← The Herd with Colin Cowherd
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- [00:00]
Colin Cowherd
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John Middlekauff
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Colin Cowherd
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John Middlekauff
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Colin Cowherd
Card has no cash access and expires in six months Summer is almost here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A nice tan? Sorry, A box fan? Happily, yes. A day of sunshine? No. A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. The 40s and free agents Podcast with Daniel Jeremiah and Greg Rosenthal has prepared you for the 2025 NFL Draft.
- [01:19]
John Middlekauff
We've told you what last year's playoff teams need to return to the postseason.
- [01:23]
Colin Cowherd
And how teams with new coaches should approach the draft.
- [01:25]
John Middlekauff
So as draft season comes to a close, we've got you covered before your favorite team goes on the clock. We'll break it all down once all 257 picks have been made.
- [01:34]
Colin Cowherd
Listen to the 40s and free agents podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [01:44]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country and our media couldn't be more polarizing. That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation. Each week we hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country. And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses 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.
- [02:15]
Colin Cowherd
The volume Foreign Mitloff Former NFL Scout we do. We do this every year, Obviously. We go through the first round picks and let's not waste any time. Let's get past Cam Ward at number one. That was an easy one, the most interesting one. And boy, my my phone blew Up. Cleveland got a haul, I think way too much for a non quarterback. So Cleveland gets three of the top 36 picks. Now if you add all the picks they got in from the Jags next year, they're just doing that to get a quarterback next year. So next year of the top 36 picks, Cleveland has three of them, they got a haul and then they go down to number five and you know, getting a starting defensive tackle, I'll get to that in a second. But the GM for the Jags, who I was told actually worked from home in St. Louis a lot, even when he was a Rams employee as a young kid. So this is the adult table. Being a gm, I don't like the swing. I Travis Hunter is a great player, but unless he's a pro bowler on both sides of the ball, it feels like way too much to give up. And I think Cleveland was clearly doing it to get ammo for next year's quarterback draft.
- [03:30]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, I mean, I think it's the easiest trade that Andrew Barry and Kevin Stefanski will ever make. They might have just got contract extensions from Haslam sitting behind him in the draft room. I'm with you. How can you make this trade, Colin, when you don't know your team? You know, part of anyone, whether you're taking over a football team, taking over a business, you got to let it settle and see what you have. Well, there's obviously no way. They haven't even been on the field in shorts and T shirts. They don't know if their quarterback's any good. They don't know how talented their unit is. I get the ownership there is, you know, flush with money and aggressive and everything. But I think being this aggressive for Liam Cohen and Gladstone, the young 34 year old GM, when they have never worked with the players on their team, it's one thing if you had been around for a couple years and you have a pretty good feel like we're a player or two away, let's swing for the fences. That's insane, Colin, to throw away your next year's first round pick. And I get it, he was, he had a front row seat there for less. And Sean, trading all those first round picks over the years. They were typically a player or two away right though with the Rams. So I, I thought it was for a non quarterback. I mean we've seen some off the 49ers. Made one for Trey Lance. I think it's one of the craziest draft day trades I can remember for non quarterback.
- [04:43]
Colin Cowherd
I'm, I'm trying to think of the last time I got three texts from NFL employees and all went mistake by the Jags. Like, all landed on the same spot. And this is a very young gm. And again, Travis Hunter is going to be a really sensational talent, there's no question. But there's also going to be some growing pains on the fact that he's not going to be in meetings for one side of the ball on a regular basis. So. And I mean, listen, this really isn't as much about the Jags as it is Cleveland. They're trying to get out from this tonnage of desean Watson's contract. And the way to do it is get a star quarterback. I mean, that's how the Broncos got out from the tonnage of Russell Wilson. They got Bo Nix, who will be free for four years. So, yeah, I didn't. I didn't like it at all. I. I just think, you know, we could always take shots at Cleveland, but I've always been a Stefanski fan, and I have people that really like Andrew Barry. I think this is a really easy deal to make. And then, by the way, you slide down to five. Now, a lot of people think Mason Graham is more in the 8 to 12 range as a draft pick because it's ceilings low. And I think in most years, that would be fair. One of the people that loved what Cleveland did didn't love Mason Graham as a number five pick. He said he's closer to 10 than he is to five. But again, he's going to start, you know, in that. In that division. It's. It's a northern division. It's a rugged division. Did you like what Cleveland did at five with Graham after making a pretty shrewd move to get all those picks?
