Mock Draft 2.0: Mendoza Trade Offers, Reese’s NFL Comp, and More Round 1 Takeaways

Summary

The McShay Show — Mock Draft 2.0 Episode Summary

Podcast: The McShay Show
Host: Todd “Steve” McShay
Co-host: Mitch Tucker
Episode Title: Mock Draft 2.0: Mendoza Trade Offers, Reese’s NFL Comp, and More Round 1 Takeaways
Date: February 9, 2026

---

Main Theme / Purpose

Todd McShay and Mitch Tucker unveil and dissect “Mock Draft 2.0,” focusing on the first 16 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft. The episode dives deep into prospect analysis, team needs, trade possibilities (especially with the #1 pick), and tactical shifts driven by lessons from last year’s draft and the upcoming, highly rated 2027 class. The hosts compare prospects, debate team strategies, and sprinkle the show with their banter, memorable analogies, and the newly-named “Mentions” segment, a rapid-fire Q&A mix of personal and football topics.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Significance of Draft Class Context

• The 2026 draft lacks elite “can’t-miss” prospects, especially at QB and edge, compared to previous years.
• The 2027 class is already touted as potentially historic, impacting how teams value future picks and whether they might trade down or stockpile.

“This draft is actually better than people want to give it credit for because the only thing people can focus on is the quarterbacks aren’t great and the top 10 picks are not at positions of, you know, traditional value.”
— Steve McShay (09:50)

---

2. Pick-by-Pick Breakdown — First 10 Picks

(Detailed picks and insightful notes, including relevant quotes)

1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB

• Why Mendoza? Not as physically gifted as previous first-overall QBs but praised for “headiness,” obsessive work ethic, and mental processing.
• Tom Brady's Influence: Brady’s role in Raiders’ front office brings an affinity for “football nerd” QBs, likened to his own playing style.
• Trade Scenarios: Hosts debate if anyone will offer the kind of massive haul it would take for Vegas to pass on Mendoza.
  • Both suggest unless you're 100% convinced he’s “your guy,” consider trade offers—especially with 2027’s loaded QB class looming.
  • Minimum cost for a trade (especially from teams like the Jets or Browns): Current year’s first, a high first next year, plus more.
• Caution Against Giving Up 2027 Picks: McShay is adamant teams shouldn't mortgage the future for a non-generational QB.

“If a team trades a 2027 draft capital—first round pick in that class next year—for anything in this class, I will walk out…”
— Steve McShay (12:37)

---

2. New York Jets — Arvell Reese, LB/Edge

• Comparison: Draws Micah Parsons comps; could start as off-ball but projects as hybrid or future edge rusher.
• Jets Need Best Player Available: Reese will likely be a top-3 player on McShay’s board. Defensive focus is logical given roster need.

“I think the arc for Arvell Reese is going to be similar to that of Micah Parsons.”
— Steve McShay (12:52)

---

3. Arizona Cardinals — Francis Mauigoa, OT

• Reasoning: With both starting OTs set for free agency and no viable QB at 3, offensive line is priority.
• Player Debate: McShay prefers Mauigoa over Fano (Utah) for his size and system fit; Tucker's on board.
• Draft Value: Hard to pass on “good tackle” for RB or non-premium position, especially for rebuilding teams.

---

4. Tennessee Titans — David Bailey, Edge

• Not Expected Position by many, but Titans need pass rush help.
• Physical Tools/Questions: At 247 lbs in preseason—lighter than typical—but he’s proven against top competition.
• New Defensive Staff: With Rob Saleh as the new HC, investing in his preferred side of the ball makes sense.

---

5. New York Giants — Caleb Downs, S

• Surprise Selection: Passing on WR for a safety, given WR depth and no top-tier DT at this spot.
• “Bar Setter” and Leader: Cited need for higher standards and accountability.
• Analogies: Compared to Kyle Hamilton as a rare, worthy top-5 safety; not a consensus move, but justifiable.

---

6. Cleveland Browns — Spencer Fano, OT (Utah)

7. Washington Commanders — Rueben Bain, Edge (Miami)

8. New Orleans Saints — Jeremiah Love, RB

• Loomis’s RB History: “Hasn’t drafted one early in 15 years but definitely has precedent.”
• Supporting Young QB: Love paired with Tyler Shuck as a dynamic weapon.

9. Kansas City Chiefs — Carnell Tate, WR

• Need for Reliable WR: Mahomes needs “oatmeal” (consistent, dependable) receivers, especially after injury.
• Alternative Consideration: Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon TE) could also be a fit.

10. Cincinnati Bengals — Mansoor Delane, CB (LSU)

• Smartest CB in Draft: May not test elite physically, but renowned for football IQ and anticipation.
• Contrast: J. McCoy (Tennessee), more physically gifted but coming off injury.

---

3. Picks 11–16 and Noteworthy Debates

11. Miami Dolphins — J. McCoy, CB (Tennessee)

• Pro-ready, medical checks pending due to missed year.

12. Dallas Cowboys — Akheem Mesidor, Edge (Miami)

• Underrated Prospect: “I just don’t understand that… this kid might not be a first round pick.” — Tucker (41:09)
• Loves his violent hands and interior pressure ability.

13. LA Rams — Ty Simpson, QB (Alabama)

• Polarizing Pick! Only 15 career starts, but strong Bama pedigree and a “coach’s son” who could thrive if allowed to learn behind Stafford.
• McShay admits: This may not be the actual pick, but warns that late-riser QBs often climb by draft day due to team desperation.

“Everything in history tells us this doesn’t end well for Ty Simpson. But maybe it ends well because he was at Alabama for four years… Maybe it does work…”
— Steve McShay (44:41)

14. Baltimore Ravens — Vega Ioane, G (Penn State)

• Interior line a need given free agent issues and poor guard play.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sonny Styles, LB

• Physical, athletic, has “Michael Jordan” moments on high school basketball film.
• Perfect value here; not quite top 5 but tremendous upside.

16. Minnesota Vikings — Makai Lemon, WR

• 2026 receiver tier crowded, but consensus that several will go top 20 based on need and talent.

---

4. Draft Trends & Strategic Debate

• Lots of O-Linemen: Similar to previous year, expect 6+ tackles/guards in 1st round; “go for the double, not swing for fences.”
• Trading Up/Back: Teams may try to move back more than up unless there’s a run at key spots (OT, Edge).
• Positional Value Adjusts: With no “can’t miss” QBs, some “non-premium” positions go higher than usual (safety, RB).

---

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On 2027 Draft Capital:

  “Straight to the psych ward if you’re willing to give up 2027 compensation for 2026.”
  — Steve McShay (10:48)

• Ty Simpson, McVay & Redshirt Plan:

  “It gives you a full year to develop that partnership and also for that young quarterback to watch Stafford and how he operates in that partnership with McVay...”
  — Steve McShay (45:25)

• Giants' Selection Philosophy:

  “Where’s the sheriff in town? Caleb Downs is a sheriff. Bar set higher, standard is different, accountability.”
  — Steve McShay (33:05)

• Banter about Pet Peeves:

  “My number one pet peeve is when someone bum rushes an elevator… it’s because I lived in Boston, New York my entire adult life.”
  — Steve McShay (60:23)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:06–04:30| Super Bowl wrap, mock draft intro, Mendoza top pick, Raiders trade scenarios | | 06:45–12:00| Deep dive on Mendoza trade value, future draft capital philosophy | | 12:52–14:50| Jets’ pick: Arvell Reese, linebacker-to-edge projection, positional value | | 15:00–18:15| Cardinals’ OT need, Mauigoa vs Fano debate | | 19:54–20:15| O-line draft trends versus previous classes | | 21:07–25:20| Mock picks 4–10 recap, Saints’ RB history, Chiefs WR needs | | 25:20–27:07| Bengals cornerback pick; medical questions on top CB prospects | | 27:11–31:20| Titans at 4 (Bailey), defensive philosophy, edge rusher size analysis | | 31:20–34:48| Giants’ pick, run defense vs. safety, top 5 safety debate | | 35:20–43:11| Picks 11–16 rundown, WR tiers, Messador praise, debates at G/C | | 43:46–48:54| Ty Simpson to Rams, QB market realities, developing behind Stafford | | 51:59–63:33| “Mentions” segment — personal Q&A, rapid-fire draft takes | | 62:45–63:33| Hardest position to evaluate: QB and corner debates |

---

“Mentions” Segment Highlights (51:59–63:33)

• Personal Q&A: Favorite coffee orders (French toast latte; almond milk), breakfast preference (Benedict/“Benny guy”), and pet peeves.
• Draft Quick Hits:
  • Player to watch at combine: Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon TE)
  • Hardest evaluations: QB and corner, given college scheme variability.
  • Under-the-radar/Day 2 o-line: Sam Hecht (Kansas State C).

