Best of The Herd
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This episode of 'The Herd with Colin Cowherd' is a compilation of highlights from the show's coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft, featuring deep analysis of player prospects, mock drafts, and strategic team needs. Colin Cowherd presents his top 15 mock draft picks, emphasizing Fernando Mendoza as the safest first overall selection for the Raiders, while also defending the value of players like Caleb Downs, Jeremiah Love, and Sonny Stiles in a draft he describes as lacking elite talent. He argues against over-comparing college quarterbacks to NFL legends, using video evidence to challenge claims that Mendoza lacks athleticism. The discussion expands to broader NFL trends, including the growing importance of versatile defensive backs, the strategic value of drafting 'center fielders' like Kyle Hamilton, and the idea that elite teams with strong rosters may not need to trade up. The episode also features segments on the NBA's officiating debate, the rise of podcasting, and personal stories from guests like Will Ferrell and Clifford Taylor IV, who promote their new podcasts. The tone is energetic, analytical, and deeply invested in football strategy and storytelling.
Fernando Mendoza is the safest first-round pick, with elite college experience and performance under pressure.
Caleb Downs is a high-IQ, versatile safety whose value lies in his ability to play multiple roles and disrupt offenses creatively.
In a weak draft, teams should prioritize 'best player available' over positional need, especially when building around a young quarterback.
Elite teams with strong rosters (like Rams, Seahawks, Eagles) may not need to trade up, as they can find impactful players later in the draft.
The NFL is evolving toward valuing defensive players with range and intelligence—like Ed Reed or Kyle Hamilton—over traditional position-specific specialists.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Intro and Podcast Promos
The episode opens with promotional segments for several iHeartRadio podcasts, including 'Love Trapped', 'The Girlfriends', 'Thanks Dad', and 'The Clifford Show', highlighting true crime, relationship drama, and personal storytelling.
NFL Draft Analysis: The Weak Draft
“This year, that is not the case. It's not a deep draft. It's not a great draft. It's not something, there's like four players you're like, yeah. These guys will be studs for a long time.”
Fernando Mendoza: The Ideal Prospect
“Find me the NFL highlights that look like that. So you keep telling me, but he's not very athletic. You told me that about Justin Herbert. You told me that about CJ Stroud.”
Caleb Downs: The Defensive Genius
“This guy with these amount of instincts and this IQ has played in three different defenses in three years, and he's still the smartest player on the field.”
Team Strategy and Draft Philosophy
The discussion shifts to broader NFL strategy, with Cowherd arguing that elite teams like the Rams and Chiefs don’t need to trade up. He emphasizes that rosters with strong foundations can afford to wait and draft the best player available, even if not in a position of immediate need.
“Find me the NFL highlights that look like that. So you keep telling me, but he's not very athletic. You told me that about Justin Herbert. You told me that about CJ Stroud.”
“This guy with these amount of instincts and this IQ has played in three different defenses in three years, and he's still the smartest player on the field.”
“There's not five guys in this draft that can make our team. And they gave up everything and said... We just, we don't, there's not five guys in this draft that can make our team.”
Host
Guests
Fernando Mendoza
person
iHeartRadio
other
Caleb Downs
person
Colin Cowherd
person
Sonny Stiles
person
Jeremiah Love
person
Ohio State
other
Las Vegas Raiders
other
Clifford Taylor IV
person
Los Angeles Rams
other
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