Commanders Roster Evaluation & NFL Draft Preview

Burgundy And Gold Beat: Welcome to Birdie Gold Beat with your host Rob Keller, where the podcast is the heartbeat of the Commanders fans. We're here with Matthew Mintz. How you doing, Matt? Doing great. Doing great, Rob. We're excited about this season. Last episode, we talked about the phasions of science the Commanders had, just the future of the organization, excited about all the opportunities that are upcoming this season. we're gonna talk about the current roster position groups strapped and we have some time talk about those jerseys that were released recently. So first off Matt, what do think about the current roster? Yeah, so I think we did a pretty good job in free agency. So I have I think we should go over who we have now and and that and that'll give us a sense of where we think we are and that might help us as we go into the draft. So quarterbacks we got Jayden Daniels and they resigned Marcus Mariotta, which I was pleased at. Sam Hartman still on the roster, but he's probably, in my opinion, going to remain on the practice squad. So you're probably going to need to pick up a quarterback. You've got, ⁓ you got Jeremy Biggles coming back to back up Bill and then our two new additions, Rashad White and Jerome Ford. So that's your four running backs. And just to start, just to talk a little bit about the quarterbacks. mean, Jay Dales and Marcus Mariota, think are good positions or good players for those, the quarterback position, meaning that. I don't know if we need to sign another QB because then I think we hold two on the roster and then have an emergency QB in case ⁓ necessary. Don't forget though that Josh Johnson did play at least in did, but hopefully if we're looking at like a playoff season we're hoping that these guys became a little more durable and we have a lot of players that are coming on board that hopefully make their job easier. And having Terry McLorin from the first day of ⁓ training camp is going to make a big difference and also with these additions I think. I think given your quarterback's history of injury and the fact that your backup quarterback also got injured, I'm pretty confident they're gonna have a third quarterback on the roster. That's fair. And I'm also confident that it's not gonna be Sam Hartman. Yeah. Well, because if they felt Sam was good enough, why did they go out and get Josh Johnson? That's true. So they let him go because he's Josh Johnson. I think I see them getting ⁓ a quarterback in maybe a late round or even maybe an unrestricted. Yeah, but I definitely think they're or or I don't we haven't looked at I don't know who's the available free agents. They may they pull in one that's a little bit younger than how old was Josh just like 40. He did a good job. Someone picked him up. so so we talked quarterback we talked I think we both agree that less Jane Daniels or really, really if Jane deals at the helm, have a chance to Marcus Mariotta has works mirrors at the helm is gonna be little harder. But really, that is a big difference is a pivotal point or organization, think in the roster. I agree. And then look at the running backs just briefly going through. I think Rashad White is definitely underrated signing. He definitely has some ability to create some yards through the air and running. I don't think he might be a number one option, but he's definitely a strong, you know, one A one B. And then drone forward is definitely can pick up a few yards here and there and Bill too, and Jeremy Nichols. I think the one thing that's lacking other than maybe Rashad White is that there's no real three down back here that can really Stretch the defense or you know give defense thoughts in terms of what they're doing. I there's gonna be bill or ⁓ jereau ⁓ or mcnickel's usually the first first two downs then rishat white might be third too. Yeah, it's it's it's a solid Running backs room. Yeah, you don't but you don't have the game changer. Exactly You don't have a jane ginger and then get to the wide receivers. You have terry mccloren trailer berks Luke mccaffrey van jefferson janmy brown and jalen lean and I really like I mean, hopefully terry mccloren comes back has a full camp really enjoys like, you know, the season makes a big difference. Like I know he's capable of it was tough seeing him miss a lot of camp last year. And we'll just see what happens this year. Traylor Berkson really, really high on like I really think he has the ability to put together a really good season. We'll see what happens. And then what do think about Luke McCaffrey and Fran Jefferson and Brown Lane? Oh, I like the pickup of De'Ami Brown. Yeah, I mean, he's you have that sort of fast guy. But I think, like you said, similar to Traylen, if you look at Jalen and you look at Luke, I mean, think these all have potential to be good Ry receivers, but there's no true, in my opinion, number two ⁓ within that group. Hopefully they all do well. I think there's a lot of potential there. I mean, at least with Luke and Jalen, you're going to use them on special teams. So they're going to be on the roster. And again, I like the pickup of Diyami. This is to me one of our biggest holes is we need a true number two. for Terry and so I think I think the tight end group I think she actually is number two on our team. I mean if you look at our run back our receivers I think she would be our number two option this year so far right and you have John Bates create blocking tight end and Ben Sennett who you know I get to prove waste cable I guess in terms of on the field production we'll see