Scouting the League

Jordan Mailata has become a well known name across the U.S. - but humble beginnings and the International Pathway Program helped him get his start and is now opening the door for future NFL Super Stars.  Mark Dulgerian, International Scout for the NFL joins us to talk all things IPP and American Football around the world.  Where are they scouting, how big has American football gotten across the gl...

At this time in 2023 there was optimism and question surrounding #2 overall Pick CJ Stroud, first year HC DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans; but now, 1 year later, that are the favorite to win the division and perhaps, represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.  But the road was not smooth.  Multiple HC's, the Deshaun Watson situation and mediocrity on the field.  We talk with Aaron Wilson of NBC affi...

It doesn't matter where you start, it is where you finish.  This is true not only on the competition field but in a career as well.  From commodities broker to VP of Player Personnel for one of the most successful franchises of the last 20 years, Jake Rosenberg did it his way.  We dive into his start with the Eagles, what factors have to come together to get a start in the NFL and where he is now....

Kalyn Kahler has paid her dues in the media world writing for the Defector, Sports Illustrated, and now The Athletic.  A start under Peter King taught her that hard work and figuring it out was all part of the job.  Now, she brings us some of the most unique and insightful stories from across the NFL and NCAA. From Prospect X to International Player Intrigue and more.  We dive in with Kayla on dec...

Washington was once one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, but hard times have come to stay.  Insert a new Owner, new GM, new HC and serious roster turnover and the pieces start to fall into place.  Neil and I talk with Ben Standig of the Athletic about all things Washington Commanders.  Ownership and the fresh perspective.  A GM who is following successful blueprints.  A HC that is hig...

Front office changes have slowed but an out of the box move still gets us talking.  Why are scouting staff's about settled and what changes or announcements can be expected this week?  Plus - Pride Month - and what Rodrik has Pride in. Then - we get into the looming changes to the NFL off-season schedule expected in 2025.  What changes for players, coaches and scouts - and why does it matter.  Sta...

All Star Games are an essential part of the scouting and draft process - even beyond the Senior Bowl and E/W Shrine Game.  We talk to Mike Rittelmann, the Director of Scouting and Player Personnel of the College Gridiron Showcase and discuss all things all star games.  Developing lists, what to look for, how to approach scouts, get connected and so much more.  Whether you are an aspiring scout, ag...

For all those that served and paid the ultimate price - we at Scouting the League - say Thank You.  No words can ever repay what was taken, but we take this day to remember your sacrifice.  Even with the holiday the NFL world keeps moving.  New hires in New England and Pittsburgh hit close to home for us - and an addition in Washington affects more that just the Commanders.  What does the change m...

The Pre-draft process is now over, guys are signed and working to make the squad - but that doesn't mean we have forgotten about the pre-draft process.  Making guys as fast, efficient and healthy as possible is all part of the equation for one of the best in the business, Pete Bommarito.  We have Pete on to talk all aspects of Bommarito Performance Systems, the technology behind the training, wher...

Front Office changes are what Neil Stratton does best - so we bring them straight to you.  A quick wrap of front office moves from around the league and what we are still expecting.  Just a few minutes with Scouting the League and you will get caught up on all things scouting.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When people hear the word "Analytics" - many things come to mind.  So we asked Matt Manocherian, former NFL front officer staffer and now member of Sports Info Solutions to come on and discuss.  What is the history of analytics, how is it being used now and what is the future?  Is it helping or hurting the game? And why is it a growing part of every football team.  A fascinating conversation that...

Front Office changes have gone from an afterthought in the football world to headline making news as all things football dominate the sports pages (or screens!).  Neil Stratton has been tracking it all.  With Neil's service, Inside the League, at the forefront of all the breaking changes, we dive into all things scouting and front office.  New GM's in both 2023 and 2024, veteran scouts, evolving a...

Covering the NFL Draft is a big deal, and being an understudy to The Godfather of the Draft, Mel Kiper Jr, may be even bigger.  Jordan Reid of ESPN comes on to talk his role, scouting process and how he does scouting his way.  What is it like to work with a guy like Mel Kiper Jr and how he attacks the process.  Plus we talk first round QB's, the offensive focus of the 2024 first round and favorite...

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 Da...

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...

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 an...

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 f...

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 th...

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 ch...

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 sa...

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 m...

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...

From 2019 to today the Transfer Portal has changed and evolved.  Oscar Monnier has seen it first hand at Northwestern, Oregon, Stanford, Duke and Texas A&M.  We dive into the portal, how it has changed, how it has to be managed, and some of the headaches involved.  Just a preview of the conversation Oscar and co-host, Neil Stratton, will have at next weeks Inside the League Symposium at the NF...

The Chiefs edge the 49ers in what was nearly the first ever 2 overtime Super Bowl.  We discuss what we saw and what we thought? Overtime rules and strategy-is it being blown out of proportion?  Plus Tom Brady has not been been shy when discussing how the NFL has gotten “mediocre” - coaching, development and rule changes all leading the way.  Special Guest and former teammate of Brady, James White,...

The East/West Shrine Game and Reese's Senior Bowl have wrapped up, players have hopefully helped themselves through the process, but what does it all mean for their draft status.  We have 19 year scouting veteran Blake Beddingfield on to discuss it all.  On field play, interviews and what comes next.  How does this all carry into February Meetings and what comes  out of  these meetings?  Analytics...