The McShay Show — FLASH MOCK! Plus, Free Agency Frenzy and Maxx Crosby Fallout

Host: Todd McShay | Guest: Daniel Jeremiah
The Ringer | March 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Todd McShay and Daniel Jeremiah running through a "Flash Mock" of the top 14 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The show opens with reactions to a chaotic free agency period—highlighted by the Maxx Crosby trade/lack-of-trade saga—and examines specific roster moves that shaped team draft needs. The hosts emphasize the differing philosophies at play in the draft, the squeeze between positional value and "best player available," and deliver insider perspectives from recent front office conversations.

Key Discussion Points

1. Maxx Crosby Fallout & Free Agency Surprises

Timestamps: 03:06 - 11:35

• Maxx Crosby Trade Drama:
  The Ravens’ blockbuster trade for Crosby collapsed, reportedly due to failed medicals. The Ravens pivoted and signed Trey Hendrickson.
• League Reactions:
  Reports spread across the league (confirmed by Diana Russini on social media) that there was skepticism about the integrity of the process:

  “Diana Russini...is sending out tweets...This is a real thing.” — Daniel Jeremiah (03:46)

• Raiders’ Roster/Cap Situation:
  Despite heavy spending and the assumption Crosby was gone, the Raiders still have $70M cap space but now must navigate Crosby’s discontent after trade collapse:

  “Max wants nothing to do with playing for the Raiders. He’s made that perfectly clear.” — Todd McShay (05:06)

• Trade Consequences:
  Teams may now try to acquire Crosby at a discount ("sharks in the water"), and the only true losers are Crosby and the Raiders:

  “The only true losers in this are Max himself and...the Las Vegas Raiders.” — Todd McShay (10:28)

• League Trust Issues:
  Jeremiah speculates other GMs may be hesitant to work with Baltimore in future deals:

  “I think...some of these GMs might police it themselves and say, we don’t like what happened there.” — Daniel Jeremiah (10:35)

2. Draft Philosophy: Best Player vs. Positional Value

Timestamps: 11:42 - 15:12

• GM Insights:
  From conversations with several GMs, McShay reinforces that teams insist on “not passing up on blue chip players for positional value”—but notes that actions often differ from words.

  “Every GM we talk to…take the best player.” — Todd McShay (13:57)

• Top of the Board Analysis:
  McShay unveils his current top-10, stacked with non-premium positions (LB, S, OG, RB), underlining the lack of consensus on positional value:
  • Top picks: Jeremiah Love (RB), Sunny Styles (LB), Caleb Downs (S), Fernando Mendoza (QB)

  “There isn’t an offensive tackle that is as good as anyone in the top eight or nine prospects.” — Todd McShay (14:23)

3. FLASH MOCK DRAFT: Picks 1–14

Timestamps: 16:11 - 68:40

Picks 1–5: Setting the Top of the Draft

1. Raiders — Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)

• Franchise reset, targeting Mendoza as the clear #1 QB.
• “We all agree is Fernando Mendoza and I don't think we need to spend a lot more time on that pick.” — McShay (17:48)

2. Jets — Arvell Reese (EDGE, Ohio State)

• Extensive debate between edge (Reese, Bailey) and leader/versatile defender (Sunny Styles).
• “I think it's the most...likely scenarios are Reese versus Bailey here.” — McShay (23:21)

3. Cardinals — David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)

• Tackle is tempting, but Bailey is higher on the board for both.
• “I can't pass up on an edge like a David Bailey here for an offensive tackle, right?” — McShay (26:34)

4. Titans — Jeremiah Love (RB, Notre Dame)

• Best player on the board, dynamic offensive weapon for Cam Ward.
• “Going to go with Jeremiah Love there. Okay, so now we get down to number five, the Giants.” — McShay (32:48)

5. Giants — Sunny Styles (LB, Ohio State)

• Pairing Styles and Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker could transform the defense.
• “The idea of those two, like, Terminators ... If I was a Giants fan, I'd be excited about that experiment.” — Jeremiah (38:15)

Picks 6–10: Team Needs Get Tricky

6. Browns — Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia)

• Build trenches for future QB; ensure the left tackle is in place.
• “If you're drafting someone at 6, he sure as hell better be plug and play first, you know.” — McShay (46:43)

7. Commanders — Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)

• Time to refresh the receiving corps for the post-McLaurin era.
• “Carnell Tate makes all the sense in the world. … This is about the range you feel good about him.” — McShay (49:07)

