The McShay Show – NFL Draft Week Buzz: Everything I’m Hearing and a Top-10 Flash Mock
Podcast: The McShay Show (The Ringer)
Date: April 20, 2026
Theme:
A fast-paced, insider walk-through NFL Draft Week’s seismic rumors, surprise moves, and the reasoning behind top prospects’ stock shifts. Todd McShay and Steve Muench (with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks joining) break down the aftermath of the Giants-Bengals trade, unprecedented buzz in the top 10, and unveil a rapid-fire mock with new intel—while sharing candid, humorous banter and plenty of notable inside details.
Main Episode Theme
This high-energy pre-draft special takes listeners inside the rumor mill, GM negotiations, and prospect stock watch as Draft Week 2026 approaches. The hosts, plugged in with league sources, dissect the Giants' seismic trade, outline the ripple effects for the top ten, and break down positional and team-specific intrigue—especially for offensive tackles and blue-chip defensive prospects. The episode is structured around a rolling, reactionary flash mock of the top ten picks, updated with every rumor and call Todd and the crew have fielded over the weekend.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Breaking News: Giants-Bengals Blockbuster
[00:06-03:40]
- The Bengals acquire DT Dexter Lawrence from the Giants in exchange for the #10 overall pick—seen as controversial in value.
- Some claim Bengals “got fleeced,” but others see the move as completing an already potent roster for a win-now run.
- Quote (DJ, 03:40): "More people are saying what a move by [Giants GM] Joe Schoen… the New York Football Giants now own a fifth of the top 10… and they're kind of in control, man."
- Implications:
- Giants now possess picks 5 and 10, giving them major leverage and potential control over draft flow.
2. Giants’ Draft Control and Team Needs
[03:40-10:21]
- Giants’ primary needs: WR, interior DL (solved via trade), LB, OL, secondary.
- Discussion about top WR Malik Nabers’ health for start of the year (uncertain).
- League consensus: Giants likely to target Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State) at #5 unless they trade down.
- Quote (DJ, 05:51): “If you want Sonny Styles, you got to get him at 5 because he's not going 6... he’s going 7 [to Washington].”
3. OT Market and Chiefs’ Aggressiveness
[07:41-13:10]
- Surging “run” on offensive tackles predicted—teams desperate not to be left out.
- Kansas City, with key O-line needs, may try to trade up as high as #5 or even #3.
- OT prospects discussed: Spencer Fano, Francis Maui Noah, Kaden Proctor.
- Quote (DJ, 12:03): “These offensive tackles are going to go. I realized maybe how dire teams are to get one...it’s a game of musical chairs.”
4. Top of Draft: Flash Mock & Prospect Debates
[13:52-25:02]
- Raiders essentially locked at #1: Fernando Mendoza.
- Jets at #2: Heated debate between Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State, “safe pick”) vs. David Bailey (Edge, Texas Tech, “higher ceiling”).
- Jets reportedly prefer Reese for his “risk averse” all-around skill—reflecting new GM Darrell Muge's style.
- Quote (DJ, 16:36): “It is risk aversion in the first three rounds is my understanding...that’s what it should be.”
- Extended discussion about what “safe” even means—could mean passing up on a future double-digit sack artist.
- Cardinals (#3): Jeremiah Love (“best player on the board,” RB) is the name “that voice inside the building wants”—but strong desire to trade down.
- If no trade, Love goes to Arizona; if not, he’s "not getting out of the top five" (goes #4 to Tennessee).
5. Team-Specific Deep Dives & Revelations
[25:02-36:50]
- Titans at #4: If Love goes #3, David Bailey is the favorite; if not, Love falls here.
- Rams (#13): Not as locked in on a WR (e.g., Makai Lemon, Omar Cooper Jr.) as assumed—might punt the need to round 2 to focus on higher value or luxury.
- Discussion of how “attraction” to certain receiver types shapes each team's draft board.
- If not WR, might go OL or DB, but needs are more about depth than desperation.
- Quote (DJ, 33:39): “That was the big question...that secondary; we were a cornerback away from winning the Super Bowl.”
- Mock logic: Rams’ unpredictability could have a domino effect—for instance, if they don’t take a WR at 13, it pushes other WRs/DBs down the board.
6. McShay’s “What I’m Hearing” – Latest Rumors & League Buzz
[36:51-52:22]
- Arizona covets Ty Simpson (QB) and could make a move back up if he slips (a game of chicken with other QB-needy teams).
- Washington at #7: “Absolutely” Carnell Tate (WR) if Sonny Styles is gone or they pivot off edge.
- Saints at #8: OLB/CB in play (Monsour Delane, Reuben Bain, or Tyler Shuck); WR is a distant possibility due to depth chart concerns.
