3 and Out with John Middlekauff NFL considering replacement referees for 2026 season? NCAA Tournament Best Bets, NFL Offseason Mailbag
Mar 19, 2026
They debate reports of replacement referees possibly returning and compare risks to the 2012 lockout. The conversation covers a Browns rule proposal about future draft picks and how owners might react. They highlight De’Von Achane’s rising value and trade talk. They preview NCAA Tournament best-bet angles, hedge strategies, and an under-the-radar Arkansas run. World Baseball Classic clutch moments also get attention.
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Don't Open The Draft Pick Floodgates Without Owner Buy-In
- Allowing trades that include draft picks many years into the future would increase transaction activity but owners will likely vote it down because the sport is too volatile.
- Middlekauff supports the Browns' proposal to expand trade horizons for more action but expects owner resistance.
De'Von Achane Is Cheap Versatility Everyone Wants
- De'Von Achane is an undervalued, versatile pass-catching back with 172 catches and 13 receiving TDs in three years, making him cheap, productive, and highly sought after.
- Middlekauff notes Miami may keep him because he costs little against the cap and fits their offense rather than trading for draft capital in a mediocre draft class.
Clutch Is Built By Early Success Not Random Luck
- Clutch performance often stems from early-career success that builds confidence, so players who repeatedly succeed in pressure situations become more reliable in big moments.
- Middlekauff cites Bryce Harper, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods and Patrick Mahomes as examples of early wins translating to sustained clutch ability.