COWBOYS SQUAD SHOW: Are the Cowboys waiting on a trade for a MLB?

Summary

Locked On Cowboys – Cowboys Squad Show (March 20, 2026)
Episode Theme:
Are the Cowboys Waiting on a Trade for a MLB? Offseason Moves, Draft Strategies, and Roster Upgrades

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Overview

This episode features a lively roundtable discussion among host Landon McCool, former Cowboys coach Glenn “Stretch” Smith, and guest host Jeff Biggs, focusing on the Dallas Cowboys' offseason strategy. The conversation dives deep into the franchise’s moves (or lack thereof) in free agency, the looming need at middle linebacker, roster-building philosophy, and approaches heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. The panel offers honest, sometimes frustrated takes on what has and hasn’t happened so far, analyzes both free agent and trade targets, and projects likely draft scenarios for America’s Team.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys Offseason: State of the Team and Philosophy

NFL Calendar is Year-Round

• The show opens with the panel joking that the real March Madness is not basketball, but the NFL offseason, especially for Cowboys fans.
• Landon notes, "There is not really a break from the NFL if you're covering it or if you're a part of it. It's 24/7, 365. You get your naps where you can, basically." (02:58)

Sense of Urgency vs. Actual Moves

• Stretch Smith voices clear frustration at the Cowboys' approach, saying the team needed “three impact players” on defense but hasn’t landed any real difference-makers so far.
• “We're sitting here, whatever phase you guys want to tell me it is in free agency, I don't care. They haven't addressed one damn thing.” – Coach Stretch (09:00)
• Landon and Stretch debate whether additions like Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson should count as "impact" or merely "upgrades" to the roster's floor.

Roster Building Methodology

• The front office appears to prefer filling out roster depth ("the middle class") in free agency with more value-based signings and saving big swings for the draft, especially at premium positions.
• Landon explains: “Let's fill out the middle class of our roster in free agency where the efficiency of spending is a little bit closer to what we're looking for and then try to get the top-end big splash players in the draft.” (10:34)

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2. Middle Linebacker – Trade, Free Agency, or Draft?

Key Need Yet to Be Addressed

• The glaring hole at middle linebacker is agreed upon by all, with the panel listing options: trading for a proven starter, signing a veteran like Bobby Wagner, or drafting a rookie.
• "If I'm gonna be in a spot where I have to find a starter, I mean, having to go find a linebacker to me is probably one of the better...just because there's a lot of these guys in the draft." – Landon (07:01)

Plan B or Plan Q?

• The Cowboys’ missed efforts for Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker are spotlighted.
• Stretch suggests prior trade targets like Max Crosby and Trey Hendrickson would have been immediate upgrades, questioning whether the front office pivoted too late to the draft.

Free Agency and Trade Targets

• Names discussed as plausible trade or signing targets include Josh Sweat, Xaven Collins, Bobby Wagner, Cameron Jordan, and former 49ers’ Nick Bosa (on a short deal if healthy).
• “I think that's another very interesting name actually because I would play Xaven Collins at linebacker... He would be really, really good as a mike linebacker in this scheme.” – Landon (44:42)
• Panel shows skepticism about how much the current depth chart can be relied upon and debates the real scope of any improvement.

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3. Defensive Upgrades: Impact vs. Incremental Progress

Incremental vs. Transformative Change

• Landon repeatedly presses that while the Cowboys have raised the roster’s floor, they haven’t made the type of impact additions fans crave.
• The point is made that average play and simply knowing assignments will lift the defense from last year’s bottom, but more is required for true contention.
• “They haven't made the impact that everyone wants with the big names at key positions yet. I absolutely agree, but I also think that there are so many people pissed off because they feel like the Cowboys haven't done anything and they're so willing to look past the things that the Cowboys did do to kind of just put stability into this defense.” – Landon (14:41)

Coaching Shakeups

• A learning curve is expected with a new defensive coordinator, offset by expectations of better coaching and player development.

Fan and Media Expectations

• Discussing Jerry Jones’ rhetoric and the resulting disillusionment:
  • “We need to stop listening to Jerry, y’all...expectations breed resentment.” – Landon (18:53)

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4. Draft Preview and Strategy

Draft Capital Changes Everything

• With a third-round pick in tow, the draft strategy is more flexible. Landon and Stretch agree the Cowboys need edge, cornerback, and linebacker—but disagree on approach.
• “Waiting on linebacker is probably the best way to go... It's the defensive version of running back, right, where it's just a depressed value at the spot.” – Landon (24:44)
• Landon details the CBA wage scale quirks, which explain why teams rarely use first-rounders on off-ball linebackers.

First-Round Pick Scenarios (Pick #12)

• Consensus is that blue-chip prospects Arvil Reese (LB) and Sonny Styles (LB/S) are strong options if available, but Reese almost certainly won’t last to 12.
• “If Styles is sitting there at 12, you have to take him. Do I think he'll be there? Probably not.” – Coach Stretch (27:56)
• If not, the focus turns to CBs like Mansour Delane or possibly Terrell (Clemson), indicated as the “next best” options.

Trade-Back Possibility

• Both Landon and Stretch speculate a trade-down is likely if the “blue” players are gone at 12, using the extra capital for flexibility.
• “If a blue makes it to 12, you're diverting your attention from whoever is there and that becomes your focus. If not, I think you could trade back.” – Landon (32:08)

Draft Room, Preparation, and Insider Chatter

• As of late March, much of the work shifts to pro days and in-depth internal evaluations, including multiple mock drafts and simulating every draft scenario.
• “They better be out at these college pro days looking at players. They better have prioritized where they need to go and who they need to see.” – Coach Stretch (53:57)
• Landon emphasizes: “All of this stuff, unfortunately, is very, very much about being patient...Deals get made by deadlines, and there are no deadlines right now.” (56:18)

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “We're sitting here...in free agency, I don't care. They haven't addressed one damn thing.”
  – Coach Stretch (09:00)

• “Let's fill out the middle class of our roster in free agency...and then try to get the top-end big splash players in the draft, which again, makes sense...”
  – Landon (10:34)

• “You can't, you went into the offseason with arguably the worst defense in the National Football League, right?...I'm looking for three upgrades that give you a chance.”
  – Coach Stretch (13:12)

• “Expectations breed resentment. And I think the problem is, is that Jerry continually sets the expectations at a weird spot...watch their feet, not their mouth.”
  – Landon (18:53)

• “Waiting on linebacker is probably the best way to go...Linebacker is the one that...you're usually waiting until a Day 2 pick for or beyond."
  – Landon (24:44)