8. Saints — Makai Lemon (WR, USC)

• With Etienne signed, wide receiver is a glaring need; Lemon is the best playmaker here.
• “If I'm sticking to my board, it's Lemon. Lemon's the pick.” — Jeremiah (55:59)

9. Chiefs — Francis Maui Noah (OT, Miami)

• Offensive line reset for post-Mahomes injury, balance with Kenneth Walker signing.
• “This pick is Maui Noah, right tackle.” — McShay (57:32)

10. Bengals — Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)

• Immediate defensive identity piece post-Trey Hendrickson; too good to pass up.
• “I like that for a number of reasons. ... He's the kind of guy who could do it.” — Jeremiah (58:08)

Picks 11–14: BPA vs. Filling Gaps

11. Dolphins — Venga Ioane (OG, Penn State)

• "Best player available" pick due to roster holes everywhere.
• “You want a year. I think he's worth it, man.” — Jeremiah (60:48)

12. Cowboys — Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)

• Perfect timing for Dallas, need at CB.
• “I think Delane is clearly the number one corner in this class. So let's give them Mansoor Delaine done.” — McShay (61:36)

13. Rams — Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Idaho)

• Another McVay-esque playmaker; consideration given to Omar Cooper Jr. (WR).
• “Kenyon Sadiq is exactly what the doctor ordered.” — McShay (64:21)

14. Ravens — Reuben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami) or Francis Maui Noah (OL, Miami)

• Final debate if they double-dip on edge after signing Hendrickson.
• “I think it's probably...Maui Noah or Fano. ... I think this could be Maui Noah or Fano. I think it could be Fo.” — McShay (66:59)
• Bain’s fit as a classic “Ravens player” is debated.
• “He feels kind of like a Raven, too, huh? Like that gritty...” — Jeremiah (66:51)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the impact of trade drama on league perception:
  “I wonder if...decision makers...are now hesitant to do business with the Ravens...they might police it themselves.” — Daniel Jeremiah (10:35)

• On the value of the mock draft process:
  “It's not about...having the most picks right...it's about walking through the scenarios.” — McShay (21:48)

• On running back value and positional bias:
  “It's a lot of money for a rookie running back...but it's still a younger back. Jeremiah Love is proven on tape.” — McShay (30:26)

• On the unpredictable talent drop-off:
  “[Bain]...will be the all-time outlier...there hasn't been a first round edge drafted with shorter than 31 inches in 20 years.” — McShay (15:13)

• Flash Mock as an exercise:
  “To me, it's more about the exercise of what are going to be the options, what are the decisions each team is going to have to make...” — McShay (70:00)

Memorable Mock Draft Debates

• Tennessee at #4: The discussion over whether to spend a top-5 pick on a running back, highlighting the contradiction between BPA and positional value.
• Giants at #5: The appeal of constructing an elite linebacker unit (Edmunds + Styles). “The idea of those two, like, Terminators ... If I was a Giants fan, I'd be excited about that.” — Jeremiah (38:15)
• Ravens at #14: The Ravens’ reputation and draft identity is a recurring theme; Bain “feels ... like a Raven” even after signing Hendrickson.

Final Notes & Takeaways

• The episode provides a real-time snapshot of post-free-agency draft logic: team needs shift by the hour, and adding/dropping contracts can change a front office’s priorities overnight.
• McShay and Jeremiah’s mock demonstrates how “sliding doors” moments in NFL free agency ripple through the draft—both in terms of who’s available and which teams are aggressive.
• The highest value is placed on the process itself—running scenarios, anticipating surprises, and understanding not just who teams could take, but why they would take them.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:06 — Maxx Crosby trade collapse & fallout begins
• 11:35 — GM trust issues, transition to Flash Mock
• 13:57 — Draft “Best Player Available” philosophy explained
• 17:12 — Mock Draft begins: Raiders’ offseason overhaul
• 24:44 — Jets/Titans/Cardinals picks debate
• 32:05 — Titans pick: Value of running back at #4
• 38:15 — Giants discussion: Building a linebacker duo
• 46:43 — Browns, OT dilemma
• 55:57 — Saints pivot to playmaker at WR
• 57:32 — Chiefs’ right tackle reset
• 58:08 — Bengals: Identity shift with Caleb Downs
• 60:48 — Dolphins: BPA pick with Venga Ioane
• 61:36 — Cowboys land #1 cornerback
• 64:21 — Rams nab another pass catcher
• 66:59 — Ravens: Interior O-line or another EDGE?
• 70:00 — End of mock and big-picture draft philosophy

For the full mock, detailed position-by-position analysis, and exclusive draft content, McShay urges listeners to check out The McShay Report newsletter.