Best of The Herd

Live from Chicago, we’ve got breaking news and it’s a big one: the Rams swung a deal for Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs, giving up a first, a fifth, a sixth, and a third next year. The Rams are clearly in a win-now window with Matt Stafford, and McDuffie should look even better behind their steadier pass rush, while Kansas City reloads with picks in a competitive rebuild. I’d love to see the Bears mirror that urgency and go get Max Crosby while Caleb Williams is cheap; you can’t sit on your hands in this league, and we just saw what passivity cost the Bengals with Trey Hendrickson.

Ben Johnson’s one of the sharpest play callers in football. He stresses you in the run, the pass, and the trick stuff, so you better bring your best every snap. I respect the hell out of him.

On the Lakers and Luka, that early glow doesn’t last if the roster spotlights your weak spots. He doesn’t need help scoring; he needs protection on the back line. Superstars are happiest when you remove what they hate doing, like the Lakers did for Magic with Michael Cooper or Kobe with bigs who covered the paint. Get Luka rim protection and length, and that sideline dust-up with JJ Redick fades fast.

J-Mac, what’s the read on the Rams–Chiefs deal from Kansas City’s side?

They need talent and cap relief, so the picks make sense, but that roster’s thin. For the Rams, it’s a slam dunk. McDuffie lets Quinton Lake roam at safety again, and the secondary tightens up. They should feel like real contenders.

Rick Pitino stops by as St. John’s heats up. Coach, they’re talking expansion again—do we need it? And how has NIL and the foreign wave changed the sport? Also, what really wins in March beyond the usual “guard play” line? And why do you still look like you’ve got a full tank on the sideline?

Expand only if it protects undefeated mid-majors—leaving them out is nuts. NIL raised the college game; for most overseas pros, college now pays better than the EuroLeague unless you’re a star, so talent is deeper and the play is sharper. I love international guys because they pass, cut, and move the ball, but I push them to talk more on defense—say it in Greek if you have to, just communicate. In March, free throws decide a lot of games, and strong backcourts travel; that’s how teams like Florida, Arizona, Michigan, and Duke look dangerous. I’ve lasted by adapting—took two years off in Greece, came back fresh, embraced the changes—and I’m happier coaching than losing money on horses at Gulfstream.

Always a blast with Rick—energy for days, and a reminder that free throws and backcourts still swing the month.

Mock time, and this is what I’d do as a GM, not what I think teams will do. I’ve got the Raiders taking Fernando Mendoza first because elite upside plus a rookie deal is the fastest path to winning. The Jets grab a plug-and-play edge in David Bailey over the more hybrid Arvell Reese. Arizona fixes the front with Francis Mauigoa. The Titans roll the dice on Reese’s versatility. The Giants lock down the back end with Caleb Downs. Cleveland gets Shadour Sanders real help with Carnell Tate. Washington nabs the top LSU corner. The Saints add burst with Jeremiah Love. The Chiefs use one of their firsts on right tackle Spencer Fano. Cincinnati bets on traits with Sonny Styles. Miami pounces on disruptor Rueben Bain. Dallas lands steady edge Keldrick Falk. The Rams add sure hands and return juice with Makai Lemon. Baltimore finds a matchup problem at tight end in Kenyon Sadiq. Tampa Bay reloads the edge with Cassius Howell.

Quick hits: If Dallas drafts Falk, are they out on a Max Crosby swing with all those big contracts? Are the Bengals overreacting to Sonny Styles’ combine? Ravens going tight end with defensive needs on the board? Lemon’s health history a worry for the Rams? And for the Jets, does Reese’s hybrid fit trump Bailey’s day-one edge?

Dallas has too many top-of-market checks to cut, and it’s a deep edge class. Cincinnati needs an A-plus athlete after Hendrickson; Styles’ upside is worth the bet. Baltimore needs more pass-game pop around Lamar now. Lemon calms the Rams’ return game and catches everything, which matters if receivers get nicked. I get why the Jets would love Reese, but I’d still take Bailey because he starts and wins today. Two months out, mock fever is alive and well.

Lose Hendrickson and you chase blue-chip traits. And for Cleveland, Carnell Tate just feels like a can’t-miss target for a young quarterback.