the FIFA World Cup is coming this summer, people, and with it, thousands of fans traveling to host cities across the country. If you happen to live in one of those cities and you're planning to be away, maybe you've got your own summer trip lined up. This could be a practical opportunity. While you're gone, you could list your space on Airbnb and welcome traveling fans who want to experience the FIFA World Cup in person.
You're not changing your routine. You're not committing to anything year-round. You're simply making the most of a moment when your city is in the global spotlight. I know when I'm on the road for a huge event, having a comfortable home base makes all the difference. And that's what fans will be searching for.
If you've ever thought about listing your space, this summer is a great time as we welcome FIFA World Cup fans. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. Rich Eisen here. PayPal is now the official peer-to-peer payments sponsor of the NFL, which means all the money moments that fandom creates, whether splitting tailgate costs or chipping in on tickets and game day food between friends, are covered.
Wherever the game is played or watched, PayPal moves with fans. You can send money through text, email, or directly to your friends with eligible accounts on Venmo. Just download the PayPal app and share all the moments that matter. Account with PayPal is required, not available in all regions where PayPal operates. Here on the Rich Eisen Show, it's one big happy simulcast that was fun with Disney Plus and ESPN.
you know, being uh the ones that sent out a conversation between Greeny and Reese, and yours truly. Love that. Knowing them for 30 years.
Okay, let's do a very important edition of What's More Likely. Hey, I mean, this is a Friday afternoon. Oh, this is one of the most fun ones of the year. Yeah, buddy. What's more likely?
Presented by Pello Windows and Doors. Mm-hmm. What? What's more likely? Never say never, but never.
On the Tom and Drop here in Pittsburgh, PA, what's more likely presented by Pellet Windows and Doors. Christopher, you've got the floor. Guys, happy Friday. Happy NFL draft. Great job last night, Rich.
Thank you. Appreciate it. I hate that you were happy last night. Me? Let's get this started.
Guys, more likely to be the lower number. Week we see Fernando Mendoza this season or the Raiders 2027 draft slot. Lower number, the week we see Fernando Mendoza or their draft slot. Hmm. I will go Fernando Mendoza week we see him.
So, you think he does play this year? I think he plays early because maybe cousins might not be able to answer the bell. Oh, interesting. How about that, Mattos? I like you calling a shot.
You know, I like that. I'm just going to be direct. I mean, but what's more likely the Raiders choose top 10 again next year? And then he starts later. Right.
because they're just going to finally get them in there. Listen, um they've got Genti, and they've got Bowers for the kid, and Linderbaum for the kid. They could get Denzel Boston. They've changed out their coach, quarterback, and center, which is kind of rare in the National Football League. Got to expect them to get a wide receiver at some point as well.
So, yeah, and that's right. You know, that's going down tonight. Yeah, yeah. I'll just stick with what my original plan was. I might have just talked myself out to keep going.
How about this, guys? More likely, top 10 non-quarterback. To be offensive player of the year, Jeremiah Love, Carnell Tate. Jordan Tyson. The top non-10-non-quarterback to be offensive player players.
Basically, offensive players, not Air Douglas. Jeremiah Lowe. Really? Yeah, yeah. They have 38 running backs in that room.
I understand. And a guy who's really good out of Algiers. Arthur Smith is the offensive coordinator at Ohio State right now. He's not in Arizona.
Okay. So, you know. Tyler Algier might not. You know, get all the vulturing works at Arizona too. Um no, and and and again, we we need to see Cam Ward and Tyler Shuck in year two deliver the football in the way that say um you know uh Bryce Young in year three was able to deliver it to Ted Heroa Macmillan.
Uh I I those A running back is less ball-dependent than a wide receiver. I'll go with the running back and say that's the most likely, certainly since he's that talented, he's that good. Chris. TJ, do I take him early in my fantasy draft? What do I do?
He might want to. Guy's more likely to be the more head-scratching first-round quarterback pick. Oh, that's easy. Ty Simpson this year or Michael Pennix in 2024.
Well Well I'll go I'll go panics. Really? Yeah. I'll go panics. Let's see what Ty Simpson did.
I'm not going to. You're not going to see anything of the Ty Simpson issue. Exactly. Maybe two years. I'm not going to damn the.
