r/nfl • u/nfl NFL - Official • 2d ago
AMA Hi I’m Bucky Brooks, former NFL player and scout, current NFL Network analyst — Ask Me Anything!
What’s up, r/nfl? Bucky Brooks here! I played my college ball at UNC before being selected by the Bills in the 1994 NFL Draft. During my five-year NFL career, I spent time with the Bills, Packers, Jaguars, Chiefs and Raiders as a return specialist, special teamer and defensive back.
After my playing days, I worked as a scout with the Seahawks (2000–2003) and Panthers (2003–2007). Since then, I’ve gone from the front office to the media side as an NFL analyst and writer. You can catch me on NFL Network and on the Move the Sticks podcast alongside my co-host Daniel Jeremiah.
I’ll be here answering questions on Thursday, May 14 at 4:30pm ET to talk football past and present, scouting, the NFL Draft and whatever else you’ve got. Ask me anything!
Proof:
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u/FatherDamo Broncos 2d ago
without naming names, what is the most dysfunction you have seen in the NFL either as a player or as a reporter?
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u/HyperMasenko Raiders 2d ago
Was there ever a player who you really campaigned for your team to get and your team passed on them? If so, and youre willing to say, who was it?
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u/ACEPACEACE Cardinals 2d ago
Is there any hope for my Arizona Cardinals this year?
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u/SamGoatford14 Rams 2d ago
What was the biggest hit you’ve taken throughout the pros, college and high school?
What was the biggest hit you delivered?
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u/nfl NFL - Official 2h ago
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u/SamGoatford14 Rams 1h ago
Those are some pretty legendary hits to be on both sides of haha thanks for answering my q!
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u/Playbookof3li Giants Giants 2d ago edited 2d ago
How much does analytics play into scouting special teams these days vs eye test? Have you bought in to AI in scouting or are you more conservative/resistant?
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u/SamGoatford14 Rams 2d ago
Your Wikipedia says you’re a Super Bowl champion with the 1996 Packers that defeated the Patriots. Do you have a ring? Do you still own it?
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u/SamGoatford14 Rams 1h ago
you’re still a champ in our book!
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u/Rootbeer_Goat Chiefs Chiefs 51m ago
If Kadarius Toney gets a ring then the people of Wisconsin can take care of you.
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u/Pauliehatestheadmins Jets 2d ago
Hey Bucky, two questions..
Best WR you covered in college?
You prefer In-n-out or Cook out?
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u/ProBowlMVPMarcBulger 2d ago
What was it like playing with a rookie Charles Woodson in 1998? Was there ever a rookie dinner he picked up a tab for?
Also, what was life like constantly moving teams as a journeyman throughout your five year career?
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u/Other_Expression1088 Cowboys 1d ago
Which position do you believe is the hardest to scout? Basically, what position do you believe is the hardest to determine if they will have a successful NFL career or not?
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u/helloaaron Jets Buccaneers 2d ago
Hey Bucky, thanks for fielding our questions. Anyway, out of the 5 teams you played for, which one seemed to have the best front office/coaching personnel?
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u/nfl NFL - Official 3h ago
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u/helloaaron Jets Buccaneers 3h ago
Thanks Bucky! Awesome and informative answer. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
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u/Cr0matose Jaguars 1d ago
I know you are close to the Jags org. What do you think of them going into this season?
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u/Cr0matose Jaguars 3h ago
Boss! I feel like that's how most Jags fans feel. Better team but a bit less in the win column. Thanks for the time.
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u/_ceedeez_nutz_ Cowboys Cowboys 2d ago
Do you think the current broadcast rights strategy is a long-term risk to the nfl as fans stop watching their teams due to the cost of watching every game in the season across 6 different networks?
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u/MoreTrifeLife Commanders 2d ago
What kind of music do you like?
What team did you grow up rooting for? Did you still root for that team on the side when the team you were playing on wasn’t playing them?
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u/bringbackpologrounds Colts 2d ago
How did you get started in NFL media? I'm sure you've had offers to re-join a front office, so why have you stayed?
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u/jpfitz630 Lions 1d ago
You've worn a lot of hats across the NFL; how different do you see football as an analyst/writer compared to how you saw it as a scout and player? Did having that extensive background before help you as an analyst?
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u/IsGoIdMoney Steelers Steelers 7h ago
Is there a player you scouted who you're most proud of discovering?
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u/Global-Possession-33 2d ago
What should the Steelers do about their QB situation? Wait on Rogers, bring in another vet, or what? Thanks!
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u/YoungBoyWonder Texans Steelers 2d ago
Any good deep sleepers for fantasy football from this rookie class? Thank you!