---

Takeaways & Final Thoughts

1. Cautious Approach with High Picks: Play the value game, particularly with future-loaded classes and a lack of generational QBs. Don’t mortgage the future unless you’re absolutely sure.
2. O-Linemen and “Safe” Picks Will Dominate: Expect a “double, not home run” approach—get starters, especially up front.
3. QB Movement Still Inevitable: Even in weak classes, teams will get aggressive if they sense a fit (e.g., Ty Simpson’s rise mirrors past draft trends).
4. Team-Building Lessons: Defensive leaders, culture-setters, and account-ability types are at a premium, especially for struggling franchises.
5. Podcast Energy: Blends sharp football analysis, historical recall, and light friendship banter, making for a lively, insight-rich mid-offseason listen.

---

Full details, player breakdowns, and the rest of the first round are available in Todd’s newsletter, The McShay Report.

---

Notable Quotes Recap

• “If a team trades a 2027 draft capital—first round pick in that class next year—for anything in this class, I will walk out…” (12:37, McShay)
• “Caleb Downs is a sheriff. Bar set higher, standard is different, accountability.” (33:05, McShay)
• “I just don’t understand that… this kid might not be a first round pick.” (41:09, Tucker on Mesidor)
• “Everything in history tells us this doesn’t end well for Ty Simpson. But maybe it ends well…” (44:41, McShay)

---

Listen for:

• Draft philosophy debates
• Player comparisons (Parsons/Reese, Hamilton/Downs)
• Best food take (crab cake eggs benedict!)
• The unique blend of high-level football analysis and playful podcast chemistry

(This summary covers key content and insights, skipping ad reads and intro/outro segments.)

Transcript

[Steve McShay]

The super bowl is in the books. That means it's officially, officially NFL draft season. How are we going to celebrate? Mock 2.0 might also have some mentions and just 73 days until the NFL draft. Men, you good?

[Mitch Tucker]

I'm great, man.

[Steve McShay]

All that beat tuck. I want to start it out by saying congratulations to the Seahawks, right? John Schneider, the rebuild, Mike McDonald, head coach Sam Darnold. We'll get into all of that in another show. But not today. Today's about Mach 2.0, man. We're excited about this new partnership. This episode is presented by Scout Motors. Every new year we do a lot of forward thinking and planning for what's to come. Just like the all new Scout Terra and Scout Traveler. They're being revamped for what comes next, taking that classic 70s design and improving it with modern engineering, including plans for advanced four wheel drive. So look ahead. Join the wait [e-mail] just like I just did. Concept vehicles not available for sale. Features and performance specifications are preliminary and subject to change. Joining the wait list does not guarantee purchase. Visit scoutmotors.com for details. And I just want to let everyone know the McShay report has got all 32 first round picks. If you're not subscribed right now, you got to be subscribed. It's draft season. Google it. The McShay report. It's the quickest way to get to it. Throw in your email, subscribe. You want to get involved. The next few months is going to be wild. It always is this time of year. It's our favorite time of year, Mitch. But let's not waste any time, right? Mach 2.0 this episode is brought to.

[Sponsor Voice]

You by Whole Foods Market. A new year means a whole new batch of wellness goals and Whole Foods Market is the best place to start. From sales on supplements of vitamins, protein powders, probiotics and much more, they've got everything you need to upgrade your routine with ingredients you can trust. You'll also find lean proteins like sustainable wild caught sockeye salmon. Plus smart meal shortcuts from the 365 brand like their ready to eat salads. Even dry January is covered with a host of non alcoholic drinks. Shop all things wellness at Whole foods market. Must be 21 plus in select states.

[Steve McShay]

Was out. This is an interesting one. Remember Mach 1.0 with Dante Moore, a quarterback? He's since returned to Oregon. Mach 1.0. We didn't have the Senior bowl behind us. Mach 1.0. We're still kind of feeling up the class. I'm not saying we've gotten to everyone's tape in full. I'm not saying that this is the final draft board or there's so much more intel to come. But I do feel like there's a massive change between Mach 1.0 and Mach 2.0. And let's just get it started. We're going to go through the first half of the first of the first round today and if you want to read all 32 picks and if you want to read all the explanations and kind of the other I went through with all these teams and tried to give some other team needs and potentially like other avenues they could go. A lot of this now is about situations and what's available, right. But I've thrown in some other names in with all these teams. You're going to want to check it out on the McShay Report. That newsletter comes to you right in your inbox. First pick, Las Vegas Raiders. I think it comes as no surprise. I don't think there's going to be a mock draft out there that doesn't have Fernando Mendoza going number one I talked about in the report, right. He's not as physically gifted Mendoza as maybe you go just the last couple drafts. Okay. He's not as physically gifted, I don't think as Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, Drake May or even last year, maybe Cam Ward. But what separates him from a lot of others, and I'm not saying it separates him from those guys I just mentioned, but what makes him special is first of all, don't forget, while we're saying he's not as physically gifted as Those guys, still six five, 220 pounds, he's got mobility, he's a lot of energy on the football, right? But I think it's up here, man. I look at most of the great, not all the great, but most of the great quarterbacks in the league's history, they're, they're obsessive, right? There's like an OCD about them in terms of the preparation and, and sponging information each week, the game plan changing, what. And he has that and I think he tapped into it for the first like real time this past year when, when he was with Kurt Signetti and that offensive staff and, and kind of he made a huge leap in terms of maturity and cutting down on the turnover worthy plays and all those things. And I think with Tom Brady you talk about obsessive, like football all encompassing nerd, right? Those are things that are relatable to Tom and those Are things that I think will be very attractive to Tom Brady as he's a part of the decision making process for the Raiders. So I don't think it's a question if they stay at number one, will they take him? Men. My question is, is there, is there a haul out there? The jets get a lot to offer in a hole. The Rams have a decent amount. You know what I mean? Is there something that could. It would. And here's my opinion, you take it wherever you want. It would have to be twofold. Tom would have to put his quote, unquote, hands on Fernando. And the people making those decisions, including John Spytech, including, especially John Spytech, the general manager, would have to have some trepidation about Fernando. Is it really worth it to offset the scare while next year's class is potentially historic? We've talked about Arch Manning and Dante Moore coming back and Lenora sellers and Brandon SBY and all those guys, C.J. carr, The. It would have to offset the concern of where will we be picking next year? Because we don't plan to be picking number one overall. So it would have to be okay. We know we're not going to be picking that high next year. So we better get. We better get a good haul, a great haul. And combined with. We're just not certain he's our guy for the next decade.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah, I mean, you have to get. I think you have to get the kind of haul. This would make sense to me. You'd have to get the kind of hall that you could move up and get one of these. You know, we're expecting a great class and 27 of quarterbacks. So I think the hall would have to put you in a position even if you were picking 15, 22, whatever it is, to make a move to go up and get your quarterback of the future. Because you still, I mean, if you don't take Mendoza here and you know, find someone that we're not necessarily seeing as a franchise quarterback later on in this draft, then you're still gonna have to fill that need. Right? I know this isn't going to happen, but these are the kind of things that I like to think about and would make me so excited. Let me paint a picture here where the Raiders, they trade out of this spot, everyone goes crazy, can't believe they don't get Mendoza. And then somehow, and I know it's not going to happen. McShay. I get it somehow. The Raiders in 27 draft, Arch Banning out of Texas. Tom Brady is now the mentor for the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning.

[Steve McShay]

Nothing.

[Mitch Tucker]

Nothing would be better. Nothing would be better.

[Steve McShay]

But seriously, I think the hall would.

[Mitch Tucker]

Have to put them in a position to trade up and it would also have to put them in a position where they can, they can use other picks to, to, to. To add picks to help build the rest of the roster out. So we're talking at least what two firsts plus is what we're looking at. And then that might even just be to go back one spot with the Jets.

[Steve McShay]

And so 6, 6 and 24 is what Cleveland has.

[Mitch Tucker]

Right.

