1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,480 Speaker 1: With the twenty fourth pick and the twenty twenty four 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Terry and Arnold defensive 3 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:12,240 Speaker 1: back Alabama. 4 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 2: And Welcome to the Twin l Huddle podcast presented by Microsoft. 5 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,160 Speaker 2: It is Draft week and I'm so happy to welcome 6 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:21,680 Speaker 2: in Brian Hudspith, the director of college scouting for the 7 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 2: Detroit Lions. And Brian, before we start to look forward, 8 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 2: because that's what your job is, right You're constantly looking 9 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 2: at the next class, the next prospect, everything else. But 10 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 2: have you given you yourself and have you guys down 11 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 2: there given yourself any time to just step back and 12 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:39,559 Speaker 2: kind of pat yourself on the back a little bit 13 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 2: for the last four years. I mean, you look at 14 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 2: some of this class. I mean, you guys have drafted 15 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 2: six Pro Bowlers in an All Pro in the last 16 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:50,840 Speaker 2: four season. It's now become the core of your football team. 17 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:53,279 Speaker 2: I know you're always looking forward, but have. 18 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 3: You had a chance to just look back at all 19 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 3: and recognize what you guys have accomplished over the last 20 00:00:59,360 --> 00:00:59,880 Speaker 3: four years. 21 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 4: Let's appreciate that compliment. It's it's nice to always, you know, 22 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 4: look back at the class and look back at the 23 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 4: players that have been selected and how much they've been 24 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 4: able to contribute for our team, especially immediately. Uh. So 25 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 4: you know, we get a lot of compliments and so 26 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 4: it's it's always nice to hear, uh, but you know, 27 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:17,400 Speaker 4: it's got to got to find the next guy now. 28 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 4: You know, we got to just keep adding to the 29 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 4: pieces that we have and continue just to add talent 30 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 4: and stack good drafts on top of good drafts. And uh, 31 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:26,840 Speaker 4: I think that we're well on our way again this 32 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 4: year to do in that. 33 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,959 Speaker 2: You know, what is this week like for you? You know, 34 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,040 Speaker 2: you're you're a week out from the actual draft day. 35 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 2: Is it is the board pretty much set? 36 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 3: Is their excitement? 37 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:40,119 Speaker 2: Is there a little bit of anxiety? Do you feel 38 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 2: like your your eyes are dotted, your teaser cross? There's 39 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:45,559 Speaker 2: not much to do here? I guess what's this final 40 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 2: week of preparation like? 41 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 4: Well, you know, it's a little bit of both. It's 42 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:51,320 Speaker 4: a little bit of excitement and a little bit of anxiety. 43 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 4: You know, you're always trying to tie up the loose 44 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 4: ends right now and and you know quote unquote that 45 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:57,840 Speaker 4: hey is never really in the barn. Uh. You know, 46 00:01:57,920 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 4: you feel like there's always one more thing you can do. 47 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 4: But you know, we're close, We're close to the end 48 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 4: and close to the end of this cycle, and we 49 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 4: feel good about where we are. We feel good about 50 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,920 Speaker 4: where we are with the board. So we'll just continue 51 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:11,799 Speaker 4: to make sure that all the eyes are dotted and 52 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 4: the t'ser crossed and you know, look forward to next week. 53 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 2: You know, some teams have different strategies with the thirty visits. 54 00:02:17,639 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 2: I know, you know the rams out there, they don't 55 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 2: do them. You know, some of their teams maybe don't 56 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,679 Speaker 2: use all thirty. I'm just curious how valuable in your 57 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 2: opinion are those visits. You guys obviously talk to these 58 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:30,360 Speaker 2: guys throughout the entire year, your scouts and your department 59 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:32,800 Speaker 2: do they have a pretty good profile of them. You 60 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 2: talk to them again at the combine, have that little 61 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 2: fifty minute window. But how important to you guys at 62 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 2: least are those thirty pre draft visits. Getting to spend 63 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:42,720 Speaker 2: really quality time with those guys in your building, in 64 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 2: your environment, and how you guys. 65 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:48,080 Speaker 4: Prepare well, you just answered the questions. It's invaluable time 66 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:50,400 Speaker 4: to You can meet with them at your own pace. 67 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 4: You can meet with them, you know, in your own environment. 68 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 4: You can drill down on something, maybe something they said, 69 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 4: or maybe a question or two that maybe arose from 70 00:02:57,880 --> 00:02:59,640 Speaker 4: some other part of the process, whether it's a senior 71 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 4: bollete or the combine interview or whatever, and you get 72 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 4: them in your building and you kind of just put 73 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:06,399 Speaker 4: them through the car wash again and let them meet 74 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 4: with every person and every support staff member and coach, 75 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:12,080 Speaker 4: you know, scouts, everything and kind of go through the 76 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 4: process again. And so it just gives you a comfortability 77 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 4: with the player and allows you to really, you know, 78 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 4: kind of just get to know each other and just 79 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 4: envision them in your culture as well as them envision 80 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 4: being in this building. 81 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 3: And it's really the whole spectrum of the draft. 