Brian Baldinger (2:55)

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

Colin Cowherd (3:02)

All right, here we go. It is Thursday. This is the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. Great show today. So in one hour, I'm going to do what I do once a year. I'm not really into mock drafts because it's just so signing up to be wrong like 40 times. But I do right before every NFL draft, I do the top 15 picks. What would I do if I was the general manager of the top 15 teams drafting? I'm not going through the entire first round, but I went through the top 15 one hour from now. Here's who I would draft based on rosters. Need what you've done in free agency? This is what I would do. I've always said if I didn't do this for a living, my dream job, either a screenwriter or an NFL general manager. So in one hour, I'll be the general manager. It is great to have you in. So at the end of yesterday's show, Jordan Schultz filling in for J. Mac this week in one of the Herdline stories had that Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in America. They did not have Caitlin Clark on the list, but they had two other WNBA players and they had a bunch of other athletes. I love Jalen Hurts. I don't think he's one of the 100 most influential people. I love him. And it just, it struck me I had so many people reach out to me on this yesterday. So I just want you to think of words matter. Influential. Influential is the word Time magazine used. Influential. She played one year of pro basketball in a small market for the worst team in the league and she literally changed the entire financial makeup of the league. That defines influential. The WNBA had its most watched season in 24 years, its highest attendance in 22 years, and set records for digital consumption and merchandise sales last year. That is all Caitlin Clark. Six WNBA teams have already preemptively for their games with Caitlin Clark moved to bigger venues. Time magazine used the word influential. I didn't they use that word. Well, Colin, I heard this. Colin. They gave her athlete of the year in America in December and so there was no reason to put her on the April list. All right, so Time magazine is telling me she went from the athlete of the year in America in December. And by April, she's less influential than Brianna Stewart. Yeah, yeah. I'm not going to buy that argument. You think Hollywood in the 90s said, Listen, Tom Hanks, everything he's in is great. He's won back to back Oscars. But you know, let's, let's share the spotlight.

Jordan Schultz (6:02)

Nope.

Colin Cowherd (6:03)

Movie studios were fighting over Tom Hanks. Everybody wanted Tom Hanks because Hollywood, Hollywood's gotten into trouble in the last 10 years when they've tried to make independent movies where women fall in love with fish. And now nobody goes to a theater except for Tom Cruise and Christopher Nolan. Big avenger movies, right? Like the big directors, the big stars. Play the hits. I've been doing this for 33 years. I've had a pretty good career. TV and radio, podcasting, Play the hits. You think Fox upstairs in baseball coverage goes. You know, we've done a lot of Aaron Judge, Ohtani, Juan Soto. Anybody checked out the Mariners schedule lately? Can we squeeze them in? That's never been a discussion ever.

Jordan Schultz (6:48)

Here.

Colin Cowherd (6:48)

