McShay gives the Giants Cam Ward in his first mock draft since joining ‘The Ringer’
Renowned NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay, formerly with ESPN and now host of ‘The McShay Show’ for The Ringer, posted his first mock draft in two years this week. It is worth talking about.
A few of the picks, including the New York Giants’ selection at No. 3, are available at McShay’s YouTube Channel. You can only get the full mock, and all of McShay’s insights leading up to the draft, by subscribing to his newsletter.
I took one for the team and did just that, which I know you don’t care about. You care about who McShay picked for the Giants and why. So, let’s get to it.
In McShay’s mock, Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter goes No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans and Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter No. 2 to the Cleveland Browns.
McShay then choose Miami quarterback Cam Ward at No. 3 for New York. In his newsletter, he writes:
The future is now for general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. They selected their WR1, Malik Nabers, in last year’s draft. Now they must finally nab a talent worth developing at quarterback. Ward needs a coach like Daboll to drive home the importance of consistent footwork, staying on schedule, and playing within the confines of the offense.
Ward’s arm talent, creativity, and ability to create out of structure are unparalleled in this draft class. He’s also a demanding leader who holds himself and his teammates to a high standard, which is exactly what this Giants organization needs at the quarterback position.
McShay added this on his podcast:
“Brian Daboll absolutely can absolutely develop quarterbacks. I have a great appreciation for Brian Daboll as a coach … I don’t know that it’s shared with everyone and obviously the struggles the last couple years makes it hard to plant my flag on that, but I do.
“With that said, the reality is the reality. And that reality is they have to win this year … I mean, show promise. Not picking at No. 3 a year from now. If they’re picking at No. 3 a year from now there’s a new GM and there’s a new head coach for the Giants.”
McShay said he is “assuming” as of now that the Giants would take Ward over Shedeur Sanders, who went No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders in his mock.
“My information, and I feel really good about this, my information is this is going to be a quarterback,” McShay said. “ I feel really good about that, Let’s get that on the table.”
A couple of other notes
- Despite saying they won’t pass on a generational talent, McShay believes the Titans’ “preference is to trade out of no. 1 with a team that covets Carter, Travis Hunter, or one of the top quarterbacks.”
- As for the Browns at No. 2, McShay said he believes Cleveland will opt for a stop-gap quarterback like Kirk Cousins and pursue their long-term answer at the position in the 2026 draft.
