The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

The Athletic’s flagship NFL podcast covers the league like only The Athletic can. Host Robert Mays and co-host Derrik Klassen dive into the biggest stories, break down the Xs and Os, tackle the ins and outs of roster building, follow the details of why we all love this sport, and have plenty of fun along the way, bringing the expertise necessary to cover the NFL at the highest level. Whether it’s happening on the field or behind the scenes, you’ll get an in-depth look at all things NFL on The Athletic Football Show, available wherever you get your podcasts.

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Episodes

On the Clock, picks 26-32: The top-tier Super Bowl contenders make their moves

We're back On the Clock on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Mike Renner from CBS Sports joins Robert Mays to wrap up the first round and make picks 26 through 32 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That covers first round picks for the Rams, Ravens, Lions, Commanders, Bills, Chiefs and Eagles. The Ravens go for traits at pass rusher! The Lions get some oomph in the middle of their defensive line! The Eagles replace Josh Sweat! Come and join the draft fun. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen ...

Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 1 min

Monday Mailbag: The NFC North's head coach stardom, the best drafting teams, remembering some running backs, and more

Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into the mailbag one more time before the 2025 NFL Draft on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Can one division support as much head coaching talent as the NFC North has? Should teams be wary about giving out top-of-the-market extensions to players at non-premium positions? Who were your favorite running backs to watch play? The guys answer those questions, and a whole lot more. Rundown NFC North loaded at head coach What's the easiest position for a w...

Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 17 min

The 2025 NFL Draft pass-catcher class blowout!

Three receivers went in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft. That isn't likely to be the case this year, but we could see 10 come off the board by the end of the second round. The tight end position might give us our highest-selected pass-catcher this year, with both Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland getting top-10 buzz. No matter what, the pass-catchers are going to give us plenty to talk about draft weekend. They also give Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dane Brugler plenty to talk about on this ...

Apr 18, 2025•2 hr 52 min

The 2025 NFL Draft's mid-round gems, with Dane Brugler and Daniel Jeremiah

Bucky Irving...125th overall in 2024. Nick Herbig...132nd overall in 2023. Kerby Joseph...97th overall in 2022. Teams can, and do, find themselves difference makers on the second and third day of the draft. Who might be those players this season? Dane Brugler and Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network join Robert Mays to highlight the potential mid-round gems in the 2025 NFL Draft on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Get The Beast: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/ Host: Rober...

Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 12 min

On the Clock, picks 19-25: The playoff teams have entered the chat

We're back On the Clock on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus joins Robert Mays to make picks 19 through 25 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That brings us our first batch of last season's playoff teams, including the Buccaneers, Broncos, Steelers, Chargers, Packers, Vikings and Texans. The Buccaneers make a statement at EDGE! The Steelers and Chargers grab receivers! The Packers add a corner! Come and join the draft fun. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Kl...

Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 19 min

Monday Mailbag: Coordinator hires, the Steelers' QB situation, draft day shockers, and more

One of the many things we love about the TAFS mailbag is that it reflects the conversations real football fans are having in the moment. As such, it should come as no surprise that this edition of the mailbag is heavy on draft questions. What are some plausible draft day surprises we could see this year? Why do certain players seem to have dramatic climbs or tumbles down draft boards in March and April? Should teams recalibrate how the think about premium positions in a draft like this one? Robe...

Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 29 min

Abdul Carter, Mason Graham, and a loaded defensive line draft class

Dane Brugler has been telling us for months that this is a good draft to need defensive players. That's exemplified by a defensive line class that features 28 players inside the top 100 of The Beast. Dane and Fran Duffy from the ALLCITY Network join Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show to break down the DL class in the 2025 NFL Draft. Rundown Abdul Carter Mason Graham Mykel Williams Jalon Walker Walter Nolen Derrick Harmon Shemar Stewart Mike Green James Pearce Jr. Kenneth G...

Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 20 min

The most polarizing players in the 2025 NFL Draft

Everyone likes Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter. There's a widespread consensus that Cam Ward deserves to be the top quarterback on the board. After that, though, opinions vary more so than in most drafts in recent memory. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dane Brugler dig into the players driving that disagreement on this episode of The Athletic Football Show, breaking down the most polarizing players in the 2025 NFL Draft. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen With: Dane Brugler Executive Prod...

Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 19 min

On the Clock, picks 13-18: Teams chasing needs, teams chasing dreams

We're back On the Clock on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Ben Solak from ESPN joins Robert Mays to make picks 13 through 18 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That covers first-round picks for the Dolphins, Colts, Falcons, Cardinals, Bengals and Seahawks. The Dolphins and Bengals get some offensive line help! The Falcons take another swing at ending the John Abraham bit! The Seahawks bring in another receiver for Sam Darnold! Come and join the draft fun. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klasse...

Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 10 min

Monday Mailbag: Head coach trades, the case against Travis Hunter, the most fun trade-up scenarios in the first round, and more

The TAFS mailbag is once again chock full of great questions from all of you out there. This time around, the mail carrier brought us questions on head coach trades, GM job security, the Lions' approach to the regular season, the most fun trade-ups that could happen in this year's draft, and a whole lot more. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow Robert on Blues...

Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 16 min