what happens there but I think she is really our number two receiver based upon this roster so far. No, I agree. But I'm saying that's a problem. I think I like the pickup of shake. think he's going to replace Zach Ertz as that go to tight end that the Jaden can dump off to Bates has always been solid. Synod has not lived up to, know, his potential. But I think there's a there is there's potential there. They're also very high. Colson Yagov still on the team. They've always been very high on him. I think he didn't get a lot of playing time because Zach Ertz was playing. So I'm pretty comfortable with actually the tight ends room. I think that's looking pretty good. Then we got the offensive line. think it's one of the strongest. We really don't have to talk about the offensive line other than who's going to be center. Is Nick Allegretti your center? Are they going to go out and get a center? My guess is reading the tea leaves that they think Nick Allegretti is good enough. So we'll see what happens. never know. Maybe after the draft, they try to go out and get someone to at least compete. But other than the issue of center, I think that's probably our most solid area, the offensive line. I think there were a couple of prospects I was reading the other day that could be picked up as center position in the third round, which would be a good ⁓ option for us. Center's not very usually highly valued in drafts. So usually you can pick up a day one starter or something similar, at least manageable replacement level player in the third round or so, possibly second. So we don't have a second this year, but maybe third. Yeah, I think a defensive line away Armstrong Jason only you wise pain Kim law I mean, that's a the Newton settle Tuttle. I mean, that's a pretty strong line I feel like I feel like they really adjust a lot of their shoes I think they're still like, you know, there's some situational players in the end So you don't really have has made three down ends or players But I think like overall is a good there's a good ⁓ they short of the defensive line a decent amount I agree and I think I mean ⁓ it was your big signing. So I mean and the reason why he was signed because of the upside to him so you know he's not a he's not a sure thing but i think that but you know if he does work out the way they think that he's going to work out and then some of those those guys that are strong was totally having a great year until he injured comes back chasing it's going to be a good player too and we have three or four defense now that can put some pressure on the kb and run stop pretty well too like you know none these are really i think when i read they're not like really bad at the run stopping either they're they're they have a possibility of like at least doing average. And then we have P and Ken Law and Settle, you know, and Newton. Settle being the main possible nose tackle for the three-four positions they have there. And I think Newton really, I mean, I'm hearing a lot of good things that he might do really well this year from what I've been reading too as well. Right. And I'm actually kind of excited about... what pain is going to do this year because if you remember if you exactly if you remember where he was just spectacular was that contract year he got all that money and then you know has it's been very good it's not that he's been bad but he didn't have that dramatic year and i think they purposely did not pick up that option on him to see so you know whether he stays whether he's with the team or not in 2027 that's a different story but i think he's going to have a big year because he wants to get paid whether it's with the commanders or not he wants to get paid he showed that he can do that and if he can live up to what he was supposed to do plus the you know plus some of the guys coming back from injury and the addition of ⁓ I think we could you know not that I wouldn't necessarily take a you know take a defensive end in the draft but but I'm pretty I agree that pain has the ability to play up to I don't know if he's gonna play up to his contract that's coming pretty hard But I think he'll play better than what they would have gotten if they had cut him and replaced him with somebody because they still had about 15 million dig cat money on it. So I think he has the ability of playing to a high level and he's going to have a lot of help along the line this time. Last year I was heard that, you know, mainly they worried about killing law and pain and that was it along the line after the injuries and stuff. So now he has to team around him too and he makes a big difference. And then we get to linebackers. have Louvoo, Chanel, McGee, Madrano and Belor. ⁓ I think that like It's not a deep linebacking core, but Louv and Chanel are going to be, think, you know, Louv is going go back to, think, his original two year ago position of not just, you know, being a corner rusher or like an end rusher. He's going to rush from different spots. think Chanel has really a lot of aggressiveness, lot of ability to get to the quarterback, make some run stops, et cetera. McGee, we're going to see what happens. I two years, was it two years under Bob Wagner now? So he's been like really, ⁓ working well there. we'll see what he becomes him. And then you have Kim and John who was last year, I think it was and he was like a three past linebacker. So I'm pretty happy there with maybe making an addition there too. overall, you know, much better linebacking core than a few years ago. you think they bring back Bobby Wagner on a sweet, you know, on a deal just as a backup