The McShay Show – Combine Coverage Day One: Who’s Primed to Shine in Indy & Interview with Patriots’ Eliot Wolf

Podcast: The McShay Show
Host: The Ringer
Episode Date: February 23, 2026
Episode Theme: Live from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Todd McShay and team break down which prospects are set to raise their draft stock, analyze trends in this year’s draft class, and are joined for a revealing interview with New England Patriots EVP Eliot Wolf about front office philosophy, draft strategy, and his career path.

Episode Overview

On Combine Day One, The McShay Show sets up shop in Indianapolis to provide inside analysis on which prospects are poised to make headlines at the NFL Combine. Co-hosts Mike Giardi and Daniel Jeremiah (with on-set appearances by Eliot Wolf) focus on:

• Players expected to work out and potentially soar up draft boards
• Trends and traits driving team evaluation in 2026
• In-depth scouting insights on top positional groups
• A wide-ranging, candid interview with Patriots’ EVP Eliot Wolf covering his football upbringing, front office evolution, and decision-making process

Key Discussion Points & Insights

NFL Combine: High-Profile Prospects Ready to Pop

(03:26 – 24:00)

• Big-Name Confirmed Workouts:

  • Jeremiah Love (RB, Notre Dame), Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State), and Sonny Styles (LB/S, Ohio State) have all announced they’ll fully participate. McShay emphasizes these are “players we expect will work out and really help their draft value here,” but notes plans could change last-minute.

  “Jeremiah Love, star back out of Notre Dame, is going to run the 40 and do all the position drills… Arvell Reese… Sonny Styles also expected to work out. Three big names.” – Mike Giardi (03:53)

• Tackle Class Trends:

  • Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia) called a “first round conversation” riser with rare athleticism and length (34–35” arms); could jump up boards after workouts. (05:07)
  • Noted contrast in positional value: “Year of the right tackle” but Freeling stands out as an elite left tackle prospect. (Freeling, Fano, Miller, and Mawinoa among top OTs discussed.)

• Athletic Linebacker Values:

  • Sonny Styles is compared to Nick Emanwari (combine “freak” in 2025), hyped for “size, speed, and explosiveness” with potential elite jumps (11’ broad, 40” vertical) and 243 lbs at 6’4.5” (09:30).
  • Discussion of analytics in LB evaluation: Key measurables—vertical, broad, bench, and weight.

  “If he’s in that range, which we assume he will be, he’s got a chance to be one of the stories here at the combine.” – Mike Giardi (11:12)

• Versatile Defenders & Risers:

  • Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati): Height/weight/speed off-ball linebacker who can play box, slot, or edge (12:00).
  • Peter Woods (iDL, Clemson): Production dipped, but high athletic upside (potential 4.9 forty at 300+ lbs, 33” vertical, 34 bench). Could shoot from late-first into top-15 after a strong combine.

    “Peter Woods… when we exit this thing, two, three weeks after, there’s a real good chance he starts to climb back up.” – Mike Giardi (15:34)

• Safety Prospects:

  • Dylan Thienaman (Oregon/Purdue): Projected to run in the 4.3s, explosive vertical, versatile enough to play box and deep roles.

    “I expect him to run really well and when you watch him on the field…he’s going to shine during those drills.” – Daniel Jeremiah (18:52)

• Wide Receiver Spotlights:

  • Denzel Boston (Washington): Contested catch monster, could seal WR4 status (after Tate, Lemon, Tyson) with a sub-4.5 forty (21:28).

    “If he runs in the four-fours, at 6’3¾” and 212 lbs…he’s the fourth wide receiver and locks in top 25, maybe elevates to top 20.” – Mike Giardi (21:15)

• Center and Tight End Depth:

  • Logan Jones (C, Iowa): “Freaky” lower-body explosive metrics (36.5” vertical, 1.53 10-yd split) and zone-blocking quickness.
  • Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt) and Marlon Klein (TE, Michigan): Noted for top GPS MPH, vertical/broad jumps, and late-round sleeper profile respectively.

    “Stowers can become the clear cut number two after this week.” – Mike Giardi (26:20)

• Defensive Back Preview:

  • Brendan Cece (CB, South Carolina): Pro scouts call him, “From the neck down, best cornerback in this class”—elite measurables, raw upside. Could exit combine in Day 2 mix if his 4.3 forty and long arms check out.

    “This week is an opportunity for Brandon Cece to really get an edge…” – Mike Giardi (32:59)

• Under-the-Radar Names to Watch:

  • Kaden Proctor (OT, Alabama), Mike Washington (RB, Arkansas), Kenyon Siddiq (TE), and Cole Payton, Jaxon Lance (North Dakota State).
  • “Cole Payton… name to get to know, and Jaxon Lance… 6’3, 207 lbs, 40” vertical, 10’10” broad.” – Mike Giardi (36:53)

Combine Absences and Injury News

• Nicholas Singleton (RB, Penn State) broke foot at Senior Bowl and will not work out: “He did not have a great year. This was one of those, I thought he had an opportunity to shine…” – Daniel Jeremiah (37:16)

Interview: Patriots EVP Eliot Wolf

(41:38 – 74:16) [Full Interview: 41:38–74:16]

Background, Philosophy, and the Ron Wolf Legacy

• Growing up scouting and watching tape in Lambeau with his father, Hall of Famer Ron Wolf
• “Treating people the right way and making sure everyone’s invested in the team and the vision you have…putting in the work and trusting what you see.” – Eliot Wolf (43:15)

Scouting & Evaluation Process

• On grading scales: Wolf moved from New England’s “minutia-heavy” old system (Pioli/Belichick) to the streamlined Ron Wolf “Packers scale.”

