The McShay Show — Day Six From the Combine: Carnell Tate, Jeremiyah Love, Taylen Green, and More

Podcast: The McShay Show (The Ringer)
Episode Date: March 1, 2026
Hosts: Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks
Special Guest: Chris Ballard (GM, Indianapolis Colts)
Theme: Comprehensive analysis from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, with deep-dives on WR workouts (headlined by Carnell Tate), RB performances (standout Jeremiah Love), and the QB class (including the eye-opening Taylen Green), plus an extended conversation with Colts GM Chris Ballard.

Episode Overview

In this action-packed Combine recap, Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks break down the biggest performances and storylines from Day Six in Indianapolis, focusing on the wide receivers, running backs, and quarterbacks, whose measurements and workouts will shape the upcoming NFL Draft. They debate the importance of testing numbers vs. game tape, revisit potential draft sleepers unearthed by Combine testing, and share real conversations from NFL front offices. The episode concludes with a deep, candid interview with Colts GM Chris Ballard about his career, philosophy, and lessons in NFL management.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Wide Receiver Workouts: Talent, Testing, and Tiers

a. The “Big 3” Wide Receivers

• Carnell Tate (Ohio State):
  • Only top WR of the elite “Big 3” (with Makai Lemon, Jordan Tyson) to run the 40-yard dash.
  • Ran a 4.53 official 40. Some chatter this is “slow,” but Jeremiah and Brooks strongly denounce this notion, referencing other elite WRs with similar times (CeeDee Lamb, Devante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins).
  • Quote (Jeremiah, 09:02): “The 10 yard split I didn’t love, 1.61 is a little high… but 4.53 is just not a bad time. Two years ago, we were talking about this kid maybe as the best WR in the draft… Today he answered every question you had about his speed in my mind.”
  • NFL teams love Tate’s football intelligence and "interview room" prowess.
  • “He was at like, the top of the list in terms of interviews, football. This isn’t like, ‘Oh, we like the guy, he’s really nice.’ … They love his football intelligence.” (Jeremiah, 09:51)
• Makai Lemon (USC):
  • Did not run, but measured in well — physical size comparable to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
  • Brooks felt more comfortable with Lemon as a mid-first-round pick after seeing measurables.
  • Quote (Brooks, 15:33): “Right now, he’s trending in the right direction for me again… It’s the frame that scared me.”
  • However, Lemon’s interview scores “not as strong” as Tate or Tyson, which may matter for some teams (Jeremiah, 16:37).
• Jordan Tyson (Arizona State):
  • Did not participate in athletic testing, minor durability concerns.
  • All “Big 3” have at least mild questions—no surefire “Calvin Johnson” type, driving debate about top-10 WRs this year (Brooks, 14:22).

b. The Big-Body WRs

• Denzel Boston (Washington):
  • Did not run the 40, but huge body (6'3.5", 212 lbs), 35" vertical, and an outstanding 4.28 short shuttle.
  • Impressive change of direction for his size (Jeremiah, 18:59).
• Malachi Fields:
  • Size: 6'4.5", 218 lbs.
  • Ran a 4.61 40 (not ideal), 1.63 split (a red flag according to Jeremiah), but a strong 38" vertical and excellent three-cone time.
  • May slip to the early 2nd round due to speed question marks (22:16).

c. Combine Sleepers and Workout Warriors

• Ted Hurst (Georgia State): 6'4", 206 lbs, 4.42 40, 1.55 10-yard split, staggering 11'3” broad jump — “already talking about in Day 2” (Jeremiah, 25:14).
• Bryce Lance (ND State): Brother of Trey Lance. 6'3", 204 lbs, 1.49 split, 4.34 40 (!), 41.5” vertical.
• Jeff Caldwell (Cincinnati): “Winner of the Combine.” 6’5 3/8”, 216 lbs, 4.31 40 (!), 1.48 split, 42” vert, 11'2" broad. Now on every team's radar for 30 visits.
  • Quote (Jeremiah, 29:20): “Jeff Caldwell won the combine today. I don’t know what it gets him… it gets a lot of people flying back who have downloaded his tape!”
• Others: Chris Brazel II (Tennessee), Colby Young (Georgia), Omar Cooper (Indiana).

d. “Flanker / Slot” WRs

• Deion Burks: 5’9 ¾", 180 lbs, 4.30 40 (3rd fastest among WRs), 10'11” broad, 42.5” vertical (best of the group), 1.49 split.
  • Top 100 pick despite modest college production.
  • Quote (Jeremiah, 33:28): “Top to bottom … elite numbers … his NFL career is going to be more productive than that of his college career.”
• Zachariah Branch (USC): Smaller (5'8.5", 177), 4.35 40, 10'5" broad, 38" vert; "NFL ready, tough, solid #2 or #3 WR."
• Antonio Williams (Clemson), Jeremy Bernard, KC Concepcion, Caden Weijin: All drew positive mention for athleticism and/or special teams promise.

