Podcast Summary: The McShay Show – Feb 12, 2026

Episode Title: What Todd’s Hearing: Is Mendoza Worth It? Plus, the Draft’s Best Edge, WR Rankings, and More.

Overview

In this episode, Todd McShay and co-host Steve dive into the inside conversations shaping the 2026 NFL Draft landscape. The show focuses on what McShay is hearing directly from NFL scouts, coaches, and front office personnel about top prospects—especially QB Fernando Mendoza, the current draft’s edge-rusher debate, wide receiver rankings, depth at linebacker and tight end, and intriguing value prospects at other positions. They emphasize a real, insider look at league thinking versus the polish of national media narratives.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Mendoza Debate: “Is He Worth It?”

(06:00–30:39)

• NFL Inside Conversations: McShay brings up the critical question being discussed by front offices: “What if Mendoza is a guy, but isn’t the guy?” There’s enthusiasm but not the same reverence teams had for previous elite QB prospects.
• Mendoza’s Traits:
  • Compared to Jared Goff: smart, obsessive worker, solid tools.
  • Similarities to Tom Brady’s mental focus and process, but lacking elite, transcendent traits.
  • “I think he could be a really good starter in the league. I see him as more of a Jared Goff than anything else, and I think Jared Goff is an excellent quarterback.” — Steve (10:54)
• The Raiders’ Dilemma:
  • Should they select Mendoza and risk settling for “a guy?” Or trade back for more draft capital, possibly targeting a quarterback in 2027 instead?
  • Tom Brady’s influence as a part-owner and his well-known desire for a “winner” type, but also his stated philosophy that young QBs aren’t always ready immediately.
• Market for QB1:
  • No one in the league is saying Mendoza is at the level of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jaden Daniels, or Cam Ward: “I have not talked to one person in the National Football League, not one, who has said definitively Fernando Mendoza is transcendent.” — Dan (22:09)
  • The possibility that teams like the Jets, Browns, or even Cardinals could trade up if they fall in love with Mendoza, but so far, there’s more cautious optimism than conviction.
• Raiders’ New Coaching Situation:
  • Clint Kubiak now head coach, bringing Shanahan-style outside zone/offense.
  • “If the Raiders stay and pick Fernando Mendoza, I think it’s an excellent pick…I have no qualms about that. But I don’t know what they’re being offered.” — Steve (12:54)
• Should You Wait For “The Guy”?
  • The risk of passing on Mendoza for an uncertain future QB class, and how difficult it is to orchestrate a move up the board the following year.
  • Discussion on the importance (and rarity) of patience in NFL ownership/decision-making, especially with competitive ex-players like Brady.

2. Parallels to 2023 Draft: Value Outside QB

(16:00–21:58)

• McShay draws a line from this year’s QB class (“a bunch of ‘a’ guys, not ‘the guy’”) to the 2023 class (Young, Stroud, Richardson), reminding that teams like the Texans got elite value by getting defensive cornerstone Will Anderson after QB.
• “Houston, Nick Caserio, because of the aggressiveness and the way he managed it, was able to get a guy at quarterback and get the guy in the draft. Will Anderson, who’s been an absolute menace.” — Dan (17:46)
• Suggests this year’s value may be with elite offensive tackles, WRs, and edges rather than quarterbacks.

3. The Edge Rusher Debate: David Bailey vs. Arvell Reese

(32:32–38:52)

• McShay shares that some in the league think David Bailey’s pure edge ability is undervalued, while Arvell Reese is a special projection, possibly with a Micah Parsons ceiling.
• Reese: “He’s a different human being with rare upside… if you think there’s even a chance that he turns into…Micah Parsons…that’s the kind of player [you bet on].” — Steve (36:58)
• Bailey: “He’s an instinctive guy…he knows how to get guys off balance…he’ll notice their feet and take advantage.” — Steve (35:56)
• Ultimately, both agree Reese’s upside wins out, but both likely go very high.

4. Wide Receiver Tier: Tate, Lemon, Tyson, and Value Later

(38:58–50:42)

• Top Tier Breakdown:
  • Carnell Tate (Ohio State): “Most complete,” excellent but missing extended, star-level dominance, not clear if WR1 upside.
  • Makai Lemon: Questioned for size (is he truly 5’11”?), dynamic with YAC, but may be an ‘outlier’ physically.
  • Jordan Tyson: Best pure talent if healthy, but extensive injury history.
• Second Tier & Depth:
  • Denzel Boston (Washington), Malachi Fields (Virginia), Chris Brazzell (Tennessee), Ted Hurst (Georgia State), and Zachariah Branch are all in the mix for Day 2 and 3 steals.
  • “I’m gonna flip the question…if I could get Hurst in the third or Fields in the second, I’m taking Hurst in the third.” — Steve (49:00)
• Strategic Draft Decisions: League conversations already focus on whether it’s smarter to wait on WR in this deep class and take an OT/DL/CB first. “People love Denzel Boston, but think maybe we’re a little too high.”

