The McShay Show: Pre-Playoff Draft Buzz – QB Decisions, Weak WR, and Loaded RB Classes

Release Date: December 17, 2024
Host: Todd McShay (The Ringer)

Introduction

In the episode titled "Pre-Playoff Draft Buzz: QB Decisions, Weak WR and Loaded RB Classes", Todd McShay delves into the intricacies of the upcoming NFL Draft, analyzing the current quarterback landscape, evaluating the wide receiver class, and highlighting the exceptionally deep running back pool. As the College Football Playoff approaches, McShay provides valuable insights for fans and teams alike, offering a comprehensive overview of key draft prospects and team needs.

Quarterback Class Analysis

McShay begins by addressing the evolving quarterback class, highlighting significant decisions that have reshaped the draft landscape.

• Drew Aller's Return to School

  • Timestamp: [07:08]
    McShay discusses Drew Aller's decision to return to Penn State, affecting his draft stock. "Just because he's made this decision now doesn't mean he's absolutely going to come back," McShay notes, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding Aller's future.

  • Timestamp: [07:30]
    He adds, "I don't think you make that announcement if you don't have the right NIL deal in place and you haven't thought this thing through a lot," underscoring the financial and developmental considerations influencing Aller's choice.

• Impact on Draft Rankings

  • Timestamp: [07:40]
    McShay points out that Aller's return "depletes the quarterback class in 2025," but frames it positively for player development: "These quarterbacks get the opportunity... to develop the right way."

• Top Quarterback Prospects

  • Timestamp: [06:23]
    The current quarterback rankings include:

    • Doris Sanders (Colorado) – #1
    • Cam Ward (Miami) – #2
    • Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) – Close to #2
      McShay remarks, "Garrett Nussmeier... would be right there with Cam Ward and fighting for that number two spot."

  • Timestamp: [09:13]
    McShay advocates for quarterbacks returning to school: "I think it's in Milro's best interest to go back too. And I hope that's the decision he kind of makes."

Wide Receiver Class Evaluation

Transitioning to the wide receiver position, McShay critiques the current class's depth and quality compared to previous years.

• Comparison to Previous Classes

  • Timestamp: [32:15]
    McShay contrasts the current wide receiver class with previous years, citing stars like Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaden Reed, and Keon Coleman who have thrived in the NFL. "The wide receiver classes of the last few years have been a feeding ground," he observes.

• Top Prospects

  • Timestamp: [35:27]
    The top wide receivers discussed include:
    • Tetaroa McMillan (Arizona)
    • Luther Burden III (Missouri)
      McShay evaluates their potential but expresses reservations about their readiness and skill sets compared to past stars.

• Challenges and Concerns

  • Timestamp: [48:26]
    McShay raises concerns about route trees and consistency: "Full route tree. No, he's not. Just not there... Can he win on the outside enough?"

  • Timestamp: [49:57]
    He underscores the necessity for receivers to evolve: "He can't live on 50, 50 balls in the NFL. You can't live on that."

• Notable Quotes

  • Timestamp: [37:05]
    "They have to refine his route running skills, understanding what's expected of him against press corners... otherwise, he’s going to have to rely on too high of a percentage of 50, 50 balls."

Running Back Class: One of the Deepest Ever

Arguably the episode's highlight is McShay's analysis of the running back class, which he collectively deems "the deepest running back class I've ever seen."

• Overall Depth and Talent

  • Timestamp: [02:20]
    "This might be the deepest running back class I've ever seen and I've been doing this for 20 years," McShay declares, emphasizing unprecedented depth and talent across positions.

• Top Running Back Prospects

  • McShay identifies key running backs such as:
    • Travion Henderson (Ohio State)
    • Quinshawn Judkins
    • Dylan Sampson
      He discusses their versatility and potential impact in the NFL, noting, "These running backs have the ability to create yards on their own... they're going to run through you."

• College Football Playoff Influence

  • Timestamp: [68:18]
    McShay connects the College Football Playoff performance to draft prospects: "When we look back at this College Football Playoff, it will be about which defensive line was there to shut things down. But the consistent theme will be these running backs."

