The McShay Show — Day Five from the Combine: Kenyon Sadiq, Eli Stowers, Dillon Thieneman, and More

Host: Todd McShay (with Daniel Jeremiah and others)
Produced by: The Ringer
Date: February 28, 2026

Overview

This episode delivers a comprehensive breakdown of Day Two workouts at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, spotlighting defensive backs and tight ends who posted historic results. Todd McShay and Daniel Jeremiah review jaw-dropping athletic feats, analyze positional classes, and discuss inside conversations with NFL personnel. Later, they feature an in-depth interview with Chargers GM Joe Ortiz about draft philosophy, building a team, and leadership. The tone is lively, insightful, and laced with industry anecdotes.

Record-Breaking Tight Ends (Starts ~03:35)

Key Discussion Points

• Kenyon Sadiq and Eli Stowers Steal the Show

  • Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq and Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers shattered combine records in the vertical jump and broad jump.
  • Sadiq ran a blazing 4.39 40-yard dash, the fastest ever by a tight end at the Combine.
  • Stowers notched a 45.5" vertical—highest at the combine by any player since 2006.

• Comparisons to Draft History and Player Evolution

  • McShay draws comparisons to Vernon Davis’s fabled combine performance (07:06).
  • Stowers, a former quarterback, has a rare football IQ, spatial awareness, and is touted as a potential hybrid receiver (07:53).

• Competitive Dynamic

  • Sadiq and Stowers pushed each other to ever-improving numbers, going back and forth on individual drills (10:11).
  • Sadiq’s 11’0" broad jump and Stowers’s 11’3" both far exceeded five-year positional averages.

• Concerns and Character Assessments

  • Some scouting worries about Sadiq's attitude as he transitioned from #2 to #1 TE at Oregon, but he responded to criticism and showed improved effort down the stretch (14:19).
  • Both athletes are praised for competitiveness and helping their draft stock by participating (13:56).

Notable Quotes

• On Sadiq’s speed:
  “Kenyon Sadiq hit 23.2 miles per hour at the combine. Gibbs was 199 pounds, Sadiq 241. It's not normal what we're seeing.” (11:53, McShay)
• On Stowers:
  “This guy has unbelievable spatial awareness ... brain, character, leadership, former quarterback, production.” (08:40, McShay)
• On competitiveness at the combine:
  “...do you show up and compete when it matters? And to me, it’s fascinating.” (17:22, Jeremiah)

Timestamps for Major Tight End Segments

• [03:35] — Jumping records: Sadiq (43.5"), Stowers (45.5")
• [05:00] — Stowers’s intelligence and unique skill set
• [10:11] — The 40-yard dash showdown; Sadiq’s 4.39 official
• [14:19] — Sadiq’s growth, motivation, and character

Tight End Class Overview & Other Standouts (~18:00)

• Max Claire (Ohio State, did not work out), Michael Trigg (length and upside, some off-field questions, skipped workouts), Jaren Canik (conversion LB-TE, great story, day three value), Sam Roush (Stanford, “oatmeal”—the classic blocking TE, but showed surprising explosiveness).

• Jaren Canik’s story as a position-switching, high-character contributor earned praise: “He came into the coach’s office and asked ... how can I contribute? Do you mind if I move over to tight end?” (20:12, McShay)

Defensive Backs: Safeties & Corners Light Up Indy (~23:12)

Safeties (From 23:12)

• Dillon Thieneman (Oregon):

  • Elite interviews—praised for intelligence and recall.
  • Ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at 201 lbs (27:47).
  • 41" vertical, 10’5" broad; regarded as one of the most complete prospects.

• Traydan Stukes (Arizona):

  • 4.33 40, 38" vertical—could be an early Day 2 pick.

• Bud Clark (TCU):

  • Instincts and production carried over; solid workout.

• Jalen Kilgore (South Carolina):

  • 4.43 40, 37" vertical, 10’10" broad—size and range stand out

• Lorenzo Styles Jr.:

  • Fastest defender at the combine (4.27 40), 39" vertical.
  • Story about rivalry with brother Sonny Styles and their family’s competitive fire. (35:10)

• AJ Halsey (LSU):

  • 4.52 at 215 lbs; “thumper with great ball skills” (36:40, Jeremiah)

Notable Quotes

• On Thieneman:
  “He’s one of the smartest DBs I’ve ever been around.” (28:15, McShay quoting Oregon DC Tosh Lupoi)

• On Lorenzo Styles Jr.:
  “He’s the combine's fastest defender ... and not only does he run the fastest time of the safeties, he's the fastest player to run a 40-yard dash here at the combine so far.” (36:17, McShay)

Timestamps

• [27:13] — Thieneman’s interview, metrics, praise
• [31:03] — Traydan Stukes, Bud Clark, analysis
• [33:43] — Family backstory: Lorenzo Styles Jr. & Sonny Styles

Corners (From 39:32)

• Chris Johnson (San Diego State):

  • “Damn near flawless in the position drills.” (41:37, McShay)
  • 4.40 40, 10’6” broad, 38” vertical at 193 lbs.
  • Noted for ideal body control and technique.

