
The Herd with Colin Cowherd Colin Cowherd Podcast - NFL Draft Combine, Mendoza A Lock To Raiders At #1, Eagles Drama, Chiefs Rebuild?
Feb 27, 2026
John Middlekauff, former NFL scout and host of 3 and Out, brings scouting and front-office color. They dive into combine backroom deals and why prospects skip the event. Discussion hits the Chiefs’ roster questions, Kyler Murray’s second-act market, Eagles locker-room chatter about Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown, and why Fernando Mendoza feels locked to the Raiders at pick one.
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Combine Is A Nonstop Deal Making Scene
- John Middlekauff describes the Combine as a concentrated deal-making party with coaches, GMs, and coordinators in one hotel late into the night.
- He says the JW Marriott in Indianapolis is 'ripping every night' and he couldn't last more than 48 hours on the circuit.
Seahawks Likely Let Kenneth Walker Walk
- John Middlekauff suggests Seattle has surplus cap space and young contracts, making them likely to let Kenneth Walker test market rather than franchise-tag him.
- He notes Walker's production was underwhelming before the second half of the season, so Seattle likely won't pay top RB prices.
Chiefs Face Tough Cap Driven Roster Decisions
- Middlekauff says the Chiefs face painful roster choices around Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and Trent McDuffie driven by cap math after missing the playoffs.
- He compares it to Belichick-style tough cuts: great players may be moved to preserve the core for Mahomes.

