The Burnt Ships Podcast

The Burnt Ships NFL Draft Preview Podcast is BACK for Year 2! 🏈 Gary, Non, and returning expert Brian Leverette (BDX) — former Virginia Tech football player, coach with deep NFL connections — break down everything you need to know heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. We start by taking victory laps on last year's predictions (Abdul Carter, Will Campbell's T-Rex arms, Kyle Manungai as a sleeper) before diving into this year's way-too-early Rookie of the Year picks, a full quarterback class breakdown, offensive line gems, pass rushers, tight ends, safeties, and sleepers nobody is talking about. ⏱️ *What We Cover:*
🏆 Victory laps from our 2025 predictions
🎯 Way-Too-Early Offensive & Defensive Rookie of the Year picks (Fernando Mendoza, Caleb Downs, Makai Lemon, Jeremiah Love)
🏈 Full QB Class Breakdown — Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Drew Aller, Carson Beck, Garrett Nussmeyer
💪 Offensive Line Rankings — Mowingoa, Fano, Freeling, Kaden Proctor & more
🌟 Wide Receivers — Carnell Tate, Jordan Tyson, Makai Lemon, Denzel Boston, Zechariah Branch & sleepers
🏃 Running Backs — Jeremiah Love, Emmett Johnson, Mike Washington Jr. & why RBs might be back
🔒 Defensive Line & Edge — David Bailey, Arvel Reese, Cassius Howl, TJ Parker, Gabe Akis
🎣 Tight End Class — Sadiq (Oregon), Eli Stowers & the sleeper Georgia TE
🛡️ Safeties — Caleb Downs, Dylan Kineman & box safety options
💎 Day 3 Sleepers — Dejon Stribling, Eli Heidenreich (Navy), Bryce Lance's little brother
🔥 Scorching Hot Takes — Running backs are back, expect big draft-day trades & a surprise QB starter
Whether you're an armchair GM, fantasy football obsessive, or just a die-hard football head, this is the draft breakdown you didn't know you needed. 🎵 Burnt Ships makes music AND talks sports, culture, entertainment, politics! Subscribe and come back after the draft to see how we did. 0:00 - Intro and Last Year's Predictions 1:59 - Will Campbell's Playoff Struggles 4:05 - Rookie of the Year Predictions 2025 7:36 - Evaluating the Quarterback Class 12:15 - Fernando Mendoza QB1 Analysis 15:47 - Ty Simpson's Evaluation 19:45 - Drew Aller and Carson Beck Breakdown 23:48 - Garrett Nussmeyer's Potential 26:30 - Offensive Line Deep Dive 31:10 - Wide Receiver Talent Pool 36:40 - Running Back Class Reality Check 40:05 - Jeremiah Love's Star Potential 43:20 - Defensive Line and Edge Rushers 47:55 - Tight End Prospects Explored 51:30 - Safety Position Value 54:30 - Dream First Round Picks 57:50 - Day Three Sleeper Gems 1:00:35 - Scorching Hot Draft Takes Follow, listen, watch, like, share, amplify, support, and comment @ us in our socials here — https://monol.ink/burntships   / burntships     / burntships     / burnt_ships     / burntships   spotify shortlink https://rb.gy/pgv40y apple shortlink https://rb.gy/niwx6e   / burntships      / @burntshipsnon   Show some love and get your Burnt Ships swag here.

Premiering this Friday, March 13, 2026, at 12 p.m. EST, in our 23rd episode of the Pod, we break down a wide range of cultural and political conversations shaping the moment, starting with BAFTA controversy involving a Tourette’s outburst and the use of the N-word during the broadcast, sparking debate about accountability, risk management, and how institutions like the BBC handle sensitive situations. We examine what happened, who bears responsibility, and what the incident reveals about culture, race, and media institutions. We dive deep into the relationship between Black art, culture, and mainstream institutions; the history of artists like Sammy Davis Jr. navigating systemic barriers; and the legacy of hip-hop and Black creativity in global culture Of course, as we often do, we pack in more in this episode, honoring legendary engineer and producer Bob Power, the sonic architect behind classics from A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Erykah Badu, and the Native Tongues movement. His influence on hip-hop and neo-soul helped define multiple generations of music. As well as some sports analysis, breaking down the Patriots’ season, coaching decisions, and the challenge of balancing talent with experience, our thoughts on the NBA, Jaylen Brown’s MVP-level season, and the Celtics’ evolving chemistry. And finally, we close with a frank conversation about the current political moment, media narratives, and the growing disconnect between institutions and public perception.... If you enjoy smart, wide-ranging conversations about culture and society, subscribe and join the discussion! Whether about music history, culture, sports, race, and politics—the Burnt Ships' podcast covers it all through the lens of thoughtful debate and real-world examples! Tune in this Friday, March 13, 2026 at 12 pm noon EST for the premiere our 23rd episode of the Pod!

