Locked On Cowboys Podcast
Episode: DRAFT: Favorite Round 1 Picks For The Dallas Cowboys Ahead Of NFL Combine | Styles or Delane?
Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

In this episode, Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool preview their favorite—and most realistic—round one draft picks for the Dallas Cowboys as the NFL Calendar moves closer to the 2026 NFL Draft and NFL Combine. With just two months to go, the hosts share their top options for picks #12 and #20, discussing not only big names and fan favorites but also realistic contingencies and how these players would fit within the Cowboys' roster and defensive schemes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: The Cowboys’ First Round Priorities

• The focus is on identifying the most realistic and beneficial picks for the Cowboys in the first round.
• The hosts acknowledge that the draft board's dynamics change quickly, and this discussion captures their thinking as of late February.

Notepad Tradition & Early Favorites

• Marcus mentions his annual tradition:

  “I always like to do this. I, I write it down on a little notepad next to my desk to just kind of see where the feel is at when it comes to these picks and see how much it changes over the next couple of weeks.” (01:27)

Round 1, Pick 12: Styles vs Delane

Marcus’s Pick: Sonny Styles, Linebacker, Ohio State

[03:51]

• Value at Linebacker:
  Marcus: “I just think that Sonny Styles is a really special player and a position where more and more that position is becoming more valuable. He can stay on the field when all three downs. He's just a player who's on the rise.”
• Underappreciated on a Loaded Roster:
  Marcus notes that Styles may be underestimated due to playing on a stacked Ohio State team and likens it to the “hidden in plain sight” nature of big-program standouts.
• “I just don't think you get a lot of linebackers like him coming out of drafts every single year.” (04:38)

Landon’s Pick: Mansour Delane, Cornerback, LSU

[04:58]

• Aggression and Versatility:
  Landon: “I just love watching him play. I love how aggressive he is. I like how physical he is despite being undersized.”
• Solution to a Roster Problem:
  “It's really hard to find corners like this… if you do, you got to pay a ton of money in free agency for them or you've got to trade like multiple first round picks like the Colts had to do.”
• Pairing with Bland:
  Landon highlights that Delane would form a potent duo with Duron Bland: “You've got two corners that can play inside and outside.”
• On Delane’s Size:
  Marcus admits: “Yeah, the size is obviously the thing that is my concern, but absolutely agree. Would not have any problem with him being the pick at 12. It makes a ton of sense.” (05:43)
• Football IQ:
  Marcus on Delane: “He's coming off of his guy to go get the ball because he knows exactly where it's gonna go. It's kind of wild to watch. Just a super heady player… he more than makes up for it with the way he plays and how smart he is.” (05:43)

Consensus at 12

• Both agree Styles or Delane would be high-upside, smart picks at #12, fitting both the Cowboys’ needs and the board's value.

Round 1, Pick 20: Looking for Flexibility and Scheme Fits

Marcus’s Pick: Dylan Thielman, Defensive Back, Oregon

[08:42]

• Positional Versatility:
  “He could play safety if I need him to. He's just a heady guy who I think he's got valuable skill set that could fit, slide right in.”
• Draft Strategy Logic:
  “I took a linebacker at 12. I gotta find a way to get a defensive back out when I'm coming out of this draft.”
• Depth in the Class:
  “There are so many guys I think that will be available that I would be thrilled with… that’s the good part about that pick.” (09:14)
• Positional Value Defense:
  Marcus clarifies he views Thielman more as a nickel, not strictly a safety, leaning into today’s NFL trends.

  “In a world where nickels are starters, I think that's, you need to have these kind of guys.” (11:39)

Landon’s Pick: Cassius Howell, Edge Rusher, Texas A&M

[09:52]

• Edge Urgency:
  “If you're going to be playing more odd man fronts, you need these edge rushers that are comfortable playing on their feet, dropping into zone coverage…guys that can really bend the edge and get to the quarterback quickly and I think that's Cassius.”
• Immediate Impact and Potential:
  “He's super, super productive. Two double digit sack seasons in his career. I think at 20 you're just not concerned about the lack of power or him being able to stop the run because it's a perfect scheme fit.”
• Pairing with Veterans:
  “Even if he's not a full time player as a rookie, I think there are ways that you pair him with like let's say a Judevion Clowney and you figure out that defensive end position. These kind of guys are hard to find.” (09:52)
• Marcus’s Response:
  “You can start him out really early as just a defensive pass rusher and if you've got a veteran guy like Clowney… he can eat up some snaps for him early.” (10:57)

Broader Draft Philosophy & Notable Quotes

• On drafting for need vs. value:

  “I know positional value, man, I listen, I hear you but I think in a world where nickels are starters, I think that's, you need to have these kind of guys.” (Marcus, 11:39)

• Landon teases an upcoming episode on safety prospects:

  “If you're going to draft a safety at 20, you might as well draft the second best one in the class. And I don't think that's Dylan Thinman, but that's a tease. For our Tuesday show, you should check it out where we'll be talking about the other non Caleb Down safeties in this draft class…” (11:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marcus, on surprise prospects falling:
  “Would I be absolutely gobsmacked if Caleb Downs fell to you at 12? ... I don't think it would like, that was another just really shocking one. ... I don't think I would be that level shocked.” (02:44–03:27)
• Landon, on Corners:
  "I just love Delane and I think that's the guy that is ready to play against any style of defense and it's hard to draft corners and I know he's undersized a little bit, but I just love the attitude.” (04:58)
• Marcus, on watching Delane’s tape:
  "You could just see there's so many times... where he just, he's coming off of his guy to go get the ball... It's kind of wild to watch. Yeah. Just a super heady player, you know, makes up for. That's what you want to see these undersized guys do... he more than makes up for it with the way he plays and how smart he is...” (05:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:12 — Episode intro & rationale behind the draft picks exercise
• 02:35–03:51 — Discussion of dream/realistic options at pick 12; the tradition of pick notes; joke about favorites written on a notepad
• 03:51–04:58 — Marcus makes the case for Sonny Styles at 12
• 04:58–06:21 — Landon makes the case for Mansour Delane at 12, discussion of the pros/cons
• 08:42–09:33 — Marcus’s pick at #20: Dylan Thielman; rationale and depth at the position
• 09:52–10:57 — Landon’s pick at #20: Cassius Howell; edge urgency, scheme fit, projected impact
• 11:34–11:52 — Philosophical conversation about positional value and a teaser about safeties for an upcoming episode

Summary Table of Draft Favorites

| Pick | Marcus's Favorite | Landon's Favorite | Key Rationale | |------|---------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | 12 | Sonny Styles (LB, OSU) | Mansour Delane (CB, LSU)| Styles: three-down LB, rare traits; Delane: tough, versatile, complements Bland | | 20 | Dylan Thielman (DB, Oregon)| Cassius Howell (Edge, A&M)| Thielman: versatile DB/nickel fit; Howell: explosive edge rusher, scheme fit |

Closing and Looking Ahead

• The hosts emphasize these are their current thoughts and expect plenty of movement as more information comes in post-Combine and through free agency.
• Teaser for next episode: “Which safeties (other than Caleb Downs) do we like for the Cowboys in this draft class?”
• Follow Landon (@mccoolbcb) and Marcus (@marcus_mosher) on Twitter for updates, and check the Locked On Cowboys Supercast for more exclusive content.

This summary captures the lively, expert analysis of Marcus and Landon, provides essential timestamped arguments and quotes, and offers a useful guide for fans seeking to understand the Cowboys' draft possibilities as of February 2026.