THE HERD - Hour 1 - There is a tanking epidemic in the NBA, new NFL Mock Draft

Colin Cowherd opens The Herd with a deep dive into the NBA's growing tanking epidemic, arguing that the league's competitive imbalance is now an 'epidemic' fueled by a perfect storm: the rise of NIL in college basketball, older and deeper rosters, and the influx of elite European players. He traces how the NBA's attempt to undermine college basketball via the G League Ignite program backfired, as college now offers better financial incentives and more mature competition, making it a more attractive option for top talent. This shift has intensified the draft's importance under the new CBA, where cost control is paramount, leading teams to tank aggressively for high-value rookies. Cowherd also explores the NFL's evolving coaching landscape, praising young, charismatic head coaches like Ben Johnson and Sean McVay for their 'presence' and ability to command locker rooms in an era of high-paid, alpha players. He critiques the NFL's expectation for immediate results, stressing that coaches must perform in September, not after a full season. The episode culminates in a detailed mock draft, where Cowherd predicts a domino effect starting with the Jets selecting Arvel Reese at #2, followed by Arizona taking David Bailey, Tennessee drafting Jeremiah Love, and Kansas City securing Spencer Feneau to protect Patrick Mahomes. He emphasizes the draft's strategic importance and the need for teams to build through the draft in a league where immediate impact is expected.