Drive9.2.26Hr2: Power Rankings, Top Fantasy RBs

0:00You're tuned to the drive on your 24-7 home of the Black & Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Good evening, Steeler Nation. How we doing? Well, that's good. Us too. It is our number two of the drive here on this Wednesday. And it is time now, Matt. We have our 53-man rosters across the NFL. And we now have to take a look at some power rankings. Okay. Number 32 will start will start at the back end like we always do for this set for this exercise. This would clearly be the dolphins for me. So is the dolphins at 32.

1:04Even though some of the reports have been really bad, especially about the defense, like the cornerback room. And I think I think I would have the dolphins at number 32. But I'll say this. If you look at the other teams that are around them, the Browns and the Cardinals, I like the quarterback situation better. Yeah, there's things to build on. I like their offense. I like their offensive line much better. And they they should at least have a above average a varsity level run game. They should have a very good run game. They potentially could. And so everyone's going to put stack the box like crazy. But still on paper. I think they'll run the ball very well. So that's kind of we've talked about this. But I'm actually really excited. Chris Bell, the kid out of Louisville. Yeah, he's active and ready to go. Way ahead schedule. Like they may a snuck one past the league on that one. I mean, I think he's a first rounder if he was a clean player. And again, I look at that one and be like, what if Willis is good enough. And they draft. Yeah, that offense is done. You know, that's a wrap them in the Raiders. If they end up a Smith, it's like, whoa, watch out. Yeah.

2:07And so again, I part of me thinks maybe I would have the dolphins a spot or two higher. It's all I'm polishing brass on the Titanic. And it's all going down. Anyways, but the dolphins do check into 30. Some of the things I've heard and I'm not exactly sure where and how accurate they are. But I guess defensively joint practices preseason, they just can't compete. Yeah, I believe it. I mean, their corner rooms really bad. It's like that. Yeah, it's rough. 31 the Cleveland brands. Yes, but almost entirely based off quarterback play. The rest of that roster. I can squint and say, well, I definitely see the vision. But it's young. Finally, I know Garrett's gone by still think the defense is an above. It's 15th or better. If they had spent the money on the equalis, maybe we'd be saying, right, right. They may win six or seven games. Maybe they still technically aren't out of the race when December rolls around. Yeah. If they run the ball and don't turn it over too much and they can hang with anyone may not lose it in the fourth quarter.

3:09There's six and seven when December rolls around. Yeah. And they still have a very outside shot. Like this is something sealer fans should fear is when the season ends, you might look at them and be like, I drop a quarter back in that nest. This team could get really good really quick. Drop an archmaning or the right guy. Yeah, right, right. Right. Now history shows that they'll screw it up. But it's much like our Pittsburgh pirates optimism. So a lot of us up in our face. Aaron Schatz who does the DVOA stuff said the bad teams this year are worse than usual. Yeah. Like these bottom five or six. And we know who they are more or less when he does DVOA projections and things. He said they're worse than usual. So a lot of like his schedule stuff is if you play these teams, you're happy about it. You know, sure. I'm not sure I 100% agree because I still think I can even these two teams. Yeah. We saw a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel. You know. And they've certainly got some some talent on the roster. I'm sure we'll talk about Arizona soon. But Arizona's got some. Some thing they just have an awful schedule.

4:11I mean, I don't think there'll be a better team in their record indicates when it's all said in that Arizona does check in at number third. Okay. They've got it. They've got a top two or three tight end in the league. Yeah, they got weapons. They've got an offensive line that should be better. I like their skill guys a ton. And I think if Walter Nolan's healthy. I think he's placed for a massive year. I am to. I'm to. And even for this exercise, for sets not going to kill you. He's not the answer long term, but he's not going to be. There'll be some times where he's. Well, I don't know about that. But he's going to be a lot of people. I'm not sure if he's going to be able to do that. I'm not sure if he's going to be able to do that. I'm not sure if he's going to be able to do that. I'm not sure if he's going to be able to do that. He won't kill you. I would rather have brassette starting for the Steelers next Sunday than Sean Watson. Oh, yeah. He's better than any brown. No doubt. New York Jets check in at number 29. So again, it's fantasy season. We'll get to this too. I don't think their offense is going to stink. I hope that you have to breeze hall last night. I'm not shying away from him or Wilson or, you know, I think they've. I know it's one series, but they walked right down the field on the Steelers. They're top to offense.

5:11And if she knows not terrible, I think the defense needs a lot. They traded the best guys. You know, they did add some vets though to that defense that can maybe stabilize things a little bit. Tennis season team. It's really starting to worry me. 28 is the Tennessee Titans. I think they buy the worst. Oh, line in the league. And I'm a big Sam Ward guy. One of the best guards in the league. I know. And I'm such a big cam ward fan, but it is not look good at all. Take the first round pick out of a high state. Hasn't flourished yet. I mean, I. Some concerns about Titans. Brian Dable might have to work some magic there. Yeah. 27 Viva Las Vegas. Yes. Now they have spent money. Like they have two real linebackers. They have a center now. The old lines in much better shape. And we know they have Bowers, et cetera. But they still I can promise you when the season ends. And they might have a quarterback. They I still think I'll be like they need seven starters. Five on defense.