82 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,640 Speaker 2: I mean, you guys have had top guys that are 83 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 2: expected to be first round guys, middle round guys, and 84 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:33,920 Speaker 2: even how important to are is getting kind of on 85 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 2: the ground floor some of those guys that might be 86 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 2: undrafted free agents and knowing their story, knowing what they're 87 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:43,200 Speaker 2: like before you get on that phone afterward and having 88 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 2: that relationship can sometimes be in the difference, can it 89 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 2: in a guy signing here? 90 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 3: And we've seen in past years some of those guys 91 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:51,800 Speaker 3: have made impacts on this team. 92 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,640 Speaker 4: Yeah. So my background, going all the way back into 93 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 4: my history is I started in college recruiting, so I've 94 00:03:57,240 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 4: been on that side of it where the players got 95 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 4: to pick. You see, it's much better for us in 96 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 4: the you know, seven rounds of the draft to pick 97 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 4: the players. But you do get into that situation after 98 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 4: the draft, there's still maybe a couple of guys out 99 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 4: there that you really really want and you know, fit 100 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 4: our culture and fit what we do, so you're always 101 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 4: trying to target those guys as well. You try to 102 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,120 Speaker 4: use those visits strategically, you know, for like you said, 103 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 4: for maybe guys that are going in the first round. 104 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 4: Maybe it's guys that you envision more as like priority 105 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:22,920 Speaker 4: free agent guys. But we do try to use those 106 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:26,120 Speaker 4: visits appropriately. But it's good to have to see those 107 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 4: to see those guys in the same light as the 108 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 4: first round guys. You don't get them in the building, 109 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 4: they go through the process, they envision being here. You 110 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,800 Speaker 4: envision them being in this building, and you hope that 111 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:37,880 Speaker 4: you've built a strong enough relationship that you can use 112 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:38,719 Speaker 4: that recruiting piece. 113 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 2: At the end, you've been in the NFL for twenty 114 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 2: four years, you've been with the Lions seventies. You spent 115 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 2: time in Atlanta, Houston, Tampa Bay before Detroit. I'm just curious, 116 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 2: what's it like working with Jim brad Holmes Because I 117 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 2: ask people this who have been in other places too, 118 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 2: and a smile comes to their face, just like a 119 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 2: smile just came to yours. That You've been in a 120 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 2: lot of different spots, You've seen a lot of different processes. 121 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 3: Maybe how how is Brad's a little bit different? What's 122 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 3: it like working with Brad? To me from the outside, 123 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 3: he seems like a guy that just kind of maybe. 124 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 2: Gives everybody an opinion and a voice, and that might 125 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 2: be a little bit different. 126 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 4: That you hit the helm on the head being in 127 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 4: those places I've been. I've been through a lot of 128 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 4: general managers, unfortunately, you know I've been through when I 129 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 4: think Brad, maybe it was my ninth GM and the 130 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 4: twenty four years and all those stops. But you know, 131 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 4: the process with Brad and how he manages us is 132 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 4: everybody has a little piece of ownership of the of 133 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 4: the entire process, and he allows you to you know, 134 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:37,359 Speaker 4: you can be creative, you can do it how you 135 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 4: want to do it. His Lens obviously is college scouting. 136 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 4: He sat in my chair before as a college scouting director. 137 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:44,839 Speaker 4: But he allows me to do my job and allows 138 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:46,919 Speaker 4: me to have ownership and how I want to manage 139 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 4: the guys and how some of the processes, And even 140 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 4: though it's his system, he still gives me some creativity 141 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 4: and some autonomy to do that. But I would say 142 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 4: probably the biggest difference in how we do it here 143 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 4: versus some other places I've been is the thoroughness of 144 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 4: the whole thing, Like the way we break it down 145 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 4: and kind of deconstruct it into small, little individual pieces. 146 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 4: And like you said, different voices in different areas of 147 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 4: the organization have their piece of it, whether it's the 148 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 4: coaches or the scouts, or the docs or you know, 149 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:17,359 Speaker 4: our player development people. You know, everybody has their individual 150 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 4: piece of it, and you have ownership in that, and 151 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 4: so your voice comes through and how thorough you are 152 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 4: with your piece of the puzzle. 153 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:27,920 Speaker 2: It's probably not surprising to you then that it's led 154 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 2: to six Pro Bowl players and an All Pro When 155 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,159 Speaker 2: you when you go down and let everybody have a 156 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:34,839 Speaker 2: piece of it and you really break it down the 157 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 2: way you guys do, is it a unique process from 158 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:38,600 Speaker 2: where you've been around the league. 159 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 4: Only unique in the sense that because it is so deconstructed. 160 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,159 Speaker 4: You know, other places I've been we were thorough, but 161 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:49,160 Speaker 4: we were thorough with everybody being involved to the very end. 162 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 4: I'm not, you know, we don't necessarily have everybody involved 163 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,480 Speaker 4: in every single aspect of it to the very end. 164 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 4: But the pieces that people are responsible for, they have 165 00:06:57,760 --> 00:06:59,280 Speaker 4: ownership of those, and those things. 166 00:06:59,320 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 3: They do them. 167 00:06:59,760 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 4: Well. 168 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 2: You've been an area Scout, You've been a National Scout, 169 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,679 Speaker 2: You've been an assistant director of College Scouting. 170 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:09,160 Speaker 3: What do you like most about this current, you know, 171 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 3: director of Scout College Scouting role. 172 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,200 Speaker 4: It's interesting, you know, I probably went twenty two years 173 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 4: of my career just managing myself, you know, managing my workflow, 174 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 4: managing my process, managing just my workload. And immediately when 175 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 4: I get the job from assistant director director now managing 176 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 4: twelve people across four different time zones from Seattle, Washington 177 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 4: to Jacksonville, Florida. So that's a challenge in it itself. 