Locked On Cowboys Podcast – Detailed Episode Summary

Episode Title: NFL DRAFT: Did Sonny Styles Just TEST His Way Out Of Range For Dallas Cowboys? | NFL Combine Updates!
Release Date: February 27, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the aftermath of the NFL Combine, analyzing the explosive athletic testing results from top draft prospects—especially linebackers and edge rushers—and their potential fit and value for the Dallas Cowboys in the upcoming NFL Draft. The hosts debate whether top-rated linebacker Sonny Styles may have tested his way out of Dallas's range, unpack performances of other linebacker and edge prospects, and preview Friday's defensive backs. The show is lively, data-driven, and filled with both optimism and a touch of disappointment as the draft board continues to shift.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The NFL Combine: “Draft Nerds' Christmas”

• Hosts' excitement: Both Marcus and Landon express how the combine is their favorite evaluation time of year, likening it to Christmas for draft fans.
  • Quote [02:09] Landon: “It’s draft nerds’ Christmas. I took days off work. My wife knew—don’t talk to me. I’m busy. It’s combine week, you know?”
• Combine’s tricky reality: Fans want prospects to perform well, but not so well they become unrealistic for the Cowboys’ draft position.
  • Quote [02:56] Marcus: “You’re rooting for these players to perform well, but you don’t want them to perform too, too well.”

2. Sonny Styles: From Cowboys’ Target to Top-7 Lock?

• Testing Results:
  • 6’5”, 243 lbs, ran 4.46 40-yard dash, 43.5” vertical—best RAS ever for off-ball linebacker.
• Pre-Combine Mock Range: Originally projected for Cowboys at #12.
• Post-Combine Concern: Stellar performance sparks debate about whether he now gets picked inside the top 7.
  • Quote [03:42] Landon: “I’d already seen mock drafts where he was going 6 and 7... After seeing this combine performance… I certainly wouldn’t feel bad about taking after seeing this combine.”
• Caution on Double Counting:
  • Both hosts underscore not to “double count” athletic tests when those traits were already evident on film and expected.
  • Quote [04:16] Marcus: “...don’t count it twice…. We knew Sonny Styles was athletic... Don’t double count it. And I don’t think the league will.”
• Final consensus:
  • Both hosts agree Styles is a “freak of nature” and Cowboys may not get him; but, his combine merely confirms what was shown on tape.
  • Quote [05:01] Landon: “I mean I still won’t be shocked if he goes top seven.”

3. Linebacker Class Depth: Other Names After Styles

Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)

• Surprised in workouts: 6’1”, 230 lbs, ran 4.57 40, led three cone and shuttle among LBs, 38.5” vertical, 10’1” broad.
  • Quote [05:29] Marcus: “He’s gonna test as a 95th, 96th percentile athlete, and I never saw that coming.”
• Production matches new athletic profile; stock rising into Day 2, maybe even late Round 1.
  • Quote [08:28] Landon: “Honestly, his stock may even go higher than that. I would not be shocked… first round consideration.”

Kyle Lewis (Pitt)

• Undersized but tested well: Just over 6’0”, 220lbs, 40” vertical, 10’9” broad, low 4.5s 40.
  • Quote [09:13] Marcus: “Now he’s always going to be undersized. But you’re talking about somebody who… is a perfect fit as a nickel linebacker in the NFL.”
• Shows versatility as hybrid linebacker/box safety, impressed at Senior Bowl.
  • Quote [09:39] Landon: “He could probably play a little bit of box safety if you need to… definitely the most active of the linebackers.”

4. Edge Rusher Standouts & Combine Storylines

David Bailey (Stanford)

• Outstanding workout; cemented top-10 status by checking all “threshold” boxes.
  • Quote [12:41] Landon: “He sealed the deal as a top 10 pick. As soon as he hit that 4.51, I was like ‘oh yeah, he’s gonna be fine.’”
  • Quote [12:56] Marcus: “I think he might be the number two overall pick, to be honest.”

Cassius How

• Up-and-down day: 4.59 40, standout 10-yard split (1.58 sec, 95th percentile), short arms (30.25”).
• Dominant field drill stat: fastest pass rush curve in years (14.5 MPH).
  • Quote [13:37] Marcus: “He reached 14.5 mph… fastest since Will Anderson in the 2023 draft.”
• Fit for Dallas: Could fall due to arm length, but burst could be valuable.
  • Quote [15:04] Landon: “That combined with that 14 mph figure… really tells the tale. Like he’s an incredibly bursty guy who will beat you around the edge quickly.”

