The NFL Draft has become a 12-month odyssey, and one of the more unheralded productions on that journey is CBS Sports’ With the First Pick.
Hosted by CBS senior draft expert Ryan Wilson and former NFL GM Ran Carthon, the podcast and YouTube show offer a comprehensive, detailed look at the draft, with projections, analysis, rankings, and debate. With the draft approaching quickly on April 23,
With the First Pick is heating up the hot takes. I caught a new episode of the show that aired this week on CBS Sports Network.
While much of the show features a split screen with the two hosts, With the First Pick is also heavy on statistics and graphics.
Wilson and Carthon do everything but the Triple Lindy as they take a deep dive into prospects and positioning. Their perspectives are unique. The combination of a media draftnik and an ex-GM works in an entertaining way.
CBS Sports Network has a knack for approaching mainstream topics from a different angle. This is evident in many of its shows, including We Need to Talk, a roundtable featuring female media personalities debating sports issues, and the daily CBS Sports HQ program, which covers the day’s news as well as upcoming storylines.
CBS employs heretofore unheralded talent—not the same faces and voices seen ad nauseam. In that light, CBS Sports Network remains a crucial part of the sports media landscape, giving national exposure to talented commentators.
On this particular program, Wilson and Carthon presented their final list of the top linebackers in the 2026 draft. The vocal contrast between the two is fun to watch. Wilson is a bundle of enthusiasm, jumping into the show with a boisterous voice and genuine excitement. Meanwhile, Carthon is the Barry White of NFL draft experts, with a deep voice and a cool, laid-back vibe. Personality and tone aside, both men know what they are talking about—a key ingredient in any NFL Draft program.
With a wealth of information available across multimedia platforms, fans watching a show like With the First Pick are nearly as informed as the hosts themselves. More than ever, draft experts need to be at the top of their game. You cannot fool the audience. Years ago, when the NFL Draft was a much smaller entity, a factual mistake might have gone unnoticed. That is no longer the case.
Thankfully, misinformation is not part of Wilson’s or Carthon’s repertoire. They are clearly prepared and packed with intel.
With the First Pick does not waste a second of airtime. Before diving into analysis, a clean graphic displayed each host’s top five linebacker rankings. Both included Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, Georgia’s CJ Allen, and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez. Wilson added Missouri’s Josiah Trotter, while Carthon rounded out his list with Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.
In addition to discussion and graphics, With the First Pick incorporates video and sound from prospective draftees, courtesy of other networks and programs. This adds variety and breaks up the two-shot format of Wilson and Carthon. The show’s rhythm stands out, often moving from discussion to graphics to video and back to analysis. For many podcasts adapted for television, visual variety is limited.
With the First Pick maximizes its resources, prioritizing substance over flash.
The data accompanying the discussion is especially effective. For example, when Wilson and Carthon discussed Rodriguez, a graphic highlighted his 2025 stats: 12 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, and 7 forced fumbles. These numbers help paint a complete picture of the player.
If you are a serious draft enthusiast, With the First Pick should rank high on your list of pre-draft programming.
When I first started watching this episode, I assumed the entire show would focus on linebackers. It did not. After a break, the hosts shifted to their favorite offensive sleepers in the 2026 draft. Carthon selected Dametrius Crownover, an offensive tackle from Texas A&M. Much of the offensive draft conversation centers on quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, so his focus on the offensive line was refreshing. Wilson chose Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, a name I had not previously encountered, even as a sleeper.
Carthon revealed that he had already texted several NFL scouts and quarterback coaches for insight on Kaliakmanis. He believes the young signal-caller could make an NFL roster as a backup or third quarterback.
This is one of the most enjoyable aspects of With the First Pick. In nearly every episode leading up to the draft, Wilson and Carthon introduce new names for fans to explore.
Following another break, Carthon identified a defensive sleeper in Chris McClellan, a defensive tackle from Missouri. Both hosts possess top-tier draft knowledge, but Wilson often serves as the play-by-play voice while Carthon fills the analyst role. Wilson sets the stage, allowing Carthon to expand using his front-office experience and sources.
Carthon is also candid, admitting he has “no clue” where McClellan will be selected or how teams will ultimately value him. For his defensive sleeper, Wilson turned to SE Louisiana University edge rusher Kaleb Proctor. Carthon quickly added insight, noting Proctor’s strength, power, and relentless motor. It is unclear whether NFL scouts and general managers watch With the First Pick, but they likely should. Wilson and Carthon go well beyond surface-level analysis.
With the First Pick will not dazzle viewers with flashy production elements. It is built on substance, not spectacle.
Wilson ranks among the best draft analysts across any network, offering insight, organization, and an easy on-air presence.
Carthon brings an equally strong resume, having worked as an NFL scout, player personnel director, and general manager. He is also the son of former NFL running back Maurice Carthon and a former NFL running back himself. Football is in his blood.
While Wilson and Carthon have built a loyal following, they are not household names like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. or NFL Network’s Louis Riddick. That is not a drawback. It simply reinforces that, in NFL Draft coverage, notoriety has little to do with expertise.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.