178 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 4: But I do enjoy that piece of it because I 179 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 4: am a people person and I enjoy I enjoy being 180 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 4: around people, and so just having influence on others and 181 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 4: making sure that our process is especially for my part 182 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 4: of the you know, the process in college scouting, just 183 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 4: making sure all those are tight and everybody's moving in 184 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 4: the same direction at the same time, in the same pace, 185 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 4: and so that that part's been really cool about it. 186 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 2: It seems like you're having a fun time in this 187 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 2: role and in this building and under this leadership. 188 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 3: Is like it fits you perfect. 189 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 4: Right, it does. 190 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 3: Just how much are you still on the road? 191 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 4: Do you? 192 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 2: I guess, what what is your role when you get 193 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 2: to that director role? Now you're you're dealing with the 194 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:12,600 Speaker 2: scouts and managing this us. Do you still like to 195 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 2: get on the. 196 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 3: Road a little bit? Do you still try to? 197 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:17,680 Speaker 2: Can you does that scout and you still want to 198 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 2: see some of these guys live? I guess take me 199 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 2: through what's a typical week for you during the sea 200 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:25,880 Speaker 2: during the NFL season and then maybe as soon as 201 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 2: it gets to the off season. 202 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 3: Kind of where do you transition? 203 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 4: Well? During the season, obviously I live remotely. I live 204 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:33,720 Speaker 4: in Nashville, so I don't live here in Detroit. But uh, 205 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:36,079 Speaker 4: during the season, you know, I've had to tweak again 206 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 4: going back to I managed myself for a long time, 207 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 4: but now I'm managing others and myself, I had to 208 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:42,719 Speaker 4: kind of tweak how I how I go about it. 209 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:44,160 Speaker 4: I still try to get on the road at least 210 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:47,080 Speaker 4: three days a week before if I'm lucky, but you know, 211 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:49,839 Speaker 4: usually Mondays and Friday's are more reserved for administrative things, 212 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:52,320 Speaker 4: you know, coming out of a game weekend, uh, you know, 213 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 4: getting prepared for the next week. Scouts have reports that 214 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:57,200 Speaker 4: are do you weekly, so you know, obviously that work 215 00:08:57,200 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 4: has to be checked and just kind of I use 216 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:00,960 Speaker 4: money in Friday's as kind of workflow days, you know, 217 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 4: making sure all the processes are moving correctly, and then 218 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 4: you know, try to get on the road Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. 219 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 4: Try to go to some live games on the weekend 220 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 4: as I still can. Obviously, living in Nashville, you know, 221 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 4: Vanderbilt is right there in town, so I'm able to 222 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 4: see a lot of SEC teams come to come to 223 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 4: my city versus me having to go to some of 224 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:21,640 Speaker 4: some of the other places. So that's been convenient convenient also, 225 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:24,199 Speaker 4: But I still just try to go where the players are, 226 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 4: you know, where the where the best players are and 227 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 4: where you can see multiple players you know that we 228 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 4: have multiple grades on and you know with you know 229 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:32,959 Speaker 4: some of the big schools, so you still try to 230 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:35,679 Speaker 4: get to those as I can. I spend a lot 231 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:38,439 Speaker 4: of time on airplane in the fall, that's for sure, 232 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 4: so you know, traveling coast to coast, but I try 233 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 4: to I try to manage my time appropriately and not 234 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 4: try to overextend myself. And it's funny that you asked 235 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 4: that question, because Brad told me from the very beginning 236 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 4: when I got the job, he said, I know, I said, 237 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 4: I know, you're going to try to go to every 238 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 4: every school in the country. He's like, you can't do that, 239 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:55,320 Speaker 4: you know, just because you just physically can't get there, 240 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 4: and and so there's a lot of limitations with that. 241 00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:00,120 Speaker 2: What's the difference in in your mind of watching a 242 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:02,720 Speaker 2: guy live versus watching guy on tape? How much more 243 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 2: do you glean or enjoy watching it live versus the 244 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 2: cutups and everything else? You get and you can see 245 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 2: everything there, but do you look for things that maybe 246 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:13,640 Speaker 2: you can't see on the tape when you're there live? 247 00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 2: And what's maybe one or two of those things? 248 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 4: Absolutely, you know, there's no substitute for the live exposure. 249 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:21,440 Speaker 4: But there's no substitute for the for the game film either. 250 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:23,719 Speaker 4: So the best thing is to see on a live 251 00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 4: exposure is number one, is you see a guy physically 252 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 4: in his pads. You know, how does he carry his pads, 253 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:31,000 Speaker 4: what's his body type, that sort of thing. That's one 254 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 4: thing that you get from live exposure, whether that's at 255 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 4: practice or whether that's at a game, but things you 256 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:37,560 Speaker 4: see at a game that you can't see on tape, 257 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 4: especially when you watch quarterbacks play. So I always encourage 258 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 4: our guys to watch quarterbacks play on the road if 259 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 4: you can, because you see him in other environments. You 260 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:46,679 Speaker 4: see when things go bad. How do they interact with 261 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:48,679 Speaker 4: their teammates on the sideline. What do they do when 262 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 4: they come off the sideline after an interception or make 263 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:54,320 Speaker 4: a mistake or astall drive? You know, So just seeing 264 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 4: how those guys interact with their teammates, as they get 265 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:57,840 Speaker 4: on the phone and talk to the coordinator, do they 266 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:00,319 Speaker 4: throw their helmet, do they you know, what's the body whage, 267 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 4: what's the how do they approach pregame? So you see 268 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 4: a lot of that stuff too. Are they dialed in 269 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 4: during pregame or are they are they not dialed in 270 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:10,160 Speaker 4: and you know, kind of lackadaisical. So it's good to 271 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 4: see those types of interactions and you don't get that 272 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 4: on film. Obviously. 