Pardon My Take — April 20, 2026
Episode Summary: "NFL Draft with Todd McShay, NBA and NHL Playoffs, Plus Dexter Lawrence Trade & Who's Back of the Week"
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode kicks off the most exhilarating time of the sports calendar — the convergence of the NFL Draft and the opening rounds of the NBA and NHL playoffs. Big Cat, PFT Commenter, and the crew (Hank, Memes, Max, Zach) bring their signature blend of irreverent takes, chaos, and genuine analysis. They welcome draft guru Todd McShay for an in-depth breakdown of the 2026 NFL Draft, break down the big moments in the NBA and NHL playoffs' wild opening weekend, tackle the surprising Dexter Lawrence trade, and close out with the always-popular "Who's Back of the Week" and some hilarious listener comment readings.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
I. NBA Playoffs Reaction & Series "Eliminations"
Timestamps: 02:57–17:00; 32:28–45:36
II. NHL Playoffs — Drama in Buffalo & Boston
Timestamps: 51:03–56:42
- Buffalo Sabres Fans: Praised for "planned alcoholism" (52:11) and bringing peak pregame energy: "Mannequins getting beat up, civic pride, beer sabers" (52:01).
- Sabres rally past Bruins, leading to immediate Boston panic and accusations of jinxing: "You started thinking about Flyers–Bruins, and then Buffalo scored three goals in eight minutes!" — Max & Big Cat, 54:12
- Boston self-lampooning: "Playoffs are a roller coaster for Boston," admits Hank (55:50).
- Quick NHL round robin: Flyers-Penguins recapped by a hungover Max ("Do I got cum in my hair?") referencing There’s Something About Mary, 56:49; Hurricanes-Wild highlighted as the series to watch.
III. NFL Talk — Draft & Dexter Lawrence Bombshell
Timestamps: 60:55–67:09; 94:08–153:52 (Todd McShay Interview)
A. Dexter Lawrence Trade
- Giants send star DT Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the #10 overall pick — sent in late at night "waiting for Mike Brown to be asleep" jokes Big Cat (61:01).
- PFT: Harbaugh probably loves dealing a star to a Browns/Ravens rival, "at least he’ll get to go against the Ravens twice a year!" (61:42).
- "OBJ Ghost Trade": The pick-trade domino started with Odell Beckham's deal in 2019; the pick chain continues! (64:06).
- Both sides analyzed, with consensus that Bengals' move is aggressive but "maybe smart since they can't draft defense anyway." (63:21)
B. NFL Draft Ultra-Deep Dive with Todd McShay
(94:08–153:52; detailed structure below)
IV. Todd McShay NFL Draft Preview — Key Insights
Timestamps: 94:08–153:52
1. Strongest Positions & First-Round Picture (101:32+)
- Edge Rusher, Wide Receiver, Offensive Tackle: Deepest and most urgent positions.
- Seven OTs will go in round one ("They could ALL be gone by pick 28" — McShay, 106:36).
- Wide receiver depth highlighted, including run led by Carnell Tate, Jordan Tyson, and Makai Lemon.
2. The QB Class — Rankings & Contrarian Opinions (123:08+)
3. Offensive Philosophy/Team Needs
- Running backs: McShay ranks Saquon > Bijan > Jeremiah Love > Ashton Genti, but gaps are razor thin (113:34).
- "If the Cardinals take a RB at #3, that’s a luxury pick that makes zero sense for their roster," says PFT — McShay generally agrees (118:12).
- Chiefs at #9: "Wildcard/trigger point for the whole first round" (139:19). No clear read whether they’ll stick, move up, or take an outlier pick.
4. Late-Round Freaks & Mr. Irrelevant
- Physical freak highlight: Rene Conga — 6'4", 300 lbs, 4.64 forty, 37-inch vert (137:02). "Just not normal."
- McShay predicts Mr. Irrelevant: David Gusta (DT, Kentucky) or Jaren Canik (TE, Oklahoma) (151:05).