or for leadership or no? I think at this point, they probably will not I'm guessing because I think they're gonna they would probably draft somebody and try to take over. They're probably give I think the the star whatever, know, the person makes the calls I don't know what they're gonna do who might be the person but might take away from like some of his instincts the line I don't see it I think by where we really have to have like a certain level of play Maybe by Wagner sign for like, you know first down second down just for run stops But I think the level of contract will get somewhere else will be more value. Oh, you think another you think another team will pick him up? That's possible. You know, there's like more and then you have the quarterbacks Mike Sanders still Tramos and McRobertson, a Kellett witherspoon and Darius Rush. So I'm not so this to me, this is in addition to needing another weapon, another receiver for Terry. This I think is our biggest need. ⁓ You know, I like Sanders still and Amos, but you know, they haven't lived up to their potential. You know, Latimore was a disaster. So they, you know, they spend some money and pick up a Meek Robertson and they also signed witherspoon. You know, that certainly fills the hole, but I'm not that comfortable. I don't think you have. I don't think any one of those is necessary. Now is necessarily a shutdown corner. I mean, maybe Robinson, you know, you I think of all those, right? I think Amos has the best chance of like really stepping up this year. think Mike Sanders still is to is this Mike Sanders still want to be Robinson and more slot cornerbacks that can play outside, but there's not it's going to be hard for trading wants to match up against number ones. They're like six foot two exactly can run the four four. You know, this could be tough when you face off against those really good teams So do do I think there might be I really like the whip ripple in singing the signing by affiliate I thought we could have had them on the team. There's other factors there but ⁓ You know the quarterback room seems to be it seems to be decent right above average maybe Above average but not like you know to me that that that's much that's my that's where we that's my area I think of biggest concern is the cornerbacks Again, I think credit to to Adam Peters, they realized that Adam Moore was a disaster. They went out and got someone. think Robertson signing was a good signing, but he's not a shut down quarter necessarily. He could be. He could be. All these players here could be, right? be. You get another year of growth, you get another year of coaching, you get another year of off-camp the whole season. You have a new system that might play a little more, know, disguised coverages and a little more. I think it's going to be an interesting option from their defense, the new defense, and even the new offense. mean, simply not talking about the coordinator ⁓ options, I think they have really good options with the pressure that they might create in the front seven or eight. You know, I think they have a chance to help the cornerbacks out, help the safeties out. think there is a way to make that work. And going to the safeties, we have Nick Cross, which I thought was excellent signing, very athletic, good run stopping safety from my understanding. Will Harris, Martin, Jeremy Rees, Percy Butler. mean, Jeremy Rees, the ultimate professional, in my understanding, with the commanders. Will Harris and Juan Martin, you know, are they going to take another step and, you know, really try to... Will Harris is pretty much there, where he's going to be playing. I think Juan Martin has some opportunity to grow. I think, everybody does. But, you know, what happens there, we'll see. I think also we have, you know, that could be filled out with another position player, too, I think. I think our secondary is... It's like just above average, feel like. There's no one there that's gonna shut down. It's gonna be hard to shut down tight ends and receivers for our team right now. I think compared to the good ones, when you go face off against a good team with these solid players, it's gonna be a difference. So overall, think Peter's did a really good job picking out, there wasn't one blockbuster, huge, huge deal. But he had a lot of work to do. mean, basically, in addition to getting some additional support on offense, he revamped the entire defense. And so that's not easy to do in sort of one year of free agency. you know, overall, I think I'm feeling pretty good about the team. think, you know, overall, the offense was obviously very good in 2024. And even last year, you know, without Terry, he was injured most of the time. Without Shane, he was injured most of the time. you know with a backup quarterback and not a lot more they actually did okay they were not a horrible offense so you know I did the the disaster has been the defense and so I think Peters did a good job and has rebuilt that you know you're not spending you know a hundred million dollars on OA for nothing and hopefully so I so but I so I'm feeling generally okay my biggest area of concerns like I said I think we need we need a quarterback desk another quarterback desperately and we need another weapon for for Jayden, whether that's, you know, a magical running back or whether that's another ride receiver. But we need to get another weapon for him. So that's sort of how I'm feeling after and right before the draft as I as we go into draft. That's what I'm thinking. And we're both season ticket holders. And I got my tickets two years ago when I got