2026 Draft Smokescreens
Let's go through Todd McShay's recent list of 20 Draft Rumors
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I love draft week! It’s finally here and I cannot wait. If you do not have plans yet, make sure you guys come hang out with Stoney Keeley and myself:
Thursday (7p-End) & Friday (6p-End) night at Leipers Fork House of Spirits: 334 Main St #104, Franklin, TN 37064
Saturday, all day from 11a-5p at their main distillery: 3381 Southall Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
Hopefully you guys can make it. This morning Todd McShay put out 20 things that h is hearing about the 2026 draft in a newsletter. Let’s break down what these 20 things are, what do I believe, and what I don’t.
The Giants and the NFL Draft
Now that the Giants own the 5th and 10th overall pick in the first round, I believe they’re gonna go all out on defense. Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs both have been connected to the Giants when they just had the 1.05 pick, now they’re in a prime spot to get both. McShay agrees:
Let’s start with the Giants, who made a massive splash this week by trading all-world defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Bengals for the no. 10 pick. New York now holds the fifth and 10th selections of the first round, and I’m told they love Ohio State defenders Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs. I wouldn’t be surprised if those two guys end up in New York. The Giants also might not be done dealing.
McShay goes on to his second rumor with the Giants and says it is going to have to be Styles at 1.05 if they want him. Stating that he won’t be there at 10 because “Dan Quinn and the Commanders love him.” Even going as far as saying if both Love and Styles are there at 1.07, that they’ll still go Styles. So, yes I do believe the order has to be Styles then Downs for the Giants if they want the best shot at both.
I don’t know if I agree that Styles is the pick over Love, but I could see him being the pick over another oft-linked player to the Commanders: Carnell Tate. At the end of the day, I don’t think Styles or Love will be there, but I do wonder if the Commanders make a huge splash to get Styles by trading their 3rd this year and a draft pick in next years draft. It’s not that crazy, the Commanders aren’t a crappy team and don’t have that many holes, so, if they feel like Styles is a big piece for them, why not? (very very slim chance)
The Jets and 1.02
Yeah, I think it’s Reese. It kind of hit me when all of this flip-flopping was going on. Let’s use McShay to get you updated on that:
The industry (myself included) has flip-flopped on what the Jets will do with the second pick over the last couple of months. As recently as last week, I felt confident that David Bailey was the pick. Now, I’ve got a strong lean toward Arvell Reese. New Jets GM Darren Mougey is going to make a risk-averse selection with this pick. Conventional wisdom says that’s Bailey, but I’m not so sure. Reese is the better football player, period. If the Jets have a plan in place for him, he will succeed at the next level. Even if he “fails” to live up to his sky-high potential, he could still be one of the better off-ball linebackers in the league.
If Aaron Glenn was confidently in the Jets future plans, I could see why they would go Bailey. However, I think when it comes down to it, the Jets ownership and his kiddos, saw Brugler’s The Beast where had Reese as the top prospect and said, “Daddy, daddy please draft Reese.” That’s why the Jets cancelled his “30 visit” at the eleventh hour. Ownership wants Reese cause of the ceiling, and they don’t care about the safe player that could help Glenn’s job security.
It’s Reese at Three.
The Cardinals/Titans at 1.03/1.04
Let’s just take this step-by-step:
Of all the teams in the top 10, I’m told the Cardinals are working the hardest to move back. That’s the priority for GM Monti Ossenfort.
If the Cardinals stick and pick with no. 3, I believe they’ll grab Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love. I’ve been saying for weeks that there’s a powerful voice inside that building pushing for Love. What I didn’t realize was just how much influence that voice had.
If Love doesn’t go no. 3 to the Cardinals, I’d expect him to be the pick for Tennessee at no. 4. I don’t see him getting out of the top five. If Love is gone but Bailey is available, I think Bailey could be the pick at no. 4. Don’t rule out Sonny Styles, either. There are some people in the Titans organization who see Styles playing the Fred Warner role in that scheme.
Here’s what I think, and thank you to Brandon Lawson for helping me arrive to this conclusion.