[Steve McShay]

The Rams have 13. I can't imagine 13 and 29. And it would have to be next year's first and like an additional SEC.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah, get. It would have to be Browns. Get that 24 pick out of here. Get that 24 pick out of Here. I want the six and I want next year's first because historically I'm betting on the Browns with the new head coach all the. Like that, like I'm thinking that that to 20, 27 pick is going to be more valuable than 24. So you're looking at getting six next year's first and then I think additional picks. And are you going to give that up for a guy that we all like? And I agree with your. Your analysis on him. I like Fernando Mendoza. I'm not sure he's that guy. I'm not sure. And I don't even think it's about trepidation for Spytech, Todd. I think it is. You have to. You, you can like him. I think you actually have to 100 believe with full conviction that this is your guy, that I like him better than anyone in this class and I like him better than the guys I might get next year. I think that's what you have to believe in your heart to take him first overall and ignore what I think teams are going to throw at them. I think that teams are desperate enough at quarterback and there'll be enough people that love Fernanda Mendoza, which is. Which is fair that you. They have to think long and hard about getting out of that pick. And Raiders fans probably hate hearing it.

[Steve McShay]

I think it's going to be a theme throughout the draft. I think there will be a lot of teams trying to move back in this draft. This draft is actually better than people want to give it credit for because the only thing people can focus on is the quarterbacks aren't great and the top 10 picks are not A, not at positions of, you know, traditional value. Right. And B, not necessarily at the level of player that we. That you'd like to see in the top 10. So I think there will be a lot of teams that want to trade back. I don't know how many teams will want to trade up unless it's a kind of a minimal move, you know to go. Maybe an offensive tackle is there, maybe an edge rusher is there. Maybe there's. I don't know that it will be wide receiver because I think there's enough of them. Okay. And you'll see that throughout this mock draft. I think you're. You should be put in a loony bin.

[Mitch Tucker]

Here we go.

[Steve McShay]

A loony bin. Like straight to the psych ward. If you're willing to give up 2027 compensation for 2026. I think it will be the all including.

[Mitch Tucker]

Including Mendoza because that's, that's that one. I agree with you across the board. I think and I agree. Actually I agree with you. I wouldn't do it from Mendoza either. But I do wonder if teams will see him a little bit differently. I think you're right. I think you're right. Don't do it.

[Steve McShay]

Don't, don't. Just don't do it. I will lose my mind. We'll be sitting in the. The it sounds like beautiful studios in la. The ringer and Spotify will be. I will. You will see me walk out of there pounding the table. Tuck Tucker yelling at me because I'm ruining his audio again. Like it will be. I promise you. I hope I don't. I hope I don't ruin a relationship because I the thought of giving up next year's compensation. It's not just the quarterbacks next year. It's wide receivers starting with Jeremiah Smith. It's the edge rushers. Colin Simmons in the gang. Like it's. Yes. Next year's class has a chance to be like go down historically is one of if not the greatest classes of talent in the NFL draft has ever seen. So it, it would be so short sighted to make that move.

[Mitch Tucker]

Listen, I feel like your guy Mel Kuiper has made statements in the past that he like he just, he wrote checks that he couldn't cash.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah. Like I already have Houston. Like I'm retiring if Clawson is start. Yeah.

[Mitch Tucker]

I didn't want to go. I wanted to be specific about it. Yeah. But so far I just want to be clear. I have a list here. If Ty Simpson gets drafted second you walk out. If there that, that one shouldn't happen. I think you're safe there. But if A team trades 2027 draft capital.

[Steve McShay]

First round pick in that class next year. For anything in this class, I will go on, I will walk out and then I'll compose myself, I'll come back in. I'll still torch the village, I promise.

[Mitch Tucker]

Okay. All right. That should be, that should be great TV while you're out.

[Steve McShay]

All right, let's look at the next two picks. I don't think it's a surprise. I have Arvel Reese going to the jets. And honestly, the more people I talk to in the league, I'm not saying that this is a lock that he's going to go there. I think the arc for Arvel Reese is going to be similar to that of Micah Parsons. I feel like people forget when Micah Parsons came in the league coming out of Penn State.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yes.

[Steve McShay]

And when he, when he went with the, the Cowboys, he was drafted as an off the ball linebacker who could do some rush, could add some edge rush value. But he was primarily an off the ball linebacker till some injuries occurred that, that first year and he was kind of doing a moonlighting hybrid role and did it so well that I think it was year two that we saw almost exclusively. And then from that point on, Micah Parsons was an edge. Yeah, I could see something similar like that for Arvell Reese. And then at number three, hold on for the Jet. Good.

[Mitch Tucker]

You're just gonna blow by the fact that I, that I've, that I've said that, that I called him an edge and you were like, he's not an edge. He's not the ball linebacker.

[Steve McShay]

I, I was doing it more because we had a, we, we were looking at, we were building teams and you were trying to utilize them as an edge. When we agreed to utilize him as an off ball. He is an off ball linebacker who rushes five, seven times a game. I don't know. I'm just saying. I think you justify the number two overall pick on a linebacker by, by believing, not talking yourself in, but believing this guy is both, if not going to be a real dominant edge at some point.

[Mitch Tucker]

More importantly, is he a top two player on your board? Top. Top three.

[Steve McShay]

Top three. Absolutely. I like that.

[Mitch Tucker]

The value is there.

[Steve McShay]

I think, I think it's Mendoza, Right. Reese and, and Jeremiah Love will be the highest three graded players when this is all said and done.

[Mitch Tucker]

That's what makes sense to me about. They need, they just need to get the best players that they just get the best player. And I wrote and Reese is one of those guys.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, yeah. Especially on the defensive side. But, but honestly, just take the best Player. That should be the theme you got. That's why this draft capital for the next two years. Just bring in good football players and sort it out after, you know. And then at 3, this is where it got gets interesting. And I know you'll disagree with the player. The premise is what I'm a little bit more interested in. But take it wherever you want. Arizona, I had taking Francis, Maui Noa, Arizona's biggest question mark, as is the case with the jets and maybe one or two other teams, is it quarterback. But there's no fixing it as far as I'm concerned. Unless you're going to quote, unquote, reach for Ty Simpson and we'll see how that all shakes out as we get closer to the draft. They've got to figure out what, what they're going to do with Kyler Murray. Right. But regardless, if you're not drafted a quarterback here I look at offensive tackle and Kelvin Beacham, Jonas Williams, both set to hit free agency in March. Okay, I love Jeremiah Love here, but is it an Ashton Jinty to the Raiders if, if you're not. If your offensive line is. You know what I mean?

[Mitch Tucker]

I agree. It's 100% that.

[Steve McShay]

So let, let's. We're picking this high. Let's take. And maybe it's Spencer Fano. Right. From Utah and I'd be fine with that too. I did. Look at this. I mean Arizona had 53 sacks. They, they allowed.

[Mitch Tucker]

Surrender allowed. Yeah.

[Steve McShay]

Okay. And that was the. I think six most in the NFL. LaFleur comes in from a Rams organization. I'm not saying that they, they felt like they have the best fit there, but if you look at their offensive tackles, they, they've had historically big guys.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah. They want to run. I don't think people realize how.

[Steve McShay]

Yes. Alaric Jackson, Rob Havenstein, they're both like 6, 6 3, 23, 30. You know what I mean? So Maui Noah kind of fit that bill a little bit more than Fano for me. But. But I do think that offensive line is. Is a probability for Arizona at three.

[Mitch Tucker]

I love it. I mean I think you're. You're inside my brain on this one. Like you. You're. You've pretty much stated this is what Mench is going to say. Different preference on the player. That's true. Maui knows awesome though. And I think he's a good fit for them. He's a top eight player. On Kim going at three. I don't think he's out of the question at all. I think he's a Tackle. You know, I'm just gonna say that I think people, you know, we get into this exercise, and I understand it, and if you have to move him inside, you do. I'm not convinced he can't play right tackle in the NFL. So let's, let's look at him as a right tackle. That's what I would do. So I don't hate, I love this. I mean, Paris Johnson's awesome at left tackle. Now you get, you bring in your right tackle, and when you do get your quarterback, you're in a better position. I just, I think it's a home run here. And as much as I love Jeremiah Love, and if you're just trusting your board and you're taking the best player available, and I get that. Tough. This is, this is what we talk about all the time, man. Tough to take a running back over a starting tackle.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, I, I, I tend to agree, and I, I think this year's class pull it up last year, while I'm doing it, pull up last year's first round. Well, I'm making the statement. I think when you have a draft that's not as loaded at the top with, like, premier players, you know, edge rushers and quarterbacks, and which we've seen in a lot of years, just go back to 2024, right, with six quarterbacks in the top 12, when you're dealing with a class that's not totally dissimilar from last year, and everyone's like, well, this isn't a great class. We don't have this and we don't have that. But I want you to look at this year in the NFL, how many rookies made massive impacts, and that's what's going to happen. And especially offensive linemen. Count for me, Mensch, how many offensive linemen, whether it's the top 20 or the first round, wound up coming off the board. And I'm talking guards, I'm talking guys that we weren't completely sold on coming off of maybe subpar years. Last year's class was littered with just, let's, let's hit a double. Let's not swing for the fences. Like, there's not a lot of swing for the fence guys in this draft. Let's bring in really good players that can come in or in the trenches that are tough guys. There were a lot of defensive linemen, including interior guys, and there were a lot of offensive linemen. And I think this year's class could have a lot of similarities to last year and that teams are, hey, we, we're not going to get a superstar skill player maybe. So let's just get a player that we're certain. Even if in most years we'd like to take him at 10, we got to take him at 3 here. We'd like to take him at 15, we got to take him at 8 or 9 here. Let's just get a player that we believe in, that's going to come in right away and impact upgrade us, especially along the lines.

