Talkin’ Cowboys: What Are You Doing at 12 & 20?

April 14, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Youmans, Patrik Walker, Isaiah Stanback, Josh Rodriguez
Podcast: Talkin’ Cowboys

Episode Overview

In this lively pre-draft episode, the Talkin’ Cowboys crew gathers at The Star in Frisco to weigh in on the Dallas Cowboys’ rare opportunity: holding both the 12th and 20th picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. The crew breaks down recent Cowboys news, examines how off-field concerns may shake up the draft board, debates the team's biggest positional needs, and takes calls from fans about their pick strategies. The show mixes in barbershop-style banter with deep football analysis—a signature blend for fans eager for draft night drama.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating the Show’s Success and Setting the Stage for Draft Talk

• The hosts enjoy some light-hearted banter about being rated the top Cowboys podcast and poke fun at sponsor swag.
• Quote (02:11, Isaiah): "The family, man, y'all always hold us down. And we love y'all."

2. The Significance of Two First-Round Picks (12 & 20)

• This is the first time since 2008 that the Cowboys will select twice in the first round (03:53).
• The panel discusses the rarity and potential impact, noting that it feels like “Christmas” for draft enthusiasts.

3. The Cowboys’ Draft Guide and Confidence in this Year’s Class

• The crew promotes the Dallas Cowboys Star Magazine draft guide, noting its value and spotlighting the six players featured on the cover: Caleb Downs, Mansour Delane, Sonny Styles, Dylan Fenaman, Reuben Bain Jr., and David Bailey (06:21).
• Kyle expresses strong confidence (06:15): "85% that we get one of those [cover] guys."
• Josh expresses more pessimism at 25% (06:39).

4. Reuben Bain Jr. News – Impact on Draft Boards

• Timestamps 08:10–15:59: Major segment on the recent resurfacing of a fatal car accident involving top prospect Reuben Bain Jr.
  • Bain was involved in a 2024 accident with a fatality; legal charges were dismissed, but some teams may be deterred.
  • The Cowboys and most teams have been aware for months; the consensus is that he remains a top prospect unless teams view it as a behavioral concern.
  • Kyle (10:51): "From a Dallas standpoint, I don't think it affects it a ton. I really don't."
  • Patrik (15:34): "If it's a one-off and he's remorseful and hasn't had any additional issues...his draft stock will still be where it was before the news broke."
  • Discussion on NFL teams’ investigative depth into prospects’ histories, with Isaiah sharing his own draft experience and how pro teams deploy private investigators.
  • Isaiah (20:56): "They went not only through his family, coaches, teachers...they got all the way to me where a PI sat down with me."

5. Cowboys’ Current Roster Situation and News

• Recent legal trouble with safety Marquis Bell, facing felony and misdemeanor charges in Texas; situation pending NFL review (08:10).
• The crew mentions an ongoing need at linebacker and potential interest in adding depth before or during the draft (08:10).

6. Defining Cowboys’ Draft Priorities

• Consensus emerges: The Cowboys’ clear top three needs are Edge Rusher, Cornerback, and Linebacker (44:26).
• Debate on positional value and draft depth:
  • Linebacker has the least depth, making it more urgent to address early (32:41).
  • Edge and corner have strong but shallow top tiers; if the high-end targets are gone, the crew leans toward trading back.
  • Patrik (31:13): "It's not hard to upgrade over rock bottom. That's why I love what Kyle said...you gotta pay to play. Scared money don't make money."

7. Fan Calls and Mock Draft Philosophies

Caller 1: Nebby from Golden Spring, MD (25:11)

• Approach: Stay put at 12 and 20; take a corner then a linebacker.
• Panel Reaction:
  • Discussion of the value in getting day-one starters, especially with linebacker scarcity.
  • Kyle (30:04): "The linebacker position, you're probably able to find a starter at 20—you may not find a starter at 92."

Caller 2: Greg from Columbus, OH (33:49)

• Approach: Trade back a couple spots from 12 and 20, accumulate picks, and target the best cornerback, linebacker, or edge available.
• Panel Caution:
  • Trading out of a tier could mean missing high-end prospects, especially at corner and edge.
  • Kyle (37:10): "If you trade back from 12, you're probably not going to get one of the top two [corners]...you're going to get one of the second-tier corners."

Caller 3: Nick from Austin, TX (43:32)

• Approach: Addresses the possibility of trading up, wipeout scenarios at key positions, and whether he’d take top prospects at less-needy positions if they slide.
• In-depth discussion of medical red flags, especially how straight-line speed vs. change-of-direction drills reflect readiness (44:57).
• Isaiah (45:00): "Running a 4.3 is a straight line...Can you decelerate? Can you change directions?"
• Nick advocates for possibly trading back from 20, accumulating a third-rounder, and maybe flipping that pick for a proven veteran—an approach the panel endorses.

8. Mock Drafts Postponed for Next Week

• Due to deep discussion, the group delays their in-house mock draft to the next episode (43:05).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Number one in the world, Craig. Top flight security of the world.” — Isaiah Stanback (02:03), referencing their top podcast status with playful bravado.
• "It's like Christmas. You get two Christmases a year." — The panel on having two first-round picks (03:36).
• "The case is dismissed...but of course that just comes with the baggage of picking a guy like that." — Josh Rodriguez on Reuben Bain Jr.’s situation (14:11).
• "It's not hard to upgrade over rock bottom." — Patrik Walker on Dallas' defensive rebuild (31:13).
• "Scared money don't make money." — Patrik Walker referencing their approach to the draft (31:23).
• "You can find yourself a possible starter slash rotational edge at 92 easier than you’re going to find a starting linebacker." — Kyle Yeomans (30:04).
• "Teams don't want to be surprised. If it can come out, it will be found out." — Patrik Walker regarding NFL draft investigations (21:20).
• "The Cowboys said they're done with projects." — Isaiah Stanback on avoiding risky prospects early (49:27).

Key Timestamps

• 03:53 — First time in over 15 years Cowboys have two 1st-round picks
• 06:21 — Review of the draft guide cover players
• 08:10–15:59 — In-depth segment on Reuben Bain Jr. legal news and its impact
• 25:11 — Caller Nebby: stick-and-pick strategy at 12 and 20
• 33:49 — Caller Greg: trade-back for more picks, address primary needs
• 43:32 — Caller Nick: positional wipeout and “best player available” dilemmas; medical red flag talk
• 45:00 — Isaiah explains how on-field drills relate to injury risk
• 50:19 — Panel likes idea of picking at 12, trading back from 20, using extra pick for a veteran

Takeaways & Conclusions

• Premium Pick Strategy: Consensus is to stay put or even trade up from #12 to ensure access to top-tier talent. Trading back at #20 is more palatable.
• Draft Depth Dictates Decisions: Early linebacker and corner picks are valued because of thinner draft classes; edge rusher has slightly more breathing room.
• Legal and Medical Red Flags: The team heavily weighs off-field and injury concerns but echoes that thorough NFL vetting usually reveals all.
• Cowboys Fan Energy: Multiple calls highlight the excitement and anxiety with this much draft capital.
• Forward Focus: The panel will dive further into concrete mock drafts in the next episode—setting the stage for a must-listen draft preview.

Useful for…

Anyone wanting a nuanced understanding of what the Cowboys are facing with their draft capital, how off-field events factor in, and what philosophies drive front-office draft decisions. The episode’s conversational energy, real fan input, and analysis offer a comprehensive view—ideal for both diehard and casual Cowboys enthusiasts!