Reuben Bain

• Measured with extremely short arms (<31”), did not participate in drills; could scare teams but the tape is “dominant.”
  • Quote [16:16] Landon: “This is the ultimate ‘trust the tape’ guy… at points the best player in college football.”

Hakeem Mesidor (Miami)

• Older, injury history, did not test at combine, seen as a missed opportunity to address concerns.
  • Quote [17:46] Landon: “You’ve got a lot of negative things… and I love Mesidor, but not a good look to come out and not test. You’ve got a lot of people like Marcus out here being naysayers about you. Go out and prove them wrong.”

TJ Parker

• Good, not great day; measured well with 33” arms; has helped himself this offseason.
  • Quote [19:35] Landon: “He definitely had the best day of those three [How, Thomas, Parker]… having 33+ inch arms helps paint a picture of how you’ll play in the NFL.”

Caleb Banks

• 6’6”, 327 lbs, 32” vertical, 5.04 40; massive, flashes great tools but left combine early with “cleat soreness.”
  • Quote [20:36] Marcus: “Typical Caleb Banks experience—awesome flashes, then he leaves mid-combine.”
  • Quote [21:27] Landon: “It’s the classic ‘I’ll let someone else draft that guy.’ I see incredible athleticism, but not a ton of incredible production yet.”

5. Defensive Backs: Friday Combine Preview

• Many projected first-rounders sitting out (Gerard McCoy, Mansour Delaney, Caleb Downs).
• Focus: Get athletic and size data to help stack outside corners and slot/safety prospects.
• Explosive DB to watch: Sanoussi Thieneman (Purdue)
  • Hoping to run sub-4.4 or even in the 4.3s at 200lbs.
    • Quote [25:39] Marcus: “Did you see what he said—he thinks he can get into the four threes.”
    • Quote [25:48] Landon: “If you get a safety that can run in the four threes at 200 pounds... he’s like the dream pick at 20.”
• Other corners to monitor:
  • Emmanuel McNeil Warren (Toledo) — bigger corner (projected 6’2”, 210), thought to run high 4.4s/low 4.5s.
  • Mansour Delaney — key for him is proving length (arms, wingspan).
• Slot/Agility Emphasis: 3-Cone and Shuttle Drills matter for slot defenders and safeties.
  • Quote [27:37] Marcus: “Keep an eye on the three cone drill for slot guys… that’s the drill you want to watch.”
  • Landon: “Testing is super important for the defensive backs—maybe more than almost any other position.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Sonny Styles] has the best combine performance ever for an off-ball linebacker.” – Marcus [03:00]
• “Don’t count it twice. We knew Sonny Styles was athletic.” – Marcus [04:16]
• “His stock may even go higher than that. I would not be shocked to see him getting first round consideration at this point.” – Landon, on Jacob Rodriguez [08:29]
• “This is the ultimate trust the tape guy [Reuben Bain]... I don’t care what the testing says.” – Landon [16:16]
• “As soon as [David Bailey] hit that 4.51, I was like, oh yeah, he’s gonna be fine.” – Landon [12:54]
• “He reached 14.5 mph... fastest since Will Anderson in the 2023 draft.” – Marcus, on Cassius How [13:37]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Combine introduction & Sonny Styles begins: 00:57 – 03:42
• Discussion of “Don’t double-count” combine traits: 04:16 – 05:29
• Linebacker class depth - Rodriguez, Lewis: 05:29 – 10:00
• Edge rusher analysis starts: 12:07
• David Bailey discussion: 12:41 – 13:37
• Cassius How deep-dive: 13:37 – 15:54
• Short arms debate and Reuben Bain: 15:54 – 17:11
• Hakeem Mesidor evaluation: 17:11 – 18:54
• Caleb Banks segment: 20:36 – 22:09
• Friday’s DB preview: 24:18 – 28:36

Tone, Style & Final Thoughts

The hosts maintain their classic mix of deep-dive analysis, banter, and Cowboys optimism. Their conversation is rapid, fun, and filled with technical football evaluation, leavened by “draft nerds’” enthusiasm and self-aware humor ("terrible radio," “don’t double count it,” “classic I’ll let somebody else draft that guy”).

Bottom Line:
This episode is a must-listen for Cowboys fans or draft fans who want an up-to-date, nuanced read on how combine testing is moving (or not moving) key prospects' stock—especially those in Dallas’s draft range. The linebacker and edge rush group is deep, and Dallas will have strong options even if Styles is off the board.

For Further Listening:

• Next episode will break down how defensive backs fared in Friday’s combine.
• For more on NFL Draft, listen to “Locked On NFL Draft” (suggested at [28:36]).

Hosts:

• @Marcus_Mosher
• @mccoolbcb (Landon McCool)