5. Linebackers: Rodriguez vs. Allen and Georgia “Helmet Scouting”

(52:12–54:13)

• Class Depth: The off-ball linebacker group is deeper and more versatile than usual.
  • Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech) beloved for playmaking, CJ Allen (Georgia) seen as “thumper, tough, leader…where’s the special?”, Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) and Jack Dellinger (Cincinnati) mentioned as risers.
• Draft Value: “I would take the field on day two vs. Allen in the first round because I think this off the linebacker class is really deep and talented.” — Steve (52:24)
• McShay expresses concern some Georgia defenders are being overrated on program reputation.

6. Tight Ends: Sadiq and the Biggest Class in Years

(54:13–58:24)

• Kenyon Sadiq is consensus TE1, but after him it’s a wide-open race among 27 combine invitees—most in years.
• Contenders: Max Clare (Ohio State/Purdue), Joe Royer (Cincinnati), Dallin Bentley (Utah), and Star Wars (nickname; unclear ID) all in the mix as potential TE2.
• Deep class projects many will last to late Day 2 or Day 3, with mid-round runs expected. “I really believe it’s going to be one of those two guys. If I had to say right now, I would go with Royer.” — Steve (57:08)

7. Defensive Line Notes & Under-the-Radar Names

(58:42–59:04)

• Banks, Hunter, Grayson Halton, Parker, Nyackis, Kieran Crawford highlighted as Day 2/3 DL prospects.
  • “Man, he’s in the rounds dog. I know that’s your guy.” — Dan on Kieran Crawford (58:59)

8. Cornerback Conundrum: Avion Terrell or D’Angelo Pons?

(59:07–62:15)

• Terrell (Clemson): First round talent, sticky in coverage (“but wildly inconsistent”), not much run support, limited to outside only.
• Pons (Indiana): Day 2 value, more rugged, physical, consistent, but a bit undersized—may transition inside.
  • “Pons is more physical. Pons is a dog. Pons is more instinctive and consistent.” — Dan (60:09)
• Steve compares Pons to Antoine Winfield and Ronde Barber, but notes today’s NFL makes it harder for small corners to win outside.

9. Nickel & Slot Safety Hunting

(62:02–62:34)

• Dan hints at “finding my nickel this year” and calls out Stoops (Arizona) as a possible ideal prospect—possibly starting a mini-segment featuring his favorite fit for that nickel safety/slot CB role.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On true insider conversations:
  “It’s just open football conversations…whereas you get after the combine, you start into pro days and they start to button up that room and things get a little tighter.” — Dan (02:05)

• On Mendoza’s league reputation:
  “I have not talked to one person in the National Football League, not one, who has said definitively Fernando Mendoza is transcendent.” — Dan (22:09)

• On elite edge rusher value:
  “If you think there’s even a chance he turns into Micah Parsons…That’s the kind of player [you bet on].” — Steve (36:58)

• On wide receiver value & depth:
  “Already in February, guys in the league are talking about those combo picks at some of these positions.” — Dan (45:29)

• On linebacker evaluation:
  “Maybe the Georgia defensive players—we’re scouting the helmet a little bit this year.” — Dan (52:51)

• On tight end class: “27 guys invited to the combine—the most that we’ve seen in a long, long time…It’s a really deep group of tight ends, and this is the golden age of tight ends.” — Dan (54:24)

• On corner prospects in today’s NFL:
  “I think it’s actually harder for smaller corners to compete outside today than it was when [Antoine] Winfield came out…You’re not allowed to be as physical.” — Steve (60:35)

• Parting thoughts:
  “This is the real stuff versus the manufactured. These are actual conversations going on the league.” — Dan (62:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mendoza “the guy” debate: 06:30–30:39
• Draft class parallels/position value: 16:00–21:58
• Edge rusher breakdown: 32:32–38:52
• Wide receiver class & strategy: 38:58–50:42
• Linebacker value/depth: 52:12–54:13
• Tight end class discussion: 54:13–58:24
• Defensive line/under-the-radar: 58:42–59:04
• Cornerback comparison: 59:07–62:15
• Nickel/slot: Stoops mention: 62:02–62:34

Final Thoughts

This episode is essential listening for serious draft fans hungry for real insight into what NFL evaluators are actually discussing. It breaks down popular narratives, highlights real-time team thinking, and gives listeners clear context for understanding which prospects the league truly values—and why. With honest skepticism, measured praise, and an ear to the ground, McShay sets the stage for an unpredictable 2026 NFL Draft season.