ROOKIE IMPACT: Dallas Cowboys Draft Strategy SHIFTS—Should They TARGET LBs & Safeties Over Edge?

Summary

Locked On Cowboys: ROOKIE IMPACT—Dallas Cowboys Draft Strategy SHIFTS (March 5, 2026)

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Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool dive deep into how the Dallas Cowboys should adjust their draft strategy with a focus on “rookie impact” on defense. They break down which positions tend to yield quicker returns from first-year players, consider the pros and cons of prioritizing linebackers and safeties over premium positions like edge rusher and cornerback, and discuss how these decisions tie into overall team-building. The show also covers the evolving role of the slot defender under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker and debates whether the Cowboys should leverage 2027 draft picks for immediate improvement.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rookie Defensive Impact: Which Positions Transition Best?

(01:27–07:27)

• Listener Question:
  Which defensive positions are most likely to contribute immediately as rookies, and should the Cowboys lean toward LBs and safeties rather than positions with steeper NFL learning curves like edge or outside corner?

• Landon McCool:

  • Acknowledges truth in the premise—linebackers and safeties often have an easier adjustment due to the instinctual nature of the positions.
  • “I do think that it is a little bit more difficult for defensive ends and edges in general to kind of get into the NFL and kind of adjust to it.” (03:25)
  • Points out that team fit and draft slot hugely impact rookie success.

• Marcus Mosher:

  • Provides examples:
    • Kel Falk (edge): more of a long-term project.
    • Cassius Howe (edge): more ready as a pass-rusher despite being undersized.
  • “If you're a team like the Cowboys that needs pass rushers and not necessarily run defenders, I don't know if you want to wait around for Keldrick Falk.” (04:44)
  • Emphasizes the importance of team needs and scheme fit.

• Consensus:

  • Rookie linebackers and safeties often perform well out of the gate—recent examples include Malachi Starks (Ravens), Nick Iman Warri (Seahawks), and Brian Branch (Lions).
  • Defensive tackle, edge, and outside corner generally require more development.
  • Valuable insight: The Cowboys’ scheme may lower the immediate “pressure” on new edges due to their use of simulated pressure packages.

2. Draft Strategy—Positional Value vs. Immediate Impact

(07:27–10:19)

• Balancing Act:

  • Landon: “At a certain point in this draft, you kind of have to just give it up with positional value…what you're looking for is not available.” (07:27)
  • Sometimes, a blue-chip LB or safety may present more value than lesser edge/corner prospects, even with positional value in mind.

• Marcus:

  • “My guess is that the Cowboys are going to want to try to fill the linebacker and safety spots in free agency so that way they can draft a little bit more freely.” (09:48)
  • The goal: avoid being forced into picking for need and remain open to “best available player.”

3. The Slot Defender in Christian Parker’s Defense

(11:58–17:37)

• Listener Question:
  What is the prototype for a slot defender in Christian Parker’s scheme? Is the nickel still just an undersized corner?

• Landon McCool:

  • Slot defender is shifting from “undersized corner” to “hybrid linebacker-safety-corner”—think college “overhang defender.”
  • “Run defense, blitzing, kind of the other aspects of slot corner play…those are more heavily weighted for this defender.” (14:43)
  • The defense leverages “rules-based coverages,” reducing isolated man responsibilities for inside defenders.
  • Prioritizing bigger bodies (6’1”+, ~215 lbs)—Marquis Bell is cited as the archetype for this new role.

• Marcus:

  • Raises recent draft names:
    • “Even someone like Dylan Thieman…he measured in at 6 foot, 200 pounds…[Cody Alexander] wonders if he's going to be too small for what Christian Parker wants. Like that's probably the lower end.” (17:28)
    • References prospects like Emmanuel McNeil Warren (versatile, long-armed safety), Kyle Lewis (coverage LB from Pitt), Harold Perkins (versatile LB from LSU).