- [06:24]
John Middlekauff
Yeah. To me, that note that I wrote down, I mean, Travis Hunter for Cleveland doesn't do that much. Right. I mean, they're several players away, and their quarterback situation is a disaster. When you think Mason Graham and you watch the way Michigan's played the last couple of years, obviously in that area, too, ideal for the AFC north, like that. That'd be my thing. Like, that guy is just made to play in cold weather against Pittsburgh against Baltimore. Yeah, teams that want to play physical, slow down the game. So I listen, this is draft. I mean, McMillan went eight, Kelvin Banks went nine. I mean, this wasn't exactly Tony Bacilli, you know, and Miles Garrett coming off the board here right in this range. So I have no problem with going Mason Graham to me, they could have taken me and you Colin, the moment they made that trade, Cleveland won the draft.
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Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
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John Middlekauff
They get next year's to me the likelihood of Jacksonville first time head coach, young coaching staff. I mean they could easily be a 5, 6 win team. We do not know if their quarterback is good and he has struggled to stay healthy. And I get Liam Cohen had a big year with Baker Mayfield, but Baker he didn't resurrect. Baker Mayfield was good the previous year too. That's how Dave Canales got a job. So it's not like he just made Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield's now had two good years in a row.
- [07:38]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
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John Middlekauff
So I, I, I, I think the, the Cleveland again could have taken anybody the moment they got the future one. And the second think how often we see good players get drafted in the 30s. Happens every year regardless how good the draft is because the same type player is there in the mid-30s. It can be impact starters that you get for like $1.5 million a year.
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Colin Cowherd
Yeah, yeah. And that's what to your point is Cleveland gets Jacksonville's first round pick next year. What's crazy about that is that could be a top six pick easy. I mean that is nuts.
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John Middlekauff
We've seen it happen a couple years in a row where the Lions benefited. The one year when they had the Stafford trade and the Rams had that awful year and McVeigh like thought about quitting football to go work at Amazon. They got a top what they got the six pick that they turned into La Porta and Gibbs. We saw it the year when Denver was awful in Seattle, got a really high pick and took Witherspoon. We have seen these future ones on. It's usually a player trade. Russell Wilson, Matt Stafford, whatever. But sometimes on a draft day trade. Remember Chicago traded from 20 to 11.
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Colin Cowherd
Yes.
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John Middlekauff
With the Giants and then they were terrible the next year and the Giants got multiple picks in the top 10. Now you still got to make the right pick with, with that selection but the amount of flexibility if you let's, let's assume Cleveland isn't going to be that good. I mean their quarterback situation disaster. If I tell you next year they have pick five and nine, you got.
- [09:12]
Colin Cowherd
A lot to work with that. That's why they made the move. This was a real obvious one to me and I had mentioned this multiple times you Geno Smith with a run game throwing on play action is actually a pretty good quarterback. He's very Sam Darnold when he gave Sam a little protection and a run game and he can throw when nobody's quite sure he's throwing. He's very effective. When you force Darnold or Geno Smith to throw on third and 11 or they have to throw it a beat fast, that's when you get the mistakes. I thought Genti and I also wonder this. If you look at Pete Carroll's history, he's old school. Yeah. Marshawn Lynch, Reggie Bush, Lindale White, his great teams have had stars in the backfield which sets the table for his offense. Pete hates mistakes by quarterbacks and Geno doesn't make a ton when he's throwing on play action. So I think Genty, I love that pick for the Raiders.