Our annual Super Bowl previewed on Feb 6, 2026 on YouTube! In this episode, we dove  deep into the exciting matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks for Super Bowl LX (60).
We broke down the game with our resident analysis-champ Brian Leverette, former D1 Virginia Tech running back and coach, and Gary's nephew, La'i King, former high school player himself and lifelong Seattle fan, repping the Seahawks side. Complete with our X-Factor and sleeper player picks, MVP winner, and final picks for the eventual winner—and more!
Will Darnold be able to handle the Patriots blitz and overall pressure and get rid of the ball in time? Will Maye's scramble-game make the difference, and how will this likely defensive-slugfest evolve over the course of the game???

In this episode — with Non and Gary back in the building — we dive deep into a simple truth that most people forget: Silence… is always an option. From celebrity scandals to political commentary to the culture wars around art, comedy, and the Super Bowl halftime show — we unpack why staying quiet until the full story emerges can save you from looking foolish, misinformed, or just straight-up wrong. In this episode we cover:
The Jussie Smollett LessonNon shares how reacting too fast to breaking celebrity news taught him the importance of slowing down and waiting for facts.
he Mark Sanchez Indianapolis Incident A wild story of first impressions, Twitter sympathy, and the very different truth that later emerged. A perfect example of how narratives can flip instantly. 
Why So Many People Jump the Gun The parasocial pull of celebrity culture, tribal thinking, and why so many of us feel pressured to “have a take” before we know anything.
Art, Comedy, and Why the Right Struggles With Both We get into the psychology of creativity, why conservative comedians often fall flat, and the difference between punching up vs. punching down. 
Bad Bunny, the NFL, and Manufactured Outrage We talk about Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, why it makes perfect sense, and how some political pundits twisted it into culture-war bait.
The Charlie Kirk / Ezra Klein / Ta-Nehisi Coates Debate A bigger conversation about political commentary, sincerity vs. performative praise, and how silence might have spared a lot of embarrassment.

In the second installment of our Deltron Blac interview, we go deep into his songwriting process and the archetypes of "scientist" versus "artist," how Blac pulls from both styles, his unique approach to composition, production, and lyrics, as well as his continued commitment to platforming new talent through live performance. We talk to him about his earliest childhood memories and the core experiences that shaped his artistry and journey in music, and so much more.

We waited a long time for this chance to finally pick the brain of one of our most amazing and talented collaborators, THE Deltron Blac, renaissance man-extraordinaire, MC, producer, music video director, and more. We had to break this up into two parts, and it does not disappoint! We go deep into his songwriting process, great behind-the-scenes, in-the-studio stories, why his collabs with Burnt Ships just "work," his motivation and coming-up story—his grind. It's a mentality that's led him over the years to working with greats like Dr. Dre and Bizzy Bone and more. And more than that, it's a commitment to bringing up the next generation, platforming and finding artists with the same drive and passion, something that Blac has always made a huge part of his foundation and career.

In episode 18 of the Burnt Ships Podcast, we dive into the making of our brand-new single “Lie Better.” Non and I break down how the song came together, what inspired the lyrics, and why it hits so hard when it comes to relationships, honesty, and emotional strategy.Let’s be real—relationships aren’t always black and white. Sure, being honest matters, but sometimes a little fib (or even a big one) feels like the kinder, smarter move. We’re not saying lying is the goal, but there are moments when bending the truth can actually protect feelings, keep the peace, or even bring people closer. So… when is it okay to “lie better”?We’re unpacking the messy, real-world side of love, honesty, and creation—soundtracked by some seriously good music from Burnt Ships.

The final installment of our 3-part 2025 NFL Draft Preview with our resident football expert, Brian Leverette, aka  @bdx47  on all socials. We go all in in this last of 3-parts and break down this year's exciting NFL Draft, complete with the latest mock drafts, player evaluations, and predictions that could shape the future of your favorite teams! We get into critical discussions surrounding top prospects like Travis Hunter, the potential impact of underrated players, and strategies for trading picks. Gain insights into why certain players captivate scouts and what makes them stand out in this year's draft class. We also highlight sleeper picks who might surprise everyone and have a significant impact in their NFL careers.

Part 2 of our NFL Draft Preview Extravaganza continues with our resident all-around NFL, pro-football guru, Brian Leverette, aka @BDX47 on all socials. We go all in in this 2nd of 3-parts and break down this year's exciting NFL Draft, complete with the latest mock drafts, player evaluations, and predictions that could shape the future of your favorite teams! We get into critical discussions surrounding top prospects like Travis Hunter, the potential impact of underrated players, and strategies for trading picks. Gain insights into why certain players captivate scouts and what makes them stand out in this year's draft class. We also highlight sleeper picks who might surprise everyone and have a significant impact in their NFL careers.

We go all in on this podcast episode with our resident all-around NFL, pro-football guru, Brian Leverette, aka @BDX47 on all socials. We break down the best players available on both sides of the ball, potential Rookie of the Year candidates, sleeper picks, and where we think the Top 10 will fall. Brian helps us evaluate the overall big picture regarding available prospects through each round, team needs, and all the intangibles like player character and senior-year performance. So jam-packed we had to break this episode up into three segments, all leading up to the first day of the draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Check it all out in this in-depth draft preview that you won't get anywhere else! We give you the skinny on players like Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, Quinn Ewers, Jalen Milroe, Will Campbell, Kelvin Banks Jr., Josh Conerly Jr., Armand Membu, Tetairoa McMillan, and more!