273 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:14,199 Speaker 2: I thought this would be a great question for you 274 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 2: because you've been around scouting and you've been around the 275 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:17,679 Speaker 2: college ball for so long. 276 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:20,079 Speaker 3: How has N I NIL changed? 277 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 2: And I know this is gonna be a good answer 278 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 2: from that response. But you know you've been in it 279 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 2: now enough that you know, maybe guys are in three 280 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 2: different programs? 281 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 3: Does that help because you're throwing three different schemes, are. 282 00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 2: Guys maybe not as ready for the NFL because they're 283 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:38,960 Speaker 2: not in one place and you know, building through a 284 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 2: program and stuff like that. I'm just curious how how, 285 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 2: in your opinion, has NIL maybe changed the scouting. 286 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 3: World a little bit? 287 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 4: Well? Are you asking me that question because I'm a 288 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,199 Speaker 4: Tennessee GA and you're asking about that. No, I'm just. 289 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:53,439 Speaker 2: Kind of a timely question, Yes, a timely question. 290 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:57,120 Speaker 4: Well, twofold number one. One of the questions we always 291 00:11:57,160 --> 00:11:59,200 Speaker 4: used to ask when we went through schools is you know, 292 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 4: how's this kid going to be when he gets money? 293 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 4: You know, who's going to be in his support group, 294 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 4: Who's gonna be in a circle, who's gonna who's he 295 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 4: gonna have to take care of, who's he bringing with him? 296 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 4: How do you think he is going to handle no 297 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,240 Speaker 4: money to now millions of dollars in his pocket. Well, 298 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 4: that question now was answered, you know, so we kind 299 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:15,560 Speaker 4: of now have a little bit of an insight into 300 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:18,719 Speaker 4: who's in their inner circle, who helps him make financial decisions, 301 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 4: how do they manage money, how do they manage themselves 302 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 4: in these real world situations now that they were previously 303 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 4: not always you know, not always vetted and tested against. 304 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 4: Now it wasn't or it wasn't public knowledge or was 305 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 4: under the table anyway. So but now we just know, 306 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 4: you know, kind of how that how they're gonna, how 307 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 4: that's gonna manifest itself and play itself out, which that 308 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:42,319 Speaker 4: piece has been good. The downside of nil for us 309 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 4: is the nio enticeons he s gets to stay in 310 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:47,719 Speaker 4: school now, so that there's a lot less depth in 311 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 4: the draft because you generally, at the at the peak 312 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 4: of underclassmen coming out, you had about one hundred and 313 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 4: twenty to one hundred and thirty players. Now it's down 314 00:12:55,640 --> 00:12:59,080 Speaker 4: to fifty five to seventy, so you've lost essentially almost 315 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:01,880 Speaker 4: two rounds of players in some regards. Now that's making 316 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:03,520 Speaker 4: the assumption that they were all going to be in 317 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 4: the you know, top rounds. But and they generally were, though, 318 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:08,560 Speaker 4: but you've kind of lost some depth so that the 319 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 4: NIOL world has changed us a little bit that way, 320 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 4: and so that has been one kind of downside of it, 321 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:19,599 Speaker 4: you know. But the one thing about going back to 322 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 4: your question about like guys bouncing around, it does hurt. 323 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:24,839 Speaker 4: It does hurt some positions. You know, you have a 324 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 4: quarterback who's been in three you know, three different systems 325 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 4: in three years. You know, you have guys that have 326 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 4: never solidified themselves on a depth chart, so you're constantly wondering, 327 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 4: you know, what what happened at the previous place. It 328 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 4: causes us to have to do a lot more research 329 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 4: and a lot more vetting of the multiple stops before, 330 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:43,440 Speaker 4: and the story can always change, so you have to 331 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 4: find those those relationships that you really lean on. And 332 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:49,040 Speaker 4: that's where the area scouts really are invaluable, is that 333 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,480 Speaker 4: the relationships they built over time at all these different 334 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:53,360 Speaker 4: places to where you can pick up the phone and 335 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 4: call the guy at the previous stop and like, Hey, 336 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:58,240 Speaker 4: what's the real story here? Like this school's telling me this. 337 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:01,200 Speaker 4: You guys told me that. Like we're so trying to 338 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:04,120 Speaker 4: find the you know, middle ground somewhere of what maybe 339 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:06,200 Speaker 4: the true story is about why they're all the different 340 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 4: the different changes. 341 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:08,800 Speaker 3: So made your job a little harder. 342 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, right, Well, obviously we're not going to go through 343 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 2: your board or you know who you guys like don't 344 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 2: like what positions or whatever. 