- [10:10]
John Middlekauff
I have been probably one of the counterculture movements here with this Aston Genti like hype. I mean people have been comparing Barry Sanders or you know, Ladanian Tomlinson. I think anytime that you compare a player to the greatest of all time, it's like when you're comparing Cam Ward to Patrick Mahomes. We got to tell you to pump the brakes. Yeah, but I, you know, listen. Kenneth Walker, who was picked later when he was healthy for Seattle with Charbonnet, their run game was good. Like you said, Gino was really, really good. My issue here is like I have experience in the Mountain West. I, I know the difference in the competition relative to the Big Ten and obviously the sec. It is dramatic. Now in, in an individual like in a vacuum. He has a special talent and he had the opportunity to surely go to Texas or Ohio State. He turned down money. So it wasn't like people didn't want him. But like playing against Washington State, New Mexico, Fresno State and San Diego State is going to be a little different animal than the Chargers, Denver and Kansas City, which you could argue is the best defensive division in the sport. We know Minter how good the Chargers are. So it's just going to be difficult for him. We saw this year. You know, I don't. The Raiders offensive line is okay, but it's going to be tough. I just, I get it. I honestly thought they would go with a lineman there, especially a defensive lineman. You know, remember Pete Carroll over the years has now it hasn't always worked out. Bruce Irvin, I thought he would be aggressive there but you know, they swung for the fences. It gives him some star power. There's no disputing it makes them more interesting to watch because they, they were an unwatchable product the last couple of years. So Austin, Genti, P. Carroll, Geno Smith. I'll pay attention. I still, I mean I'm not picking Them to win that many games based on what we, what we have on the roster right now.
- [11:56]
Colin Cowherd
Colston Loveland was plus 650 to be the number 10 pick. He, he's a very unique player. So I know three. I mean the Rams and Chargers both liked him. The Bears obviously liked him. And even with Cole Comet, they now have DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Comet, Colston Loveland. They went and got Dolman, the center from Atlanta, Joe Tuney. They like their right tackle. I was texting somebody in the league about this and we. One of the things we both landed at was the future of this franchise. They've never had a great quarterback is Caleb Williams. You have to make it work. You know the talents there. And this is like an, this is like weapons. Plus plus plus plus plus you have to make this work.
- [12:41]
John Middlekauff
I don't remember a young quarterback on a second year of a rookie deal getting more help. They go outside Ben Johnson, who's I would say one of the more hyped ocs of the last decade. Yeah, they. You mentioned, you forgot the Rams offensive lineman that they also traded for the Ben Johnson had coached in Detroit. So they get a new center, two new guards. They already had invested vested in tackles. D.J. moore is one of the more versatile players in the league. They invested the ninth pick last year into Roma Dunes.
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Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
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John Middlekauff
So it's like if you're a Chicago, their defensive personnel is already good and they have an established defensive coordinator in Dennis Allen coming. You know, the hype that was behind the Bears last year I thought was crazy. I do think there's some substance now behind this. Now I don't know if it's going to work. I got to let it breathe here for a month or two. But there is, you know, legitimate pieces on the offensive and defensive line. A play caller that knows what he's doing, a defensive coordinator. You know, Ibrahuss had to be the defensive coordinator and the head coach. He was completely over his head as a head coach. Good defensive coordinator. Now Dennis Allen can just focus on the defense. Ben can just be the head coach, slash the offensive coordinator and really just focus on Caleb. To me the question is going to be and I think this is the working thing with all these young quarterbacks moving in the league. Can they teach him to get rid of the ball quicker and play in a more rhythm timing offense, run the ball more like they did in Detroit because. And the one thing they got going against them is the division's really, really good. So it's, it's not like it's it's hard to win 10 games, especially a franchise that has not been winning. But I would feel much. I know the hype was so crazy last year behind the Bears. If I was a Bears fan right now, I would just feel like we have a real identity and team right now.