• Notable Analysis:

  • Modern slot defender must handle run fits, blitz responsibilities, and “top-down” coverage.
  • The bigger, more versatile “safety/linebacker” types are becoming the standard in Fangio-style defenses.

4. Mock Draft & Prospects in the Slot/Nickel Role

(18:44–21:09)

• Marcus:

  • Asks about prospect fits:
    • Kyle Lewis (Pitt): strong coverage skills, athletic testing.
    • Harold Perkins (LSU): hybrid LB/S, raw but versatile.
  • “Could we potentially see a linebacker occupy that slot defender role?” (19:28)

• Landon:

  • Both Perkins and Lewis have promising traits, but he needs more film study to see how fluidly they could transition to nickel.
  • “He certainly has that kind of versatile skill set, the football mindset that you want someone playing in that position.” (20:18)

5. Should The Cowboys Trade Future Draft Picks?

(23:34–27:11)

• Listener Question:
  Should the Cowboys use 2027 draft capital to improve the roster now?

• Landon:

  • “There is some development time that usually happens with these rookies…someone from the 2027 draft is likely to be not as necessarily super useful in this particular Super Bowl window.” (23:58)
  • Suggests moving 2027 second or third round picks can maximize Dallas’ defined window.

• Marcus:

  • “You might get the most bang for your buck after the draft, much like what the Cowboys did with George Pickens last year.” (25:46)
  • Identifies possible scenarios: trade a future pick for a targeted veteran after seeing how the draft plays out.
  • Highlights the value of 2027 picks for teams angling for top 2027 QB prospects like Arch Manning.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Landon McCool, on rookie edge rushers:
  “You're setting yourself a little bit for a crash…but I think that, you know, it depends on who the player is. It depends on the fit, obviously, and each one of these players are different.” (02:57)

• Marcus Mosher, on safety prospects:
  “That is a position that you could have guys step in and play well right away.” (06:18)

• Landon, summarizing slot defender requirements:
  “It's not necessarily going to be the role of the slot defender in this defense. The role is closer to like a true kind of overhang defender that you would see in college.” (12:51)

• Marcus, on draft value and timing:
  “Draft your top players available and if you've got one spot that you don't feel great about, see if you can trade a second or a third round pick to go out and address that spot.” (25:46)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:27 — Main theme/question: Which rookie defensive positions offer fastest impact?
• 02:26–07:27 — Are edge, DT, CB harder for rookies? Prospects & adaptation breakdown.
• 07:27–10:19 — Positional value vs. talent & fit.
• 11:58–17:37 — Slot defender expectations in new scheme.
• 18:44–21:09 — Specific prospects: sizing and prototype musings.
• 23:34–27:11 — 2027 draft capital: strategy, timing, and trade targets.

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Summary

This episode provides a nuanced look at how rookie impact and evolving defensive roles might shape the Cowboys’ upcoming draft approach. The hosts agree that, while linebacker and safety tend to offer more immediate returns, those positions often lack the “positional value” of edge or corner. The importance of scheme fit and the trend toward larger, more versatile slot defenders are highlighted as key aspects of Christian Parker’s system. The discussion of leveraging future draft picks (“robbing from the future”) is especially timely given the Cowboys’ Super Bowl aspirations and provides a shrewd, big-picture perspective.

Overall, a clear-eyed mix of film study, scheme talk, and roster strategy—ideal for Cowboys fans and draft nerds alike.

Transcript

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[Marcus Moer]

The Dallas Cowboys need starters on defense should they look for positions that have easier transitions to the NFL. We'll get to that next.

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You are Locked On Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day.

[Marcus Moer]

Welcome back to the Locked On Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network your team every day. We'd like to thank you for making us the number one sports podcast network. I am your host Marcus Moer. He is Landon McCool and on today's show we are answering your Twitter questions including what are the Cowboys looking for in their next slot defender to should they consider trading away 2027 draft capital for players right now? Belen and I want to start with this question from A.T. jones's babysitter, a long time listener of the show. He wants to know what positions have the best rookie impacts on defense. It seems like linebacker and safety are spots where rookies can have high floors and can come in and play right away. I'm skeptical that you can get a day one contributor improvement at edge and outside cornerback. Should that be a consideration for the Cowboys in the draft?