The NFL this year literally has a new rule. You no longer have to put every team on television at least once because they realized Carolina's not well run. That's a Carolina problem. Why should I force network, cbs, Fox, ABC to put on bad products? So this idea, and I'll say this, there have been a lot of great individual female athletes globally, but in terms of North America and team sports, men have dominated. And because men have dominated this for so long, they get it. UFC just put Jon Jones and Conor McGregor on every big card. It's not about sharing. We'll pay them a fortune. The rest of the guys will pay what we want to. Major League Baseball, Fox coverage, Moro Tani and Aaron Judge. The NFL. It's funny. Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, the Philadelphia Eagles. You ever notice who they put on television? Big brands all the time. The minute the Pittsburgh Steelers are uninteresting, boom, gone off. Let's put on the Detroit Lions. Play the hits. But the WNBA, last year, bless their hearts, finally got a star. And they didn't know that. They couldn't figure it out. Well, we don't. We don't want to put too much. Too much Caitlin Clark on. Nope. Every game, every list, every game, every moment, every contest, every All Star game, every single day. All Caitlin Clark. Well, it will offend. Who cares? You didn't make any money in 24 years. You're subsidized by the NBA. Who gives a rep? Who are you offending? Players that don't make revenue. You're subsidized by the NBA. More Caitlin Clark all the time. Always hurting feelings is the reality. ESPN and baseball right now, they've hurt each other's feelings. They'll get over it. If you don't make money, you're not a league. You can't subsidize people forever in sports. So Caitlin Clark changed the financial structure of the league. She's not. Wasn't my word. It was Time magazine's word. They used influential. And now she's not influential. So here's a rule for anybody considering starting a league. And I do think the WNBA got so mocked and criticized they finally figured it out in sports. Don't get caught up in sharing the spotlight because occasionally an athlete will be the spotlight. Don't play nice, play the hits. Caitlin Clark is easily the most influential athlete in a team sport since Michael Jordan. Patrick Mahomes is great. The league was doing fine. Tom Brady retired. The league's doing fine. Far Peyton Manning left fine. They're great. I mean, you could argue Steph Curry is influential because of the way he changed the way basketball is played. Maybe that's the second most influential person. But I mean the only athlete in my lifetime I can think of that compares to Caitlin Clark. And it's not a team sport. It's. Golf is Tiger Woods. I mean, Tiger woods literally got people to a television on Sunday for a decade. It was Sopranos after Tiger woods round. I mean, he changed American viewing habits. So just think about this. Six WNBA teams have already preemptively moved the Caitlin Clark games to bigger venues. Time magazine. You use the word. I didn't. You invalidated your list. You made it inauthentic because you were trying to play nice. Don't play nice, play the hits. Okay, so, you know, I, I mostly because very busy, living a very full life. I, I stay off ax a lot. You know, it's like a conspiracy theory platform now. I kind of stay off it. But apparently I made some news. I got a call yesterday afternoon from somebody very close to the Nico Emaliava family. So he's the quarterback at Tennessee, very good, making a lot of money and decides I'm not going to show up to a spring practice. And the story from Tennessee side was he wants a bunch of money and we're not going to give him a raise. We're already paying him two and a half million. We're not going to four. Now his family is saying that's not it. So, you know, you got People at Tennessee saying it's all about the money. His family say it's not about the money, it's about the fit. I don't know if going to UCLA is better than playing at Tennessee. I think Tennessee's got better players. It makes $150 million a year. It's a huge program. I'm not sure I'd leave Tennessee for UCLA football. But he's a California kid. So I was told in this wild, wild West Nil era, as of yesterday, he's going to ucla. Now his family is saying it's not about the money. Tennessee saying eye roll. Give me a break. So I am surprised by this because I said in Southern California it's understood that UCLA is a basketball school. USC is a football school. They got a lot more money. It's private. You can pay people whatever you want and don't have to report it. And usc, Jen Cohen, the athletic director and Lincoln Roddy, they are highly aggressive with football. They are spending a lot of money on nil. UCLA football, I was told two years ago spent less than Utah and around what Oregon State spends. So I thought it was very probable it would be USC as he transferred. We talked about that a couple of days ago, but I was told yesterday by somebody close to his family it's ucla. Now is it been, is it official yet that we're on day two of a 10 day portal opening? It's not official yet, but I was told Lincoln Riley loves a five star high school football recruit that is in the program now. Hussein Longstreet. He's a very, very, very go to YouTube. Great high school quarterback. Lincoln Riley loves him, doesn't want to send any bad messages or bad vibes that that kid, that freshman will play at least some this year and they want it. They think he's going to be the future of the program. And so UCLA is like, you know, we're going to roll the dice here. But I will say this, and I've said this before, I don't want to hear about how all these young athletes are impoverished and you always have to take the money. I do not think money should drive decisions when you're a great young athlete. I would stay at Duke or Carolina over, go to the G League over $100,000. I mean, I, I'm sorry, you play at duke, you get $30 million of free marketing. The only reason I know who Zion Williamson is, he played a Duke. I'm not watching G League or YouTube videos for high school basketball players. So I don't Know if this is a good move, but, but I am told somebody close to the family that UCLA is the spot. Joel Klatt, who. I think we were both surprised Joel Klatt talked about this on my show a couple of days ago. I could see him back on the West Coast. I would, I would think that he wants to be in the Big Ten, I would think, but I think he could wind up somewhere else. I think UNC is interesting. North Carolina, that's, that's just, just to keep your eye on that. The LA schools make a lot of sense. Now, I have heard that there has been a huge quiet influx of UCLA money. That's all. So I'm not going to be shocked if he winds up at ucla. I am not tied to UCLA boosters and donors. I know a few USC boosters and donors, but if Joel Klatt's hearing it, that validates it for me. So I've heard it to ucla. He's a very talented player. He is absolutely going to be. If he has a good year with UCLA or Tennessee, he's going to be a first round, second round prospect. Long, tall, good arm, just needs to clean it up. But he looks the part, you know, and, and I mean, when I watched him and I watched Jackson dart and I watched both of them, if you told me one of them was going to end up eventually being an NFL star, I would have chosen this kid. Even though his game is not as clean or refined as Jackson dart today. I did think this was interesting. This made me laugh yesterday. So, you know, full disclosure, Urban Meyer's a friend, but everybody is saying, good for Tennessee for taking a stand. Urban Meyer's like, yeah, I've coached in the sec. Forget this stand stuff. As a guy that's been involved almost 40 years in this game, I can't believe this happened. Here's the reality is Tennessee is screwed. They're in a, they got a problem. You lose a potential high draft pick. You, you have the backup quarterback left last year and now you have a redshirt freshman after nine passes and a freshman, you have zero experience. And a portal opens as we speak. They are going to have to go get one. Yeah, I, I kind of get that too. So that's where we are as of now. Time magazine. Stop being nice. Start. Stop worrying about sharing. I mean, again, men dominated team sports in North America. It's not about that. Just, just, man, play the hits, get the stars up front, center, rinse, repeat. Rachel Nichols in studio in an hour from now, in 45 minutes. From now, I'm going to give you If I'm the GM, here's what I do with the top 15 picks. I think the Raiders pick is fascinating. I think the jets pick is fascinating. When you really have to. When I really sat down today with a team and really wrote down what I thought, I'm the general manager. I think there's one shocker. There'll be one shocker. But I would do it if I was gm. Be sure to catch live editions of.

