The McShay Show (The Ringer)

Episode: Mock Draft 3.0! Love’s Market, Simpson’s Fall, and More Round 1 Takeaways

Date: March 23, 2026
Hosts: Todd McShay (A), Steve Muench (B)

Episode Overview

This episode celebrates the launch of Todd McShay’s long-awaited NFL Draft Board website and unveils Mock Draft 3.0, which, for the first time, includes two rounds. McShay and Muench dive deep into the 2026 NFL Draft’s biggest storylines: the controversy around Jeremiah Love’s draft position as the top-rated running back, and the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Ty Simpson’s first-round fate. There are vibrant debates on positional value, the current state and needs of major franchises, and the shifting philosophies in draft strategy, all grounded in inside intel and decades of evaluation experience.

Main Themes

• Launch of the McShay NFL Draft Board Website:
  Excitement over the debut of their comprehensive draft platform, the culmination of over two decades of scouting experience.
• Mock Draft 3.0 Deep Dive:
  Expanded to two rounds and featuring detailed analysis of the top 100 prospects.
• Draft Storylines:
  • Jeremiah Love’s potential to break the running back draft taboo.
  • Ty Simpson’s rocky path in a skeptical first-round quarterback market.
  • Shifting team strategies across the first round and ripple effects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The McShay NFL Draft Board Website Launch

• [06:14]–[09:09]
  Todd and Steve share their excitement for the new draft hub, a project "26 years in the making." The site aggregates mock drafts, big boards, analytics (like spider charts), and will eventually resemble the internal databases used by real NFL front offices.

  Quote (Todd, 08:01):
  "Ultimately, when this is all done... we are going to build a database for NFL draft fans... that mirrors that of which general manager in the NFL is utilizing... That is our mission and we will not stop until we get there."

2. The Two Major Storylines: Jeremiah Love & Ty Simpson

• [02:37]–[13:57]

Jeremiah Love’s Draft Stock & Market

• Seen as possibly the "best player in the entire draft" (Todd).

• McShay has him going #5 overall to the Giants, sparking debate due to the positional value of running backs.

• Debate around the Giants' options: solid offensive line, modest need at receiver, desperate need to shore up run defense.

• Giants’ internal dynamics: Head coach (John Harbaugh) understands RB depth from Ravens experience; GM Mike Borgonzi adept at managing opposing internal views.

  Quote (Muench, 05:28):
  "I hate this pick. I love this pick and I get this pick... We just talked about how you don’t take a running back in the top five. Here's what I love about it: you get the top player in the draft at 5."

  "If it’s not the Titans, the clock starts for Jeremiah Love at 5" (Todd, 13:57). Other teams in range: Commanders (#7).

Ty Simpson’s Slide and Team Philosophies

• Ty Simpson, generally QB2, notably slips out of McShay’s first round; only included early in the second.

• Major flags:

  • Only 15 college starts.
  • Size/injury concerns.
  • Teams increasingly content to build for 2027’s stronger QB class.

• Jets have built a "military-style teardown" to amass picks and specifically wait for the 2027 quarterback class (see [21:54]–[24:21]).

  Quote (Todd, 18:19):
  "He’s been around ball his whole life... [but] you process the way he does and rip it the way he does with the anticipation and timing and accuracy, we’ve seen that success."

  Quote (Todd, 22:21):
  "Chief among all organizations... the New York Jets, I promise you... this whole plan has been built on 2027 quarterback insertion. That’s a fact."

  • Simpson could be targeted by Cardinals at #34, with whispers of a trade up if necessary.
  • A mystery team is "lurking" as another possible suitor ([26:46]).

3. Mock Draft 3.0: Top-10 Run-Through

• [33:46]–[47:10]

Picks 1–5

1. Fernando Mendoza (presumptive consensus #1)

2. Arvel Reese to the Jets

3. Francis Mauigoa ("Maui Noah") to the Cardinals (debate over tackle/guard fit)

4. Reuben Bain to the Titans (concerns about "T-Rex arms," but wins with tape and motor)

5. Jeremiah Love to the Giants (see above for detailed debate)

   Quote (Steve, 34:21):
   "I love the Cardinals taking Maui Noah at their third pick... This is what we’re talking about when you’re talking about building your roster and building... your offensive lineup before you get your franchise quarterback."

   • On Reuben Bain over David Bailey:
     McShay justifies Bain as a tone-setter, despite arm length concerns, favoring scheme diversity.

     Quote (Todd, 36:49):
     "If I can get a Bane... I can get the nastiest son of a— in this draft. A culture builder..."