6:11Yeah, they're still really light defensively. And maybe that would be say they end up picking. Third overall, fourth overall. And it's like we could take Jeremiah Smith. Or we could get or we trade with the Steelers and get the number one edger usher and get tons of picks and yeah. Yeah. Or you just be like we're going to spend like crazy and free agency on defense. And the entire draft not named Jeremiah Smith is going to be defense. And we're going to take him to complete the offense. Yeah. Brock Bowers. Needs just 13 receptions this season to surpass Jason Whitten for most NFL history under the age of 24. He might do that week too. And he's missed a little bit of time too. They shut him down. So he wouldn't get hurt last year. 26 is the Steelers week one opponent. The Atlanta Falcons. It could go real bad for them. It's the such an eat. We'll talk about the more you know previewing them. But. Hope it doesn't go bad for my Gabi. John though. No. After him last night too. And Pennix might not be terrible. But I mean.

7:11Some of the things they were counting on quarterbacks, ed rushers. It's not going well. I mean injuries and whatnot. 25. They might be the team of all these ones towards the bottom that I could see taking a step forward. But it's the New Orleans Saints. The lot seems a little harsh. Lots of Jordan Tyson hurts though. A lot. I think that's probably too harsh. But this is starting to be respectable neighborhood. 24 the New York G. Men. I probably I'd have the Saints ahead of him. I think I would do. I'd have them a little bit more. I like shop more than dark. I think I'd have them a little bit lower. Yeah. 23 the Carolina Panthers. That's probably safe. I think that's probably about right. Yeah. It's going to be that division. She's going to be very interesting for a lot of different reasons this year. None that are maybe great reasons. But it'll still be interesting. You already named three of them. 20. I'm going to do the second five minutes. 20. None of them are in the well only one of them in the top 20. Yeah. 22 the Minnesota Vikings. I don't know. I might have them a little bit higher. This is where it gets tough because it's still optimism season. Nothing's gone wrong. There'd be better a quarterback, which I do believe. But that does seem rough. Like I could easily tell the story where the Vikings end up in the playoffs.

8:22Yeah. Packers take a step back. Bears take a step back. You could definitely write that script 21. You were Pittsburgh Steelers. Out. Yeah. I don't know about they got the commanders ahead of the Steelers. I got commanders to be really low for me. Colts ahead of the Steelers. I don't know. I don't know about that. I'd have the commanders four or five spots since we talked. They would be like 27 to me. But they're at 20. They're one ahead of the Steelers. I don't I don't see that at all. They're probably the one that I would have the most off. If I was to do my own exercise here. Yeah, there'd be more towards like the bottom feeder neighborhood. 19 the Colts. I don't know, man. Just so many questions around the health of so many keep components of that team. Yeah. That's definitely true. But are getting guys back. If sauce Gardner can get back to being one of the top. Nurse back. You know, right. Yeah. You know, Danny Dimes is able to get back to reasonable health. Sure. Jonathan Taylor's great. They've got some weapons. But there's just a lot of question marks around that situation too. However, when it's all said and done, they usually win seven or eight games. And they're about here in the power ranks and, you know, as you said many times, they are the most average team in the national football.

9:29Number 18, the Tampa Bay Buckeneers. None of the seniors have the box to easily. I think I would. I think I would. You know that if, Oh, if Todd Balls wins 10 games this season, he would have the third most wins in franchise history. Big year for Todd Balls and for a big field and just the future, you know, charting the future of that organization. It is 17. Their align was decimated last year. So I mean, that's one thing that at least they're wide receivers were pretty banged up to. Yes, true. Seventeen, the jacks, Jags. Hmm. If they make the playoffs this year, Matt, it'll be the first time in their franchise history. They've gone back to back to the post season. Wow. Which I understand they've been a little hapless, but that's still surprising. I'm still pretty surprising, especially. I mean, you were a little young, but like the Bisselli Jimmy Smith, red tailor teams, they gave a steal. There's a lot of problems with their. Remember that. Remember that. Send their stretch are they were horrible. Like when they're drafting Ramsey and Bordles and those guys. 16, the Cincinnati Bungles.

10:32Probably fair. Well, these like average teams. It's funny, though, Cincinnati. It'd be better. You know, you see them in the late teams on some of these rankings. You also see them like nine or 10 on these rank. And say I can make cases for all these teams, including the Steelers. When you and I and we'll do this next week, we will pick all of our eight division winners and our 14 playoff teams. That AFC North conversation is going to be a long one. I'm still torn. I'm going to change my mind 50 times on. I continue to change my mind just about every day as well. 15. They've been hard of Texas. It's the Dallas Cowboys. I'm pretty high in the Cowboys. I think I'm going to pick them to win division. That offense could be one of the best in the league. 14, the L.A. charges gold charges go. Maybe I think the defensive coordinator loss is bigger than people think because I don't see a lot of star power on that side. No, but you do add Mike McDaniel to the offense. Yeah. I think it's going to be a little more shootout issue than you think.