[Mitch Tucker]

Six tackles, two guards. I mean, that's 25% of the first round. We're offensive linemen last year. And I think just looking at the names, I would have to dig in more. I think all of them, or at least the vast majority of them hit, I mean, they, when they were on the field, they were good, man. So, I mean, you're not wrong. You're not wrong.

[Steve McShay]

I want to adjust on the fly. Tucker, I'm going to put some heat on you here. Instead of doing the rest of the top 16, let's throw up a graphic that completes the top 10. And for those of you listening on Apple and everywhere else you listen to podcasts, we appreciate you doing so. For those of you watching on Netflix. So first, hey, let's go. What's up? Netflix is your first mock draft from the McShay Show. I love it. And those watching got a lot of, like, people are loving the Netflix thing, man.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah. Nice headphones.

[Steve McShay]

Oh, yeah, yeah. By the way. Yeah.

[Mitch Tucker]

How about that company for 20 years.

[Steve McShay]

I didn't. I didn't, I didn't. How about the nice black wrapping and the Netflix is so cool ribbon. That was. That was kind. So thank you, Netflix. Netflix sent Sonos headphones. I've been complaining about, about my head headphones forever. Throw these clunky things with cords everywhere out. So thank you for the headsets.

[Mitch Tucker]

Thank you very much.

[Steve McShay]

But I'm going to read through the rest of the top 10 here for those of you who are listening and just follow along if you're watching on. On. On Netflix or. Or on Spotify. So number four, David Bailey. I think a little bit off, we can get into it, but I don't think it's the position that a lot of people had, but certainly the right. The right player. And I do think they need an edge. The Tennessee Titans. That is a four. The Giants at five. I'm starting to zag. While most are zigging, if you will, I want Caleb Downs at that spot. We can discuss. Then another offensive tackle, Spencer Fano from Utah, going 6 to Cleveland at 7. Ruben Bane, Edge rusher from Miami, goes to Washington at 8. The Saints, I kind of wanted to give them to the Chiefs, but I got to be true to the board as I go through this thing. Jeremiah Love, running back out of Notre Dame. Pair him up with Tyler Schuck, nine. I went. This is honestly, of the top 16 picks, maybe in the entire first round, one of, if not the toughest ones, because I wanted to give him Jeremiah Love. I wanted to give him, honestly, Ruben Bane. I think that they're going to. It won't shock me if they go trenches here on either side of the ball, but they're just like with the two offensive tackles off the board. With Bain off the board and with Jeremiah Love off the board, I went with kind of the chalk of what's good, a wide receiver. And I did it with Carnell Tate because I think Mahomes more than anything, especially coming off the injury, is going to need reliable, consistent. You know, he's not Carnell Tate, another oatmeal guy. He's more oatmeal than Xavier Worthy. And. And he's.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah, yeah, he's more oatmeal. Yeah.

[Steve McShay]

She Rice.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah.

[Steve McShay]

Okay. And then number 10, Mansour Delane, cornerback out of LSU, going to the Cincinnati Bengals. Take it where you want.

[Mitch Tucker]

Lots of chew on here. Well, I'll just. I'll jump around a little bit. Okay. Did you consider Kenyon Sadiq for the Chiefs?

[Steve McShay]

I did.

[Mitch Tucker]

Oregon tight end.

[Steve McShay]

I actually.

[Mitch Tucker]

That's an interesting one to me, so. But it's the same thought process. Right. They need pass catchers and playmakers, so it's. That's. I think that's what they're going to target there too, if Jeremiah Love's not available. Let's. Which. Let's jump into that pick a little bit because we had Mickey Loomis time with us in Mobile. Nice enough to spend some time with us in Mobile.

[Steve McShay]

Great interview. Honestly, I'm like surprisingly good and open and detailed and you can love his process. You can. You can debate his process. I love how convicted he is. He told stories about how he grew up in this business and the attachment to offensive line play. Check it out on Netflix later this week. Yeah, we're gonna. So there's my two questions.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah, there's my two parter. I think we both walked out of the interview and saying to ourselves, he's taking an offensive lineman, but I know probably going to be. It's going to be an interior guy because I think he likes his guys on The.

[Steve McShay]

I looked at that, too.

[Mitch Tucker]

So there's no val. Not that there's no value, but the value is not necessarily there that early for a guard. I mean, I don't think you're going to take Vega Ione out of Penn State that early as much as people like him. So there's looking at that now. What's interesting about Loomis, too, is his. His running back history, right? One of the first years that he's at New Orleans, he's not the GM at that point, but he's on the staff. New Orleans drafted Deuce McAllister in the first round, and then you look at. They took Reggie Bush in the. With the second overall pick, I believe, in 2006, drafted Mark Ingram in the first, late first round in 2011. So he hasn't done it in 15 years. But this guy hasn't been afraid to take running backs early. And when you look at what Alvin Camara, who has obviously fallen off a little bit recently and had some problems like injuries, I think understands the value of a dynamic running back and what that can do for your offense and what it can do for a young quarterback. I'm fascinated by Jeremiah Love possibly going to the Saints. I think it's a very interesting pick and it wouldn't surprise me if it happened. I'm glad you got Monsoon Delaney in the top 10, too, by the way.

[Steve McShay]

Okay, we.

[Mitch Tucker]

When we watched his tape. I know I'm going off now. We watched the tape. They need to get better on defense. There's no question. They got a bit better on past defense. And Monster Delay may not be the most physically gifted corner in this class. He's one of the smartest corners I've ever watched. I mean, he is just.

[Steve McShay]

He's brilliant.

[Mitch Tucker]

You, when you watch tape and you can see a guy has an understanding of the game, that's on another level, it's. It really jumps out. And this. That's. That's who he is. So you might look at him and be like, oh, I wish he was a little faster, bigger. Whatever. Stop it. He's just a really damn good football player.

[Steve McShay]

Man, zone, eyes.

[Mitch Tucker]

And it doesn't matter.

[Steve McShay]

Reading routes, reading quarterbacks like, he just. He gets it, man. He gets it. And J. McCoy, more physically gifted, man to man, cover. Let's see how he works out at the combine. I think everyone's kind of waiting on that. What are the medical reports? How does he work out? Didn't play last year. Obviously, coming off the injury, everyone wants to see that. I think I Think most people in the league would agree he's the most physically gifted man to man cover corner in this class.

[Mitch Tucker]

I would think that, yeah.

[Steve McShay]

Didn't play ball in a year. And there's some, there's more questions than answers at this moment. Let's see how that plays out.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah, that's interesting. I don't want to get into this too much, but why, why, why in the year that people are coming in the, in the era of people coming back from ACLS quicker than, you know, ever before did he not get back on the field? Was it just that they wanted to. The Tennessee kind of fell off at the end of the year and they wanted to protect. I mean, that's, that's something I want to dig into and find out exactly what's going on there.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, I mean, there were reports, remember in September that he was working out and, and we thought he was going to be on the field, so.

[Mitch Tucker]

And then we thought it was gonna be at the Senior bowl maybe, like there was just all these things like.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, so just, just questions doesn't mean it's, it's, it's a negative yet. But there are questions.

[Mitch Tucker]

Right.

