Colin Cowherd Podcast - NFL Draft Combine, Mendoza A Lock To Raiders At #1, Eagles Drama, Chiefs Rebuild?

Former NFL scout John Middlekauff joins from the combine, where the real action is late nights and early mornings; can you confirm the scene?

It’s a grind and a party rolled into one, with coaches and execs packed into Indy, the JW buzzing every night, and me tapping out after two days.

Seattle’s John Schneider is on a drafting heater and now faces tough calls like Kenneth Walker; what’s his mindset and where are the Seahawks headed?

He’s upbeat but behind on draft work after a long season, loading free agency first with real cap room; I’d only keep Walker on a team-friendly deal, no tag, and I came away impressed with Mike Macdonald, the young core, and their confidence in the quarterback room.

Kansas City’s path is harder than the old Patriots—one bye, nasty division, and offensive holes; what do you think Brett Veach has to wrestle with?

If you strip out emotion, it may be time to move off Travis Kelce unless he’s cheap, and big names like Chris Jones or even Trent McDuffie could be in play; dynasties survive by making cold choices, so expect some legends to wear new helmets.

Good offensive coaching has revived guys like Baker and Darnold; does Kyler Murray have a market given the perception issues?

I’ve heard his side would love Minnesota, but I doubt the fit; the smartest move is a one-year reset with an elite coach on a minimal deal to rebuild trust because teams need their quarterback room drama-free.

You crossed paths with Ben Johnson; the Lions can spend the draft on defense, and the Bears’ Ryan Poles had bumps and a recovery; how did those conversations feel?

Ben and Mike Macdonald are sky-high in league esteem yet carry themselves with no ego; the Bears may need to move an offensive piece like DJ Moore to restock picks, and that division is tougher than people admit.

The NFL now deals like the NBA; how is that shaping the week in Indy?

More bidders mean pricier trades, so big names get costly fast, the pressure is heavy, and this week lays the track for the tampering window.

On Jalen Hurts, I’ve heard he’s not a unifier and AJ Brown took heat he may not deserve; what’s the real read?

AJ’s emotional but often says what others think, while Hurts is polarizing in and out of the room; they’re shifting to a Shanahan-style, run-heavy approach that may not fit him cleanly even though the building strongly backs Sirianni.

Draft-wise, Fernando Mendoza feels like a culture-changer and a clear number one; what are you hearing on him and the Raiders?

I see Mendoza as a lock—accurate, on time, mobile enough, and perfect for Kubiak’s system; think a more athletic Jared Goff, and his makeup is why top teams bet on him.

What’s the state of the combine itself?

Plenty of first and second rounders are skipping workouts, the on-field piece matters less, and the TV-ification might be pushing the event toward irrelevance.

The interviews can feel like a first date; do longer facility visits tell the truth better?

You can fake twenty minutes with agent coaching, but a full day cycling through coaches and staff breaks the act and shows the real person.

Before you go, best rumor you heard, buzzed or not?

Joe Schoen’s status in New York is murky as Harbaugh consolidates power and reshapes the Giants’ org; George Paton likely stays in Denver, and Davis Webb calling plays under Sean Payton is a trial by fire.

Sean is as unfiltered as it gets; John, great stuff as always—good to see you. The Volume.