The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 3

Date: February 12, 2026
Main Theme: Post-Super Bowl NFL Storylines, NFL Draft Analysis, and Tomorrow's Headlines Today

Episode Overview

In this hour, Colin Cowherd is joined by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah to break down the strengths and weaknesses of the 2026 NFL Draft class, weigh free agency implications, and evaluate quarterback prospects. Later, J. Mac joins Colin for the popular “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” segment, making bold NFL and NBA predictions for the coming season. The episode is filled with analysis of key NFL teams, draft evaluations, and a lively discussion about player loyalty in the NBA.

NFL Combine & Draft Preview with Daniel Jeremiah

[02:36]
Main Points:

• Daniel Jeremiah (“Move the Sticks” podcast) previews his 24th NFL combine.
• Discussion centers around positional strengths and weaknesses in the 2026 draft and how that will shape free agency.

Key Insights

• Draft Weaknesses Drive Free Agency:
  • Running Back:
    • Only one first-round caliber back in this year’s class.
    • “There's a really good crop of free agent running backs," Jeremiah notes, suggesting teams may pursue young veterans in free agency.
    • [03:19] Daniel Jeremiah:

      “We have one first round caliber back, and then I think there's a chance we don't see one even go in the second round… There's a really good crop of free agent running backs… which is going to inform maybe some franchise tag opportunities for teams.”

  • Quarterback:
    • Only one or one-and-a-half first-round caliber QBs.
    • Teams with needs may need to settle in free agency or gamble.
    • “It’s good to be the Malik Willis's... holding on to Mac Jones to see what comes their way.” [03:19]

QB Evaluation: Fernando Mendoza & Ty Simpson

Colin’s Take on Mendoza

• Thinks Mendoza is a plus player—tough, big, accurate.
• Compares favorably to Matt Ryan, possibly more athletic.
• “If he gets decent coaching, he is a plus player. He's a franchise guy. I'll make a couple Pro Bowls, maybe several.” [04:13]

Jeremiah’s Breakdown of Mendoza

• Loves the “grittiness, toughness” and “style” akin to a Goff/Matt Ryan “quarterback family.”
• Praises Mendoza’s performance in clutch scenarios:

  “When you look at him in big games, when you look at him in big moments—see the end of the Penn State game, see the championship game—this guy stepped up and done it every single time. So I'm a huge believer in him.” [05:03]

• Notes transfer portal provides a stronger evaluative process and highlights cases like Bo Nix and Cam Ward.

Jeremiah on Ty Simpson (Alabama)

• Simpson is Jeremiah’s 40th prospect, so late 1st/early 2nd round isn’t a reach.
• Needs protection, not ideal for every system.
• “When bodies get around him, I thought there's times he plays a little small. The Guy's only started 15 games and he's been beat up.” [06:39]

Notable Quote:

• “He’s not one of those quarterbacks you drop into any of the 32 rooms and he's going to have success... But if you're the Rams, you got a great offensive line… I can understand (taking him late first round).” [06:39]

Scouting & Drafting — John Schneider’s Success (Seattle Seahawks)

[09:06]

• Cowherd lauds Seahawks GM John Schneider for almost flawless picks in top rounds.
• Jeremiah credits letting the draft “fall to him” and targeting hyper-competitive players:

  “These guys are passionate, love football, and there's no turds, there's no jerks, there's no selfishness in that group. They're all good dudes. Good competitive dudes. That to me is the overall theme.” [09:50]

Chargers: Free Agency, Draft, and New Coaching

[10:51]

• Jeremiah predicts heavy focus on interior offensive line—via draft, free agency, and trades:

  “When you look at free agency, I could see them targeting interior offensive line. When you look at the draft… the trade market… that is priority A, B, and C.”

• Enthusiastic about the young skill players on rookie contracts; improved offense with Mike McDaniel; defense takes a hit losing Jesse Minter.
• Names specific emerging talents:

  “McConkey, I think you'll see him go to another level in this system. Quentin Johnson... Trey Harris... Gadsden... Omarion Hampton... These guys are all on rookie contracts.” [12:06]

Who's the "Can't Miss" Player in the 2026 NFL Draft?

[13:22]

• Colin asks: Is the projected No.1 pick also the best player?
• Jeremiah’s take:
  • Acknowledges edge rusher Bain (Miami), OL from Miami, Notre Dame running back “love,” and Arval Reese—but picks Fernando Mendoza.
  • “I think he is the best player in the draft in my opinion. And I do think he is one of the safer picks in this year's draft… I don't know. I think you got to get really, really nitpicky to poke holes in him.” [14:54]

Compared to Previous Classes:

• Mendoza is not at the level of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jaden Daniels from two years prior, but is best in this class.
• “I would have those three guys from that draft...over him. So...Caleb, Drake, Jaden Daniels... would carry a higher grade than Mendoza.” [15:07]

Notable Quotes

• On Seahawks Drafting:
  [09:50] Daniel Jeremiah:

  "These guys are passionate, love football and there's no turds, there's no jerks, there's no selfishness in that group."