[Steve McShay]

Have to be answered and that's part of the process. Correct. What'd you think of David Bailey going forward to Tennessee? Because I, I think there's a. I do think. Sorry. There's a. I do think there's a sense. And I, and I was, I was torn because I think Spencer Fano from Utah would be an offensive tackle. I think protecting Cam Ward. I do look historically, right. I mean, how many studies did we do last year? Whether it was Green Bay, Buffalo after Josh Allen, after Mahomes, in Kansas City after Hertz or the other quarterbacks. That how we got in Philadelphia. Like you get your quarterback and it's like the great organizations right away, it's like next year we're going, I think after Mahomes, I think it was six straight defensive players in the, in the draft following. So with the, the premise of we've got a guy who's going to make up for a lot of other sins on the offensive side. Let's, let's make sure the defense is there to match it and can close out games and all of that. So following that train of thought, I think. And don't forget Robert Sala.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah, that's my point. Yep. So did you just hire to be your head coach?

[Steve McShay]

So, so is it. Let's, let's get the guys for that side of the ball or is it we just hired Two pretty close to brilliant defensive coaches. They'll figure it out with the person. I don't know. It's. That's, that's going to be a fascinating one for me.

[Mitch Tucker]

That's a great conversation and I do wonder how. Where you feel in that. I mean that's like a, that's something that could take a while to pick through. You hire an offensive coach, are you expecting him to hide your weaknesses on offense or you. Are you going to supercharge? Right. Do you supercharge or do you let him try to cook and do and like kind of piece things together and go on the opposite side of the ball? I tend to believe and I. And ask me again tomorrow because I think it's a great debate. I tend to believe you give the guy what he's best at and like, let that Tennessee defense be great. And if you want to build up that Tennessee defense, I think this pick makes a ton of sense. The player is interesting because he was £247 in the preseason. We know that. So is he going to be now he's six foot three and a half, so he's got a frame. We know that he can get moved around the run game, but I don't think he's a liability in the run game. But like, like a lot of other guys, if he's not technique's not there. He can get moved around a little bit. What's he going to weigh? And that keeps popping into my mind. And then I'm like, stop being an old stubborn, like, old thinking about this. We just talked about this the other day with AR Mason Thomas and Nick Bonito. 247 pounds is fine. If you get, you're going to get some guys be like, oh, I Wish he was 255, 260. I get it. I understand that you, you know, I wish everyone was Miles Garrett too. That frame's fine. He's fine. So every time I look at him like, oh, he's a little light. It's okay. Look at the tape. He. This kid knows how to get to the quarterback and he's got some explosive power. He might not be the stoutest wall type player, but I'd rather a guy who has explosive power. Power than that, to be honest. So I, I love that pick. It gives solid a playmaker. You give him a guy who's a good fit for his scheme and you're getting a guy I would think the best pass rusher in this class. I mean, he's, he. I don't even Think it's close, right? I mean, I love Bane and Mesador, but I think Bailey's on a different level in terms of his ability to get to the quarterback in different ways.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, I completely agree Caleb Downs with the Giants. A lot of people giving wide receiver there. I did in Mach 1.0.

[Mitch Tucker]

I think this, this mock is is way more interesting than the other mocks and it's no knock on the other ones, but this is another one. Top five safety. I love Caleb Downs top five safety when, when the Giants need a wide receiver and we love this receiver class. I don't man, you were yelling at me.

[Steve McShay]

I know, I know that I have the receivers too high. If there was an interior defense, do you know how bad they've been? That's what they want like 5.7 yards rushing per game last year.

[Mitch Tucker]

They gotta get a guy.

[Steve McShay]

Run defense has been borderline putrid for three years. They've got their edge guys like I, but there, there's no interior defensive lineman at 5. The Giants are gonna, I mean, I love they love to trade back if a team was trying to move up. If all of a sudden the Ty Simpson is a hot name and and the Rams wanted to get up ahead of Cleveland or you know what I mean. But I don't foresee them being able to move back.

[Mitch Tucker]

And the good news for Giants fans is I think this day two, there is going to be a lot of good value at defensive tackles. So don't. If you're hearing this and you're like, yeah, McShay, I want to fix my run defense who might cook we take there to do it, don't panic.

[Steve McShay]

It could be Katie McDonald from Ohio State in round two. I get that too. But if they go safe here, if they go safety here and get a Kaden McDonald, which would be a home run around two now we're in the round three before we're getting a weapon to go to pair up with Malik Neighbors for Jackson Dart in that offense. It's got a lot of promise but, but coming off of injuries and kind of not a great end of the.

[Mitch Tucker]

Season, I, I sneaky like it. Okay. I can sneaky like Downs at five because he's such a good player and they need the leadership and I they can get the defensive tackle in the second round. I kind of like and there's depth in the receiver class. So you can find another guy there. I don't know you anymore. I, I, I like you loved Kyle Hamilton. You like you loved Kyle Hamilton. Would you have considered taking him in the top five picks of a draft. Like for. I'm not going to go.

[Ad Voice]

Really?

[Mitch Tucker]

You would have.

[Steve McShay]

I, I tried to. He was two that year. I did you really.

[Mitch Tucker]

I forget that.

[Steve McShay]

I get it. It's too.

[Mitch Tucker]

I have, I have.

[Steve McShay]

Where do I have? I've down. Yeah. I have downs at five or six on, on my board currently.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah. As he should be.

[Steve McShay]

I think there are certain organizations, quite frankly that need bar setters. I think there's a lack of accountability in certain organizations. I think certain organizations have some stars. I think Abdul Carter's a star. I think Brian Burns has, has shown to be a star at times.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah.

[Steve McShay]

I think Kayvon Thibodeau is loaded with talent. Not a star, but loaded with talent. Where's the sheriff in town?

[Mitch Tucker]

It's true. You need guys like that.

[Steve McShay]

Caleb Downs is a sheriff. Bars set higher standard is different accountability. I don't know. I'm not saying it's going to be the pick. I'm not saying I'm in love with it. I, I, I was hesitating even to type it in. But without a defensive tackle there with the wide receiver depth in this class, maybe you just, maybe you find someone who's going to be that leader and like the accountability guy and a difference maker and will help versus the run. Will help as a play. I don't know. I'm, I'm not convinced of it. But I, but I, I kind of like it. I like it more than taking a receiver here.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah.

[Steve McShay]

And I love these receivers.

[Mitch Tucker]

I know. I mean, I like busting your balls as much as possible. And that's the first thing when I get this stuff. The first thing I'm like, oh, what can I get them on? What can I get them all? Like, I just want to needle them on the show. Like, like this is what it is. Not like not making stuff up. I looked at that pick and I was like, oh, safety at 5 humming shade. And then I started digging in. I was like, ah, kind of like it. I, I don't I donate it. I'm not gonna make something.

[Ad Voice]

Where's your playlist taking you? Down the highway to the mountains or just into daydream mode while you're stuck in Traffic? With over 4,000 hotels worldwide, Best Western is there to help you make the most of your getaway, wherever that is. Because the only thing better than a great playlist is a great trip. Life's the trip. Make the most of it at Best Western. Book direct and [e-mail].

[Mitch Tucker]

Up.

[Steve McShay]

All right. Tucker, as you're scrambling back there making. Making the third graphic, let's roll out the top 16. We're going to do the first half of the first round and I want to get to some mentions. This is where we're gonna have a discussion, I'm certain. Let's rip through it. At 11, the Miami Dolphins select J. McCoy, cornerback from Tennessee. We talked a little bit about him. At 12, Dallas Akeem Messador, Miami. I'm interested to see if this is a little too high when it's all said and done, but these edge rushers typically start to fly off the board when one or two go. This is the one. La Rams at 13, quarterback Ty Simpson, Alabama. My only phrase here is wait for it. 14. Baltimore. Vega. Ione.

[Mitch Tucker]

Ione.

[Steve McShay]

Okay, I've seen three different pronunciations. I'm frustrated by these pronunciate pronunciation guys. Hey, Dan, find one for us, please, that we can sink our teeth into.

[Mitch Tucker]

15.

[Steve McShay]

Tampa Bay. Sunny Styles. My goodness. People seem to be like, top five, top seven on Sonny Styles right now.

[Mitch Tucker]

Have you seen his basketball? Have you seen his basketball highlights, by the way?

[Steve McShay]

Oh, he's some kids.

[Mitch Tucker]

I don't even understand. Can you imagine? There's someone. This is not my thing. Someone came up with this on a social clip and it was like, imagine you're in algebra and then 45 minutes later, you're trying to guard this kid in a high school. In a high school basketball game or whatever it is. And then you're still like Sunny Styles coming down. I mean, it looks like he's Michael Jordan and everyone else there is is like in the. In the, you know, rec league it. I was in. It's. And it's high school.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah.

[Mitch Tucker]

I'm like, how is that. That kid, a high schooler? It. If you get a chance, man, look it up. It is unreal.