345 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 3: But I guess maybe let's finish on this one. 346 00:14:18,679 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 2: When you look at the twenty twenty five NFL draft, 347 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 2: what's maybe just a riding observation, what maybe how. 348 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 3: Would you describe this that this draft that you guys 349 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 3: are heading into now in a few days. 350 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 4: You know, the thing that probably jumps out the most is, 351 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 4: you know, a lot of drafts you can kind of 352 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:38,240 Speaker 4: peg the first five to ten picks right out right 353 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 4: out of the gate. You know, you know that these 354 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 4: are the ten guys that are going to go in 355 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 4: that in the top ten. I don't know that you 356 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 4: can say that in this draft, you know, because I 357 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 4: think this is going to come down to need. It's 358 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 4: gonna come down to a lot of guys where their 359 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:52,800 Speaker 4: depth charts are. How whatever their draft strategy may be, 360 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 4: you know how free agency went for them. So I mean, 361 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 4: I think in this draft you're just going to see 362 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 4: you're not gonna be able to predict maybe past five. 363 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 4: You know, I don't even know if you could predict 364 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 4: the top five at this point. Wow. Yeah. 365 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 2: So it's what it truly is. When when Brad Holmes 366 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:11,040 Speaker 2: and his press conference last week said grab your popcorn 367 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:12,760 Speaker 2: and just watch it, it's a grab. 368 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:15,280 Speaker 3: Your popcorn and it enjoy it draft, isn't it is? 369 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 2: Well, I know you've been busy doing your work for 370 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 2: the last what year, maybe last over a year on 371 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 2: these guys. It all comes to a head Thursday night 372 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 2: in Green Bay. Thanks so much for taking the time here. 373 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:28,080 Speaker 2: Great insight and good luck to you. Absolutely appreciate it. 374 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 2: Welcome back to the Twin M Huddle podcast. I am 375 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 2: now joined by Daniel Jeremiah. 376 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 5: He is one of the best in the business for 377 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 5: the NFL network and analysts there and he'll be part 378 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 5: of that NFL coverage of the NFL drafting Green Bay 379 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:46,800 Speaker 5: the twenty fourth to twenty six DJ. 380 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining me. I appreciate it. I appreciate you. 381 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 6: Can you give me like a somewhat area weather report here. 382 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,320 Speaker 6: What are we looking like in the in that realm 383 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 6: of the country for this now? 384 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:57,880 Speaker 2: Okay, so we're we're a little cold today where we're 385 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 2: we might get to fifty today, but it's gonna warm 386 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 2: up in the weekend. We got sixties and seventies coming in. 387 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 2: I heard it's gonna be pretty good in Green Bay 388 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 2: next week. They might get into the sixties in there, 389 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 2: So it should be it should be good. You're not 390 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 2: gonna freeze in the Midwest. 391 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 6: Golf clubs by any chance. But I but I might 392 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 6: have to bring my overcoats. That's a win. 393 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:19,160 Speaker 2: I think you might be a little bit busy for that. 394 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 2: They keep you, They keep you pretty busy for those 395 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 2: three days. Well, let's get right into a dj I mean, 396 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 2: I guess when you look at this class overall, what 397 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 2: maybe jumps out to you? How would you classify this class? 398 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 2: What would be the big description of it? 399 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 6: Yeah, for me, I've kind of used the theme of 400 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 6: this draft class as starters, not stars, Like we don't 401 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 6: necessarily have that, you know, that that sexy list of 402 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 6: guys up there at the top of the draft that 403 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 6: maybe we've had in other years, we've got a couple 404 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 6: of marquee players and that's Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter 405 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 6: and whatever order you want to put them. There's one, 406 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 6: you know, to me, one true you know, first round 407 00:16:56,920 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 6: quarterback in just about any draft at some point in time, 408 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 6: and that would be Campbell. And then after that, man, 409 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 6: it's just a bunch of guys that are going to 410 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 6: be you know, steady eddy, solid contributors, castolid contributors, and starters, 411 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:11,360 Speaker 6: with a good group of defensive linemen kind of headlining 412 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:11,920 Speaker 6: that class. 413 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:15,719 Speaker 2: You know that obviously with Detroit, you know that's one 414 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:18,440 Speaker 2: of those those kind of needs there along the defensive line, 415 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:20,679 Speaker 2: edge and defensive tackle. When you look at Brad Holmes, 416 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:24,520 Speaker 2: obviously he doesn't draft for need. He takes best available, 417 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:27,320 Speaker 2: and look what that's done over the last four years. 418 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:29,359 Speaker 2: But when you do look at some of their needs 419 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:33,200 Speaker 2: defensive line, interior offensive line, you know they could use, 420 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 2: you know, maybe some safety depth, some wide receiver death. 421 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:38,400 Speaker 2: Where you mentioned the defensive line, some of those other 422 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 2: areas interior offensive line, maybe receiver safety, are those areas 423 00:17:42,359 --> 00:17:43,920 Speaker 2: where you're going to be able to find some guys 424 00:17:43,960 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 2: maybe well into Day two too. 425 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 6: Well, I think receiver wise. You know, I don't love 426 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:51,400 Speaker 6: the first batch of receivers. Like the first round guys, 427 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 6: there's just a few of them, there's a handful. I 428 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 6: kind of like that second day group. I think there 429 00:17:56,280 --> 00:17:58,240 Speaker 6: is some depth there in the second and third round. 430 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 6: A couple kids from from Iowa State out to the 431 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:03,960 Speaker 6: front of my mind on that list with Noel and Higgins. 432 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:08,760 Speaker 6: But you know, that's solid interior offensive line. It's not again, 433 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 6: you've got a couple guys are gonna go in the 434 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:11,920 Speaker 6: first round. I think we could have three. In fact, 435 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 6: I think Donovan Jackson would make some sense for Detroit. 