SIMULATION: Will Dallas Cowboys Select Two DBs In Round 1 Of 2026 NFL Draft | NFL MOCK DRAFT!

Summary

Locked On Cowboys Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Episode Title: SIMULATION: Will Dallas Cowboys Select Two DBs In Round 1 Of 2026 NFL Draft | NFL MOCK DRAFT!
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Date: March 4, 2026
Main Theme:
Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool run a full mock draft simulation for the Dallas Cowboys’ first four picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing particularly on the possibility—and practicality—of selecting two defensive backs in the first round. They walk through each pick, discuss player fits, and explore a surprise trade down scenario, offering in-depth analysis for every decision and how it shapes the Cowboys’ offseason strategy, especially with free agency looming.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage for the Mock Draft

• Mock Draft Timing: Both hosts emphasize this as the perfect point in the offseason (post-Combine, pre-free agency) to get realistic and informative mock draft results.
• Draft Simulator Used: Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator.

2. Cowboys’ Draft Board at Picks 12 & 20

• Draft Landscape at #12:
  • Marcus rapidly recaps picks 1–11, noting a few notable falls and how those influence Dallas’ options.
  • Quote – Landon (03:33):
    “When that pick goes up and the 11th pick from Miami goes up, I bet everyone in the Cowboys war room is… screaming with happiness. I assume, because I think they’re not interested in McCoy and the fact that Mansour Delane is still available... is a huge win.”
• Potential Trade Scenarios:
  • The hosts muse about moving up if a falling star (e.g., Arvel Reese) dropped further, but in this simulation, stick with their assigned picks.

3. First Round Picks Analysis

Pick 12 (12:00) – Monsour Delane, CB

• Rationale:
  • Landon loves the value and versatility of Delane, describing him as a high football IQ defender with multi-scheme experience—even if a touch undersized.
  • Both agree Delane is a top-10 talent and fits an immediate need on the boundary.
• Discussion of Other Options:
  • Weighing WR (Makai Lemon) and alternate DBs (C.J. Allen, Dylan Thieneman, Avion Terrell).
  • Deep dive into nickel/slot roles, highlighting fit vs. ceiling for each candidate.
• Quote – Landon (05:05):
  “He [Delane] shows you a guy that has played multiple types of man coverage and zone scheme and has been successful… If he was 2 inches taller and 10-15 pounds heavier, he’d be a top 5, top 10 pick.”

Pick 20 (after trade-down to 22) – Dylan Thieneman, Safety/Nickel (16:08, 19:16)

• Draft Board at 20:
  • Dylan Thieneman (S), Spencer Fauna (OL), TJ Parker (Edge), Emmanuel McNeil Warren (S).
• Dual DB Dilemma:
  • Both acknowledge that picking two DBs early is unconventional, but the value and fit are too good to pass up.
  • Landon explains why defensive structure is evolving, requiring more big, versatile “nickels” (16:08).
• Trade Down Scenario:
  • Chargers offer: Pick 22 and Pick 86 for 20; hosts accept.
  • Concern about potentially missing Thieneman, but gamble pays off (he falls to 22).
  • Quote – Landon (19:16):
    “It’s beautiful… I think let’s take Thieneman here, and now we’ve got another pick to play with.”

4. Day 2/3 Picks and Strategies

Pick 86 – Kyle Lewis, LB (21:21)

• Needs at this stage:
  • Edge depth not available, so linebacker is the focus.
  • Kyle Lewis (Pitt, undersized but athletic) offers immediate nickel LB solution and depth insurance.
  • Debate about fit alongside over-shown, but size concerns eased because of defensive scheme changes.
• Quote – Landon (23:35):
  “…I just worry about the fit with [DeMarvion] Overshown—just having two kind of undersized linebackers. But in this system where you’re playing a gap and a half… maybe you support something like that.”