• “If Styles is sitting there at 12, you have to take him...Once you get past Reese and Styles there, you're not going that direction at 12.”
  – Coach Stretch (27:56)

• “I do think there is more stuff to come, but we are now in the spot of the schedule where these guys...are behind closed doors putting their nose to the grindstone...We just may not see anything, you know, up until the draft.”
  – Landon (56:52)

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Segment Highlights with Timestamps

• The Neverending Offseason: Talk about how the NFL never truly stops (02:58)
• Debating "Impact" Free Agents vs. Upgrades: Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson – real upgrades or just patchwork? (08:19-14:41)
• Linebacker Options and Potential Trades: Strategy for filling the middle linebacker need and exploring trade/free agency targets (07:01, 43:37–45:37)
• Draft Philosophy: When and how to address the Cowboys' defensive needs, especially with extra picks (24:44–30:34)
• Possible First-Round Targets: Sonny Styles, Mansour Delane, Terrell, and trade-back options (27:56–34:39, 38:02–42:26)
• Roster Construction and Coaching Challenges: How new staff may alter approach, especially prototype for CBs (39:13)
• Insider Preparation: Mock drafts, pro day scouting, and phone calls to gauge potential trades (53:57–62:16)
• Patience and Process: Why the best moves may be on hold until the draft (56:18–59:19)

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Tone and Takeaways

The tone is savvy, candid, and at times, tinged with the frustration and realism that comes from year-round Cowboys observation. The panel is sharply honest about where the team stands—recognizing marginal improvement but pushing for genuine difference-makers, and urging fans (and themselves) to be patient through a process that will likely stretch into, and possibly beyond, the draft itself. The message: stay tuned—moves are still possible, but the real fireworks are yet to come.

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For Further Listening

• Upcoming daily episodes cover potential “aggressive draft strategies” (52:12)
• Expect continued breakdowns of trade rumors and pre-draft buzz leading up to the end of April

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Contributors:

• Landon McCool (host, analysis)
• Glenn “Stretch” Smith (former Cowboys coach, blunt evaluations)
• Jeff Biggs (host/moderator)
• Marcus Mosher and Aisha Morrison (regulars, not present this week)

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For in-depth Cowboys draft analysis and evolving offseason stories, stay subscribed to Locked On Cowboys.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

I'm Jeff Biggs and are we like in full draft mode now?

[D]

I'm Landon McCool and I'm always in full draft mode.

[B]

Sure, Gwen.

[A]

Stretch Smith. And the answer is yes, because we knew crap free agency.

[D]

How about them Cowboys? It's the Cowboys squad, everything. Dallas Cowboys, everything.

[A]

Every week covering all the big hits

[D]

and game changing plays from America's team the way only the Locked on podcast network can get ready and squat up. It's the Cowboy Squad show starting now.

[B]

You always have to squat up. That is the key. Gotta squat up. And as you know, the real March madness is here because we've had the Cowboys off season. That's it's been the whole off season. That's been the real madness. But hey, you know what, forget the brackets because right now it's all about the draft boards. And also another edition of the Cowboy Squad show. Great to be with you on this Thursday night. We say a welcome and a hello to the co host of the daily Locked on Cowboys podcast, the one and only Landon McCool and former Cowboys coach, one and only Glenn Stretch Smith. We got two, one and only Aisha Morrison will be, will be back with us next week as will Marcus Moser who I know is around and he's got his hands full but he's been busy on the the Daily Show. We'll get into that a little bit more later on, but lots to get to today. We've got the very latest on the Cowboys, including the countdown to the NFL draft. Can't believe it. I mean it's like just literally just over a month away until the NFL draft. I mean we were just, we were wondering, man, okay, Super Bowl's over. What are we going to do now and here we are, we got the draft and before we know it, training camp's going to be here, the season's going to start. It's nuts.

[D]

There's no break. No, there's, there's, I mean, listen, as someone who's been doing a daily podcast about this team for like what, 10 years now, whatever it's been. Yeah. I'll tell you, there's probably like a true one week break, you know, right after the super bowl and then after that, I mean, you're getting into Senior bowl stuff. They've already started the all star games before the Senior bowl now, so you got to like look at those as well. Yeah, I mean there is not really a break from the NFL if you're covering it or if you're a part of it. It's, it's 24 7, 365. You get your naps where you can basically.

[A]

And that, you know, the, the NFL ownership made it that way. Yeah, I mean, yeah, they made it a year round business. They know that they, they've, you know that I've always taken the mentality you're their hammer or the nail. The NFL is always the hammer. Always the hammer. I mean, there's more people talking about what's going on in pro football with college workouts, with free agency than there is the NBA. I mean, I'm just, I'm just being honest about it. I mean, I, you know, in March Madness, you know, I wouldn't go across Saratoga Lane to watch it right now, by the way, Jeff. That's the street I live on.

[B]

Okay? Don't tell anybody.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You're gonna have a bunch of fans, squad show fans showing up at your house.

[D]

Coach Stretch self doxing himself. That's not good.

[A]

I'm just telling you, it's always football time for me.

[D]

It's always football.

[A]

I mean, do I respect, you know, basketball, what they do and college baseball Did. I did. I did. I was, I entertained the other night by the World Baseball Classic. Absolutely I was. But at the end of the day, it's, it's always been about football for Stretch.

[D]

I agree, coach.

[B]

There's a couple things on the horizon are being kicked around in NFL circles that I'm not crazy about. We'll get into those later on. I don't want to get into that right now. We'll save that. And I would just add to your point, coach, that I would say maybe 10 years ago or so I thought the NBA was, I mean they were, they were, they were gaining ground in second. And I think over the last few years, I hate to say it, somebody that, you know, got to be a part of the league at its peak. I mean, they've really taken some big steps back in the wrong tanking and all that. It's just.

[A]

It's.

[B]

It's tough to watch right now. So, anyway, another topic for another time.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

So. Want to get into the draft. And I know you got a lot to say about that, Landon, but before we do, because I know you've. You guys been talking about this all week. You know, we're supposedly in the second wave, right, of NFL free agency, and we talked.

[D]

We're well into three or four at this point, right? Like, all the waves are dissipating at this point.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, that's right. It's flat right now.

[D]

That's right.

[B]

We talked about this on Monday, though. The one big thing, I mean, the Cowboys have. They've moved some pieces on the D line. They've. I think, without a doubt, they bolstered the secondary. Right. But they still have that big hole in the middle, in the middle linebacker spot. And, you know, barring something that we don't know, really, it leaves the options of either making a trade with another team to get a good vet. Right. Like we've talked about, or signing somebody that's still out there, like a veteran, like Bobby Wagner, who's been kicked around,

[D]

or he's been kicked around

[B]

drafting your next starter, you know, in. In a few weeks. So I'm just curious, with that said, where. Where you guys stand on that, how you feel about that? You know what. What does it say to you that we're in the. They're in this spot right now?

