We're back On the Clock on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Danny Kelly from The Ringer joins Robert Mays to make picks seven through 12 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That covers first-round picks for the Jets, Panthers, Saints, Bears, 49ers and Cowboys. The Panthers and Niners make a deal! Ashton Jeanty comes off the board! The Saints have us confused! Again!! Come and join the draft fun. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen With: Danny Kelly Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Once again, the TAFS mailbag was jam-packed with great questions from all of you out there. On this edition of the mailbag, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen tackled questions on what a draft day trade chart looks like in a "down" year, prioritizing pass-catchers or pass protection for an elite quarterback, the best way to rebuild a scuffling team, current players who would've thrived in an earlier era, and more. Fill out The Athletic's listener survey. Three people will win $100 in vouchers at Ama...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast We've enjoyed two straight drafts with star-studded quarterback classes. This year's class...is not that. Still, it provides its fair share of intrigue. The Titans seem to have settled on Cam Ward as the top pick in the draft. Shedeur Sanders could go with the second pick, or in the second round. Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe all could find themselves in advantageous spots this summer. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dane Brugler dig deep into the 2025 quarterback class on this epis...
Mar 27, 2025•2 hr 45 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're likely to see six or seven edge players selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Some of them, like Abdul Carter, were wildly productive in college. Others, like Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart, weren't. That reality naturally leads to this question...how much does college production matter for edge prospects when it comes to their effectiveness at the NFL level? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Justis Mosqueda from Acme Packing Company dive deep into that question on this episo...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the debut of On the Clock, a new draft exercise on The Athletic Football Show. Every week, a draft analyst will join Robert Mays to cover six or seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, considering a trio of potential decisions for each of the teams in question. By time we get to the end of it, we'll have built an entire first round mock and had some interesting discussions along the way. Jordan Reid of ESPN is Robert's guest for the maiden voyage of On the Clock. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host:...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast With free agency fully in the rear-view mirror, we're back to our normal schedule on TAFS. And that means we're back to opening up the mailbag on Mondays! Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into questions about the recent rule change proposals, why it's hard to find difference-making off-ball linebackers, supposed can't-miss prospects who end up missing, building through the draft vs. making big swings, and a whole lot more. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael B...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Plenty of team needs were addressed when the free agency period opened, but not every team can fill every hole by signing players off the market. So what are the biggest needs that remain as we put the first wave of free agency behind us and turn our attention to the draft? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into that question—considering Patriots left tackle, Chargers wide receiver, Bengals defensive line, and more—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast The effects of free agency are felt long before teams take the field in September. Hopes are up in certain fanbases. Not so much in others. Teams are making plans that they couldn't consider a few weeks ago because of this player or that one. And, of course, teams can now plunge headlong into the draft knowing exactly what their needs are. So how did free agency affect the draft? Dane Brugler joins Robert Mays to dive into that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Teams like the Vikings, Giants and Seahawks have been active in free agency. There's no doubt about that. But how much better are they really? That's exactly the question Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen strive to answer on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss the extensions for Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Derek Stingley. Rundown Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins Derek Stingley signs an extension with the Texans Vikings Seahawks Giants Panthers Rams Cardinals Bears ...
Mar 17, 2025•2 hr 41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Teams like the Patriots, Colts and Jaguars have been active in free agency. There's no doubt about that. But how much better are they really? That's exactly the question Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen strive to answer on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Patriots Colts Jaguars Titans Jets Bills Broncos Chiefs Dolphins Raiders Texans Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Ap...
Mar 13, 2025•2 hr 30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Free agency hasn't been fun for everyone. Just ask Cowboys fans, who have watched their team mostly sit out free agency again. Or Bengals fans, who have watched their team make a couple small moves on defense while seemingly antagonizing even further the trio of players on offense that makes them special in the first place. It's safe to say those fanbases are freakin' out, and they aren't the only ones. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen discuss the teams might have their fans a bit on edge on this ...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Vikings capped off day one of free agency with a couple of big moves, bringing back Byron Murphy Jr. and bringing in Jonathan Allen. They picked right back up on the morning of day two, signing Will Fries and reportedly agreeing to a deal with Javon Hargrave. They were the big spenders on day two of free agency, but they certainly weren't the only spenders. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive into day two on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys discuss Dre Greenlaw to the Bro...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Geno Smith? Traded! DK Metcalf? Traded! Sam Darnold? Signed! The Seahawks entirely made over their team by the end of day one of free agency, and they weren't alone in completely recalibrating their outlook for 2025. From Davante Adams to the Rams, to Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders, to a defensive spending spree in New England, this offseason's free agency window got off to a roaring start. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen recap it all on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown The Se...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Khalil Mack, Jevon Holland and Josh Sweat headline the available free agent defensive players. Add in a likely Trey Hendrickson trade and a potential Myles Garrett trade, and it could be a fun week for teams that need help on defense. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview free agency on the defensive side of the ball on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Then, The Athletic's Lions beat writer Colton Pouncy joins to discuss what it will take for them to get over the hump. Host: Robert M...
Mar 07, 2025•2 hr 30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are you ready to tamper? The NFL sure is, with the legal tampering window on the horizon and the new league year beginning next week. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview free agency on the offensive side of the ball on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Who should make a play for Chris Godwin? Where's a logical landing spot for Sam Darnold? What veteran trades could realistically happen? The guys answer those questions, and a whole lot more. Then, The Athletic's Bills beat writer Joe...