436 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:16,440 Speaker 6: I think he would be there out of Ohio State. 437 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:20,360 Speaker 6: I don't love the you know, the middle tier interior 438 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:23,880 Speaker 6: offensive line class though that I wouldn't necessarily say those 439 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:27,320 Speaker 6: are strengths. But to me, like defensive tackles, yes, you 440 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:30,640 Speaker 6: can find defensive tackles all throughout this draft. Edge rushers, yes, 441 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 6: like those are those are positions that I think you'll 442 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 6: be happy. You know, third, fourth round, You're gonna see 443 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:37,040 Speaker 6: good players there. 444 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 2: I'm curious just your outside opinion of Detroit and Brad 445 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:44,119 Speaker 2: Holmes in the job that he's done over the last 446 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:47,399 Speaker 2: four years. I mean just DJ look at the drafts 447 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 2: and what's become their core, Penney Sewel, Saint Brown, Ali McNeil, Hutch, 448 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:55,600 Speaker 2: Jamior Gibbs, Kirby, Joseph Laporter, Branch. I mean, we can 449 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 2: continue going on and on and on and on. They 450 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:00,240 Speaker 2: just seem to hit every year. And you know, now 451 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 2: those guys have become the core. It's changed a little 452 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:06,119 Speaker 2: bit because now some some you know, contracts are going 453 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:08,399 Speaker 2: to be due. You you know, when you draft, Well, 454 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:11,480 Speaker 2: that's the consequence right now You've got to pay these guys. 455 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 2: It's a good problem to have. But I'm just curious, 456 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:17,720 Speaker 2: what have you thought about Brad Holmes. What's the perspective 457 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 2: of him outside of just the job he's done over 458 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 2: the last four years in the draft. 459 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:24,040 Speaker 6: Well, you know, I'm a big fan of his and 460 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:26,400 Speaker 6: I din't I think we met for the first time 461 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:28,880 Speaker 6: this year was the first time that we had maybe 462 00:19:28,880 --> 00:19:30,359 Speaker 6: it's seen each other in passing, but we were at 463 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:31,879 Speaker 6: a game and we had a chance to catch up 464 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 6: on the sideline for about twenty minutes. And you know, 465 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 6: I've always had respect for him, you know, even before 466 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 6: he got to Detroit, and his reputation was solid and strong, 467 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:42,399 Speaker 6: but getting a chance to meet with him, I felt like, Okay, 468 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:44,479 Speaker 6: I kind of get it now. I understand what it 469 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:48,240 Speaker 6: is because he's such a he's such a good communicator, 470 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:51,600 Speaker 6: and he's a listener and he's an observer. I mean, 471 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 6: just out at the sideline, we're talking about guys that 472 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:55,399 Speaker 6: were looking at that were getting ready to play in 473 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:58,040 Speaker 6: this ball game, and it kind of hit me. And 474 00:19:58,080 --> 00:19:59,359 Speaker 6: I think this is true with a lot of the 475 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:02,760 Speaker 6: best general managers. They understand people as well as understand players. 476 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:05,119 Speaker 6: And those names that you just rattled off, if you 477 00:20:05,119 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 6: were to kind of weave a thread between all of them, 478 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:10,000 Speaker 6: they're all ultra competitive guys, like they're you know, they 479 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:13,040 Speaker 6: love ball, they're all in. They fit the culture that 480 00:20:13,080 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 6: they've established there with coach Campbell. So to me, I 481 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:19,679 Speaker 6: think sometimes the player evaluation is not that difficult, but 482 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:23,000 Speaker 6: it's the personal evaluation that's that can get people in trouble. 483 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 6: And I think he's just done a wonderful job of 484 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:28,680 Speaker 6: finding guys and it just I mean, Branch, all the 485 00:20:28,680 --> 00:20:31,159 Speaker 6: stories I heard about him coming out, how dedicated he was, 486 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:34,560 Speaker 6: how passionate he was, hutch you know, had his folklore 487 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 6: there at Michigan, you go all the way through all 488 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:39,280 Speaker 6: those guys, they just they all love football, and he's 489 00:20:39,320 --> 00:20:41,560 Speaker 6: done a great job of finding talented guys that fit 490 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:42,080 Speaker 6: their culture. 491 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:45,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, you've got a background, you know, in personnel departments 492 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 2: and in front offices, and you kind of know when 493 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:50,439 Speaker 2: when you've had that draft success and you've had some 494 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:54,680 Speaker 2: history and now some some you know, bills are coming 495 00:20:54,680 --> 00:20:57,480 Speaker 2: to do. How important now is this process? How important 496 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:00,480 Speaker 2: is this year, next year, the following year, because now 497 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:02,800 Speaker 2: you're paying a lot of these guys. You know your 498 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 2: salary cap is going to be You've got to be 499 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:08,400 Speaker 2: very measured with it the next few years. Just now, 500 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:10,960 Speaker 2: how important is the draft the next couple of years 501 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 2: for Detroit to get some of those contributors on rookie 502 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 2: contracts that you can kind of supplement with some of 503 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 2: the big time deals you're going to have on this 504 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:19,359 Speaker 2: roster as well. 505 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 4: Well. 506 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:22,480 Speaker 6: I think of the teams that have had the prolonged success, 507 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 6: you know, teams that have just been good for a 508 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 6: long time. And I'm a little bit biased because of 509 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 6: where I grew up in this business, but I just 510 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 6: look at the Baltimore Ravens is kind of a great 511 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 6: example for an organization like Detroit, where man, you draft 512 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:36,679 Speaker 6: when you draft really well, and then you back that 513 00:21:36,840 --> 00:21:39,119 Speaker 6: up by continuing to draft. Well, it's just like this 514 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:41,919 Speaker 6: cycle what happens. Then, Okay, we signed some guys, we 515 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 6: let some guys walk. The guys that walk, we end 516 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:46,439 Speaker 6: up getting comp picks. So now I've got extra picks, 517 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:49,400 Speaker 6: extra ammunition. You keep drafting well, you can then let 518 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 6: more players walk, more players walk, you get more compicks. 