[D]

Well, I mean, I. I prefer not to be in this spot. I mean, I prefer to have, like, you know, one. The negotiation with the Kobe Dean and. And have him in here. But I gotta say, like, if I'm gonna be in a spot where I have to find a. A starter, I mean, having to go find a linebacker, to me is probably one of the better of the three that potentially have to go fill just because there's a lot of these guys in the draft, there's potentially some options if you want to look for a trade. And, and honestly, there's a couple bodies like you mentioned in free agency that you could sign and be at least feel okay about it. You know, I. I think there are certainly worse spots to have to shop late for. But having said that, like, they still got to go out and do it. It's going to be interesting to see exactly how they plan on attacking this and, and honestly what their contingency plan was to losing out to Nakobe Dean. Like, you know, did they decide that after that, that, you know, look, we, we were in on Quay Walker, we were in on Dean. I don't think we're, we're interested in the rest of these bodies that are out there and then decided at that point to pivot to the draft. I don't know. But I, I think it's, it's interesting to see, it's going to be interesting to see how they fill this, this, and if that was plan B or

[A]

plan Q. I mean, they made a play at Max Crosby, they made a play at Nicole Dean. And we knew going into this scenario, free agency and draft, in my mind, this football team needed three impact players on the defensive side of the football. That's, that's, that's what I felt like they needed. I think they needed another linebacker. I feel like they needed an impact guy, defensive end and a guy in the back end of the defense. We're sitting here, whatever phase you guys want to tell me it is in free agency, I don't care. They haven't addressed one damn thing. Okay? They got depth at safety. I'm okay with that. Okay. They made a trade for Gary. I'm okay with that. I said three impact players, and I'm not sure as I sit here today on the 19th of March that they have done that, gotten themselves three impact players. Now, does that mean you can do it in the draft? I, I, I, I question if that's a possibility. I'm saying getting three of them.

[D]

Yeah. I mean, I think, you know, the odds of getting impact players in the, in free agency weren't great either. You know, I, I think that's, that's what most of the free agents that make it nowadays to free agency are, are not signed for a reason, you know, especially with the way that the cap is now. The, the good players don't make it to free agency.

[A]

Usually, no, but it's is Crosby was cross. Would Crosby have been an impact player for your defense?

[D]

Yes. That's a trade. Yeah.

[A]

Would Hendrickson have been an impact player for your defense?

[D]

I think, I think that's the one that you could make an argument about. But I mean, he's also the top player.

[A]

Anything you got better than anything you got right now?

[D]

Well, yeah, but in that case, Rashad Gary was better than anything you had outside. Yeah.

[A]

Would, would Dean have been an impact player?

[D]

I Think he would have been a starter, which, you know, which is you're still searching for. I don't know what you got.

[A]

I mean, the guy, the guy you had starting there last year just retired at 29 years old.

[D]

I guess, I guess my point being that like, you know, if, if we view Dean as an impact player, I think you can draft an impact player because I think you could draft somebody as good as Dean in the first or third round, honestly. So, yeah, I, I think to me it seems like the approach that they're taking is let's fill out the middle class of our roster in free agency where the, the efficiency of spending is a little bit closer to what we're, we're looking for and then try to get the top end big splash players in the draft, which again, makes sense if you're just trying to get some control over the, the budget on how you, you ingest some of these top end players. You know, the question is, is that you've left yourself to a spot where there's not a lot of room for error. But to be fair, there wasn't a

[A]

lot of room for error. I got no room for error.

[D]

Well, I mean, look, how much room was there to begin with? You know, know, like, I, I think you talk about like impact players, but let's reset the board. And even the players that ultimately were available, I mean, outside of the ones that you mentioned, one of which that cost, cost more than a first round pick to get, there weren't a lot of guys that were out there that were huge impact players in the free agent trade market necessarily that, you know, maybe were worth the squeeze. So the question becomes like, did they have a very selective eye of what they were going to, to attack in this portion of player acquisition? And then once they weren't able to get the, the guys that they were targeting, did they kind of go, you know what? We're not just gonna spend money, bad money after good, we're gonna hold on to it and see what we can get through the rest of the trade market in the draft. I don't know, we'll see. I, I think I wouldn't be shocked if there's still a trade to be made here as we get closer to the draft or maybe even during the draft.

[A]

I mean, I, I think that's possibility, but I mean, would, would, would Tyreek Woolen under a one year, $15 million deal, not, not, not have upgraded your secondary?

[D]

I, I don't know. I mean, I think that, that, that Philadelphia is taking on some Risk there, I mean, there's a reason Seattle let him go, right? Like he was very up and down at times. So I mean, again, I think it's, it's like if we're talking about, I think it depends on what we're talking about with Impact. Because honestly, like, if we're talking, like

[A]

I'm saying, I'm saying you, you, you can't, you went into the off season

[D]

well, but, but coach, you were.

[A]

Hold on a minute, hold on a minute. Hear me out. You went into this off season with arguably the worst defense in the National Football League, right? Now. Are we going to sit here and say that I'm looking for three p. Pro bowl players? No, I'm, I'm looking for three upgrades that give you a chance. Just a minute. They give you a chance to get several critical stops in football games that you didn't get a year ago that, that maybe allow you to go from an 78 win team to a 10 win team. All right, so if, if that's the case, I use the word impact. Impact your defense, get in your backyard, quit looking around, what the hell everybody else is doing. Upgrade your backyard, get your shrubs going a little bit, get your fence fixed, get your, get your, get your yard mode right? And then in, in my mind you could say, well, Ran Gary is better than what they had. And okay, I'd be okay with that. But I, I needed three guys that I felt like would contribute to getting those critical stops. And as I sit here today, I'm not sure that they have that. I'm not sure that they don't. Maybe, maybe the safety, maybe the safety out of Arizona is, is a rolling ball of butcher knives. Okay, good. But you're still shoehorning yourself into having to go and absolutely knock a home run in the draft.