Pick 112 – Nick Singleton, RB (24:44)

• Rationale:
  • With defense addressed, attention turns to offensive value.
  • Several intriguing running backs available (Nicholas Singleton, Jaden Ott, Katron Allen, Le’Veon Moss).
  • Singleton stands out as high-upside, athletic depth—potential home-run pick in the 4th round, especially as he recovers from injury and can be brought along slowly.
• Quote – Landon (25:55):
  “A year ago we were talking about [Singleton] potentially being a first round running back. There were reports he was going to run a 4.3 at 220 pounds.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the double-DB start:
  • Marcus (16:08): “You’re drafting two secondary guys and that is traditionally a position... that takes a little bit of time to get up to speed in the NFL and you’re really ignoring your front seven.”
• On trade-down luck after waiting out the Chargers and Steelers:
  • Landon (19:16): “It’s beautiful… let’s take Thieneman here.”
• On the identity of the revamped defense:
  • Marcus (27:23): “Think about those first three picks—Delane, Thieneman, Lewis. Those are all guys that can cover. All these guys can play in space. I think you instantly made your defense way more sound and way more versatile on the back end.”
• On Christian Parker's track record (defense coach):
  • Landon (28:02): “Let’s also not forget that Christian Parker did this exact thing before with Philadelphia… and was able to develop [young DBs] very quickly to great benefit.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:01–04:12 — Initial draft board review, notable picks before Dallas, early trade talk.
• 05:05–06:16 — Detailed breakdown of Monsour Delane and comparison to alternate prospects.
• 08:02–09:48 — Nickel/slot fit debate between DB options at #12.
• 13:00–14:20 — What’s on the board at #20; weighing Dylan Thieneman vs. other available players.
• 16:08–17:29 — In-depth safety/nickel prototype analysis and consideration of positional value.
• 17:38–19:26 — Trade-down with Chargers, picking up extra 3rd rounder, and getting Thieneman at 22.
• 21:21–23:35 — Weighing options at #86, need for nickel/athletic linebacker, selection of Kyle Lewis.
• 24:44–26:23 — Prioritizing offense at #112, why Singleton is a promising fourth-round RB selection.
• 26:48–28:02 — Summing up the draft, envisioning the impact of a youthful, versatile defense.

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Cowboys' Final Mock Draft Haul (Summary Table)

| Pick | Player | Position | School | Key Fit/Comments | |-------------|-----------------------|------------|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | 1.12 | Monsour Delane | CB | [Not specified] | High-IQ, versatile, boundary or slot | | 1.22 (via LAC)| Dylan Thieneman | S/Nickel | Oregon | Modern hybrid safety/slot, smart, size | | 3.86 | Kyle Lewis | LB | Pittsburgh | Undersized but speedy/versatile LB | | 4.112 | Nicholas Singleton | RB | [Not specified] | Explosive, value recovery from injury |

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Tone and Language

• Very conversational and analytical.
• Landon and Marcus detail every selection with evidence, data, and projected fit.
• The hosts keep an optimistic and practical tone, openly discussing doubts and trade-offs for each option.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This episode delivers an authentic simulation of the Cowboys’ 2026 draft process from pick 12 through 112. Marcus and Landon break down why two defensive backs in round one can work, debate the fit of top prospects, and seize a surprise trade-down that nets Dallas extra draft capital. The hosts showcase how roster needs, positional value, and modern defensive philosophy drive Dallas’ strategy—ending with a defense transformed by youth and versatility and a bonus high-upside running back.

If you’re a Cowboys fan tracking the team’s draft possibilities and defensive makeover, this episode is a must-listen—or this summary will get you fully up to speed.