- [14:23]
Colin Cowherd
Well, and I also think if you go look at what happens at the end of the year, it is really hard even if you have a great defensive team. Remember, statistically, defensive players get hurt more than offensive players. It's a more reckless side of the ball. And, and so what if you start looking at the end of years? Great Niner defenses two, three years ago can get carved up. Good Philadelphia defenses can get carved up. And my takeaway is if you're like, Pittsburgh's got all sorts of defensive talent. The Bears are like, listen, historically, go over the last 15 years, they've had very good defensive players. If you're going to be, if you're going to be heavy on one side of the ball, if you're going to make mistakes, if Roman Dante is a mistake, it's the right side of the ball to make a mistake, not a safety or an off ball linebacker. Like I look at it and I think to myself, there are not a lot of teams in this league, John, that have Cole commit, Colston Loveland at tight end. And by the way, for a young quarterback, tight ends are a great ally.
- [15:29]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, two things. You know, we talk so much. The hype on Tyler Warren, I mean, his team, because Michigan was bad this year and Loveland had gotten injured, he became kind of the apple of everyone's eye. He's massive. Well, it's not like Loveland, small. He's basically 6, 6, 2, 50. He's huge. How about Harbaugh as a talent evaluator? I mean, I think they set a record last year for guys getting drafted in a class. They just, they had an awful team this year. They had three guys get drafted in the, in the top 13 picks. Two of them were defensive tackles. I mean, I mean, Harbaugh say what you want, that guy can evaluate young men to play football. Holy moly.
- [16:09]
Colin Cowherd
Well, and, and, and by the way, that's why when the Charger, I remember talking to Dean Spanish about this, I said, you're going to get the next two years. You guys will draft as well as anybody because Jim recruited all these players. It was about the third year, the first two years for Pete Carroll in Seattle, probably the first two to three years, Pete crushed the draft. And then by year four, five and six. You just lose a connectivity to college football. But but Harbaugh last year. Great draft. This year will be a stupendous draft and he's probably got them one more year where you recruited guys and saw him on tape. The NBA 82 game grind is done. Now the real fun begins. The NBA playoffs. Love them. They're here. Time for drama. Clutch moments. Steph Curry, LeBron jaw dropping plays. I can't wait. If you're looking to make the playoffs Even more exciting, DraftKings sportsbook has you covered. They're the official sports betting partner of the NBA, playing games all the way to the Finals. Now's the time to back your favorite players and teams as they chase. So all season long, DraftKings been the go to spot for NBA player props. That doesn't stop now. If you want to make your playoff experience even more intense, try placing a bet on your favorite player's performance. Will they drop 30? 40? Who knows? Or more? It's your call. If you're ready to place your first bet, download the DraftKings sportsbook app. Takes 90 seconds. Lock in your bets and let's make the playoffs. Unforgettable. Here's something special for first timers. DraftKings customers that are new bet five bucks. That's it. Five bucks and get 200 in bonus bets instantly. Just make it a playoff run. To remember with DraftKings, download their sportsbook app. Takes 90 seconds. The code's come Colin C O L I N. That is code Colin. New customers get 200 bucks in bonus bets. Betting just five only on DraftKings. The crown is yours.
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- [21:16]
John Middlekauff
We've told you what last year's playoff teams need to return to the postseason.
- [21:20]
Colin Cowherd
And how teams with new coaches should approach the draft.
- [21:22]
John Middlekauff
So as draft season comes to a close, we've got you covered. Before your favorite team goes on the clock. We'll break it all down once all 257 picks have been made.
- [21:31]
Colin Cowherd
Listen to the 40s and free agents podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. You know I love the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Have I, have I told you this before they went and drafted Emika Egbuca, the wide receiver at Ohio State? I, I believe most general managers believe he is one of one the best receiver or the only receiver to be a first round receiver. I think the Texas kid is a late first rounder. Everybody I talk to love him and what's great is he can play sideline, but he didn't take that many snaps outside for Ohio State for obvious reasons. They're stacked at quarterback with Jeremiah Smith or at receiver, they're stacked. They don't need sideline receivers. He would be a sideline receiver or a slot receiver at any other program in the country except like Ohio State and Alabama because they have so many great players. So he'll come in and immediately play for them. I think he is a prime example because he's not a burner, John. He's a prime example of maturity, interviews, professionalism that could have moved him up 10 to 12 spots. He was considered a second round talent the minute the season ended. His value beyond being excellent is he is considered a mature in a league where we're having wide receiver divas emerge like every weekend. I think his personality is a huge part of him going this high.
