In this Tuesday edition, Jake welcomes back Anthony Moeglin for a detailed, scheme-focused breakdown of how the Browns' young skill position players might actually be deployed in 2026 — not just surface-level optimism, but real alignment and personnel grouping projections. The two dig into Denzel Boston's ideal role (traditional X versus more movement),…
how Jerry Jeudy's performance this year could unlock or restrict the receiver room's flexibility, KC Concepcion's fit as a Zay Flowers–style chess piece, Isaiah Bond's more limited but specific Z role, and a thoughtful projection for Harold Fannin's likely statistical regression as a sign of, not a problem with, offensive improvement.
The second half brings Brad Ward in for the next installment of the 26 for 26 series — a joint breakdown of Isaiah McGuire, whose situation is closely paired with Alex Wright's given their similar size, style, and contract timelines. Jake and Brad detail McGuire's significant pay bump heading into a contract year, his near-identical statistical profile across his second and third seasons, and the technical refinement (particularly the outside club-and-rip counter move) that could turn him into a legitimate complementary piece in a big contract season for the young EDGE.
SHOW NOTES
02:49 – The Grass vs. Turf Debate
A lengthy, personal trip through both hosts’ playing days on astroturf and field turf, leading into a broader discussion of NFL teams eyeing real grass after watching these World Cup venues — and why Cleveland’s new stadium likely won’t go that route.
08:30 – Setting Up the Skill Position Discussion
Jake frames the exercise: starting from an 11-personnel lens with Concepcion, Boston, and Jeudy as the presumed top three, contingent on Jeudy’s performance.
08:56 – Denzel Boston: X Receiver or More Movement?
The central question — does Boston stay anchored at X to win one-on-one isolation reps, or does his ability to handle more of the playbook unlock him as a true mismatch weapon who can motion and play multiple spots?
10:15 – The Two Challenges for Boston
Anthony identifies the real test: can he consistently beat top cornerbacks using power and ball skills rather than elite separation, and can he handle enough of the playbook to function as a number two or three receiver in specific situational packages?
12:34 – Todd Monken’s Personnel Preferences & the Tight Bunch Concept
Jake connects Boston’s blocking ability to Monken’s known preference for three-tight-end bunch formations, suggesting Boston could be deployed similarly to a big-bodied Z in those packages.
15:08 – KC Concepcion: The Zay Flowers Comparison
Jake makes the case for Concepcion playing primarily out of the slot to maximize his creativity, while acknowledging he’ll see time outside too — with his effectiveness tied closely to whether Jeudy can handle more of an outside role.
19:02 – Isaiah Bond: A More Limited, Specific Role
Both hosts agree Bond is best deployed in a defined Z role rather than asked to handle slot or motion responsibilities — citing his big-play flashes last year as evidence of a deep-threat specialist rather than a scheme-diverse weapon.
20:01 – Harold Fannin Year Two: Expecting Statistical Regression — and Why That’s Good
Jake projects fewer targets and possibly less yardage for Fannin as the receiver room matures around him, while expressing specific interest in how much blocking (particularly split-zone and wham-block assignments) Monken will ask of him this year.
24:01 – Could Jack Stoll Lighten Fannin’s Load?
A brief discussion on whether incorporating Stoll, Carson Ryan, or Joe Royer into more 12-personnel packages could reduce the physical toll on Fannin compared to last season.
26:15 – The Dream Scenario Nobody Got
A wistful aside imagining what Monken’s offense could have looked like with a healthy David Njoku and Harold Fannin both at peak — drawing comparisons to his Baltimore tight end usage with Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews.
26:48 – Best Personnel Grouping: 11 Personnel Confirmed
Both hosts agree the Browns’ best current personnel grouping is 11, with multiple weapons at receiver and tight end, aligning with broader NFL trends.
38:39 – Dylan Sampson’s Role in the Bigger Offensive Picture
Jake connects yesterday’s 26 for 26 conversation on Sampson to today’s skill position discussion — arguing the running back room’s overall health and balance will dictate how much regression Fannin and Judkins see statistically even as the offense improves.
50:53 – 26 for 26: Introducing Isaiah McGuire (with Brad Ward)
Brad joins to continue the series, framing McGuire and Alex Wright as near-identical players in size, style, and contract timing heading into pivotal seasons.
51:39 – McGuire’s Contract Situation
A breakdown of McGuire’s rookie deal escalation — jumping from roughly $1.1M to $3.6M in his fourth year via a performance-based escalator the team chose not to negotiate away, a signal of organizational confidence.
53:32 – Nearly Identical Back-to-Back Seasons
Statistical comparison of McGuire’s 2024 and 2025 seasons — almost identical snap counts, pressures, sacks, and tackle numbers across both years, despite a midseason opportunity created by Alex Wright’s injury in 2024.
34:22 (and continuing through) – Comparable Contract Benchmarks
Brad and Jake review recent veteran edge contracts (Nwosu with Seattle, Joseph Ossai’s move to the Jets) as a framework for what a combined Wright-McGuire investment around $20M annually might look like if both prove worth retaining.
36:43 – Film Breakdown: The Outside Club-and-Rip Counter Move
Jake walks through slowed-down film of McGuire developing a specific pass-rush counter — a stab, then an outside club to knock down the blocker’s arm before ripping through — crediting Jared Verse’s influence on refining that technique.
40:55 – Why McGuire’s Run Defense Stands Out
Highlighting his length and edge-setting ability against the run, with a specific clip referenced showing him handling a Derrick Henry trap play effectively.
44:14 – The Bigger Picture: A Defensive Line Full of Prove-It Players
Jake and Brad connect McGuire’s situation to Mike Hall’s and Mason Graham’s similar contract-year motivations, framing the entire defensive line as a group of hungry, financially motivated players heading into 2026 — a dynamic both hosts find genuinely exciting.