Transcript

[Marcus Mosher]

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[Landon McCool]

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[Marcus Mosher]

What might the Cowboys do at picks 12 and 20? We'll tell you next. You are Locked On Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked on podcast network. Your team every day. Welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked on podcast network. You your team every day. We'd like to thank you for making us the number one sports podcast network. I am your host, Marcus Mosher. He is Landon McCool. And on today's show, we are doing our first mock draft simulator of the 2026 draft cycle. I can't believe that it's taken us this long to get to this, but we've had a bunch of news. I feel like now layden, with free agency just a couple days away, we're after the combine. This is when like the mock drafts really start to heat up. You start to get some accurate information. Yeah, I feel like this is a good time to run through this exercise.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, it's mock draft simulation season. I think that there's, there's the defined season. I think it definitely really kicks into gear after the combine. Obviously everyone's feel free to do the simulations before then, but really it feels like combine is like when you've hit like that threshold of okay, we've got most of the hay in the barn. Even with the, with the combine being the situation as it is now. It's, it just feels like you have a certain amount of information, whether it's rumors or whatnot, to be a little bit more well informed and a little bit more ready to run through these things. So it's time to get ready. And I know we've been getting a lot of requests, so I'm thrilled to kind of finally get to get to this.

[Marcus Mosher]

So if you're listening to this on audio, we will try to run through the players that are available, the players that are off the board. If you're watching with us on YouTube right now, you can see that we are using the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator. And let's go ahead and get started. I'm going to slow this thing down a little bit so you can see who's off the board. But at pick number one, we've got Fernando Mendoza. At number two, we've got Caleb Downs. Three to the Cardinals is Reuben Bane. Four to the Titans is Jeremiah Love. Five is David Bailey. Six is the offensive tackle, Francis Mwaga. Seven Sonny Styles to the Commanders. Oh, that one hurts. You've got Carnell Tate at eight to the Saints, Arval Reese, nine to the Chiefs. Maybe in a different simulation we would be trading up to get Arvel Reese, but that's not the case here. Keldrick Falk to the Bengals at 10, and then Jermad McCoy at pick number 11. Before we even get to the available options, what's your take on this top 11?

[Landon McCool]

Well, my first take just immediately is, man, when that pick goes up and the 11th pick from Miami goes up, I bet everyone in the Cowboys war room is. Is screaming with happy happiness. I assume, because I think they're not interested in McCoy and the fact that Mansour Delane is still available to them at at 12 is. Is a huge win. But I agree. I think the first thing that kind of really stuck out is Arvel Reese ended up falling quite a bit. And, and if he did fall anywhere within, like, I mean, seven or eight,

[Marcus Mosher]

honestly, I think past five, you're, you're having a conversation. And I think the good team to do that is with the Browns at pick six.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

Because the Browns aren't going to draft a defensive player with number six. They're loaded on defense. They need to draft an offensive player. And we've talked about maybe a trade of like, you know, 12 in 24, six in maybe a second round pick or something like that. I think that's where you'd have to consider now in this mock. We're not doing that. We're just going to play it out.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

For you, the top players on the board, I'm gonna, I'm gonna let you kind of run this board. Maai Lemon, the wide receiver from usc, Manure delay. And I got some confirmation on that by, by the way, Mons delay. Okay, great. Yep. Caleb Banks, defensive tackle from Florida, who I know you are a huge fan of C.J. allen. Dylan Thieman, a guy that has really risen up the ranks. Avion Terrell, Akeem Mazador. What's the first thing that stands out to you?

[Landon McCool]

I. I think that the obvious answer to me is Mansour Delaine. Was it Monsoon Delane, you said?

[Marcus Mosher]

I'm sorry, Monsieur Delane. Yes.

