Feel It Or F@#k It: Fantasy Drafts in February, the NFL Combine, and QB Metrics with Bob Harris and Matt Waldman

Matt Waldman's RSP Cast spends an hour with Hewlett, a private QB coach whose clientele includes Caleb Williams, Brock Purdy, and Anthony Richardson. Will Hewlett has been a guest analyst on the RSP Film Room and Podcast numerous times over the years. A private quarterback coach, this year's roster of prospects under Hewlett's tutelage includes Austin Reed, Emory Jones, Caleb Williams, and Jordan Travis. He also has worked with and continues to work with Anthony Richardson and Brock Purdy. Two days ago, ESPN's Stephania Bell recently interviewed biomechanical specialist Tom Gormely, Hewlett's partner (you'll see Will in the video) about their work with Williams and Purdy. As you'll hear at the end of the episode, the RSP has been contributing scouting reports for Will and Tom to use when preparing for their work with their clients.   ICYMI: Our SC feature from this morning. The word is getting around; ⁦@GormelyTM⁩ and his team are translating biomechanics to the field for QBs. Caleb Williams and Brock Purdy showed us how. Produced by ⁦@young_tz⁩ https://t.co/aaErJEc321 — Stephania Bell (@Stephania_ESPN) April 21, 2024 This is a fantastic podcast episode with a focus on Williams, Purdy, and Richardson. Apologies in advance: The audio is soft because Will's mic didn't translate as well as anticipated, but if you listen in a quiet environment with the volume maximized, you won't be straining to hear anything unless you have significant hearing loss.  https://youtu.be/kdXe_TqaOR0 Topics What makes them unique physically and mentally? What about their preparation translate to the NFL game? The Williams-Mahomes-Rodgers comparisons. Where Purdy's game is elite. Things you may not know about Richardson's preparation. What's teachable and what's not? Drills you see from coaches at all levels of football that don't make a difference. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.

NFL.com researcher and draft analyst, Chad Reuter returns to Matt Waldman's RSP Scout Talk for a conversation about evaluation and valuation. Rueter also shares his favorite and riskiest prospects from the 2024 NFL Draft.  https://youtu.be/Xh-LqSy7NFI Topics From a scouting perspective, what is the difference between evaluation and valuation? Thoughts on criticism leveled at the media analysis community about their perspective or lack of it regarding valuation and evaluation. Why is there such a public emphasis on how well one team "out-evaluates" another team? Is this a misnomer? Should we be instead judging how well a team identifies prospects to generate a surplus of talent vs. the average team? Why is there a greater emphasis on evaluation in the public eye? Where could the draft media do a better job of emphasizing valuation for the draft? Some of Chad's favorite prospects in this draft. Some of the prospects that Chad has concerns about their draft capital relative to what they have to learn. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.

A weekly phone conversation between fantasy veterans Bob Harris and Matt Waldman is a quick and dirty run-down of NFL players, units, or teams. Note: If you have trouble listening, download the podcast. https://youtu.be/UB8R6PmC6iM Topics Importance of landing spots... Best landing spots for QBs Best landing spots for RBs Best landing spots for WRs Best landing spots for TES How big an advantage for a rookie QB to play for Chicago or Minnesota? How big a disadvantage for a rookie to play in Washington or New England? Is Denver willing to trade up for QB. Who should they target? Are we feeling Courtland Sutton as a fantasy play if he remains in Denver? Justin Jefferson with Darnold vs. Justin Jefferson with a rookie? Devonta Smith as WR25 vs. Jaylen Waddle as WR20 J.K. Dobbins in Los Angeles and Royce Freeman in Dallas. Puka Nacua matching last year's production? Cooper Kupp rebound? Matthew Stafford value? Chuba Hubbard as RB39 and Miles Sanders as RB60 An NFL team acquiring Zach Wilson And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.

A weekly phone conversation between fantasy veterans Bob Harris and Matt Waldman is a quick and dirty run-down of NFL players, units, or teams. Note: If you have trouble listening, download the podcast. https://youtu.be/lc11-7zTZOg Topics Tom Brady Pollard/Spears C.J. Stroud Dynasty value Dak/Lamb contract situations Aiyuk contract situation Tee Higgins playing for Bengals Joe Burrow as a top-5 fantasy QB Tua contract situation Geno's job security Bryce Young's upside Diontae Johnson Michael Penix - Raiders? Evaluation and Valuation Is this where media analytics get the NFL Draft wrong: They believe expected value data is complete and valid and a validation check. Does the media misunderstand the purpose of the NFL Draft? And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.