11:3213. Another team that's very tough to evaluate at this standpoint. But I do understand them getting the benefit of the doubt as well. The Kansas City Chiefs. I think I'd be lower. I think the offense is going to struggle. I'm a little worried. It's going to be patching my homes and Andy Reid and not much else there. Yeah, I don't think their weapons are very strong. I think the defense is getting a facelift, but it's just good, not great. I'm almost certainly going to take them third in their division. Yeah. Back to the playoffs, maybe. AFC so hard. I mean, we can really make cases for 12 teams in the AFC to go to the play. We might have to do a full AFC show next week or at least an hour on the AFC alone. The Bears check in at number 12. There are another interesting one, Matt, that I have a hard to, if you ask me other than the AFC North, what do you think is going to be the most difficult division to pick? Yes. The West's in both the AFC and the NFC are difficult, but it might be the NFC North. Yeah. And in the NFC North, I can just tell I'm higher on the Vikings than this

12:36author is, and I bet I'm lower on the Bears and Packers. I'm starting to, there's some packer hole. I'm starting to get some cold feet with Chicago and Green Bay. There's the holes and there's some injuries. Yeah. And just and some suspensions now, potentially looming for the Packers. Big time. 11 will stay in the division. It's the Detroit Lions. Okay. I think I'm going to have the Lions first in that division. That's the top one though. I was thinking about doing that actually. Maybe I'll pick the Lions and see Matt's reaction. Lions bears and Packers D are all very questionable. And you don't think of that division. You think of it as a black and blue division. Sure. And it was. Yeah. Right. Recently, but it's not quite looking to be that way. There could be a lot of shootouts in those division games. Number 10 into the top 10, the Houston Texans checking at 10. I'm cool with that. I might have him higher. Number nine across the coast. San Francisco 49ers. Yes, but fragile. They're a volatile. Yeah, they are. They're

13:39so old. Very volatile. It's one of the only times in NFL history where there are five skill position players that they're going to start around in week one or all 30 plus. It's a little crazy. And as we've talked about it, the Kyle Shanahan is kind of defined that volatility. Yeah. Yeah. They either when they either go 12 and five or five and 12 every year seemingly. Number eight, the Baltimore Ravens. Can't I'm glad they're not number one in the AFC. To me, that's a little more. Two or three, I would definitely have the bills and Denver and probably Houston ahead of them. Another one that's tough to predict at this point, especially because the unknown of Jesse Mentor in the first time had coach. Number seven, the Green Bay Packers check in at seven. That's way too high for me. I think that's way too high and let I don't think they're running game and it aligns to me very good. I think the cornerback rooms are really bad. I will say though, if you tell me and I don't think this is going to be the case because he's I think they're targeting a week six return for him might be later. But if Mike appartions is defense of player of the year

14:42level and I understand if he misses the first five or six games of the year, but you get what I'm see plays of a level that if it was over 17 games, he'd be firmly in the discussion. That's maybe that's maybe the only if he is a miles Garrett, you know, he can be what TJ was until last year and we're hoping he could get back close to if he's that type of, you know, Wilson Jr. Right. One of the clear cut best two or three edge rushers in the league. Then I could maybe see it with the Packers, but that's asking a lot for a guy who we likely won't see until October and it's coming off of a major major injury. Yeah. And if I were doing power rankings right now, I would do it without Parsons or Jacobs in the mix. I don't know how you can because they're not going to be out there for a while. Now we might get to week 12 and Parsons is getting two sacks of games. Sure. Then I would have him higher in the power. Sure. But not now. Number six, very high here, the New England Patriots. Oh, I wouldn't have him quite that high either. I don't think I would either. I'd have him down a few spots. I don't think the defense is going to

15:43be great. And I think the offense has a lot of questions. Yeah. Yeah. You know, you and I are both Drake May believers, but how good is AJ Brown going to be? How much can that offensive line improve? Those are two big questions. Number five into the top five here. It's across the Commonwealth, the Philadelphia Eagles. I think the defense will be top three to five. But this is still too high for me. The O'Line ain't what it used to be. A lot of changes on the offense that might work out, but it's still a bit of an unknown. They could get back into being a bonafide contender. Oh, they definitely could. They could also great or great faith in the organization and team building and all that too. It could also a little vault that word volatility, the head coach, the quarterback. There's potential for it all to blow up too. Yeah. Number four, the Denver Broncos. I'm a believer. I think the water audition goes a really long way. Sean Payton now in his fourth season with the Broncos could move into the top 10 of all time career coaching wins. Right now, let's see. He has 184. That's the 13th spot. He must be close

16:48to Tomlin Harbour. I was just going to say currently, Hall of Famer Chuck Null and Mike Tomlin are tied at number nine with a hundred and ninety three. It's pretty cool. By the way. Where they have one ninety nine, one ninety three. Okay. And if if Tomlin never coaches again, that would be a pretty cool. It's pretty cool. Yeah. It would last. Top three here, Buffalo Bills, number three, Matt. They are the top ranked AFC team on this list. Yeah. I'm coming around on them a little bit. I think the offense will be very, very good. And I thought they overpaid for DJ Moore, but that's exactly what they needed. You know, number two, the Seattle Seahawks. Sure. Number one, the Los Angeles Rams. Yeah, especially with now Donald in the mix. I mean, both of those top two. I mean, yeah, probably the most loaded roster and then the defending Super Bowl champion. And they lost a little, but they're going to be in it. I wonder if those two end up in the NFC championship game again. I'm sure it probably has, but I wonder if we've ever had back to back years of two teams in the same division in the conference championship game. Huh.