• Notable Quotes

  • Timestamp: [73:32]
    Reflecting on evaluation criteria, McShay states, "The way I evaluate running backs... is who are the guys that are going to be obviously a pain in the ass to me as a linebacker."

College Football Playoff and Draft Implications

McShay ties the analysis of draft prospects to their performances and matchups in the College Football Playoff.

• Matchup Analysis

  • Timestamp: [75:30]
    He examines how different running backs will fare against top defensive fronts: "Can you create yards on your own against those defensive fronts? That's what's going to determine their draft stock."

• Running Back Showcase

  • Timestamp: [76:55]
    McShay anticipates the playoffs to be a "proving ground" for running backs, especially against elite defenses: "Each game you look at, there's some kind of interesting thing going on with the running back in terms of the matchup."

• Future Prospects

  • He also teases future talents, mentioning upcoming sophomores like Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame) and Quintrevian Wisner (Texas) as potential early draft picks in subsequent years.

Notable Player Spotlight: Travis Hunter

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Travis Hunter, a dual-threat as both a cornerback and wide receiver.

• Versatility and NFL Potential

  • Timestamp: [40:12]
    McShay and co-host analyze Hunter's unique skill set, debating whether he should focus solely on wide receiver to maximize his NFL potential or continue playing both positions.

• Industry Opinions

  • Timestamp: [18:07]
    McShay shares insights from NFL personnel who prefer Shador over Cam, emphasizing Shador's better processing abilities: "From the neck up, Shador is a high-level processor."

• Strategic Considerations

  • Timestamp: [42:54]
    The conversation explores how Hunter's dual role could impact his draft position and career longevity, with McShay speculating, "If you draft me, you better understand I'm doing both. Part of my value, part of my greatness is the fact that I can do both."

Conclusion and Upcoming Shows

McShay wraps up the episode by previewing upcoming content and expressing enthusiasm for future analyses.

• Preview of Upcoming Episodes

  • Timestamp: [77:36]
    "In a couple weeks we can come back and do another one. Mostly on the defensive side," McShay announces, hinting at a deeper dive into defensive linemen and linebackers.

• Engagement with Audience

  • He encourages listeners to join upcoming College Football Playoff reaction shows: "Please join us on Saturday night for our first ever College Football Playoff reaction show."

• Final Thoughts

  • Timestamp: [79:50]
    McShay concludes with optimism about the broader narrative of the draft and the upcoming playoffs, stating, "I'm excited for Thursday as a preview and then Saturday night a review."

Key Takeaways

1. Quarterback Decisions Impact Draft: Drew Aller's choice to return to school affects the quarterback draft class, potentially benefiting his development and future draft stock.
2. Wide Receiver Class Concerns: The current wide receiver pool lacks the depth and quality of previous years, raising concerns about their readiness for the NFL.
3. Running Back Class Unprecedented Depth: The running back position boasts unparalleled depth, offering NFL teams a wealth of talent to choose from.
4. Travis Hunter's Dual Role: Hunter's versatility as both a cornerback and wide receiver sparks discussions on his optimal NFL position and draft strategy.
5. College Football Playoff as a Showcase: The upcoming playoffs serve as a crucial stage for draft prospects to demonstrate their skills against top-tier competition.

Notable Quotes

• Todd McShay

  • [07:08]: "Just because he's made this decision now doesn't mean he's absolutely going to come back."
  • [09:13]: "I think this is the best move for all of them."
  • [21:16]: "He's got the onions to make plays when he needs to."

• Co-Host (Speaker B)

  • [02:20]: "This might be the deepest running back class I've ever seen and I've been doing this for 20 years."
  • [07:30]: "He could play himself into that first round conversation."
  • [37:05]: "I don't think he's a first-round guy."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The McShay Show offers a thorough examination of the NFL Draft landscape as it stands on the eve of the College Football Playoff. Todd McShay's expert analysis provides listeners with a clear understanding of how player decisions, positional strengths, and collegiate performances intertwine to shape the upcoming draft. With a balanced focus on quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs, McShay equips fans and analysts with the knowledge to anticipate the moves NFL teams might make in the highly anticipated draft.

For more insights and updates, tune into The McShay Show every Tuesday and Thursday, and don't miss the Saturday game day reaction shows.