Brian Baldinger (16:34)

The Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

Jordan Schultz (16:37)

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Jordan Schultz (18:27)

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Colin Cowherd (19:24)

I'm telling you, if I'm GM, this is what I do. So they'll probably be trades. Everybody wants to trade down. Outside of Tennessee. The truth is it's not a great draft. People want to trade down. So that could be six trades. I don't think a lot of people want to trade up. So I don't think there's going to be a ton of trades. Everybody keeps telling me, oh, trade, trade, trade. Who wants to trade up? There's not a great enough player here to trade up, and there's about eight really good players, and all those players will go to teams that need them. So here we go. Let's do our top 15 mock draft. This is who I would draft if I was the gm. Number one is Tennessee. You got to get Cam Warden. It's an easy one. Last year, the Titans quarterbacks combined for 22 touchdowns and 21 picks. It's a winnable division. He fits Brian Callahan's offense. They've got one go to receiver. I think he'll win games. I think he'll make him a playoff team. Easiest pick on the board, Cam Ward. Number two, Cleveland. I think they go and get Travis Hunter, the best overall athlete in the draft, and he'll play both sides. Their receiving core is Jerry Judy and a whole lot of meth. They also have quarterbacks all filled out. They got Flacco. They're paying Deshaun Watson. They got Kenny Pickett. They've sent the signal they're not getting a quarterback. So I think this is the only player in the draft that can affect both sides of the ball. And in a division with the Ravens, you need to catch up. I think it's the pick. Number three may surprise you. I do now think the Giants are going to take Shador Sanders. Here's why. I think Jameis Winston and Tommy Devito they'll cut him in camp. I think they're going to go Russell for a year. Even Russell's contract's not that punitive. It's all based on how many games he plays and how well he plays. I've changed my mind. I think they're going to go get him. I think he's a star. It's a star town. I think it's a big market. I Brian Dabel has proven a history of you can give him kind of average stuff and he'll correct it. I don't think there's a lot to correct. They've seen him personal workout recently. I think they're going to go get Chador. I think the Patriots are going to get Abdul Carter the edge. Last year the Patriots had the fewest sacks in the league. There'll be plenty of running backs, tight ends and wide receivers later in the draft. They it's Mike Vrabel. They're going to go look at what they did in free agency. A lot of big uglies. A lot of size and movement. Carter's a great athlete. They don't need to rush Drake Mays development. They can get him help later in the draft. It's a good tight end and running back draft. You can get that second, third, fourth, fifth round. They get Abdul Carter. Jaguars get Mason Graham. Jags defensive lines already talented. I think Graham's really underrated. People say his ceiling is low. All I know is when I watched him he pushed everybody around the field. They had the second worst total defense in the league last year. They've already got Trayvon Walker and Josh Hines Allen. Add Mason Graham and don't worry about the D line for the next five years. The Wolverine big kid from Anaheim area in California. I think he goes number five. I think the Raiders go get Ashton Genty, the running back from Ohio State. Is he worthy of this pick? He's the best running back in this class. Geno Smith is very good on play action. Pete Carroll's career. He was great when he had Reggie Bush and Lindale White in college and Marshawn lynch in Seattle. They had the worst rushing attack in the league last year. Their offensive line is set. They've got an elite weapon in Brock Bowers. I think you give Geno help. Ashton Jenny playmaker at six. The jets get Tyler Warren at number seven. The tight end. This kid can do everything. You can split him out wide. He's a playmaker again. Takes the pressure off Garrett Wilson who gets double teamed now. Devonte Adams has gone super Versatile player and they just haven't had any tight end production over the last couple years. They have six tight end, six touchdowns at the tight end position. I watched the USC game. This kid had 17 catches. He is about as viable and has the kind of dexterity. He's a little bit running back, a little tight end. He could throw the football if you wanted. I think the jets finally go get a big time tight end. Panthers get T. Mac wide receiver, Arizona. I like him. He's a little bit of a glider. But they got to get Bryce Young help. This is an organization. This is the year for Bryce Young, who played pretty well last year. Panthers at 8. Take him. The wide receiver group in Carolina does not have a true number one again. I know two GMs that are cool on him and I know one that loves him and it's a GM I respect. So Bryce Young needs more help. This kid's a true number one. Go get him. At eight, number nine, Saints, Will Johnson. They moved off Marcus Lattimore, sending him to the commander. So they need a number one. I think he's great. He was hurt at Michigan. I think he's a great. I think he starts for everybody in the NFL. At Denver he starts. He's just not as good as Patrick Certain. I think Will Johnson is an exceptional player. They had the 27th ranked pass defense in the league. They've got to replace Lattimore. I know you're talking about quarterback, but I don't even know what to make of that Derek Carr story. And I think Shedeur is going to be off the board and it's too high to draft. Jackson Dart Will Johnson nine to the Saints, number 10. Bears go get edge. Jaylon Walker. Listen, Montez sweat from the inside let him last year in sacks. They could have drafted in the number one spot in edge last year. He's a Georgia bulldog who rushes the passer. Great physical specimen. I think you go get him. They keep upgrading in the trenches. The Bears upgraded their O line this year in free agency. I think they upgrade their D line at the top of the draft. I like Walker. To the Bears at 10, number 11, Niners. I would go Kelvin Banks. Trent Williams is aging at left tackle. He's 37 years old and let's be honest, if you're gonna spend money on Brock Purdy, then you better protect him. Their old line is the weakness of that football team and he's the best player available. I like him better than Will Campbell.