17:49Like we had Steelers Ravens, but it was sometimes it was the divisional round. I mean, there was a, and there was a lot of like Niners Cowboys when I was, you know, in the 90s where they would meet up in the NXT championship game, but not the same division. Yeah, I bet it's never happened. There's maybe there's back to back. Let's see if we can find an answer when we go to break, but that'll certainly be a storyline to keep an eye on that maybe once again, the two best teams in the NFL coming from the NFC West. Let's talk a little fantasy football, some running backs when we return on the other side for our daily fantasy football focus. Yulor Williamson hits the drive Steelers Nation radio on the Steelers audio network. And now a word from our sponsor Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. What if we just got out of here and grab some Bud lights? But man, we're on air for four more hours. I'll figure it out. Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean crisp taste of Bud Light. Stop up now. Bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy.

18:51Enjoy responsibly, copyright 2026 and has a bush Bud Light beer St. Louis Missouri. I used to have cable internet, but I'm a 100% kind of fan. So I switched to Verizon Fios. It's 100% fiber internet that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% of the NFL draft live with ultra low lag. And after what went down in the first round, still getting video calls from my best friend, rubbing it in that he called all the pigs. I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet. Get 100% fiber internet with Verizon Fios because when it comes to your team, it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-3-3 Verizon to switch today. Get that hot dog costume ready. Bra. You're tuned to the drive on your 24-7 home of the black and gold Steelers Nation Radio. Matt, the answer was right in front of us. Have a few more screaming at their phones. At least some of the older phones. The older generation Steelers fans.

19:52Last time, two teams from the same division played in back-to-back conference championship games. It was the Steelers and the Houston Oilers. late 78 and 79. How about that? Right in our own backyard. That's the Earl Campbell teams. You and I were talking. They're kind of like some of those, you know, Utah jazz and New York Knicks teams of the 90s Orlando Magic. Just, you know, if it would have been for Jordan and the Bulls, they might have a couple rings. But unfortunately, they couldn't get past those big bad Pittsburgh Steelers. Yeah, I mean, again, that's kind of when I was learning football, it was like a four or five-year-old, you know, who might uncle, dad, etc. I would be like, man, the Raiders had it tough because they did the oath of 70 Steelers. But at least they got a Super Bowl. Yeah. The Oilers have no hardware and they were really, really good and they were in the wrong division. Yep. You know, sometimes those are the brakes, man. And obviously, Earl Campbell, one of the all-time great running backs. Matt, let's talk some fantasy football running backs with your big board. And this will obviously, these are important because these are your league winners. This is this is your meat and potatoes and your bread and butter of your fantasy football team.

20:56As you witnessed, you did first picking your draft last night. There's two of the sand alone. There's two in the first tier. Yes. Gibbs, beijon, beijon, Gibbs, whatever you want to do, whatever you prefer. I don't think there's a wrong answer. I took beijon first overall. I think I would too. And then I didn't pick again because remember, it's a 14 team league until 28, 29. I went with Devonta Smith and Breeze Hall for my next two picks. I also came away with DJ Moore with Tyler Warren, Malik Willis and Tyler Murray. So I kind of, I kind of liked how how everything shaped out. Yes, that's similar to our quarterback conversation for me yesterday. Yeah. So it was, it was my first one of the two leagues that I really care about. And I got another one this weekend as I'm sure many people do, including my co-host, Matt Williamson. Yeah, and that's now comes my dilemma. I'm picking fifth in my buddy's draft. You know, the one that I care the most about, I've been in forever. Bragging rights with your boys. No, right. And I won it last year. Wait, how are you picking fifth if you want it last year?

21:56Because we randomize it every year. And that's the last spot I wanted to be honest with you. I don't want to pick in this neighborhood. I'd rather pick them top two or right from seven on. I would consider Jamar Chase at five. But if it's not Chase, it's going to be a running back. And it's going to be one of these next tier guys. And I keep him and Han, you know, McAfry Taylor. I really like cook. I like Kenneth Walker a ton. I mean, and none of them can be. They could be, yeah, Barclays, the other one I was a tip of my tongue. It was like, none of them am I going to do cartwheels. No matter how it falls, I'm never going to be like, woo, you know, I know I'll get beach on a gib. You know, but at that fifth pick, it's tough. There's not a home run for me there. I'm just going to take one and hope it works out. You have beach on one, Gibbs two. I think we've discussed that. Hey, if you've got Gibbs first, be John second, I don't think we think it's crazy. It's just kind of dealers choice there. Number three, Christian McAfry. So again, I think I said this when we were talking quarterbacks yesterday. I'm not going to be as risk averse as some owners.

22:59Because I'm trying to, I'm trying to come in first. If I come in third, it's a, I might as well come in last. You're Ricky Bobby. Yeah. If you ain't first, you're last. And McCaffrey's the best fancier running back. It's ever lived. So I'm going to go with it. I'm going to roll that when you put it that way. That way, that way. I know he's got high risk in terms of the workload last year. And his yards for carry were down. But no one scores touchdown or catches passants like Christian McAfry. So I'm leaning that direction. If, if it five, he's available. But this next guy is a strong case too. Jonathan Taylor for James Cook five. Kenneth Walker six. Would that kind of be your second tier there? I think it's between Taylor and McCaffrey for three. Remember how good Taylor was before they, if I never, then that offense was healthy. That game in that game that they played in Munich. Right. Right before they played the Steelers. And he was unbelievable. They actually threw him the ball a little bit last year. Cook and Walker, I know I'm higher on than consensus. I won't give you the one at five. But I think both of them are being a little slept on amongst the best guys out there.