[Landon McCool]

Monsoon Delane. Okay. I want to get that right. Monster. I think that the name that immediately stands out as Monsor Delaney, that he made it through to 12. You don't always get the opportunity to draft him when you do these things. I think to me, he seems like an easy F because he's the guy that is worthy of a 12th overall pick. I think with what you've seen on tape, he isn't a perfect candidate. Obviously. He's maybe a little bit undersized. He didn't do any of the testing. We'll see how that turns out. He looks fine as an athlete. He doesn't look like he has any kind of issues there, but he is extremely heady, extremely experienced. I mean, we're seeing right here he's played somewhere in the area of, what is that, 2000 snaps so far in his college career. And so. And, yeah, I just think he just shows you a guy that has played multiple types of. Of man coverage and zone scheme and has been successful doing it at the highest end level. He's been. He's elevated through the levels of college football and had success everywhere he's gone. Yeah, I. I love the tape. And we're a big fan of him. Of him. He would be a much higher pick if he was, like, 2 inches taller, you know, 10 or 15 pounds heavier. Like, I think he would be a top five, top ten pick in this draft specifically.

[Marcus Mosher]

And for me, this is a pretty easy pick if he's on the board. But I think we should mention you do have Makai Lemon on the board here. We wondered and speculated that, hey, if there's a receiver at 12, maybe that could entice a team, you know, like the jets or the Ravens or, you know, one of these teams in the late teens or twenties to come up and make a trade, because, you know, there's been some speculation that maybe the Rams would be interested. Obviously, the jets are one of those teams, but right now, in this mock draft simulator, you don't have a team that's willing to come up. I think you're just sitting here and you're picking because they feel pretty good that either Jordan Tyson's going to fall, Denzel Boston So no trade options here in this mock.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I think, you know, the other considerations, I mean, if you scroll down just a little bit, I think, you know, C.J. allen I like, but I think that's a little bit high for him. I'm a big Thieman fan, obviously. I mean, I think I would take him at 12 if Monster wasn't here. I think he's probably would be my first choice there. Messador is another guy I certainly wouldn't be upset with. I think, you know, 20 is where I'd rather be getting him. Terrell is, is another guy. I think that should, should be considered here.

[Marcus Mosher]

Can I ask you about Avion Terrell, the cornerback from Clemson? Because Monsor Delaine and Terrell are both undersized corners now. The lane is slightly bigger, but Terrell has a ton of ball production. He's been really good for the last couple seasons. Yeah. Three straight years of at least a 77 grade. He's awesome as a run defender. And if you're gonna pick one of these two guys to be a slot corner right away, I honestly trust Terrell more. How close are these two players for you?

[Landon McCool]

Well, I think we, you, you on. You open a really sticky wicket here with, by, by talking like that because, you know, if you want to talk about which guy in this, this little group we've got here that is the best at playing the nickel, I think it's Zenaman. You know, like, because he's a bigger player. He's. He's a better tackler. I think he play. He fits better in the Christian Parker defense than if we're playing. But just with slot. Right.

[Marcus Mosher]

It's different as. Because I don't disagree with you, but if you want somebody to be like man to man matching up against the receiver.

[Landon McCool]

Delay. Right.

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, I mean, yes, but I also feel the best about AJ Terrell in the slot covering one on one. I feel the best about Delane as an outside corner. I feel the best about feed him in as a more versatile player. So how do you pick between those three?

[Landon McCool]

I, I think it's, I think that's the problem for Terrell, for me in this situation specifically. Right. Because if we're talking about playing on the outside, I want Monsoon. If we're picking in a boundary.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right.

[Landon McCool]

If we're picking a slot guy in this defense that we're gonna have, I want Thienamin. So I, I, even though I think the Terrell is probably a better and higher rated player than, than Thienamin is. Right. He's not as high as, as Mansour and is not as versatile. I don't, I think he can play on the outside. I, I think that's not fair. I don't want to label him as an inside only guy, but I think, but I think if we're talking about playing a boundary corner, drafting a guy that we're going to play on the outside, I think that's where Monster would have the preference. And then if we're talking about an inside guy, that's when I would kind of like be going towards Dieneman. So honestly, I think all three of these guys I would need. None of them would be a bad pick. Well, to be honest.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so we are down to our last couple seconds here. Who are you picking? I'm giving you the final say here.