Brian Baldinger (25:31)

I don't know.

Colin Cowherd (25:31)

I watched a lot of Texas football He was really good in the big games. He mauled people. So I like him. Number 12, Cowboys. Amarian Hampton. Running back, North Carolina. I think he's a poor man's Adrian Peterson. Big, strong, just. Just a hard dude to bring down. I mean, look at him run. Look at the legs, look at the burst. And let's, let's face it, the Cowboys running back room is atrocious. 27th in the NFL. They've already invested draft capital in the O line. They've already paid CD Lamb and Dakota. They need star power. And there's not a good enough wide receiver to draft in this spot. I think this kid is Electric Starter Day 1 and again, Dax, better on play action than sitting back in the pocket throwing 40 times a game. Number 13, Dolphins. I go Will Campbell, LSU. I think he's pretty good. Not as good as Kelvin Banks. Again, you're investing in Tua. Tua has that injury concern. Go get an offensive lineman. You also lost a very good tackle in Toronto Armstead. So let's just, just do this. Go get it. I know it's not sexy. You're moving on. You tried sexy with Jalen Ramsey and Tyreek Hill. How's that working out for you? Just go to the trenches and get a good left tackle. Number 14, the Colts. This will be the steal of the draft. Armand Memboo from Missouri who tore it up. Offensive lineman. Outside of Quentin Nelson, none of the offensive lineman In Indy played 17 games. People talk about needing a tight end. Loveland's not good enough to draft in this spot. I think this will end up being the steal of the draft. Will Johnson and Armand Menboo. I mean physical specimen. And listen, I think your receivers are good enough. You have Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson. You should probably run more than you do pass anyway. He's a Mauler. I take him at that spot. He's about as good as player. Last year the Colts Chris Ballard waited and got the best pass rusher at like 15th. I think this will be the best player at 14th available. And he'll start day one. And at 15th, Atlanta, Shemar Stewart. Edge rusher. Texas A and M. They don't get to the quarterback second fewest sacks in the NFL. Do you want to beat Baker Mayfield? You got to rush Baker Mayfield put pressure on Baker and so I think it makes sense. They have used their number first round pick on offense for four straight draft picks. So it's, it's time to pay attention to defense. This if I was general manager for these teams, I'm not saying this is what they're going to do. This is what I could do. I think the Shador Sanders. I looked at New York over and over and over again, and I have come to the conclusion where the best athletes off the board, they've already got a very good defensive line. That's not an area of need. And I think they'll keep Russ for a year. Jameis Tommy DeVito, he can move off those guys in camp. And I do think there's something to be said about Sanders, Deion Sanders, son in New York. It feels big. It feels fun. I mean, the jets don't have a. The future quarterback, do they? I mean, do they really have the future quarterback? So the Giants not want to have the future quarterback? I mean, let's be honest about New York. It's a competitive market. So, Jordan, what do you make of it?

Rich Davis (28:59)

You know, I'm looking at it. I like it a lot, I would say. So Will Johnson, you made a point about him being hurt. He is viewed as a truly special corner. I love him. At New Orleans at 9. I don't buy that New Orleans is going quarterback at nine.

Colin Cowherd (29:19)

Yeah. I don't know. My take is there's too much unknown and I think somebody's going to move up. Come on. Somebody's going to move up before 9 to get Shadour Sanders. There's too many teams that need a quarterback.

Rich Davis (29:32)

Yeah. And I also. Tyler Warren at seven to the Jets. It's interesting because it's a whole new regime, but last year they really struggled. Do they want Olu, who they go with from Penn State to big tackle, or do they go Brock Bowers? Now they have an opportunity to get another transcendent tight end in Tyler Warren, who is fantastic.

