Podcast Summary: The Draft Show — "105.3 The Fan Draft 101 | 2025"

Date: April 18, 2025
Hosts & Panel: Zach Wolchuk (host), Bryan Broaddus, Nick Harris, Kyle Yeomans, Tommy Orish, Voch Lombardi, Bobby Belt

Overview

This live "Draft 101" Town Hall episode is a lively, deep-dive roundtable on the 2025 NFL Draft with a special focus on the Dallas Cowboys’ strategies, big board, and prospect fits. Top Cowboys draft analysts field fan questions, debate positional strengths and weaknesses, and dissect tiered prospects and trade philosophies. Listeners get actionable insight as the draft approaches and a sense of the panel's real-time, sometimes contrasting evaluations.

Key Themes

• Detailed breakdown of the 2025 class—strengths, weaknesses, and unique "pockets" of talent.
• Cowboys-specific needs and how this year’s draft lines up with their roster holes.
• Prospect tiers, fit, and positional scarcity, especially for Dallas at pick #12.
• The value and challenges of potential trade-downs for Dallas.
• In-depth player discussions, from headliners to sleeper mid- and late-round options.
• Fan interaction and Q&A bring local flavor and real-time audience concerns.

Segment Summaries & Highlights

1. Initial Roundtable: Overall Class Strengths & Weaknesses

[00:24–06:36]

• Bryan Broaddus spotlights the class's depth at running back, defensive tackle, and corner, but finds fewer top-tier off. tackles than previous years.
  • "I've been really excited about the running backs, the edges, the defensive tackles... really good pockets of players.” (Broaddus, [02:01])
• Panel agrees:
  • OTs: Fewer pure tackles, more who’ll play guard in the pros.
  • Quarterbacks: Less consensus, not as many “locks” in the top 15 this year.
  • For Dallas, needs (DT, RB, WR, CB) fit well with draft strengths.
• Voch Lombardi champions Josh Simmons as his top-graded tackle (later echoes), argues he'd even take him as high as #12: "I think Josh Simmons is the dude that you should take at." (Lombardi, [04:21])
• Kyle Yeomans: QB position is a wild card; could see "chaos" if teams start reaching and sliding on certain QBs, with ripple effect on Cowboys at 12.

2. Predicting Surprises at Pick 12

[06:36–10:08]

• Nick Harris floats EDGE/’tweener Jalen Walker as a sleeper pick at 12 if QBs/WRs get plucked earlier than expected.
  • "Is Jalen Walker a type of talent you can't pass up on at 12?..." (Harris, [07:00])
• Panel debates versatility: Is Walker a LB or EDGE? (Playing “rovers” a lot? Injury fill-in for Overshown?)
• Brian Broaddus on how teams over-think hybrids: play off-ball first, situational edge, to leverage versatility.

3. The Quarterback Wild Card and Trade Dynamics

[10:08–15:03]

• Bobby Belt shares league whispers: NO isn't a “slam dunk” for QB; some orgs prefer Jackson Dart or Tyler Shough over Shadur Sanders; one Penix-style curveball could shake up the board.
• With picks 10-40 tightly graded, few teams will give up big capital to move up, complicating Dallas' hopes to trade down.
• "Quarterback factor could mess things up here." (Belt, [10:08])
• If QBs slide, Dallas might find a blue-chip falling to #12; or teams could get QB-desperate and call them.

4. Audience Q&A, Cowboys' Grading Philosophy

[16:44–25:00]

• Fan story about Broaddus, then asks: Do different teams have different “first-round grade” benchmarks?
  • "Each group has position specifics... it’s really just kind of adding them all up. Which traits can we absolutely live with?" (Broaddus, [19:16])
  • Dallas' criteria for 1st rounders change by head coach/off. scheme.
• Jerry Jones, Shadur Sanders scenario: all say Jerry would get overruled if Sanders slipped—learned from Manziel/Martin episode.
  • "Jerry's gonna get pulled out of that room really fast..." (Bobby, [22:28])
  • "They'll trust their stack [big board] in the end." (Broaddus, [24:16])

5. Will There Be More Trade-Downs? (Value vs. Volume)

[27:16–32:41]

• Panel is skeptical: No one's eager to give up picks in a flat 10-40 range. Dallas will field calls but won't force a trade for weak return—“I just want value for my pick... I’ll stand in there and make a pick, dammit.” (Broaddus, [29:29])
• Recent trade-up teams: Howie Roseman (Eagles) is cited, but “32 to 12” is a big jump, unlikely. “First rounders more likely to be traded for players (veterans) not picks.”

