Todd McShay highlights Cleveland’s QB evaluation path, praises Las Vegas and New York for overall roster upgrades, and grades several teams for finding value in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft is already turning into a story about roster building—who added the right pieces, and who gave key players a fair shot.
Todd McShay’s take. shared during his podcast discussion. put the spotlight on several teams he believes did more than just draft well on paper.. For him, the bigger question is whether teams created a better environment for development, specifically at premium positions like quarterback.. That’s where Cleveland immediately stood out in his analysis. because he suggested the Browns have a chance to properly evaluate QB Shedeur Sanders in 2026.
McShay’s core point about Cleveland was simple: the surrounding talent matters.. He argued that the Browns can more realistically assess Shedeur this year because the roster has more pieces than it did previously.. Even without claiming the current group is fully “assembled. ” the direction matters—football careers rarely unfold in a vacuum. and quarterback progress is often tied to protection. playmakers. and the rhythm of an offense that can actually take shape.
Cleveland’s draft additions reflect that approach.. The Browns landed offensive tackle Spencer Fano with the ninth pick. a move that typically signals an emphasis on the trenches and pass protection.. They also brought in Texas A&M wide receiver KC Conception with their other first-round selection.. In McShay’s framing. this combination is about creating evaluative clarity: if the protection holds and the receiving options become more credible. then a quarterback’s decision-making and timing are easier to judge.
Why Cleveland’s QB evaluation could change everything
A quarterback evaluation isn’t just about stats—it’s about whether the offense can run enough different concepts to reveal strengths and weaknesses.. If Cleveland’s 2026 roster finally gives Shedeur Sanders more consistent support. the organization can separate “development growing pains” from “structural problems” that might require changes to scheme or personnel.
That matters for Cleveland’s next steps.. A clean look at a quarterback early often speeds up roster decisions elsewhere. from whether to invest more in the passing game to how aggressively the coaching staff can tailor game plans around a QB’s comfort level.. It also shapes offseason priorities: if the evaluation is positive. the team can focus on depth and refinement; if it’s inconclusive. the draft and free agency can become more urgent.
McShay also expanded his winners list beyond Cleveland. naming the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets as two of the draft’s biggest beneficiaries.. In the Raiders’ case. he acknowledged the headline pick first—quarterback Fernando Mendoza taken first overall—but his praise didn’t stop there.. He emphasized that Las Vegas improved its roster beyond the opening selection, especially on defense.
For the Jets, McShay’s argument centered on overall roster quality and talent acquisition.. His view was that both teams upgraded their surroundings enough to raise the floor—meaning the new additions weren’t limited to one position or one moment in the draft.. That kind of “after the first round” depth can be the difference between a team that looks promising late and one that actually plays with structure from week one.
Raiders and Jets: roster depth is the quiet game-changer
When teams are judged right after a draft, fans often focus on highlight picks.. Yet the more durable impact usually comes from how a roster is rounded out—whether the defense gets pieces that fit roles. whether the offense has reliable connectors. and whether coaching has the talent to implement a coherent identity.. McShay’s praise for the Raiders’ defensive work captures that idea. because defense tends to produce faster. measurable changes even while an offense is still learning.
Carolina. Indianapolis. and Washington also earned credit from McShay for landing “value” selections—players he described as efficient fits for the spots where they were taken.. That included wide receiver Chris Brazzell for the Panthers. linebacker CJ Allen for the Colts. and linebacker Sonny Stylers for the Commanders.. Value picks are often the underappreciated engine of draft success: they help teams avoid the “all eggs in one basket” problem that can appear when premium selections don’t immediately translate.
Finally. McShay suggested the Cincinnati Bengals could land somewhere in the middle—capable of either rising quickly or falling short depending on how the new pieces mesh.. His expectation leaned toward a better outcome. calling for the team to “boom rather than bust.” That kind of projection is common after drafts: the Bengals’ ceiling often depends on execution more than paper talent. because roster fit and coaching implementation determine whether additions actually unlock performance.
For NFL fans. the takeaway is that McShay’s draft winners share a theme: they didn’t just chase names—they built environments.. In a league where quarterback development. defensive cohesion. and roster balance can decide seasons. those details tend to show up over time.. And for teams like the Browns. the opportunity to evaluate Shedeur Sanders with more support could become the defining storyline of their 2026 season.