  “We have so much information now, we get bogged down…It’s really just sticking to what’s important…and that’s who the good players are.” – Eliot Wolf (44:24)

• On self-scouting and defending/abandoning picks (re: Will Campbell, OT):

  “The important thing is being honest with yourself and with your team, not having an agenda…Protecting your draft picks, if that’s not the best thing for the team, you have to do something different.” – Wolf (46:25)

• On “outliers” (e.g., arm length, size):

  “Each case is different. In Will’s case, elite hand use, technique, great feet, ability to recover—enough compensating factors.” – Wolf (47:43)

Career Path, Mentors & Team Dynamics

• Miami undergrad, recruiting for historic 2001 Miami Hurricanes
• 14 years in Green Bay, then Cleveland (huge analytics focus), now New England EVP of Player Personnel
• On working with Mike Vrabel:

  “We just want to win…awareness to understand as long as everyone’s pulling the right direction, putting the team first—we have the chance to do something special.” – Wolf (50:00)

Adapting to Analytics and Modern Front Offices

• Green Bay “small analytics department” to Cleveland’s “biggest…was an adjustment.”
  • Now in New England, supplementing with hires from 49ers and Dolphins analytics staffs.

On Drafting Drake May & Franchise QB Approach

“The toughness and the competitiveness are just off the charts, and that’s really ultimately what won us over.” – Wolf (56:40–57:54)

• Wolf always valued attending top QB games live to observe intangibles.

• On looking ahead at future classes:

  “At quarterback, you have to be aware of what’s coming—but at other positions, projecting more than a year out is dangerous.” – Wolf (58:35)

• QB evaluation process:

  “I’m really more interested in how they answer the questions…are they a little full of shit? As far as the actual X’s and O’s, we rely on the coaching staff.” – Wolf (60:33)

On Team Building After Drafting a QB

• No set “formula” for next steps; always building, balancing protection/playmakers and defensive speed.

Draft Board Process

• Final Patriots board typically around 200 players, with “upside down” candidates (character/injury red flags) getting flagged for deeper discussion.

  “We try to make it as realistic as possible…when the bullets are flying…you have to make the best decisions you can.” – Wolf (69:25–70:17)

Learning from Failure & Listening to Scouts

“The biggest failures have come when you don’t listen to the scouts…You think the talent can outweigh some of the things they said… We’ve tried to make sure…got to listen to the scouts because they know these guys better than anyone.” – Wolf (70:37)

Favorite and Least Favorite Aspects of the Job

“My favorite part is sitting in my office and watching college film…But really, it’s still winning—being on the sideline and seeing the joy of the guys.” – Wolf (66:42)

• Least favorite: player discipline issues and non-football tasks.

Draft Weekend Foods & Traditions

“Ted Harper is in charge of nutrition. For the first night, it’s Davio’s—steak and lobster, karma brings in sushi, then always some special dessert…” – Wolf (72:36)

• “Last year they had soft pretzels dusted with cinnamon and sugar. Those went pretty fast.” – Wolf (73:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Compensating for Flaws in Prospects:

  “Each case is different…In Will’s case, elite hand use and technique, great feet, ability to recover…as well as his makeup and the person—we felt like we were getting a good one.” – Eliot Wolf (47:43)

• On Listening to Scouts:

  “The biggest failures as far as drafting players have come when you don’t listen to the scouts…they know these guys better than anyone.” – Wolf (70:37)

• On Favorite Part of the Job:

  “Being able to sit in my office and watch college film…But really, it’s still winning. Being on the sideline at the end of the game, seeing the joy of the guys…” – Wolf (66:42)

• Combining Analytics & Tape:

  “I've spent years talking to analytics people and trying to drill down...What are the measurables that matter? I'm constantly updating that list and with linebacker...you can’t ignore it.” – Mike Giardi (08:51–09:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:26 – Combine workouts: Jeremiah Love, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles
• 05:07 – Monroe Freeling tackle class breakdown
• 09:51 – Analytics in linebacker evaluation
• 15:34 – Peter Woods DT discussion
• 18:30 – Dylan Thienaman safety evaluation
• 21:16 – Denzel Boston WR analysis
• 26:20 – Tight end class: Stowers, Klein
• 32:59 – Brendan Cece CB as a riser
• 36:53 – North Dakota State sleepers: Cole Payton, Jaxon Lance
• 41:38 – Start of in-depth Eliot Wolf interview
• 43:15 – Wolf on values learned from father Ron
• 44:24 – Changing and simplifying grading scales
• 47:43 – Will Campbell and compensating for outliers
• 50:00 – Wolf on relationship-building with Vrabel
• 54:43 – Deep-dive: QB evaluation (Drake May)
• 58:35 – On balancing current vs. future draft classes
• 66:42 – Favorite and least favorite job responsibilities
• 72:36 – Patriots’ draft room food tradition

Summary

This episode is an essential listen for draftniks, Patriots fans, and anyone interested in the intersection of scouting tradition, prospects’ athletic traits, and front office evolution. The first half is loaded with actionable combine notes and detailed scouting breakdowns—names, numbers, and traits to watch as the NFL world’s eyes turn to Indy. The second half, a candid interview with Eliot Wolf, offers behind-the-scenes perspective on modern team-building, generational wisdom, analytics, and the realities of life as an NFL exec.

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