Scouting the League

Draft Time with College Scouting Director Blake Beddingfield - all you need to know

19 years in the Draft Room gives you some rare perspective on all things NFL Draft, so we asked Blake Beddingfield all the questions for Draft week 2024.  From this years QB class to what he learned drafting and scouting guys like Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Jake Locker, Vince Young, Matt Leinart and more.  Value, playmaker or trade down when QB is not a must.  Where does value come from on Day 2 and how does the team navigate Day 3 and UDFAs.  No matter who you are - there are some great insights here - and even a food eating contest.

Mock Draft time with Eric Edholm of NFL.com - who goes where and why, plus some top 100 players talk

Eric Edholm of NFL.com joins the program to talk his 2024 NFL Draft Mock 1.0.  While plenty has changed since its release, we dive into the questions each team is asking as they are sitting where they are.  Eric gives us some peeks into this week's Mock 2.0 and what he is hearing from across the NFL.  Philosophy changes, trades up and down and where guys fit; it is a lot of fun talking through it all.   Then - we discuss Eric's top 100 prospect list, where we see a few guys moving and where the real value comes in.  We all expect plenty of trade action in the top 10 and a fun, offensive minded first round.  

Scouting in April - All you need to know from someone who has done it

Scouting in April can be a lot about headlines and rumors - when in reality, teams are still hard at work setting their final boards.  As a scout with the Atlanta Falcons I had the chance to take part in "top 30" visits, board prep, local days and more before heading to the road as the Midwest Area Scout.  Getting the board set involves an entire front office in additional to the coaching staff and multiple support staffers.  We dive into the entire month of April and all the moving parts a scouting department has.  A few funny stories, players that stand out and what is being done in preparation for the next years class.  Insight you won't hear anywhere else.  

Speed Merchants and Unfiltered Combine talk - Speed and Combine Training talk with guest Tony Villani

The NFL combine has seen times, seemingly, get faster and faster.  Yet we may not be getting the whole truth..... Tony Villani, founder of XPE sports goes unfiltered with his thoughts on NFL Draft 40 times and what is happening behind the scenes.  Prospects are getting faster but is everyone getting a fair shake?  Why and how are guys getting faster and how is the ShredMill helping?  What is the future of speed and agility training and what else should Scouts be paying attention to, instead of just drill times?  An episode with as much fire as we have seen - you will not want to miss it.  

Bonus Football!! - All you need to know about the CFL with guest, J.R. Davies

With all the focus on spring and alternate leagues to the NFL, the Canadian Football League seems to be forgotten, or unfairly lumped in.  With tradition over 100 years and plenty of reasons to look into the league (partial guarantees, nice salaries, development), the CFL can be a fantastic option for players looking to continue their playing career.  J.R. Davies has coached, scouted and been a part of the CFL for numerous years and answers all the questions you may have.  What rules are different? What positions are the most valuable for American players? How does their schedule work?  We answer these, and so much more, on our first Bonus episode.  

Portal Time is nearly here (again!!) - We dive into best practices, what to avoid and the future of it all with guest Dave Shumate

When you have been with some of the powerhouse programs that Dave Shumate has been, you gain perspective on all things college football.  We unpack Nick Saban's comments on college football and what led to the landscape we have today.  Transactional athletes, NIL $ is king and a potential lack of development.  Who should be playing the biggest roles in both recruiting high school and recruiting the portal.  We have our opinions - do you agree?  Plus much more on all things football.

The Epitome of Scouting Stability, the 40 yard dash guy and scouting the country -Guest Mark Gorscak

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been the epitome of stability and continuity, and as a result, have had consistent success year over year.  From BLESTO Scout to Area scout, Mark Gorscak got to witness it first hand.  We dive in with Mark to discuss what makes the Steelers special, how they operated over the years and what scouts today need to remember.  We talk NFL Combine, its role and how it has changed over the years.  And Scouting today - what is Mark doing to stay busy and stay in the football world.  An episode you won't want to miss.

Free Agency and the method to the madness, Cap and Cash and more -with guest Nick Polk

Wave 1 of NFL Free Agency is upon us and a lot of money is being spent in hopes of future success.  We discuss all things salary cap with a guy who was on the team side for almost 20 years, Nick Polk.  Cap vs Cash.  Dead Money.  Having a plan.  Sticking to your board.  Nick dives deep into what all is involved in negotiating, structuring and doing player contracts.  We discuss the growth of the salary cap and even get into a few deals Nick was a part of.  NFL and Salary cap info you won't hear anywhere else.  

Combine Cleanup - ITL Seminar and Symposium - BART List Award Winners and the future of the Combine

One of the most exciting, and sometimes impactful, weeks of the year is done - which just leads to the next cycle of the pre-draft process.  Neil and I jump into the combine week and talk highlights and rumors from Indy.  Plus - we go over all the 2024 ITL Seminar Award winners, giving scouts recognition they deserve, but rarely receive.  The Lions take away best draft but that is just one among many.  Tune it to hear if your team had someone take away some hardware.  

The First Domino- Justin Fields and the Bears? How the QBs shake out in the 2024 and more with Greg Gabriel

Everyone is waiting on Justin Fields and the Bears to see where the 2024 Draft direction really goes - so we invited longtime NFL Scout and Chicago Bear Greg Gabriel to discuss this, and more.  What do we think of Justin Fields - can you win with him?  Where do the Bears go in the Draft and Free Agency?  Plus, a host of QBs including presumptive #1 Caleb Williams are discussed.  Where we disagree on JJ McCarthy, why Jayden Daniels is special, Drake Maye super consistent and do Penix and Nix belong in the conversation?  Insight from a man with over 30 years in the NFL - you will not want to miss today's episode.