The Herd with Colin Cowherd | 3 & Out with John Middlekauff – Massive Mailbag

Date: March 27, 2026
Host: John Middlekauff
Podcast Feed: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)

Episode Overview

This episode of "3 & Out" is a classic mailbag edition where host John Middlekauff fields wide-ranging questions from listeners, primarily centered around the NFL offseason, draft strategies, the business of sports, college football dynamics, fan experiences, and personal life insights. As the March Madness Sweet 16 approaches, Middlekauff keeps the conversation focused on football, while touching on other sports and candidly sharing life updates. The tone is conversational, opinionated, and direct—with John’s characteristic blend of industry knowledge, storytelling, and humor.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Drafting Kickers in the NFL (Raiders' Janikowski Pick)

[02:39]

• Question: Could we ever see a first-round kicker again, like Sebastian Janikowski at pick 17 in 2000?
• John’s Take: “I don't care if the guy looks like the greatest kicker of all time. I don't think I would draft a kicker. I'm drafting other positions. I don't think I'd draft a kicker or a punter.”
• Insight:
  • Kicker draft history mostly cautions against high picks; undrafted free agents (e.g., Justin Tucker) often excel.
  • Janikowski was a "unique set of circumstances," unlikely ever to be repeated.
  • Personal anecdote: John recalls seeing Janikowski “jacked with a huge ass like half a tin of Copenhagen in his mouth” at Raiders camp.

2. Baseball’s Broadcasting and Scheduling Problems

[08:15]

• Mailbag Suggestion: MLB should move to a 90-game weekend series schedule, focusing value per game.
• John’s Analysis:
  • Arbitrating the idea’s merits, John says: “Your idea would kill the starting pitching market and the union. The players' union is extremely powerful. They would never go toward taking money out of players' pockets.”
  • Teams and leagues won’t willingly cut game inventory—“Everyone’s in the business of adding more games or maintaining their inventory.”
• Memorable Quote: "If it makes dollars, it makes sense. No question." ([12:10])

3. College Sports & Tradition vs. Modern Realities

[12:48]

• Listener Feedback: John’s take that “college kids don’t care about tradition” was accurate.
• John’s Response:
  • “What's your NIL budget? If it's high, people will come. If it’s not…”
  • Success at secondary sports schools (“football schools”) is less stressful for basketball coaches; big-name basketball schools come with scrutiny.
• Takeaway: Modern college athletics is driven by NIL money and opportunity, not legacy or history.

4. Rookie QB Challenges and Team Situations

[16:22]

• Question: How will Fernando Mendoza, drafted by the Raiders, fare as a rookie?
• John’s Perspective:
  • Top picks usually land with “terrible teams,” so rookies struggle (reference to Peyton Manning, Troy Aikman, Matt Stafford).
  • The Raiders' offense has strong pieces: “He does have a couple pieces on the offense and he has a left tackle and a coach whose family business is to run the offense.”
• On Rookie QBs in Draft:
  • Skeptical of “best QB draft ever” hype: “This notion that this quarterback draft is all-time great, I mean, we say that every year.” ([22:40])

5. Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Draft Coverage

[20:44]

• Question: Should Mel Kiper be in the Hall of Fame?
• John’s Verdict: “A hundred [percent] Mel Kiper deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Yes. He is an integral figure in the business that is the offseason of the NFL, specifically the draft.”
• Memorable Anecdote: References the famous 1980s Colts GM press conference: “Who the hell is Mel Kiper?”

6. NFL Draft Big Board Process

[28:08]

• Question: How do teams build a draft big board?
• In-Depth Answer:
  • Starts post-draft with summer scouting and preliminary grades.
  • Area scouts, GMs, and directors grade over the season.
  • Coaches add input close to the combine, sometimes moving players up or down.
  • Quote: “The coaches that have the juice like a Kyle Shanahan, Sean Payton, those motherfuckers will move shit around when you ain’t looking…” ([31:40])
• Caution: Medical and character information can significantly affect a prospect’s board position.

7. Vegas Odds and the Chiefs’ Divisional Supremacy

[33:12]

• Question: Why are the Chiefs perennial favorites over seemingly deeper Denver rosters?
• John’s Explainer:
  • Odds are set to get balanced action, not purely by roster strength: “Odds are typically made where I can get the most action on both sides. They don't want it one-sided so they're on tilt if it goes wrong.”