Colin Cowherd (29:53)

Okay, so I didn't do any trades in mind.

Rich Davis (29:56)

Yep.

Colin Cowherd (29:56)

Okay. So I do believe if somebody called the New York Giants with Jameis and Russ, if somebody called the. I said this the other day. If somebody called the Giants and gave you trade two seconds, a third in the first next year for Shador Sanders, I think the Giants would take it because I think they're comfortable with Russ. But I didn't want to put trades in and monkey around with all this stuff. Yeah, yeah, I. And by the way, all of these players start immediately for their teams. I know we have indicated it's not a great draft, but if you're a team and you're bad and you get an instant, young, athletic, inexpensive starter, it does make you a better football team.

Rich Davis (30:38)

I had a GM tell me a couple Days ago that Ashton Gente is being slept on. I said, what do you mean he's going to be a top five, top ten pick? He said, no, no, no, you don't understand. This guy is a superstar. People are talking about him like he's this really good player, maybe a great player. He is a superstar. He is a day one 1500 yard guy. Aston Jente to the Raiders at six. To me, out of every pick here might just be my favorite because we talk so much about Pete Carroll and Marshawn Lynch. Now I don't know if Pete ultimately in that organization wants to go running back at six, but there is a big contingency within the Raiders building that really likes Genty. And if you really want to build this offense the way that Pete Carroll has had a great offense, it's around the running game and play action. That was Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. They just gave Gino the extension. You bring in Astro Genti. I think it's a home run.

Colin Cowherd (31:38)

Well, I'll give you a team that's interesting. Jacksonville. Jacksonville's got two guys in their defensive line that are already elite. So you could say Mason Graham's not a place of need. But sometimes it's like, who's the best player on our board? And so not like, I don't think Jacksonville needs a defensive tackle, but I think you can't watch Mason. I watched Michigan play 15 times in the last two years, maybe 20. He dominated every guy he played against.

Rich Davis (32:00)

Mesa Graham is great. He's also very versatile. And if you think about James Gladstone comes from the Rams who they draft last year. Jared Verse and Braden Fisk. They hit on both Mason Graham because of how dominant and versatile he is. You now compare him with Trayvon Walker and Josh Allen and now you have a truly dominant defensive line. Now we don't really know where the Jags are thinking because A, it's a new regime and B, they don't do visits. But if you just think about where this organization comes from, both Liam Cohen and James Gladstone come from the Rams line matters. Leslie has built that team around his defensive line. I like that pick a lot. I'm curious, you, you did something interesting here too. You, you, you did Carter at 4. Now he visited the Patriots. If he's on the board at three, you really believe the Giants would pass on him for Shador?

Colin Cowherd (32:53)

Well, so I've gone back and forth. I like Shador. I've said this, I like him. There's a lot of signals from the Giants. They like him. And I said the other day, I think they're bluffing. But you start looking around at the contracts for Russ, Jamis and DeVito. Yeah, you could move off all of them if you wanted to. I don't think they'd move off Russ because I think Russ, they would bring Shadour in and say, listen, this is. This is a pro. Jamis is squirrely. They'd move out. You don't want some young quarterback.

Rich Davis (33:25)

I think they like James a lot, though.

Colin Cowherd (33:26)

Yeah. People say they like him a lot. And he bounces around the league. You ever notice that? Oh, I love him. How come he keeps bouncing around the league? And so I think that the Giants. Shadour in the Giants is my toughest pick, but I think there's just a lot of signals, and I think I'm not going to do trades. I. I said it again. If somebody offered them a first and two seconds for Shadow, I think they would absolutely move down.

Rich Davis (33:51)

Yeah.

Colin Cowherd (33:51)

Because I think the Giants need more help.

Rich Davis (33:53)

I don't think anybody's offering either, do I?

Colin Cowherd (33:54)

I don't. Everybody keeps telling me a lot of trades. Who's moving up in this draft.

Rich Davis (33:58)

Yeah. Yeah. I'll tell you the other one, too. I'm just looking at this A. I don't know if Loveland, the Titan from Michigan. Michigan gets past Indy. I don't. I'm not sure, because they do need a tight end, and he's a terrific player.

Colin Cowherd (34:11)

Great tight end. Draft. It is.

Rich Davis (34:12)

It is. Will Campbell at 13. I don't think Will Campbell is getting outside anywhere near 13. You know what, Colin? Great mock. I'm going to pick it apart. The one mistake you made. Will Campbell out of LSU is not going to get to 13 in Miami. If he does, that's a gift. The only knock on him is that his arms aren't super long.

Colin Cowherd (34:31)

I don't like that.

Rich Davis (34:32)

Okay.