Mar 06, 2025•2 hr 35 min•Transcript available on Metacast The first checkpoint of the offseason—the combine—is now in the rear view mirror. Next up is free agency. We kick off our free agency coverage in earnest by opening up the mailbag on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen tackle questions on reclamation projects at quarterback in this class, players making position changes after signing with a new team, where teams can find bang for their buck on the market, and more. Then, The Athletic's Packers beat writer M...
Mar 05, 2025•2 hr 44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dane Brugler, The Athletic's NFL Draft expert, spent a long month in Indianapolis last week, and we are all the beneficiaries of his dedication. Dane sits down with Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show to share his big takeaways from the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen With: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow Robert on Bluesky: @r...
Mar 03, 2025•2 hr 42 min•Transcript available on Metacast The combine may be a draft event, but behind the scenes it's as much about the players already in the league as it is anything else. So what discussions are going on in back rooms in Indianapolis about Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, Tee Higgins, Trey Smith, and the other big names who could be on the move in the next month or so? Dan Graziano of ESPN joins Robert Mays to dig into all that on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Then, The Athletic's Ravens beat writer Jeff Zr...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast The third and final entry in the annual TAFS Most Interesting Teams of the Offseason series is here, and it's a doozy. We've got Paul Dehner on the Bengals, Alec Lewis on the Vikings and Chad Graff on the Patriots. Will Tee Higgins and/or Trey Hendrickson still be Bengals in 2025? What's the Vikings plan with Sam Darnold and the quarterback position? How will the Patriots use their immense resources this offseason? Robert Mays gets into all that with the beat writers, and a whole lot more. Host:...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast The second entry in the annual TAFS Most Interesting Teams of the Offseason series features Zac Jackson on the Browns, Matt Barrows on the 49ers, and Ben Standig on the Commanders. How do the Commanders make sure that 2024 wasn't a flash in the pan? Is the window on this version of the 49ers still open? Are the Browns willing to commit to a rebuild? Robert Mays gets into all that with the beat writers, and a whole lot more. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen With: Zac Jackson, Matt Barrow...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to The Athletic Football Show's favorite combine week tradition: mining our ridiculously knowledgable beat writers for all the insight they have on their teams. We handpicked nine teams we deemed the most interesting of this offseason after the Super Bowl, then scheduled time during combine week to talk with each of their beat writers. This is the first entry in that series, featuring Jourdan Rodrigue on the Rams; Daniel Popper on the Chargers; and Tashan Reed on the Raiders. When a...
Feb 25, 2025•2 hr 31 min•Transcript available on Metacast It may be combine week, but we're still opening up the TAFS mailbag. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into questions about successful GM/head coach dynamics, how urgent teams should be in the draft when they need a quarterback, the Jets, Saints, and Vikings, offensive line composition, and 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 Bluesky: @robertm...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Who's going to own the 2025 Scouting Combine? Which players are going to crush the testing? Which lesser-known prospects are going to turn heads? Who has the most at stake during the interviews? Draft expert Dane Brugler joined Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen to run through everything that really matters next week in Indianapolis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 21, 2025•2 hr 30 min•Transcript available on Metacast For years, free agency lessons are typically framed about how teams falter in the market. But the 2024 Eagles were a shining example of how the right injection of free-agent talent can propel a team to a championship. With this year's champs in mind, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen looked through the past decade of Super Bowl participants to see what lessons we can learn about the right ways to use FA. How many teams spent big? How important were the right bargain signings? And what advice, if an...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Would you rather have Matt LaFleur or Dak Prescott? Is Trevor Lawrence Gen-Z Matthew Stafford? Would you rather be the Bills or Ravens for the next three years? Those are just three questions that Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen answer in this edition of The Athletic Football Show mailbag. Rundown QB vs. coach value The Chargers offseason Converting contracts into signing bonuses Is power football all the way back? The Eagles as a blueprint The most entertaining division in the league Which QB ha...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Where will the on-the-move quarterbacks get off the carousel? How will the Bengals address their defense? Will the Rams turn the page to a new era? Where will the big-name free agents land. Those are just four of the offseason questions Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen addressed on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow R...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast OK, enough with the 2024 season, it's time for 2025! Dane Brugler's post-Super Bowl Top 100 is out, and he joins Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show to get us firmly pointed toward the combine and the draft. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen With: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast The return to bully ball was one of the stories of the 2024 season. So perhaps it's fitting that the story of the Super Bowl was that of the Eagles utterly dominating the trenches on both sides of the ball in their 40-22 triumph over the Chiefs. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen break down Super Bowl LIX on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple...
Feb 10, 2025•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast The NFL season is a 285-game march to the Super Bowl. Friends, we have reached that 285th game. Super Bowl LIX between the Chiefs and Eagles is here, and Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive deep on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. What are the key matchups? Who and what will the guys be watching on both sides of the ball? What does this mean for the legacies of the key players, coaches and executives involved. Robert and Derrik get into all that, and a whole lot more, on our Super Bow...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Consider what you thought about Saquon Barkley before this season. How about Trent McDuffie? How about Nick Sirianni? Might feel a bit different about them now, right? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen discussed nine people involved in Super Bowl LIX who have changed the way we think about them this season on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Saquon Barkley Nick Sirianni Howie Roseman Vic Fangio Zack Baun Trent McDuffie Joe Thuney Andy Reid Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klasse...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
