Talkin’ Cowboys: Big Picture, Big Picks

Dallas Cowboys Podcast – December 8, 2025
Host: Kyle Yeomans
Panelists: Isaiah Stanback, Patrick “No C” Walker, Josh Rodriguez, Chris Beam

Episode Overview

On this “Marvelous Monday,” the Talkin’ Cowboys crew reunites after the mini-bye to take a wide-lens look at the Dallas Cowboys’ current roster needs and draft outlook, following a tough loss. The group dives into injury updates, debates draft priorities for both rounds, and has a lively, opinionated conversation about where Dallas should invest its first-round picks in 2026. Along the way, they pepper in college football bowl talk, notable quotes, and plenty of laughs.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Post-Mini Bye Mood & College Football Bowl Talk

• The show opens with banter about the weekend struggles: both the Cowboys’ loss and North Texas football woes.
• The team laments seniors missing out on college bowl games due to teams declining invitations.
• Kyle Yeomans: "Could you imagine being a senior with no NFL future? … that’s the opportunity that you’re missing from.” (05:34)
• Panelists agree: Bowls matter for fringe NFL prospects and the declining invites are unfair to those players.

2. News & Notes: Cowboys Injury Updates (08:11–15:21)

CeeDee Lamb Concussion

• Patrick Walker: “CD Lamb had ‘a good day’… Good news on the CD Lamb front.”
• He’s progressing through concussion protocol; optimism for availability vs. Vikings, pending full clearance.

Tyler Guyton & Jadeveon Clowney

• Kyle Yeomans: “My thoughts are that [Tyler Guyton] will be available against the Vikings.”
• Both Guyton and Clowney are trending to play. Clowney’s “already been worth the contract.”
  • Patrick Walker (re: Clowney): “If you were listening to Talkin’ Cowboys, you’d have heard that we said … he was ramping up.” (12:29)

Trayvon Diggs

• Trayvon Diggs’ 21-day practice window is open; there’s a “better chance” he plays vs. Minnesota. He’s eager to return but needs medical clearance.

3. Main Segment: Cowboys’ Big Picture Draft Priorities (15:32–33:04)

Ground Rules:

• They hold picks #15 (their own) and #28 (from the Packers).
• Key contributors—Pickens, Williams, Clowney—are on expiring contracts or one-year deals.

Panelist Draft Priority Picks:

Patrick “No C” Walker:

• DEFENSE: Defensive end, cornerback (CB)
• OFFENSE: Wide receiver, if Pickens leaves
• Wants a large, Clowney-like DE (with pass rush/run stop skills)
• Quote: "You need another larger defensive end that has the pass rush ability." (17:45)
• Controversial: Would use a first on WR to be “unstoppable” at the position if Pickens isn’t re-signed.

Chris Beam:

• Focus: Secondary (Safety, CB), then Linebacker, then Tackle
• Modern DC wants a safety “who can cover, not just go downhill.”
• Notes the Cowboys haven’t spent real draft capital at safety since Donovan Wilson (6th round, 2019).
• “You need a dog at safety. 100%. You need a guy that can cover…” (22:50)

Isaiah Stanback:

• Defensive priorities: Linebacker (C.J. Allen from Georgia), Defensive End
• Prefers to build “front to back” on defense (“get dogs up front”)
• Disagrees with early WR pick if Pickens remains; prefers DE and LB for first-rounders.

Kyle Yeomans:

• Sees WR as set if Pickens stays: "I would argue you’re already dominant at wide receiver." (20:31)
• Suggests tackle as a potential pick—contingent on Terence Steele’s situation and faith in Guyton’s availability.

4. Draft Strategy Philosophy: Where Should Dallas Spend Premium Picks?

• Walker: Prioritize positions tough to acquire in free agency (CB, DE, OT). Safety/LB can be found on market or later in draft.
• Isaiah: “Build from the front back on defense.”
• Chris Beam: If Eberflus stays, a high-end safety is a ‘must get’.

Notable Exchange:

• Walker: “Teams don’t get rid of corners, don’t get rid of D-ends, don’t get rid of tackles…if you have first round equity, use it [there].” (27:38)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Lively banter on caffeine overload:
  Isaiah: “This is 300 milligrams.” (01:56)
  Patrick: “Cheers.” (02:00)

• On bowl game opt-outs:
  Kyle: “Ask Joe Schmo, the second-team linebacker….[He] doesn’t get a chance to play ever again.” (04:47)

• On backup/scouting philosophy:
  Patrick: “If I’m a GM, I want to be unstoppable at something. If one of my guys goes down, it doesn’t matter.” (21:30)

• On Terence Steele/Tyler Guyton:
  Patrick (voicing concerns): “I have questions about his drive and mental.” (36:54)
  Isaiah: “No, for me, mine is the inverse. I have concerns about the availability.” (37:00)

Key Draft Prospect Names & Descriptions (46:43–53:16)

• WR Denzel Boston (Washington): 6'4, 210; red-zone/deep threat, compared to Odunze but with less burst.
• WR Makai Lemon (USC): 5'11 burner, “slot mismatch nightmare.”
• DE David Bailey (Texas Tech): 6'4, 250; powerful, 13.5 sacks in '25.
• DE Mateo Uyangalalei (Oregon): 6'5, 270; big frame, lower 2025 production.
• DT Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State): 6'5, 340; “big, burly” run stopper.
• DT Dante Corleone (Cincinnati): 6'1, 335; highly regarded, “stocky presence.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [08:11] – Cowboys’ injury update: Lamb, Guyton, Clowney, Diggs
• [15:32] – Dallas’ draft needs discussion
• [21:30] – WR depth and “dominant” unit debate
• [27:38] – Walker explains draft value by positional scarcity
• [36:54] – Tyron Smith/Terence Steele/Guyton long-term fit debate
• [46:42] – Draft prospect segment: names and fits for Dallas

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Lively, candid, and sometimes argumentative—but always rooted in Cowboys passion. The hosts agree that defense (DE, LB, secondary) is this roster’s biggest area of need, but debate lingers about just how “set” the wide receiver group truly is and whether Dallas should go all-in for a dominant unit. Injury returns (especially Clowney, Lamb, and Diggs) should help, but the future will hinge on draft decisions at difficult-to-find positions.

Quick Panel Guide

• Patrick Walker: Prioritize rare talents (DE, CB, WR if Pickens leaves); wants to be “unstoppable” at a spot.
• Chris Beam: Safety is top priority, plus CB and possibly more OL help.
• Isaiah Stanback: Beef up defense “front to back”—LB (especially C.J. Allen) and DE.
• Kyle Yeomans: Offensive line is a sleeper need, depending on contracts and faith in Guyton/Steele.

Notable Closing

• “Let us cook!” – The crew relishing the bonus content day and promising a return to regular segments and fan calls the following episodes.
• Isaiah closes with: “So restructuring and taking a pay cut are two different things… gives the player more liquidity up front!" (52:08)

For those who missed the episode: This installment is a perfect primer on where the Cowboys stand roster-wise going into the final stretch, with passionate (and sometimes polarizing) draft discussions from trusted insiders—and a glimpse at names that might headline Dallas’ 2026 draft class.