- [23:14]
John Middlekauff
Well, one thing I remember the stat last year when the week one is that Tampa had like 43 or 44 drafted players on their 53 man roster. Jason Light has been, if not the best, a top two or three drafter over the last five or six years. And when you look in the, you know, the Baker that you originally started talking about back at Oklahoma is a completely different human being now. Tampa's got a really high level team, you know, from Worfs to Mike Evans to Vita Vea. I mean their guys on their squad are just like, honestly, Jason Light comes from New England and I'm talking the variable brusque New England days with Tom Brady. He's kind of built that version with Baker Mayfield as his quarterback. Super smart, super tough.
- [24:01]
Colin Cowherd
Steve Keim told me he thought Jason was one of the best scouts he'd ever followed. Kaim told me because I always. Kaim got in and got into a discussion with me about two years ago. We're smoking cigars and I said, you ever noticed every Buccaneers team is stacked? They just couldn't get the quarterback right before Brady. But like. And he goes, oh, yeah, it's Jason. He goes, that he is, he is as good a scout as we've had in this league. He goes, he just didn't miss. He was so good. You know, that's. And that's how you become a gm. You're a great scout. Initially.
- [24:35]
John Middlekauff
Well, they built their offensive line from taking smaller school tackles and turn them into guards and centers. And, you know, obviously they've had Mike Evans to kind of settle in Vita Vea as like stalwart players, minus, you know, separate from Tom Brady. But yeah, I mean, you tell me he could have drafted anybody, I'd be like, yeah, I like the pick. Now, like you said, I mean, this guy, what didn't he set records at Ohio State for yards, catches, games? I mean, he's a, he's a stud. The other thing is when you go to a team that has, I mean, they, they resigned Godwin, they got him on a cheaper number because remember, he shattered his ankle. Obviously they still have Evans, this guy, the pressure on him to. They're not going to need him to catch 70 balls next year. Their running game last year with Bucky Irving, I mean, their team, honestly, they in a weird way underachieved because they had so many injuries the second half of the season on defense, they couldn't stop anybody. To me, if they are healthy, this, there's a pretty big gap in that division. If they're healthy, like between them and the number two team. Like, the only reason it was close between them and Atlanta this year is because they had a million injuries on defense, but, like, they're a much better run organization. You know what Baker's turned into. Like, there's no disputing Baker's really become the last two years a top 10 quarterback and clearly just his maturation, like, like a lot of us guys, you know, late 20s, it kicks in, he gets married, has a kid and he's a different guy. And as a player, he plays much faster, slim down his arms, always been great. And now he's got three with a buka with Mike Evans and Godwin. I mean, it's. And running backs and a good offensive line. I mean, their offense should be really good. Colin.
- [26:18]
Colin Cowherd
Now, if you look at the draft so far, there's only two players that I believe can Turn losses into wins. Cam Ward at Tennessee replacing Will Levis. If I told you they won four more games just simply because of significant upgrade at quarterback in that division, I think we both go, yeah, yeah. I mean Cam Ward to Will Levis is a D to a B and the other player that, I mean this draft is not exceptional. I do think Ashton Genty will be a pretty spectacular player for the Raiders. And with Chip Kelly's brain, Brock Bowers, Geno Smith. This is not a draft where people are changing outcomes. Jaden Daniels changed outcomes. We thought Caleb Williams would it. Bo Nix changed outcomes. I could argue that Tennessee and Vegas will be because of their first round players. Would you agree? Noticeably more dynamic offenses in an offensive league.
