The McShay Show – “2026 RB Deep Dive: Love’s Comps, Our Favorite Prospects, and Finding RB2”

Date: March 20, 2026
Host: Todd McShay (A)
Guest Analyst (B): Mitch
Producer: Tucker
Podcast by: The Ringer

Episode Overview

In this detailed episode, Todd McShay and analyst Mitch conduct a comprehensive deep dive on the 2026 NFL Draft running back class. With just over a month left until the draft, they assess the class’s strengths and weaknesses, evaluate top prospects led by Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love, debate the case for RB2 honors, and spotlight their favorite “pound the table” mid-tier backs. The conversation balances advanced analytics, scouting nuances, and big-picture positional value debates. Core themes include draft strategy regarding early RBs, the evolving RB archetypes, and predictions for this year’s selection trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The 2026 RB Draft Class: Landscape & Historical Context

[00:31] - [04:49]

• 26 running backs were drafted in 2025, a notably deep class.
• This year’s class is less deep, but features standout talents with highly specific roles.
• NFL team preferences, NIL, and transfer portal impacts are shifting talent distributions.

"When you have 26 running backs drafted last year ... it’s only natural that this year's a little bit of a dip.” – McShay [02:31]

Jeremiah Love: The Clear-Cut RB1

[02:31] – [09:28]

• Notre Dame's Jeremiah Love is unequivocally the consensus top back.
• Elite blend of size (212lbs), speed (4.36 40), and explosion (rare 1.49 10-yd split).
• Compares favorably to Ashnton Genti (2025), though not quite in the Bijan Robinson/Saquon Barkley “generational” tier due to size.
• Loved for his well-rounded skillset: home-run hitting speed, improved pass protection, patience, three-down value.

"He's right up there with the elite backs that have come out recently.” – Mitch [05:45]

• Analytics: Hits key “predictive thresholds” for NFL RB success (quick 10-yd split, >15% explosive run rate).

“When you take the split and the explosive run rate ... Jeremiah Love is right there — that’s rare company.” – McShay [08:30]

Draft Value Debate: How Early for an RB?

[09:28] – [16:56]

• Positional value conundrum: Running back salaries and early picks rarely align with Super Bowl success.
• Despite Love’s status as McShay’s top overall player in the draft ([14:36]), there is deep skepticism about spending a top-10 pick on an RB.

“It takes a trained monkey to figure out Jeremiah Love is the most talented back in this class... the question is, how high is too high?” – McShay [09:28]

“I don’t think you can take him top 10 if you’re looking at it from a business standpoint.” – Mitch [14:44]

• Historical Reference: Bijan, Saquon, Fournette, Zeke — all went top 10; none delivered championships to drafting team ([15:04]).
• Emphasis on two-back backfields: “Even the great backs have a guy.”

Team Fits and Scenarios For Jeremiah Love

[16:56] – [24:35]

• Tennessee (picking 4) and Washington (7) are possible landing spots.
• Tennessee has upgraded OL and could justify adding a premier RB to help a young QB.
• Debate: Does team context and need override positional value risk?
• Watch for possible trade-ups (especially by the Rams or Vikings) if Love slides past top 5.

"If you’ve got a young quarterback and you’re sitting at four, is that enough to push it through?” – McShay [18:10]

Debating RB2: Jadarian Price vs Mike Washington

[27:05] – [36:53]

• Heated discussion over the second-best RB: Price (Notre Dame) or Washington (Washington).
• Price: Shifty, fast on tape, two return TDs, little pass game work, questionable “verticality.”
  • Ran 4.49; tested as just “good,” not elite.
  • Lacked wear-and-tear, but also limited production.
• Washington: Massive breakout after several average years, rare size/speed (233 lbs, 4.33), but passing game and vision not elite.

“Not a lot of wear and tear…pass blocking a big step…not a guy exploding upfield…” – Mitch on Price [29:48] “Mike Washington’s testing was through the roof… that combo produces thousand yard rushers in the NFL.” – McShay [31:57]

• Consensus: Both have holes; neither worthy of a 2nd-round pick. Love should be only 1st/2nd-round RB ([29:49]).
• Price's rapid jump in rankings/campaigns seems odd given modest production.

“Does it feel kind of weird to you that there’s this much love for Jadarian Price?” – McShay [34:14]

RB3 and the Rest: Jonah Coleman vs Emmett Johnson

[36:53] – [41:00]

• Emmett Johnson (Nebraska): 3-down skillset, reliable, slightly disappointing 4.56 40, “no single elite trait.”
• Jonah Coleman: Stocky build, low center of gravity, explosive, draws Maurice Jones-Drew comparisons.