24:04A lot of talk that Cook's going to catch a lot more balls. You know, and that's huge. Kenneth Walker six. Say, Juan Barkley seven. I've had Barkley's highs for. I keep moving around. He's a tough one to evaluate. Two years ago, he was an unbelievable fantasy asset. Had one of the greatest single seasons that are running back as ever had. And I don't think he got word. I don't think he's like. It's not like he was a disaster this year. But it's when you have a year like that, it's always tough to follow it up. The following year, the thing that sticks with me with that year was he had over a thousand rushing yards before contact. Oh, there were times. I mean, that line was green grass and high tides forever. I just don't think the line's going to be doing him those kind of favors. That season that year, two years ago, he had something insane. Like maybe in the high teens. Of runs of like. I think it was 45 plus yards or 60 plus yard runs. Like it was almost every game. He was having a 60 yard either touchdown run or really explosive long game. And the other crazy thing about that year,

25:05like people probably remember like, I barked at that year. I won my league. Yeah, you probably did if you had a bite. He probably did because he did do all those things we mentioned. But he also got tackled on the one, like eight times. That of course, Hertz comes in and Tosh pushes and he has a good thud. Sure. If he falls one yard further, he might have like eight more touchdowns. If his quarterback is Matthew Stafford. Or yeah, yeah, just give it back to say quan and do. But Derek Henry gets it, you know, speaking of Derek Henry, you have him at eight. Yeah. I never owned Derek Henry in fantasy because every year, I'm like, this is your unit. This is all and I'm sick of it. I'm just going to draft them and he's like McCaff reason all time great. Yeah. And I did this for half PPR. He doesn't catch any ball. No, he does not. Okay, that's important to know half PPR. Devon H ain't at number nine. Ashton Gentie at number 10. He's starting to I know the injury starts a little concerned. Mike Washington's looked really good. So I also they're in a rush. I picked up Mike Washington in one of the last,

26:05you should. And one of the last couple rounds of my draft. You might start him a week one and go from there might start. And as you said, it's a week to week proposition. Yeah, I've got B. John. I've got Breeze Hall. I figured I could take a risk there with that guy. This neighborhood and running backs is fine, but they're going pretty, they're expensive and they have wards. 11 O'Marion Hampton. Could he be that second year guy that's primed for a big step forward? He actually could. A lot of people are projecting it in that offense with a great design running game. Blubble blah. I just wanted to see more as a rookie as a player. He was a little disappointing in the little bit. I mean, he's big and fast. He's also banged up though to. I know doubt. And they have any tackles and you know, 12 chase brown from the AFC North. People we like he's not like the others, but consensus he's been running back six in terms of ADP. He is probably the best situation of any running back in the league. Awesome offense. They give him the ball all the time.

27:06So he doesn't even have to be good. It's he no doubt. It's not a flashy pick. Obviously they like to throw the ball, but someone's got to run it too. Yeah, and he catches a fair amount too. TV our statistician. Mr. TV Texan me two years ago in the second half of the season. Sequan had seven touchdown runs of 60 plus yards in the second half of the season. That's insane. That's just that's not as many as some guys have in their entire career. Yeah. 13 breeze hall. Yeah, I'm not real worried about the jets. He's gonna get the ball a lot. 13 Javante Williams. Doesn't catch enough. 14 Javante Williams part of me. Doesn't catch enough, but he's there's no competition at all. Really, really good offense. Then your first rookie here on the list, Jeremiah Love checks in at number 15. Him and Jentie just be careful when you put the sticker on the board to double check what the latest injury news is because he could miss a week or two. Who knows? And I would think that they're going to be very careful with him.

28:06Yeah, he's cautious with it. Boy, he's really, really good. Kyron Williams at 16 DeAndre Swift at 17. Again, Kyron Williams is one of those dudes. I don't get very often, but I should because my scout brain pops in and be like, I wish he was a better player, but he's number one back on a really good offense. He scores a ton of touchdowns and he scores fancy points. You know, you have another rookie Jeremiah Love's former fighting Irish running mate, Jadarian Price at 18. Yeah, I think he's going way too late. Start week one for the sea off. Yeah, they like shut him down immediately. They seem to be really high on him. Travis, a Chan at 19 and then Quincha, Junquan, Quincha, and Junquan's part of me of the Cleveland Browns at 20. Yeah, I think a Chan's in a great situation. Not a lot of competition. They gave him money. Judkins is in a terrible situation, but he's a really good talent. All these, I'm comfortable starting. Yes. You know, this range is like you're running back to rain. Yeah, especially if you were pretty loaded at receiver, you know,

29:08you have Ramon, Dre Steve, sorry, David Montgomery at 21, Ramon, Dre Stevenson at 22. And then Johnny Knoxville, I mean, cam scatter boo at 23. Yeah, everyone else at scatter boo higher than that. Nausea could be the pillage short yardage guy. There's a lot of mouse to feed in that running back room. This is the neighborhood where I'm not comfortable having them as my running back to. Jonathan Brooks 24, Jordan Mason 25. Those are two of my Travion Henderson. Taking a big shot on Brooks or Mason. Let's go for some notable names here as we round out this conversation. You have Jaylen Warren at 29. And what's funny is I sent you that last night. I moved them up like five spots this morning. Yeah, just because I got in a unlocked on fantasy today. We were talking about running backs and just talked to myself into Warren more. Just like we did the third segment of first hour. I'm just going to keep bumping them up and end them up with him. You have JK Dobbins at 32.

