Between the Tackles

A wild Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft show includes five trades, including three by one AFC team.

Where will future stars like Jeremiyah Love, David Bailey, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper, Jr., Monroe Freeling, Omar Cooper Jr., Denzel Boston, Francis Mauigoa, Reuben Bain, Akheem Mesidor, Spencer Fano, Mansoor Delane, Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu, T.J. Parker, Jermod McCoy, Colton Hood, Keldric Faulk, Max Iheanachor, Kayden Proctor, Cashius Howell, Zion Young, Dillon Thieneman, Blake Miller, Olaivavega Ioane, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and others land?

Will Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson get picked on Day 1? Will quarterback-needy teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets pull the trigger or wait until a loaded 2027 draft class that includes Texas star Arch Manning, Oregon’s Donte Moore & Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby? Which offensive linemen, safeties, cornerbacks & linebackers will shine?

Will Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown be traded? Will the New England Patriots trade their first-round pick to reunite Brown with Mike Vrabel? What will the Miami Dolphins do with the pick from the Denver Broncos in the Jaylen Waddle deal?

Highlights:

(6:10) Trade No. 1:

(9:25) Trade No. 2:

(22:10) Trade No. 3:

(33:25) Trade No. 4:

(37:30) Trade No. 5:

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Burg and Manish kick off the show by discussing the latest on the scandal centering on New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former Athletic NFL Insider Dianna Russini after her recent resignation. Is there a double standard at play? Why did Russini resign amid the Athletic internal investigation in the wake of the New York Post Page 6 story? What, if any, repercussions will Vrabel face?

Then, the guys take a deep dive in the Top 10 running back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. They rank the ball carriers from No. 1-No. 10 with team and scheme fits and which rounds they are projected to get selected in Pittsburgh next week. Which teams have shown interest in each of the top running back in this year’s draft class?

Great discussions on projected Top 10 pick Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Mike Washington, Jr. (Arkansas), Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), Nicholas Singleton (Penn State), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), Kaytron Allen (Penn State), Seth McGowen (Kentucky), Roman Hemby (Indiana), Kaelon Black (Indiana), Jaydn Ott (Oklahoma), Adam Randall (Clemson), Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest), Jonah Coleman (Washington).

Who will be the next Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey? Some of the running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft class have comparisons to Bucky Irving, Blake Corum, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, Kyren Williams, Isaiah Pacheco and other established players in the league.

Teams like the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, Cincinnati Bengals< Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons have been doing their homework by bringing in running backs for pre-draft visits in the run-up to the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What should we make of the New York Post Page Six story about the coach and reporter meeting in Arizona? Should Russini’s reporting on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown’s future and possible trade be called into question? Did Russini’s and Vrabel’s statements refuting the insinuation of an improper relationship change the mind of the public? Will people question Russini’s agenda for future reports connected with the Patriots and Vrabel, who she admitted was a source in her statement?

Burg and Manish focus on the fallout from a purely reporting and journalistic standpoint. Is there a conflict of interest?

Speaking of conflicts of interest, ESPN Monday NightFootball NFL broadcaster Troy Aikman made news by sharing behind-the-scenes intel on why the Miami Dolphins hired him as a consultant. Aikman made it clear that owner Stephen Ross & Co. were attracted to his ability to get information from other teams’ players, coaches and front office personnel in his role as a broadcaster. New Miami Dolphins G.M. Jon-Eric Sullivan said that Aikman has been a good sounding board.

Aikman’s involvement with the Dolphins prompts questions about an obvious conflict of interest similar to the ones people already have about FOX Sports NFL broadcaster Tom Brady’s ownership stake with the Los Vegas Raiders. Brady showed up for the first day of the Raiders off-season program this week, highlighting his involvement with the team. Aikman’s and Brady’s dual roles as broadcaster and NFL team employees/owners opens the door for other teams do hire a broadcaster to be on their payroll to get inside intel from other clubs. The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell does not seem inclined to close this loophole. So why shouldn’t a team hire other NFL analysts and broadcasters like Tony Romo (CBS), Greg Olsen (FOX), Cris Collinsworth (NBC), Kirk Herbstreit (Prime Video), J.J. Watt, Trent Green, Jason McCourty, Adam Archuleta and others?

The guys move on to the recent stories about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Reports from ESPN and the Philadelphia Inquirer painted a less-than-favorable picture of the former Super Bowl MVP. Is Eagles general manager Howie Roseman trying to send a message to Hurts, who has been criticized via anonymous sources? How will Hurts do in new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s Kyle Shanhan-inspired West Coast offense? Hurts is not expected to get a contract extension this offseason.

More topics: New Guardian caps that will feature a smaller and sleeker design, the outsized demand for tickets for the first NFL game in Australia (Los Angeles Rams versus the San Francisco 49ers), the Raiders signing Kirk Cousins and Lamar Jackson showing up for the first day of the Baltimore Ravens offseason program under new head coach Jesse Minter.

HIGHLIGHTS:

(1:30): Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini controversy

(17:00): Troy Aikman’s conflict of interest with the Miami Dolphins is similar to Tom Brady’s situation with the Las Vegas Raiders. Should all NFL teams take advantage of this loophole?

(23:57): Is this a make-or-break year for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts?

(32:00): The new Guardian caps 2.0 version are sleeker and smaller. Will more players wear them in 2026?

(34:00): Why are NFL fans in Australia complaining about tickets to the upcoming 49ers-Rams Week 1 game?

