Locked On Cowboys – Episode Summary

Episode: Draft Win: Dallas Cowboys Complete Week 18 Tank To Earn No. 12 Pick | Jaydon Blue Shines!

Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Overview

This episode dives into the Dallas Cowboys' Week 18 loss to the New York Giants (34–17), which, despite the defeat, is framed as a strategic "draft win" for the franchise. Hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down why intentionally losing was the optimal path for the Cowboys, what this means for draft position and future roster-building, the health prospects for key players (especially Dak Prescott), and which young players—particularly running back Jaydon Blue—flashed promising potential. The episode also features candid discussions about persistent defensive woes and sets the stage for a pivotal offseason.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Soft Tank" and Draft Positioning

• Strategic Losses:
  The hosts praise the Cowboys’ front office and coaching staff for prioritizing future benefits over a meaningless win in the season finale. By losing to the Giants, the Cowboys improved their draft pick from a potential #18 to #12, a significant jump in both talent and pick value.

  • “They did kind of execute the soft tank that we had hoped that they were going to do... The key thing here was making sure Dak got out of the game uninjured, making sure we got out of the game without major injuries... and not destroying your potential draft status.” – Landon (02:13)

• Draft Implications:
  The difference between picking at 12 and 18 is characterized as essentially a “second-round pick of value.” The opportunity to land the best linebacker, second-best edge, or top cornerback in the class is now real.

  • “The difference between picks 18 and 12—not just in the quality of player that you’re going to get, which is massive, but in terms of value, it’s like the difference of a second-round pick.” – Marcus (04:50)

  • “Now, there’s a good chance that you maybe get the best linebacker in the class at 12, maybe the second-best edge rusher, maybe the best cornerback…” – Marcus (07:19)

• Trade Down Flexibility:
  With no second or third-round picks, the Cowboys now have the flexibility to trade down and recuperate draft capital. The hosts contrast the Cowboys' position with the Giants, who, by winning, dropped to pick #5.

  • “If you want to trade back from 12 to 18 and pick up a second-round pick, be my guest. That’s the value of losing a game that nobody is going to remember three weeks from now…” – Marcus (08:32)

2. Health and Momentum Entering the Offseason

• Dak Prescott’s Clean Bill:
  Exiting the season healthy, especially for key players like Dak, is highlighted as a major win.

  • “This has got to be one of the healthier offseasons [Dak’s] had in a long, long time… you can kind of continue some of the momentum you’ve had on offense this season.” – Marcus (03:00)

• 2026 as a Target Year:
  With the team’s window being 2026–27, having Dak at full health and a potential infusion of young talent is framed as crucial.

  • “He’s going in healthy for one of the few times, and we’ve talked about it—the goal at this point… was to set this team up for 2026.” – Landon (04:07)

3. Young Standouts: Jaydon Blue & Phil Mafa

• Jaydon Blue’s Breakout:
  Jaydon Blue rushed 16 times for 64 yards and a touchdown, finally showing the “juice” that made him a draft pick. The hosts praise his burst, but note he must improve on breaking tackles and pass protection.

  • “Carrying the ball, he looked fantastic… Some of the runs between the tackles where he was able to use nifty footwork… he had a two back-to-back explosive runs, 12 yards and a 27 yard [run]…” – Landon (13:01)
  • “This Jaydon Blue game sums up Jaydon Blue… you see the athleticism… But you also see the inexperience… A stronger running back probably gets seven or eight [on a run where he was tackled easily].” – Marcus (15:13)

• Development Needs:
  Blue’s need to play more, develop confidence, and add functional strength is repeatedly emphasized.

  • “He needed, as much as he needed to show us, he needed to show himself… He needs to get a little bit stronger… That’s going to be an effort thing.” – Landon (16:26)

• Phil Mafa’s Audition:
  Mafa ran hard and looked efficient, though lacking dynamic burst. Viewed as a potential practice squad or special teams contributor, rather than a feature back next year.

  • “He does run hard and he’s got some power, but those guys can stay on [the] practice squad… I think they need to retool this backfield.” – Marcus (18:23)

4. Offensive Notes

• Backup QB Play:
  Joe Milton played the entire second half, showing both his running ability and his hallmark inconsistency as a passer—capable of “gamer” moments but still struggles with reads and basic throws.