[Landon McCool]

That's a good question and it's very well thought out. And I certainly think that, that there is a lot of truth to it. But I also think that they're, you know, part of this is player specific. Right. And I think especially also kind of where you are drafting that player can matter as well. I tend to think that, you know, a first round edge can come in and give you positive impact on your defense. Maybe not, you know, a fully formed impact, maybe not.

[Marcus Moer]

You're just saying generally.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, but I'm saying like as far as generally making a positive impact on your defense. I, I think so. If you're, if you're expecting and you're. If your expectation for having a good year is to be the number one pass rusher on your team or have 10 plus sacks. I, I don't, I don't know if that's necessarily a, a good bar to kind of set yourself up. You're setting yourself a little bit for a crash. But I think that, you know, it depends on who the player is. It depends on the fit, obviously, and each one of these players are different, generally speaking. I would agree with the assessment, though. I, I do think that it is a little bit more difficult for defensive ends and edges in general to, to kind of get into the NFL and kind of adjust to it. I think corner certainly can be argued that it's very up and down, at least depending on, on the role that they're playing and where they're playing. Because we've seen, we've seen some folks come in and immediately have some success. I think it depends not only on the, on the team that they're going to, but the kind of role that they're playing and how close it was to, to what they did in college. And you know, were they someone who played a lot of man coverage in college? Are they playing a lot of man coverage? The NFL? Those are the kind of things that kind of add up. And then there's other positions like defensive tackle that are just generally difficult across the board. No matter whether you're a, you know, three tech B gap guy or a two gapping, you know, nose tackle. I think it's just, you're dealing with more grown men and they're dealing with guys who are all big and strong and fast and smart. And so there's just a little bit more of a learning curve for a position like that. And I agree linebacker, in some of these other spots, you see a little bit easier learning curve because it's a little more instinctual. You have a level of athleticism there, sort of like running back, right? Yeah.

[Marcus Moer]

And I think, I think you're right. It really depends on the player and really the play style. And I'm going to give you a name, and I promise I'm not dogging on this player. But Kel Falk, I think if you're drafting him, you're drafting him for what he can be three or four years from now, because the argument is he's big, he's long, he's athletic, he's 20. He's going to be able to come in and give you, you know, above average run production. And we'll wait and see as a pass rusher. Well, if you're a team like the Cowboys that needs pass rushers and not necessarily run defenders, I don't know if you want to wait around for Keldrick Falk. I think that that doesn't mean he shouldn't be a first round pick. But I wonder if someone and again just giving you a name, Cassius, how who has warts to his game as well. He, he is a smaller guy that's probably not going to be a good run defender but he's just so much further along as a pass rusher that I would trust him coming in and giving you some juice off the edge. So I do think it's player specific

[Landon McCool]

here a little bit and then I'll point out that it's also very role specific because the other side of that is that the Cowboys on this current defense aren't necessarily required to have their edges as you know, four down 10 sack guys because they're going to be doing a lot of sim pressure stuff. So I do think that the edge position is you're asked to do a little bit more but there's less pressure to be the super dynamic engine of your defense in as there is in like some of these more four down, drop seven, you know, cover three, cover one type of systems.

[Marcus Moer]

But to get back to the question, what are the positions that have the easiest rookie impact? I think safety is one of them. I mean and just look at like last year Malachi Starks was a late first round pick, really good for the Ravens. Nick Iman Warri for the Seahawks he went in round two at the top of round two. He was phenomenal for them. A couple years ago Brian Branch was a second round pick and he was a Pro bowl player. That is a position that you could have guys step in and play well right right away. And I think off ball linebackers, another one again last year Carson Schlesinger for Cleveland was one of the best five or six linebackers in the league. D Odd Campbell when he was on the field was pretty good. It's just those are not considered high value positions. Money five positions. So how do you weight that with your draft strategy? I have my thoughts and my theories but I do think you're going to want, you're going to want to try to draft the best value available and the best player available. But I don't think you're necessarily saying hey we need guys that are going to play right now and play it at a high level. We're only drafting Linebackers and safeties in round one.