- Noted: Olave shouldered 25% of last year’s receptions/yards—major help needed.
- Chiefs at #9: O-line remains a priority; trade-up or stand-pat for one of Fano, Maui Noah, or possibly Proctor.
- Giants at #10: If they secure Styles at #5, pick here likely shifts to WR (Jordan Tyson, Carnell Tate) or more OL help depending on the board.
7. Positional Run Predictions & Flash Mock Top-10
[43:07-54:07]
- Offensive tacklers (OTs) predicted to fly off boards as early as #3, with next waves at picks 6, 9, 10, and then a late first-round push.
- "Run" logic: “When it’s over, it’s over. Seven OTs—and they’re going to go fast.”
- Teams like Pittsburgh (#21), Philly (#23), Houston (#28), San Francisco (#27) are all likely to chase leftovers after the initial run.
- Dallas (#12 and #20): Likely to trade down from #20 rather than up from #12; looking for edge or DB, and recouping a second-round pick is a priority.
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
On Giants’ Suddenly Strategic Position:
“They’re kind of in control, man, because I don’t know for sure that they’re absolutely done...they might be trying to get up there for an offensive lineman.” (DJ, 03:40)
-
On Sonny Styles:
“If you want Sonny Styles, you got to get him at 5 because he’s not going 6...He’s going 7 [to Washington].” (DJ, 05:51)
-
On the Tackle Run:
“These offensive tackles are going to go. I...realized maybe how fast and how dire teams are to get one...It’s a game of musical chairs.” (DJ, 12:03)
-
On Arvell Reese vs. David Bailey Debate:
“Risk aversion in the first three rounds is my understanding...that’s what it should be. You need like calmer hat.” (DJ, 16:36)
-
On Jeremiah Love at #3 or #4:
“Jeremiah Love’s not getting out of the top five.” (Bucky Brooks, 23:29)
-
On Rams’ Unpredictable WR Approach:
“If nothing else comes from this conversation...there’s a chance they don’t go receiver there.” (DJ, 36:13)
-
On Tackle “Run” and Mock Board:
“Get ready for it...it’s going to be this wild run and if there are trades, it’s going to be for these tackles, I believe.” (DJ, 59:16)
Top-10 Flash Mock Recap (as presented in-show, subject to ongoing rumors)
[45:41-50:51]
| Pick | Team | Projected Pick | Context & Reasoning |
|------|-------------|------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1 | Raiders | Fernando Mendoza (QB) | All but locked in |
| 2 | Jets | Arvell Reese (LB) | Safer, risk-averse pick; David Bailey was "close" |
| 3 | Cardinals | Jeremiah Love (RB) | "Voice in the building" wants him unless they successfully trade out |
| 4 | Titans | David Bailey (Edge) | Fills edge need if Love’s gone |
| 5 | Giants | Sonny Styles (LB/S) | Consensus at 5 unless they trade out |
| 6 | Browns | Spencer Fano (OT) or Maui Noah (OT) | Start of major OT run |
| 7 | Commanders | Carnell Tate (WR) or Sonny Styles if available | If Styles is gone, Tate; could also pivot edge |
| 8 | Saints | Monsour Delane (CB), Reuben Bain (Edge), or WR | Best D talent, or help for Olave |
| 9 | Chiefs | OT: Fano, Maui Noah, or Proctor | Will aggressively address O-line |
| 10 | Giants | WR: Jordan Tyson or Carnell Tate | If they went defense at 5, could pivot OL/DB |
Additional Timestamps for Key Segments
- Giants-Bengals instant take: 00:06–03:40
- Giants controlling the top 10: 03:40–05:51
- Offensive tackle market/Chiefs plans: 07:41–13:10
- Jets’ draft philosophy (Reese vs Bailey): 15:32–22:19
- Cardinals' dilemma/Love or trade-down: 22:19–25:02
- The Rams’ top-15 wild card effect: 33:10–36:50
- Mock draft run-through: 45:41–50:51
- Dallas trade-down scenario: 57:01–59:16
Tone & Style
- Upbeat, rapid-fire, and packed with inside info; hosts riff off each other with humor and “draft war room” energy.
- Honest about uncertainty (“if I’m wrong, roast me”), and willing to take strong stands while inviting the audience into their ongoing decision-making process.
Summary Takeaway
This episode encapsulates just how intriguing and volatile the situation is as NFL Draft week arrives. Whether it’s the Giants leveraging a surprise trade to seize control, the ongoing arms race for offensive tackles, or teams like the Cardinals and Rams fundamentally altering the expected script, the hosts bring listeners not just the latest rumors, but how those rumors could tangibly reshape Thursday night’s draft. Their evolving flash mock, enriched by fresh front-office buzz, makes this a must-listen for draft die-hards and casual fans alike.