(37:00): What does Kirk Cousins signing with the Las Vegas Raiders mean for the No. 1 pick of 2026 NFL Draft Fernando Mendoza?

(39:50): Lamar Jackson shows up for the first day of the Baltimore Ravens offseason program with new head coach Jesse Minter

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Robinson gives secrets to acing player interviews when questioned by NFL head coaches, NFL scouts, NFL general managers, NFL owners and media at the NFL Combine and in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. Robinson spent the past two years helping players prepare for All-Star Game interviews, NFL Combine interviews and Top 30 Visit interviews.

Robinson was working for WIN Sports Group, a sports representation firm founded by Patrick Whitesell that works with stars like Joe Burrow and Nick Bosa, before recently getting hired by Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to work as a front office and personnel executive for the AFC East team. Robinson also discusses his role in helping head coach candidates like Liam Coen of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the hiring process with NFL teams. Robinson also talks about the challenges for former GMs to get a second opportunity and the growing trend of general managers for college programs in the NIL era.

Robinson was still working with WIN Sports Group when he shared never-before-told stories with Manish and Burg about working with legendary Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Robinson shares his humbling beginnings as a scout with the help of friend and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht. Robinson also chronicles his various roles within the Patriots organization, starting with a promotion after the Thomas Dimitroff left to become the Atlanta Falcons G.M. He relays a wild draft story about how and why the Pats (including current Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio and Belichick) drafted future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski. Robinson’s storytelling about Gronk will sure to make you laugh. Robinson talks about how the Patriots drafted reliable wide receiver Julian Edelman and talks about Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Danny Woodhead and other valuable members of the Pats.

Robinson discusses his time with the Bucs when Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans was drafted. He then talks about his time as the Titans general manager when he hired Mike Vrabel, helped revive Ryan Tannehill and drafted future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry. Robinson also recalled the time that his AFC South team beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.

An informative and entertaining conversation with a bright NFL mind in this encore episode.

(1:55) How Robinson got into scouting

(2:45) Working for the Patriots and Bill Belichick

(6:25) Rob Gronkowski Draft Story

(12:41): Drafting Julian Edelman

(16:47): Hiring Mike Vrabel as Titans HC

(53:00) Helping Liam Coen and Brock Bowers prepare for interviews

Check out our other videos on the 2026 NFL Draft and Free Agency:

1)     2026 NFL Mock Draft, Post-Free Agency (http://bit.ly/3NrdJ4R)

2)     Top 10 Best Unsigned Free Agents (https://bit.ly/4lPbp47).

Download and Listen to “Between the Tackles” on Apple (https://bit.ly/4s3hZ8Y) and Spotify (https://bit.ly/4dIiVMd).

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(3:00): Surprising biggest Fantasy Football Winner after free agency

(6:00): Biggest Fantasy Football Loser after NFL Free Agency Frenzy

(6:30): Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker joins Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Will the Seattle Seahawks add more running back help in the 2026 NFL Draft for Zach Charbonnet after signing former Green Bay Packers free agent running back Emmanuel Wilson?

(10:55): What does Travis Etienne, Jr., arrival with the New Orleans Saints mean for Alvin Kamara?

(13:30): Is former Baltimore Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell is sneaky good signing for Los Angeles Chargers coaches Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel? Or will Omarion Hampton still be the bellcow?

(15:00): Did the Pittsburgh Steelers upgrade for Kenneth Gainwell to Rico Dowdle in free agency? Is Jaylen Warren still a fantasy factor? What should fantasy managers make of Bucky Irving now?

(21:30): Where should we draft Jalen Waddle after Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos traded for him? What does this mean for Bo Nix, RJ Harvey, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant? Can Nix bring out the best in Waddle after years with Tua Tagovailoa? Is Waddle a Top 20 PPR wide receiver?

(25:30): Does AJ Brown have more fantasy value on the Philadelphia Eagles with Jalen Hurts or New England Patriots with Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel?

(27:35): Will Michael Pittman and D.K. Metcalf be a good duo with the Steelers and Mike McCarthy? Richard compares the Pittsburgh wideouts to other comparable players at the position like Romeo Doubs, Josh Downs and Ricky Pearsall.

(30:30): What is the fantasy ceiling and floor for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alex Pierce and Tennessee Titans WR Wan’Dale Robinson? Will they both get enough targets for fantasy football managers?

(34:15): What can we expect from Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens after he got the franchise tag instead of a long-term contract from Jerry Jones?

(36:20): Will Justin Jefferson benefit by playing with Kyler Murray? Can Kevin O’Connell revive Murray’s career?

(39:20): How will Geno Smith impact Garrett Wilson’s fantasy value?

(42:05): Will new New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely be a reliable fantast option with Jaxson Dart as his quarterback? Where does Likely rank among other TEs like Sam LaPorta, Tucker Kraft and Kyle Pitts? Is he Top 10?

(44:30) Richard talks dynasty, salary cap leagues.

(50:30): A closer look at USC wide receiver Makai Lemon and why Richard compares him to Super Bowl champion Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN), who became the highest paid wide receiver in NFL history this week. Richard also talks about a college running back prospect that he is excited about: Arkansas RB Mike Washington
#NFLPodcast #NFL #SportsPodcast #NFLCombine #NFLFootball #SportsMedia #NFLFreeAgency #NFLDraft #BehindTheScenes #FootballTalk #BillsMafia#CBSFantasy #DaveRichard #FantasyMockDraft

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