The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: Brian Baldinger Joins!

Date: March 5, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a pivotal NFL offseason news cycle, examining recent blockbuster trades and the shifting strategies of major franchises. Special guest Brian Baldinger (“Baldi’s Breakdowns”, NFL Network) shares live insights from the NFL Combine, evaluating key prospects and the impact of recent trades. With NFL free agency and the draft looming, Colin, J-Mac (Jason McIntyre), and Baldinger debate the value of draft picks vs. proven talent, which teams are rising or falling, and offer candid takes on the futures of players like DJ Moore, Maxx Crosby, Trent McDuffie, Russell Wilson, and Kyler Murray.

Key Topics & Insights

1. DJ Moore & Recent NFL Trades

(Starts ~01:04, main discussion resumes 15:02)

• Blockbuster Move:
  DJ Moore traded from the Chicago Bears to the Buffalo Bills (with a fifth-round pick); Bears receive a second-round pick (#60).
• Colin’s Take:
  “I think Buffalo got a really good player and the Bears got a really good pick [...] DJ Moore has a missing start forever, so I like it.” (01:04)
• On the Bears' Strategy:
  Chicago likely creates cap space to target Maxx Crosby. Colin highlights: “Maxx Crosby is so much better than anybody you're going to draft at the end of the first round.” (~05:29)
• On the Bills:
  Baldinger calls Moore a genuine #1 receiver and explains: “When he came out of Maryland, honestly I thought he was a running back with wide receiver skills… breaks a lot of tackles, very powerful, good after the catch.” (16:47)

2. Rams' Ongoing Big-Name Trades

(06:05, resumed at 17:40)

• Trent McDuffie Trade:
  Rams acquire Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie for a 1st and 3rd-round pick; Rams have now traded their first-round pick in 9 of the last 10 years.
• Colin’s Analysis:
  “It’s not that the Rams undervalue picks, but is it possible the rest of the league mostly overvalues picks?” (03:10)
• Baldinger Wonders:
  Surprised Chiefs parted ways with McDuffie – “He could play any style of defense you want: slot, out wide, travel with receivers… best secondary player.”
  Chiefs' decision tied to cap and positional priorities.

3. Draft Philosophy: Are First-Round Picks Overrated?

(04:13)

• Multiple Ways to Build:
  Colin: “Success and excellence in the NFL once again is not just one framework… Seahawks do it through the draft, Rams go big game hunting… There’s no one way to do anything.”

4. NBA Tangent: SGA, Free Throws, and Player Perception

(07:04–11:13)

• Colin Defends SGA’s Style:
  “You love Michael’s game and they lived at the free throw line. You just don’t like [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s] game because it’s not flashy.”
• Comparison:
  SGA compared to JSN (Seahawks WR): “Neither are truly gifted athletically… but both ascend statistically every year because of work ethic, manipulation, IQ, EQ.” (09:27)
• SGA on His Game:
  “I just felt like I hadn’t got a shot in a long time… I tried to reject [the screen] to get space… stepped into it and knocked [the shot down].” (10:41)

5. Brian Baldinger at the NFL Combine – Prospect Analysis

(15:02–24:48)

Offensive Line Prospects

• Francis Mauigoa (Miami):
  “Looks like an all-pro guard to me right now… [He’s] Zach Martin or Quinton Nelson playing tackle, knowing they’ll be a pro guard.” (19:09)

Edge Rush/Arm Length Debate

• Reuben Bain (Miami):
  “He really showed his versatility… His suddenness sort of nullifies some of the short arm arguments… He’s a tough kid, NFL will feel easy after [Miami’s camp].” (20:27)

Skill Positions

• Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame, RB):
  “I love him… Catches like a wide receiver, as soon as you turn on tape, you see his speed. If you want to put him in the category of Saquon, Bijan, and Jahmyr [Gibbs], that’s fair.” (21:47)

Standouts at Combine

• Kenyan Sadiq:
  “Too smooth… everything he does just stands out—4.4 speed at his size.”
• Sonny Styles & David Bailey:
  Sonny Styles: “At 6’5”, 244, he moved incredibly well... will erase much of the middle of the field defensively.”
  Bailey: “Not Von Miller, but all his testing reminds you of Von... the best start of any pass rusher.” (22:42)

Concerns on Specific Prospects

• Lemon (Auburn EDGE):
  Baldinger worried about beating press and physicality: “He didn't look like he had the physical quality to beat that… that’d be my one concern.” (24:17)

6. NFL Offseason Forecasts & Team Hierarchies

(25:26–29:09, 40:03–47:24)