Colin Cowherd (34:33)

That's like saying the only knock on an astronaut is he's afraid of heights. You can't have short arms and be dominant.

Rich Davis (34:41)

Dominant players.

Colin Cowherd (34:42)

Player with short arms.

Rich Davis (34:44)

Okay, so obviously arm length matters.

Colin Cowherd (34:47)

At left, it's feet and length.

Rich Davis (34:50)

But I think Will Campbell is a special prospect. A dominant. A dominant left tackle. I don't see him getting anywhere near 13.

Brian Baldinger (34:58)

That's.

Rich Davis (34:58)

That's my one nitpick with this. Everything else I like.

Colin Cowherd (35:01)

Let me tell you. When Miami drafts Will Campbell, Chris Ballard will be celebrating because he's getting a better alignment at 14.

Rich Davis (35:07)

You love mimbo. A lot of people love.

Colin Cowherd (35:08)

He's a physical monster.

Rich Davis (35:09)

He's a beast out of Missou. He is a beast. Yeah. And then you talk about B. Shamar Stewart absolutely wrecked the combine. I think he was the probably the best dude at the combine athletically and I like that for Atlanta.

Colin Cowherd (35:21)

By the way, my staff says Mason Graham to the Jags is good because they didn't defend the run last year.

Rich Davis (35:26)

Yeah, there you go.

Colin Cowherd (35:26)

There you go.

Rich Davis (35:27)

Good mock.

Colin Cowherd (35:28)

I like those Michigan guys. Be sure to catch live editions of.

Brian Baldinger (35:30)

The Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

Colin Cowherd (35:38)

Hey, Steve Covino. And I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino Enriched Live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Kobenon Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich.

Jordan Schultz (36:34)

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Steve Covino (37:50)

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Jordan Schultz (38:18)

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Colin Cowherd (39:16)

Years and years ago, Brian Baldinger was doing his thing on the Internet and he was really breaking down offensive line play. I thought was fascinating. And I have said many times on this show I I don't use my hands so don't ask me to break down offensive line technique. He does it better than anybody and really follows the stuff and has had a great post career. Former cowboy, went to Duke. So you know he's smart.

Brian Baldinger (39:39)

Smart.

Colin Cowherd (39:40)

Brian Balding is joining us live. 13 years in the league. You know everybody says well it's not a great, it's not a great draft. And like I'll give you an example. I watched Mason Graham play 15 times. I saw him grab and throw all conference offensive linemen but his ceiling's not this. I don't know what his ceiling is. I know what I watched. So you tell me as an offensive lineman like Mason Graham, if this was a great draft, would he be middle of the first? Like I just see a wildly productive, super aggressive, strong defensive lineman. That's what my eyes see. What do you see?

Brian Baldinger (40:20)

He's a great technician. You know, pad level is important in this business. Low man wins. He plays with great pad level, he has great hands, he can stack anybody. You talk about the offensive lineman, he's gone up against, against Ohio State, you know, Penn State, some, some really wickedly good offensive linemen. And he stacks and he sheds him and he holds his ground and you know you can win a lot of one on ones when you play with great technique and you got strong hands and, and all that kind of stuff. So reminds me of what Leonard Williams was when he came out in this draft and 10 years later, Glennon Williams is playing the best football of his career. But that's what he was coming out of USC column and that's what he reminds me of right now.

Colin Cowherd (41:01)

Okay, so I want to talk about my staff can get Kelvin Banks ready. So everybody tells me it's not a great offensive line draft again. I watched six Texas games. I watched them when they played great teams. Kelvin Banks was squishing people. So you tell me as an offensive lineman, he's big. The size is indisputable. High school and college dominant. Why isn't he considered great?

Brian Baldinger (41:27)

Well, I think, you know, is he? Yeah, he's gotten beat. It's not like he shut everybody out this year. But you know, he's got dancing bare feet with a big body, long arms, long enough anyways. And he's gone against the best at Texas A and M and you know, the SEC the last few years. The best thing to happen in Texas is for them to join the SEC, get out of the Big 12 and go up against SEC type defensive lineman. For a guy like Kelvin Banks, it's the best thing to happen to these guys. They got really good competition every week going against those schools. So you go against Georgia twice in the last two years. Like you see great defensive linemen, you can really measure your progress because that kid came in, you know, he came in as a five star recruit and started day one for the Longhorns.

Jordan Schultz (42:12)

Yeah.

Brian Baldinger (42:12)

And then went up the competition two years ago when they went to the sec.

Colin Cowherd (42:18)

You know, sometimes we, and I've had people tell me this, Colin, don't out think the room. Sometimes the answer's right in front of you. And I said, just think about Shador Sanders if you pass on him. Son of a legend. Historically accurate Average 33 A game with no run game and a battle line and moves well enough. I've seen multiple moments and pictures, Brian, of him standing next to people my size. I'm 62190. He's thicker than you think. But shoulder. He's a real. He's a man. He's a big body. Are we out thinking the room on this kid? Like we're just picking him apart? And I'm like, I don't know. 74% completion percentage. Brian under duress. That's a real number. I can't overlook that.