30:09He's interesting because he produces like crazy and then he gets hurt. But if you take that approach and you're a cocky owner like me saying, I'm just going to start them until the wheels fall off knowing the wheels are going to fall off soon. Then I'll go find somebody else. You have Rico Dattle at 36. Yeah, I just don't think he's going to do much in passing it. Kenneth Gainwell at 38. I think all he's going to do is in the passing it. And then formally of this parish, Najee Harris checks in at 42. Yeah, and you're getting that neighborhood. It's pretty thin. I mean, is anyone knows the place fantasy? There's a point of running backs where it falls off a cliff. It falls off a cliff. I don't even know if I take Harris that early. Now, there are some guys like Tank Bigs B and Washington, you mentioned with the Raiders that are clear handcuffs that are one injury away from being an every-way starter. And I think it's smart to grab those guys. Whether you took their guy ahead of them or not. I don't even care if I have the guy ahead of them on the depth chart.

31:12Matt Williamson's 2026 fantasy football running back rankings. All of you, a good luck if you are entering the fantasy football draft pool anytime here in the next couple days. And certainly over Labor Day, a lot of those going on, including our very own Matt Williamson with all his boys out in deep creek. One more segment. If you guys want to tweet us, you have questions you have from your fantasy draft between now and Friday. Hit us up. Absolutely. We got a couple of those in the last, what, 22 hours since we were on air. We'll get to some of those and more when we return to wrap up the show. Mueller and Williamson, Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. The Steelers Nation Radio.

32:29Final segment of the day, you all know what that means. It's time to get to your questions, comments, concerns and reactions. A quick note, clarification on that Sequan Barclay stat that TV gave us in the last segment. I kind of hastily read his text message at a second half stats. And I thought that meant second half of the season. That was second half of games. So that I remember more vividly because he was just in the second half. Just kill and defenses when they got a little, a little guest. Now that was an awesome rushing team. I mean, hurts. Sequan that O line. But they threw a lot in the first half that season. They went to Superlator. They threw in the first half at an above average clip. And then the second half, it was just Sequan. Sequan. Be in your face and just dominating time possession. Seekers could use more of that. Yeah, I was just tweeting the other day that when I dug into Matt stats, I think only one defense played more snaps in the Steelers. And one offense, I think ran fewer plays in the Steelers.

33:29Not going to cut it, man. Not going to cut it for fourth quarter defense. Let's get to as many of your questions, comments, concerns, reactions as we can before we get up out of here on this Wednesday speaking of fantasy football questions. Sam says I picked up Casey, concept, she own in my dynasty. Nice. Start up last Sunday. It is a three receiver plus super flex. Seven PPR league. How do you think Casey will do? Some of my buddies were saying it was a bad pick because he's on the browns. But I think he'll be heavily featured. No, I think he'll be heavily featured. A lot of quick hitting stuff, a lot of quarterback friendly stuff. I have him, I think we'll do receivers tomorrow. He's like my 38th receiver for just this year. And I think the, you know, for dynasty, you have forever. I was going to say for dynasty, that's one that in two or three years could pay off bag if the browns do find their quarter. Like in my dynasty rookie drafts, I was taking him ahead of like my Kai lemon. You know, people thought I was nuts, but I gladly would do it again. Andy asks, given that most teams don't play their starters much or at all in the preseason anymore,

34:31is it fair to view September games as preseason type games that obviously do count? Yes and no, because there's still going to be so much more game planning than the preseason. And you only have 17 games. Yeah. And so I mean, the, the, the role, no teams are thinking lightly. Yes. I think Andy knows that too. Yes, absolutely. I met maybe there's more rotations. I feel like you and I had a similar conversation to this last year, but it's something that I always stress. I don't start really judging an NFL team and until about the end of September, early October. Yeah, I think that's fair. Making those sweeping judgments. I'm like, oh, this could be their year. Exactly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And all particularly the first two weeks of the season, our Davis just win, baby. I don't care if it's a Mona Lisa. Or if it looks like my three year old throw in paint on a piece of construction paper, just win. It's the same thing with college football. We do this, especially in college football where there is no preseason. Everyone now is crowning Virginia is the ACC champions because they went and blew the doors off

35:34at NC stayed on Saturday. It's week one. It's week one. And it's really, it's a week zero in college football. But you get what I'm saying. It takes time, man. Don't start really judging the team until week three or week four. But do everything you can to just win those first couple games. I don't know what this I'm sure the Steelers be favorite against Falcons and they should be. Let's say it's a seven and a half point spread. It probably isn't that big. And they only win by two. I don't care. I don't care. Right. Right. Yeah. I don't care. If your favorite college football team, right, this weekend, Saturday, pit plays my name in Ohio, WVU plays coastal Carolina. They're both like they're both like for me touchdown favorites. Okay. If they wind up winning by 10, it's not the end of the world. Not the only one. Just win. Yeah, yeah. All that matters early on in the season. If the Steelers offensive line looks like it's really struggling for the first two weeks, I know you're all going to do it. Probably will. But don't get on your social media. This offensive line sucks and we're screwed. Give it time. Yeah. They wasted all these high picks on the line and give it a minute.