6. Deep Dives: Mid-/Late-Round Prospects and Scheme Fits

[33:02–45:22]

• Audience brings up receivers like Tory Horton (Colorado State): Panel has him 4th-5th round, flashes yak and contested-catch ability but durability/route concerns.
• Undrafted free agents: Names to watch, including local QB’s Seth Hennigan and Braden Shager, RB Marcus Yarn, WR Rock Taylor (Memphis), and Darius Cooper (Tarleton St.).
• Coaching philosophy impacts draft strategy for “slot only” receivers—McCarthy avoided them, Schottenheimer may be more open.

7. Prospect Questions & Reactions

[46:41–65:00+]

• Cowboys’ secrecy on 30 visits: Hints they have a few “hidden” favorites. Josh Simmons and Carson Schlesinger at LB get repeated buzz.
• Top mid-round LB/QBs: Danny Stutzman (Oklahoma) and Billy Bowman (OK, S/Late 3rd) well-liked for their toughness, if not athletic upside.
• Interior OL Center debate: True center options are thin this year. Panel advocacies for Seth McLaughlin (best comp’d to Jason Kelce, Broaddus [61:36]), Gray Zabel, Jonah Monheim, and Willie Lampkin (but likely undrafted for size).

8. Offensive Line/Josh Simmons & “Curveball” Picks

[66:01–72:11]

• Fan with ex-Cowboys O-lineman connections asks about scenario: trade-down + selecting Kelvin Banks or Tyler Guyton; shifting players to resolve OT/OG issues.
• Panel: If Kelvin Banks is there mid-first, makes sense, but moving Banks to guard would be a lot of shuffling. Terrence Steele seen as benefitting from new coaching staff; Guyton could play LT. OL overhaul is a priority if the right guy’s there.
• "I think Terence Steele just bought two more years with this team than he had prior to this coaching change." (Nick Harris, [68:53])

9. WR1/Explosive Receiver Debate at #12

[87:01–90:14]

• Fan asks: If Ted McMillan (Arizona) is at 12, what are the odds Dallas takes another WR (not him)? What's the chance Henderson (RB) falls to 44?
  • Panel: Henderson won't last till 44. On WRs: If both McMillan and Matthew Golden are there, the Cowboys room will get tense—a split over skill set, size, and ceiling vs. floor.
• Big-bodied contested-catch WRs are heavily prioritized; disappointment in current WR2 (Mingo) usage is mentioned.

10. "If You’re Jerry Jones" & Shock Second-Round Picks

[90:18–94:19]

• Fun hypotheticals: If you could pick anyone at 12, panel (especially Voch and Nick) heavily endorse Josh Simmons and Ted McMillan as blue-chippers.
• Surprise 2nd rounders? Answers include Carson Schlesinger (LB), Andrew Mukuba (S), and Ty Williams (DT). Will Campbell (LSU) also repeatedly cited as “dream” target if he slips, but that’s unlikely.

11. More Sleeper Prospects and Strategic “Board Stacking”

[94:20–100:22]

• Sleepers like Rashawn Baker (RB, Elon—“undrafted, but has heart”), and deep-dive debates on Jade Barron (CB, Texas): size knocks keep him lower on the Cowboys’ board, but the panel loves his tape.
• If best available at 44 is another WR (say, after McMillan at 12,) would you double-dip? Panel says it’s unlikely but not impossible—if it’s a round 1-graded talent who slides.

12. Are Cowboys “a Draft Away” from Contending?

[105:58–108:26]

• Panel consensus: “Yes—if you hit on Day 1 & 2, you can contend.”
• Dallas’ top-10 roster is as good as anyone, but their 11–30 range is where depth falls off.
• If Guyton and new Day 2 picks step up like Parsons/Lamb/Diggs did in previous years, Cowboys can close the gap to Philly/San Francisco.

13. Family Pedigree & Character

[108:30–110:03]

• Fan asks about pairing Azareyeh Thomas (CB, FSU) with his brother Wanye: Panel’s high on both talent and character, possible Day 2 target (size, versatility, "football character" praised by scouts).

14. Scouting: Accountability and Success

[110:11–113:26]

• Fan asks: What happens to scouts whose prospects pan out (or flop)? Broaddus: “You do media if you miss too much!" Teams take note; the best evaluators get more influence within an org.

15. "Plant Your Flag": Must-Have Positions (End of Day 2)

[113:31–116:12]

• Panel splits: Nick/Kyle—must get a CB depth piece, given Diggs’ health. Bobby/Zach—must land a true WR2.

16. Cowboys & Aggie Connections / Culture Fit

[114:46–117:42]

• Walter Nolan (Texas A&M/Ole Miss) mental makeup: a concern (“showed up late, attitude issues”) but interviews well now, per NFL sources.
• Culture fit at A&M/Jimbo Fisher era affected multiple prospects’ stock.

