- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Todd McShay Talks NFL Combine & Draft with Rich Eisen
Posted on 3/3/26 at 7:54 am
Posted on 3/3/26 at 7:54 am
I thought this deserved its own thread as they talk about the combine results and how players performed. It was also interesting to hear them talk about how the best players are not necessarily at the premium positions this year.
Some of the things they discussed:
- Todd said the best players in the draft are a guard, safety, off the ball linebacker and a running back.
- The theme from the GMs was there are blue chip prospects but it’s at positions that you usually don’t use a premium draft pick on.
- One GM said you have to have a plan for Arvell Reese because he’s good up the field, but not necessarily a turn and run LBer.
- Talks about the super high character of Sonny Styles and Jeremiyah Love.
- One GM said this draft will force people to be in line with their coaches and coordinators because there’s a lot of talented players that need to fit in the right scheme.
- Said Raiders are taking Mendoza and Jets are taking a defensive player and he doesn’t think Love gets out of the top 5.
- Said Fano had great energy, but has short arms, he took some snaps at center and might have to kick in to Center and Mauigoa might have to kick into guard. If that’s the case, just take Olaivavega Ioane who is better than both as an IOL. Like HOF projection worthy. Said Ioane is likely one of the top 5 best players in the draft.
- Said Ty Simpson’s tape is probably better than Mendoza’s tape. But Mendoza had a better year and traits. But it’s those two and then a big gap between the next QB.
- Mentioned Jeff Caldwell at WR and his performance at the combine. Also talked about Sam Roush, the 6’6” TE from Stanford who is the best blocking TE in the draft who had a good workout. Also talked about Malachi Lawrence, the EDGE out of UCF who is rising and will likely be a top 100 pick.
Some of the things they discussed:
- Todd said the best players in the draft are a guard, safety, off the ball linebacker and a running back.
- The theme from the GMs was there are blue chip prospects but it’s at positions that you usually don’t use a premium draft pick on.
- One GM said you have to have a plan for Arvell Reese because he’s good up the field, but not necessarily a turn and run LBer.
- Talks about the super high character of Sonny Styles and Jeremiyah Love.
- One GM said this draft will force people to be in line with their coaches and coordinators because there’s a lot of talented players that need to fit in the right scheme.
- Said Raiders are taking Mendoza and Jets are taking a defensive player and he doesn’t think Love gets out of the top 5.
- Said Fano had great energy, but has short arms, he took some snaps at center and might have to kick in to Center and Mauigoa might have to kick into guard. If that’s the case, just take Olaivavega Ioane who is better than both as an IOL. Like HOF projection worthy. Said Ioane is likely one of the top 5 best players in the draft.
- Said Ty Simpson’s tape is probably better than Mendoza’s tape. But Mendoza had a better year and traits. But it’s those two and then a big gap between the next QB.
- Mentioned Jeff Caldwell at WR and his performance at the combine. Also talked about Sam Roush, the 6’6” TE from Stanford who is the best blocking TE in the draft who had a good workout. Also talked about Malachi Lawrence, the EDGE out of UCF who is rising and will likely be a top 100 pick.
4
Posted on 3/3/26 at 8:08 am to Suntiger
quote:
Talks about the super high character of Sonny Styles and Jeremiyah Love.
We need more of these, especially with the likelihood of Demario leaving. I'd be happy with either one of these two guys on our team.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:15 am to Midget Death Squad
I'm starting to come around on Love.
Styles would be preferred at 8, but I think his combine might get him drafted top 5.
Styles would be preferred at 8, but I think his combine might get him drafted top 5.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:18 am to Suntiger
If love doesn’t fall to us I really hope one of styles or Bailey do. Don’t think baileys getting outta the top 5 either but someone will prob fall to us that we were certain would not. These things always get weird.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 9:36 am to Suntiger
quote:
- Todd said the best players in the draft are a guard, safety, off the ball linebacker and a running back.
- The theme from the GMs was there are blue chip prospects but it’s at positions that you usually don’t use a premium draft pick on.
