Matt Waldman's RSP Cast

Matt Waldman shares his thoughts on the quarterback evaluation, the joys and challenges of the 2022 QB class, and what it portends for the NFL and fantasy football in this solo podcast.  Today, I’m discussing my thoughts on the 2022 QB class: * Why this class is fun to scout. * What makes it challenging. * What it means for the league. * What it means for fantasy. I preface this episode with what I've learned during my career as an independent draft scout who has hit resoundingly on the likes of Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Russell Wilson thanks to lessons learned from big misses on the likes of Dak Prescott, Blaine Gabbert, and Bruce Gradkowski. These lessons set the tone for what makes the 2022 class so intriguing as a scout. I hope you enjoy it. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Mark Schofield joins Matt Waldman’s RSP Film Room to examine the game of 2022 NFL Draft prospect Kenny Pickett, and why the QB for Pitt may only have a QB1 game for three and a half quarters.  Repeat after me: Kenny Pickett is not a bust because of what I'm about to read below.  As mentioned in last week's RSP Film Room on Matt Corral, Kenny Pickett is in a tight race for QB1 with Matt Corral and a pair of other quarterbacks to be named soon, and based on what's left to analyze, Pickett's value as QB is losing steam fast. A strong prospect with advanced skills with coverage reads, pocket presence, mobility, and ball placement, Pickett's mastery of these areas short-circuit too often after the first 3.5 quarters of ball games or when he lacks a pre-snap plan against pressure. Mark Schofield and I take you through the late-game mishaps against Miami, North Carolina, and Virginia that suggest Pickett is a QB1-caliber prospect until the moments of gravitas begin — those 3-5 plays that carry more weight. Again: These issues don't make Kenny Pickett a future bust. These issues, if not something he matures past with more in-game experience (which I doubt he will), will render him a capable player who can power a productive offense and help NFL teams win games, but like Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, and (depending on the side of the debate you're on...) Baker Mayfield, Pickett may not have the wherewithal to carry a team on his shoulders for key moments at a time on as consistent of a basis. In other words, Pickett may be more of a promising Baker with aspiring Chef tendencies but the chaos of food service with staff in the weeds short-circuits his strengths. The complexity of Pickett as a first-round prospect is fitting for a class where teams will face a quandary with any of the first 4-6 prospects considered potential a Day 1 pick. It makes quarterback one of the most fun positions to dive into this year for draftniks albeit frustrating for those in the fantasy space who only want the answers so they can return to their party planning committee. https://youtu.be/luiqgLpYx5s If you don’t have the opportunity to watch the video, it’s available as a podcast below or at the outlets you usually download podcasts. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Mark Schofield joins Matt Waldman's RSP Film Room to examine the game of 2022 NFL Draft prospect Matt Corral, and why the QB for Ole Miss has translatable skills for Sunday that are harder to teach than the adjustments he'll have to make after playing a Lane Kiffin offense. You've heard this from a lot of analysts: the 2022 quarterback class is a step below the past 3-4. My top quarterback currently outgrades Davis Mills and Zach Wilson — my fifth- and sixth-ranked prospects from 2021 — but they are a tier below my grades for Trevor Lawrence, Trey Lance, Mac Jones, and Justin Fields. Kenny Pickett is that top-ranked passer in my studies for the 2022 RSP, but Corrall is a close No.2 and with enough analysis still left to do at this position, Corrall's grade is close enough to Pickett that it could change. And while this won't factor into my film analysis, if I were a personnel director, the interviews, workouts, and site visits might push Corrall well ahead of Pickett. The reason has to do with Corrall's desire to attack when the moment requires it. This is something we'll discuss next week with Pickett's RSP Film Room. For now, I know you'll enjoy this hour-long episode where Mark and I dug up plays on our own to share with each other that highlight where Corrall shines and where he falters. We found that Corrall has some difficult-to-teach skills with pocket awareness, layering throws, transitioning fast from processing to action, and ball placement with second and third reads. His desire to be a hero or predetermine deep throws needs curbing, but we found that Corrall's game doesn't need a lot of untangling to translate to the league, simply adding layers. If you don't have the opportunity to watch the video, it's available as a podcast below or at the outlets you usually download podcasts. https://youtu.be/zCnNqTzDOrQ For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Mark Schofield and Matt Waldman talk recent and potential personnel changes around the league, including quarterback, wide receiver, and running back situations.  * Thoughts on Trevor Lawrence's first year. * Is Raheem Mostert Miami bound? * Does Trey Sermon have a chance in San Francisco with Coach Lynn aboard? * With Pep Hamilton aboard Is Davis Mills the guy in 2022? * Will Bruce Arians reunite with Jameis Winston? * What are good fits for JuJu Smith-Schuster? * Should the Ravens extend Marquise Brown? * Who is the best fit for Jimmy Garopplo? * Should Arizona stick with James Conner? * Four players from the 2023 NFL Draft class you should keep an eye on. Listen below! For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Mark Schofield and Matt Waldman talk about the Brian Flores lawsuit against the NFL, Joe Burrow's career to date, and the nuts and bolts of the Senior Bowl as an event as well as compelling players we'll be studying.  Listen below! For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman and Mark Schofield reconvene for conversations about the NFL players, games, and scouting in this weeks RSP Quick Game. Topic List: 1. What were our favorite parts of the KC_Buf game? 2. Where does it stack up with the great games we've seen? 3. What can we expect from Ryan Poles in Chicago? 4. Is Sean Payton a candidate for Chicago? He still has three years left on his deal which means the Saints will have to get paid for him. 5. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will be the Vikings' GM. What does his background indicate to you about the hire and his strengths and challenges in Minnesota? 6. Was this Brady's last game? What's the most valuable thing you learned from watching his career or what is it that you learned from watching his game that you apply to scout players? 7. The Giants hired Joel Schoen as the GM. Thoughts on Schoen's background and his short-term plan with Daniel Jones. 8. The NFLPA Gm is coming up, who are some players of note who could slide into the draft this year or be UDFA's of note? 9. The Shrine GM is Feb 3rd Let's talk roster notables. I think our buddy Eric Galko did a nice job of fielding rosters. Who do we look forward to seeing/hearing about? 10. Who are some of the most underrated prospects in this draft class based on what you think the perception of the players is?   For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman and Mark Schofield reconvene for conversations about the NFL players, games, and scouting in this weeks RSP Quick Game. Topic List: * Has Kyler Murray been found out as a QB with a flawed pocket gm? If so, how much does it matter for his career, the Cards, and scouting QBs? * First impressions about an added playoff matchup. * Is the Buccaneers offense experiencing an addition by subtraction? * Advice-feedback we would give to veteran beat writers if they were open to hearing it. * Are we about to see the scatback era we were supposed to see rise go the way of Jermichael Finley and the rise of the hybrid TE? Or, the real point: can we stop trying to create trends because the cycle is so short lived when pinpointing how the best teams cultivate an edge. * What are some rules of zone coverage/route running that will make people better at scouting the passing game? * Mike McCarthy. Go. * A player who faded from the NFL scene who you thought was on the verge of big things? * Is the timing of Jimmy Garropolo's injuries this year meant the 49ers kind of lucked in to an ideal, or at least better than average development track for Trey Lance? He got a start, then got several weeks to learn and improve before getting another start. * What’s a big part of football analysis that you don’t think most people will ever truly grasp. * The first seven minutes of this video was me and how I arrived at my decision to change careers and my mindset * What has been our mindsets for making big changes or starting this career we have out of the ashes of the old one? * A prospect of note that we watched recently. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Quick Game with Mark Schofield discusses intuition and imprinting and its impact on scouting, NFL management changes, the dynamics of draft season, and 2022 Buy-Sells. Mark and I are back from our one-week Quick Game hiatus with a variety of NFL and NFL Draft-related topics. * Thoughts on the Natty. * What role does intuition have in our scouting? * Examples of when our intuition has been strong about a player and A) Additional studies confirmed the gut feeling B) Additional studies countered the gut feeling and those studies were right. * Gut feeling vs imprinting. * A player we watched this year who offers some skills find promising but they are clearly limited talents at this point in their development? * What's a part of "draft season" that we would warn people to limit their exposure? * What's a part of Draft Season that in the past you liked or disliked in the past but you've changed your mind about? * Is there a bench player who contributed down the stretch of the NFL season whose play has left us intrigued or hopeful for their future? * Where are we with Tua? * Where are we with the Vikings' personnel decisions? * What do you want to see with the Bears' coach search? You can discuss names or simply characteristics f the type of staff you want to see. * What was the biggest thing you learned about football this year? * One player you're buying for 2022 and beyond. * One you're selling in 2022 and beyond. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman’s RSP Quick Game with Mark Schofield discusses Mac Jones' gritty Saturday, free agents we're excited to see in new haunts, Tyler Huntley's potential, what we'd change about the NFL, and who surprised us this year.  The bad news: This week's podcast is the last one for the regular season. The good news: We'll be doing weekly podcasts throughout the offseason, bringing you thoughts on free agency, the draft, and the craft of football evaluation and analysis. Thank you for listening to the podcast and the feedback you routinely share. We'll see you on the other side of the New Year! For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95. There’s an early-bird discount of $19.95 from 12/15/21-12/25/21.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Joe Greene - the orginial badass. Another reason I had Steelers envy growing up. Matt Waldman’s RSP Quick Game with Mark Schofield discusses the Monday Night's thriller, QB Media Fraternity, players who are physical or psychological instigators, a pair of NFL draft prosepcts, and five throws we'd love to make.  Joe Green or Reggie White? Earl Campbell or Adrian Peterson? Why do teams score points easier at the end of halves? What's intriguing about NFL Draft prospects Isaiah Likely and Jerome Ford? Are former quarterbacks-turned-analysts protecting star quarterbacks in the media? All this and a conversation about pizza on this week's Quick Game. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95. There's an early-bird discount of $19.95 from 12/15/21-12/25/21.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.  

Matt Waldman’s RSP Quick Game with Mark Schofield discusses plays from NFL playbooks that we dislike, the Eagles quarterbacks, USC's Drake London, Notre Dame's Kyren Williams, and the craft of scouting.  * What's your least favorite offensive play that's common to NFL playbooks? * What are your thoughts about Taysom Hill's long-term prospects as a QB? * Gardner MInshew-Jalen Hurts? Is there a debate about who should start? Was this the plan all along? * College prospect(s) of note. * From Chris Kinda -- honorary executive producer for today's show:  I find it fascinating that both @MattWaldmanand @MarkSchofield are successful after drastically making a change well into their careers. I’m curious, for the RSP podcast, what skills/traits have you learned doing seemingly unrelated jobs/hobbies that helped with this success? For example, my previous competitive golf career taught me analysis and problem solving, which I combined with my interest in finance to have a successful career in threat finance. * Thoughts on this statement about scouting: "When evaluating players, the opposition is the variable but what the player does within his control to create potentially positive outcomes is the constant." * Pick two positions and explain to me something you observe with those two positions in the NFL that is low-hanging fruit for them to improve and what would you prescribe for them to improve it? * You can pick a football analyst other than Dan Orlovsky to quit football and start a food truck. Based on their food picks, which analysts make your shortlist? * Team that was most exposed due to injuries this week? * What's more demoralizing a 20-play drive that results in a 4th down stop and no points or not getting across midfield for an entire first half of football? * How much does Tom Brady prevent sacks on the sheer basis of him knowing where he wants to go with the ball before the snap vs quarterbacks like Drew Lock (or even higher functioning like Stafford) who don't usually have a plan until the ball is snapped? * Hard Lessons: What was a hard lesson in your life that you had to learn that has made a difference in your life? * The Chiefs: Are they collectively in a malaise? Were you ever on a team where it was in an emotional funk? * Something New: What's something you tried recently that you never tried before...it can be a book, a show, food, or some other experience. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Scout Talk sits down with quarterback trainer Will Hewlett for a conversation about NFL and college quarterback coaching, quarterback development, archetypes of throwers, and current passers he loves to watch.  Topics: * The myth of the NFL "coaching up" quarterbacks. * The range of quarterback environments in NFL organizations. * Recent technology that's helping teams identify valuable quarterbacking traits from the neck-up. * What has changed about quarterback training during Will's time in the industry? * What is the ideal client for Will? * College and pro quarterback's Will makes a point to watch on Sunday and Monday mornings. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95. There's an early-bird discount of $19.95 from 12/15/21-12/25/21.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.  

