The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 3 (March 4, 2026)

Main Theme: NFL Offseason Moves, Rams-Chiefs Blockbuster, and Colin's Top 15 NFL Draft Picks

Episode Overview

In this hour, Colin Cowherd dives into the major NFL news of the day: a blockbuster trade between the Rams and Chiefs involving elite corner Trent McDuffie. He delivers his version of a mock draft, focusing on the top 15 picks based on his personal approach as a GM. The hour features lively debate and analysis on these predictions with Rob Parker, plus NFL insider Albert Breer providing context on the trade market, team strategies, and quarterback rumors.

1. Breaking News: Rams-Chiefs Trent McDuffie Trade

[01:52, 20:27, 21:20, 22:41]

• The Rams acquired Trent McDuffie from Kansas City in exchange for a significant package: a first, fifth, and sixth round pick this year, and a third rounder next year.
• Colin Cowherd: “The Chiefs are in a competitive rebuild. Not a traditional rebuild, but they get a first, a fifth, a sixth, and Kansas City with two first round picks.” [01:52]
• The Rams address a glaring weakness after being shredded by the Seahawks’ offense last season.
• Albert Breer shares that the Chiefs recognized the contract market for McDuffie was only escalating and opted to leverage his value now:
  “This sort of sets up like the Tyreek Hill deal did... it gives them an opportunity to reset a bunch of things in their roster and they drafted really well in the aftermath of the Tyreek Hill deal.” [21:49]

2. Colin’s Top 15 “If I Were GM” NFL Draft Picks

[02:00–12:42, 26:20, 31:30]

Instead of the usual mock draft, Colin drafts as if he were each team’s GM, reasoning through team needs and player strengths.

Picks 1-5 Breakdown:

• 1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB) — "Easily the best quarterback prospect. Rookie contract, big arm, gratitude, Heisman winner." [02:40]
• 2. Jets: David Bailey (Edge) — “Best pure edge... plug and play guy. Will be starting the first week.” [03:18]
• 3. Cardinals: Francis Maui Noah (OL) — To shore up a 26th-ranked offensive line.
• 4. Titans: Arvell Reese (Edge/Hybrid) — "Too talented for Robert Sala to pass on."
• 5. Giants: Caleb Downs (S) — “Best safety in the draft... didn’t even have to perform at the combine; that good.” [05:15]

Notable Themes

• Several Buckeyes projected early, including Carnell Tate (Browns), Sonny Styles (Bengals), Arvell Reese (Titans), and Mansoor Delane (Commanders).
• Cowherd: “I have both the Browns and Bengals drafting kids that played their college football in state.” [13:38]
• Emphasis on immediate impact players, especially for organizations under pressure.

Notable Player Quotes

• On David Bailey vs. Arvell Reese:
  “Bailey comes in day one edge rusher. You’ve got your edge guys set for the next five years.” — Cowherd [16:35]

Picks 6-15 Key Selections:

• 6. Browns: Carnell Tate (WR)—"Feels like a can’t miss guy to me."
• 7. Commanders: Mansoor Delane (CB)— "Best corner in the draft for a team Washington that needs it."
• 8. Saints: Jeremiah Love (RB)—"Jameer Gibbs of this draft, a home run hitter."
• 9. Chiefs: Spencer Fano (OT)—"They need to protect Mahomes and revamp the run game."
• 10. Bengals: Sonny Styles (LB/S)—"Combine monster... typical Buckeye, elite five star."
• 11. Dolphins: Reuben Bain (Edge)—"Short arms but a relentless player–kind of a Max Crosby engine."
• 12. Cowboys: Keldrick Falk (Edge)—"High character guy... a grinder, character guy."
• 13. Rams: Makai Lemon (WR/PR)—"He catches everything... solves punt returner need."
• 14. Ravens: Kenyon Sadiq (TE)—"Fastest 40 ever for a TE, perfect for their multi-tight end sets."
• 15. Bucs: Cassius Howell (Edge)—"Good edge rusher draft, they have to rebuild that defense."

3. Mock Draft Debate: Cowherd, Parker & Breer React

[12:42–16:51, 26:20–29:13]

• On Cowboys, Max Crosby, and Keldrick Falk:
  • Rob Parker: “By pegging Falk here, do you think that means they do not go after Max Crosby?”
  • Cowherd: “Lot of mouths to feed... I think it is a good edge draft. I would go in that direction.” [12:56]
• On Bengals taking Sonny Styles:
  • Parker: “He wasn’t top 15 as a player and you don’t take linebackers that high...”
  • Cowherd: “They’ve lost Hendrickson, not many can’t-miss guys... Styles is a looks-the-part guy, combine still has value.” [13:38]
• On Ravens & Sadiq:
  • Parker: “Lot of needs on defense... and you have them going tight end.”
  • Cowherd: “As Lamar last year did not have the same electricity... need more Ze Flowers, Sadiq, Mark Andrews... give Lamar more help.” [14:43]
• On Rams’ Makai Lemon pick:
  • Cowherd: “Puka gets dinged up a lot... Adams was hurt last year. Special teams was a big problem. [Lemon] solves two problems.” [15:38]

4. Albert Breer on Team Strategies, Trade Markets & QB Carousel

[20:27, 21:20, 23:19, 24:57, 27:17, 29:58, 44:53]