tickets to I really was thinking, you know, this would maybe maybe be the year we'd actually be able to compete. The first year was a magical season for sure. Last year we got a lot of injuries and things like that in depth. But looking at some of these players that have been picked up in the draft in the past two years really, mean, you look at Jayden Daniels, Bill Cross, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylen Lane, going down the list. mean, we have Josh Connelly Jr., big out there. I mean, you have Newton. You know, have some really good players that people, mean, trade most, Sandra Stowe. I mean, those are, we finally have a team that I think, you know, has some positional talent in it and gives some depth. And I think we still have a decent amount of- Cap room available to sign people after the draft. think they're gonna have some unfriestored freedoms there and have some opportunity I think overall any team has gaps I think that I also think that ⁓ while teams have gaps the commanders have a decent You know structure kind of outline of what they want to do So that's a really good segue into until talking about the draft and sort of how you know again I don't I don't know Adam Peters. I don't know how he's thinking I can tell you sort of my thought process so think you're right. think, know, when we bought, when you bought the tickets and sort of when I bought the tickets last year, we're thinking this is Jaden Daniels third year, this could be the year. And so I think, you know, with the changes that we just discussed, that puts the team into position to be at least a sort of nine and eight team at worst, based on, you know, what we think the offense is going to do plus, you know, we won five games last year. So, you know, with this revamped defense, can we get four more games plus an easier schedule? Yeah, I think We're definitely in the Knicks for sure. So my thinking is that the thing that we're missing is we do not have enough, you know, blue chip star, you know, top of the league players. That's what you need to win Super Bowls. So we have that with Jayden. We got the quarterback and that's the most important thing. But you have to think who else on this roster, you know, a lot of decent people, a lot of good people, a lot of people with potential. Who are the real superstars? Because you need a bunch of them. I would say, you know, Tuncil certainly. is someone that you have to play around. I think he might be. But every team has a good line. So I'm saying who are your marquee star players? So I say maybe Chig and maybe hopefully O-A becomes that person. I think you need one or two more. players that teams have to plan around and again, I agree that Terry's one of our star players I think you could take another step. think I think she's not taking a step. Well, we'll be taking a step. So, you I think we have we have outside with the lot of these players. Yeah, agree. But I want I want someone. So, as I approach as as as as Matt Mintz, the general manager approaches the draft. Yeah, I don't want potential. So, for example, I ⁓ want someone that's going to be the offensive or defensive rookie of the year. That's what I want with that pick because we need, in my opinion, we need two more blue chip players. One of them is going to have to come from the draft at least. For example, Arvel Reese, people are saying he might be the best player in the draft. The reason why is because he's an ⁓ athletic freak and his ceiling is so hot. But he's not necessarily going to come in day one and start right away. Not that I'm saying that we need an edge, but my thinking is, yes, want that. Fortunately, they've done this so that you can pick best player available. So that's true. But the thing is, what would be the best player available for our team? And in my opinion, I want someone who's going to be dynamic, who's going to be that player that gets us over that edge so that we're really competing in the playoffs, as opposed to just sort of luckily sliding in there. So that's my thinking about who I want at pick seven. I'm looking at these picks too, and most of the mock drafts that I see, love sometimes falls to us. And that, in that case, I think that's the pick most definitely. I think he would increase the benefit to offensive, excuse me, the offensive room, not just by the running back room, but also by being a dynamic three down player to keep the defensive guessing. And he's actually a really good receiver. So I've heard he runs routes just like a receiver. the least above average receiver. So we had him, I think that's definite, right? But he might go to Titans, he might go to Giants. ⁓ You know, then you have Mendoza, obviously, I think is going go to the Raiders. You have R over Arise going to maybe the Jets, you know, then you have like what possible people might fall to us. And so then that becomes, you know, maybe Stiles, Bailey, Downs, Tyson, Tate. And then that being, so these are positions that I think are going to benefit us very well. So I think if we can't trade down and get like maybe I think the sweet spots maybe like the 12th pick you know somewhere out there because you could still get Kenyon Sadik or Mancer Delane the quarterback from LSU or the tight end from Morgan but I'm actually just thinking more and more about this I think we could get like maybe a Caleb Downs or Sonny Stiles I'm actually liking Sonny Stiles more than I read about him Caleb Downs he's not as fast in the safety but everything I've read says he's probably one of smartest safeties that have come through in 20 years. then I don't think