• On Chargers Offseason:
  [12:06] Daniel Jeremiah:

  "If they have an offensive line that's healthy and deep... these young guys, these skill guys on offense... they're awesome."

• On Draft’s Best Player:
  [14:54] Daniel Jeremiah:

  "I think you got to get really, really nitpicky to poke holes in [Mendoza]. I think he's got a chance to be a really good player and that's why I have him as my number one guy."

Tomorrow's Headlines Today — NFL & NBA Predictions (with J. Mac)

Starts at [34:34]

1. Seahawks Next Season

• Headline: “Seattle got a latte learning to do.”
  • J. Mac predicts Seahawks miss the playoffs; new offensive coordinator, tough schedule, departures in secondary.
  • “Ten of Seattle’s 17 opponents were in the playoffs last year.”

2. Patriots Next Season

• Headline: “Drake Oven – Pats cook up another playoff appearance.”
  • Sees a wild-card berth for New England.
  • “May will regress a little bit… but the continuity remains. McDaniels, Vrabel. I like that.”

3. Super Bowl 61 Prediction

• Headline: “The city of end zones — L.A. and L.A. stuck in Super Bowl traffic.”
  • Calls Rams–Chargers for the next Super Bowl.
  • “I think the Rams are the best team in the league... Chargers had the biggest upgrade adding McDaniel as their OC.”

4. NBA All-Star Game

• Headline: “Shooting Stars – Globe gets trotted by youth.”
  • Predicts Team Youngsters will defeat the Old Stars due to greater energy and defensive effort.
  • “What did we see last year in the playoffs? Young players, they got after it. They defended full court, they care.”

5. NBA All-Star Game MVP

• Headline: “Your favorite Ant – Edwards leaps right over Unk.”
  • Picks Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) as MVP.
  • “Anthony Edwards is my pick for All-Star Game MVP... as a leader, he goes into All-Star Weekend to make a statement.”

Discussion Highlights

On Player Loyalty in the NBA

[26:23] — James Harden on Loyalty:

"The whole quote unquote loyalty thing is... overrated. This is a business at the end of the day, and it's a lot of money involved and a lot of decisions... If a player isn't producing... they trade players, or if a guy isn't happy... it's a problem, but people with normal jobs have the same problems, it's just not magnified." — James Harden [26:23]

• Colin’s Reaction:

  "I tend to agree basketball's always been a little transient, a little transactional... James Harden's a Hall of Famer. I don't think he's necessarily a winning player. He's been given like seven opportunities with great teammates and it always flames out." [27:06]

Additional Segments & Team Discussions

Bills’ WR Needs

• [22:48] Alec Pierce (Colts) suggested as a prime WR2 target for Buffalo.

Browns Organizational Woes

• [24:13] Colin and J. Mac criticize Cleveland as “arguably the worst run franchise in American pro sports.”

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• [04:13] Colin Cowherd (on Mendoza):

  "If he gets decent coaching, he is a plus player. He's a franchise guy."

• [06:39] Daniel Jeremiah (on Ty Simpson):

  "I don't think he's one of those quarterbacks you drop into any of the 32 rooms and he's going to have success."

• [09:50] Daniel Jeremiah (on Schneider drafts):

  "No turds, there's no jerks, there's no selfishness in that group. They're all good dudes."

• [14:54] Daniel Jeremiah (on best draft prospect):

  "I think he's got a chance to be a really good player and that's why I have him as my number one guy."

• [26:23] James Harden:

  "The whole quote unquote loyalty thing is... I think it's overrated. You know, I think this is a business at the end of the day."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:36] — Daniel Jeremiah joins, draft strengths/weaknesses
• [04:13] — Fernando Mendoza eval
• [06:39] — Ty Simpson, Bama QB eval
• [09:06] — John Schneider’s draft secret (Seahawks)
• [10:51] — Chargers offseason focus, Mike McDaniel addition
• [13:22] — Who’s the best player in the draft?
• [14:54] — Can’t-miss prospect: Mendoza
• [26:23] — James Harden on loyalty and NBA careers
• [34:34] — “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” segment starts (NFL, NBA predictions)
• [39:52] — All-Star Game MVP pick (Anthony Edwards)

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd offers an NFL insider's perspective on draft class depth, team-building philosophies, and the always-contentious quarterback evaluation process, with Daniel Jeremiah delivering nuanced takes and Colin providing his signature commentary. J. Mac’s “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” brings bold predictions and a little levity, while sidebars on NBA player movement and team management round out a packed hour for sports fans.