[D]

I, I, that's fair. But I also think that having said that, you too quickly poo poo the moves that they did make, right? Like, I mean, you, you, I mean, Rashad Gary is clearly an upgrade on what they had last year. Jalen Thompson, in my opinion, is clearly, I mean, look, look who was starting at safety next to Hooker yet last year. Yes, that was an upgrade at safety. The, the Durant comes in and he's an upgraded at corner. He would have been your first, your number one quarter in some of these games, considering what you were rolling out there. So if Impact is basically upgrading, you know, upgrading to the point that you're, you're exceeding past what you had last year, then yeah, I do think that they've they've went out and got three impact players, but I think if we're talking about taking it to the next level, like leveling up and getting excellent players, that's where they still have work to do. And I, I just, I, I think my, the reason I'm driving this home is because I think folks are, are too easily just kind of discounting the fact that the floor of this team was so terrible before it was so bad. And the Cowboys have managed to do a lot of work on the floor on players that are going to be playing a lot of football for the Cowboys. They haven't made the impact that everyone wants with the big names at Keith positions yet. I absolutely agree, but I also think that there are so many people pissed off because they feel like the Cowboys haven't done anything and they're so willing to look past the things that the Cowboys did do to kind of just put stability into this defense. And what did we talk about all last year is that these guys didn't know what they're doing. It doesn't feel like they have good coaching. It feels like their technique is terrible. Just having a competent coaching staff coming in here will raise the floor. You add in the kind of middle class ejection, it's better. The question is, is it good enough? And that's the answer why I think we say, no, it's not good enough, but it certainly is better than where it was last year.

[A]

I agree with you. They've upgraded the roster a little bit. Okay. I'm not, I'm not saying that that's not the case. I'm saying that if you're. First of all, there's going to be a learning curve for a defensive coordinator who's never called the defense. You got it? You're going to have to go through that. Do I think they'll be better? I do think they'll be better. Do I think they'll be better coached? I believe they'll be better coached, but you're going to have to fight through the learning curve of a guy that's never done it before, too. And so when I say impact guys, I'm talking about guys that I think immediately upgrade where you were from a year ago. And I mean immediately upgrade that. And you know, I, you could sell me on, on, on the safety. Upgrade. You could sell me. I mean, you know, do I think Rashawn Gary is a lot better than what you got out of Clowney? Maybe. Maybe. We'll see.

[B]

I think to, to both of your points I, I think hitting on what you said, Landon, about, about fans overlooking the off season thus far, and it's not finished yet. There's still, there's still time and still moves to be made, and we'll see about those trades. I think, I think what, where people are having a hard time settling down is you had Jerry's comments about busting the budget, everybody on board with how bad the defense was last year, and kind of this sense of urgency that they needed to really, really take care of business. I mean, this, no, no messing around. I mean, I think we all called it. Maybe it was you and Marcus Landon. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but, like, one of the biggest off seasons in franchise history. Right? Going in, out as we start, so, and again, not over yet. But I just, I, I think a lot of fans feel like maybe the, the urge, like, where's the urgency? We don't want to punt on this season and just kind of, well, it'll be good for the offense, but they're, they're not going to have the defense to, to, to really be able to do anything. And it's just, you feel kind of hopeless.

[D]

I, I, I mean, I, I, I've said this so many times, too. Like, we need to stop listening to Jerry, y'. All, like, just stop listening to him. Like, you know, like, I, I, I don't know why anyone continues to do it. Like, I, I love him to death. I think he's fun. He's, he's this circus ringleader. Stop. I, I don't want to hear the quote for what Jerry said. You know what I'm saying? Like, all right, it's, no, I'm not saying for you. I'm just saying, like, it's, it's one of those things. Yeah, you're gonna, you're gonna get this. Expectations breed resentment. And, and I think the problem is, is that Jerry continually sets the expectations at a weird spot. So, yeah, I think we have to watch their feet, not their mouth. I think.

[A]

I, I mean, I'd like to ask, you know, Cowboys fans, hey, would you feel better right now sitting here again 19 March, you didn't have the 20th pick. You traded OSA, which you did anyway, to San Francisco, and you gave up whatever else you had to give up. Would you feel better if, if Max Crosby was in the building? Would that, would you feel better about what just happened in free agency in the off season if that were the case?

[B]

I think so. I think they would. We'll see.

[D]

Yeah. I mean, you know, look, I think there's also a reason that Baltimore didn't do that trade, you know?

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Oh, I think they got to look at it. Giving away two ones and got cold feet big time because it's a big,

[D]

it's a big ask, man. You know, and, and giving it to a 29 year old that, I mean, look, at the very least did just have an MCL surgery. And so yeah, I mean I, I think there's, I, I, I, I think it's so easy to look at the players names and, and only see the upside and, and not like, and not care about the risk and not care about like the cost what, what those costs ultimately mean for more team building down the road. But yeah, there's, there's downsides to that Crosby deal. I, I think I, I, I, I, I don't know that I'm saying I wouldn't have done it. I'm just saying like I don't think it was such a slam dunk necessarily.

[A]

And I bet you where they sit today with Trey Hendrickson building those two ones back, they feel a lot better about it.

[D]

Yeah, yeah. And honestly, if, if, look, the cowboys, we won't talk about medical privacy but the cowboys own co expert got to look at his knee and you know, they got word on it and suddenly the Cowboys are not interested in anymore, then maybe you should be lucky that the cowboys didn't go through with that trade. Right. Because like maybe it is a bad situation long term and you know, maybe he doesn't have a lot left on it Again, he played what like 2,500 snaps the last two seasons or something ridiculous like that has a toll eventually,

[B]

you know, it's a lot of snaps. That's a lot of collisions. That is a lot of collisions. All right, hey, let's, let's get the mood back up. Let's talk about the draft. Let's get some good vibes going. We'll do that when we come back. This is the cowboys squad show. America's best network just got bigger.

[D]

Switch to T mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys lo

[B]

leave out plus our five year price guarantee. And now T mobile is available in u. S Cellular stores.

[C]

Best mobile network based on analysis by Google of speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See t mobile.com for details.

[D]

All Right.

[B]

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[D]

Well, now that you've got a third round pick, like gives you a lot more flexibility to be able to kind of go and get these three players that you need. And honestly to me, you know, I've done a bunch of these mock drafts just like everybody has, I'm sure. And it, it seems like waiting on linebacker is probably the best, best way to go. And that, I mean that makes empirical sense, right? Just because the position value of the three positions, cornerback, edge and linebacker. Linebacker is the one that, you know, you are usually waiting until a day two pick for or, or beyond. It's very similar. It's the, the defensive version of, of running back, right, where it's just a depressed value at the spot. I do think that that's turning around a little bit. Just like the running back value aspect has turned around as we kind of trend back towards running the football more in the NFL. But I don't think it's quite turned around and I certainly don't think that unless you're a elite athlete at the position that you're demanding a first round pick. And I should add one more thing that I think people forget to account for sometimes. The rookie wage scale has a really weird kind of loophole in it with linebackers where off ball like, you know, Mike's and Wills are in the same rookie wage scale as three, four outside linebackers. They're all called outside linebackers. Even though in the 3, 4 your outside linebackers are, are edge players, they're pass rushers. Right. So what that means is that the fifth year option for these off ball linebackers are also looped into the economics of the edge players at that same position. So fifth year options for first round linebackers are prohibitively expensive unless that player is an all pro at his position. They are almost basically guaranteed to be a top five paid player at the linebacker position position by their fifth year. So that's why you're seeing some of these teams release their rookie linebackers off of the their after four years, because of that. And so because of that economic loophole, because of the depth at the position in linebacker, because of the valuation of the position overall, to me it makes the most sense, if you can, to try to figure out a way to use those first two picks in some order at edge and cornerback, which, you know, again also makes economic sense on its own because those are two of the five money positions. Right. And then wait until the third round. There's still going to be plenty of depth. You'll still be able to get a guy who could probably come in here and be, if not a starter, a heavy rotational guy at linebacker.