we should pick up a wide receiver because I think it takes too long for a receiver to develop in the NFL to become a blue chip talent. I think it takes two to three years for most receivers. These receivers are good, but they're not physically as imposing or the more, just takes more of a route runner and Tyson. I'm not completely familiar with Tyson, but I think he had an injury too as well. And so basically what I would You know, what I'm considering, what would be, make a lot of sense is that, you know, try and get like, you know, I'm really a fan of Mancer Delain, the, quarterback and Canyon Siddique. If somehow we even like, try to trade back a little bit and then even trade our future picks next year for this year's like 10th pick or something and get like a Delain Siddique together. That would address like two big issues. We have two good tight ends. We can have done some two tight end sets. You'd have a good quarterback that would get slotted to the quarterback position. It would give up our future, right? A little bit. We'd have to go probably a first, second round next year for a first this year. Um, but I think it would be at least that, right? Maybe first, second, fourth, you know? Um, but it would give us two building blocks, I think that are some of the best players in this draft. It seems like the top 15 players in this draft are a lot different than the... next 15 or 20. No question. There's a cliff somewhere around there. It's funny, you and I did not talk about this before this podcast, but we're it's funny. We're pretty much on the same page. I this is what I meant. Absolutely. Jeremiah Love would be a game changer. That's what I'm looking for. And and that sort of it doesn't necessarily solve your ride receiver problem because he's a receiver. He's another he's that blue chip threat that would be I mean, it would just take the team to another level. I do not think he's going to be there at seven. But that would be my dream pick would be to get Jeremiah love. Similarly, I also agree with you about the wide receivers. My opinion is based on all the stuff that I'm reading online and stuff like that. I'm not a talent evaluator. So if they think that Cardinal Tate is going to... you know, give Terry a go of who's the number one wide receiver. If they think that he can go from day one and be that person, then take him. I don't, everything that I've read, and I don't watch a ton of college, so, you know, I don't really know. But unless you know that for sure, I don't want to get a wide receiver unless you know that he's going to be that level. So, you I think you're right. think now what will be interesting both of you know, downs and styles. think those are the two that if they fall to seven, you might think about getting them. And again, I've read pros and cons on both of those guys, but those people, both of those players, they're a defensive position. You know, they have a lot of upside and they hopefully each one of them theoretically could start day one and be that game changing like player. So those would be the two that if they, if they fall at seven, you sort of have to take them. I would also put David Bailey there as well, but I don't think he's going to make it down. Would you trade up for love? I wouldn't trade up for anything. We don't have enough draft cap. What are you going to trade with? You trade next year's player, like in the second round next year. I'll tell you why. tell you, I don't, again, I haven't heard that you trade up for a quarterback. You trade up for a generational player. Jeremiah Love I would definitely take, but I'm not sure. I don't know that he's that good that you trade up for him. I mean, it's rare to take a running back in the- That early, Let alone trade up for the running back. I don't see them trade. In fact, I'm pretty sure Adam Peters pretty much said that they wouldn't be trading up. They did say they'd be open to trading down. And so that's where we're both on the same page because I also like the cornerback, Mansoor. And he could go, we were looking at Kuyper's list here. know, Kuiper has him as the 14th best player. if we could, we could be, Kansas City or someone like that is willing to trade up to get someone, you know, that happens to be there. think I'm more of a fan of Washington State where they're at. And like, if you have to skip a few players, pick a man, start a lane and look at the draft picks. Like at 11, you have Miami, who is not competing in the next year for sure. Right. So they might be willing to trade away. their first round pick for future assets, meaning next year's first and second round or fifth year's first, second and fourth. And that would mean that we could possibly pick Mancer, Delaney, Kenyon, Sadiq in one draft building around the defense, the offense for ⁓ Daniels on his rookie contract. I think that would be amazing. How do you see getting both of those players? How do we have it? I think that I don't think that Mancer Delain is going to be picked before seven. I think Sonny Stiles and Caleb Downs will likely be. I think the first six picks of Milk Ripper's Big Board, Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiah Love, Arbel Reese, Sonny Stiles, David Bailey, and Caleb Downs, I think those are going to be picked in the first top six. So then you go next. Yes, we'll offer the tackles. We don't need one. Do we want to pick a receiver? Maybe. And then you have basically Mancer Delain and Cain Siddique, which helps. issues one we have a quarterback a quarterback room that could maybe use a quarterback like mancer delaying that could play cover ⁓ your man-to-man and take out a number one of the equation least a lot of time and then you have Kenia Siddique which I'm pretty I really believe he's gonna be a great ⁓ tight end if you can stretch the defense whether it be a chig and a siddique running you know ⁓ you know corner routes and then or post routes etc then you have a stretch in the defense then you have people go underneath and make There's a lot of stuff I think you can do there. I thought you said try to get both of them. Yeah, both of them. How will you get both of them? So basically if you get the seventh pick, right, and you go with like either a Mancer, Delaine or Kance, the Deke, and then you trade up, you trade again for Miami's 11th pick with your future assets like next year's think Miami is willing to trade, right? Miami's like 50 million a day capital share at least. So you're saying you want to trade future picks for another first round pick. Exactly. So get to, so we were on the breaking contract, right? We're to need those contracts to be in place for when Daniels gets paid what $60 million a year for quarterback position. So why not ⁓ use this, use your resources available. And if you don't think there's going to be, you know, that if we, if we built a roster, which is like, I like, I think we both agree it's a pretty solid, like outline of roster, but if you do need those blue chip players and you don't have them and you can't sign them on the, on the unrestricted for you to market. why not trade up and get one of the top two, the two top 15, the 14th remote cover, Mancer Delaney and 15th King of Siddiq should be available at seven and 11. So that'd be interesting to take if they did something like that. But that would be, that would give them an offensive weapon that can run a four, four, four, you can play at the outside of the slot. And then you have also Mancer Delaney, which would be a cover, the cover corner. that's two places that will hopefully grow over So you're trading your second round pick plus future picks. It would probably likely be. So I was researching this just a little bit. We pick at seven and let's say we go to Miami, right, for the Miami pick. We would have to trade to get to the top 10, likely a first, second rounder next year, plus like probably a fourth rounder next year, or like a fifth rounder this year. Something like that would be equivalent of it. Now I agree, like, you know, we have like the second round picks we've had, like Sanchez still, you know, are good picks, but I think like the upside of having two I think we have our outline, right? It seems like around we have enough depth that we can make some moves to really get these blue chip players and how can you use blue chip players? You get to draft or sign them, So I'll push back. this is one area I think we disagree. I don't know enough about Kenyon Siddiq. So again, if they think that he is... He's like a pounds, 250 pounds. He runs like a 440. He can stretch the defense. can block... Above average so if they think that he's gonna be a blue chip player and fit in really well Yeah, then you know that maybe it would be worth doing that again right now a two-day two tight end play action set with jay daniels would be pretty scary with ⁓ Terry mcclore on the the outside. They just got chig and paid chig. Yeah, but so i'm just not that sets are amazing I understand totally underrated I do not be angle lines too deep on the outside as a thing ⁓ So can Shig. I do not see them doing that mainly because they just got Shig. And again, I know they like this Colson Yankov a lot. So I think they're pretty happy with their tight ends room. again, I'm not saying that. It's just another offensive option, right? Where we can draft. So both agree that we want I think love would be awesome. We see what fun is to say love. But the Tyson, Tate and Lemon, like they don't seem to be like You know, to me, blue chip top 10. See what I thought, I was, what I'm going for is so, so I also like, I like the Delain. I like, I like Delain a lot. The question is what I was thinking of is, the, Delain be there later on at 11, 12, 13, 14, and could you trade back and get Delain plus another pick? That's what I'd like to see. I think it'd good, but at a certain point, I think like you had, like we both said, I think we both agree that We have to do these blue chip, you know, start players. I was talking to people. I talked to a fan last year and we're passing by and he was definitely a player. was like, yeah, he can be a commander's fan wearing like commanders, Garely a hat or something. He's like, yeah, we talk for seconds like, yeah, they need more. Just start players. So know, culture players. I think Mancer DeLane could be that player because he could. I think also can speak would possibly be that for the offense too as well. I strongly believe that because then it goes after that. Then we really don't have as many. There's only a few players in this, this draft that would be good. And with the Miami pick, that's like the most tradeable one. We're probably not going to trade with giants. We're probably not going to trade with Dallas. Where maybe I think LA makes their pick because they trade with the first lot, but I think they make their pick this year because their rosters get a little bit pricey. Then you have Cleveland, right? Maybe, but they're going to, think they're picking it for the future as well. So you don't have anybody who's really going to trade ahead of you likely without a big cost. And then you have the Saints. Chiefs, Giants, and then I think the next pick comes up is that 11th pick