The McShay Show — April 1, 2026

"A Taylen Green Epiphany. Plus, Indiana and Jermod McCoy Pro Day Reactions."

Main Theme and Purpose

In this episode, Todd McShay and Steve Muench dive deep into NFL draft prospect evaluations with a particular focus on quarterback Taylen Green. McShay shares his late-night “epiphany” about Green’s future, stirring a debate about QB strategy, risk, and projection in the draft process. The conversation branches out into incisive pro day analysis (notably at Indiana), updates on cornerback performances (Jermod McCoy, D’Angelo Pons), and overarching strategies for drafting developmental QBs versus safer “floor” players. Packed with insider insights, this episode is a must for anyone closely following the 2026 NFL Draft narrative.

Episode Breakdown

1. Fernando Mendoza’s Pro Day and NFL Ready Traits (00:06-09:03)

• Takeaways from Mendoza’s Pro Day: While the event itself was minimally eventful, McShay admires Mendoza’s unvarnished approach and the meaningful exposure it provides with no “viral” throws or unnecessary theatrics.
• Mendoza’s Strengths and Weaknesses:
  • Not a “special elite talent,” but strong (6’5”, ~240 lbs), mobile in designed roll-outs, and poised.
  • Lacks the twitch and elusiveness when pressure arrives; has adequate, not elite, arm strength.
  • “It was not spectacular. It was fine. It was good. Check the box. He’s healthy. Put on good weight.” (McShay, 04:01)
  • Displays Tom Brady-like obsessive focus and poise.
  • “There’s something about him that’s different. And that different allows him to…” (McShay, 06:46)
  • The big selling point: reliability of preparation, decision-making, and leadership over pure physical tools.

2. Pro Day Standouts: Indiana and Defensive Back Class (09:03-18:40)

• Jermod McCoy’s Speed Turns Heads:
  • “Most were in the high 4.3s, which is sensational.” (McShay, 09:32)
  • Reassures scouts after 15 months off the field; “It’s reassuring that he came out and put that number down.” (Steve, 13:20)
  • Vertical: 38”, Broad Jump: 10’7” — good but not historic, reflecting the rising bar for athletic testing.
• D’Angelo Pons and DB Depth:
  • Pons posts a blazing 4.3s 40, confirming on-tape explosiveness.
  • “If you’re gonna pound that table for a guy that you love on tape...it’s got to be accompanied with a good time...” (McShay, 16:25)
  • “The depth of this cornerback class is really good—good through like three rounds.” (McShay, 17:16)
• Other Names:
  • Elijah Surat (WR) runs low 4.5s — solid for a day two prospect.
  • Kaelin Black (RB): “Ran the low 4.4s...Combine snub...As a runner, the talent as a runner, I really thought he should have been invited.” (McShay & Steve, 18:35-18:40)

3. The ‘Epiphany’ — Re-Evaluating Quarterback Value and the Taylen Green Leap

McShay’s QB Sorting Hat: (21:03-33:24)

• Scene Setting: Todd describes his long, late-night grind reviewing prospects — “sweatpants, hoodie, hat backwards...Lights down, tape on.” (McShay, 23:10)
• Defining QB Categories:
  • One: Functional backup/“teacher’s aide”—the guy who can manage, support, and, if needed, start.
  • Two: The rare “developmental swing” with a sky-high payoff if everything clicks (e.g., Jalen Hurts, Colin Kaepernick, Dak Prescott).
  • “These are the guys that, if you hit on, you’re winning Super Bowls.” (McShay, paraphrased 25:13)
• Flagging the Only Two 2026 Draft QBs with ‘Superman’ Traits:
  • Cole Payton (North Dakota State)
  • Taylen Green (Arkansas; formerly Boise State)

4. Taylen Green’s Fascination: Physical Tools and Correctable Flaws (27:49-33:52)

• Kaepernick/Anthony Richardson Comparisons:
  • Massive, rare athlete: “6’5¾, 228 lbs, runs a 4.36, record-breaking jumps...”
  • “Taylor Green is not from this planet athletically.” (McShay, 35:04)
  • Richardson had a stronger arm; Green’s is good, but not elite.
  • Extensive experience: 48 (!) college starts across two programs & two conferences.
• The Real Issue:
  • “His accuracy, his ball placement...I ain’t that worried about that part really. When you know how to study the quarterback tape...if you see a difference when the feet are right and the feet aren’t right in the accuracy...that’s correctable.” (McShay, 30:59)
  • What’s NOT there yet is mental processing—reads, anticipation, timing.
  • Needs the right coaching environment and patience.
  • “He needs someone who actually knows how to overhaul mentally the process. And also that person has to have the luxury of time.” (McShay, 33:30)