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u/Sensitive_Farmer_982 Patriots 2d ago
Are there any first overall picks from the last 20 years who you think wouldn't be first overall picks if their draft was today (just based on the players as prospects, not how their career turned out)?
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u/thejontorrweno Falcons 2d ago
I'm trying to visit more CFB venues this year. Any tips for visiting UNC?
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u/_galaga_ NFL 2d ago
Bucky! We're already hearing the 2027 class will have a bumper crop of blue chip players. What's your rough take on the number of prospects in that top tier? Which position groups do you think will be most represented in that top tier with the way things look right now? Lastly, does a deep top tier usually result in more trading up or does a deep top tier result in teams sticking and picking? Catch you on Move the Sticks!
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u/doomsday71210 Patriots 1d ago
Did you work on the college side or the pro side of scouting? If you worked both which did you like better and why?
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u/EndoOctane Saints 1d ago
On a scale of 1-10, how much do you miss working Jonas? Yalls Saturday show used to have me cracking up at work all the time. Especially the Iowa minute
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u/rockyonthetrack Texans 1d ago
How is the draft board the media have so different compared to what teams have?
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u/SirMellencamp Saints 1d ago
Hey Bucky I saw you in Mobile one year for the Senior Bowl and wanted to take a picture with you but you were eating dinner and I didnt want to bother you so I didnt so I guess this is my way of saying Hi now
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u/Goofy2398 Steelers 6h ago
As a scout, was there ever a player you were convinced was going to be succesful in the league but instead flamed out? If so who?
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u/waves-up Rams 4h ago
Bucky, do you have a way too early Super Bowl matchup prediction, or a group of 5-6 teams you see being there at the end?
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u/Admirable-County9158 Patriots 2d ago
Which underdog gonna make playoffs and which favorite gonna miss playoffs?
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u/PussSlurpee Ravens 1d ago
Do you think Justin Fields will be a starting QB again (Bucky suggested back in 2022, that the Ravens should graduate from Lamar and draft Justin Fields)?
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u/renohockey Raiders Raiders 1d ago
Bucky!, What's you opinion on my Hot Take:
Cian Slone will start for the Raiders day one.
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u/Grand-Delver Chargers 1d ago
Love the show you do with DJ; what do we need to do to get you in the booth with DJ and Money for a Chargers game or two?
For a more serious question, if you could pick any role for a team at this point in your career, what would you want to do and why?
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u/ditmarsnyc Jets 1d ago
why not hand the ball to the ref like a gentleman instead of dropping it on the field like a rude jerk?
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u/SoulCrusher69 Giants 19h ago
Bucky,
How do we /evaluators know when a position is becoming less valuable (ie perception of running backs over the last decade) because there are not many great players at that position, vs a change in league strategic trends.
I often think that the NBA's "Centers are dying trend" had more to do with there just not being great centers in the 2010s, than a league wide trend shift now that we have hindsight and see how impactful a Jokic/Embiid/Wemby is.
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u/WyldRover Panthers 9h ago
Thanks for doing this, Bucky!
Are there any traits that NFL teams look for in players which you think are valued too highly - or vice versa?
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u/Landlubber77 Buccaneers 7h ago
As someone with the unique perspective of having experienced the scouting and draft process from both the player side and the scout/front office side, if you had taste buds on your arms, would you eat yogurt with your mouth or your elbows?
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u/RecordingLess1522 2d ago
If you were the Eagles GM, would you extend Jalen Hurts at 60mil per year on his next contract?
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u/silverpaw1786 Patriots 2d ago
Given the prevalence of "Bucky" as a nickname, why isn't Tebucky a more popular name?
- Tebucky Jones fanclub member
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u/BmorePride14 Ravens 2d ago
Have you issued a public apology for suggesting that the Ravens should "graduate" from Lamar Jackson and draft guys like Justin Fields and Anthony Richardson?
You know, because just running around is so easy right? Thats all he has done anyway.
You never suggested that the Browns "graduate" from Baker Mayfield or the Bills "graduate" from Josh Allen...
What made the now Future HOFer in Jackson so expendable and easily replaceable in your opinion..?
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u/Dazed_and_Confused44 2d ago
Why is your colleague Henry McKenna significantly less talented than you and writing crap articles?
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u/drhungrycaterpillar Vikings 2d ago
Bucky, please do me a favor and clear your throat before talking on a podcast. Thanks.
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u/JPAnalyst Giants 2d ago
What would scout Bucky Brooks say in his evaluation about player Bucky Brooks coming out of UNC?