[B]

It's a great breakdown. Landon, that was outstanding. Well said like that.

[D]

I, I do this a lot. I don't know if I mentioned that. It's a daily podcast.

[B]

Coach, what do you say?

[A]

I think it depends on, I mean, who, who is, who is going to be available at 12? Who, who, who is that guy?

[D]

Is it 12 is the spot, right, Coach? That's the one. I, I'm most, I'm most nervous.

[A]

I am, I mean I, I want to know is, is. I mean, because if, if Styles are sitting there at 12, you have to take him. Do I think he'll be there? Probably not. Do I think there's a possibility that Delane is there? I don't know if he gets past Kansas City, but a lot of this is going to depend on who, who is there. Because in my mind, once you get past Reese and Styles there, you're not going that direction at 12. That's, that's the point I'm making. And I'm not disagreeing with what you're saying about the numbers and the position and whatever. I'm, I'm talking about specific as far as who the guys are that I think could be there at 12 because I'm from the school right now, that if those two guys are not there, Kansas City takes Delane. I could see Dallas moving back.

[D]

Yeah, if they could. I mean that makes a ton of sense to me. And, and just to be clear, I 100 agree about recent Sunny Styles. All the things that I just said very much apply, but that just shows you how I feel about Sonny Styles. I think he is a rare linebacker. I don't think you see guys like this coming out very often. And I think Reese is also rare in the sense that he provides a, an elite level of pass rush that can be kind of sidecarred into his position a little bit. So even though all the things I just said about drafting the first round linebacker apply, I think Sonny Styles is such a good player, is such a difference maker that I would pay a fifth round, a fifth year option on, on a guy like that because I think that I could have the next Fred Warner, you know, on my team. If, if, if things work out there and if Reese is there, I feel fine about paying that fifth year situation as well because I can use him as part of my pass rush as well. I, there's, he, I will get the value out of him. And it, it's everybody else outside of that that I really like. I think there's a whole list of, of guys that are first round worthy linebackers, but not guys that I feel so obligated to take at 20 that I can't just wait until the third round to go get my guy.

[A]

I, I don't think there's, I mean as I sit here today, I don't believe there's any chance that Arvl Reese gets out of the top five.

[D]

Oh yeah, probably.

[A]

No, there's no, like we're talking about double that to 12. No, and, and you know, I do believe there's a chance that Styles, if he gets past Washington. I, I do believe there's a chance that he could be there. And if that's the case. Excuse me, if that's the case, then you, you go, I, I, I think you gotta, you have to know who the top, you know, five or six guys are, I believe. Absolutely, we know who that is. Now, which one of these other guys is Gonna. Is gonna follow the 12 because I believe personally that's about all the true first round grades that you got. Yeah, about 10 or 11 or 12.

[D]

That's what I was gonna say. Right. Is that Sonny Styles and Reese. I mean, we could just stop talking about Reese. Honestly, it's not happening. Like Sonny style. Sonny Styles is one of the very few blue chip players that potentially could fall to you at 12. I think all the rest of these guys, man, Sir, Delaine, all the other cornerbacks, the other defensive ends, I think all the rest of them are red chips, right? Like, like very good players still first round players, but not, not the guys that I'm dropping. Yeah, well, I mean you, you may be forced to take one of these guys at 12.

[A]

You very well may.

[D]

But the point being is if a blue makes it to 12, you're, you're, you're diverting your attention from whoever is there and that becomes your focus. Right? And I think I'm gonna.

[A]

Yeah, but I'm gonna say as a gambler, I would say that you, you have a better chance of somebody picking up the phone and calling you, wanting to move up to 12, because guess what? They do want, they do want that offensive lineman. They do want wide receiver, whoever that is that has moved into that, into that, you know, into that. What I would consider very small pond of guys. They'll. That, that phone will ring because somebody will want to get up in there and do that. Now you say, well, might the Cowboys do the opposite? I, I don't think the Cowboys can do the opposite. I really don't. I don't think you could package.

[D]

I, I've got one caveat there. I think the one, one way you can move up is if you split your picks, right? Like if you trade up with your top pick and then trade back with your second pick, maybe into the second round, you get, you get, you give the other team the value in moving up from wherever they were in the second round to your pick at 20 and then that you pay for where you're going from 12 to 6 with that. Like, I think that's the one way because you have two first round picks. If you, if you wanted to do like a mutual pick swap where both teams ended up with the same number of picks. But let, like, let's say Cleveland, right?

[A]

How many teams, how many teams have two ones? Is it five or six?

[D]

It's, it's like five. But, but I'm not even necessarily suggesting that you stay in the first round with these picks. Like, let's say it's Cleveland, right? If you wanted to trade like up to 6, maybe you could give them 12 and 20 and then they give you 6 and 4.

[A]

36 and the pick moves. Well, no way. I mean, I'm just telling you. I think that's, I think that is a. I think like, I think. I like the way you're thinking. It would cost you. You, you. You'd have to give up 12 and 20 and you may get a four back if you move up to six.

[D]

Yeah, I, I heard what they, what they're asking for. It's, it's ridiculous. Especially in a year where the, the. It should be a premium to trade down. I, I still think that there will be a team that potentially would be interested in a move similar to that that isn't asking for $4 on the dollar in a year when trading back should cost you less, not more.

[B]

All right, let's do this when we come back. Just right now, look, this is not etched in stone, but right now, as we sit here a month out, who do you think might be on the radar 12 if there's no, no movement, if there's not deals made and, and the big names go before, like we think they're going to go. Who do you think might be there and who do you think the Cowboys might want to get? We'll get into that when we come back. This is the Cowboys squad show.

[E]

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[D]

At 12?