[Steve McShay]

I've got a couple kids, the step kids who are in high school and play basketball. And so like, I was up the gym last night watching me as an 8th grader playing a JV. Awesome athlete. Awesome. Amazing. And like playing like falling a point guard, like, let's go. But I. But we're also in a coastal small town in Massachusetts, right. And so every once in a while, I kind of envision a Sunny Stiles rolling in the gym. Or like, I think Rosillo just revisited recently. Like, we used to talk about this years ago when we first started scouting. Like, Vince will fork at almost 300 pounds dunking and playing hoops. You know, like guys like that.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah.

[Steve McShay]

But Sunny Styles is a phenomenal. Sonny Stiles was your guy and then my guy and then everyone was kind of cooling on him this year and I was. He's playing better just because Arvl Reese is like, his game is significantly better. His tackling is better, his instincts are better. I just don't know because he is a true off ball linebacker. I don't know if I can get on board with like top five yet and we'll see how it works out, but I just, I don't see that value there. 15 feels like a really good spot. Like I feel like you're getting a value pick there for a Tampa Bay defense that is. Looked exhausted last year. Look just old, tired, rundown, kind of lost faith in what they were doing. And I think we've seen, you know, changes in that organization that, that indicate that they, they saw a lot of the same things. And then finally 16. Makai Lemon. This is where I think that, that we're going to see one or two in the top 15 receivers go and I think the other two or three will come off the board quickly in that like 16 to 20 range. Even teams that like, maybe don't definitively need a wide receiver but could really add value like a Carolina at another receiver. But yeah, Minnesota, even though they have other need, like I could see a couple teams going, straying away from need and looking at a Denzel Boston or, or a Makai Lemon if he's still available or a, or a Jordan Tyson. These guys may not go in the top 10. Like, like maybe originally thought or. Yeah, but I think these wide receivers, they're too good to get far out of the top 20 would be my point on all of it. Where do you want to take it, Mitch? Let me guess.

[Mitch Tucker]

Well, Boston. I want to, I want to talk.

[Steve McShay]

About Boston really quickly.

[Mitch Tucker]

Did you, did you consider getting him in there? I mean, we talked about how you.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, it was hard. It was hard.

[Mitch Tucker]

I'm saying above one of the other three that you do have in here. You think lock is a first round right?

[Steve McShay]

Absolute lock. I'm not, I'm not completely done with the wide receiver evaluation and, and wide receiver and corner or to the positions where I actually put a decent amount of value in the combine workouts and, and what are they physically?

[Mitch Tucker]

Right.

[Steve McShay]

So until we wrap that up first week in March, I'll, I'll lock in where I am on, on these wide receivers. But as I mentioned in our last show last week, I don't think there's a big gap. In fact, like, why wouldn't Denzel Boston be the first receiver? Those are the questions I'm starting to ask. I like him that much. But this is a mock draft. This isn't. These aren't my rankings, so.

[Mitch Tucker]

Right.

[Steve McShay]

I wanted to go true to kind of what I'm hearing. And the conversations you have typically start with any variation of the other three. And that's Makai Lemon from usc. It's. It's Carnell Tate from Ohio State and it's Jordan Tyson from Arizona State. So until I start hearing something different when I'm having conversations with. With friends in the league, I'm gonna mock it the, the right way if. If you will. Yep.

[Mitch Tucker]

I get it. I love Messador at 12 of the cowboys. I will keep saying this because I just, I can't. I just, I'm just have not wrapped my brain around my mind around how people think that this kid might not be a first round pick, which is some things that I, I see on the world Wide web every once in a while. I just don't understand that. I just don't understand it with the way he gets after the quarterback, the violent hands and, and I do say that I think he wins a lot against guards. Like they will kick him inside, but like you need those guys.

[Steve McShay]

You.

[Mitch Tucker]

You value those guys, though that's not a detriment to the player. What's the, like the biggest Achilles, Achilles heel for quarterbacks? It's interior pressure. You got a guy that knows how to win with his hands on the inside and has an unstoppable motor. Yes, he's been banged up a little bit. Yes, he's a little older. I guess that's why he's not going to go earlier than that. But 12, I think that's a great landing spot for him. Ione Vega. Ione, the guard from Penn State. I am literally this afternoon or whenever we're done with this, I'm going to start watching the guards because I remember liking him. I haven't watched him a while. I really like him. This feels early to me, but I also feel like I need to go back and look because there seems to be a lot of buzz about him and I do think he will be a solid rookie starter. And I felt the same way about Booker last year out of Alabama that I liked him, but I didn't know if I loved him and I probably should have been higher on him. So, like a lesson learned there.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, same here. I think I'm. I think I'm kind of overcorrecting I think Baltimore is looking at, you know, with their. Their center up for free agency, Linderbaum, and. And.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah, and.

[Steve McShay]

And their guard play just not very good. I could see wide receiver there. I think. I think their defense needs a lot of attention, which is surprising because that has not been historically the thing. I think the trenches. I think the trenches will be a focus early on for. For Eric DaCosta and the Ravens, which.

[Mitch Tucker]

Is, you know, it's interesting you bring up the trenches. I have gone over. I think I've Read this list 20 times at this point. I just can't find Blake Miller from Clemson anywhere.

[Steve McShay]

Never said he was first half of the first round. I. I said first round.

[Mitch Tucker]

Is he in this? Is he in this. Is he in the. In the first round? Mock. I know you don't want to give too much away later on, but I'm just needed to see. I can't wait. I cannot wait to see where Blake Miller goes.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, I. I think, you know, I think you know the answer to your question.

[Mitch Tucker]

If you are. You're not. You're not this guy. But if you were the ultimate troll, you know where you'd put him? New England.

[Steve McShay]

Just New England. Yeah, just.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah, I would.

[Steve McShay]

I was gonna say it's not too late, but it is too late. All right, you want. You want to get to it? Ty Simpson.

[Mitch Tucker]

This isn't.

[Steve McShay]

This is.

[Mitch Tucker]

You know what.

[Steve McShay]

Yes.

[Mitch Tucker]

And I'm sorry, I need to do a better job as. As your. As your partner here, of understanding that this is going to be more of a talking point for people. I don't think it's that big of a talking point, to be honest with you. Quarterbacks are valued. I think he's the second best quarterback. I think Sean McVeigh could get the most out of him. He could sit for a year. Because you now have an mvp who. I think I. I mean, I'd be really surprised if Stafford doesn't come back. It's. Wouldn't be shocking, but I'd be surprised if he doesn't come back. That pick makes a lot of sense to me, but there's going to be people who are looking at this and understandably so, saying, oh, now SIMS is at 12, so go ahead. Or 11. Is 11 or 12.

[Steve McShay]

13. 13.

[Mitch Tucker]

Sorry. 13, so go ahead. Sorry.

[Steve McShay]

No, there's no. Here's the transparency on the whole thing. Okay. And Stafford did say he was coming back yesterday during his MVP speaker.

[Mitch Tucker]

Oh, he did? Okay.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, he.

[Sponsor Voice]

He.

[Steve McShay]

He did. And. And I think we all kind of expected that, right? Whether it's one year or two year, two years will I think, will be dictated by how he feels next year, how he plays and. And where, you know, how the season ends for the Rams. So they purposely, they being obviously Les. Need the general manager and Sean McVeigh, the head coach, purposely traded last year to get. To get in a position this year for a quarterback. This year we're supposed to have Lenora Sellers and Fernando Mendoza and could possibly have Arch and, and Nussmeier and maybe club Nick and like, you know, and Drew Aller. This was supposed to be a really good quarterback class. It no longer is. But then there were, you know, Dante Moore has amazing season. He goes back to school. So that's an additional guy for 2027. But Ty Simpson is the real surprise in college football for the first nine weeks. Best quarterback in the country, I think. And we've heard this before with, with McVeigh, right when the Jared Goff trade for Matthew Stafford, he wants a partner at the quarterback position. Well, it's hard to find a Matthew Stafford and what you have to give up to go get that. And that was kind of a unicorn of a situation. I think bringing in a young quarterback and not having to start him right away gives you a full year to develop that partnership and also for that young quarterback to watch Stafford and how he operates in that partnership with McVay. And as a son of a coach, even though the experience level is frightening, 15 starts. Everything in history tells us this doesn't end well for Ty Simpson. But maybe it ends well because he was at Alabama for four years. A program that has, you know, it does as good a job of. As any of developing players for the NFL and what that requires. Maybe it does work because he's got a father who's been a head coach and coaching head coach, I think for 18 years at what, Middle Tennessee State, Is that right?