- [27:20]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, I think there's been one team minimum from the top five that has made the playoffs over the last five years. And you know, I remember when the 49ers had the number two overall pick and they took Bosa and then all of a sudden they had a 13 win team and they were in the Super bowl in 2019. I don't know if there's one of those teams here, but I'm with you. I mean they lost Josh Jacobs last year, the Raiders and their running game was a Joe. I mean they were just, they were in bad shape as an organization. So anytime you get a guy that, that is that good. But like I said, you know, going from the Mountain west, he's a fantastic prospect and a fantastic. His, his, his tape this year looked like a high school kid going to Nick Saban in his prime. But it's a pretty big difference. I mean their division is really, really hard and you know, Cleveland I think is cool with setting back. I do think there's a lot of pressure on Will Campbell. He is a guy that if we assume that the Patriots are going to be a viable, you know, low level like kind of like Denver was this year operation, they're going to need Will Campbell to. They don't need to be Trent Williams, but can he just be a starter, a solid player that you can kind of rely on immediately? There's going to be, listen, the arm length thing, people push back but it's, it's. I know it's crazy to sound like an inch is a make or break deal, but historically it is difficult out there on edge. Think how many teams now have good pass rushers.
- [28:41]
Colin Cowherd
Okay, the Chargers select Omarion Hampton, the running back from North Carolina. Okay, so this is interesting. So I went to dinner with Greg Roman, the offensive coordinator for the Chargers. He was on Friday night. And you know, he's not going to give me any intel, but we, we really talked a lot about football and what the team needed and I wasn't going to pry information, but the one thing that we, you know, we agreed with, I said I wouldn't be shocked if you guys didn't go tight end, running back, interior, off lineman, wide receiver. And you know, Greg acknowledged, he goes, listen, we got good players, but we probably need a little juice. We probably need a little bit more juice. And, and that's that. And I said, do you like Colston Loveland? He's like, everybody likes Colston Loveland. Do you like Hampton? He goes, everybody likes Hampton. So I mean this to me. Najee Harris and Hampton. Okay? Now with Joe Alt last year, Rashawn Slater at left tackle. John this is a Jim Harbaugh football team. I picked them to win their division this year. This is a Jim Harbaugh football team. Between those two, pick a power running speed guy. Najee Harris, by the way, similar. He didn't have the burst of Hampton, but Najee Harris is a power running back. I mean, Even last year, J.K. dobbins, who's got some girth to him, got some size, this is really starting to feel like a Jim Harbaugh team.
- [30:08]
John Middlekauff
Well, if you had to bet right now, who's going to have the better career? Omarion Hampton with Harbaugh, who's I think going to retire as the Chargers coach and Genty with the Raider situation, you would have to bet on Jim Harbaugh and his running back. So, you know, I, I think a lot of teams in the league thought that Omarion Hampton was a big time player. Now Genti got all the buzz and all the hype. This guy's a stud. Colin, I, they're, they gave Naji Harris some money. I mean, think about the discussion when DK Metcalf was on the block that the Chargers are going to go trade for him. It's like, guys, I never understand these people making these, these guesses about what Harbaugh is going to do that is just so different from what he's done for 15, 20 years. Offensive linemen, running backs, he'll, he'll take another linebacker. I mean, it's the way he builds his team. They're going to be good. I mean, I, I, it was pretty clear last year with Denver and with the Chargers. That was going to be the worst version of those two teams. Sean Payton and him moving forward. That's why the pressure on, you know, Veech And Andy feel it like we got to stay. We got to keep nailing picks, we got to keep being good because these guys are coming. And, and listen, I'm not trying to be a Raider hater here. They're going to be better, but from a roster standpoint, to me, they're clearly the fourth operation in this division.
- [31:28]
Colin Cowherd
So if you look at what they have now, they have their quarterback and Justin Herbert, they have their left and right tackle Slater and Joe Alt. They have Najee Harris who was clearly underutilized and under coached in Pittsburgh. I mean, he even admitted Najee Harris acknowledged we didn't really have, we didn't really have an identity in Pittsburgh, which they don't offensively. Now you've got Hampton the breakaway runner and Najee Harris the power runner. The offense now, now they're going to go interior, all lineman, sideline receiver and tight end at some point in this draft. That's where they're going. It feels like, it feels like to me this is one of the more predictable teams in the draft because the defense, let's face it, last year it overachieved or at least achieved to the level it should have with Brandon Staley. I think the Chargers, I think everybody in the ballpark knows what that Greg Roman needs juice and he just got a powder keg of it.