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah. I mean, I, you know, I think Mansour Delane's Delaney's the kind of guy that, that we're looking at right now that I think we're. Hope you're hoping falls to you there. I think Terrell the, the cornerback from Clemson, I think it's kind of moving between your two picks. It feels like sometimes he's at 20, sometimes he's at 12. I do feel like he could potentially be a nice backstop, you know, just in case you get wiped out, that he's a good player that I wouldn't feel terrible about taking at 12, especially at that position. I think the thing that's kind of changed a little bit with the cornerback conversation is the signing of Colby Durant because it changed the archetype of, of what the Cowboys have been looking at at corner. He's by far a much smaller corner than the Cowboys have targeted in years. And I think that indicates maybe a change in prototypes, right. With Christian Parker's defense. So I think a guy like Terrell suddenly becomes a little bit more appealing than when he did at first glance because you're not looking at it through the lens of needing to have 32 and a half inch arms or needing to be six foot one.

[B]

So by the way, do you like the move, by the way of Durant?

[D]

I think, you know, if it works, yes. I mean, look, I. Oh, oh, oh. Of Durant. Oh, yes. I Do like the move of Durant? Yeah, I, I think I, I think it was, I mean, it was good. Like I said, it was refreshing to see them kind of open this up a little bit because I do feel like if they're going to solve this problem of acquiring the talent they need, they can't be so picky, is to only get, you know, long arm, tall corners. So. And Durant's a guy that, you know, look, clearly LA was looking to kind of supercharge their defensive backfield, but Durant was a guy that was coming off of a rookie contract. He's a little bit older because he came out a little bit older. So he wasn't necessarily in the Rams long term plans. But I mean, look at the production. I mean this is a guy who played something like 35 games in the last two years, had four interceptions last year, two in the playoffs. You know, was, was, was a big time player in big time games at times. I think he's, you know, a starter, borderline starter. He comes in, he's a guy that, you know, if anything, his best ability is availability. Right. Like, I mean, especially on a team where you've got two guys that are one who's a year removed from a major ACL injury, who's just kind of getting his feet underneath him in Rebel and then obviously we don't really know what's going on with Bland and his foot. So I think just getting NFL competent cornerback play is more than you had last year for most of the season. So I think it was a really good move.

[B]

Coach. Too early for you to look at number 12? Anybody you're thinking about or.

[A]

I've already looked at the top 30. Sorry to bother you. I mean, I, you know, I, you know, I, I'm going to be honest, I'm really, I'm really to the point where, you know, I don't want, I'm not comfortable pulling the trigger on McCoy. The Tennessee corner who was hurt this year. I think it's way too rich at 12. Do I think he'll be there? I think there's a possibility he could be there. I love, do I love how he played as a junior? Absolutely. Do I think he fits the mole of what they want? I do. But a guy that's didn't play this year concerns me, you know, so I'm to the point where I'm really, you know, to me it's kind of, it's, it really is, it's two guys. It's either Styles or Delane or I'm going to do everything I can to get out of it. That that's just where I'm at now. Do I think that there's a chance that love would fall there? I, I don't. But I know one thing. If he does fall there, I, I mean, you gotta, you gotta do something in that position. And I think, I think you'd get a bunch offered for you for, for someone to come up into that position and take him. And I think when you do that, then just have a plan of where you're gonna go after that.

[B]

Okay. All right. I mean, again, Landon, you and Marcus have been hitting on this every day, and we've got a whole month to go. So I don't want to, you know, I don't want to go pick by pick here, but I, I just wanted to kind of get a feel about where you're at and kind of see what you're thinking and what you're looking at.

[D]

The field changes every day, so it's not bad to check in every day, to be honest. So.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. So, you know, we've back to the, the free agent part of it. I mentioned Bobby Wagner's name. We read something today that apparently there was a conversation. I, I don't know, it seems kind of hard for me to believe about Kevon Thibodeau with the Giants and that the Giants asking price was too high, which I, I believe. I, that whole thing seemed kind of weird. Another guy that's out there is longtime St. Cameron Jordan. So there, there's guys out there that, that are still available that, you know, I'm sure they're waiting because they want to get the best deal they can. And I'm sure teams are waiting, hoping that that price will go down. Anybody that, that you think could be a fit, that's still out there.

[D]

I don't know about Jordan just because I feel like he may not be a good scheme fit necessarily. Thibodeau. I, I, I'm not shocked. Right. Because I'm sure the Giants are not willing to trade him at a good price to us. Right, Right. I think that's still the name that I would continue to be monitoring is Josh Sweat from the Arizona Cardinals. I think that the, he's shown some displeasure with this situation. He just signed a contract last year, but, you know, so did osa, and I think, you know, with the new coaching staff, you know, he's kind of getting a little bit older and obviously familiarity with this scheme that, that we're in, having played in Philadelphia, I wouldn't be shocked for Arizona, a team that's really in a rebuild looking to acquire some more picks. They'd be interested in doing a trade. And look, I, I thought one of the interesting trades you could do there is like what if you traded your 12 and 20 for their three and Josh sweat and some change. You give them some, some change.

[A]

What about Xavan Collins?

[D]

I think that's another very interesting name actually because I would play Xavin Collins at linebacker. Like I would move him back to his college position in this scheme because I think he would be really, really good as a, like a mike linebacker in this scheme because he comes downhill a lot and he would, you know, it's that gap in the half so you're not necessarily having to be so instinctual flowing to the ball, you're going to blitz a lot and you're going to come at the tactical quarterback. So I think Xavin Collins is actually an interesting name as well, but not necessarily how Arizona has been playing him lately.

[A]

What about, what about if Bosa can pass a physical? What about giving him a one year deal?

[D]

I mean, I think that's fine. I think that's, that's another kind of addition to your rotation. I don't know if that's a top end guy, you know, like I don't know that that's better than Gary or a healthy Ezraku necessarily, but I think he's a guy that definitely would play help your football team for sure.

[A]

You think you get anything out of Ezraku this year?

[D]

Yeah, I think you get something I, I, I don't think he had. I think if anything the change in defense is actually helping him in this case.

[A]

I'm not saying it's not, but I mean he's a 240 pound guy, got no lead in his ass.

[D]

That's what I'm getting at.

[A]

Having hip surgery, he has zero chance of going and putting on 15, 18 pounds, which is exactly what he needed to do.

[D]

I don't think he needs to do that as bad now in this system as he would.

[A]

Yeah, he got ragdolled against better defense. I mean offensive tackles, that's who he's still going against.

[D]

But he still was good against the run for pretty consistently, especially at the end of the year. So I need to go, I need

[A]

a guy to go get the quarterback. I can get a guy to set the edge.