- The back-half of the interview is a parade of deep-cut names, system fits, and wild card picks, delivered with a relentless barrage of self-aware humor and inside jokes.
5. Classic Quotes
"I used to not be this angry on certain things. The older you get, you just stop caring. Give zero, you know?" — McShay on being outspoken, 96:27
"I just love shuck, man. He's been through so much. He thought football was taken away from him. He's tall, mobile, can throw it." — McShay on Tyler Shuck (133:45)
"Wildcard teams at 6, 7, 8, 9, 10: someone will panic and take a tackle because when it's out, it's out." — McShay (143:55)
"Thank God you made a living out of this because otherwise you'd be a f***ing loser." — Big Cat to McShay on his encyclopedic draft knowledge (150:40)
V. "Who's Back of the Week" & Viral Moments
Timestamps: 67:09–89:00
- SNL-style roundtable of returns, from mediocre jersey redesign season (Ravens get roasted for "the exact same piping"), to Bryson DeChambeau's fall from grace ("He fired the PR team and is back to being unlikeable Bryson", 71:30; 76:35).
- AI is Back: "Zuck making an AI clone to do all his Facebook meetings. That is a power move." — Memes (81:46)
- Diana Russini saves a man and dog from a car crash—"the best PR money can buy" (83:20).
- Sidemen Charity Match and IShowSpeed at Wrestlemania celebrated by Zach (87:00+).
VI. Personal Stories & Listener Interaction
Timestamps: 159:00–163:00
- Max’s massive bachelor party hangover becomes a show-long running joke — hosts prescribe beers as a "medical taper" (25:31).
- Golf Video Comments: Crew reads meme-driven YouTube roasts about their golf fits, spearheaded by savage roasts of Memes’ shirt ("Memes looks like if football was a person" — 160:30).
- Wrigley Outing: Zach declared a "star," upstaging NFL wideout Alec Pierce for photo ops (156:20).
VII. Notable Quotes & Memorable Laughs
- "I cannot watch another second of the Thunder-Suns series." — Big Cat, 16:28
- "The only person I follow on TikTok? Statistically one. Mitchell Robinson." — Memes, 33:43
- "If you buy a team and immediately go cheap, that's the worst scenario in sports." — Big Cat, 49:05
- "Kevin Durant yelled at a fan, 'Get that grown man dick out of your mouth.' Does that even register anymore?" — Big Cat, 22:43
- "I might not remember any of the games, but I sure as hell remember those bachelor party beers!" — Max
VIII. Noteworthy Timestamps & Segments
- NBA Playoffs Breakdown & Series Overreactions: 02:57–17:00; 32:28–45:36
- Celtics–Sixers/Hangover Segment: 25:01–28:00
- Cheapskate Owners/Playoff T-shirt Slander: 48:00–51:03
- NHL Playoffs Chaos: 51:03–56:42
- NFL Dexter Lawrence Trade Hot Take: 60:55–65:12
- Todd McShay Interview (NFL Draft): 94:08–153:52
- Who's Back/Weekly Wrap-Ups: 67:09–89:00
- Golf Video YouTube Roasts: 159:00–163:00
IX. Tone & Language — Best Moments
The show is peak PMT: sharp, self-deprecating, locker room energy with the crew riffing, clowning each other, and mixing real analysis with wild speculation and absurd hypotheticals. Everyone gets roasted — from James Dolan to Bryson to each other ("Memes looks like a condom that’s too big"). Listeners are fully invited to be part of the gang, with inside jokes and callbacks galore.
X. Conclusion
This episode is a true banquet for sports fans — taking the listener through instant NBA playoff overreactions, the eccentricities of NHL fandom, major NFL news, and the most obsessive (yet hilarious) NFL Draft preview you'll find anywhere. Whether you're in it for the rants about cheapskate owners, the deep scouting insights, the Worcester-level inside jokes, or just savage banter about shirt choices, it's pure, all-star Pardon My Take.
[End of Summary]