[Mitch Tucker]

Yes, that's correct.

[Steve McShay]

And has been a coach for. For basically his entire professional life. And his. So Ty has been around ball and so that interaction with him is. Is second nature. Like having cereal in the morning, talking ball with dad. No, no, I'm just saying. Yeah, it makes this maybe a little bit more appealing for. For McVeigh when looking for a partnership, knowing he's got a year, a Mahomes red shirt with a veteran quarterback kind of year, and there's not this rush to put them. Put them on the field and we can develop this thing over 15 months, whatever it is, before we're actually, you know, gunned ahead Throwing it in the fire. As of today, I don't actually think this is the pick, really. And the first words out of my mouth in the McShay report were, wait for it. And I say, wait for it because experience tells me where Ty Simpson is now, unlike Shador Sanders, who went in the opposite direction, but he was. That was a rarity. Experience tells me where Ty Simpson is now. Knowing he's getting healthy throws the ball better than people think, a little bit more mobile than people think. When he gets in that meeting room, in those meeting rooms with NFL teams and the conversations, the high level that he can have as a rookie, I just, I can see a. Yeah. Ties. Late first, early second. The. This start to happen, you know.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah.

[Steve McShay]

And so the Rams would love to get him at 29 if they. If they actually like them when the process is over. But can they afford to wait because there are other teams sitting behind them, like the jets at 16, Cleveland at 24. I think it is. There are plenty of other teams behind them and teams in the early second round that can move up ahead of them because they know they're sitting there sitting duck at 29, like, just like the Giants moved up last year. So keep all those things in consideration. And I think as we get closer, there's a chance of this happening.

[Mitch Tucker]

I think you're right. I think it's also interesting your feel for this after the experience you've had and that, you know, we just talked about how you mock the receivers one way because you're not ready to. You're having all these conversations and you're seeing where they are, and maybe you like a player more than. Maybe you like player A more than player B and all that. You're not willing to make that move, but you can do it with the quarterback because you just have a feel that this is how it's going to happen. It's interesting that you have a feel for it about how the. The chess pieces could move and when to make certain moves. I can't wait for Mock this. My next will be Mach 3.0. And, you know, again, the more puzzle pieces you have, the more interesting it gets. And the one thing you are, you are really good at this. And I can't stand it because I like to give you a hard time. But, like, you are really good at putting all these pieces together.

[Steve McShay]

I would hope so. I don't do many other things well in life, you know, but yeah, I mean, we've been working on this for two and a half decades, so it's Kind of.

[Mitch Tucker]

We'll predict Blake Miller will not be in your last first round mock. That's my prediction right now.

[Steve McShay]

In my last first round mock.

[Mitch Tucker]

Yes.

[Steve McShay]

Yes. That's fascinating, Tucker. Clip that, clip that.

[Mitch Tucker]

I just don't, I don't think. I think eventually you'll get to the point of like, I, you, he's a day two guy. I think that's what you'll land on and that's fine. It's not like you're, it's not like you're gonna have him fall off the edge of the, the, the world or anything. I think you're going to realize that he's not a first round guy.

[Steve McShay]

You know what I love most about that?

[Mitch Tucker]

That. What's that?

[Steve McShay]

That I have found a way in early February to get under your skin enough that you're actually, while dropping off Stella at school or like making a sauce for dinner, you're actually thinking about how, like how this thing could end. That means it's. I'm doing my job.

[Mitch Tucker]

It is the least surprising thing that that's happening.

[Steve McShay]

If you want the rest of the first round, because no one wants us.

[Mitch Tucker]

To go through 32 picks.

[Steve McShay]

And if you want the rest of the first round, subscribe to the McShay Report, go to Google, type in the McShay Report. If you're not subscribed already, please do. You can read all of that there. You'll get all the mock drafts, the rankings we get. So we haven't even told you because we're, we're almost there with all the exciting stuff coming up over the next three months. So you're going to want to be a part of it. I think if you have any love for, for what we're doing and, and obviously if you're watching, you probably have a decent amount of it. But I do want to get to this before we get out of here. Mentions, that's the new name. So I'm gonna, I'm charging. I'm. I'm charging our audience who have been wonderful since the start of this thing like 15 months ago. They've been wonderful with their responses. They're. They care, they're involved and we listen. And so I started it calling. I started the segment saying it's open for discussion. I call it menches minutes. Just still don't hate. Then one I've got to go back and look, someone offered up. What about mentions? Kind of playing into, you know, today's day and age. Social media. Mentions. M U E N C H I O N S. Mentions. So that's what we're calling it now.

[Mitch Tucker]

If.

[Steve McShay]

And if you've got a better idea, send it because we'll land on something really soon. And this is going to be a consistent. Throughout our progress. I tried to print these out, but I couldn't get my printer to work. So now I'm going to read it off my phone. So if you're. If you're not familiar, whether it's mentions, minutes, or mentions, this segment is about getting to know our great friend, lovable Steve Mesh, but also mixing in some. Some quick draft takes, too. So we got three, four minutes on the clock. Let's knock it out.

[Mitch Tucker]

That's way too much time.

[Steve McShay]

Last time. You want a good honorable mentions? That's from Tucker. Honorable mentions. That would. That means we're conceding that Mensch is honorable. I don't mind honorable mentions. Let's start with. So the. So we. We rotate between questions about Steve and then get a quick graph. Graph draft take. I've got a. I've got so many. You talk, so you worry about where Blake Miller's gonna go. And that's how I get in your head. I sit around sometimes on the couch watching a show, sometimes, you know, taking a walk and I'll pull up. I've got a notes page called Mentions. And I. And I'm just constantly writing in questions for you. So I'm trying to decide which one. Let's get. Let's let people know you a little bit. You go in, I know you're a coffee drinker. You go into the coffee shop in the morning. Don't lie. Don't try to be a tough guy because you're six, five and a half, 200svelte, 250 or whatever you are these days. Former offensive lineman. I drink black coffee. What do you. What is. Honest to God, your order?

[Mitch Tucker]

We have a great coffee shop right on the corner called Triple Elm, and they do all kinds of specials. And right now I am on the French toast latte with almond milk. It's great. Cinnamon. It's like maple cinnamon. I forget what the other thing is. And their quality of coffee is better than most places around here, so it's great.

[Steve McShay]

Side note, we had, like, an incident this morning. Marissa and I go into our coffee shop, Seabird. I was scrolling around looking for different stuff yesterday, and this thing popped up about how oat milk now is, like everything gets canceled, right?

[Mitch Tucker]

Yes.

[Steve McShay]

Like every.

[Mitch Tucker]

Right.

[Steve McShay]

Whether, like this workout regimen is. Is the. Is everything. And now, like, your joints are gonna Fall off when you're six.

[Mitch Tucker]

Seed oils and. Yeah, the whole thing.

[Steve McShay]

So now oat milk, I get this. I see on, on Social somewhere. It's like this big thing that oat milk is. Is like worse than French fries. It's worse than eating French fries and Coke. So I send it to Marissa, kind of nudge. I was like, oat milk's been canceled. And we usually get milk in our drink. So she rolls in this morning and goes and orders for us. And I hear her go, yeah, can we have that with almond milk? And they know us, we're there every day. And they're like, what? You know? And I'm like, oh, no. She's like, well, she's trying to take.

[Mitch Tucker]

Care of her guy. I love that.

[Steve McShay]

I was like, hon, we haven't researched this. I don't know. All right, I know I can always ask you this question literally 365 days a year, and you'll have an answer. One player that you've watched recently on tape, tell me one thing about him that was interesting. I don't care if it's a guard, a seventh rounder, a first rounder, anyone in the last week or so you've watched on tape where you're like, huh, I like that. Or whatever.

[Mitch Tucker]

I like the guys we talked about. Three guys we talked about the other day. But this is what happens when you're watching tape of certain players and just. I'll just say this. I'm watching Malachi Lawrence from Central Florida and they play Kansas State. And I just seen the center, Sam Heck, down at the Senior bowl, and I was like, man, this guy's just so consistent and fundamentally sound. And so I'm watching Malachi Lawrence and all of a sudden I see this center pull and lead around the corner and move in a way that you just don't see offensive lineman move, climb square up, get on a defensive back. I think that at one point I didn't really love this center class, but Sam Hecht out of Kansas State is a heck of a player that I think is going to end up going on day two and turning into a starter very early in his career.