[Landon McCool]

At a certain point it feels like, I mean, some of these teams are going to have to do this already that are picking in the top 10. But I think at a certain point in this draft, you kind of have to just give it up with positional value, you know, I mean, it's just the true. I mean, I know you won't, but. But the truth is is that what you're looking for is not available.

[Marcus Moer]

Like there's going to be a trade off. Right? Like, I do think at some point. Well, I mean, let's use Sunny Styles. There might be a point where Sonny Styles is just so much better than the edge rushers that are available and the cornerback prospects. You have no choice but to take him ahead of those guys. But I wonder when you get to like, you know, corner is Dylan Thieman a better prospect in Avion Terrell? Probably. But is a cornerback more valuable than a, than a safety? Yeah. So how do you, how do you mesh those two together?

[Landon McCool]

I think you, I think fit has got to be the more important indicator there, you know, because it's just too close there. And, and I, I think, look, especially in this draft, you threaten to make loop around the other end and make the mistake the other way. Right. And, and not draft for talent because you're so focused on, on getting positional value. So I think that is one of those things where you just have to examine these situations as they are and kind of holistically and account for the fact like, hey, maybe I prefer to get this guy because he, you know, he, even though he's slight bump and disadvantage because of positional value, he plays in a system that's very similar to ours. So I feel like the transition is going to be a little bit cleaner and, and you, you know, just try to extract the value that way. I, I think ultimately if you, if you're trying to chase positional value stock that isn't available to you, that you're just going to, you know, reach the wrong the other way. Which, you know, I think you and I have always endorsed a balance. Right? That's, and that's really what it comes down to is that you need to find a balance between all of these things. Positional value, take talent and, and where you're drafting them. And sometimes it's harder to find that balance than it is in other years, especially this year, when there's just a, not a lot of opportunity to draft those kind of positional value guys up at the top.

[Marcus Moer]

My guess is that the Cowboys are going to want to try to fill the linebacker and safety spots in free agency so that way they can draft a little bit more freely. They're not feeling like they have to come out of the draft a linebacker or a starting safety. But if, hey, if they're at pick 20 and Dylan Thman's still there, they'll do that. If they're at pick 12 and Sunny Styles Fall falls, they can do that. I, I think that's going to be the plan so that they can draft the best available defensive player when they are on the clock.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I tend to agree. Yeah.

[Marcus Moer]

All right, let's, let's talk about some slot defender questions that we have because this is going to be a very important player in Christian Parker's defense. What is he looking for? We'll get to that next.

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[Marcus Moer]

Welcome back to the Lock on Cowboys podcast. Free agency is here and so are we. Get one month free of the everyday club with code Free agency no spaces now through March 15th go ad free and keep this conversation going on discord. Join the club@lockedon cowboys.supercast.com and use promo code free agency all one word. All right, this next question we have is from Luke. He wants to Know, what is Christian Parker looking for in his slot defender? We know it's not just a cornerback, but Landon, what is the role of the slot defender and what are the size and physical requirements of that player?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, it's interesting because I do think that some folks are kind of still stuck in that paradigm of the slot defender being the undersized corner. Right. Like.

[Marcus Moer]

Right.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, right. Yeah, exactly. The guys that have to combat Cole Beasley. Right. And yes. And that's not necessarily going to be the role of the slot defender in this defense. The. The role is. Is closer to like a true kind of overhang defender that you would see in college. Right. Kind of more of a hybrid between the linebacker and safety and corner position. Right. And. And it's not just by role. Like they actually want those kind of body types a little bit as well. I mean, think. Nick, I can't even say it right now. The. The.