2. Quarterbacks: Who Moved the Needle at the Combine?

a. Big Winner: Taylen Green (Arkansas)

• Green dazzled with elite size and speed: 6'6", 227 lbs, 4.36 40-yard dash.
• Hosts compare him favorably to Jalen Milroe: “More accurate, more football savvy… better natural touch, and just as athletic if not more.”
• Still raw as a QB — accuracy and decision-making questions, but enough tools to get Day 2/3 developmental interest.
  • Quote (Jeremiah, 43:19): “I think Taylen Green’s tape is better than Milroe’s. This guy is just too talented… give this guy a chance to develop as a backup quarterback.”

b. Standouts in Throwing Drills

• Ty Simpson: “Clear best passer on the field” (Jeremiah, 45:56).
• Baron Morton: Possibly the most under-the-radar prospect — cited by NFL personnel as “QB who keeps coming up.”
  • Seen as a highly respected future backup with intelligence, leadership, rhythm/timing.
  • Quote (Jeremiah, 48:20): “When I talk to people in the league, their thing on Morton is: he’s gonna be a great backup, because he’s smart, he’s tough, he loves and eats football.”
• Other notables: Garrett Nussmeier, Carson Beck (“has that prick in him,” Jeremiah, 47:11), Cole Klubnick (“more erratic than narrative”), Cole Payton, Drew Aller, and Mendoza.

c. QB Class: Perception vs. Likely Outcomes

• Varied opinions, but more hope for “depth starters” emerging from this class than pre-Combine consensus.
  • “When we look back…it’s going to wind up being sneaky good. I think something happened to a lot of these quarterbacks that doesn’t normally happen: adversity, real life stuff.” (Jeremiah, 52:07)

3. Running Backs: The Lightning (Jeremiah Love) and the Thumpers

a. Headliner: Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame)

• Ran a 4.36 40 at 6’0”, 212 lbs (second best RB time).
• Route running, receiving skills, and all-around polish drew raves; called an "elite blue" in the class.
  • Quote (Jeremiah, 58:45): “I’ve told you all week long… every GM I talk to… it certainly includes Jeremiah Love as the only elite blues.”
• Personal story and interviews “made his brain a superpower” (Jeremiah, 58:45).

b. Mike Washington (Arkansas)

• Huge Combine: 6’1”, 223 lbs, 39” vert, 11’ broad, 1.51 split, 4.33 40 – best among RBs.
• Equated by hosts to a “top 15 pick workout at the RB position.”
  • Quote (Jeremiah, 61:06): “That’s fucking elite, man.”

c. Other Notables

• Seth McGowan (Kentucky): 6'0", 223 lbs, 42.5" vert (2nd best in Combine history for a RB!), 10'11" broad, 4.49 40. “Unbelievable day.”
• Adam Randall: Converted WR, 6'3", 232 lbs, athletic, good jumps, needs polish but trending up.
• Jadarian Price (Notre Dame): Solid but overhyped, ran 4.49, “east-west style, questionable NFL translation” per Brooks (66:12).
• RBs as a group: Only 10 chose to run; hosts challenge more backs to “step up and make a name for yourself on this track” (Brooks, 67:37).

4. Combine Takeaways & Themes

• Teams are debating whether to take the “best player available” (even if not at a premium spot—LB/S/G) over WRs who lack “elite, elite” traits.
• Combine numbers must be contextualized—tape, interviews, and position value/need all matter. Several buzzworthy “combine risers” will now require fresh tape study (Jeremiah, 28:00).
• The NFL’s data-driven approach is increasingly visible, but “grind the tape” ethic remains at the heart of the process.

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jeremiah, on WR 40-yard dash obsession: “It’s asinine to think that that 40 yard dash [matters that much]. 4.55 is the number that just about everyone in the league…runs at or under, and it’s still not an excluding number.” (07:28)
• Jeremiah, on “sleeper” combine stars: “Some young men who weren’t discovered out of high school…made so much money and made such an impact…It’s all awesome.” (31:09)
• Brooks, on small RBs: “If you didn’t see a running back off until the third round, it wouldn’t surprise me.” (66:58)

Extended Interview: Colts GM Chris Ballard (71:56–106:30)

Background & Development

• Ballard shares his winding path from small-town Texas, to Wisconsin QB, to Division II coaching, and then a long scouting career through the Bears and Chiefs.
• Core of his GM philosophy: “Work, the tape, being open-minded, and being a good listener…You don’t have to make a decision until you have to make a decision. It’s okay to be wrong.” (87:15)

Scouting Process

• Cites “grind the tape” as fundamental; values consensus but recognizes the importance of outside voices in the room.
• On Roster Building: “Football requires good teammates…that’s as important a trait as anyone can have.” (85:07)

Quarterback Evaluation

• Believes NIL allows QBs more time to prepare before entering the NFL.
• Quote: “If I was a quarterback…it’s not about being a first-round pick, it’s about having a career. The more snaps you can get in college, the better off you’re going to be.” (90:00)

Draft Principles

• “You don’t ever pass up—in my mind—a Hall of Famer, which you think is an impact player…regardless of position, you just take it.” (99:02)
• On challenging parts of being GM: Handling public/media narratives that might be untrue; difficult to control what’s being said outside the building.

Leadership & Life Lessons

• Learned to “be the same guy every day”—gives credit to Andy Reid for modeling composure and steadiness.
• Failure: Post-Andrew Luck, acknowledges the “humbling” struggle to stabilize Colts at QB; stresses importance of “keep firing away…You can’t get timid about taking shots at the [QB] position.” (104:15)

Segment Timestamps

• Wide Receivers (incl. Carnell Tate): 02:11–38:20
• Sleepers & Combine Risers (WRs): 23:46–31:09
• Slot/Flanker WRs: 31:09–38:20
• Quarterbacks: 38:20–52:07
• Running Backs: 54:44–67:38
• Interview: Chris Ballard: 71:56–106:30

Overall Tone & Takeaways

If you missed the Combine, this episode is a can't-miss, offering genuine insider perspectives, rich context around the numbers, and clear-eyed analysis of both elite and under-the-radar prospects. Jeremiah and Brooks balance humor, insight, and behind-the-scenes details in language that feels like being in the room with high-level talent evaluators.

Most Memorable Mic Drop:
Chris Ballard on drafting: “If the guy’s special and you think he’s going to be a blue premier player… regardless of position, you just take him. Just take it.” (99:02)

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