  • “You see the value that he can bring as a runner… but you also see why the Cowboys have not been super excited to give him a bunch of opportunities because he still struggles to read the field…” – Marcus (19:45)

• WR Ryan Flournoy:
  Flournoy again led in receiving (5 catches on 7 targets for 68 yards); hosts are confident in him as the WR3 going into next season.

  • “It feels like the Cowboys have found their number three receiver… And I expect Flournoy in year three… to take a big step in 2026.” – Marcus (21:24)
  • “He doesn’t need to go too much further for what the Cowboys need. He’s already an extremely valuable wide receiver three.” – Landon (21:59)

5. Defensive Concerns and Disappointment

• Defensive Collapse:
  The defense allowed 34+ points for the 7th time in 2025, described as “disorganized” and “disinterested,” plagued by poor tackling and lack of fundamentals.

  • “Bad tackling was definitely a huge part of this… It comes down to the fundamental stuff… tackling, being lined up correctly, knowing your assignments…” – Landon (25:30)

• Clowney Bright Spot:
  Jadeveon Clowney recorded three sacks and is recognized as the best Dallas defensive end this season.

  • “Clowney played his tail off for them this year… way more than what I was expecting…” – Landon (26:19)

• Dak Prescott’s Frustration:
  A notable quote from Dak highlights the disconnect between offensive performance and the defense’s failures:

  • “Dak said, ‘Felt like one of the first seasons I can’t necessarily correlate my play to the wins and losses.’ I mean, that’s as strong as an indictment as you’re gonna get from Dak Prescott…” – Landon (27:20)

• Offseason Defensive Overhaul Needed:
  Both hosts advocate using nearly every resource to overhaul the defense, warning against front office complacency.

  • “The last thing you want is Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones to think, ‘Okay, we’re not that far away…’ They need to use almost every resource on defense to try to get this unit back to being competent. They’re not close.” – Marcus (28:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Soft Tanking and Draft Value:
  “For a meaningless Week 18 game, did you really want to throw away a second-round pick of value? I think we learned the answer was no.” – Marcus (05:07)

• On Health and Dak’s Offseason:
  “It’s really nice that [Dak is] going to have a full offseason where he’s not rehabbing, where you can… continue some of the momentum you’ve had on offense this season.” – Marcus (03:00)

• On Jaydon Blue’s Performance:
  “We needed to see some juice from him… to make this all worthwhile… he needs to be explosive and dangerous and show us something… and I think he gave you a little bit of that today.” – Landon (13:01)

• On Defensive State:
  “Felt disorganized. It felt… disinterested at times. Really bad tackling was definitely a huge part…” – Landon (25:30) “Dak said, ‘Felt like one of the first seasons I can’t necessarily correlate my play to the wins and losses.’” – Landon (27:20)

• On Offseason Priorities:
  “They probably need five to six starters on defense. And honestly, probably eight contributors on defense… if you’re not getting the messaging now, I don’t know if you ever will.” – Marcus (28:23)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:13] – Soft tank, prioritizing health and draft order
• [04:50] – Explanation of draft value between picks #12 and #18
• [07:19] – Instant implications for draft prospects and team flexibility
• [13:01] – Jaydon Blue’s breakout and limitations
• [19:45] – Backup QB Joe Milton’s second-half review
• [21:24] – WR Flournoy’s emergence as WR3
• [25:30] – Defensive woes and fundamental problems
• [27:20] – Dak Prescott’s quote on disconnect between his play and defense
• [28:23] – Urgency for defensive rebuild

Tone & Style

The episode is informative, candid, and pragmatic—a measured mix of optimism regarding the team’s strategic decisions and frustration with long-standing defensive issues. The hosts blend analytical rigor with relatable fan emotion, balancing hope for the 2026 season with a clear-eyed assessment of current weaknesses.

Summary for Non-listeners

If you missed this episode, you’ll come away understanding why the Cowboys’ Week 18 loss to the Giants was actually the best-case scenario. The “soft tank” executed by resting starters and giving key reps to backups not only kept the roster healthy but also handed Dallas a top-tier pick in the upcoming draft—crucial with several holes to fill, especially on defense. Fans get encouraging notes about young running back Jaydon Blue, validation that the WR3 spot is in good hands with Flournoy, but a sobering reminder that an offseason defensive overhaul is non-negotiable. The hosts provide clarity and conviction on what must come next for Dallas to succeed in its championship window.