I said two years. It's not about damning him, though. It's about. It is. Okay, like Greene said, it's not about the player.
It is about. I didn't want to get too deep into it. Of course, it's about the player. No, not about Paneller. No, no, no, no.
Disability. You host the trash. It's about the position and the location of their pick. If. If Ty Simpson had the entire world saying about him, what Dan Orlofsky said about him, if he had a resume of significance, we wouldn't be batting an eyelash now.
So why didn't the Jets take him? Because why did they take him at second overall? Yeah, if he's that good and he has as good escape as Mendoza, and Orlofsky and all these other people are pumping him, why didn't he go second? Because he's not. That's why I'm saying it's about the player.
It's not about, you know, the fact that you. All right, let's move on.
Okay, great. We're just not going to agree on this. Correct? We're not going to agree on this. Right.
All right, TJ, this is for you. Oh, me? Penex has already hurt. A lot of questions about why you would draft him is because he's been injury-prone. It's sitting in his knees, too, and it happened.
He'd even play a full season. I was pretty stunned when Pettix and Simpson last. Yeah, and Tu is there right now. Look out. I think two is going to play well.
Right? Do too. Yeah. Guys, is it more likely that?
So I just gave you my reasoning and you have a problem. I still don't like it.
Okay, what else? Let's move on. I hate that. Moving on. Me and Greene.
Moving on. Is it more likely Jerry Jones now looks like an absolute genius for trading Micah Parsons, or that was still a questionable trade? Oh well. Um I don't think it's as questionable anymore. I don't either.
I think Jerry looks like a genius. I don't know about a genius. Look at all the guys he's got. Excuse me. They've done a very good job of turning this lemon into lemonade so far.
Okay. Rashawn Gary and Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. And now they just use the actual first-round draft choice, the first one they got from Micah Parsons, okay? Into their new edge rusher. Yeah, Malcolm Lauren.
Right? So now they've done that. And they used another first rounder from the trade. To get Quentin Williams. All right?
I like what they're doing. Sprinkle Caleb Downs on top of that. But the. The problem is, part of the reason the draft was brought about was this whole weird, you shook my hand in my office. Yeah, that's not genius.
But it is that's ego is what it is. It is it's more rumple stiltskin. You know, it worked out. It turned straw into gold. For that.
So, but it's, I don't think it's a questionable deal as much anymore. No, I don't think so either. Was Rumpel Stiltskin where the girl had long hair and he climbed? No, that's right. Oh, my bad.
Rumpelstiltskin turned straw into gold. That's why I said turn straw into gold. That's my name. You know, I mean, I can help you with the fables. Thank you, Aesop.
Thank you, Aesop. You can watch Shrek, too. Yeah, the Rich Aesop, Aesop Show. Aesop Richie.
Okay. Good luck. Guys, more likely, more likely teams. With the dollar sign as the yes. Obviously.
All right, let's throw it in. Guys, more likely team that got the best value with their pick last night. The Bucks, Eagles, or Bears? What about cowboys? Um, Bucks, Eagles, or Bears?
Bucks, chuck, bears. Oh, I like the Bears getting Thenam and. I like that a lot. What was it? 25.
And as a matter of fact, you want to talk about value. Remember, I used this in the beginning with my top five. They ain't going to 15 based on Daniel Jeremiah's top 150 rankings. And again, when we pick 150 tonight, we're going to match up the draft to Daniel's. See how many he gets?
And he's really great at this, okay? The top value, 13 spots better. From where Daniel ranked them, the Jets got. Omar Cooper, plus 13 value.
Okay, they got him 30th overall. Daniel had him ranked 17th. Makai Lemony had him ranked 12th. He got picked 20th. That's 8th.
Ruben Bain was seventh on his list. He got picked 15th. That's plus eighth. Dylan Thieneman is second on this list. You got him ranked 16th.
He was picked 25th. That's a plus nine.
So I'll go with the Theneman right there. And the Bears need safety, too. What else you got? Guys, more likely New York fan base feeling the best today: Giants, Jets, Bills.
Well, I tell you, it's not for Bills. I mean, unless you want to. Unless you want to include their fans that are psyched the Sabres want a playoff game. I think that counts.