by Miami. And then after that, like you're looking at past the time that you might want to get some of these prospects. So it's just an idea, right? Like I don't think there's any right or wrong. see how Peters handles it. I think there's a definite availability of if they got two of those players or those two players and somehow managed it, which I think could happen in reasonable way. I think the roster, I mean, if you added... If you added Sadik to that, those receivers like that would be Chig and Sadik and Terry McClory. Those are three solid options. And then you have, when you're a quarterback, you, if you, uh, you'd have four, you have three solid cornerbacks plus Mancer Delaney, who could shut down a, a, a receiver, you're already off for better start. And I think like every year that you wait for Jane Daniels rookie contract to come up. is one year wasted almost you know like you have to take swings as much as can earlier on i feel like and then try your best i mean that's what it is i don't disagree with you other than i don't not sure it's worth the future picks but we'll see um but no but i do think if they could get in other words if the way i'm thinking is that you know you think they should trade back i mean the washington picked like the miami 11 like the miami second rounders in other words here's the thing I like I said, I think love would be a magical pick. I think there's no way that he falls past five. So, so then the other two sort of playmakers that I think that are there that you might grab at seven would be downs or styles. So, ⁓ so this here's where I so if they're not available at seven and you said and but you think Delane will be available later. If you can grab Delane at a later pick. and pick up another pick. I agree. if I had to sort of... So you think trade back is like a low end or a leader and you want to find a trade partner that could get you answer to lane while still picking up a third round or a fourth round. So my dream outcome is that somehow love falls to seven and we get low. It's not going to happen, but that's my dream outcome. My most ideal scenario based on how I think things are going to shake out... is that they're able to trade down, trade back, get another pick and still get Mancer Delaney. That's true. And then what I think will probably happen is just because drafts are weird, I do think that downs or styles does make it to seven and they grab them. See the one Or they're not able to. Or they're not able to make a trade back and they take answers a late at seven. I think I look at the roster the death roster and I'm thinking like what second round pick would be so much better than taking any of these position players that are available because we did build the roster pretty well. that's why I'm the big fan. I hear what you're saying. I'm a big fan of out and trading in future because I think that would make a significant difference on the offensive defensive side. But hey you know what this is fun we're talking. Yeah. We're figuring out what might be and just kind of excited about the draft. So we're definitely looking forward to it. I'll be at the draft a party on Thursday. I'm really excited about our first first round see how it goes And Matt, what do you think? Let's just close this one more thing about the draft. I think that by day three We've traded a seventh round pick for Brandon. I you you think so? I think so I think that while we don't want we don't have a lot of picks I I think they want to just you know, and then we might be able to get them for nothing I think that they just want to close the deal and you know the the 49ers are looking for anything. I don't think we're trading anything for him. You don't think so? I think he's just like at the point like what team would trade for him at this point right? You're taking a chance as well and like you have to make sure like he's proved what he would do to be unhappy in the team and he was it was not a good look. Well so if he seems like commanders I have to look at like you know making sure the leadership put them through his paces to make sure he's a comfortable part of the team as well. So I'm so I'm basing that on the fact that Adam Pierce was the one who drafted them. Yeah. And then Jaden Daniels knows him. So I'm saying if if they go the IU direction, it's based on their very they know the whole story and they're comfortable. So I'm making that assumption that they may not. I'm making that assumption that they've done all that stuff. And if they really think that he's going to be that that that second wide receiver. you know which I think if they think he can do it and he's helping. what if it was this? if it was like the regular backfield, Jay Daniels, Terry McClure, Brandon Ayuk, Chick and Kenny Siddique. Oh, I think I think what you're gonna basically I think there's no Brandon Ayuk is they're not they're gonna they're gonna let them go. They're gonna let them go. I think they may give up. I understand what you're saying. A very late round pick. just to sort of close the loop because they're going to throw this out there. so and it's some team may take a bite and they. I just don't see what the contract is being paid. It has to be released. He's getting paid like, you know, with the trade if they traded to be a tough situation. But you know, it is possible. agree with what you're to say. They have to reach out. I would not be shocked on day three if you hear that we gave up a seventh round pick for that. And I'd be fine with that. It's possible we have to restructure the terms of contract probably. based on