5. Draft Strategy: Floor vs. Ceiling, When to Take ‘Hacks’ (QB Approach) (37:04-50:44)

• McShay and Steve Debate the Value of Day 2/3 QBs:
  • “I don’t draft a quarterback before the fourth round if I don’t think he’s going to be a starter.” (Steve, 38:16)
  • The odds: Only a small percentage of non-first-round QBs start; finding the next Purdy or Hurts is rare, but the payoff is massive.
  • “You gotta keep taking hacks.” (McShay quoting Chris Ballard, 42:32)
• Roster-Building Philosophy:
  • Is it better to “let someone else draft the backup, and sign them later” after they fail/develop elsewhere? (Steve, multiple segments)
  • Weighing whether to draft “could be” starters, high-upside lottery tickets, or sure-thing backups.

6. QB Class Stacking: Rankings, Risks, and Salaries

• McShay’s Revised Rankings:
  • 1. Mendoza
  • 2. Ty Simpson
  • 3. Cole Payton
  • 4. Taylen Green
  • 5. Garrett Nussmeier (47:58)
  • “That’s a big shake-up for me because I’ve been...I love the way Garrett Nussmeier plays the game, but I’m banking on the floor...” (McShay, 47:58)
• Debating the Ceiling:
  • Nussmeier = good backup/Floor guy (like Davis Mills).
  • “I don’t want another Brock Purdy. I don’t want another game manager...the reason they haven’t gotten over the hump” (Steve, 50:44-51:14)
  • Beck vs. Nussmeier: “If Brock Purdy can start in the NFL, Carson Beck can start in the NFL.” (Steve, 38:16)

7. Cole Payton: Gimmick or Grit? (55:07-56:50)

• Throwing Mechanics and Pros/Cons:
  • “Every time I get concerned about his...the way he throws his motion, it’s like, Philip Rivers did it, man.” (Steve, 55:31)
  • “He was a fullback for three years in a gimmick role...It is funky.” (McShay, 55:44)
  • The risk profile is different because the pressure/circumstance as a mid-round pick isn’t as extreme.

8. Development, Patience, and Destinations (59:22-65:14)

• Landing Spots Matter:
  • Best outcome for Payton or Green is time with a creative, stable coach (Reid, Shanahan, McVay, O’Connell, McDaniel, Harbaugh).
  • “If there was a quarterback God out there...those two guys would land in one of those places I just mentioned...” (McShay, 59:46)
• Should teams play high-ceiling QBs immediately?
  • “No, because I’m going to absolutely shatter that young man’s confidence.” (McShay, 61:03)
  • Organizations can ruin QBs if thrown in too soon; better to insulate, develop, and strategically deploy.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “There’s something about [Mendoza] that’s different and that different allows him to...” — McShay, 06:46
• “Most were in the high 4.3s, which is sensational.” — McShay, 09:32
• “If you hit on Jalen Hurts, or you hit on Purdy...that’s a different conversation than these developmental guys.” — McShay, 41:12
• “I don’t draft a quarterback before the fourth round if I don’t think he’s going to be a starter.” — Steve, 38:16
• “You gotta keep taking hacks.” — McShay (quoting Chris Ballard), 42:32
• “Taylor Green is not from this planet athletically.” — McShay, 35:04
• “I don’t want another Brock Purdy. I don’t want another game manager.” — Steve, 50:44
• “He needs someone who actually knows how to overhaul mentally the process. And also that person has to have the luxury of time.” — McShay, 33:52

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fernando Mendoza’s Pro Day — 00:06–09:03
• Jermod McCoy & Indiana Pro Day DBs — 09:03–18:40
• Taylen Green ‘Epiphany’ setup — 21:03–27:49
• Breakdown of Green vs. other QBs — 27:49–33:52
• QB Draft Philosophies & Odds — 37:04–50:44
• McShay’s New QB Rankings — 47:58
• Cole Payton Mechanics and Value — 55:07–56:50
• Ideal Destinations/Development for QBs — 59:22–65:14

Episode Takeaways

• This episode was a deep-dive into the calculus of drafting QBs with sky-high athletic ceilings but developmental needs—specifically Taylen Green, whom McShay now rates as a top “lottery ticket” QB (if in the right environment).
• The hosts also reassure that sometimes physical traits don’t overshadow preparation, poise, and leadership (see Mendoza), and that the CB/DB class is loaded with elite athletes.
• For teams drafting in 2026, striking a balance between upside and floor, and understanding the importance of organizational fit/patience, is essential—in both first-round and developmental quarterback picks.

For NFL Draft junkies or front office nerds, this episode delivered candid, behind-the-veil thinking on how star QBs—and top coverage defenders—are found, validated, and risk-assessed on draft day.