Matt Waldman's RSP Quick Game with Mark Schofield discuss the viability of benching an injured Baker Mayfield, the contrasting coaching and team-building of the Patriots and Ravens, and a game of "That Good/That Bad." * Candidates to emerge in December as a players of note. * Teams sneaking up on the NFL fan base. * Positive thoughts about a player we've been critical of. * What does Bill Belichick do diefferently to prepare his team from his NFL peers? How does this contrast with a team like the Ravens? * That Good or That Bad: Cordarelle Patterson/Jaguars defense, DeSean Jackson/Anthony Brown, Tua Tagovailoa/Carolina's defense, and Justin Herbert/Denver's defense. * Should Case Keenum be starting over an injured Baker Mayfield or is this as ridiculous as Kevin Stefanski tried to frame it as a way of having the back of his starter? * College players of note: Ahmad Sauce Gardner, Christopher Brooks, and Anais Smith * The area of football writing that interests us the least. * Lessons learned on the job. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman and Mark Schofield tackle stunts, underutilized NFL players, a college TE and RB of note, slumping players, and odd Thanksgiving Day scenarios.  Topics: * The value of E-T stunts and line games: Where they work, where they don't. * Players who have more left in the tank after this year than you may think. * Most underutilize player on Seattle, San Francisco, Cleveland, and Denver. * Mark and Matt's college prospects of note. * A player you think is in a slump or showing his flaws? Are they correctable or manageable? * Why on earth were the Chiefs playing Chris Jones at DE? * If circumstances required it, which alternate Thanksgiving Day meal/guest would you choose of Matt's crazy scenarios involving, Steve Lukather, Tom Brady, Regina King, and Pharma Bro. * Coolest thing you've seen on Instagram this week. * Turkey Day Scenario you'd enjoy most to least involving Bill Belichick, Marshawn Lynch, Steve Smith, and Joe Buck. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman and Mark Schofield talk about the AFC North, the exploitable holes in the Ravens and Buccs  defenses, the oddities of specific NFL fanbases, favorite plays of the week, Teddy, OBJ, and Kyle Pitts on this week's RSP Quick Game.  Topics: * Teddy Controversy: Is the "reasonable vilification" justifiable? * Player safety and the distance/surface changes between the end line and end zone wall. Let's discuss. * There seem to be a lot of big backs in a league where the trendy statement was that this league would default to scatbacks. Has the nickel and diming of NFL defenses changed this or is it simply about finding talent regardless of the size of the package? * The weaknesses of a defense we've watched and how other teams can exploit it down the line? * Who wins the AFC North? * College Prospect Report: Trey McBride, Charlie Kolar, and Xavier Hutchinson * Cordarrelle Patterson's injury, does it derail the Falcons' offense inalterably while he's gone? * Whose an "unknown NFL commodity" you think has a chance to become more well known by year's end? * Candidates for weirdest fan base. * Favorite play of the week, whatever reason. * When you were beginning this career journey, whose criticism was valuable to your growth? * Pro or Anti Turkey? For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.