17. Final Questions: Trading Up, Final Board

[117:45–119:33+]

• Would Dallas pay a high price to jump to #9 for “must-have” LB Gentty? Panel: Unlikely—they like him but he's expected to go even higher, and Dallas may not have the ammo.
• Who’s a good WR target at 44 if you move up for front-seven talent at #12? Restrepo (Miami), Arian Smith (Georgia) possible Day 3 fits.

Notable Quotes

• “I’ll stand in there and make a pick, dammit. Give me value for my pick.” – Bryan Broaddus, on the trade-down dilemma ([29:29])
• “Quarterback factor could mess things up here… you could end up seeing one of those teams doing a Michael Penix type of thing and going, all right, we’re just gonna go get our guy right now.” – Bobby Belt, on top-15 chaos ([10:08])
• “If you hit on those first three [picks], I think you’re closer than some might realize.” – Nick Harris, on Dallas being a draft away from contention ([106:44])
• “If you want a curveball at 12, take Tyler Booker.” – Voch Lombardi, on how to get “power” back in Dallas’ OL ([59:21])
• “Every team is really different, and it’s really kind of built to the coaching staff and the kind of schemes that they play.” – Bryan Broaddus, on team’s “first-round grade” philosophy ([20:39])

Timestamps for Major Topics

• [02:01] Broaddus: Class strengths/weaknesses report
• [03:24] Voch: Josh Simmons, OT, his “dude” pick
• [06:36] Nick: Jalen Walker sleeper for #12
• [10:08] Bobby: QB wild cards, trade landscape
• [16:44] Fan Q: How teams grade prospects differently
• [22:28] Would Dallas draft Shadur Sanders at #12 if he fell?
• [27:39] Will draft see more trades this year?
• [33:02] Fourth-fifth round WR: Tory Horton
• [38:29] Undrafted free agent QBs, RBs, WRs to watch
• [46:41] Fan Q: Are Cowboys hiding a sleeper target (Simmons? Schlesinger?)
• [55:20] Panel: 3rd-round centers, OL curveballs, value of BB/Booker
• [68:40] Banks/Guyton as trade-back tackle scenario
• [87:10] McMillan vs. Golden at WR, Henderson at 44?
• [94:20] Would you take back-to-back WRs if BPA falls?
• [105:58] Is Dallas a "draft away"? Consensus: Maybe, if early picks hit
• [108:30] Pairing family DBs (Azariah Thomas)
• [110:11] How scouts get evaluated/rewarded (Broaddus)
• [113:31] “Plant your flag”—must-haves by position end of Day 2

Notable Player Mentions

• OL: Josh Simmons (favored by Voch), Kelvin Banks, Tyler Guyton, Seth McLaughlin (center), Gray Zabel, Jonah Monheim, Willie Lampkin, Tyler Booker
• RB: Travion Henderson, Hampton, Johnson, Ollie Gordon, Rashard Smith, DJ Giddens, Land Larison
• WR: Tet McMillan, Matthew Golden, Mingo, Emeka Egbuka, Tory Horton, Jimmy Horn Jr., Silas Bolden, Luther Burden
• DL: Jalen Walker, Ty Leak Williams, Alfred Collins, Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham, Walter Nolan
• LB: Jihad Campbell, Danny Stutzman, Carson Schlesinger, DeMarvion Overshown
• DB: Billy Bowman, Jade Barron, Azariah Thomas, Wanye Thomas, Savion Revel, Andrew Mukuba

Tone, Takeaways & Style

• Language/Tone: Friendly, candid, a mix of expert breakdown and accessible fan engagement. Plenty of self-deprecating, joking asides (“I might dance”, [48:59], “you do media if you miss too much!” [111:50]).
• Vibe: Spirited debate, friendly disagreements (especially on “my guy” picks).
• Action Items for Listeners: Watch for trade-up/downs, don't be surprised by OL/DL picks, expect Cowboys to stay closely married to their "stack," and keep an eye on the “pocket picks” in Rounds 2-4.
• For fans: This episode is a tour de force of Cowboys draft analysis and groupthink, packing in prospect details, big-picture philosophy, war-room storytelling, and interactive Q&A.

Recommended Segment for Deep Research

• [55:20–65:00]: Comprehensive, often funny OL & RB breakdown, useful for a crash course on the Cowboys’ interior-line draft thinking.
• [87:01–90:13]: Walks through the WR1/contested-catch debate, helpful for understanding the Cowboys’ target WR traits and current WR2 situation.

If you want the flavor of the Cowboys front office’s approach and up-to-date wit on the 2025 class, you won't find a richer, more energetic conversation.