36:36If the first two weeks of the season, Jeremy Benard has 200 yards and two touchdowns. Don't crown him as the best wide receiver in this rookie class. Give it time. Yeah. Now, I think you're right about week five-ish. They're certain to show you who they are. Yes. Yes. And to September, early October is when you really start getting the picture of who teams are. You just got to stay above above level there and and and win as many games as you can in the process. Sean says any chance we get a daily fantasy football segment in season again, purely for entertainment purposes, of course. I would doubt it. This is one that we've been asked about a few times. Yeah. That was Dale's specialty. Yeah, he loved it. And I enjoy it too. But needless to say, Dale was way more into fantasy than you are. Yes. That's why we do the around campus college football segment now, because that's more of my bread. That was kind of what I brought to the table for you of something that I could could bring to the show. Absolutely. We'll touch on it. Yeah, maybe. I don't think there'll be a segment every day.

37:37Not every day, but maybe we could do once a week. Yeah. Maybe that is something we could work in once a week. Or Monday or Tuesday, these are the guys that had huge weeks. You think they're going to keep up that type of thing or, you know, how about this? Because we've stated this before. Once we get into the regular season, we're not going to have as much time to do open question segments either. Let us know on Twitter and in the YouTube comments, would you rather us do, if it was only going to be a once a week thing, would you rather have it be an audience question segment like this? Yeah. And you can ask fancy questions. Or would you rather have it be daily fantasy football? If we were only going to do one of those once a week, audience segment, questions, comments, concerns, reactions, or daily fantasy football, which would you prefer? One thing as I'm kicking it around is maybe Tuesday after the Monday night or because Monday is going to be steal or recap most of the time. You know what I mean? Assuming the Steelers play on Sunday, I don't want to do a fantasy Monday show because most of that's going to be talking about Steelers Falcons or whatever you're going to mean. Exactly right. So I was thinking Tuesday with every game in the books,

38:38these were the top five producing quarterbacks for fantasy. These were the top 10 receivers. Is it a fluke or is this something that's going to keep up? You know what I mean? Particularly at the beginning of the year. I think the beginning of the year, something like that. Or even Thursday, Friday, we could be, I really like this guy this week or they've a really good matchup or something like that. Maybe it's two segments a week at most, something like that. I mean, the segments just fill up so quick. It really is. Yeah. It sounds funny because at times during the off season, we're like, hey gang. Thirty seconds. When you get in season, that's not much. No, because there's practice reports and guests and, yeah, I mean, in the morning, I know football and football. Oh, there's a game tonight. Coach McCarthy says something in his press conference. Yeah, injury reports and right, right, right. Chris, there's a big trade or something like that. Oh, yeah. Christopher says, I guess we really won't know the true answer, but I want you guys thoughts on no joint practices. Was that maybe a chance to get Aaron Rogers some more legit reps without him being hit? Just seems like Mike McCarthy is in the minority and not liking them.

39:38Tell me one year. So who's who's to say for sure? We'll see. Yeah. I do think they'll become more and more popular and sitting guys during the preseason will become more and more popular, especially if we go to the 18 and two models. And if the tune is around the corner of the season, it's something you might not be able to avoid even if you don't want to. We know that McCarthy is less excited about contact than Paul. I mean, that's a fact at this point, but that doesn't mean he's going to avoid joint practices. I guess I'd have to see what Dallas did too. I don't know. But then that even that was two years ago. I mean, it changes in different owner too. Jerry might be like, what's new joint practices? Mr. Rune might be like, let's not or vice versa. I don't know. Maybe it's a we'll do joint practices, but only if teams want to come to St. Vincent or come to Acro sure, St. Yeah. That's the other thing too is the logistics of it isn't as easy as you think. No, it's not because it's usually happens two days before you play them in the preseason,

40:40but they got to ship a lot of stuff and things happen quick. And the Steelers are already a little pressed for space on campus. Yeah, right. And then if you bring in another 100 players and all their staff and everybody else need to go, it's not as easy as you think. Jeff asks, do you see Pat Fryer booth being used more in line or split out? Do you guys think Aaron Rogers will have more liberty to change plays given his experience in this offense and his history with McCarthy? Split out on Fryer booth, not they don't never war line in line, but I bet most of his snap for from a lot of the tax position and his numbers from the tax position were really, really good last year. Roger says all the freedom in the world. And if he told him he does and he's going to do it anyway. You think he's going to not check out of a play if he doesn't want to do it? Everyone. Frank Sinatra. He did it. Mr. Steel City says it seems like every Super Bowl winner has an offensive superstar outside

41:41of quarterback. How do the Steelers get that offensive superstar? Also assuming that they'll have to give up some capital to move up for a quarterback. It's a great question. The great question. And is all the players on the team, I don't see any of them developing into the next Jermar Chase or Sequan. You know, I like their backs. I like their tight ends. I like their wide receivers. I don't think any of them is going to be the best running back in the league. Maybe you left Bel. Right. Exactly. Exactly. Two first rounders in fantasy type of guys. So that's a great question. And frankly, it's one of my bigger concerns about the roster overall. I don't see elite players. You know, like who's the guy that the defensive coordinator or offensive coordinator just can't sleep at night could walk become into that guy again. Sure. It's cam Hayward at top five defensive tackle. Absolutely. Is Frazier at top two or three center? Yes. But that's different than playing against James Harrison. James Harrison. Maybe in Lead Bell or James Harrison when he's winning.