[D]

Well, I, I think he can get there. I mean, honestly, if we all thought he was going to be a better pass rusher last year than a Run defender. And it's, it just wasn't how it turned out.

[A]

I think, I didn't think that because I think it takes a year to transition into that position, especially at that weight, 240something pounds. I mean you gotta, you gotta have more, you gotta have more lead in your ass. I mean that, that, that's that simple. And having hip surgery, I'm not, I'm not downplaying him. I'm saying having hip surgery, I mean, takes away from a lot of off season work where, you know, you were hoping he was going to get thicker in that area.

[D]

Yeah, I get it. I just think that being in this defense helps protect him from some of that to a certain degree.

[B]

Let me ask you this really quick. While we're talking about it, just kind of taking a look at the off season depth chart, if you will. So you got on the edge, you got Gary Williams, Wheat Odali as a Raku, Houston, Leo foul and Isaiah Land. And then you have Quinn and Williams, Bonilla, Kenny Clark, Toya. That's about it right now. How much more?

[A]

You said the edge, I mean, to make the front seven.

[B]

I'm just talking about the basically D linemen or guys that are.

[A]

Leah, foul's not a defensive line.

[B]

Well, they're gonna actually, they moved him

[D]

to, they moved him to edge.

[B]

Yeah, which.

[A]

Well, I mean, but again, that's different than a defensive lineman in a 34 front. I mean, okay, yeah, he could be an overhang player, but in a sense that's an outside linebacker. I mean, I don't think they're gonna go put his hand down, put him in a five technique.

[B]

No, no, no.

[D]

But he's going to be rushing the passer is what, is what they're suggesting.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, we can get a safety rush master too if we call the safety blitz.

[D]

I'm.

[B]

But I'm just saying with those names that I read, how much, how much more do you think they need for the D line?

[D]

Well, those are all different positions, but I'm generalizing.

[B]

It's a vague question.

[D]

They probably need, they probably need like another one or two interior defensive linemen, you know, at least. And on the edge, I mean, you know, numbers wise they're okay, but that's. They're not talent wise. So they need, you know, one or two really talented edge players. Like you know, of whether it's one or really, really talented guy or two nice rotational pieces that can add up to a nice one really talented guy.

[A]

I mean, basically you're talking about replacing Osa and Solomon Thomas. Correct.

[D]

Well, except. Yeah, except on the. On the edge.

[A]

But I'm not talking about inside guys. You said two on the inside, right?

[D]

Yes. Those are the two that you're replacing. OSA and Solomon Thomas.

[A]

Yeah. And then. And then they need two edge guys. So I. I mean, that's why I said Bosa, as a veteran guy, wouldn't cost you. Wouldn't cost you a lot. I don't. I don't know where he's at from a physical standpoint, but, I mean, he. I think he can still play at a. At a pretty high level because basically you're going to have to have somebody to replace Clowney.

[B]

Yeah. Okay. All right, well, when we come back, I want to ask you, Coach, I have a question for you about just kind of this month and. And this time of the season. Excuse me. As we get closer to the draft. We'll do that when we come back. Final segment coming up. This is the Cowboys squad show.

[E]

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[D]

Yeah. So we're going to be talking about some strategies on what the Cowboys should do to kind of, if they wanted to be aggressive and they wanted to kind of make sure that they got the kind of top end players we're talking about they still need. So that's going to be a focus of just some draft strategies to maybe boost their potential output of from the draft and get themselves into position to get some more impact players. So hopefully, hopefully we solve some things. We'll see.

[B]

All right, so coach, let me, let me run this by you if I could. So we kind of hit on this at the beginning of the show, right. We talked about the sense of urgency and what you were hoping for in the off season. If you're Landon, right. You get your outlet, you get to do the daily podcast. If, if you're coach, you get to do your radio show every day. But what's it like if you're part of the coaching staff or the front office? Right. You know that you want to get better. You know, you want to improve your defense. Maybe free agency didn't go the way that you wanted it to. You can't hurry up and wait. So what, I mean, what, what do you do? Do you, do you make calls? Do you try to, you meet every day and try to go over different scenarios like, what's it like right now for the Cowboys and the front office and the coaching staff? What? Because clearly, if we're talking about how we want them to improve and, and they need to do some things to get better, obviously they know, right? They know that it's not good enough and there's still work to be done. But it, you know, we live in a microwave society, but it doesn't work that way. The calendar doesn't work that way.

[A]

Yeah. So they better be out at these college pro days looking at, looking at players. They better have prioritized where they need to go and who they need to see. And I'm sure that's exactly what you're seeing these guys do right now, is make sure that, you know, at LSU's pro day, there will be multiple Cowboys staff there. At Ohio State's pro day, there can be multiple Cowboy staffs there. So, I mean, you're strategically looking at where you want the staff to go and who you want the staff to put their eyes on. You've seen them at the combine and now you want to go say, hey, this is who we prioritize and who we really like. Let's make sure that, you know, our linebacker coach, our defensive back coach, our defensive coordinator and Will McLay are at these specific workouts where that, where they want to put their eyes on those players. I think that's, I think that's really, really important is to be able to be at those college pro days and have yourself there again, getting as much information as you can get and then maybe getting some face time with these guys and, you know, spending a little more time outside of what you got from an interview at, in Indianapolis. So I can guarantee you that's where they're at. They're out looking at these guys and, and, and getting their eyes on them so that they, you know, so that they can see for themselves, you know, basically what, what they've got. I mean, I don't, I don't question for one second that Christian Parker is going to be at the top defensive work, top defensive guys who they feel will be there. He will be at every one of those workouts. So he's going to be on the road for about three weeks here while all those workouts are going on.

[B]

Yeah. Landon, what do you think from. You've done this, you've been doing these shows in, in this time period, What. What are you looking for? And you kind of hit on it that, you know, they might have some options. I'm wondering, you know, if their phone's going to ring for some of those picks and, you know, if that's going to heat up at some point as we get closer to the draft.

[D]

Yeah, I think, you know, I was talking about this to somebody the other day. It's like anybody who's, like, trying to talk about the depth chart or, like, showing pictures online of the depth chart and like, this is the depth chart currently. Like, that's, you know, what do you think, fans, like, it's March. Like, that's. I think that we don't play football in March. You know. Know, I think all of this stuff, unfortunately, is very, very much about, like, being patient.

[A]

Right.