Is this implying that we should see some players at non-premium positions get drafted much higher than usual because the traditional premium positions do not have the proper "value". Or will we still see the standard reaches because if you are drafting in this range, that is when you take these positions?
quote:
One GM said this draft will force people to be in line with their coaches and coordinators because there’s a lot of talented players that need to fit in the right scheme.
No clue who said this, but I wonder if this is a GM that typically oversees teams drafting at the top of the draft.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:07 am to Weekend Warrior79
quote:
Is this implying that we should see some players at non-premium positions get drafted much higher than usual because the traditional premium positions do not have the proper "value". Or will we still see the standard reaches because if you are drafting in this range, that is when you take these positions?
None of these DE/OLBs, Tackles, QB, or WR are "elite prospects" that are going to be all-pro caliber.
While RB, DB, G, and MLB are the premium players
In any other year, are guys like Reese, Bain, Bailey, or Faulk even top 10 picks? No.
Would guys like Fano, Mauigoa go higher than say Banks last year? No.
Would Tyson, Tate, or Lemon even beat out guys like London, Olave, and Wilson a few years ago? No.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:11 am to Suntiger
After watching this I am changing my mind on some things. Ioane is a Guard, but if he is truly a HOF worthy selection then who gives a shite if you're at 8. I want the BEST PLAYER at 8, and I would much rather a HOF elite player at a less premium position than a good player with bust potential at it.
When they talk about how players are becoming positionless, they make a great point. I am sold.
I think I rate my current player hopefuls as such:
Love
Styles (Saftey to LB players who excel can be absolutely elite; see Urlacher)
Downs
Ioane (I'm still uncertain about this, but if he's as elite as McShay believes then man you got to grab him if one of the above 4 aren't there?)
When they talk about how players are becoming positionless, they make a great point. I am sold.
I think I rate my current player hopefuls as such:
Love
Styles (Saftey to LB players who excel can be absolutely elite; see Urlacher)
Downs
Ioane (I'm still uncertain about this, but if he's as elite as McShay believes then man you got to grab him if one of the above 4 aren't there?)
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:15 am to Midget Death Squad
quote:
After watching this I am changing my mind on some things. Ioane is a Guard, but if he is truly a HOF worthy selection then who gives a shite if you're at 8. I want the BEST PLAYER at 8, and I would much rather a HOF elite player at a less premium position than a good player with bust potential at it.
Chris Naeole. Chills.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:36 am to Chad504boy
Why punish Ionne for Chris’s sin lol
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:03 pm to goatmilker
I've been mocking Ioane to the Saints for weeks, but in a trade back. Now it looks like he's moving up boards (Dan Jeremiah of NFL network has him up to 11 on his board).
Conventional wisdom says you can take an offensive tackle in the top 10 but not a guard. I think that's outdated. Increasingly NFL defenses are focusing on interior pressure to disrupt the passing games.
If the Saints chose to build a massive interior offensive line with guys in the draft like Ioane or Pregnon or Rutledge to go with our already massive tackles, I have no doubt Shough could get the team to the playoffs next year even with average playmakers. Protecting Shough should be priority one this offseason. You can add elite playmakers later on. Don't do to Shough what the Bengals did to Burrow,,,
Conventional wisdom says you can take an offensive tackle in the top 10 but not a guard. I think that's outdated. Increasingly NFL defenses are focusing on interior pressure to disrupt the passing games.
If the Saints chose to build a massive interior offensive line with guys in the draft like Ioane or Pregnon or Rutledge to go with our already massive tackles, I have no doubt Shough could get the team to the playoffs next year even with average playmakers. Protecting Shough should be priority one this offseason. You can add elite playmakers later on. Don't do to Shough what the Bengals did to Burrow,,,
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:02 am to New City Champ
quote:
Don't do to Shough what the Bengals did to Burrow,,,
Use 45% of the salary cap to pay him and his two receivers he couldn't live without?
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News