This week on the Going Deep podcast, Brandon Angelo and Matt Waldman share their thoughts about the 2024 NFL Draft Class.   https://youtu.be/eVUJCE7qnoU Going Deep will feature podcasts twice a month. You can either watch/listen on YouTube, listen from the player at the bottom of the page, or download the podcast at most outlets, including Google, Spotify, and iTunes. Note: If you have difficulty playing the podcast, download it. Topics What's unique about this class or your scouting journey with this class that you've never experienced before? Favorite write-up on each of our sites/subscriptions. Our view of what a coach killer is and perhaps should we rebrand the term as “executive emergency brake that derails the train.” Who could be that unintentional weapon for execs in this class? High-end career outcomes for  Troy Franklin, Xavier Worthy, and Keon Coleman. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.

A weekly phone conversation between fantasy veterans Bob Harris and Matt Waldman is a quick and dirty run-down of NFL players, units, or teams. This week, RSP-NFL Draft Topics Note: If you have trouble listening, download the podcast. https://youtu.be/Z-hWJpRPJjo Topics Is Merrill Hoge correct that Drake Maye is a potential coach-killer? The difference between Maye's and Caleb Williams' pocket management. Breaking down the Houston passing game after the Stefon Diggs trade. Breaking down the Buffalo passing game after the Diggs trade and a rookie fit for the Bills. Josh Jacobs in Green Bay. Aaron Jones in Minnesota. Travis Etienne's current fantasy value. Trevor Lawrence's current fantasy value. Miami's ground game and fantasy value. A rookie Matt fears he might be too high on. A rookie Matt fears he might be too low on. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.

A weekly phone conversation between fantasy veterans Bob Harris and Matt Waldman is a quick and dirty run-down of NFL players, units, or teams. This week, RSP-NFL Draft Topics Note: If you have trouble listening, download the podcast. Topics Toughest eval? Safest RB? Biggest boom-bust RB? The appeal of Bo Nix. Is Brock Bowers a potential record-breaker? Does Caleb Williams' game have a child-proof label for the Bears? Ricky Pearsall or Ladd McConkey (why not both...okay, Matt picks one)? Ray Davis, underrated? Bucky Irving, underrated? Blake Watson, underrated? Michael Penix, Jr., underrated? Tip Reiman, starter ceiling? Kairee Robinson, underrated? Cade Stover: instant starter? And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.

Matt Waldman shares a few points about each of the 22 TE prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class that he scouted for the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio. Note: If you have difficulty playing the podcast, DOWNLOAD IT or listen via YouTube. (The YouTube version will be out later on Saturday) Topics A review of the top-15 rookie performances at the position and what it may mean for the position moving forward. If Sam LaPorta walked up to Mike Ditka's house last year will Brock Bowers kick down the door? What part of Cade Stover's game belies his experience at the position? Where does Theo Johnson's athletic ability have difficulty showing up on the field? Matt's fave tight end to watch this year who he can get past has earned little buzz during his career but Michael Mayer earned three years' worth. The undersized tight end with some of the best hands in this class. The tight end the NFL will value higher than fantasy GMs. The tight end archetype that the NFL overdrafts annually and the one from his class who could be the exception to the rule. Check out this podcast for a lot more. It’s just a small taste of what you get every year with the Rookie Scouting Portfolio pre-draft/post-draft guide. See below. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.

This week on the Going Deep podcast, Brandon Angelo and Matt Waldman play the "if we were NFL GMs game." Going Deep will feature podcasts twice a month. You can either watch/listen on YouTube, listen from the player at the bottom of the page, or download the podcast at most outlets, including Google, Spotify, and iTunes. Note: If you have difficulty playing the podcast, download it. Topics Who are two players on our "Do Not Draft" lists? Who are the prospects we consider high-floor options with third-day draft capital? Who are the prospects we'd plant a flag for? Who are the most skilled problem solvers in this class? And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.

A weekly phone conversation between fantasy veterans Bob Harris and Matt Waldman is a quick and dirty run-down of NFL players, units, or teams. Note: If you have trouble listening, download the podcast.   https://youtu.be/f563yQ_OtWI Topics New England: Best rookie fit Jacoby Brissett's value Washington: Best rookie QB fit Marcus Mariota getting another shot at starting? Gardner Minshew beating out Aiden O'Connell Geno Smith retaining the starting job. Russell Wilson's pole position. Daniel Jones as a starting NFL QB Dak’s contract is not being reworked. Gus Edwards: Feature back? Under or off-the-radar rookies we should know: QB, RB, WR, TE. Mike McDaniel paired with Xavier Worthy Zach Wilson: Redeemable? Hip-drop tackle and other rule changes. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.