[D]

And that, because there's just the, the process here has to play out right now. Like coach said, they're doing these pro days and then they'll go do the draft. And, and honestly, like, a lot of the kind of things that everyone is looking for that, that, that the deals that they want to see, like, deals get made by deadlines, and there are no deadlines right now. So that, you know, I don't think that there are. I don't think people should be waiting with Bated breath, you know, like, I think it's, I think it's, it's a daily thing for sure. But I also think that time has not run out. Like, there's still, we still haven't even had the draft yet. And the draft is not just the draft, right? It's trades, it's deadlines. Right. Because now we are talking about like, the opportunity and, and like losing the, these valuable pieces and what you do with these valuable pieces. It's not just about picking young players. It's about trading for veterans as well. So I do think that there is more stuff to come, but we are now in the spot of the, of the schedule where these guys, these different groups are behind closed doors, putting their nose to the grindstone and doing the work that gets them ready for what happens. Wow. Almost a month from today, like, you know, so I, I, we're in the final home stretch. There's going to be a lot of talk by a lot of people in the media about a lot of different stuff. People like me are going to be talking about conjecture and rumors and all this, but while we're doing all this, the people inside those buildings, they are quietly doing their jobs from when it's dark outside to when it's dark outside again, trying to get ready to understand all these players. And there's a lot of work going on. We just may not see anything, you know, up until the draft because everyone's kind of in get prep mode right now.

[B]

Yeah, that's a great point. Would you say that since it's been kind of quiet other than Kobe Durant and his signing, that for the most part until maybe after the draft, that right now the Cowboys, okay, free agency, they've kind of done what they wanted to do up to this point, and now it's okay, Focus on the draft and we'll see what comes comes up later as far as potential deals and then what, free agents are available at a different price at a different time?

[D]

Yeah, I would think so. I think they probably keeping their powder dry, as the saying goes, right? Like, yeah. And I also think that there's a possibility that they have trades on the table that won't get executed until X happens on the clock. Right? Or, you know, like, hey, we will trade down for, we will trade up with you if, if Malachi Lemon is available at 12 when you guys get there. And then, and so like, the trades on the table, it's already agreed to, but it won't get executed unless the certain ex, you know, thing happens. The way the, the draft board falls the way that it needs to. So, yeah, I, I think, you know, and that's also part of what they're going to be doing over the next month is calling around and just shooting the S with. With other gms and saying, hey, who do you like? What do you like? What are you interested in? Well, you want to give me a call if this happens? Okay, great. Like, and just kind of seeing what everybody's, you know, what their interest levels are on everything. So, yeah, I, I wouldn't be totally shocked if, if something happened in the next month, maybe if as we get closer, like, someone's trade price comes down just enough for it to become a viable option for the Cowboys or something like that. But I would. I, I think if I had to bet on it, I would bet that we're probably going to be pretty quiet. Maybe a small signing here or there up until draft day.

[A]

I guarantee you they're. They're going to have, they'll be that. The Cowboys scouting staff, coaches, they'll have four.

[D]

They'll.

[A]

They'll have four or five mock drafts themselves. They'll give two or three guys. They'll say, okay, here you, you guys represent these two or three teams. Okay, you two guys, you got these two teams. Now we're going to go through this scenario of having a mock draft, and they'll go through it. They'll go through it, I promise you. They'll go through it four or five, six times to look at for instances or who they think or what they're hearing. Right? Because guys are talking. I mean, they're what? Pro day workout yesterday was at utsa. I promise you, there's. There's somebody out there that's talking, that's asking guys from other teams, you know, do you really. Y' all really go in this direction?

[D]

Is that who you really like?

[A]

No, no, no. Not that they're going to tell them, but certainly there's guys fishing for information at every single angle, and it's not any different than what we're doing right here. It's not any different than this exercise.

[D]

Well, Coach, think about. I mean, I hate to make people's head spins, but think about. With technology now, nowadays, you can have 32 AI agents, all each representing an NFL team and put a bunch of inputs into them and have your. Have a thousand mock drafts in a day, right? Yeah, just run out a bunch of simulations and see how it plays out. Like, yeah, there's. There's so many different ways to kind

[A]

of get that I mean, trades. They're looking at who's trade. Who, who could trade into this. Who's going to trade up into this situation where, where, you know, where might guys be going? I, I mean, I'm telling you, I, I think everybody in the world thinks that Mendoza is going to the Raiders. I'm not saying that. I wouldn't bet a bunch of money and say that. That I feel 1000% confident that that's going to happen. I really don't. And that's. I mean, I'm just, I'm just being honest with you.

[B]

That's why they have the air conditioning. Right, Coach, as you always say, why

[A]

the air condition, the desert.

[B]

Yeah. Yep.

[A]

For guys who think they got the answer.

[B]

Exactly. All right, we'll leave it right there. Gentlemen. Thank you very much. Enjoyed it. Always a blessing to me to get to speak with you and hear your wisdom. Appreciate it. We didn't get into the NFL talk, but we have plenty of time to do that. I want to get into that next. Next episode or next week. Landon, have a great week.

[A]

I want to talk about this officiating. Boy, if these officials go on strike. I'm telling you now, you talk about, you talk about something that would, I mean, that make you scratch your rear end. I mean, if these officials.

[B]

NFL don't do it.

[D]

I gotta tell you, I got a lot of takes on that. Honestly,

[A]

I think it could be. I mean, I, I'm having you on the radio tomorrow. I promise you we're gonna bang it out.

[D]

I mean, I, I'm normally a pro union guy, but these, these referees are, are they. They're. They've gone around the bend. They're crazy. And, and that union is nuts. And so I'm. This is one of the things where I'm actually pro NFL on this thing because I don't want to see replacement refs, but I want to see better refs. And, and the referee union has been part of the problem for over 10 years.

[A]

I said I'm gonna come back being my next life, but it's gonna be an NFL, it's gonna be an mlb.

[B]

I'm gonna lifetime gig right there. All right, guys, have a great week, great weekend. We'll do it again next week for Landon McCool, the coach. Glenn Smith, Aisha Marcus will be back on Monday. Thank you for watching and listening. This has been the Cowboys squad show.

[E]

Not to brag or anything, But Arby's new $7.99 meat in three box is kind of a big deal. The other guys give you just one side. We give you three sides. Not to brag. You get a meaty sandwich, curly fries, Mott sticks, a sweet treat and a drink. All for just $7.99. It's more meal for your money, More meal for your money. More meal for your money. Where'd that come from?

[A]

Arby's. We have the meats at participating Arby's

[F]

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[D]

What's up everybody? This is Ross Jackson, one of the hosts of the Locked On Podcast Network, and if you haven't heard yet, we started a club and we would would love for you to join. It's called the Everydayer Club and one of the things that you get as a member is an ad free version of the podcast that you're listening to right now. It works with whatever podcast app you already use, same episodes every day, just no ads. There's also a members only group chat for fans of your team, plus a lot more. You can check it out by tapping the Everydayer Club link in the show notes.