THE HERD - Hour 1 - NFL Draft day, thoughts on Fernando Mendoza
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Colin Cowherd kicks off NFL Draft day with high energy and deep analysis, focusing heavily on quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the top prospect. He passionately defends Mendoza against critics who compare him unfavorably to NFL legends like Matt Ryan, arguing that such comparisons are outdated and unfair. Cowherd emphasizes that Mendoza belongs in the same class as the last 17 first-round quarterbacks, with only Caleb Williams and Drake May ranking above him. He presents a detailed mock draft for the first 15 picks, highlighting strategic selections like Mendoza to the Raiders, Caleb Downs to the Ravens, and Sonny Stiles to the Cowboys. Cowherd also debates the balance between need and best player available, arguing that in a weak draft, teams should prioritize talent over position scarcity. He expresses excitement for the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants drafts, noting the potential for transformative picks. The episode concludes with a shift to NBA playoff analysis, where Cowherd praises LeBron James' age-defying performance and questions the value of other stars like Luka and Wemby due to injury concerns.
Fernando Mendoza is the safest first-round pick and should be ranked among the top 17 first-round quarterbacks in the past five years.
In a weak draft, teams should prioritize 'best player available' over positional need, especially when only three elite players exist.
LeBron James at 41 is the most productive and available playoff performer, outperforming younger stars due to consistency and durability.
The Rams and Vikings are strong candidates to draft Ty Simpson due to quarterback needs and team context, despite not being a top-tier pick.
Teams with strong rosters (like Minnesota) can still be undermined by poor quarterback play, proving that talent alone isn’t enough.
Draft Day Kickoff & Sponsor Segments
The episode opens with multiple iHeartMedia podcast promotions, including 'Dos Amigos', 'Sino Show', 'Nick Dick and Paul Show', 'Math & Magic', and others, followed by a brief intro to The Herd with Colin Cowherd.
Fernando Mendoza: The Safe First Pick
“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. I keep hearing, I've said, I see more poor man's Andrew Luck. He's not Andrew Luck. But you keep telling me it's Matt Ryan. I'm showing your runs. Find me the one NFL career run that Matt Ryan, look at this. That's not Matt Ryan.”
Mock Draft: First 15 Picks & Strategic Picks
“I think the Rams, I like that idea of Freeling, the offensive lineman, but I don't think they pass on Makai Lemon. There's been a lot of smoke around him as another receiver, especially given the Puka stuff and trying to trade Devontae.”
Need vs. Best Player Available Debate
“In a draft where Caleb Downs at safety is Kyle Hamilton was in a draft that was a really good draft. Okay? This is not that. So I think what you look at if you're the Giants, because the Giants, my argument is they don't have as many needs as you think.”
NBA Playoff Analysis: LeBron’s Legacy
“LeBron at 41 years old in the NBA. I would say Jokic 1, SGA 2, Ant 3, Jalen Brown 4. Well, what about Wemby? Plays fewer minutes. May not be available tonight. First couple years. Wemby, we all kind of ask the same question. If he doesn't get hurt, he'll be... I never asked that with LeBron.”
“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. I keep hearing, I've said, I see more poor man's Andrew Luck. He's not Andrew Luck. But you keep telling me it's Matt Ryan. I'm showing your runs. Find me the one NFL career run that Matt Ryan, look at this. That's not Matt Ryan.”
“LeBron at 41 years old in the NBA. I would say Jokic 1, SGA 2, Ant 3, Jalen Brown 4. Well, what about Wemby? Plays fewer minutes. May not be available tonight. First couple years. Wemby, we all kind of ask the same question. If he doesn't get hurt, he'll be... I never asked that with LeBron.”
“In a draft where Caleb Downs at safety is Kyle Hamilton was in a draft that was a really good draft. Okay? This is not that. So I think what you look at if you're the Giants, because the Giants, my argument is they don't have as many needs as you think.”
Host
Fernando Mendoza
person
Caleb Downs
person
Colin Cowherd
person
LeBron James
person
New York Giants
organization
Jeremiah Love
person
Ty Simpson
person
Rams
organization
Los Angeles Rams
organization
Minnesota Vikings
organization
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3 & Out - NFL Annual League Meeting Reaction + NFL Offseason Mailbag
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 1h 6m • 3/31/2026
Best of The Herd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 34m • 3/31/2026
THE HERD - Hour 3 - Thoughts on who should be the MVP
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THE HERD - Hour 2 - Illinois head coach Brad Underwood stops by The Herd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 41m • 3/31/2026
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