Picks 6–10

6. Carnell Tate to Browns (WR value, no OT of value at 6)
7. Sonny Styles to Commanders (positional versatility, defense desperately needs help)
8. David Bailey to Saints
9. Mansoor Delane to Chiefs (top corner in the draft, compared to Trent McDuffie)
10. Caleb Downs to Bengals

Quote (Steve, 45:05):
"You know who my comp for him is [Monsour Delane]? Trent McDuffie... they don’t check off the list in all their measurables, but they are just absolute ballers on tape."

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Arm Length Mania, Reuben Bain Debate ([38:09]):
  Todd: "Just can’t do the arm length thing anymore, man. I know it’s important, but I just, I can’t."

• On Simpsons's Fit, Mock Process ([19:42]):
  Steve: "There’s too many red flags for me to take a big swing early in the first round on that kind of a player. As much as I do like the tape. I’m with you."

• On the Draft Board Website ([48:18]):
  Steve: "The content is the most important thing, but the functionality of it is crazy. And then the aesthetic, like, it’s all there for me."

5. Second Round & Depth Comments

• The value and intrigue of round two is highlighted (McShay: "the names that are still there... it’s crazy," [31:56]).
• Inside info on Jets’ four picks in the first two rounds: focusing on defense and WR, building carefully toward 2027 QB.
• Rising players to watch early in round two: Cole Payton, Malachi Lawrence (UCF EDGE, "don’t be surprised if he sneaks into round one," [54:14]).

6. Picks 11–32: Standouts & Surprises

• Ravens at 14 a focal point: McShay concedes he’d like to give them a WR, but depth could force an OL selection (Spencer Fano).
  Steve questions whether this is forcing a fit: "If you were looking...for him to be the answer at center, that’s just such a big leap." ([50:34])
• Discussion of lower-ranked WRs unexpectedly moving up.
• Defenses and trenches a recurring draft theme.

7. Rants & Reflections

• Rant on Pro Day Non-Participation ([55:18]): Steve is notably upset with Denzel Boston for not running at his Pro Day, saying:
  "You’re not that guy. You’re not Marvin Harrison Jr. You’re not the guy that can just say, ‘I’m not going to run the 40’... The decision for him not to run, I think was a big mistake."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Website Launch & Vision: [06:14]–[09:09]
• Jeremiah Love Market Analysis: [02:37]–[16:51]
• Ty Simpson’s Market/Team Philosophy: [16:51]–[28:00]
• Mock Draft Top-10 Analysis: [33:46]–[47:10]
• Picks 11–32 Notables: [48:43]–[54:14]
• Second Round/Depth Players: [54:14]–[55:18]
• Rant on Pro Days/Prospect Decisions: [55:18]–[56:45]
• Gratitude and Reflections: [56:45]–[68:59]

Overall Tone & Style

• Thoughtful, Analytical, and Candid: Both hosts balance data-driven breakdowns with personal, sometimes emotional, perspectives (especially around long-term project fulfillment).
• Conversational and Lightly Self-Deprecating: Regular jokes about their own process, the quirks of the industry, and each other.
• Insider-Driven: Frequent references to relationships inside NFL franchises and combines, direct quotes from GMs and scouts, and real-time "buzz."

If You Only Remember 3 Things

1. Jeremiah Love is the rare running back who could justify a top-5 pick—McShay has him at #5 to the Giants, sparking fierce debate about positional value and fit.
2. Ty Simpson’s slide out of the first round is less about the prospect and more about shifting league philosophy—teams like the Jets are deliberately amassing capital for a loaded 2027 QB class.
3. The launch of the McShay NFL Draft Board website is a milestone for fans and analysts—a living project aiming to match the sophistication of league front-office tools, powered by decades of expertise.

Notable Quotes

• Todd McShay on the Draft Board Vision ([08:01]):
  "We are going to build a database for NFL draft fans... that mirrors that of which general manager in the NFL is utilizing... That is our mission and we will not stop until we get there."

• Steve Muench on Jeremiah Love at #5 ([05:28]):
  "I hate this pick. I love this pick and I get this pick... but at the end of the day, it still scares the absolute hell out of me. Even though I love Jeremiah Love."

• McShay on Jets’ Long Game ([22:21]):
  "This whole plan has been built on 2027 quarterback insertion. That’s a fact."

For Full Intel

• Visit theringer.com/mcshay for the mock draft and toolset.
• The McShay Report newsletter includes exclusive two-round mock coverage and extra inside information.

This episode is essential listening for diehard draftniks, fans of team-building strategy, and anyone interested in the evolving art of NFL talent evaluation.