[Marcus Moer]

I got you even worry.

[Landon McCool]

Thank you. The From Seattle is obviously the kind of toast of the town right now, though that's an unrealistic expectation to think you can get. Get that kind of athlete. They're very rare. Right. But I think the. The general idea of playing with a bigger body there means a couple different things, but mostly that you can stay in nickel coverages. I'm sorry, nickel formations. Even when the offense deploys like 11 personnel. Right. You try to stay as in nickel as much as you can and not get personneled out of that into base where teams can take advantage of you in the past game. And this defense specifically has a lot of coverages that are rule based. Right. And you've heard us talk about Fangio and. And cover six and cover eight and. And quarters and match quarters and. And all the different, you know, rules that they could put into these coverages that help the corners not have to necessarily be put on an island and especially on the inside. The nickel corner spot can. Is. Is. Is often very protected based on how the receiver, you know, releases from the line of scrimmage and they have a whole bunch of different rules like, hey, if the number two goes inside, then this happens and you just stay where you are in the flat. Or if he goes to the. To the flat, then you chase him to the flat and then you've got. So all this is a long way of saying the idea of your slot corner, your nickel corner going in there and having to man up with elite receivers all the time is not exactly the job description here. Run defense, blitzing. Kind of the other aspects of slot corner play that you think of those are more heavily weighted for this defender. And I think that's why we should be looking at more like the safety body types, the small linebacker types, the, that have maybe more elite athleticism because they can, so they can do a little bit more. But those are going to be the kind of guys that you want to target because they're going to keep everything in front of them. They want to play top down kind of defense, you know, in, in that slots position. And it's going to be a lot of playing with their eyes read and reacting, coming down, making tackles, being physical, you know, blitzing, that sort of thing. Those are going to be important aspects of maybe even more so as suggested as by Cody Alexander than, than coverage is for the nickel corner.

[Marcus Moer]

So if I were to ask you to like to create a prototype, like not in terms of player but like of size, what do you think the Cowboys are looking for here? Is it, is it as simple as like hey, we're looking for like a 6 1, 6 2, 215 pound guy or are they more open to all sorts of body types?

[Landon McCool]

I mean again, like I don't think he's a perfect fit, but I do think that they, the Cowboys will take a extremely hard look at someone like Marquis Bell because I think that's the body type, the, the, the skill set that you're looking for in that position. Right. A guy who can cover, he can do, he has some coverage ability. But more than that is a really fast read and react guy, a chase tackle guy, a guy you could send on blitzes. You know, I think yeah, like 6 foot plus 6 one plus 210, 215 plus pounds, that, that can have some coverage skills. Like you know, again, a safety type body size. Not necessarily. He doesn't have to be a strong safety, but if he is, if he is a Derwin James, you're certainly not kicking a guy like that out of, out of your nickel spot. Right. So I think that that's why you see guys like Minka Fitzpatrick being mentioned here and guys like that because they're really good fits. You know, these versatile safeties who have experience playing all over, those are the kind of guys that you want to look at potentially playing in this spot.

[Marcus Moer]

Well, and I think again if Cody, I know you listen to this, but if I, I think he was saying that he thinks even someone like Dylan Thieman, who we like a lot.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, yeah.

[Marcus Moer]

He measured in at 6 foot 200 pounds. He said he even wonders if he's going to be too small for what Christian Parker wants. Like that's on the, probably the lower end.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Moer]

And I think it was our, our guy John owning who was debating, you know, Avion Terrell, the Clemson corner versus Thieneman and that's where Cody responded. Hey you, yeah, too small. You want the guys that are bigger. Which leads me to a couple guys that I wanted to ask you about that we've talked about on this podcast. Emmanuel McNeil Warren, who the Cowboys met with at the NFL combine. I believe they're actually meeting with one of his teammates on a 30 visit. Six, three and a half, 205 pounds with a ridiculously long arms wingspan. Is that somebody that would, you wouldn't traditionally think as a slot defender but might fit Christian Parker's defense?

