The Draft Show: 1-13-26

Dallas Cowboys Draft Show
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish
Date: January 13, 2026

Overview:

With exactly 100 days until the 2025 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the Draft Show crew dives into early analysis of the Cowboys’ first-round positioning, options for trading, and the dynamics of the coming class. The focus is draft philosophy, positional needs (especially on defense), and identifying high-potential targets. The hosts take a practical look at both best-player-available and need-based approaches, while contextualizing the fluidity of the draft board and the strengths and weaknesses of this year’s prospects.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Draft Season Is Officially Here

• The offseason has started and the crew is gearing up for upcoming scouting events (e.g., Senior Bowl, Combine) ([01:35]).
• Excitement about travel and preparation, with some playful banter about attending events like the Combine and local food favorites in Indianapolis ([02:29]).

2. Cowboys’ Draft Capital – A Franchise Opportunity

Cowboys Picks: 12th & 20th overall

• Thanks to the Bears defeating the Packers, Dallas holds the 20th pick (from Chicago), in addition to their own at 12th ([04:18]).
• Nick Harris: "Now the Cowboys select at pick 20 in the upcoming NFL Draft, which is way better than the alternative..." ([03:18])
• The uniqueness: Only the 6th time in franchise history with two first-round picks. Past results: defined by cornerstone picks like DeMarcus Ware and Randy White ([06:48]).

3. Stay Put or Trade Back? The Big Strategic Debate

• Nick Harris: Advocates for at least exploring trade-down possibilities, especially if a quarterback-needy team is interested ([05:48], [10:07]).
• Voch Lombardi: Strongly prefers to keep both picks and take "the two best possible dudes," emphasizing not to "get too cute" ([05:28], [07:40]).
  • “I don’t want to trade back at all, man... I want the best, best, best guys. And I think you’ve earned 12th overall.” ([05:28])
• Tommy: Highlights franchise history—when the Cowboys have had two 1sts, they've nailed difference-makers ([06:48]).
• General Agreement: Unless the board falls in a way in which no true first-round grades remain, 12 should not be traded back ([09:52]).

4. Evaluating Draft Class Strength

• This year has fewer "first-round grades" than usual (only 13-15 by consensus, compared to 18-22 most years). Trading back risks missing on a true round-one talent ([09:52]).
• At pick 20, more openness to moving back for value—especially since a first-round grade is less likely at that spot.

5. Player Tiers & Positional Expectations

• Highest graded prospects in range for Dallas: likely corners, receivers, one OT, and one RB ([16:29]).
• Debate about "need vs. best-player":
  • If the board’s top player at 12 is an offensive player and Dallas feels defense is a greater need, is it "window-dressing" to pass up BPA for need or to trade back? ([13:24])
  • "If nobody picks up the phone, I’m picking my dude... If it’s a wide receiver, Carnell Tate... my running back... or if it’s an offensive lineman... I have to be ready to take all those dudes." – Voch ([14:17])

6. Key Prospects & Fit Discussions

• Caleb Downs (Safety/DB, Ohio State):
  • Unanimous top choice if available at 12.
  • "If Caleb Downs is there at 12... I’m sprinting to the card." – Nick ([07:53])
  • Considered for nickel role due to his versatility: "You can play him anywhere in the secondary." ([24:26])
• Ruben Bane, David Bailey (Edge): Both seen as top options if available at 12 ([05:48], [06:00]).
• Corners:
  • Avion Terrell (Clemson): Overall consensus he's more of a 2nd-round, nickel/zone corner—solid but small, with ball skills ([17:48] to [20:31]).
  • Brandon C. Say (South Carolina): Liked for size and athleticism; possible mid-late 1st-round fit ([16:50]).
• Running Back/WR:
  • Jeremiah Love (RB, Notre Dame), Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State): If highest on their board, aren’t afraid to take offensive talent at 12 despite fans’ defensive focus ([12:06]).
• Other Defensive Prospects:
  • Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State); C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia) discussed as 1st-round targets ([15:16]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Voch Lombardi [05:28]:
  "I don’t want to trade back at all, man... I want the best, best, best guys. And I think you’ve earned 12th overall. Jerry says it all the time – hey man, we lost, we earned this spot."