519 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 6: The Philadelphia Eagles have done the exact same thing. I 520 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 6: just realized today. I think Philadelphia has twelve picks next year. 521 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:00,439 Speaker 6: They just won the Super Bowl and so they signed 522 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:02,320 Speaker 6: some of their core guys. They let some guys go 523 00:22:02,359 --> 00:22:04,119 Speaker 6: out in free agency and got a lot of money, 524 00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:06,040 Speaker 6: and then they're gonna get extra picks. And if they 525 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:08,240 Speaker 6: keep draft it's just like this wheel that just gets 526 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:10,439 Speaker 6: spinning once you kind of get that roll on. And 527 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:13,800 Speaker 6: they're Detroit's like they're they're close to getting that flywheel 528 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 6: really really rolling there. 529 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:18,479 Speaker 2: Uh you mentioned Donovan Jackson some other guys there. When 530 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:20,960 Speaker 2: when you know you've you've done the mock drafts and 531 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 2: you've gone through it. Now you're getting to your final ones. Here, 532 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:26,920 Speaker 2: just who's the guy that you keep looking at at 533 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 2: twenty eight and you're like, man, he just kind of 534 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:33,440 Speaker 2: fits Detroit. You know, he would be a good selection there. 535 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:35,200 Speaker 2: Maybe if there's a couple guys that you've gone back 536 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:37,440 Speaker 2: and forth on that that you seem just like are 537 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:40,159 Speaker 2: really good fits fit Brad Holmes fit Detroit and what 538 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:41,200 Speaker 2: they're what they do there. 539 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:43,680 Speaker 6: Yeah, I mean that would be one of them. I'm 540 00:22:43,680 --> 00:22:46,200 Speaker 6: Donovan Jackson Gray Zabel if he were to get there, 541 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:48,240 Speaker 6: I don't think he'll you know, get that far from 542 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:50,680 Speaker 6: North Dakota State. Those two offensive linemen to me would 543 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:53,399 Speaker 6: be great fits. I look on the defensive side of 544 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:55,520 Speaker 6: the ball, you know, I always just kind of look 545 00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:57,920 Speaker 6: at the guys and even bringing in Davenport, like having 546 00:22:58,000 --> 00:22:59,680 Speaker 6: him there, like they just kind of have a type 547 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:03,119 Speaker 6: they're and they're rugged. So you know, Shamar Stewart who 548 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 6: doesn't have the production but kind of fits that explosive, physical, 549 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 6: rough rugged style on the outside to me, you know, 550 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:13,639 Speaker 6: a guy like Walter Nolan on the inside is someone 551 00:23:13,680 --> 00:23:17,320 Speaker 6: who's just really really twitched up, an explosive and who 552 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:19,080 Speaker 6: could really move up and down the line of scrimmage 553 00:23:19,080 --> 00:23:21,080 Speaker 6: if you wanted him to. But so those are some 554 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:22,639 Speaker 6: of the names that just kind of pop into my 555 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:24,800 Speaker 6: head when you think about guys who kind of fit 556 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:25,520 Speaker 6: the way they play. 557 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 2: We've talked about the defensive line class a little bit. 558 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:31,120 Speaker 2: Is this how far back do you have to go 559 00:23:31,320 --> 00:23:34,120 Speaker 2: to get a class that's maybe as talented and as 560 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:36,879 Speaker 2: deep both along the interior on the edge as this 561 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:40,600 Speaker 2: year's class. Are teams looking for defensive line palp, are 562 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:42,200 Speaker 2: they going to be able to find it? Well into 563 00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:42,920 Speaker 2: today two? 564 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:46,000 Speaker 6: I think you can get into the middle of the 565 00:23:46,040 --> 00:23:48,199 Speaker 6: second round. To me, I think you kind of you 566 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:50,639 Speaker 6: need to probably handle your business there in the first 567 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:53,080 Speaker 6: forty five to fifty picks and then I think there's 568 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:54,920 Speaker 6: kind of a little bit of a drop off there. 569 00:23:55,320 --> 00:23:57,320 Speaker 6: But you know, to me, I think a sweet spot 570 00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 6: is that, you know, early second round. I think that's 571 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:02,440 Speaker 6: that that is a nice little window there, and we'll 572 00:24:02,440 --> 00:24:05,240 Speaker 6: see guys like Nick Gordon gonna go back into one 573 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 6: or early two. 574 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:07,359 Speaker 1: J T. 575 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,720 Speaker 6: Tamalau from Ohio State's gonna probably go in that range. 576 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:13,119 Speaker 6: Is a good football player, solid, you know exactly what 577 00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 6: you're getting. Land and Jackson, who I've kind of, you know, 578 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:19,119 Speaker 6: joked that man if Detroit were to trade back I 579 00:24:19,119 --> 00:24:20,679 Speaker 6: don't think you do it in the first round, but 580 00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 6: if they were to trade back, that's someone who kind 581 00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:25,600 Speaker 6: of fits them out of Arkansas to the point where 582 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:28,560 Speaker 6: if you just saw the silhouettes, not comparing this players, 583 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:31,879 Speaker 6: but the silhouettes of Aiden Hutchinson and Land and Jackson, 584 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:34,120 Speaker 6: they have almost they look identical, like just like their 585 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:36,639 Speaker 6: body type and how they're built, and they and obviously 586 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:39,399 Speaker 6: plays really really hard. So I think that's kind of 587 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:41,240 Speaker 6: a sweet spot. I think that, you know, I haven't 588 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:43,119 Speaker 6: heard this on Detroit side of things. I've talked to 589 00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:46,400 Speaker 6: other teams picking in that range, and there's teams that are, 590 00:24:46,520 --> 00:24:48,560 Speaker 6: you know, in the back of one hoping that somehow 591 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:51,919 Speaker 6: there's quarterbacks there and and somehow somebody wants to come up, 592 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:53,640 Speaker 6: because there's more than a few teams willing to get 593 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:54,280 Speaker 6: the heck out of there. 