Podcast Summary: The McShay Show – LIVE NFL Draft 2nd Round Preview + Analysis!
Episode Details:
- Title: LIVE NFL Draft 2nd Round Preview + Analysis!
- Host: Todd McShay
- Release Date: April 26, 2025
- Platform: The Ringer
1. Introduction to the 2nd Round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Todd McShay kicks off the episode with enthusiasm about the upcoming second and third rounds of the NFL Draft. He highlights the significance of these rounds, noting that many legendary players like Rob Gronkowski, Terrell Owens, and Joe Montana were drafted in similar spots. McShay emphasizes the strategy of building a robust roster during these rounds, aiming to secure talented players who can make immediate impacts.
Notable Quote:
"Night one is for the networks. Day three is for the die-hards. Rounds two and three, it's the heart of the draft. Let's do this thing together."
— Todd McShay [02:30]
2. Overview of Remaining Top Prospects
McShay discusses several key players still available on the draft board, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential fits for various NFL teams. He categorizes them based on positions, highlighting both defensive and offensive talents.
Key Players Discussed:
- Will Johnson (Edge Rusher): Despite a knee injury, Johnson remains a top prospect due to his exceptional performance at Michigan.
- Mike Green (Edge Rusher): Known for his performance at the combine, Green faces skepticism due to past character accusations, though no charges have been filed.
- Shador Sanders (Quarterback): A highly debated prospect, Sanders is praised for his passing capabilities but questioned for his size and mobility.
- Mason Taylor (Tight End – LSU): Valued for his clutch performances and reliability at LSU.
- Elijah Arroyo (Tight End – Miami): Recognized for his blocking abilities and potential as a weapon in the passing game.
- Trayvon Henderson (Running Back): Strong production at Ohio State makes him a desirable pick.
- Jalen Noel (Slot Receiver – Iowa State): An explosive player with excellent route-running skills.
- JT Tui Molalao (Defensive End – Ohio State): Consistent and productive defensive end with strong potential.
- Luther Burden (Defensive End – Missouri): Compared to NFL stars like Debo Samuel, Burden is noted for his versatility and athleticism.
- Nicki Minwari (Safety): Exceptional combine performance but concerns over tape consistency and focus.
- Donovan Ezraku (Edge Rusher – Boston College): Highly productive with best-in-FBS statistics last year.
Notable Quote:
"These guys are all still on the board. I don't know if we have the next 20 as well, but when you get here, here's what teams were asking about these names..."
— Todd McShay [07:45]
3. Team-Specific Strategies and Picks
McShay delves into the strategies of specific NFL teams, analyzing their needs and how they might approach their selections in the second round.
a. Cleveland Browns
- Focus: Strengthening their defensive line by selecting players like Mason Graham from Michigan.
- Rationale: The Browns aim to enhance their defense while maintaining flexibility for future quarterback needs.
Notable Quote:
"When you look at Cleveland at 33, Houston 34, Tennessee 35, Cleveland again, 36... we're going to build a roster together tonight and I'm fired up about it."
— Todd McShay [04:50]
b. Houston Texans
- Focus: Addressing offensive line needs and bolstering their wide receiver corps with Jaden Higgins.
- Strategy: Balancing immediate offensive improvements with long-term defensive commitments.
Notable Quote:
"Houston Texans have three more remaining picks as it stands right now on day two. So this is going to be a fun night for Houston Texans fans."
— Todd McShay [24:30]
c. Seattle Seahawks
- Focus: Enhancing their defensive backfield with players like Nicki Minwari and adding versatile tight ends.
- Strategy: Building a multifaceted defense capable of both run stopping and pass coverage.
Notable Quote:
"Seattle's got five minutes remaining on the clock... Nicki Minwari comes in. He's a tall, physical safety who could play near the line of scrimmage."
— Todd McShay [35:10]
d. Chicago Bears
- Focus: Strengthening their wide receiver and defensive line with picks like Luther Burden.
- Strategy: Leveraging high-potential players to revitalize both offense and defense sectors.
Notable Quote:
"Chicago Bears pick is in Luther Burden. I love that... Luther Burden is one of the 20 to 25 most talented players in this class."
— Todd McShay [45:20]
4. The Shador Sanders Debate
A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to debating whether Shador Sanders will be drafted in the second round or fall to later rounds. McShay weighs Sanders' exceptional passing abilities against concerns about his size, mobility, and overall durability.
Key Points:
- Advantages: Best pure passer in the class, rapid decision-making, and strong mental resilience.
- Concerns: Smaller stature for an NFL quarterback, limited mobility, and inconsistent performance under pressure.
Notable Quote:
"Shador Sanders, everyone thinks he's a surprise late first-rounder, but he's got the best pure passer in this class... but he’s not the biggest, not mobile."