• Nick Harris [07:53]:
  "If Caleb Downs is there at 12... I’m sprinting to the card."

• Kyle Yeomans [09:52]:
  "This is a draft that... the more I see, only 13-15 first-round grades... If you are trading out of that 12th overall pick, you are trading away from an opportunity to grab a first round graded player."

• Tommy Yarish [06:48]:
  "This is the sixth time in franchise history the Cowboys have had two first round picks. In two of those instances, they've drafted a Hall of Fame player."

• Nick Harris [24:26]:
  "You can play [Caleb Downs] anywhere in the secondary... First year, put this guy at the nickel spot, he's going to affect the backfield. He's going to give you physical coverage inside."

• Voch [25:03] on position labels and draft value:
  "One of the things that could help them suck at drafting is the fact that they label him as a safety, and the safety position is not valued enough to go top 11 in the draft. However, if they start labeling him as a corner or a possible flex guy, does that increase his value?"

7. Edge Rusher Class Depth (Fan Q&A – "Twitter on the 20")

• Deep class with both high-floor and high-upside players:
  • Bane (Miami), Bailey (Texas Tech), Cash High (A&M), Akeem Mezador (Miami), Mello Height (Texas Tech), R. Mason Thomas (Oklahoma), Danny Dennis Sutton (Penn State – could sneak into Rd 1) ([31:27]–[34:47]).
  • High-ceiling, versatile, and some productive undersized options.
• Consensus: Class is deep, meaning day 3 could even yield contributors, but in-person scouting will be key, especially for lower-round swings ([35:02]).

8. Who Should Dallas Avoid?

• Keldrick Falk (Edge, Auburn): Identified by all hosts as a guy with a 2nd-round grade that could be "overdrafted" at 12 or 20—big but lacks the pass rush to justify top billing ([39:54]).
  • "If he's around at 12 or 20, I would hope the Cowboys don't even look his direction." – Voch ([40:51])

9. Quarterback Class Overview

• Not a strong top-end year at QB (not like 2024).
  • Fernando Mendoza "locks" to go #1.
  • Ty Simpson (Alabama), Dante Moore (Oregon), Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss), Carson Beck (Miami), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), and others are interesting, but not sure-fire top 10s ([50:04]–[54:50]).
• Quarterback-needy teams in front of Dallas: Las Vegas, NYG, Arizona, Miami, Cleveland, maybe New Orleans; could push a few QBs into the top 11, but probably not a full run ([56:12]–[59:08]).
• Likely 2-3 QBs in top 12, but "two and a possible" is the group consensus ([59:05]–[59:21]).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 100 days to draft, Dallas’s pick situation: [01:35] – [05:28]
• Trade up/trade down strategy: [05:28] – [11:41]
• Positional/Player debates (CB/RB/WR): [12:06] – [16:50]
• Cornerback breakdown (Terrell, Say, nickel role): [17:45] – [24:52]
• Safety/DB role of Caleb Downs: [24:01] – [26:05]
• Edge depth rundown ("Twitter on the 20"): [31:27] – [34:47]
• “Who to avoid” (Keldrick Falk): [39:54] – [41:54]
• QB class dissection: [50:04] – [59:21]

Overall Tone and Takeaways

• Conversational and humorous, but grounded in practical football analysis.
• The crew loves an aggressive approach with two firsts—take the blue-chip talents, don't get cute trying to trade down unless the board demands it.
• Defense (especially edge/DB) is front-of-mind due to talent available and Cowboys’ team needs, but all keep an open mind for BPA at any position if the board says so.
• Key watch: Combine/senior bowl will matter tremendously in shaping “day three” and “borderline” prospect evaluations.

Summary:

This episode sets the stage for a lively draft season, balancing positional need with best player available, and emphasizing how Dallas’s rare two-first-rounder status creates real franchise-building potential. Fans and analysts alike should track strategy around the 12th and 20th picks closely—and stay open to both BPA and selective, measured trades, especially in a class with a tight group of consensus first-rounders. The debates, banter, and clear breakdowns make this essential listening for any Cowboys (or draft) fan.