The McShay Show – Mailbag! Shedeur’s Future, RB and TE Notes, the Steelers’ Next QB, and More

Date: March 13, 2026
Host: Todd McShay
Co-host: Mitch
Podcast: The Ringer

Episode Overview

In this Friday mailbag episode, Todd McShay and co-host Mitch dive into a variety of listener-submitted NFL draft and team-building questions. With just over a month to the 2026 NFL Draft, the discussion explores Cleveland’s draft strategy, the future outlook for Shedeur Sanders, Atlanta’s new GM, the quality of the running back and tight end classes, the Patriots’ draft priorities, the Steelers’ quarterback plans, and likely targets for the Saints. The mood is energetic and conversational, with McShay’s signature blend of inside intel and candid analysis.

1. Browns Draft Strategy: Receiver vs. Tackle, Shedeur’s Path

[02:22 - 08:54]

• Listener Scenario: Choose between (a) WR Carnell Tate at 6 + OT Caleb Lomu at 24, or (b) OT Monroe Freeling at 6 + WR Omar Cooper Jr. at 24 for the Browns.
  • Todd McShay: “I would just get my tackle there, man, if that's what we're planning on doing... I'm of the belief you got to get your tackle because they're just gonna, they're gonna run. It's gonna be like a river running downhill, like, you know, right. And then it... dries up fast after.” (05:02)
  • On WR depth: Warns about the run on top wideouts; “I think Tate's gone. I mean, I know Tate's gone. I know Lemon's gone. Tyson is very likely to be gone. And then... Denzel, Boston and Omar Cooper Jr... there's a world in which they're both gone by 24.” (05:00)
  • Preference: Take Freeling at 6 and Cooper Jr at 24 if possible; focus is development and 2027/2028 rather than “winning now.”
  • On Browns’ QB situation: “This year is about getting better everywhere else but quarterback and seeing what you have at quarterback. Not planning on it being the long term answer. And if it is, that's a great problem to have." (09:25)
  • On Shedeur Sanders: Use 2026 to evaluate; “If he hits, great, we have our quarterback of the future. If he tanks, hey, top five pick... [get] a blue chip quarterback in 27.” (08:11 - Mitch paraphrase)

2. Atlanta Falcons: GM Ian Cunningham’s Approach & Tua Tagovailoa

[09:41 - 14:05]

• New GM: Ian Cunningham, praised for his background (Baltimore, Philly, Chicago) and patience in landing the right job.
  • McShay: “Ian Cunningham, the human being is like five stars. Ian Cunningham, the evaluator ... five stars with the path that he went on. Ian Cunningham. I've known Ian for 20 years, man. Ian is the man.” (12:17)
• On Tua Tagovailoa Signing:
  • Low risk: “They're not paying him... It's a one year, basically NFL money terms ... they're paying him nothing.” (10:27)
  • Motivation angle: “You find out a lot about a human being... when they get everything ripped away... So we're going to find out with Tua. It's hard to be more motivated. You got one year to go show and utilize this as a springboard.” (11:54)
• Free Agency Approach: "You don’t see a lot of home runs, but you see a lot of singles and doubles ... I just like how he's structured this. Brought in some nice pieces, some role players... without betting too heavily." (14:06 - Mitch)

3. 2026 Running Back Class: Thin Top, Intriguing Depth

[14:07 - 19:11]

• Overall sentiment: “It’s not a great group. I'll be honest with you. It's not a great group.” (14:43)
• Top RBs: Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame), Jadarian Price, Mike Washington (Arkansas). Praise for Washington’s Senior Bowl and combine performance.
  • On Washington: “You combine his run style with his ability to catch the ball... for his size, the agility and the sharpness to his movements... His combine workout... sensational.” (15:03)
• Day 2-3 Options: Few backs expected in the first three rounds; running back value is “second to last... just ahead of center.”
• Day 3 names: Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), Jonah Coleman (Arizona), Catron Allen (power role), Deon Demon Clayborn (change of pace), Kalyn Black, Nicholas Singleton, Seth McGowan (Kentucky), and Adam Randall (Clemson convert, ex-WR now RB): “He's 6’3''… £233. He's a former wide receiver. He catches... and then the explosiveness..." (18:44)
• Role-by-committee theme: “Backs can be in a rotation. They can play different roles, and that's what I like about this year's class.” (16:45)

4. Patriots Draft Priorities: O-Line, Edge, Receiver

[20:26 - 24:57]

• Biggest needs: Listeners ask about O-line, edge, and WR; team recently signed Elijah Vera-Tucker (O-line), Romeo Dobbs (WR), Draymond Jones (DL).
• McShay: “I would assume they don't [see O-line as top need] based on that move” (21:05)
• Mitch: “I don't think they're done at wide receiver... I don't think they're done at Edge.” (22:44)
• Notable quote: “They're dying to have a big-ass X wide receiver. Rabel said it from the day he took the job and that's exactly what A.J. Brown is...” Watch for trade potential after June 1. (22:04)
• Edge/receiver round split: “Edge is definitely the priority if the right guy is there... Our Mason Thomas makes sense...” (23:27)
• McShay on Cassius Howell: “I would love to see Cassius Howell from Texas A&M in Rabel's defensive scheme.” (24:05)
• At pick 63: Prefer the receiver value in round 2 vs edge: “I like the receivers at 63 more than I like the edges.” (24:53 - Mitch)

