How will Ravens new coaching staff affect their draft plans? + Raiders GM on teams calling about #1 pick (4/16 Hour 1)
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In this episode of PFT Live, Mike Florio and his co-hosts dive into the Ravens' upcoming draft strategy amid a major coaching staff overhaul under new defensive coordinator Jesse Minner. They discuss how the integration of fresh perspectives from college and other NFL teams could influence player evaluations, while emphasizing the Ravens' long-standing commitment to drafting and developing talent—particularly at cost-effective positions. The conversation shifts to the Raiders, who are poised to select first overall with Fernando Mendoza, and explore whether teams calling about trading for the top pick should be taken seriously. Despite the Raiders' confidence in Mendoza, GM John Spitek acknowledges the possibility of listening to offers, especially given the unpredictability of the draft. The hosts also reflect on historical draft busts like Jamarcus Russell and the evolution of rookie contracts, highlighting how the old system led to financial overreach and player entitlement. They conclude with a nostalgic look at the 2007 draft, which produced four Hall of Famers in the top 14 picks, and the absurdity of the Oakland Raiders briefly being the 'Seniors' for nine days in 1960.
The Ravens' new coaching staff may bring fresh perspectives to draft board evaluations, but their core philosophy of drafting and developing talent remains unchanged.
The Raiders are expected to select Fernando Mendoza first overall, but they remain open to trade offers—especially if they involve multiple high-value picks.
Historical context shows that even top picks like Jamarcus Russell can become busts, underscoring the unpredictability of the draft.
The NFL's shift to the rookie salary cap helped prevent financial overreach and player entitlement, especially after massive early contracts in the 2000s.
The 2007 draft was unusually strong, producing four Hall of Famers in the top 14 picks, including Calvin Johnson and Joe Thomas.
…and 1 more takeaway available in PodZeus
Tax Jokes, Jaywalking, and the Psychology of Traffic Lights
The episode opens with lighthearted banter about breaking the law—ranging from jaywalking to running red lights—before diving into the psychological and cultural nuances of driving behavior, including the significance of yellow light duration based on speed limits.
Ravens' Draft Strategy Under New Coaching Staff
“The Ravens have been phenomenal at that. And, you know, it's interesting too because yeah, same GM that's been there. He's going to have his beliefs and what he thinks about a football team. But, you know, like he was saying there, he's going to have to maybe listen to a coaching staff that's a little different.”
The Raiders' First Overall Pick and Mendoza Hype
“We need to play the best guy. And sometimes it's obvious and sometimes it isn't. But at the end of the day... They have to make an assessment. They have to play the best guy, and it's going to be Kirk Cousins. It's going to be Fernando Mendoza. It's going to be one of the two.”
Historical Draft Busts and the Evolution of Rookie Contracts
“The contracts that Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford got the last two years, 2010, 2009, respectively, of the old system. It's like these massive guarantees. And, you know, there was always this concern. You give a guy that much money walking through the door, nobody can tell him anything.”
The 2007 Draft and the Oakland Seniors Anomaly
“For nine days they were the Seniors and there was a great clip that was posted. Where when they changed the name, they got like a funeral display of flowers that said R.I.P. Seniors on it at this press conference.”
“For nine days they were the Seniors and there was a great clip that was posted. Where when they changed the name, they got like a funeral display of flowers that said R.I.P. Seniors on it at this press conference.”
“We need to play the best guy. And sometimes it's obvious and sometimes it isn't. But at the end of the day... They have to make an assessment. They have to play the best guy, and it's going to be Kirk Cousins. It's going to be Fernando Mendoza. It's going to be one of the two.”
“The contracts that Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford got the last two years, 2010, 2009, respectively, of the old system. It's like these massive guarantees. And, you know, there was always this concern. You give a guy that much money walking through the door, nobody can tell him anything.”
Host
Baltimore Ravens
other
Mike Florio
person
Oakland Raiders
other
Fernando Mendoza
person
Kirk Cousins
person
Jesse Minner
person
Jamarcus Russell
person
John Spitek
person
Eric DaCosta
person
Calvin Johnson
person
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