Okay. Bills fans are like: wait a minute. We're sitting here ready for 26 and then you trade down. and then we're ready for 28 and then you trade down. And then we're ready for, I think, 31.
You trade down. Like, what's up? They got a lot of draft picks now.
So with that.
Now they can make moves that are. As Mike Hoskins said when I first got here, the Bills drafted Trey last night. I'm like, what? And he goes, Trey down. I don't hate Hoskins.
Well, now they have no Hoskins had the dead job. And now they have nine picks, including 35.
So throw that out. No, the Jets fans are. Absolutely. Jets fans are feeling. Listen, I think the Jets fans are feeling particularly great.
They got three players. Last time that happened, they hit on all three. They wound up, you know, getting rid of two of the three. And next year, if the Jets hold on to all three of their first-round draft choices, they will be the first team in NFL draft history to have three first-round picks and use them in two straight years.
So they got to feel good about this and feel good about the future. And the general manager who's in charge of turning those picks into people. Turning him into David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, and Omar Cooper Jr. is a really great, well-done job. I hate that you guys got Sadiq.
Okay, you got any more? I got a few more. You mentioned these two quarterbacks already. I'm sure they were sitting at home having a good night. Second-year quarterback more likely to have the better 2026.
Cam Ward, Tyler Shuck. Um Shut up. Good question. I mean, look at Tyler's receiving quote. Yeah, I kind of think it is better than what Tennessee's putting out there.
I think Tennessee's about having Carnell Tate.
So I'll go with Shuck.
Okay. Although Cam Ward, let's just see if he has that year two leap with Brian Dayball as well. That's possible. But you're right. I'm taking a look.
I mean, there's no olave. I guess is Ridley the Olave of the equation? If you're gonna pair them up and go against each other, yeah. Yeah. Uh um Saints might be sneaky.
You just went higher register. What else you got? Uh guys, more likely surprising positional move from last night. Two quarterbacks taken or two running backs taken?
Well, that's the first time that we've ever seen two first-round running backs taken from the same school. That's the first time we've ever seen.
Well, actually, that's not true. We've seen two first-round running backs. Felix Jones and McDaniel McFadden went in the first round of the same draft. It's the first time, this is the Westette, that the first two running backs taken in a draft come from the same school. That's never happened.
Notre Dame and then Notre Dame there. I'm going to say... Um The two quarterbacks drafted. Jadarian price going to the Seahawks at 32 is no surprise. At all.
And Jeremiah Love being drafted third overall, you know, obviously it's high, but I'm not going to sit there and say that that is. A surprise. Ty Simpson going 13 overall was the shock of Thursday night. I know he was. All right, last one.
Rich, sorry. I sorry to bring this up, but I have to do it. More likely Ohio State star to win rookie of the year. Carnell Tate, Arville Reese, Sony Styles, Caleb Downs. Hmm.
That's an obvious answer if you.
Well, I mean, there's a split vote of all three on defense. I'll go Carnell Tate. You know? Um It's not the answer. I will say it's it, listen.
A safety to win defensive Right.
Sonny Styles is going to ball out. I think so.
So if I had to rank them, I'd go Styles, Tate. Downs and Reese, you know?
Okay. Because I don't know. Again, Reese is. Reese is on the defensive line with all great questions. But I'll go Tate.
I hope not. Since it's one guy as opposed to three others that might split the vote. I hope Cowboy Caleb sees this. By the way, I'm absolutely fine with that. I'm all good with exactly what you just said.
Not a problem. That's growth. What's more likely is brought to you by Pella Windows and Doors. When it comes to your home, Pella Windows and Doors always have the winning game plan. That's why your neighbors trust them.
Visit pella.com/slash Eisen. I've got some great nuggets from last night that I don't believe I've gotten a chance to mention on this program.
Some great stats about your first night that you might not have heard anywhere else, including just breaking down how unique that Eagles Cowboys trade was last night. And then we'll send you out the door for the rest of your NFL draft here on a beautiful day in Pittsburgh. Don't you dare move. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Oh, oh, oh.
O'Reilly! Check engine, ABS, or maintenance light on? Take the guesswork out of your warning lights with O'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE-certified master technicians. And if you need help, we could recommend a shop for you.
Ask for O'Reilly Veriscan today. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, Riley. Auto Arts. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy.