5. Eagles Tight End Situation & Draft Approach

[24:57 - 27:13]

• Listener asks about Dallas Goddard situation, possibly drafting Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon TE)
• McShay: “No, [Sadiq's] a really good player... I don't think he's in the class of some of the top, top guys... There’s no way Howie [Roseman]... They need more picks, not, not fewer.” (25:20, 25:54)
• Tight end depth: Praises deep, versatile TE class—“When I say loaded, I'm not talking about top guys who are going to be your number one. I'm talking about... pieces that can be plugged in.” (25:59)
• Potential Eagles options: Max Claire, Joe Royer, Marlon Klein, Sam Roush—all day 2/3 fits.

6. Steelers’ Outlook: Draft Priorities & Quarterback Question

[27:13 - 31:21]

• Key offseason moves: Michael Pittman Jr. and Jamal Dean signings.
• Team needs: Offensive line (especially guard), slot receiver, safety, D-line depth.
  • “I think offensive line makes the most sense where they pick at 21... they could use a slot receiver... Safety makes sense.” (28:24)
• Quarterback: "It's kind of all about quarterback. I think they need early on to get a guard/tackle."
• Prospects mentioned: Not Ty Simpson at 21, but mentions links to Carson Beck (but not as a first-rounder).
  • “It’s not Ty Simpson at 21, I can tell you that for a fact. I have heard them linked with Carson Beck, so that’s just something to keep an eye on.” (30:25)
• On Will Howard speculation (Aaron Rodgers rumor): “Very few were higher on Will Howard coming out of Ohio State than I was… but I'm not listening to Aaron Rodgers.” (30:44)
• Steelers’ timeline: May be waiting on next year’s QB class; could give Rodgers/Howard a bridge season. “I think that’s the direction it’s trending… try quarterback next year.” (31:21)

7. Saints’ Draft Likelihood: RB/WR/OL

[31:34 - 33:30]

• Listener asks about Saints and Chiefs extending RBs, meaning Jeremiah Love likely gone; what Ohio State player might fall to the Saints?
• McShay: Offensive line now full of first/second round talent, so likely not the priority.
  • “They've got like five solidified, bona fide, mostly first, second round draft picks across their offensive line. I don't...” (32:46)
• Priority target: WR, with Carnell Tate or Makai Lemon as prime targets.
  • “It's got to be Carnell Tate or, or Makai Lemon or if there's another receiver they like, right?” (33:20)
• Rationale: Put weapons around their promising second-year QB and Chris Olave; echoes league adage—“Play callers, protection, playmakers.” (33:58)

Notable Quotes

• McShay on roster building: “This is about 2027. If my eye is on 2027 and plugging in an Arch Manning or a Dante Moore ... I’m more worried about developing for 2027 than I am [about] that left tackle... being great as a rookie.” (07:23)
• On Falcons/Tua: “You find out a lot about a human being... when they get everything ripped away from them... we're going to find out with Tua.” (11:54)
• Running back value: “It ranks second to last in terms of positional value viewed by the league… just ahead of center.” (16:35)
• Eagles/TE class: “When I say loaded, I'm not talking about like top guys … I’m talking about pieces that can be plugged in.” (25:59)
• Steelers and patience: “I honestly think they think Aaron's coming back and that... they can make one last run with Aaron and we'll see how that goes.” (31:21)
• Saints draft maxim: “Play callers, protection, playmakers.” (33:58)

Key Timestamps

• 02:22: Browns' draft combo scenario and OT/WR depth
• 07:24: Franchise timeline, focus on 2027/2028
• 08:11: Shedeur Sanders’ make-or-break year
• 09:41: Ian Cunningham and Falcons' FA moves; Tua discussion
• 14:43: Running back class breakdown
• 20:26: Patriots’ O-line, edge, WR needs—A.J. Brown speculation
• 24:57: Eagles’ tight end situation
• 27:13: Steelers’ positions of need and QB strategy
• 31:34: Saints’ likely draft approach

Tone and Style

The discussion is conversational, informed, and occasionally self-deprecating. McShay blends detailed draft evaluation with big-picture roster strategy and leans into insider knowledge, especially regarding NFL front office thinking and prospect valuations. Mitch adds fan perspective and questions, making the analysis relatable.

Summary Takeaways

• Browns: Prioritize OT early, use 2026 as a transition year at QB.
• Falcons: Smart, risk-free moves under Ian Cunningham; Tua's signing is low stakes, high potential.
• RB/TE classes: Running back is thin at the top; TE is deep on day 2/3.
• Patriots: Edge (or A.J. Brown trade?) at 1, receiver at 2.
• Steelers: O-line is priority; QB of the future likely not in this draft.
• Saints: OL solidified—look for WR help, with Carnell Tate a prime target.

Listeners are encouraged to submit questions for more mailbags as draft season heats up.