Locked On Cowboys Podcast Summary

Episode: “Several Dallas Cowboys DRAFT TARGETS Shine During Day 2 of Senior Bowl | NFL Draft”

Date: January 29, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

In this post-practice episode, Marcus and Landon dive deep into the standout performances from Day 2 of the 2026 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, specifically focusing on players the Dallas Cowboys might target in the NFL Draft. They break down individual prospects’ showings, the importance of the Senior Bowl for “drumbeat” prospects, discuss possible scenarios impacting Dallas’ first-round pick, and touch on intriguing coaching staff updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senior Bowl Standouts: Potential Cowboys Targets

(Main segment: 00:59–11:23)

• “Drumbeat” Players: The focus is on prospects who are stacking impressive practice days—an important “drumbeat” indicating readiness for the next level.
• Redemption Arc Players: Both hosts note how the Senior Bowl provides a vital opportunity for players with inconsistent senior years to restore their draft status.

Highlighted Prospects:

• T.J. Parker (DL)

  • Dominated one-on-one/ team drills; showing power and hand technique reminiscent of his strong junior year.
  • Quote (Marcus, 01:57): “He was winning one on one drills. He was winning in the team drills... could be right back in the round one discussion after a strong Senior Bowl.”

• Jay Nodt (RB, Oklahoma)

  • Overcame limited use this season; strong as a runner, receiver, and excelled in pass protection.
  • Quote (Landon, 03:30): “He had a really good pass rep... using the Senior Bowl almost as a redemption arc.”

• Derrick Moore (Edge, Michigan)

  • Showcased both power and some edge quickness; likely a late first, early second round pick.

• Gabe Jacas (Edge, Illinois)

  • Highly versatile, explosive, possibly can bulk up further; clocked at ~18 mph in practices.

Defensive Backs:

• Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
  • Stood out in coverage, sticky in man-to-man. Even his “losses” were against great catches, not poor play.
  • Quote (Marcus, 06:14): “Even the plays that he loses, he’s losing because of other players making spectacular catches. That’s how I want them to lose.”
  • Projected as a Day 2 pick; potential Cowboys target if they don’t take a CB in the first round.

Linebackers:

• Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
  • Slightly undersized (6’1”, 233 lbs) and not an elite athlete, but loved by coaches for production, instincts, and playmaking (INT, forced fumble in practice).
  • Quote (Marcus, 08:19): “They love the player... I thought he was awesome... Just a really, really fun player.”
  • Compared to Sean Lee in terms of football IQ (but not athleticism).

2. Draft Strategy: Prospects Who Help Cowboys Without Being Cowboys

(Segment: 11:23–22:30)

• Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)

  • Top 10-caliber size/athleticism (6'6", 330 lb), but injury-marred season. If he vaults into the Top 10, it bumps other target prospects down to Dallas at 12.
  • Quote (Marcus, 15:31): “The NFL is not going to let a 6 foot 6, 330 pound guy that moves like this fall very far…he’s going to be a really important player for the Cowboys because they’re not drafting a DT inside the top 20, but if he goes inside the top 10, that helps.”

• Jennings Dunker (OL, Iowa)

  • Physical, tenacious, and showing positional versatility (teams asking him to try center). If he is taken in the picks before Dallas, again, the player Dallas wants could fall.
  • Quote (Marcus, 19:01): “We don’t think the Cowboys will take a tackle/guard in Round 1, but if another one goes in that range between 12 and 20, that’s awesome for us.”
  • Teams like Detroit and Cincinnati named as ideal fits who could select him ahead of Dallas.

3. Cowboys Coaching Staff Updates

(Segment: 25:29–28:03)

• Zach Orr Interviewing for Position
  • Ex-Ravens defensive coordinator, only 33, reportedly in the mix for a staff role (likely linebacker coach or run game coordinator).
  • Not seen as ready for DC, but a smart up-and-comer who can grow with Cowboys staff.
  • Quote (Landon, 25:29): “This is appropriate…would have loved to see him paired with one of the other candidates. He did a great job as a linebackers coach in Baltimore.”
  • Importance of succession planning in staff—possible continuity in case of future DC departures.
• Other Candidates Being Interviewed:
  • Parker looking at potential additions (including Cardinals’ CB coach).
  • Expect more news by the weekend.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On “Sticky” Coverage (Landon, 06:48):
  “It’s not just tallying wins or losses…was he in phase with the guy throughout the rep? That’s more important than if the guy made the catch.”

• On Linebacker IQ (Landon, 09:21):
  “He’s got that kind of Sean Lee factor to what’s between his ears…not the athlete, but so quick in the processor that he makes up the gap.”

• On Draft Board Management (Marcus, 15:31 & 16:32): “Root for Caleb Banks to crush the draft process…any position where the Cowboys aren’t going to be drafting, every single time they get drafted above the Cowboys, it’s a win.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Senior Bowl Standouts: 00:59–11:23
• Defensive Philosophy on “Drumbeat” Players: 01:04–03:53
• Cornerback/Linebacker Detailed Discussion: 05:53–10:42
• Draft Board “Helpers” (Banks, Dunker): 14:28–22:30
• Coaching Staff and Zach Orr Discussion: 25:29–28:03

Tone & Style

The conversation is analytical, sprinkled with humor (“How do you mess up Jennings Dunker’s name?”) and an optimistic, pragmatic approach to Cowboys draft strategy. Both hosts are knowledgeable, candid, and eager to take deeper, process-oriented (not clickbait) views.

Takeaways

• The Senior Bowl is vital for “redemption” prospects and those who need to answer questions about inconsistency. Several targets (Parker, Nodt, Moore, Jacas, Johnson, Rodriguez) are vastly improving their draft stock.
• Cowboys’ draft board could benefit if high-upside players at non-priority positions (Banks, Dunker) leap ahead, pushing preferred targets down.
• Coaching staff news hints at forward-thinking hires and staff succession planning, with Zach Orr a name to watch for a non-DC role.

For anyone following Cowboys draft plans or tracking Senior Bowl risers, this episode provides an in-depth, boots-on-the-ground perspective and strategic insight on how the NFL draft landscape may shape up for Dallas.