42:43There were Paul Mollu when they were winning defensive player of the year guy. All right. Randy Moss. Right. Exactly. Tyreek in his prime. You know, right. I will say though, and this is something that I have, I think outlined in the past, your quarterbacks, your tackles, a lot of times maybe even edge rushers and corners. Those are luxury items. Yeah. You've got to go to the Mercedes or the Porsche or the BMW. You're paying sticker price for those guys. Yeah. But a lot of times high end elite wide receivers and running backs. Yeah. There's the Seikwang Barclays and the Jamar Chases. There's also the guys drafted in the third and fourth and fifth. Well, Henry was a two. Yeah. I mean, right. There's a lot of them. The Vante Adams was a two. I mean, these are Hall of Fame guys that you can get on the second day. Yeah. There's no question. It's a little bit easier, I think, to find superstars at skill positions later in the rounds. Not that it's easy, but it's just a little bit easier. Now, this doesn't count. But if the Steelers O line can get to the level where I think it is, and it's not there now, but it's some point in the next year or two

43:45or the coming weeks, then a lot of things fall into place. You know, that collectively, if you have a superstar or a line, it's a really, really, really nice thing that had to say high tide that raises a lot of ships. And maybe a year or two from now, you have a superstar quarterback. And we know the effect that has, you know. Now, here's a question that is near and dear to our heart, Matt Williams. And Troy says they just opened a call verse nearby me. Nice. What do you guys recommend? Also, from a fantasy football perspective, should I be worried about Ashton Genti? I've never been bad at callers. Oh my god, nothing bad. But the ice cream stuff's great. The butter burgers are unbelievable. And I love the walleye. The walleye is unbelievable. Cheese cards are unbelievable. And then what do they call them? Concrete? I think that's what they're called. They're like a blizzard. It's almost like a blizzard from Dairy Queen. Fantastic. But they're heavy. I mean, they're, again, I don't think there's anything I've disliked. I've had the Chili's good. The Chili is very good. You're in there. There's nothing there that we've had that isn't good. I think I got a spicy chicken sandwich there one year that was fantastic.

44:47TV's giving me the thumbs up on that one. We talked a little bit about Genti. But yeah, I mean, there's some. Yeah, just double check the injury stuff. And right. Troy also said, if you guys played in the NFL, what position would it be? Waterboy? Yeah, exactly. That's exactly what I'd be. If it was, if I could create myself in Madden, I'd be a, I'd be a badass edge rusher. Oh, I mean, what would you say? Would you want to play? Yes. Not at my 510, 155 pound frame. But if I was, you know, I mean, like when we played pick up football of my buds, they always showed that I was the big tight end out of Wichita State. You know, like the, the six round pick slow lumbering. But big, you know, um, Boy, I can't even imagine physically like being an edge rusher. That's a different creature than I've ever been on any kind of playing surface in the planet. That'd be a lot of fun. A lot of fun. Yeah. Two more here to get to as we wrap this thing up. Ian says, you know, listening to Roger Jones talking, um,

45:48as a member of, uh, of Dallas now, he talked about how, how he struggled flipping from side to side. Um, I tend to think the same way, but just wanted your guys take on his comments. Thanks. Love you. I didn't hear his comments, but I did hear their planning on just keeping him at right. He basically said that, you know, it was, and he didn't come out and completely, you know, throw the stealers under the bus or anything. But he said it was a struggle moving around from side to side. Which I think is fair to say. Absolutely. My thoughts on that E and R, I think that's a fair thing to say. I also think that's life is a professional athlete, man. Unless you're good enough to stay in where they're never going to move you. Very, very few and he's talked about this himself. Very few athletes get the Ben Rothisberger treatment. Yeah, yeah. Where they get plopped into a team that's ready to win. And they've got a Hall of Fame running back behind him. And they've got a Hall of Famer on the offensive line. And they've got the Hall of really good at tight end and wide receiver. That it's, it's, it's not always fair. It's not always easy. That's life as a professional athlete, man. You got it. You got to play the hands your dealt. And I should know this, but I can't remember.

46:49I've taught my head. Where did he align his first snap in a sealer uniform in practice? If he'd have been great, they never were to move them. That's a great, that's a great culture. You know, right. Yeah. Last one of the day goes to Joe who says, when can we expect the much anticipated return of the Dean of Doom, the Lord of living in his fears? Bob Labriol at next week, I'm going to, we're going to try and get back to our kind of typical in-season programming next week. Yeah, I would think that's game preview week, which, you know, which would include our, our friends, Halic and DeFaybub. Yeah, and Missy was every Friday. Right. And so I will reach out to labs early next week. Trying to set up a regular schedule. And try and set up a regular time with him once again. That is definitely on my list of things to do next week, Joe. Don't you worry, we got to get labs back in the fold. There won't be a Monday show, but other than that, it should be like regular schedule programming next week. Yes, that's a good point. We won't have a Monday show because it's a Labor Day, but it will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Peral to the metal. Peral game preview week type of stuff, right? A lot of Matt Stats, because I can't wait.

47:49But that will do it for us today. Thanks to our buddy Mike DeFaybub for joining us from practice. Earlier, big shout out as always to video producer, slash statistician slash all around swell, dude. Mr. TV, Tyler V, for Matt Williams, and I'm Westfueller. Take care, everybody. We'll talk to you tomorrow as always. You know where to find us. Your 24, 7 home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation radio on the Steelers Audio Network.