— Todd McShay [18:15]
Fan and Analyst Opinions: McShay references FanDuel odds, indicating that the Raiders are favorites to draft Sanders, followed by teams like the Steelers. He discusses how media hype and personal connections (e.g., Tom Brady's mentorship) influence teams' interest in Sanders.
Notable Quote:
"FanDuel is saying the Raiders are the odds-on favorite to draft Shador Sanders today ahead of Pittsburgh. And it's in part because Pittsburgh's first pick is at 83 down towards the bottom of the third round."
— Todd McShay [28:50]
5. Highlighting Noteworthy Draft Picks
Throughout the episode, McShay highlights several draft picks, analyzing their potential impact on their respective teams.
a. Mason Taylor – Cleveland Browns (Pick 33)
- Position: Tight End
- College: LSU
- Strengths: Clutch performance, durability, strong blocking skills.
Notable Quote:
"Mason Taylor comes in with great instincts and he's going to be a factor in coverage and the run game."
— Todd McShay [15:00]
b. Jaden Higgins – Houston Texans (Pick 34)
- Position: Wide Receiver
- College: Big 12
- Strengths: Explosive speed, excellent route-running, reliable hands.
Notable Quote:
"Jaden Higgins is so smooth and he's got enough speed to get down the field. He's a savvy route runner."
— Todd McShay [22:40]
c. Quinshon Judkins – Cleveland Browns (Pick 38)
- Position: Running Back
- College: Ohio State
- Strengths: Explosiveness, low fumble rate, strong blocking skills.
Notable Quote:
"Quinshon Judkins is an absolute burner and he's going to be great on every down back for Cleveland."
— Todd McShay [30:10]
d. Luther Burden – Chicago Bears (Pick 39)
- Position: Defensive End
- College: Missouri
- Strengths: Versatility, athleticism, strong pass-rushing ability.
Notable Quote:
"Luther Burden is one of the 20 to 25 most talented players in this class. He's going to have room to grow immensely."
— Todd McShay [45:50]
6. Team Needs and Positional Runs
McShay observes a significant trend in positions being selected closely together, particularly focusing on defensive linemen. He notes that teams are prioritizing defensive strength in the second round, leading to a "defensive run."
Notable Quote:
"Looking back at the last 30 years of the NFL Draft, 26 interior and edge defensive linemen were ever drafted. We're headed towards that record."
— Todd McShay [50:30]
7. Mock Draft Predictions
Towards the end of the episode, McShay presents his own mock draft predictions for the second round, aligning them with his analysis of team needs and player performances.
Highlights:
- Cleveland Browns: Mason Taylor at pick 33.
- Houston Texans: Jaden Higgins at pick 34.
- Seattle Seahawks: Nicki Minwari at pick 50.
- Chicago Bears: Luther Burden at pick 39.
- New York Jets: Will Johnson at pick 47.
Notable Quote:
"Cleveland Browns make the selection. Carson Schlesinger. What a story. He joined UCLA as a walk-on and now he's the first draft pick of the second round."
— Todd McShay [54:20]
8. Conclusion and Upcoming Shows
McShay wraps up the episode by thanking listeners and outlining upcoming shows, including in-depth team breakdowns and a full roster analysis on subsequent days.
Notable Quote:
"I'm blown away by the amount of support and how many people have been on this thing. We're building something here and you guys are a part of it."
— Todd McShay [1:15:00]
Upcoming Episodes:
- Next Episode: Detailed analysis of the remaining second-round picks.
- Future Programming: Deep dives into all 32 teams' draft strategies and selections.
3 Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
On the Significance of Rounds Two and Three:
"Night one is for the networks. Day three is for the die-hards. Rounds two and three, it's the heart of the draft. Let's do this thing together."
— Todd McShay [02:30] -
Regarding Shador Sanders' Draft Status:
"Shador Sanders... he’s not the biggest, not mobile. He'd be a good fit behind a guy like Geno. He’s not going to start unless there's an injury."
— Todd McShay [30:50] -
On the Defensive Run:
"Looking back at the last 30 years of the NFL Draft, 26 interior and edge defensive linemen were ever drafted. We're headed towards that record."
— Todd McShay [50:30]
Key Takeaways:
- Defensive Focus: The second round is heavily weighted towards defensive players, particularly interior and edge defensive linemen.
- Quarterback Prospects: Shador Sanders remains a contentious pick, with debates over his readiness and fit for NFL teams.
- Team Strategies: Teams like the Browns, Texans, Seahawks, Bears, and Jets have clear strategies to address their specific needs, whether it's strengthening defense or bolstering offense.
- Emerging Talent: Players like Mason Taylor, Jaden Higgins, Quinshon Judkins, and Luther Burden are highlighted as high-impact selections that could significantly influence their teams' performances.
This episode provides a comprehensive preview and analysis of the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, offering listeners valuable insights into player potentials and team strategies.