The McShay Show — Key Takeaways from "Day Two from the Combine: Prospects Under the Most Pressure in Indy. Plus, Titans GM Mike Borgonzi."

Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Todd McShay
Podcast by: The Ringer

Episode Theme & Purpose

This Combine-week episode centers on two main goals:

• Analyzing which NFL draft prospects face the most pressure at the 2026 NFL Combine based on team needs, draft board positioning, and unique storylines.
• Bringing listeners inside the mind of NFL decision-makers, through a detailed interview with Tennessee Titans GM Mike Borgonzi.

The tone is lively, football-obsessed, and packed with intel both from McShay’s insider connections and from the field in Indianapolis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Combine Atmosphere and Draft Positioning (00:06–09:00)

• McShay sets the scene in Indy, remarking on the influx of scouts, GMs, and top prospects beginning their pre-draft evaluations.
• Discusses Brett Veach’s quote on “premium positions” and how the 2026 class features top talent at often non-premium positions (linebacker, safety, RB).
• Early draft order breakdown with McShay projecting Vegas to lock in Fernando Mendoza at #1. Jets at #2, with Mel Kiper mocking Caleb Downs, a safety, to them (“Do they need something besides safety?”).

Notable Quote:

“What's uncommon about the 2026 NFL Draft is that the best players or many of them at the top of a lot of teams’ boards are not necessarily from positions of high priority.” – Todd McShay quoting Brett Veach (02:35)

2. Prospects Needing a Big Combine: The Pressure Index (15:10–45:05)

Todd and cohost run down their “10 players with the most on the line”:

Quarterbacks

• Carson Beck, Miami
  • Injury/maturity concerns, deep ball questions.
  • “Quarterback three, I think, is up for grabs and I think he’s got a great opportunity here to take advantage of that.” —B, (16:10)
• Ty Simpson, Alabama
  • Needs to solidify QB2 status.
  • “He was the best quarterback in the country after nine games this year ...from the footwork to the pre-snap stuff, that was pure NFL stuff.” —McShay, (29:54)

Edge Rushers

• Cassius Howell
  • Elite talent, production, but “short” arm length; McShay’s personal favorite.
  • “I fucking love Cassius Howell. Quote that, retweet it…He’s not Von Miller, but I got little tiny vibes.” —McShay, (18:23)
  • Needs to post elite athletic numbers to overcome measurables concerns.
• Keldrick Falk
  • Prototypical size (6'6", 285), but limited production (2 sacks, 5 TFLs).
  • Must reestablish as a first-rounder with a strong week.
• Arvell Reese (Ohio State)
  • Noted shifting from LB to EDGE; big expectations on workout numbers.

Offensive Linemen

• Kaden Proctor, Alabama
  • Weight/conditioning questions, raw tape for a 3-year starter.
• Spencer Fano, Utah
  • “Short arms” and relatively small hands for a top OT prospect; needs to confirm athleticism.

Defensive Backs

• Jermod McCoy
  • Top CB talent, returns from 2025 ACL; can he clear medical and show fluidity/confidence?
  • 40-yard dash and arm length will be critical.
• Davis Igbinosun, Ohio State
  • Potential “CB3” off the board; must back up improved tape with test scores.

Wide Receivers

• Denzel Boston, Malachi Fields, Chris Brazell II
  • All massive (6’4”+), high on-ball skills. Must prove they’re not just big, but explosive.
  • “4.55 or faster” is the speed threshold; league wants size and real speed.

Interior DL

• Caleb Banks, Florida
  • “Boom-or-bust” profile, elite flashes but big consistency/maturity questions.
  • “If we’re going to give away a pick in the top 40…we better see that he is, at this point in time, showing us the best version of Caleb Banks.” —McShay, (43:58)

General Comments

• The guys repeatedly stress: medicals & interviews at the combine matter as much as on-field testing. Measurables are scrutinized at positions like EDGE and OL.

