Get ready for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh! This week, we sit down with Eric Edholm, lead NFL Draft writer for NFL.com, to break down a unique and "top-heavy" 2026 class.

We dive deep into the Las Vegas Raiders' expected move for Heisman winner and national champion QB Fernando Mendoza. Edholm provides pro comparisons for Mendoza, discusses the impact of the Raiders' offensive line, and explores whether Mendoza should start Day 1 over veteran Kirk Cousins.

Beyond the QBs, we analyze the depth of this year's class across key positions:

• Position Strength: Where to find value in a draft Edholm calls "confusing" and "top-heavy" at offensive tackle.
• Safe Bets vs. Risks: Why Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs are considered "bust-proof" prospects while others carry "boom-bust" volatility.
• Stock Risers: Who blew away the Combine and Pro Days to skyrocket into first-round consideration.

Whether you're a Raiders fan or an NFL draft enthusiast, this interview covers everything you need to know before the picks start flying in Pittsburgh.

#NFLDraft #2026NFLDraft #Raiders #FernandoMendoza #NFLProspects #Pittsburgh #CollegeFootball #NFLCombine #NFLNews #MockDraft

YouTube Timecodes

• 00:00 – Introduction: 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
• 01:17 – Fernando Mendoza: Scouting Report & Jared Goff Comparison
• 02:02 – The Kirk Cousins & Clint Kubiak Factor in Las Vegas
• 03:08 – Mendoza’s Mental Toughness: From Miami to Indiana
• 04:35 – Evaluating the 2026 Class: Shaky QBs & Elite Edge Rushers
• 06:07 – Finding Value: Deep Tiers at Tight End & Safety
• 08:05 – The "Bust-Proof" Prospects: Sonny Styles & Caleb Downs
• 09:28 – Jeremyah Love vs. Bijan Robinson
• 11:13 – Boom-or-Bust: Risks with Jordan Tyson & Akeem Mesidor
• 13:30 – The Offensive Tackle Run: Why the First 50 Picks Matter
• 15:04 – Draft Stock Risers: Jerard McCoy & Malachi Lawrence
• 18:04 – Closing Thoughts

Join host Evan Groat and Andy Patton, host of the Locked On Basketball Podcast, as they dive into the high-stakes matchups of the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. This episode features an in-depth analysis of the "de facto national championship" between Michigan and Arizona, the clash between Illinois and UConn, and the latest buzz surrounding North Carolina's search for a new head coach.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction to the Sportsnot Interview

0:40 - North Carolina Head Coach Search: Lloyd, May, or Donovan

4:08 - Is the "Cinderella" Run Dead? The Impact of NIL & Transfer Portal

7:12 - Game Preview: #1 Illinois vs. #1 UConn

9:26 - The Danny Hurley Factor: Does Tournament Experience Matter?

11:21 - The Main Event: Michigan Wolverines vs. Arizona Wildcats

14:01 - Pressure to Win: Long Championship Droughts for Michigan & Arizona

15:10 - Where to Follow Andy Patton

#FinalFour #CollegeBasketball #CollegeHoops #UConn #Illinois #Michigan #Arizona

Get ready for Opening Day 2026! Baseball writer Zach Crizer joins the show to break down his most daring predictions for the upcoming season. From surprise division winners in the AL East and NL East to new faces in the MVP race, we dive into the rosters, pitching rotations, and major rule changes like the ABS challenge system that will define the year. Stick around to see which "team of destiny" is picked to take home the World Series trophy.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Opening Day 2026 Kickoff
• 01:02 – AL East: Why the Red Sox Take the Crown
• 02:29 – NL East: Can the New-Look Mets Deliver?
• 04:32 – Analyzing the Yankees & Phillies Offseason Moves
• 06:56 – AL Central: The Royals' Case for the Division
• 08:19 – NL Central: Cubs vs. Brewers
• 09:32 – MVP Race: Bobby Witt Jr. vs. Aaron Judge
• 10:45 – National League MVP: The Ohtani Factor
• 11:18 – The New ABS Challenge System Explained
• 12:45 – 2026 World Series Predictions

#MLB #baseball

Join Evan Groat and college basketball insider Adam Zagoria for an in-depth breakdown of the NCAA Tournament bracket. This episode explores the controversial seeding of St. John’s and Connecticut in the "murderous row" of the East region, alongside Duke and Michigan State. Adam provides expert analysis on which powerhouse coaches are under the most pressure, potential 5-12 upsets like High Point and Akron, and the teams most likely to end long championship droughts for the Big 10 and West Coast. Stay tuned for Adam’s Final Four predictions and find out why he believes Tommy Lloyd and Arizona are poised to take home the national title.

Chapters:

• 0:00 – Introduction: The Best Three Weeks of the Year
• 0:30 – St. John's Seeding Controversy: Should the Big East Champs Be a 5 Seed?
• 2:19 – The "Murderous Row" of the East Region: Duke, UConn, and Michigan State
• 4:14 – Coaches Under Pressure: Can Michigan State or Arizona End the Drought?
• 6:44 – Purdue’s Path: Are the Boilermakers a True Final Four Threat?
• 8:01 – Dark Horses: Is John Calipari’s Arkansas Built for a Deep Run?
• 8:50 – Cinderella Stories: Potential 5-12 Upsets and Mid-Major Spoils
• 10:09 – Contenders vs. Pretenders: How Many Teams Can Actually Win It All?
• 11:32 – Bracket Snubs and Selection Committee Gripes
• 12:52 – Final Four and National Championship Prediction

#ncaatournament #marchmadness #dukebasketball #arizonabasketball #michiganstate #arkansas #collegebasketball

The NFL league year is officially underway, and the free agent frenzy is in full swing! Join host Evan Gro and Caroline Fenton (Yahoo Sports, SiriusXM) as they dive deep into the biggest headlines from the start of the new league year. From the shocking Maxx Crosby trade saga and the Baltimore Ravens' pivot to Trey Hendrickson to the Las Vegas Raiders' aggressive strategy to build a winning "ecosystem" for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

We also break down whether free-agent spending translates to Super Bowl success, analyze recent winners like the Seahawks and Patriots, and identify which players, like DJ Moore in Buffalo and Trent McDuffie with the Rams, will have the biggest impact on their new teams.

Chapters:

• 0:00 – Introduction: Kickoff of the New NFL League Year
• 1:02 – The Max Crosby Trade Saga: Why the Ravens Backed Out
• 2:40 – Ravens' Pivot: Trading for Crosby vs. Signing Trey Hendrickson
• 4:11 – Las Vegas Raiders' Free Agency Aggression: Building Around Fernando Mendoza
• 5:30 – Key Raiders Signings: Tyler Linderbaum, Nico Dean, and Defensive Depth
• 5:54 – Is a Veteran Bridge Quarterback Next for the Raiders?
• 7:20 – Is Winning Free Agency Overrated for Super Bowl Success?
• 8:38 – Lessons from the Seahawks and Patriots Super Bowl Rosters
• 10:36 – The Role of "Schedule Luck" in a Super Bowl Run
• 12:14 – High-Risk Contracts: Daniel Jones, Alec Pierce
• 14:43 – Impactful Trades: DJ Moore to the Bills & Trent McDuffie
• 16:03 – The Joe Brady Connection: Why DJ Moore Will Thrive in Buffalo
• 17:50 – Which Super Bowl Contenders Are Being Too Quiet in Free Agency?

Sportsnaut host Evan Groat sits down with NFL Draft Analyst Ryan Roberts of A to Z Sports and host of the "Best Available Podcast," who was at the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Roberts shares his firsthand insights on players who improved their draft stock, including running back Mike Washington from Arkansas and defensive back Chris Johnson from San Diego State. Roberts also discusses the consensus quarterback two in the class, Tai Simpson, the strength of this year's draft being on the defensive side of the ball, and why the combine is his favorite pre-draft event.

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Introduction to Ryan Roberts
• 0:39 - Why the NFL Combine is the favorite pre-draft event
• 1:27 - About Ryan Roberts' "Best Available Podcast"
• 2:25 - The Combine as a verification process
• 3:42 - Prospect whose positive thoughts were confirmed: Traden Stokes (Arizona)
• 4:58 - Prospect who could be a first-round pick: Chris Johnson (San Diego State)
• 5:38 - Teams becoming too enamored with physical ability
• 8:24 - Prospects who improved their draft stock
• 10:56 - Biggest riser since the end of the season
• 12:57 - Consensus quarterback 2: Tai Simpson
• 15:16 - Strength of the 2024 NFL Draft class

#NFLCombine #NFLDraft #Indianapolis #Sportsnaut #RyanRoberts #NFL #DraftProspects #BestAvailablePodcast #TradenStokes #MikeWashington #ChrisJohnson #TaiSimpson

MLB Analyst Tom Verducci joins host Evan Groat to discuss the latest in Major League Baseball, including the new ABS challenge system, the New York Yankees' offseason moves, the Los Angeles Dodgers' dominance, and the likelihood of a future work stoppage. Verducci also pinpoints teams he expects to bounce back this season.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction and Guest Tom Verducci

0:57 - The New MLB ABS Challenge System

1:30 - Verducci’s thoughts on the ABS System

4:23 - The Future of Robo-Umpires

5:15 - Reviewing the Yankees' Offseason

7:46 - The Dominant Los Angeles Dodgers

10:31 - Thoughts on the Dodgers' Spending and Dynasties

12:43 - Likelihood of an MLB Work Stoppage

15:31 - Teams Expected to Bounce Back in the Upcoming Season123456789

#MLB #MajorLeagueBaseball #Baseball #TomVerducci #ABSChallengeSystem #RoboUmpires #Yankees #Dodgers #WorkStoppage #MLBSeasonPreview #Sportsnaut

College basketball insider Adam Zagoria (NY Times/Forbes) joins the Sportsnaut Interview to discuss the exceptionally talented freshman class, including the "big three"—Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Cam Boozer (Duke), and AJ Debansa (BYU)—and how their potential draft stock is being impacted by issues like injuries and player eligibility debates. Plus, a deep dive into the most dominant conference in college hoops and mid-major teams like Miami (Ohio) and St. Louis.

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Introduction to College Basketball Insider Adam Zagoria
• 0:56 - The Talented Freshman Class and the NBA Draft
• 1:41 - The "Big Three" Freshmen: Darren Peterson (Kansas), Cam Boozer (Duke), and AJ Debansa (BYU)
• 2:25 - NIL, the Transfer Portal, and Building College Rosters
• 4:02 - Schools Shifting Away from High School Recruiting
• 5:05 - Darren Peterson's Availability and Toughness Concerns
• 7:45 - Debates Over G League Players and Former Draft Picks Returning to College
• 10:58 - The Most Dominant Conference: Big 10 vs. Big 12
• 13:38 - Undefeated Mid-Majors: Miami (Ohio) and St. Louis NCAA Tournament Outlook

#CollegeBasketball #NBADraft #AdamZagoria #FreshmanClass #MarchMadness #CBB #Big12 #Big10 #DarrenPeterson #CamBoozer #AJDebansa