[Steve McShay]

All right, breakfast. If I tell you we're. We're going on to a board meeting for the McShay productions. We're traveling somewhere and we've got. You're. You're sitting down at breakfast at a nice resort or something or anywhere, and you get to choose one breakfast that you want. And it can't be oatmeal because I think we're pounding that joke to death. What's your favorite. What's your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

[Mitch Tucker]

I'm a Benny guy. I love eggs Benedict. And if you're gonna do it right, I think there's like a crab cake. Eggs Benedict. That's amazing. But there's a place around here called Tucker's. It's a farm to table place. And I go classic. Scrambled eggs, sausage patties. They do a great hash, which is better. Breakfast potatoes are fine. I want the shredded potatoes. I think those are the best. And then I get a grilled. And I always say this wrong. People are gonna make fun of me. I pronounce it bagel. I know it's bagel. I say bagel, but I get a grilled bagel with it. And I couldn't be happier. No butter, no nothing on the bagel. Just, it's on the grill. It gets crispy on the outside. It's perfect.

[Steve McShay]

I do top 100 boards better than anyone else in the world. And I appreciate you complimenting me on putting the pieces of the puzzle together. I don't do a lot of other things. Well, as Marissa will Testo, and as you well know, I promise you, I make the best Bernays sauce hollandaise.

[Mitch Tucker]

You are a Bernays guy.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, like, and I got it from, from Wayne McShay and Deborah McShay. And, like, I'm gonna have to make it for you one day. That's a weird concept of me.

[Mitch Tucker]

It's like the double boiler, right? Like, you don't have to, like, I, I don't know, man. It seems like.

[Steve McShay]

I won't, I won't, I won't share. I won't share. Well, that's, that's for the, that's for State. That's the hollandaise sauce. No Bernadette sauce with the state.

[Mitch Tucker]

Holland holidays for the eggs.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah, Hollandaise is, is. The Bernay sauce is good, but yeah, that's double boiler. That's a night that's hard to do. But I, I, I feel good about that. The hollandaise sauce is what I like.

[Mitch Tucker]

I excel. Literally.

[Steve McShay]

Like, yeah. Like, I tell o' Neill all the time, like, you can't. You suck. And Matt o' Neill owns multiple restaurants and there's, like, great chefs to the Culinary Institute. The CIA Culinary Institute of America was the only thing I do better than him. All right, player. That works. Go ahead.

[Mitch Tucker]

I get more worried about these draft takes because I like to prep so much that you're killing me, but go ahead.

[Steve McShay]

But that's kind of why I like to do it. And this one I always hate when people ask me because I have a brain squeeze. So I'm going to tell, I'm going to say what it is and then I'll give you a second to kind of think through it. Player you're most excited to see at the combine. Now, when I say that it can be someone who's. Who's most who like, it could be Arvel Reese because how is he going to work out? It could be a receiver. You want to see what the 40 is. It could be an offensive lineman because you think he's going to test better. It could be one of these edge rushers. Maybe that with the arm length, whatever it is, if there's one player and it doesn't keep it to one here. But obviously no knowing that it could be 30 players that would get your on your list, but one player that you're just kind of like, I really want to see what happens here in Indy next, next week.

[Mitch Tucker]

I'm going to be like, I know this is kind of chalk, but I just want to see him put on an absolute show and see how high he can go. And that's Kenyan Sadiq from Oregon, the tight end. I think he is just watching his build, like looking at his build on tape and I want to see it more of out of the pads and what he looks like in just regular clothes. You know what I mean? He's a. His lower body is so thick that like you can get into weight. Some of it's about how guys are built. His, he's got, I mean, big calves. I think he's a really good blocker for guys that. That's that size because of how well built he is. And then if he runs a ridiculous time and you see him go out there and I think the drops are a little overrated. They are there. He did drop some passes this year, but I think he catches the ball well. When you see him track the ball and catch the ball like the way I think he will in Indy, that's the guy I want to watch. I love tight ends. He's the best tight end in this class and I think he could put on an absolute show.

[Steve McShay]

What's your number one pet peeve? I'll tell you mine so you can think about yours for a second. And I have a handful of them, but what?

[Mitch Tucker]

Yeah, now it's you, but go ahead.

[Steve McShay]

My number one pet peeve is when someone bum rushes an elevator. I think it's because I Lived in Boston, New York my entire adult life. When I'm getting off an elevator and like, yeah, I like, hold the door for women and elderly and children. Like, but like, if I'm getting off an elevator and someone so self absorbed and like has no concept of there's other people that live on this planet besides you and they come bum rushing in the elevator and then have the gall to say, oh, sorry. It's like, if you're sorry, then just don't do it. Take a step back. It's not dissimilar from like the people who stand up close to where the carousel is where you get luggage out. Like, just like everyone take a minute and you know, so what's yours? Sorry.

[Mitch Tucker]

I'll say two things. One, to kind of build off your point. I don't know if you remember this, but one year we were at the combine with Kevin Weidel and you stopped short and I thought you were. I was like looking at my phone, I thought you were letting me on the elevator and I jumped in this elevator, like, whatever, and look back to see you and Kevin horrified as this maybe 70 year old woman stepped into the elevator right after me.

[Steve McShay]

I was like, oh my God, So bad.

[Mitch Tucker]

That being said, I don't know the not. Not. I won't say this is a pet peeve, but I'm a. I've gotten better. And I like to think that I'm.

[Steve McShay]

Continuing to get better.

[Mitch Tucker]

I'm a road rage guy. And you've said to me before, dude, if he's not. If you're not in any danger, I think you should just let it go. But like, literally, I am. I'd like to think I'm a nice person. And then I get behind that wheel and I will criticize everything that people do. And it's like our buddy Sam Kaufman from the University of Richmond used to say, anyone who drives faster than you is an. And anyone who drives slower than you is a. That's the kind of driver I am. I have something to say about everyone on the road.

[Steve McShay]

Yeah. And it's. I think it's dissimilar to most people when they have road rage. It's because someone's slowing them down or getting in their way. Yours is like, you're not being safe.

[Mitch Tucker]

And there was no turn signal. There is. Yeah. Like you can't.

[Steve McShay]

We just, we just live different lives. Hardest position to evaluate. And you can't say safety because I feel like everyone. Oh yeah. But everyone says, I know what the.

[Mitch Tucker]

Other one is though. And I think this is probably, and this might be a layup too, as quarterback. It is really difficult. Quarterback. I'll give you another one that I think is sneaky because of the way colleges play versus offenses. I mean, colleges play versus pro teams and that's corner. I mean you just see. So I think you see so much cover three in college and you see guys who are like facing the line of scrimmage. They don't have to do a lot. Now different schemes, obviously if you play for a different defense, you are going to have to do that. And, and that's helpful as an evaluator. But you watching some of these corners and some of the schemes and what they're asked to do, it's like, well, I like you and I and I see the ball production, all that. But how are you going to, how is it going to translate? I think Corner is a tough one.

[Steve McShay]

It's my favorite segment and, and judging by the responses after the first one, it was everyone else's favorite segment.

[Mitch Tucker]

I can't believe that that's popular, but.

[Steve McShay]

Okay, it is absolutely popular. Way more popular than Mach 2.0, I promise. Speaking of which, you can grab it on on the newsletter the McShay Report. Google it. Subscribe. I'm so sick of saying it. You know how to get it mentioned. Five stars. Let's get out of here before we ruin it. All right. Must be 21 plus and present in select states. For Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18 and present in D.C. gambling problem. Call 1-800-Gambler or visit rg-help.com call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.orgchatinconnecticut or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 1-800-327-5050 for 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-877-8-HOPE NY or text Hopeny in New York. For Louisiana, call 1-877-770-7867. Lifelock.

[Mitch Tucker]

How can I help?

[Ad Voice]

The IRS said I filed my return, but I haven't.

[Mitch Tucker]

One in four tax paying Americans has paid the price of identity fraud.

[Steve McShay]

What do I do?

[Mitch Tucker]

My refund though.

[Steve McShay]

I'm freaking out.

[Mitch Tucker]

Don't worry, I can fix this. LifeLock fixes identity theft guaranteed and gets.

[Steve McShay]

Your money back with up to $3 million in coverage.

[Ad Voice]

I'm so relieved.

[Steve McShay]

No problem.

[Mitch Tucker]

I'll be with you every step of the way.

[Steve McShay]

One in four was a four fraud paying American. Not anymore.

[Mitch Tucker]

Save up to 40% your first year.

[Steve McShay]

Visit LifeLock.

[Mitch Tucker]

Com. Podcast terms apply.