But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Granger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Granger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRANGER, clickgranger.com, or just stop by.
For sure. Back here on the Rich Eisen show draft season, as we all know, we're in the middle of it. Everybody's talking about franchise players, blockbuster trades, and the moves that can reshape a team. When it comes to your home, Pella Windows and Doors is the kind of pick you can trust, especially after another long winter with your old windows. Discover why Pella Windows and Doors is a trusted choice for homeowners everywhere.
Visit pella.com/slash Eisen today. That's pella.com. Slash Eisen, make life brighter with pillow windows and doors.
So coming into this draft, the conversation was the number of positions that aren't supposed to be drafted very high, you know, the off the ball linebacker, running back, safety, like you're just not going to draft them that high. And those are the best players in the tug of war between when you're going to draft them and not. At the end of the day, Last night's first round was only the second draft in the common draft era, meaning when the AFL and the NFL got together. Only the second time to feature a running back, a safety, an inside linebacker, and a tight end selected in the top half of the first round. The other Was 2006.
Now, last night, here are the players we're talking about: Jeremiah Love, Sonny Stiles, Caleb Downs, Kenyon Sadiq. In 2006, Reggie Bush was drafted second overall. The inside linebacker was A.J. Hawk, fifth overall. Interesting enough, it's from the same school.
Ernie Sims was also drafted as an inside linebacker, ninth overall. Caleb Downs, 11th overall, two safeties in 2006. Were drafted in the top half. Michael Hough. and Dante Wittner.
I remember Last night In 2006, it was Vernon Davis, another Combine warrior. Interesting.
So, some good players.
Some have won a Super Bowl, obviously, with Reggie Bush. Right? And then, you know, we're always talking about what What you turn Picks that you acquire. Into. Right?
So there were six teams that had multiple picks last night.
So the Giants. traded Dexter Lawrence and turned him into Francis Mawanoa. The Rams took James Pierce's selection by Atlanta, turned that pick into Ty Simpson. The Jets turned Sauce Gardner into Kenyon Sadiq. The first round pick that they got for Sauce.
The first round pick that the Cowboys got for Micah turned into Malachi Lawrence. And the Browns turned the Travis Hunter pick, instead of choosing Travis Hunter, they went and traded down and got Mason Graham, turned him into Casey Concepcion. The pick that the Dolphins got for Jalen Waddell turned into the cornerback Chris Johnson. And the Chiefs turned Trent McDuffie into Peter Woods. Just food for thought, turning the pics into people.
Right there. And the Cowboys pick in particular. This is wild.
So once that trade goes down, I get into the ear of NFL Network. Researcher, Jack Andrade, who you guys know, and he's awesome. I'm like, when was the last time the Eagles and Cowboys made a draft trade? And he just immediately comes back, he goes, it was in 2021. when the Cowboys went from 10 down to 12.
and the Eagles went from twelve up to ten. And the Eagles took Devontae Smith and the Cowboys took None other than Micah Parsons. And so when that trade went down last night, And they moved down. And the Eagles move up, the pick that the Cowboys used. To move down, the pick that the Eagles traded up to get from the Cowboys, that that pick existed.
was from the Micah Parsons trailer. Oh wow. And The Eagles moved up. to take a wide receiver. And the cowboys traded down and replaced, technically, Micah Parsons.
with the pick. And I just geek out on stuff like that. That is wild. Think about it. History repeats itself.
That the Eagles and the Cowboys last traded. The Cowboys moved down, took Micah. The Eagles moved up, took Devontae Smith. The Cowboys wind up trading away Micah Parsons, getting a first-round selection that the Eagles say we want again to take a wide receiver. The Cowboys move down.
And take an edge rusher who they hope, in any way, shape, or form, can turn into Micah Parsons. Can't get enough of stuff like that. That wraps up our stay here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, here on ESPN Radio and SiriusXM Channel 80. I'll be on NFL Network for an absurd amount of time between now and the next time we chat with one another on Monday. I'll be there on Saturday.
St.jude.org/slash run, rich, run to please donate. On Saturday, we reveal my run. Yes. And my run just ended, actually. That's how slow it was.
Come on. I'll see you on Monday. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show Podcast. You can watch and listen to The Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app, The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