• Bills' Positioning after Moore Trade:
  Colin ranks them as top 4 in AFC—“Offensively they have all the components to be great.” (26:24)
• Power Rankings (Colin & J-Mac):
  • NFC: Rams, Seattle, Chicago, Buffalo, Denver… [Chargers, New England, Detroit, Green Bay, Texans]. (27:48)
• Maxx Crosby’s Next Destination:
  J-Mac: “Headline for Maxx Crosby: ‘Sack to the future – Motor City unleashes Mad Max!’ I think the Detroit Lions make a big splash and go after Maxx Crosby to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.” (40:03)
• Kenneth Walker (Seahawks RB):
  J-Mac: “Giants make a splash move, going for Kenneth Walker… Get a strong run game to protect their young QB.” (41:45)
• AJ Brown Trade Possibility:
  Headline: “Turn that Brown upside down – AJ all smiles in new nest. Baltimore Ravens add a number one for Lamar Jackson.” (43:30)

7. Russell Wilson & Sean Payton Fallout

(29:09–31:47)

• Russ on Payton:
  “I got the same amount of rings as you got... I got a lot of respect as a play caller... but to take a shot, I don’t like, I don’t think it’s necessary.” (29:29)
• Colin's Response:
  “I don’t know that I’ve ever heard an NFL player play the rings argument… That’s an NBA argument isn’t it?” (30:03)
• Discussion:
  Russell rarely fires back. Both hosts think he’s within rights to defend himself, but question the “rings” line if Payton wins another.

8. Kyler Murray: Baseball Option?

(31:47–34:50)

• Discussion of a Possible Switch to the MLB:
  Colin: “The idea you can just walk in and play? Not going to happen… Baseball now is so much more global, so much talent, it’s like golf in terms of repetitions.”
• J-Mac points out:
  “He was a first-round pick… with his size, maybe he’s got a Ricky Henderson strike zone.” (34:37)

9. Predictions: Tomorrow’s Headlines Today

(40:03–47:24)

• Best and worst NFL offseasons:

  • Worst: “Die-nasty – Chiefs crown looking a little wobbly.” (45:02)
  • Best: “It was all a dream – Titans read the playbook magazine.” (46:27)

• On Future Trades:

  • Lions go all-in for Crosby.
  • Ravens acquire A.J. Brown.
  • Giants pursue Kenneth Walker.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Colin on NFL Team Building:
  “There’s no one way to do anything. Hell, Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan both made a Batman movie—they both worked, and they were very different.” (~04:00)

• Baldinger on Francis Mauigoa (Miami O-line):
  “He’s a stud... Feels like Zach Martin or Quinton Nelson at Notre Dame playing tackle knowing that they’re gonna be an all-pro guard… Not a bad thing.” (19:09)

• Baldinger on Reuben Bain:
  “He’s been coached by Jason Taylor; they practice hard every day; he’s a tough kid… I don’t think [arm length] is going to affect him.” (20:27)

• Colin on the SGA Free Throw Criticism:
  “You love Michael’s game... you just don’t like his game because it’s not flashy, it’s not fun to watch.” (08:38)

• Russell Wilson on Sean Payton:
  “It’s one thing for people that maybe aren’t in the field... when you’ve been in the ring or you’ve been on the same side... I got the same amount of rings you got.” (29:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 01:04 | DJ Moore trade & initial reaction | | 05:29 | NFL team-building/debate on picks | | 07:04 | NBA: SGA, perception vs. reality | | 10:41 | SGA post-game sound | | 15:02 | Brian Baldinger on Combine, prospects | | 16:47 | DJ Moore’s impact in Buffalo (Baldinger) | | 19:09 | Francis Mauigoa breakdown | | 20:27 | Edge rushers/arm length debate (Reuben Bain) | | 21:47 | Standout RBs & Combine insights | | 24:17 | Lemon concern in draft | | 25:26 | NFL team hierarchy, Bills’ place in AFC & NFC | | 29:09 | Russell Wilson–Sean Payton rift | | 31:47 | Kyler Murray to MLB? | | 40:03 | “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today”: trades & predictions | | 45:02 | Chiefs predicted to have worst offseason | | 46:27 | Titans projected to have best offseason | | 49:09 | Sports week ahead, World Baseball Classic, March Madness|

Summary Flow & Tone

This episode is classic “Herd”: fast-paced, opinionated, broad NFL coverage with expert analysis and behind-the-scenes insights—delivered in Colin’s signature witty and direct style. Baldinger’s football geekery grounds the show with combine observations and technical insight, while J-Mac’s “tomorrow’s headlines” keeps it predictive and bold, peppering in playful banter.

For Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’ve captured:

• The logic and ramifications of big NFL trades.
• How team-building strategies diverge (draft vs. big moves).
• Deep scouting commentary on NFL prospects and combine outliers.
• Honest assessments of player-team fits for major new arrivals.
• Predictions for where the next wave of action will be—particularly on Maxx Crosby and A.J. Brown.
• NFL news, player feuds, and wider sports context as March’s sports sprint hits full gear.