[Landon McCool]

He might. I mean I, I, I think to me even though Thieman is undersized, I think his skill set fits the spot a little bit better. But I do think, I do think that you know, EMW could definitely do it. Like I, I think he has the skill set. I just wonder if that is his best use of his skill set. Right. Like if you wouldn't get more bang from the buck by playing him a little bit all around. Right. Like in the back. Because I think he's good in the back end as well. I wouldn't want to take away that opportunity.

[Marcus Moer]

I want to ask you about two more guys really quickly. They're both linebackers. Kyle Lewis is the first one from Pittsburgh. If you listen to our mock draft show on Wednesday, we actually selected Kyle Lewis in the third round. This is somebody who is 6 foot 220 pounds but one of the best coverage linebackers. We love what you saw from him at the Senior Bowl. And then an old name that we probably haven't talked about, I don't know, ever on this show. But Harold Perkins from LSU, who was at the Shrine game, who the Cowboys met with at the Shrine game and at the, at the combine, he's another one of these 6 foot, 6 foot, 6 foot 1, 200 pound line, 220 pound linebackers that can cover the, that can blitz, that can play the run. Could we potentially see a linebacker, you know, occupy that slot defender role?

[Landon McCool]

I think Perkins is a guy that, that you know, is interesting. Right. Like I, I, I would definitely like, you know, if it was me, I would definitely want to see him work out a little bit more there because I don't know that I've seen tape that has put him in enough situations to make me be able to informally make a decision on whether he could do it or not. You know, I will say he played

[Marcus Moer]

250 slot SN year and then in 2023, 255. So it's, he's.

[Landon McCool]

Oh yeah, I'm not suggesting that he, he didn't do it enough. Yeah, yes, exactly. And I'd have to give the same answer to Kyle Lewis too because honestly, like I've watched him, but it wasn't until before we talked about on this show had I ever considered thinking about him in as a nickel. But I think the skill set is there. The, the, the, the athleticism I think is there. Yeah. I'd like to watch some more tape just to kind of, you know, look at it through those lenses. But I think, you know, he certainly has that kind of versatile skill set, the football mindset that you want someone playing in that position. Yeah, I think that there's certainly a possibility.

[Marcus Moer]

Kyle Lewis at the NFL combine, 6 foot 227 pounds, ran a 4, 5, 340 with a 39 and a half inch vertical and a 10, 9 broad. He was also one of the few linebackers that went through the three cone drill, the 697. Again, it might be a stretch to think of him as a slot defender, but I do wonder if you want guys that can play the run that can blitz. He's also super productive in coverage. Yeah, why not?

[Landon McCool]

Well, and also like Perkins too. Even if you don't want to play him full time at in the slot, I think both of those guys could, could help you as a linebacker as well, especially since they're so good moving forward and attacking quarterbacks. Yeah, I think that I, I marked Perkins in my mind just because of his versatility as a potential guy who could be a really good fit in this defense because of its versatility. But I hadn't really considered him as a slot and I think it is something to at least maybe potentially look at.

[Marcus Moer]

We'll circle back on that. So remember the name Harold Perkins. Let's talk about 2027 draft capital. Should the Cowboys consider moving some now to get players for the 2026 season? We'll get to that.

[Landon McCool]

Next foreign

[Marcus Moer]

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[Marcus Moer]

Welcome back to the Lot Done Cowboys podcast. We are answering your Twitter questions and this one comes from Hootie who wants to know should the Cowboys consider trading draft picks from the 2027 draft? He's thinking like second, third round picks for players either right now that are available or to move up to improve this year's team.

[Landon McCool]

I'm just trying not to make a blowfish joke.

[Marcus Moer]

There you go.