• On Chiefs’ Rebuild:
  “They understand you can’t pay everybody... not everyone gets done, market’s escalating, feels like the Tyreek Hill deal all over.” [21:49]
  • The move gives KC flexibility and prepares for a new round of roster resets.
• Max Crosby Market:
  “A quarter of the league, at least, has shown interest... Chicago will be right there with New England... teams like Tampa, Seattle, Dallas sniffed around.” [23:19]
• Kyler Murray’s Situation:
  “His price is why he’s appealing... he can come play for the minimum and make this a pure football decision. Vikings and Jets possible.” [24:57]
• David Bailey vs. Arvell Reese for the Jets:
  “Bailey is a little more certainty... Reese, you need a plan, but the ceiling is through the roof.” (compares Bailey to a lighter Khalil Mack) [27:17]
• Kenneth Walker’s Trade Market:
  “Walker has got a robust market... Broncos, Chiefs, and maybe Seahawks in the mix. McDuffie trade clears cap space for KC—could land Walker.” [29:58, 44:53]
• On Chiefs Draft Flexibility:
  KC could fill three holes (right tackle, corner, running back) with their surplus picks and free agency. [33:44]
  “Right now they’ve got two 1sts, a 2nd, a 3rd, a 4th, two 5ths, two 6ths... I think they can solve their primary need.”

5. Kansas City Chiefs’ Draft Criticism & Roster Outlook

[33:04–35:54]

• Rob Parker reviews Chiefs’ recent drafts: “Their second round pick barely did anything. Their other third round pick is a cornerback who they’re now projecting as a starter. Their fourth, fifth and seventh basically did nothing... The cupboard is empty.” [34:49]
• Discusses uncertainty around offensive weapons (Kelce aging, Rashee Rice situation) and skepticism regarding the win total.
• Cowherd’s optimism: “Kenneth Walker, a corner and a tackle in the first round. That’s three holes. I think they’re a 10-win team.” [35:44]
• Rob: “You’re so optimistic, Colin, boy.” [35:51]

6. Kyler Murray & Trey Hendrickson: Rumors & Commentary

[35:57–38:44]

• Kyler Murray as free agent:
  “Murray at $2 million is a deal, but we thought that with Russell Wilson too, didn’t we?” — Parker
  Cowherd: “I don’t think bringing Kyler Murray into [the Vikings’] room helps. J.J. McCarthy already struggles with confidence.”
• Trey Hendrickson walks from Bengals:
  “Poorly played, they could’ve traded multiple times, never got what they wanted, and now he’s gone.” — Parker [37:18]
  • Cowherd: “You don’t think Joe Burrow sitting there today thinking you couldn’t have gotten me a right tackle or another tight end?” [37:45]
  • Market sees Hendrickson as ‘consolation prize’ if teams whiff on Max Crosby.

7. NBA & College Basketball Internationalization (with Rick Pitino)

[39:31–43:44]

• Discussion on USA's baseball/World Baseball Classic team and managing pitchers.
• Colin: “The last several NBA MVPs have been international players—Jokic, SGA, Luka, Giannis.”
• Pitino: “Foreign influence is here to stay... they really understand how to play. Most of them defensively can’t guard me, but on offense, they’re great.” [41:48]
• Pitino on adapting as a coach:
  “You have to change with the times... the coaches that don’t want to change get out.” [43:02]

8. Notable Quotes & Moments

• Colin Cowherd [01:52]: “The Chiefs are in a competitive rebuild. Not a traditional rebuild, but they get a first, a fifth, a sixth and Kansas City with two first round picks.”
• Albert Breer [21:49]: “This sort of sets up like the Tyreek Hill deal did... it gives them an opportunity to reset a bunch of things in their roster.”
• Rob Parker [34:46]: “Their second round pick barely did anything... their other third round pick is a cornerback who they’re now projecting as a starter. The cupboard is empty.”
• Rick Pitino [41:48]: “Foreign influence is here to stay... makes the game so much better because they really understand how to play. Most of them defensively can’t guard me, but on offense, they’re great.”
• Cowherd [16:35]: “Bailey comes in day one edge rusher. You’ve got your edge guys set for the next five years.”

9. Key Segment Timestamps

• [01:52] — Colin breaks down the Rams-Chiefs trade for McDuffie
• [02:00–12:42] — Colin delivers his top 15 NFL Draft picks
• [12:42–16:51] — Rob Parker’s draft questions and analysis with Colin
• [20:27–29:13] — Albert Breer on Chiefs, Crosby market, Walker, and QB carousel
• [33:04–35:54] — Chiefs draft critique and win projection debate
• [35:57–38:44] — Murray/Bengals/Hendrickson market talk
• [39:31–43:44] — Rick Pitino on basketball’s international shift
• [44:53] — Final recap of Kenneth Walker/Chiefs cap implications

Summary

This episode provides an in-depth look at the ripple effects of a major NFL trade, the strategies of top teams heading into the Draft, and the debate between “immediate impact” versus “high-ceiling” prospects. Colin Cowherd’s unfiltered approach to team-building sparks lively debate with Rob Parker and is punctuated by Albert Breer’s inside knowledge of the NFL’s trade and contract landscape. The hour also touches on themes of roster resets, talent evaluation pitfalls, and the ever-shifting landscape of both football and basketball.