- [32:27]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, I mean, I saw Greg Roman a decade ago with Frank Gore kicking everyone's ass. And that Harbaugh team, their best receiver was Michael Crabtree. And I think we all believe that Justin Herbert has a chance. I know he had a really bad playoff game. Peyton Manning had a bunch. I mean the NFL, you don't get a seven game series. So you have a bad playoff game, it leaves the stink in everyone's mouth. Do you want to sell Justin Herbert stock? I'll buy some. I would imagine. Greg Roman says, like, we like this quarterback a lot and I don't blame him. So I, I think the Chargers, listen, I mean, I, if I was a betting man, I would say that Jim Harbaugh is going to end his coaching career as a Super bowl champion. Now, it might not happen in 2025, but they are going to be a major, major factor not just in the afc, but in the NFL, I think over the next several years. I mean this guy is basically 6 foot 225 pounds, ran a 4, 4, 5. This guy's a stud. I mean this guy, part of when you draft this player, he's going to be with a nucleus of Alt and Slater and Herbert. Now for the next five, six years like this is part of that nucleus with some of the guys they drafted last year. And to me, Abnaji, you know, for a while he, he got overdrafted.
- [33:39]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [33:39]
John Middlekauff
Looking back, you know, he's a first round pick, but he's, he's not that good, but he's a good role player. And I think sometimes in Pittsburgh they were very dependent on him. Now he just gets to be a role player for Jim Harbaugh who will mix these running backs in with Greg Roman and they will run the ball down your throat. They're going to play defense and run the ball down your throat. He's been doing it. I mean, he probably wished he could have done it when he was a quarterback and he's been doing it ever since he was a coach. So I, I couldn't be any more bullish on the Chargers least shocking pick so far. The night Harpo took, took a running back in the first round.
- [34:10]
Colin Cowherd
The Rams. So there were two beliefs with the LA Rams. They really liked Colston Loveland and they really liked Brock Bowers last year. So McVeigh who has a history with tight ends, would like to get a tight end. But I had talked to Les Sneed during the off season. I talked to him probably two months ago and we just had a text exchange and he said, listen, it wouldn't crush us if we moved out of the first round because they don't have a second round pick. So yeah, hold on.
- [34:50]
John Middlekauff
They traded with Atlanta. So the Giants traded with the Texans.
- [34:57]
Colin Cowherd
And then so The Falcons at 26 take James Pierce the edge from Tennessee. So Atlantis had a lousy pass rush forever. So I mean they've, they have struggled with a pass rush, so that is predictable. They got Matt Jude on last year from the New England Patriots they thought would help.
- [35:23]
John Middlekauff
Listen to this, Colin, Listen what Les need just did. So they traded with the Falcons. They get their second round pick, which is pick 46. They get next year's first round pick.
- [35:35]
Colin Cowherd
Oh, Jesus. So the Rams have two ones next year.
- [35:39]
John Middlekauff
So the Rams. Now have you said they did not have a second round pick? Yeah, the Rams. So the rams get a second round pick now pick 46 as their first pick of this draft and they get next year's Falcons one.
- [35:51]
Colin Cowherd
Wow. And that will be a top 15 pick.
- [35:57]
John Middlekauff
You would think that that seems to get to trade up to get James Pierce.
- [36:02]
Colin Cowherd
Colin, I think that's Schneider.
- [36:05]
John Middlekauff
I think that's insane. I mean some of these, some of these trades. Colin, I just, I don't understand that my mind around. I'm at a loss for words.
- [36:16]
Colin Cowherd
You just got Atlanta's first round pick for James Pierce, the third to fourth best edge rusher in not a great edge rusher class.