[Landon McCool]

Let's do Monsor. I think it makes sense. Like he, I think he's the highest rated of these guys and he has the flexibility to play inside and outside if you needed to.

[Marcus Mosher]

And I, I just think he's the best player available. I, I think that's where you're getting the most bang for your buck. I think you can still find a slot corner later in the straps if you need to. You can move to Ron Bland inside. I love Monsoon Lane. But now what do the Cowboys do at pick 20? Is there somebody that can fill that role as a slot corner? Do you go out and try to get a linebacker? What about your pass rush needs? We'll get to that next. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. March is a time to celebrate women, especially around International Women's Day and to recognize just how much they carry at work in relationships and families and all the unseen roles that they step into every single day. It's easy to celebrate that strength, but it's just as important to make space for their emotional well being. And honestly, that goes for all of us. And I think for me, I mean, my wife is unbelievable. I cannot, I, I know I need to tell her how much I appreciate her more, but she does so much. She carries our family. She takes care of all three of our children. She does a fantastic job of keeping everything going and I appreciate her and I know that she's. She's used therapy several times throughout her life to help maintain balance and therapy can be great for all of us. And that's why BetterHelp is here to help us out even through the tough times and through the good times, because your emotional well being matters. Find support and feel lighter in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off [e-mail] lockedon that's betterhelp h e l p.com lockedon sometimes you just want a little boost in something that tastes fun. That's where cotton candy 5 hour energy shots come in. Bringing back that classic nostalgic flavor with a modern twist. Because these cotton candy 5 hour energy shots don't just taste good, they deliver a tasty caffeine kick and a convenient zero sugar energy shot you can take anywhere. It's perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth who who doesn't want the sugar guilt afterward. Bring on the sweetness with cotton candy five hour energy shots available now online at 5OurEnergy.com or Amazon. That's cotton candy five hour energy shots available at five hour energy.com or Amazon welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen. Every single day. Free agency is here and so are we. Get one month free of the everyday club with code free agency and no spaces through March 15th. Go ad free and keep the conversation going on discord and join the club at locked on cowboys.supercast.com with promo code free agency all one word. All right, Landon Monsour Delane at pick 12 are feeling great. The Cowboys got to me, one of the top 10 players in the draft at a really important position. And I don't want to say pick number 20 feels like gravy, but it does feel like if you get that corner in round one, it really opens up the board for you here at pick 20.

[Landon McCool]

Man. Yeah, I think 12 is definitely the pick I'm the more concerned about because it just feels like at 20 you're going to have a lot more options at the value point that you're looking. So I'm hoping that's the case when you when you were revealed this board because I haven't seen it yet, so. But I'm assuming that, you know we're going to have a lot of good options at 12. I'm not so certain. There's definitely opportunities where the Cowboys could wipe get wiped out to a certain degree. I didn't view what we went through at 12 as a wipeout situation. I would be happy happy with Monster Delaney.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so let's see what's on the board here at pick 20. And boy, did this work out well for Dallas. Dylan Thieman, the safety from Oregon is there now. We could obviously we were considering him at 12. I don't think it's a stretch to see him here at pick 20. Can you take two secondary guys with your first two picks? We can have a conversation about that. There's also Spencer Fauna, if you wanted to address the offensive line. There's TJ Parker, there's Emmanuel McNeil Warren. If you want a different type of safety, more of a physical, imposing guy, that can also be your free safety. You have Peter woods if you want more defensive tackle help. And then it drops off quite a bit. So I think the conversation is Dylan Thieman or that's probably it.

[Landon McCool]

I mean, that's kind of who I would take pick. I mean, yeah, I mean, to see him here at 20 again is, is pretty great. I, I look, I think and there were some people actually talking about this. John owning posed a question on X today that, about whether people would take Thienamin or Terrell as their, as their nickel. And I, I remember you answered and I answered and obviously on different sides, we kind of broke it down in the first segment. But I, I do think that, you know, that there's, it was great to see Cody Alexander chime in a little bit and kind of help define that, you know, the situation. If you go and look through a lot of these Fangio playbooks, there's just not a lot of situations where you have the nickel playing pure, like meg man coverage like man, everywhere he goes, coverage. Right. Like I, I, I, I, I think that what they're looking for, the prototype is a bigger, you know, not a linebacker, but someone who is that kind of that, that connecting tissue between the second and third level. Right. And you think about how modern, more modern defenses are trying to play more nickel and the reason, the way that they're achieving that is by playing this kind of gap in the half scheme that the Cowboys are moving to and then by having a bigger body in the nickel spot who could be more physical and add some elements there. I don't think, you know, we've talked about this too. This isn't necessarily like feed him. It's not necessarily as physical as McNeil Warren, but I think he's a better fit in playing the position that he would specifically be playing and he could play some safety for you. And for those reasons, I think I would take him here because I, I just think now suddenly you've got a very young, versatile group of, of, of defensive backs. You got three guys who can play kind of inside and outside. I just think it gives you a whole bunch of options.

[Marcus Mosher]

I mean, I agree with everything. This would be a fairly easy pick, but if you're Playing devil's advocate here. Yeah. You're drafting two secondary guys and that is traditionally a position corner and safety. That takes a little bit of time to get up to speed to the NFL and you're really ignoring your front seven. All of your work that you're going to have to do on your front seven is going to be after be in free agency. And again, we don't have the benefit of knowing what they're doing in free agency. So if they don't sign to Kobe D in free agency, your linebacker core is going to be really weak. And if you don't bring in a big time edge rusher, that part of it's going to be, you know, an issue as well. The only thing I wanted to present to you is in this mock, we did have a trade offer from the Los Angeles Chargers who are only two picks behind. The trade would be picks 22. And I believe, yeah, 22 and 86 would give you a third round pick, another top 100 selection just to move down two spots. There's a chance that Thienaman could be there, but even if he's not, maybe that's where you grab an edge rusher like TJ Parker or R Mason Thomas. Or maybe this is where you grab a linebacker that you really like. We're going to talk about Jacob Rodriguez and Anthony Hill in the next couple days. Is there any interest in looking at a potential trade here for you?

[Landon McCool]

Yes, absolutely. In fact, I would. That's my first choice. I mean, especially a small trade down to 22, you pick up a third round pick. Yeah, let's do it.

[Marcus Mosher]

So my question for you in this one, let's say you miss out on Dylan Thiedemann.

[Landon McCool]

Okay.

[Marcus Mosher]

How big is the drop off for you in Dallas if you go with Emmanuel Bigneel Warren knowing that you drafted Monsour Delane McNeil. Warren is not a slot guy. But you did draft Elaine and maybe that makes it a little bit more palatable to kind of draft a safety like this.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, I, I think the value aspect comes into question because now I'm having to weigh that against TJ Parker. To me, who I think is a really interesting pass rusher and I think really looked good. It was one of the guys that was of that body type situation, like the Cassius Howes, the, the, the R. Mason Thomases that separated himself from that group with the long, with longer arms and with really good testing, he had a good combine. So to me, I think at that point, without Feneman, without the opportunity to kind of have somebody in that star position. Now we're talking of pure safety. To me, I think that now we have to weigh positional value here at 20 and, and if we, you know, if the trade goes through, like, let's do it.

[Marcus Mosher]

Let's see. So it goes through. The Cowboys now move down two spots. They pick up a third round pick. It's, it's tough to miss on thienam in at 20, but there's also not a guarantee that he wouldn't be there because the Chargers are trading up for Jordan Tyson, a wide receiver to jump Pittsburgh. That makes sense because Pittsburgh's got a lot of ties with Jordan Tyson, including Heinz Ward coaching him at Arizona State. Pittsburgh takes DENZEL Boston at 21. And then there you go, Lane and Dylan Thieman available to you at pick 22 right in front of the Eagles.

[Landon McCool]

It's, it's, it's beautiful. I, I, it's a tear to come to my eye the way, how the way this played out. We got it all on camera too. So yeah, I think let's take Dinaman here and now we've got another pick to play with.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, now we've got two more picks that we could play. We've got pick 86 and a fourth rounder. We will get to both of those selections next.

[Landon McCool]

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[Marcus Mosher]

welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen every single day. All right, Landon, we got a bonus pick. We were not anticipating having a bonus pick here, but now the Cowboys are on the clock here at pick 86. Before we even get to the players that are on the board, who are or what positions would you be targeting now that you got your slot? Defender, slash safety and cornerback.

[Landon McCool]

I would see what edges are available, but I mean, I think I'm not going to be necessarily. Yeah, I mean, the names, by the

[Marcus Mosher]

way, Anthony Lucas from usc, Tyreek Sapp from Florida, Jason Barham from Michigan, Nadami Tucker from Western Michigan. It's pretty gross. Like, there's nobody here that you would draft that you think could probably be a top three guy in your rotation.

[Landon McCool]

No, you would hope in someone like Lawrence or, you know, would have fallen. But. But yeah, it doesn't look like it's, you know, playing out that well. Maybe we should look at linebacker. Because honestly, that was my other thing is I think this is still a really good spot to potentially get a linebacker. And it looks like this is a pretty good group, at least decent. We got Deontay Lawson from Alabama, Kyle Lewis from Pittsburgh, who we've talked about a lot. Taurine York from Texas A M, who's kind of another undersized, very fast linebacker, Aiden Fisher. I mean, you know, these are. But the problem is that that falls off really quickly if you don't necessarily love the fit of Lawson or Lewis. I don't feel like, you know, Taurine York is necessarily worthy.

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, let me ask you this. Do you think the fit of Kyle Lewis who came in. I actually, I think he grew a little bit at the. The com. Fine. He's not just one. He's. I think he's 6 foot, 221 pounds or whatever. So he's small. But are you okay taking a nickel linebacker here at pick 86?

[Landon McCool]

I mean, because it's a bonus pick, maybe. Let's see what else is back there. Real quick, just because I think he's probably top of my list. But. But it's not like jumping out at me.

[Marcus Mosher]

So, like, if you wanted to go to a different position, defensive lineman, there are a couple guys, including Daryl Jackson Jr. Who is a massive defensive tackle from Florida State, who I like quite a bit overall. There are a couple receivers. There's Jennings dunker, if you want an offensive lineman. I don't know how well he fits into this scheme, but he's a. I'm a fan of his. Dion Brooks, a wide Receiver from Oklahoma I like quite a bit Zaki Wheat Wheatley, a safety from Penn State. But I don't think you can take a third defensive back. Genesis Smith had really good free safety option. It's pretty rough here in round three.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. So I think probably, you know, unless, you know, in this situation, I probably would even try to maybe trade back a little bit and maybe pick up more picks. But in this case, I think honestly let's just go ahead and take Lewis. I like him a lot obviously. I just want. I just worry about the fit with. With over shown. Right. Just having two kind of undersized linebackers. But in this system where you're playing a gap and a half, you're a little bit more protected. Maybe you can you support something like that.

[Marcus Mosher]

We should also mention Overstone is in the last year of his deal and he has not been the most durable player. So maybe you just. You fill in that weak side linebacker spot. Shemar James and whatever free agent signing occupy. Was it the buck linebacker in a 34 and that's just kind of how you roll. It's not ideal, but at least you have more athleticism there. Let's finish this out here at pick 112 again, now that you've addressed linebacker, you've got your two corners. You got your corner and your safety. You could kind of just take whatever you think is the best player available. There's some really interesting tight ends. If you want to take a another cornerback and trade in Stukes from Arizona, that's an option as well. What positions are you looking at?

[Landon McCool]

Well, I kind of look at running back here and. Or tied in. If it's going to be a wide receiver, it's going to be an offensive player. And look, look here. This is a great spot to pick a running back because I'm thrilled to pick a Nicholas Singleton or a Jaden Ott or a Katron Allen. Honestly, Le'Veon Moss too. Like I would pick any of those guys in the fourth round. I love Mike Washington enough that I wouldn't hate taking him here, but I think, you know, I would definitely pick a guy that I felt like had a little bit more dynamic element to his game so he could kind of play him off Javante Williams a little bit. You know, I think Singleton, I think odds, I think those guys really fit the bill for sure. Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

And maybe Singleton I think had a chance to go higher in the draft. If he didn't break his foot at the Senior Bowl, I think he would have dominated the combine and Again in round four. It's, you know, I think this is kind of an on value pick but he is a freak athlete and you bring them along slow and maybe with Javante Williams and Jaden Blue and Phil Moffa, he doesn't have to have a big role early in the season. But this is a guy that you take a chance on, betting on the athleticism.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, absolutely. And you know, this is a guy that I, you know, a year ago we were talking about potentially being a first round running back. There were reports that he was going to run a 4:3 at 220 pounds or whatever he is. So yeah, definitely, definitely has some instincts issues and, and bringing him along slow might be better for his game any. So yeah, an interesting pick and a guy that I kind of always look for because I feel like could be a weapon in a backfield if you add them to the group.

[Marcus Mosher]

Just finishing up this job. Monsoon Delane at pick 12. We traded back from 20 to 22 to pick up that extra third round pick. We selected Dylan Thieneman which again shocker that he was available. Kyle Lewis, the linebacker from Pittsburgh at pick 86 and then rounding it out with Nick Singleton at 112. I mean I'm landed. I know this is our draft and we're always going to love whatever draft we did, but I got a feeling Cowboys nation would be very happy with this one.

[Landon McCool]

Oh yeah, I would think so. I mean I think you know the, to luck out and to, to get them in after a trade back and then to get an extra pick and basically pick up a guy like Kyle Lewis for free who I mean honestly can play linebacker but he could also do some nickel overhang stuff. I mean I think as well like just a very versatile player now you have a very versatile, young, talented, sure tackling group of guys that I think really kind of is exactly the kind of shape of the defenses you're looking to have.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah.

[Landon McCool]

With this Christian Parker, you know, move to this kind of multiple front.

[Marcus Mosher]

Think about those first three picks. Delane, Thienim and Lewis. Those are all guys that can cover. All these guys can play in space. I think you instantly made your defense way more sound and way more versatile on the back end. You're still going to have to figure out the pass rush thing and maybe you go out and make a trade, maybe you send your future second round pick to go get an edge rusher to round out that room. But you know, if we're leaving the draft, let's say they signed to Kobe Dean and they signed a middling defensive end prospect. This is a draft that I think you feel really good. Maybe not right away because defensive backs take a while but by the time we get to Thanksgiving, feeling really good about where your defense is at.

[Landon McCool]

But let's also not forget that Christian Parker did this exact thing before with Philadelphia, took two young first round, not when they weren't first round, but took two young defensive back high ranked defensive backs and were able to develop them very quickly into the shields. Great benefit. So certainly possible.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, that is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making Locked on Cowboys your first listen every single day. If you never miss an episode, the Everyday or Club is built for you. Get Locked On Cowboys ad free plus members only, Discord Access and so much more. Head over to lockon cowboys supercast.com to join the club. And for those of you on video we can send you the first ever 24.7national NBA YouTube channel and on audio make your second listen the lockdown NFL Draft Podcast. Follow lanen on Twitter @McCool BCB. I'm @Marcus Moser and we'll see you right back here tomorrow.

[Landon McCool]

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[Marcus Mosher]

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[Landon McCool]

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[Marcus Mosher]

Hey everyone, this is Ross Jackson, one

[Landon McCool]

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.