[Landon McCool]

It's an interesting question and you and I had a little discussion about this before the show. I think, look, when you examine where the Cowboys are in their window and and it seemingly is in a win now situation and really, you know, just kind of almost referencing back our first first segment discussion, there is some development time that usually happens with these rookies depending on what position you have right? And so someone from the 2027 draft is likely to be not as necessarily super useful in this particular super bowl window that we're in until 2028 and who knows where the Cowboys are going to be at that point. I think it probably is a little valuable to think about trading 2027 draft picks. I wouldn't go with the first round

[Marcus Moer]

pick but well, I don't think they can. Honestly, I don't think they're allowed to trade that first round pick because there's currently conditions on it where we don't know which first run pick the Cowboys will have next year.

[Landon McCool]

So, yeah, I mean, I think to

[Marcus Moer]

me,

[Landon McCool]

you know, if you're interested in trading some lower picks, I think it, I think it, it makes some sense because I think that there's going to be a lot of teams that are going to be bloodthirsty for 2027 picks. And as we just said, like, maybe the Cowboys are not quite in the same window as some of those teams. So maybe you can take advantage and get a little bit better price for your 2027 draft picks in 2026. Because, you know, everyone is kind of in this constant cycle of, oh man, next year's class is going to be absolutely outstanding. So there's a lot of teams that are trying to gear up to get 2027 picks in order to trade up for Arch Manning, JJ Smith, you know, all these guys that are going to be available at the top. So I think you might get a little bit better bang for your buck if you trade these for 2027.

[Marcus Moer]

I think the answer is yes, they should. I think the timing part of it is really interesting. Do you do it now? Do you do it during the draft? Do you. I actually think you might get the most bang for your buck after the draft, much like what the Cowboys did with George Pickens last year. Draft your top players available and if you've got one spot that you don't feel great about, see if you can trade a second or a third round pick to go out and address that spot. And I'm telling you, they're going to be teams. And you'll know the teams that don't draft quarterbacks this year, whether it's Arizona, Cleveland, New York Jets, I mean, whoever it is, those are the teams are going to want to be loading up on picks for next year. So if you can flip a. Let's make up a scenario, a third round pick to the jets for a starting edge rusher. Maybe it's Will McDonald again just making this up. Maybe that's the way that you do that. That's the way that you try to best position yourself for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. Because you just may be in a rare spot where that pick is more valuable than your average next year's pick. Yes, right. Because of the class and the mystique around it. Right. So take advantage of that. Use that to your advantage. And again, take advantage of the fact that you have kind of a defined window and this is outside your window. So it's I think it's okay to kind of rob from the future a little bit. You're already doing it in the cap, might as well do it in the draft as well.

[Marcus Moer]

Yeah. And Lynn, I think you're going to see a lot of teams wanting to load up on draft capital because of some of the main names you mentioned, like Arch Manning, Dante Moore, went back to school.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Moer]

You've got Jeremiah Smith who you mentioned. So you load up on draft picks if you're a team like the Cardinals or Brown, some of the teams we mentioned, just because it's never going to hurt. And I think for those teams, they know that they're not going to be relevant. So again, a third round pick is a third round pick. And if you can trade a guy, you know in Cleveland that can, you know, help Dallas right away, I think that would be very, very interesting. We'll see if they do that. All right, that is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen every single day. If you're not an ever a member of the everyday club, what are you doing? You're going to get ad free episodes to the Locked on Cowboys podcast for just $5 a month and so much more. Head over to locked on cowboys.supercast.com and make sure that you follow Landon on Twitter @mccoolbcb. I'm @MarcusMoser and we will see you right back here tomorrow.

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[Ross Jackson]

Hey everyone, this is Ross Jackson, one of the hosts of the Locked On Podcast network. If your group chat's been a little quiet lately, I want to invite you to come and join ours. If you sign up for the Everydayer Club, you get access to the members only group chats for your favorite teams, plus national chats for every sport. Personally, I love watching folks talk a little smack in the NFC south trash talk chat. You also get an ad free version of your favorite Locked on show and a whole lot more. You can check it out by tapping the Everydayer Club link in the show notes.