• Takario Davis (Washington):

  • 6’4”, 33⅛" arms, 81" wingspan, 4.41 40 — rare size/speed combo.
  • “If you can't do something with 6'4", 81-inch wing, and 4.41, I'm not sure what to say to you.” (45:03, McShay)

• Dalen Everett (Georgia):

  • 6’1", nearly 200 lbs, 4.38 40, 37.5” vertical—traits over raw tape.

• D'Angelo Ponds, Avion Terrell:

  • Excellent drills; Ponds had a 43.5” vertical.
  • Many top corners did not run, missing a chance to capitalize on a “fast track.”

Notable Quotes

• On Chris Johnson:
  “He was fluid. He looked sudden. What stood out? Watch his body control ... he’s got it for days.” (41:37, McShay)

• On the depth and value in the draft:
  “A lot of teams in the top 10 would like to move back ... teams that are sitting there in 15 to 32 are kind of thrilled about where they are.” (47:02, McShay)

Timestamps

• [39:32] — D’Angelo Ponds, Dalen Everett standout numbers
• [41:37] — Chris Johnson’s positional drills, technique talk
• [45:03] — Takario Davis’s freakish measurables, role
• [47:52] — Draft depth and strategy

Trends & Draft Class Takeaways

• Depth from late 1st to 3rd rounds is historically strong (47:02, McShay).
• “Fireable offense” to trade up into the top 15: McShay stresses teams will get equal quality later without losing future picks (49:14).
• CB, S, and TE classes loaded with elite athletes and deep talent.
• Teams seek versatility—players who can flex roles or fill needs due to evolving schemes and injuries.
• Shame noted for players (especially top corners) sitting out combine drills: missed opportunity to show off in a year of crazy times.

Notable and Entertaining Exchanges

• On medicals at the Combine:
  Descriptions of the “room full of 30 doctors” and how each player’s health is rigorously checked, essential for draft strategy (73:32).
• On Combine hustle:
  “I feel like Men should go through that medical thing just for the show ... we have bad news. It’s not looking good.” (73:57, McShay & team)

Feature Interview: Chargers GM Joe Ortiz (57:18–90:12)

Key Themes

• Career Path:

  • Ortiz discusses 26 years with the Ravens, ascending through every role, building his process on “the Raven way”—thorough, high-character scouting, and relentless competitiveness.
  • Chose the Chargers for fit, relationship with Jim Harbaugh, and family-like organizational culture (58:09).

• Harbaugh as a Leader:

  • “He’s such an energy giver ... the mind, it’s so creative ... he processes much faster than the normal person.” (60:42, Ortiz)

• Draft Philosophy:

  • Seeks competitiveness and specific traits, even in mid/late-round picks.
  • “Easy to poke holes in guys ... what can they do, and where can they help?” (64:47, Ortiz)

• Building Team Depth:

  • Navigating cap issues and injury waves; likens the roster to a “house you’re always renovating.” (70:19, Ortiz)

• Medical Evaluations:

  • Every medical staff present at the combine, teams assign their own grades, sometimes bring prospects in for additional checks (72:50).

• Justin Herbert and Team Culture:

  • Describes Herbert as “inspiring competitor and leader,” now growing into a “lead by example” presence (76:01).
  • “He doesn’t want to fail you. We can’t fail him.” (76:30, Ortiz)

• Playing against Mahomes/Chiefs:

  • Defense is a weapon, not just building around the QB.

• Ravens’ Scout Room Culture:

  • “You’re getting challenged, you know, we’d sit there and say, if you’re looking around trying to find who the worst scout in the room is and can’t find him, you’ve got a problem.” (67:51, Ortiz)

• Food and Draft Weekend Rituals:

  • Ortiz insists on Maryland crab soup “must-have” at the Chargers’ draft night, alongside Wolfgang Puck-catered fine dining (88:02).

Notable Quotes

• “...But you stay true to the process. Definitely.” (63:46, Ortiz)
• “Those things aren't fun. But it's part of the business.” —on cutting/trading players (83:32, Ortiz)
• “Let’s not miss on the person.” (84:44, Ortiz)

Timestamps

• [58:09] — Why LA, relationship with Harbaugh
• [60:42] — Insights on Harbaugh’s character
• [62:28] — “The Raven way” process
• [67:01] — Competitive scout room at Baltimore
• [70:19] — Building team depth, injuries
• [76:01] — Justin Herbert as leader
• [88:02] — Maryland crab soup and draft rituals

Memorable/Fun Moments

• McShay’s epic “shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo’s” story — classic combine-induced suffering (02:44).
• Anecdotes about family rivalries, i.e., the Styles brothers' competition, with a cameo from their mom’s sense of humor (35:10).
• The “oatmeal” nickname for Sam Roush and debate on better breakfast foods for NFL blocking TEs (23:08).
• McShay’s tongue-in-cheek aside: “It is a fireable offense if you move into the top 15 and give away a pick for 2027 to do so.” (49:14)

Conclusion

This episode captures the unprecedented explosiveness and depth of the 2026 combine’s defensive back and tight end classes. Detailed scouting, insider stories, and clear-eyed advice fill the show, making it indispensable listening (or reading!) for draft observers, fans, and aspiring NFL evaluators.

If you want every player assessment, team-building thought, and behind-the-scenes anecdote, don't miss the Full McShay Report.