8. Sports Bucket List – Must-Attend Events

[38:56]

• Listener Recommendation: Indy 500.
• John’s Wishlist: Masters, Kentucky Derby, SEC football regular season game, Duke basketball at Cameron, Final Four.
• Energy: “Ole Miss in the Grove would be one I would want to do… Georgia, LSU, Bama… I would love to go to an SEC football game…”

9. Life Updates: Fatherhood and Sleep Deprivation

[41:20]

• Audience Engagement: Sharing candid moments about being a new dad.
• Vulnerable Quote: “Today it kind of hit me, I was like I got nothing. Mentally I'm shooting blanks… just very blessed to have a healthy child.”
• Humor: “The fugazi is me, the fugazi is my mind that is not working.”

10. Golf – Handicap, Habits, Style

[44:27]

• Listener Question: What’s your handicap, how often do you play?
• John’s Stats: “On paper right now I'm a two, but… probably closer to a five. I hit it pretty far. Short game sucks.”
• Lifestyle: Plays once a week when life allows; loves to walk the course, sees golf as social/recharging time.

11. Chargers’ O-Line Woes & Free Agency

[46:00]

• Frustrated Fan: “Chargers seem to discount shop for the O line.”
• John’s Analysis:
  • Big-money tackles in place, guards/centers typically “buyable” through draft and free agency.
  • Concerned with loss of defensive coordinator more than OL personnel.

12. Advice for Aspiring Sports Media Creators

[48:52]

• Listener Question: How to break in without experience/degree?
• Action Steps:
  • “There’s never been a better time to have the options to try stuff… just start doing like Instagram Reels or TikTok takes, start a YouTube channel and just start a podcast or a broadcast.”
  • “Utilize all these avenues. Even if you’re like, I don’t even like social media, just use it simply for work.”

13. NFL Rumors & Coaching Questions

• Joe Brady as Bills Head Coach ([47:32]):
  • John is “buying stock in this guy” after seeing how he handled getting the job.
  • High on the Bills’ chances if Allen is healthy—“I'd probably pick the Bills to win the Super Bowl.”
• Rams, Stafford & McVay’s Future ([50:25]):
  • Predicts Stafford’s likely final year; if he retires, McVay may step away or the Rams may get aggressive for a new QB.
• Derek Carr’s Complicated Free Agency ([52:55]):
  • Despite recovery, Carr’s status and contract are complications; feels retirement is most likely—but “crazy things can happen in training camp.”

Notable Quotes

• "I don't care if the guy looks like the greatest kicker of all time. I don't think I would draft a kicker." – John Middlekauff ([02:55])
• "If it makes dollars, it makes sense. No question." – John Middlekauff ([12:10])
• "Odds are typically made where I can get the most action on both sides. They don't want it one-sided..." ([33:17])
• "The coaches that have the juice... will move shit around when you ain't looking." ([31:40])
• "You just never know with rookie quarterbacks—this notion that the trajectory is always up, it's just not the case." ([22:52])
• "Today it kind of hit me, I got nothing. Mentally I'm shooting blanks..." ([41:34])

Timestamps by Segment

• [02:39] – Raiders’ Janikowski pick/kicker draft value
• [08:15] – MLB schedule/broadcasting business issues
• [12:48] – College tradition vs. NIL money
• [16:22] – Rookie QB struggles; Raiders/Mendoza
• [20:44] – Mel Kiper’s Hall of Fame candidacy
• [28:08] – Building an NFL draft big board
• [33:12] – Why the Chiefs are always divisional favorites
• [38:56] – Sports bucket list events
• [41:20] – Fatherhood, sleep, and life as a new dad
• [44:27] – John’s golf game
• [46:00] – Chargers’ offensive line
• [47:32] – Joe Brady’s impact as new Bills coach
• [50:25] – Stafford/McVay and Rams’ future
• [52:55] – Derek Carr’s NFL status
• [48:52] – Breaking into sports media

Final Thoughts

This episode showcases Middlekauff's well-rounded experience and candid, unfiltered delivery. The mailbag format lets him flex his knowledge across NFL roster building, the business behind sports leagues, fan culture, and the reality of work-life balance. Listeners come away with both informed opinions and relatable life moments—and the message that in today's sports world, as in life, adaptability and self-starting are king.