594 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,639 Speaker 2: Since you bring it up, just how crazy is one 595 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,320 Speaker 2: draft year to the other when you talk about just 596 00:25:01,359 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 2: the quarterback position. And last year there were what six 597 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:07,240 Speaker 2: seven guys taken in the first didn't the first defensive 598 00:25:07,240 --> 00:25:09,760 Speaker 2: guy didn go to like fifteen or sixteen something like that, 599 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,919 Speaker 2: So it was really crazy. And then this year you're like, 600 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:16,480 Speaker 2: there's a discussion is is our two guys even have 601 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 2: first round grades? It's crazy how that goes. How does 602 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:23,280 Speaker 2: that position in particular really just change up this year's 603 00:25:23,359 --> 00:25:26,680 Speaker 2: draft versus what we saw from last year. 604 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:28,679 Speaker 6: I was talking to a team that picks in the 605 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:31,400 Speaker 6: in the early portion of the twenties, and they're it's 606 00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:33,560 Speaker 6: kind of funny. They were like, look, I want all 607 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:36,080 Speaker 6: the quarterbacks to go before we pick to push somebody down, 608 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:38,280 Speaker 6: or I want only one of them to go so 609 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:40,640 Speaker 6: that I'm getting calls on the clock when when we're 610 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:41,960 Speaker 6: on there. He said, I just don't want to have 611 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:43,919 Speaker 6: like two, like don't split the baby. I don't want 612 00:25:43,960 --> 00:25:45,399 Speaker 6: to have like two go. And then I kind of, 613 00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:47,159 Speaker 6: you know, I don't really get the benefit of that 614 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:51,439 Speaker 6: whole thing. So quarterbacks drive movement, and movement is, to 615 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:53,320 Speaker 6: be honest with you, especially on the TV side of things, 616 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:54,400 Speaker 6: is kind of what makes it fun. 617 00:25:55,240 --> 00:25:57,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, it's also fun too. There's always those 618 00:25:57,520 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 2: few guys that you kind of watch and you're like, boy, 619 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:03,240 Speaker 2: it'll be really interesting where he goes. Shudor Sanders obviously 620 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:07,399 Speaker 2: is one for me. Ashton Genty is another guy. You know, 621 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:10,360 Speaker 2: will he go? Will the Raiders pull the trigger. Does 622 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:12,399 Speaker 2: he get to Chicago. Being in the NFC North, you 623 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:14,320 Speaker 2: certainly don't want to see that guy. With Ben Johnson, 624 00:26:14,320 --> 00:26:17,199 Speaker 2: the creativity and the weapons they have. There is there 625 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:19,440 Speaker 2: a guy for you that you're like, boy, I really 626 00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:21,399 Speaker 2: can't wait to kind of see where he goes and 627 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:23,680 Speaker 2: how that might change up the early part of. 628 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:26,200 Speaker 6: The draft one hundred percent. Like to me, those are 629 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:30,000 Speaker 6: great examples, especially with Ashton Genty, I would say Tyler Warren. 630 00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:33,879 Speaker 6: Tyler Warren is such a fun player for me. I 631 00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:37,880 Speaker 6: would say there's a little maybe prospect fatigue with him, 632 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:39,760 Speaker 6: like coming late into the process. I think he's just 633 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:41,199 Speaker 6: kind of been up there the whole time and then 634 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:44,160 Speaker 6: now it's like there's some nitpicking that's going on with him. 635 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:47,160 Speaker 6: But I just think he's such a physical and I'll 636 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:49,280 Speaker 6: use this word for the tenth time in our conversation, 637 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:50,440 Speaker 6: He's just a rugged dude. 638 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:50,680 Speaker 4: Man. 639 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:54,000 Speaker 6: I'm all about guys who kind of have that that grimy, 640 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:56,399 Speaker 6: rugged play style, and that's what he is. And he 641 00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:58,160 Speaker 6: can use him. You can move him around, do different 642 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:00,840 Speaker 6: things with him. He's you know, most tight ends, as 643 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:03,080 Speaker 6: they come into the NFL these days, are very popular 644 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:05,280 Speaker 6: in the quarterback room, not so popular in the running 645 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:08,040 Speaker 6: back room. He's gonna be well liked in both of 646 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:10,680 Speaker 6: those rooms because he can actually block somebody DJ. 647 00:27:10,760 --> 00:27:13,520 Speaker 2: You can never say that word enough on a Detroit 648 00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:16,119 Speaker 2: Lions pot here you're talking about the great capital of 649 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:18,480 Speaker 2: the world right here. So those are the guys that 650 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:20,760 Speaker 2: that that fit here in the Midwest and certainly the 651 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:23,399 Speaker 2: NFC North. But talking about the NFC North, what is 652 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 2: there a team that that jumps out maybe will be 653 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,280 Speaker 2: really interested to see what they do, depending what they do, 654 00:27:29,359 --> 00:27:31,600 Speaker 2: can maybe take a jump, can compete with Detroit, can 655 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:35,240 Speaker 2: challenge Detroit. Green Bay's obviously young, Chicago's young, there's some 656 00:27:35,240 --> 00:27:36,960 Speaker 2: new coaches in the division. Is there one team in 657 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:38,720 Speaker 2: the from the NFC North You're you're kind of interested 658 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:40,120 Speaker 2: in seeing how it shakes out. 659 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:43,120 Speaker 6: Well, I feel like Minnesota opened all their presents before Christmas, 660 00:27:43,119 --> 00:27:44,360 Speaker 6: so like don't. 661 00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 2: Have any picks. 662 00:27:45,160 --> 00:27:46,920 Speaker 6: So I don't know how much better they're gonna get 663 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:48,639 Speaker 6: from now. I mean they were aggressive and free agency. 664 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:49,119 Speaker 4: I don't know what. 665 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:51,040 Speaker 6: You know, their team is pretty much what it is. 666 00:27:51,080 --> 00:27:53,359 Speaker 6: It's pretty set right now. So in terms of the 667 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:55,480 Speaker 6: teams that over the next week, you could see kind 668 00:27:55,480 --> 00:27:57,920 Speaker 6: of close the gap with Detroit. I mean I'm still 669 00:27:57,920 --> 00:28:01,840 Speaker 6: looking at Chicago. I mean, Green Bay is not going anywhere. 670 00:28:02,040 --> 00:28:03,879 Speaker 6: They're gonna be They're gonna be really solid, gonna be 671 00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:06,280 Speaker 6: really good. But I think in terms of the growth potential, 672 00:28:06,320 --> 00:28:09,160 Speaker 6: I still think Chicago. And look, I'm excited to see 673 00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:11,480 Speaker 6: what Ben Johnson does there. I'm excited to see, you know, 674 00:28:11,560 --> 00:28:15,560 Speaker 6: how he morphs that offense around Kayleb Williams, and they've 675 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:18,159 Speaker 6: got a chance in with their draft capital coming up 676 00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:21,040 Speaker 6: to to kind of put the finishing touches on what 677 00:28:21,080 --> 00:28:22,120 Speaker 6: should be a better offense. 678 00:28:23,119 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 2: Well, DJ, great stuff as always, I know you are 679 00:28:25,560 --> 00:28:28,080 Speaker 2: going to be a busy man this week next week. 680 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:30,440 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for taking the time. Detroit Lions 681 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:32,520 Speaker 2: fans love it. They'll be following you on the NFL 682 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:34,800 Speaker 2: Network all three days in Green Bay. And thanks so 683 00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 2: much for joining the podcast. Appreciate you as always. 684 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:39,480 Speaker 6: Well, I appreciate you, And look, green Bay's got a 685 00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 6: high standard to live up to because Detroit knocked it 686 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:43,240 Speaker 6: out of the park. So I'm looking forward to getting 687 00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:44,560 Speaker 6: out there and having another great week.