The McShay Show - "Our Favorite 2026 Prospects and a Super Bowl NFL Draft Retrospective. Plus, Mailbag!"

Podcast Host: The Ringer
Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Todd McShay & Daniel Jeremiah

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a jam-packed session on NFL Draft prospects and veteran roster-building strategy, plus an energetic, candid breakdown of top 2026 prospects in a revived "That's My Guy" segment, a Super Bowl team-building retrospective, NFL Draft mailbag, and playful arguments on player valuation. Todd McShay and Daniel Jeremiah bring their signature expertise and spirited, bantering rapport, diving deep into tape analysis, positional debates, and mailbag Q&A for draft diehards and football fans alike.

"That's My Guy": Unveiling Favorite 2026 Prospects

[00:54–34:09]

A revived segment where McShay and Jeremiah share their early favorite prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. Each analyst alternates picks, offering detailed tape breakdowns and debate. Notably, the segment is marked by their passionate disagreement about OL prospect Blake Miller.

Daniel Jeremiah’s Favorites

Dalen Bentley, TE, Utah

• Breakout after slow start at Snow College and Utah
• 2025 stats: 48 catches, 620 yards, 12.9 ypc
• Tape highlights: excellent zone-awareness, big frame (6'3, 262 lbs), basketball-like box out skills.
• Quote:

  "He is a zone buster... People are sleeping on him. I think he's a top-five tight end in this class and could go Day 2."
  [05:03, Jeremiah]

Skyler Gil Howard, DT, Texas Tech

• Undersized, D-II walk-on turned Power 5 standout
• Tape: relentless, quick-shed hand usage, plays with leverage and instinct.
• Emotional angle: "nine younger siblings" and leadership traits.
• Quote:

  "He’s a bare-knuckle boxer with great instincts... stays unblocked, relentless, flying under the radar."
  [17:00, Jeremiah]

Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

• Stats: 19.5 sacks over last 36 games
• +33” arms. Strong, bendy, wins off contact, needs to work inside moves, room to grow physically.
• Quote:

  "He bends well, advances the rush through contact... could be a top-100 player and has tools for more."
  [27:54, Jeremiah]

Todd McShay’s Favorites

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

• 53 college games, 3,655 snaps. Stands out for durability and experience.

• Praised for: size (6'6, 315 lbs), 35” arms, toughness, leadership.

• Seen as plug-and-play starter, especially past pick 20.

• Quote:

  "In a college landscape that's changing so quickly... this guy is true to who he is. I like Blake Miller."
  [10:38, McShay]

• Contentious debate: Daniel Jeremiah argues Miller is overrated; struggles against speed, inside/power, and has questionable tape versus top teams.

Chris Brazel II, WR, Tennessee

• Transfer path: Tulane → Tennessee, then 1,000+ yards season
• 6'5, ~200 lbs, vertical threat with developing polish. Not elite contested-catch or YAC, but big-play ability.
• Quote:

  "God only makes so many 6'5 receivers that can get vertical like that. Brazel's one... I trust him as an early impact guy."
  [23:25, McShay]

Our Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

• Listed 6'2, 249, but may come in smaller.
• High-level pass rush repertoire, instinctive, consistently disruptive despite modest size.
• Good NFL comps: Nick Bonito, Uchenna Nwosu.
• Quote:

  "Certain guys just know how to rush the quarterback... He does everything you want an edge to deploy."
  [30:08, McShay]

Other Favorite/Worthy Prospects Mentioned

• Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)

  • McShay: "I actually think he might be the best receiver in this class." [24:35]

• Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)

• Max Ianacho (OL, rising name)

• David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)

• Bain & Messidor (EDGE, Miami)

Super Bowl NFL Draft & Roster-Building Retrospective

[34:09–47:36]

A thoughtful, behind-the-scenes discussion of how the Patriots and Seahawks were constructed, analyzing both organizations' savvy draft and free agency strategies.

New England Patriots (Mike Vrabel/Eliot Wolf)

• Veteran FAs like Milton Williams made a huge impact (DL/run defense).
• Roster rebuild centered on nailing the draft:
  • 3 rookie starters (LT, LG, S), 2 offensive contributors, quality WR (Kyle Williams), and RB (Trayveon Henderson).
• Jeremiah:

  "Three starters and two contributors in one draft... you can't speak highly enough of what they did."
  [37:54]

Seattle Seahawks (Mike Macdonald/John Schneider)

• Smart transition: moved on from DK Metcalf, Geno Smith, brought in Sam Darnold, maximized draft capital.
• Youth and talent on both sides; 2026 arrived ahead of schedule.
• McShay:

  "Built with smart financial decisions and picks... they're built to last for the next few years."
  [39:27]

QB Debate: Sam Darnold as "Personnel Story of the Year"

• Jeremiah’s slip ("Sam Bradford" confusion) provides humor [40:49].
• McShay:

  "If Seattle wins... I'm coming out with the biggest FU of all time. Been quiet on Sam Darnold."
  [46:01]

Super Bowl Preview & Wagers

[42:41–49:50]

• Jeremiah leans New England: "Pats 21-20. I’m surprised by the spread. I think New England has the edge at coach and QB." [42:46]
• McShay:

  "They could... I think this is more of a toss-up than the money line suggests."
  [44:24]

Player Matchups to Watch

• NE’s young OL vs SEA’s elite defense, specifically left side
• Patriots DTs vs Seahawks interior OL: "taking away the middle of that run game" [47:03]

Favorite Player Props & Parlays Discussed

• Drake May (Pats) over 40 rush yards, Sam Darnold (Seahawks) over 10 rush yards, Diggs/Cup receiving props. [47:44]
• Long-shot special teams TD props (punt return TD by Marcus Jones or Rashid Shaheed).

2026 NFL Draft Mailbag

[50:07–73:31]

A dynamic, expert Q&A with in-depth, practical insights on draft positional value, prospect fits, class depth, and more.

Notable Questions and Answers

1. Ohio State vs SEC First Rounders

• Question: Will more Ohio State or SEC players go in round one?
• McShay: "Not a good year for the SEC. Ohio State has 4–5 likely; SEC 6–9. In the top 15, it’s a blowout for Ohio State." [51:07–52:24]

2. Best QB Fit for the Rams: Ty Simpson or Garrett Nussmeier?

• Both lean Ty Simpson for LA
• Jeremiah: "Production and tape are better this year. Simpson more mobile, more arm." [53:46]
• McShay:

  "If anyone else took Ty Simpson at 13... I'd be like, no, no, no, no. But with McVay and sitting a year, it's plausible."
  [55:47]

3. Do Teams Expect 1st Rounders to Start?

• Deep dive into how teams value picks round-by-round:
  • 1st: must start, make impact
  • 2nd: “absolutely starter”
  • 3rd: significant/contributor
  • 4th–7th: depth roles, special teams, traits picks
• Quote:

  "You can't afford to miss on a first round pick... second is ideally a starter... day three is backup/role."
  [57:34, McShay]

4. Running Back Depth in 2026 Class

• Mentioned backs: Jadarian Price, Emmett Johnson, Demond Clayborn, Seth McGowan
• Intriguing values: Mike Washington (fast) and Catron Allen (Penn State)
• McShay:

  "There's some depth in this class. Not the elite RBs of last year, but good values on day two/three."
  [65:18–68:13]

5. Tier Drop-off Among 2026 WRs

• Top four (Boston, Tate, Tyson, Lemon) can "do it all"—then a variety of strong “fit/role” guys (Brazel, Concepcion, Bell, Fields, etc.).
• Jeremiah: "I don't think anyone will pass the top four, but some in tier two could bridge to tier one with strong combine showings." [72:52]
• McShay:

  "You can almost break them into: big guys and versatile/smaller guys. It’s a fun, deep receiver class."
  [72:20]

6. Building the Patriots OL for the Future ([73:32])

• Listener asks about the plan with Will Campbell, reconfiguring C/LG/LT via the draft.
• Jeremiah (cheekily): “Austin Hurley also my burner name.” [73:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Blake Miller Debate:

  Jeremiah: "I think Blake Miller is not that good… Beaten by speed off the edge… I have him as a fringe day two guy. His tape is suspect." [13:35]

• McShay, on positional flexibility in the first round:

  "If a Monroe Freelings there, get him at 32."

• On the edge and WR class:

  McShay: "This class, there are eight or nine receivers who are legitimate impact players. Fun receiver class." [26:09]

• Jeremiah, on prospect deep dives:

  "I'll be grocery shopping, in the shower… can't get your voice out of my head about the snaps." [54:43]

Timeline Reference Points

| Segment | Topic | Timestamps | |---------|-------|---------------------| | That's My Guy: Bentley | Early favorite TE | 04:07–06:21 | | Miller Debate | OT argument | 07:21–15:05 | | Gil Howard/Lawrence | DT and Edge talk | 15:26–29:19 | | Brazel/Receivers | Big WRs and class depth | 19:06–26:50 | | Super Bowl Roster-Building Retrospective | Patriots/Seattle | 34:09–41:05 | | Super Bowl Preview | Matchup/props | 42:41–49:12 | | Mailbag: Draft Depth/Class Questions | Q&A | 50:07–73:31 | | Closing/OL future | Pats OL plans | 73:32–end |

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Lively, insider-heavy, occasionally combative (in fun), this episode expertly blends X’s and O’s tape evaluation with league personality. McShay and Jeremiah’s disagreements add color, as do their “grind the tape” insights and willingness to challenge consensus or hot takes. Their mailbag section offers outstanding draft process transparency, and the episode is a must-listen for fans prepping for the 2026 NFL Draft or wanting to understand elite team-building philosophy.

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