3. Trends and Warnings: Fastest 40s & Their Pitfalls (45:43–48:48)

• McShay lists likely contenders for the fastest 40 this year: Brenden Thompson, Malik Benson, Dion Burks, Barion Brown.
• Provides a cautionary tale: a long list of the fastest combine 40s from the last 20 years, many of whom flamed out in the NFL.
  • “Buyer beware. …Look how much higher [these names] went in the draft, and how little it meant.” —McShay (47:00)
• Instead, McShay values big WRs who can hit 4.55 or better.

4. Interview: Mike Borgonzi, GM, Tennessee Titans (52:11–75:19)

Personal & Professional Journey

• Borgonzi describes his Massachusetts roots (“Everett guy”) and how that football-obsessed culture shaped him, along with a detour into banking before a fateful career pivot.

Climbing the Ladder: Coaching to Personnel

• Got his NFL break via connections from BC, then a long stint in Kansas City (16 years).
• On learning the business:
  “I wrote letters to try to get GA jobs and just kept on getting rejected. …I emailed Barry Gallup, …walked in and interviewed, and …was working in recruiting.” —Borgonzi, (55:16)

Adapting as GM: Biggest Challenges

• Dropped into Tennessee after years with KC, with little time to prep pre-draft.
• “You get hired … and hit the ground running. …The season’s over and you get dropped right into it.” —Borgonzi, (57:28)
• Key lesson: budget your time; constant interruptions (“It almost becomes like a therapy session with everybody.”) (72:00)

Philosophy on Team-Building

• “You want to stay disciplined to the board …but there is a marriage of need and value.” (61:39)
• “The first thing you have to do [after drafting a QB] is protect him.” (68:10)

Titans’ Approach to Young QBs

• Hired Brian Daboll (OC) as a critical move for Cam Ward’s development.
• Stresses importance of continuity, relationships, and matching scheme to player strengths.

Decision-Making

• On the information-gathering behind selecting Cam Ward: “The first time I actually met Cam was at the combine …just his retention, his knowledge …was impressive for a young kid.” —Borgonzi, (65:26)
• Relied on background work, prior coaches, and his own film study despite limited firsthand time.

Favorite & Least Favorite Parts of the GM Role

• Loves connecting with people, building culture.
• Hardest is “budgeting your time” and constant demands.

Building the Draft Board

• Titans aim for a final board of ~200 names (“comfort point…for me now is probably around 200, under 200”). (69:00)

On Failure and Lessons Learned

• “We’re so intoxicated by talent…but the other component…is the character piece…and sometimes you can give in on it.” (72:54)

Draft Room Rituals

• Asserts for a draft spread: “Good pizza…Bianco sausages…” but really wants to get the food right for his crew. (73:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I fucking love Cassius Howell. …He’s not Von Miller, but I got little tiny vibes.” —Todd McShay (18:23)
• “If you're not ready to run, don't run.” —B (10:09)
• “My intel was at the Senior Bowl: [Ty Simpson] was still a week or so away from being able to throw.” —McShay (28:13)
• "You always want to support the quarterback... the first thing you have to do is protect him." —Mike Borgonzi (68:10)
• “We're so intoxicated by talent. …The other component is the character piece…and sometimes you can give in on it.” —Mike Borgonzi (72:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:06: Episode/Combine atmosphere, Brett Veach’s draft philosophy
• 09:00–15:30: Physical/medical update on prospects; who’s not working out
• 15:25–45:05: The “Pressure Index” — 10 prospects who need strong Combine weeks
• 45:43–48:48: Fastest 40-yard dash segment; NCAA-NFL disconnect
• 52:11–75:19: Full interview with Titans GM Mike Borgonzi
• 61:39: (Borgonzi) GM philosophy on draft ‘need’ versus BPA
• 68:10: (Borgonzi) Team-building around young QBs

Final Notes

• McShay, as always, emphasizes insider knowledge while keeping the discussion practical for both scouts and hardcore fans.
• The Pressure Index segment is a must-listen for draftniks and those tracking combine rises and falls.
• The Borgonzi interview offers rare, candid insight into how a GM approaches his first years, with actionable lessons on team-building, self-discipline, and leadership.

For draft junkies, this episode is a treasure trove—don’t miss McShay’s raw evaluations, detailed context, and the unique perspective from Tennessee’s front office.