- [36:30]
John Middlekauff
At least if you're trading a future first round pick and you get Travis Hunter, a guy that's never unprecedented what the guy just did probably since leather helmets, someone playing both ways. Right.
- [36:39]
Colin Cowherd
So it was that I'm. You're looking at.
- [36:40]
John Middlekauff
I think it's crazy but. But I given a future first round pick to do it like at least you could justify it in the room. James Pierce, decent rusher. I mean at pick 25 you don't trade a future first round pick to trade up for a player in the 20s. That's a, that, that, that can happen. Especially a D lineman.
- [36:59]
Colin Cowherd
Holy.
- [37:00]
John Middlekauff
What defensive lineman. Is he off the board? Six or seven. Think how many guys have already come off the board that all these teams passed on.
- [37:08]
Colin Cowherd
Jesus.
- [37:09]
John Middlekauff
It'd be one thing if someone was falling because of a, you know like a Laramie Tunzel bong issue or something. You're like, well this guy should have been the fourth pick in the draft. We're going all in. He's one of the most talented guys. That's crazy.
- [37:24]
Colin Cowherd
Well also so the Rams will have two number one picks next year. There's an Atlanta. So you're going to probably get one that's a top 15 and one that's somewhere in the 20s. But remember Stafford, there's a sense in the room. Stafford's got two years with the Rams left. So next year is the year you would draft a quarterback or later in this round, later in this draft, like fourth round. Kyle McCord, Syracuse again. I feel like Cleveland took Jacksonville to the cleaners and I feel like the Rams took Atlanta to the cleaners.
- [38:00]
John Middlekauff
How often I don't ever remember a team getting another team's first round pick.
- [38:07]
Colin Cowherd
In a bad draft for the fifth.
- [38:09]
John Middlekauff
Best edge rusher that was drafting 26. Usually when you accumulate those first round picks, you're drafting really, really high. That has to be a first in, in the Internet era, I'm drafting 26 and I trade back and I get the team's first round pick. And I'm not trading a player, right. I'm not, I'm not trading, you know, for DK Metcalf or Tyreek Hill or something. I'm literally just trading you pick 26. Now the Rams also gave their third round pick this year, so.
- [38:36]
Colin Cowherd
Well, they have two thirds and a fourth. So, so they have a second now they have a second, a third, a fourth and four sixes. They don't have a lot of needs, John. They need a corner, an inside linebacker. They could use a tight end and an offensive tackle. They have four needs.
- [38:55]
John Middlekauff
And I understand that, that Sean and Raheem are good buddies, but that felt like taking advantage of everybody. Now I do Wonder for the GM Terry Fontenot, for Raheem Morris, I mean, that owners mid-80s, he has unlimited amounts of money. And you've talked about this for a long time. These owners now in basketball and football are firing guys. Paying you $30 million away is couch change to them. I wonder if these guys pissed off the owner last year because they got over aggressive with Cousins and then they fell in love with what's Penix after. And then Cousins sucked. Now the owner's meeting with Cousins, you know, because he's pissed off. He just gave him $90 million. And cousins got a no trade clause. So it's not easy to just deal them. He's kind of got them by the balls and let's. And then they missed the playoffs last year. You know, they hire the biggest staff in the league and Raheem goes, well, we plan on losing coaches because he's acting like we're going to be really good. They go under.500. I wonder if that owner's like, you guys better win and win now. I don't know how much longer I have. There's pressure on you guys. This felt like one of those. Like there's pressure from above.
- [40:08]
Colin Cowherd
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- [41:40]
John Middlekauff
We've told you what last year's playoff teams need to return to the postseason.
- [41:43]
Colin Cowherd
And how teams with new coaches should approach the draft.
- [41:46]
John Middlekauff
So as draft season comes to a close, we've got you covered. Before your favorite team goes on the clock, we'll break it all down once all 257 picks have been made.
- [41:55]
Colin Cowherd
Listen to the 40s and free agents podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [42:04]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country, and our media couldn't be more polarizing. That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation. Each week, we hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country. And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses 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.