Overview of THE HERD – Hour 3
This hour of The Herd focused on Mike Sando’s annual NFL quarterback tiers and what they reveal about league perception of top quarterbacks, plus a round of training-camp and preseason team analysis. Colin Cowherd and Mike Sando debated where quarterbacks like Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Brock Purdy, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray, and Malik Willis fit in the league hierarchy. The back half of the hour shifted into NFL team outlooks, including the Rams, Lions, 49ers, and a broader college football playoff discussion involving Texas, USC, Penn State, and others.
NFL Quarterback Tiers: Biggest Takeaways
Dak Prescott viewed as underrated by the league
- Dak landed unusually high in the quarterback tiers, and Cowherd argued he is getting extra credit because of the Cowboys’ dysfunction and Jerry Jones’ ownership.
- Sando agreed Dak has moved up, but questioned what new information would justify a major leap at this stage of his career.
- The discussion suggested Dak is widely respected as a good pro, but his ranking may be inflated by situation and reputation.
Joe Burrow still elite despite injury and team context
- Burrow was ranked among the very top quarterbacks, despite Cincinnati’s lack of recent playoff success.
- The reasoning: when Burrow is healthy, people believe he can be the best player on the field any Sunday.
- Sando noted durability concerns, but said Burrow has still played enough recently to justify the high placement.
Brock Purdy, Caleb Williams, and the “snapshot” effect
- Cowherd argued Purdy and Caleb Williams are comparable in some ways, but Caleb has more physical upside while Purdy benefits from an elite organization and supporting cast.
- Sando said quarterback tier rankings are influenced by year-over-year movement, not just one snapshot.
- Caleb is rising quickly, while Purdy has already established himself enough to stay near the top of the list.
Bo Nix is respected, but still has skeptics
- Bo Nix came in as the top quarterback in tier three, near the borderline with tier two.
- Sando said he is gaining respect, but many evaluators still see him through the lens of his draft status and a heavily schemed offense.
- Cowherd noted his late-game poise and fourth-quarter play, but the consensus was that he still has more to prove.
Sam Darnold and Kyler Murray are heavily situation-dependent
- Cowherd was higher on Darnold than Sando, believing there has always been real talent there.
- Sando was more cautious but acknowledged Darnold is in a good position to succeed in a strong Vikings setup.
- Kyler Murray’s ranking was discussed as an example of how quarterback wins are shaped by defense, roster strength, and coaching.
- The point: in the right environment, even average-to-good quarterbacks can produce winning seasons.
Malik Willis: still too little information
- Willis was described as a “provisional” quarterback — talented, but not yet established enough to be ranked higher.
- Sando framed tier four as a home for both “not enough info” quarterbacks and reliable backups.
- Cowherd praised Willis’ physical tools and the early move by Green Bay/Jeff Halfley to bring him in.
Team and Player Notes from Training Camp
Rams look like a contender if Stafford stays healthy
- Cowherd and Middlekauff were bullish on the Rams’ ceiling, pointing to their roster strength and favorable schedule.
- The biggest concern remains Matthew Stafford’s health and left tackle stability.
- They believe the Rams’ floor is still strong, with upside to be a No. 1 seed contender.
Lions praised for culture, drafting, and stability
- Penei Sewell was highlighted as a perfect embodiment of Dan Campbell’s standard: no gray area, just execution.
- The Lions’ young core — Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs — was praised as one of the best draft hauls in the league.
- The theme was that Detroit has gone from perennial punchline to legitimate powerhouse.
49ers excited about Deebo Samuel’s return
- Deebo Samuel’s return to San Francisco was framed as both a football and culture boost.
- His conditioning and motivation were emphasized, with the staff and teammates clearly happy to have him back.
- The 49ers’ identity was described as built around physicality and toughness at skill positions.
College Football Playoff and Program Outlook
Texas is good, but the schedule is brutal
- Cowherd argued Texas may be a very strong team, but their schedule is unforgiving.
- Big games against Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, LSU, Tennessee, Missouri, and others leave little room for error.
- The Ohio State game early in the season was described as potentially season-defining.
USC and Lincoln Riley under pressure
- Cowherd stressed that Lincoln Riley needs a meaningful breakthrough season.
- USC’s schedule may be manageable enough for a strong record, but a couple of losses in key spots could put the playoff race in jeopardy.
- The idea was that Riley needs a signature win to change the program’s trajectory.
Penn State, Oregon, and the Big Ten/SEC reality
- Penn State was described as underrated, with a better path than many people realize.
- The discussion noted how college football is increasingly looking like an NFL-style two-conference world.
- Miami and Notre Dame were mentioned as the rare programs helping keep the national landscape a bit broader.
Main Themes and Takeaways
- Quarterback rankings are as much about context as talent.
- Supporting cast, defense, coaching, and organizational stability can dramatically affect perception.
- Dak Prescott and Sam Darnold are examples of “credit vs. situation” debates.
- Both are good enough to win, but their rankings spark questions about how much credit they deserve personally.
- Burrow, Stafford, and the elite quarterbacks still drive the conversation.
- The top tier remains defined by talent plus proven ability to carry a team.
- College football is becoming more schedule-sensitive and less forgiving.
- Elite teams can no longer coast; one or two losses may sink playoff hopes.
Notable Perspective
- Cowherd repeatedly emphasized that quarterback wins and losses are often distorted by defense and roster quality.
- Sando’s tiers reinforced the idea that the league values both talent and situation, with some quarterbacks rising because of surrounding infrastructure rather than pure individual dominance.