Brian Baldinger (43:05)

And he can win from the pocket. That's the best thing. He doesn't have to leave the pocket. I mean, wins from the pocket. Now, Pat Sherman was offensive coordinator this year. Colin and I talked to Pat at Chador's Pro Day in Boulder on April 4, and he installed Chip Kelly's offense. Basically the most simple offense. You can have inside receivers, outside receivers, because that was the best way to move the football because they didn't have a tight end. They had average offensive line. They didn't have a good running back. It was Shador and four receivers. And they took over a program that won one game and were the sledge of college football. And they somehow won nine games last year and went to a bowl game. So, like, he's elevated that program, but there's not a lot there. And they had. And so he got blitzed a lot. He got max blitz a lot, which no quarterbacks in college football get. Like, I'm talking about blitz zeros, send the safeties. Dr. Shador, let's speed him up, see what he does. And he made a lot of big plays. The throat. The deeper the ball goes, the more accurate it gets. He's got incredible touch on the deep ball.

Colin Cowherd (44:13)

So tell me in an NFL locker room, the one thing about sometimes in baseball, when you break into a sport like Bryce Harper, there's a way to play the game. But I found in the NFL and the NBA, if you got swag, if you can play, guys love it. And I think players will love Travis Hunter. They'll root for him to play both sides of the ball. I mean, would you play them both? What do you make of it?

Brian Baldinger (44:35)

Oh, no, he's. He. He's unbelievable. In fact, I was at his pro. You know, he was there catching balls from Shador. And honestly, everybody was there from the NFL Some representative of every team. I think their jaws just dropped. I mean the guy is indefatigable here calling and I don't mean to use a big word here but it's the only word I can find. The guy has, he's got Michael Jordan type endurance. He does not fatigue, I don't care. The temperature, the competition. He's the best corner. He plays cornerback the way a thief does. Like he bakes the quarterback and he gets him to throw it to where he wants to. Then he takes it away from him and on the other side of the ball. His ability to adjust to a ball in the air is what we see from Garrett Wilson, devonte Adams, some of the great receivers in his game. He's got. He didn't wear any gloves at Chador's pro day. His hands are so good he doesn't even feel like now he will wear gloves in a game but he catches everything and you just can't take your eyes off him. And I'll just say this, we're in the entertainment business, Colin, the NFL, we're entertainers. You talked about star powers at WNBA. That's why we watch. It's the same thing. Any 10 year old kid that's going to go watch Travis Hunter next year in Cleveland where he's going because they fell in love with him that day, they're going to buy a Travis Hunter jersey before he ever puts it on and they're going to want to play both ways. He's going to start a trend. It's going to happen. You have to play them both ways. I don't know what the number of snaps are if it's 100 a game. But you got to start him on one side of the ball and play him on the other side in a variety of packages because I just think he's that talented.

Colin Cowherd (46:17)

Okay, here's somebody I'm a little cool on Jackson dart. It reminds me of a little thicker Zach Wilson. Same high school, same body type, same offense. Boy, when you sped the game up for Zach it'd be whyu when you speed it up a little for Jackson, he wasn't quite the same. There's a certain comfort level and I watched him several times. I do think he is an NFL quarterback. I thought. I still think Zach is. I think it's. I'm hearing all this top 1215 stuff. I don't know. Brian, what's the tape say to you?

Brian Baldinger (46:52)

It's not just a tape. If there's an emotional part to this game where he's Just too like Zach Wilson. Like, it's just too frenetic on the sidelines, the emotions, whether it's tears or whether it's joy, like there's not any sort of. Well, I expect I'm a three year starter at Mississippi. I'm expecting to go beat, you know, Georgia, you know, on a Saturday night. And he did and he played well in the game and took care of the ball. But I just think there's this emotional roller coaster to how he plays and who he is, which I don't know if that's. I don't know if it's bad, but I know when I see can work against him and I see that from him. And so I don't think he's a top 15 pick. You could talk yourself into it because you can go watch the game against Georgia. You can watch the last game he played against Duke in the Gator bowl where he threw for 400 yards, threw four touchdown passes, didn't make a mistake. You could fall in love with him. But I think the Zach Wilson thing is a pretty good comparison right now.

Colin Cowherd (47:54)

Yeah. Okay, I'm going to show you my mock draft. Now. I. This isn't my mock draft. So what I do, Brian, is I've always said if I didn't do this, I'd want to be an NFL gm. It's not going to happen. I know it. But if I did didn't do this, I would do that.

Brian Baldinger (48:04)

Yeah.