“Jonah Coleman ... is like Maurice Jones-Drew with that stocky build.” – Mitch [39:06] “I trust Coleman and what he’s going to be in the league—an early-down feature runner.” – McShay [40:59]

• Both are most likely Day 3 picks with serious rotational/committee upside.

The Mid/Late-Round "Pound the Table" RBs

[41:00] – [49:09] Top-10 ranked RBs beyond Love, Price, Washington, Coleman, Johnson:

• Nick Singleton (Penn State): Explosive, but faded and inconsistent.
• Kaytron Allen (Penn State): Durable, instinctive, trusted, does the “dirty work.”
• Adam Randall (Clemson): Former WR, huge body/athletic traits, minimal production.
• Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M): Most talented runner among mid-round group, durability issues.
• Demon Claiborne (Wake Forest): Explosive big-play threat, likely role as a 10–15 touch committee back.

Analyst “Pound the Table” Picks:

• Mitch: Demon Claiborne ([43:59])

  "He is an explosive cat ... you give him 10 to 15 touches a game and he can make a difference for you."

• McShay: Kaytron Allen ([46:30])

  “Kaytron Allen—runs low to the ground, powerful, contact balance for days, most importantly, that sucker’s got instincts.”

Deep Sleepers & "Don't Be Surprised If..."

[49:09] – [52:40]

• McShay: "Don’t be surprised if Jeremiah Love’s sitting at 7 and a team like the Rams or Vikings moves up to get him."
  • Love is seen as the best player in the draft by many, even if running back is devalued.
• Mitch: "Don’t be surprised if Kentucky RB Seth McGowan (once dismissed from Oklahoma, now reborn) becomes one of the top three backs in this class."
  • Massive off-field baggage, but rare size/explosion (6’0, 223, 4.49, 42.5” vert).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On RB Value:

  • “Historically, it’s the wrong move and we all fall in love with the player ... but also, I think the teams that have success ... really need two backs.” — Mitch [15:48], [16:56]

• On Jeremiah Love:

  • "He’s right up there with the elite backs that have come out recently." — Mitch [05:45]
  • “He is as good as it gets ... but it’s really hard to justify taking a running back in the top-10 picks.” — Mitch [15:48]
  • “He’s the number one player in this draft. It’s not universal, but it’s pretty damn close.” — McShay [49:03]

• On Kaytron Allen:

  • “Give me a durable, downhill, sized back ... I love Kaytron Allen. Teams that draft him, he's going to be that guy.” — McShay [46:30]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:31 – 04:49: State of the 2026 RB class & last year’s draft review
• 04:49 – 09:28: Jeremiah Love scouting and analytics breakdown
• 09:28 – 16:56: Running back value debate & top-10 pick controversy
• 16:56 – 24:35: Team fits & hypotheticals: Tennessee, Washington, Rams, trade-ups
• 27:05 – 36:53: RB2 debate: Jadarian Price vs. Mike Washington
• 36:53 – 41:00: Coleman vs. Johnson for RB4 & mid-round options
• 41:00 – 49:09: Top 10 expanded, “pound-the-table” prospects, and overlooked gems
• 49:09 – 52:40: Bold predictions (“Don't Be Surprised If...”) and deep sleeper picks

Summary Table: Top-10 (Per McShay Rankings in Show)

| Rank | Player | School | Notes | |------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | Jeremiah Love | Notre Dame | Do-it-all, top prospect, elite measurable & tape | | 2 | Jadarian Price | Notre Dame | Speed, return value, under-tested receiver | | 3 | Mike Washington | Washington | Rare size/speed, breakout, modest pass game | | 4 | Jonah Coleman | Washington | Stocky build, balance, low center of gravity | | 5 | Emmett Johnson | Nebraska | Solid 3-down, no wow trait, reliable | | 6 | Nick Singleton | Penn State | Explosive, lacked 2026 production | | 7 | Kaytron Allen | Penn State | Power, contact, instincts, overlooked | | 8 | Adam Randall | Clemson | Huge, former WR, projection pick | | 9 | Le’Veon Moss | Texas A&M | Talented, some durability concerns | | 10 | Demon Claiborne | Wake Forest | Speed, big play, best as role player |

Tone & Final Thoughts

McShay maintains his blend of data-driven, front-office realism and fan-level RB appreciation, balanced by Mitch’s nuanced, sometimes skeptical, approach. Both caution against over-drafting RBs but highlight hidden values in the class. The episode offers deep scouting analysis, historic context, and actionable GM discussion, making it invaluable for draft fans and NFL team-builders alike.