THE HERD - Hour 3 - Former Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim stops by The Herd
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “THE HERD - Hour 3 - Former Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim stops by The Herd” inside PodZeus.
In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, former Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim joins the show to discuss the 2026 NFL Draft and his tenure in the league. Keim reflects on his time with the Cardinals, highlighting key draft picks like Kyler Murray, Trey McBride, and Hassan Reddick, and shares his philosophy on drafting—emphasizing the importance of taking the best player available while balancing team needs. He weighs in on draft strategy, arguing that pass rushers are more valuable than corners due to their ability to impact the game before the secondary even gets involved. Keim also critiques the overreliance on measurables, using players like Reuben Bain and Brandon Graham as examples of overlooked talents who thrived in the NFL. The conversation shifts to quarterback evaluations, with Keim offering nuanced takes on Kyler Murray’s potential in Kevin O'Connell’s system and comparing Darnold to a 'poor man's Brett Favre.' He also discusses the Bengals’ bold trade for Dexter Lawrence, applauding their cultural shift despite skepticism about the defensive improvement. Throughout, Cowherd and Keim debate team-building, roster construction, and the long-term impact of draft decisions, blending insider insight with sharp analysis of current NFL trends and team dynamics.
Prioritize the best player available, but don’t ignore positional need—especially for pass rushers and offensive linemen.
Don’t let measurables override film and football intelligence—many elite players were undervalued due to physical traits.
Pass rushers create opportunities for corners; they’re the foundation of a dominant defense.
Team culture and coaching matter as much as talent—Kyler Murray’s success depends on system fit and leadership.
Bold moves like the Bengals’ Dexter Lawrence trade signal a cultural shift, even if short-term results are uncertain.
Intro and Draft Preview
The episode opens with promotional segments for multiple iHeartMedia podcasts, including The Clifford Show, NFL Daily, Sports Slice, and Math & Magic. Colin Cowherd sets the stage for the 2026 NFL Draft, teasing the upcoming conversation with Steve Keim.
Steve Keim Joins The Herd
Steve Keim is introduced as a former Arizona Cardinals GM with a proven track record, having drafted Kyler Murray and other key players. He joins the show in a good mood, ready to discuss the draft and team-building strategies.
Draft Strategy and the Best Player Available
“I would absolutely package deals up if I could go get one. The one thing I've always said, Colin, is you look at the NFL draft and then you weigh that with free agencies. Very few times are there times where left tackles, pass rushers, quarterbacks, elite players at those positions are in free agency. So to me, I think you got to go try to build through the draft and that's your lifeblood.”
Measurables vs. Football Intelligence
“You look at a player like him and he may not be the sexiest player on the board. But you look at guys like Lamar Woodley from the past. And you look like guys like Brandon Graham who have been tremendous, tremendous NFL football players. They were maybe sort of discounted at some point in time because they weren't long enough. They weren't fast enough, but they're just tremendous players.”
Kyler Murray, Darnold, and QB Evaluation
“Kyler Murray cannot play behind the sticks. OK, he's got to eliminate negative plays. And hopefully Coach O'Connell can do that. You know, the one thing that he cannot do is he cannot get into third and 17. He can't get into third and 12 on a regular basis. And that's sort of haunted him throughout his career.”
“Kyler Murray cannot play behind the sticks. OK, he's got to eliminate negative plays. And hopefully Coach O'Connell can do that. You know, the one thing that he cannot do is he cannot get into third and 17. He can't get into third and 12 on a regular basis. And that's sort of haunted him throughout his career.”
“I would absolutely package deals up if I could go get one. The one thing I've always said, Colin, is you look at the NFL draft and then you weigh that with free agencies. Very few times are there times where left tackles, pass rushers, quarterbacks, elite players at those positions are in free agency. So to me, I think you got to go try to build through the draft and that's your lifeblood.”
“You look at a player like him and he may not be the sexiest player on the board. But you look at guys like Lamar Woodley from the past. And you look like guys like Brandon Graham who have been tremendous, tremendous NFL football players. They were maybe sort of discounted at some point in time because they weren't long enough. They weren't fast enough, but they're just tremendous players.”
Host
Guest
Colin Cowherd
person
Steve Keim
person
Arizona Cardinals
organization
Kyler Murray
person
Cincinnati Bengals
organization
Darnold
person
Fernando Mendoza
person
Dexter Lawrence
person
Reuben Bain
person
Hassan Reddick
person
Joe and Jada - Fetty Wap talks ‘Zavier’ album, NEW chapter in career & music industry’s hard lessons
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 44m • 3/31/2026
3 & Out - NFL Annual League Meeting Reaction + NFL Offseason Mailbag
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 1h 6m • 3/31/2026
Best of The Herd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 34m • 3/31/2026
THE HERD - Hour 3 - Thoughts on who should be the MVP
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 34m • 3/31/2026
THE HERD - Hour 2 - Illinois head coach Brad Underwood stops by The Herd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 41m • 3/31/2026
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “THE HERD - Hour 3 - Former Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim stops by The Herd” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime