WAR ROOM: Locked On Cowboys UNVEIL Their 2026 Draft Board | Who Are The Top Targets For Cowboys?

Summary

Locked On Cowboys Podcast

WAR ROOM: Locked On Cowboys UNVEIL Their 2026 Draft Board | Who Are The Top Targets For Cowboys?

Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Date: March 6, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this "War Room" episode, Marcus and Landon reveal their Dallas Cowboys-centric consensus draft board for the 2026 NFL Draft. They engage in a detailed, position-by-position breakdown of the top six non-quarterback prospects they believe the Cowboys should target. The conversation explores each player’s fit, upside, and potential draft reality for Dallas, prioritizing both talent and organizational needs.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage & Ground Rules

• The hosts clarify this is a Cowboys-specific big board: not an overall NFL draft ranking, but rather the best prospects for the Cowboys (01:12).
• Focus is on non-quarterback prospects, due to current roster dynamics.
• They also factor in positional value and team fit, not just raw talent.

1. Arvel Reese — Hybrid Edge/Linebacker (02:11)

• Landon: “It’s Arvel Reese… the kind of modern NFL hybrid defender.”
• Compared to Micah Parsons only by position; Reese is “special in his own way” with unique athleticism and play style.
• Consensus #1 for Dallas—ideal fit for defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
• Marcus: “He’s just everything the Cowboys would want in an edge guy that could also play linebacker… the perfect fit.”
• Expectation: Unlikely to be available at Dallas’ mid-first round pick (12th overall).

2. David Bailey — Edge Rusher (03:17)

• Landon: “He checked all the boxes in the combine… comes in with proven production.”
• Praised for technique, pass-rushing ability, and instant impact potential for Dallas’ needs.
• Marcus: Points out minor concerns (e.g., sideline-to-sideline movement, bend) but calls him “top 10 in just about any draft” (04:14).

3. Sonny Styles — Linebacker (04:43)

• Landon: “A rare blend of athletic and instinctual at the linebacker position… a freak athlete.”
• Praised for combine and tape; sideline-to-sideline speed, size (6'5", 245 lbs.), and instincts.
• Marcus: “He does better than almost any linebacker prospect I’ve ever seen… there’s a point where a prospect’s just too good and too freaky.”

4. Reuben Bain — Defensive End (08:31)

• Landon: “I just could not be more impressed… so consistently productive… one of the truly unstoppable players at the end of the year.”
• Performance in high-level college playoff games highlighted.
• Marcus: “His tape is undeniable… a dominant player despite the short arms” (09:07).
• Noted as a potentially huge get if he falls due to physical measurables concerns.

5. Caleb Downs — Safety/Nickel (09:41)

• Landon: “The best football player in this draft… three-year captain at Alabama and two years at Ohio State… major component of two of the best defenses of all time.”
• Dinged a bit for positional value as a safety, but high on talent and football IQ.
• Possible minor injury rumors, but nothing confirmed.
• Marcus: “If we were ranking these players just based on talent, he would be higher…”

6. Monsoon Delane — Cornerback (LSU) (10:41)

• Marcus: “Not the biggest, not the longest, not the fastest, but just a darn good cover corner. Only allowed two receptions of over 20 yards last year… had zero penalties during the 2025 season.”
• Praised for sticky coverage, discipline, and flexibility.
• Landon: “A tier difference between this guy… the lead dog at the cornerback position and then there’s a gap.”

Notable Exclusions & Clarifications (11:42)

• The board does not include QBs or certain offensive linemen/receivers—Cowboys are not expected to target those positions high.
• Names like Fernando Mendoza and some offensive linemen (“Mauoga”, “Monroe Freeling”) are mentioned as top prospects generally, but not likely picks for Dallas (11:55).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Landon (on Arvel Reese):

  “He’s just the kind of modern NFL hybrid defender… special in his own way.” (02:11)

• Marcus (on David Bailey):

  “I feel great about him as a prospect. I think he goes top 10 in just about any draft.” (04:14)

• Landon (on Sonny Styles):

  “A rare blend of, of athletic and instinctual at the linebacker position… a freak athlete.” (04:43)

• Marcus (on Reuben Bain):

  “His tape is undeniable. And it is. I mean, he is truly a dominant player despite the short arms.” (09:07)

• Landon (on Caleb Downs):

  “He likely would play a nickel role, which I think… you could increase your value conversation there… a three-year starter at two of the most premier schools.” (09:41)

• Marcus (on Monsoon Delane):

  “Only allowed two receptions of over 20 yards last year. And my favorite part: doesn’t get penalized.” (10:41)

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Timestamps: Top Segments

• [02:11] — Arvel Reese discussion: unique fit and elite hybrid defender traits.
• [03:17] — David Bailey's combine performance and first-round projection.
• [04:43] — Sonny Styles’ freakish athleticism and linebacker value.
• [08:31] — Reuben Bain, playoff dominance, and Cowboys fit.
• [09:41] — Caleb Downs, leadership, and safety/nickel value.
• [10:41] — Monsoon Delane as lead CB, low penalties, coverage skill.
• [11:42] — Clarification on board construction and positional focus for Dallas.

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Final Cowboys Consensus Top 6 Draft Board

1. Arvel Reese (Edge/LB)
2. David Bailey (Edge)
3. Sonny Styles (LB)
4. Reuben Bain (DE)
5. Caleb Downs (S/Nickel)
6. Monsoon Delane (CB)

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Closing Thoughts

• The hosts emphasize a clear tier break after #6, indicating a drop-off in blue-chip value for the Cowboys at their draft position.
• Marcus and Landon invite listener participation to share their own rankings and feedback.
• They tease further draft discussions leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, especially as the Cowboys’ draft situation evolves.

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Connect:

• Twitter: @Marcus_Mosher, @McCoolBCB, @LockedOnCowboys
• Feedback & rankings welcome via Twitter.

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This summary covers the full content discussion and excludes ad reads, intros, outros, and general promo spots.

Transcript

[Marcus Moser]

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[Marcus Moser]

Landon and I have just finished up our war room arguments and we're going to tell you what our top six consensus board should look like for the Dallas Cowboys 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. Your team every day. We'd like to thank you for making us the number one sports podcast network. And on today's show we are discussing our consensus board that Landon and I have put together for for the Dallas Cowboys. We're going to stack the best players on how we would draft them for the Cowboys. And Landon, let's start at number one. If you had the number one pick in this draft and you're not drafting a quarterback, who is the top prospect for the Dallas Cowboys this year?

[Landon]

Yeah, I think it's the same for a lot of teams across the NFL. It's Arvel Reese. I think you add the pass rush downhill ability that we saw throughout the season combined with what he looked like at a linebacker. He's just the kind of modern NFL hybrid defender. I think, you know, it's easy for Cowboys fans to kind of fall into the thought process that, oh, you mean like a Micah Parsons because of the two positions we're talking about being pass rusher and linebacker. But he wins in a completely different way. He's just a completely different athlete. Special in his own way. But yeah, I, I think to me he's the top guy on this list and I Think he's been kind of near the top of my list since the early part of the 2025 college football season.

[Marcus Moser]

And he's not going to make it to the Cowboys. At 12. He's probably not even going to make it to a spot where the Cowboys could come up with a trade package. But I think he's just everything the Cowboys would want in a edge guy that could also play linebacker. The perfect fit for Christian Parker. So that's one. Who's your second best player in this class for the Cowboys?

[Landon]

Well, that's where things started to get interesting a little bit. Right. You know, we have like a couple of different guys that sort of, you know, fall into the category a little bit of, of who could be eligible here. I think I, this is honestly where I would start thinking about someone like Sunny Styles or start thinking about some of these guys. But for me, the number two player was David Bailey. Right. I think that he's, he's, I think at the edge. He checked all the boxes in the combine. He, he's just a guy that, especially with the needs the Cowboys have as a pass rusher, he comes in, you know, with proven production. He's got the tape, he's got the techniques to kind of hopefully come in and, you know, be somewhat productive early on. And that's likely why he's going to end up being a top five pick probably. But yeah, I think just a great fit, especially with the kind of pass rush you're looking for.

[Marcus Moser]

For. He's got warts. He's not the best moving sideline to sideline, and I think he's not the most bendy player, but a lot of these other guys have warts as well, especially if you're looking at the defensive end position. I feel great about him as a prospect. I think he goes top 10 in just about any draft, so no problem there at 2 gets really interesting at 3. Are you taking Reuben Bain with the short arms? Are you taking Caleb Downs who's a safety, or are you taking an off ball linebacker prospect here? Landon?

[Landon]

I, I think, I think, you know, at this point I, I probably have to pull the trigger on Sonny Styles. Right. Like he's just, I, I just think he's just a rare blend of, of athletic and instinctual at the linebacker position. You know, I've, I've. We saw Mike Sando intentionally not leave him in on his top 10 kind of mock draft created by anonymous front office people that he has kind of talked to. And that gave me a little bit. He still will be available to the Cowboys at 12, but I think the combine just kind of confirmed what we saw on tape. He is a freak athlete. He is really incredible sideline to sideline, and he's kind of a rare blend of that athleticism you need in a modern linebacker while still being plus sized for the linebacker position.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, and you've got three defensive tackles up front that can help hide them away from blockers. Not that you need to. He's 6 5, 245 pounds and he's physical. But having those guys up front would just allow him to run sideline to sideline, which he does better than almost any linebacker prospect I've ever seen. I care a lot about positional value, but there's a point where there's a prospect's just too good and too freaky. And I think that's where Sunny Styles lands for us at number three. Who is the fourth player on our consensus big board? We'll get to that next. This episode is brought to you by Game Time. We live in a world where you can stream anything and everything, order food in minutes, and carry supercomputers in our pockets. And yet somehow buying tickets to live games feels still feels overly complicated. Between hidden fees, jumping prices, endless steps, there has to be a better way. And there is. And that's why I use the Game Time app. It gives the advantage back to the fans and it makes getting tickets simple, whether it's NFL games, concert and comedy events near you. I just jumped on the app to check out tickets for an upcoming game. Honestly, it took me two minutes. Found the game I was looking for, found the section that I wanted to sit in and Game Time. Make it easy. Made it really easy to find my seats. Two taps and you have great seats locked in. Fast, easy done. So take the guesswork out of buying tickets with GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use promo code locked on for $20 off your first purchase Terms apply again, create an account, redeem promo code locked on for $20 off and download Game Time Today. This episode is brought to you by TurboTax. It's tax time. But for a lot of us, the old way of doing taxes is a lot. Trying to book an appointment that's not the most convenient. Sitting in a waiting room with a stack of papers, going back and forth, wondering if they're really getting your situation via email. But this year you're getting a major upgrade with Intuit TurboTax, which now has in person locations nationwide. You can meet face to face with A real tax expert and your documents get uploaded straight to your TurboTax app on the spot. And just like that, you're done. Your TurboTax expert works to get you every dollar that you deserve while you get real time notifications as you go about your day. It's the relief of walking in and meeting with a real person and then walking out knowing that your taxes are being handled right. So head to turbotax.com local to find a store near you and book your appointment today. Welcome back. We are setting up the Dallas Cowboys draft board for the 2026 NFL Draft. To recap, we've got Arval Reese at number one. We've got David Bailey at number two, Sunny Styles at three. Who is the fourth person on the board here for you, Landon?

[Landon]

It's Reuben Bain. I, I can only hold him off so long without putting him on this list and I think you watch what he does on the field and, and I, I just could not be more impressed with what he was able to accomplish at the end of the year last year to go through that kind of murders row and the college playoffs and to, to be so consistently productive. It really did feel like when we got to the national title that because of the play of guys like Bane and Messador, that we were truly seeing the two best teams in college football. And I think that Bain was one of the truly unstoppable players. At the end of the year, I

[Marcus Moser]

tried to get him a little bit higher. I actually like him a little bit more than Bailey, but I'm perfectly fine here at 4. And I don't know how realistic it is that he falls to Dallas because you've already heard guys like Robert Sala say like his tape is undeniable. And it is. I mean, he is truly a dominant player despite the short arms. Maybe that works in the advantage of the Cowboys and he falls down to 12. But what a joy it would be for him to be in Dallas Cowboys. I would love it and it would solve a lot of positional value needs they have as well. After Bane at pick number five or fifth on our board, who do you got?

[Landon]

Caleb Downs. I mean, to me we've talked about him being, you know, the best football player in this draft, you know, and I think that's. I know he's weird to have him at number five, but I mean, positional value is a thing, but I think that, you know, he likely would play a nickel role, which I think, you know, you could increase your value conversation there. There's been rumors about Some, you know, injury stuff that's obviously unconfirmed. So we just, we just don't really know what the deal is there. But I think you turn on the tape, you know, a three year starter at two of the most premier schools, being coached by some of the best coaches in college football at the defensive backfield and, and just, you know, consistently being part of two of the best defenses of all time and being the major component. The captain is, you know, is. I think, I think he's a three year captain at Alabama and two years at Ohio State. Yeah. And he's very much earned that it. So yeah, it's, it's not hard to turn on tape for Kayla Downs to see why you want him on your football team.

[Marcus Moser]

And if we were ranking these players just based on talent, he would be higher. But we're ranking these based on how we would draft them if they were available. And I think for me, Downs is fifth. Maybe you could make an argument that you put him over Bane. But Downs is an unbelievable player and again, I feel really good about this top five. These are five awesome players and if the Cowboys are fortunate enough to get one of these five at number 12, they're going to be in a really good spot. Things get a little bit more difficult at number six. That's where the talent drops off a little bit. But we've got Mansoor Delane or, sorry, Monsoon. Make sure I get it right. Monsoon Delane, the cornerback from lsu, he's not the biggest, he's not the longest, he's not the fastest, but he's just a darn good cover corner. Only allowed two receptions of over 20 yards last year. And my favorite part doesn't get penalized. He had zero penalties in during the 2025 season. So you get a corner that can, that's got awesome feet that can stick to receivers and he doesn't get called for penalties. Sign me up.

[Landon]

So just to be clear too, these are, these are all the guys that we've done that are in our Arkansas sport for the Cowboys. So we're not including, you know, Fernando Mendoza or any of the offensive linemen or Jordan Love or anything.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, yeah, the, the Miami offensive, like Mauoga, I believe he easily could be in this list. I think you could talk about Monroe Freeling, you could talk about Mendoza, but we're doing a Cowboy centric board. The Cowboys wouldn't draft Mendoza even if he was at 12. They would trade away that pick. We're talking. Yeah, same with the receivers. We're talking about how they would draft him and how we would draft them. And Delane comes in at 6 and absolutely deserving.

[Landon]

So I, I, you know, again, like, I think that there's been clear, it's been clear that there is a tearing that is, is forming underneath him. Like I just, I think he is the lead dog at the cornerback position and then there's a gap and then there's kind of the rest of the guys trickling in. I know you like Avion Terrell a lot. I think he's a very good player as well. But I do think that there is a tier difference between this guy just because I think he is a little bit bigger. So his, his downsides mitigated a little bit and I think he's a little bit more of an inside, outside player than maybe Terrell is.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah. So we're going to continue this series over the next couple weeks assuming the Cowboys still have first round picks. We'll check in with that again. That's our top six. Arvel Reese, David Bailey, Sonny Stiles, Reuben Bain, Caleb Downs and then Mansoor Delaine. Tell us how you would stack your top six players. We would love to hear it. Send it to us at Marcus underscore moser at McCoolBCB. You can also tweet us at Lothon Cowboys. And if you never miss an episode, the Everydayer club is built for you. You're gonna get ad free episodes of the Lothon Cowboys podcast, plus members only, Discord Access and so much more. And for those of you on video, we can send you the first ever 24. 7 national NBA YouTube channel. And on audio, make your second listen the Locked on NFL Draft podcast. Head to lockdown cowboys.supercast.com to learn more again, follow Landon on Twitter coolbcb. I'm at Marcus Underscore Moser and we'll see you right back here on Monday.

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