like, know, productivity. Oh, no question. he would come here on a very good proven contract. There's no question. mean, again, he would come in here on a proven contract. They've done their due diligence. I mean, there's a lot of yes. Yeah. But I, you know, I do see that. That's a point. That's a point. I think that, you know, Brando is definitely a wild card. And how because he was a really good player a couple years back, like a really good player. could be like the number one, like one B, you know, to The term for as well he's a good give me a good fit for the team and then you know those new deals he's throwing with him so you know you have a little comfort there and then if we're able to get one of those defensive players styles downs or especially months or and we get Brandon I you know I feel like that's filled my two biggest concerns and we've got and then we've got a well rounded team plus you're gonna. probably bring in some other people. We have a lot of lot of still have a lot of cap space left. So, you know, I think they're going to choose wisely and then going into camp. I think that's really strong. So that's what I'm hoping to see. It's good point. And so lastly, before we close today, we're to talk a little about the jerseys. How do you feel about them? I think they did it right for the most part. I think, you know, when we saw those Super Bowl era jerseys, think it was three times that they brought them out. I know one was in the Dallas game. They look great. I mean, and they look great now. So I think that was the right thing to do. The what do they call the black uniform? The the they have a nickname for it. I'm blanking on the nickname, but the black one is not altered. No, the alternate uniform, the black alternate. If they have a name for it, I'm blanking off the name is. But I think that looks really good. I love the spear through the double. I the spirit doesn't. I think gives up. I think it's not. So there's some Native American groups that gave a little bit of. ⁓ talk about it but i'm looking at the spirit i think it's more like just the warrior ethos rather opposed to going back to like even native americans if you at the spirit itself it looks more like something that would be forged or something like it's just this is not the they did try to avoid i think the conversation while still giving the you know i think it's tough to any one group to kind of have that warrior ethos that you had built into you everybody kind of every kind of group has that in a way if that makes sense I think that they did do a good job with like the spear there. It looked really nice. Yeah. On the black helmets. I think they should do it for all of them. That's my only criticism. I everybody I've talked to, every single person I've talked to, so they should have the spear in every thing, every helmet. But I do like the black jerseys, especially nicely, especially the really solid look. And I think that, I think my guess is, is that not putting the spear on the regular helmet was a purposeful decision in that they wanted to float it out there. see what the response they got. And so what will happen is, that the helmets for the following year will be the helmets with the spear and they can then say, the fans told us they like this, so this is what we're going with. So I think it was purposeful to introduce that new logo ⁓ slowly because that's what's going to happen. I believe that'll be the new helmet and that helmet on those white, know, on the Super Bowl uniforms. I think the other thing that's also interesting is they left the word commanders off the jersey. That was very interesting. that's, you know, the ownership group acknowledging that a lot of people still have a problem with the name. It's a tricky position. I don't envy them. You're never going to make everyone happy. But I think they're doing a really good job. I think they did about as good as you possibly could do it. It'll be interesting to see what's in store. I predict maybe not this year, but maybe future years. I think if there's a if they have like throwbacks. If there's a game where there's throwback jerseys, throwback uniforms, I think you're going to see the old logo on the helmet for a throwback. I think they're going to do that. And I think that would give a lot of buy-in to ⁓ people who, like myself, have rooted for this team for so long. Understand the name is never going to go back, but if I could see a game where they have that old logo, that would be pretty cool. I think it's out of respect too, right? Because when you think about the old logos, was more negative. I never looked at it in any negative way. manner, right? Does that make sense? So I always feel like a place of like, you know, warriors or like the heart of like, you know, the fight for old DC, right? You know, it's kind of like, so that's kind of the thought that I always had about that. I think that this team and ownership has gone in the direction that pointed in the better direction for sure. So I think that that will also help the conversation as well. ⁓ so I'm excited. I'm excited about this year. Excited about the draft. Excited about talking with you after the draft and seeing how, ⁓ what the outcome is. And, ⁓ just really excited about this year. Yeah. Should be fun. Should be, it should be really good. Well, thank you, Matt. ⁓ this is another episode of Burgen and Gold Beat. The heartbeat of Commander's fans, ⁓ tune in in a few days after the draft, we'll have a, ⁓ draft recap. ⁓ always happy to, ⁓ talk with the fans too as well, possibly at the draft day. Hopefully everyone is enjoying the season.