Colin Cowherd (48:05)

So this is who I would draft if I was the GMs of this team. Just tell me something that you agree with and there's something you don't buy.

Brian Baldinger (48:15)

I saw Cam Ward in Miami's Pro Day and all of Tennessee was there, including the reporters that report from Tennessee. They fell in love with Matte. That's over Cleveland. From Jimmy Haslam to Andrew Berry to Kevin Stefanski, they fell in love with Travis Hunter. He's going to Cleveland. The one thing I'd say, and I don't disagree with Shador going to the Giants, they're working about today. Today's Thursday. They're working them out in Boulder today. But if they pass an Abdul card after they passed on Micah Parsons, after you look at the rich history of pass rushers with the New York Giants, like every Giant fan is going to go, if Abdul Carter lights it up and Shador sits behind Russell or whatever, they're going to go nuts. They're like everybody, the owner is going to fire himself. You know, so that's the only question I have. Are you going to Pass an Abdul and maybe what greatness looks like especially what could be a giant's uniform that that might be something that they never ever worry. Number 11. Wearing Micah's number like that might be unforgivable right there.

Colin Cowherd (49:16)

Let me tell one more. I think Ashton Genty works with the Raiders because I think Geno off play action is actually pretty good. Gino on third and 11 and everybody knows he's throwing makes mistakes. Genti played at Boise State 5 8. Some have said small does that. What do you see?

Brian Baldinger (49:35)

I see muscles on top of muscles. The guy is a like he looks like a bodybuilder but he's agile. Like look. Chip Kelly's the offensive coordinator with the Raiders. When Chip went to Philadelphia, that was Shady McCoy's two best years. He led the league in rushing in Chip Kelly's first year. He spread you out and played up tempo to run the ball like this is. You're going to get a lot of a college atmosphere offense from Chip Kelly with the Raiders this year. I think Genty is, is the perfect chess piece to go play with right now.

Colin Cowherd (50:04)

That's exciting. You know you played for the Cowboys. Do you think they'll draft a running back? Potentially. They need it. They're. You have no run game. What do you make of that?

Brian Baldinger (50:12)

They have like 100 picks. Honestly. Like they should go trade up to get Ashton Genti.

Colin Cowherd (50:18)

Why?

Brian Baldinger (50:18)

I played with Tony Dorset. You know there's been Emmett Smith, there's been Zeke. There's been, you know, all kinds of great running backs in Dallas. They've gone now a couple of years. Once, once Zeke really started to decline where it's falling apart. This is the rich history of the Cowboys, you know, is at running back and you go back to Walt Garrison and Dan Reeves and everybody else that played there like they need a star running back. That's what's been missing from this offense here for the last three or four years.

Colin Cowherd (50:50)

Brian Baldinger, you're great Baldy. NFL Network as always, great stuff. Thanks man.

Brian Baldinger (50:55)

Thanks to thought you so.

Colin Cowherd (50:56)

Yeah, he's so yeah. So he's got the Jackson Dart concerns. I do and listen, I just got a steak dinner two nights ago from an unnamed source on this. I, I, I w. You know I watch a lot of college football. You watch a lot of college football. I didn't see a first round guy. Little hit and miss for me. Just, just, just not clean enough for me. And I've said this. I like Jalen Milro. So much about Jalen. Jalen's too mechanical to be a star quarterback in the NFL. But I do think you could take him in, right? Coach some of this stuff. A lot of it is who do you get? I mean, Jackson Dark goes to the Rams and sits for two years with McVeigh. Then you get a different outcome than him going to the Saints and starting tomorrow, you know, rushing him in when he's not quite ready.

Jordan Schultz (51:42)

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Brian Baldinger (53:03)

Divided country, and our media couldn't be more polarizing.

Colin Cowherd (53:06)

That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson.

Brian Baldinger (53:08)

It's about bringing voices not from the.

Colin Cowherd (53:10)

Extremes but but from the vast middle.

Brian Baldinger (53:13)

Into the national conversation.

Colin Cowherd (53:14)

Each week we hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country.

Brian Baldinger (53:18)

And when you subscribe to the Middle.

Colin Cowherd (53:19)

You also get an episode each week.

Brian Baldinger (53:21)

Called One Thing Trump did that focuses.

Colin Cowherd (53:23)

On just one item from the avalanche of news. Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Steve Covino (53:32)

In 2020, a group of young women.

Colin Cowherd (53:35)

Found themselves in an AI fueled nightmare.

Rich Davis (53:38)

Someone was posting photos of it was just me naked.

Colin Cowherd (53:42)

Well, not me, but me with someone else's body parts. This is Levittown, a new podcast from iHeart podcasts Bloomberg and Kaleidoscope about the rise of deepfake pornography and the battle to stop it. Listen to Levittown on Bloomberg's Big Take podcast. Find it on the iHeartRadio app, Apple.

Jordan Schultz (54:00)

Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.