The Draft Show: Closing the Book (April 29, 2025)

Overview

The final episode of the 2025 Draft Show sees the Dallas Cowboys’ insiders and draft analysts—Kyle Youmans (host), Bryan Broaddus, Voch Lombardi, and Bobby Belt—break down the Cowboys’ entire draft class, reflect on key decisions, and debate the impact of new picks. With energy and a candid spotlight on process and philosophy, the crew shares their honest takes, favorite picks, and predictions for the 2025 rookies. The show is lively, insightful, and brimming with camaraderie.

Episode Structure

• Segment 1: Day One — Tyler Booker and the Cowboys’ first-round strategy
• Segment 2: Day Two — Value picks in the second and third rounds
• Segment 3: Day Three — Depth selections and 2025 contributors
• Throughout: Listener questions (“Twitter on the 20”), analysis, and spirited banter

Day 1: Tyler Booker at 12th Overall

Cowboys’ Decision & Strategy

• The Cowboys selected Alabama guard Tyler Booker 12th overall, passing up on highly-discussed wide receivers like Tetaroa McMillan.
• The consensus: Booker’s mix of talent, need, and leadership made him the top target after their apparent WR1 (McMillan) was gone.

Bryan Broaddus [03:09]:
"They drafted really, in my opinion, the best player for them, but he absolutely can fill the need at the right guard. ... Sometimes you, you take the best player and it absolutely fits one of your needs."

Booker’s Fit and Upside

• Voch Lombardi highlights Booker’s college resume and SEC dominance:
  • "Tyler Booker... in SEC football has been whooping everybody for three years. ... He's gonna be a day one guy for us. And just as a player that's gonna come in and he's gonna move A gap for us, he's gonna move B gap for us. ... I’ve even named him the Mall of America.” [06:31]
• Bobby Belt compares Booker’s readiness to Zach Martin:
  • "The highest floor offensive lineman they've picked since Zach Martin... not that he equals Zach Martin, but that you're talking about somebody ready to come in and start." [08:26]

Reaction to Passing on Wide Receiver

• There was significant pre-draft focus (from both media and fans) on addressing WR2. The crew admits their own coverage likely fueled those expectations, but emphasizes that Booker’s position atop their board forced the pick.
• "I think we've seen enough of how frequently the scouting staff has been right in their evaluations of players that to me, if they have somebody uncomfortably separated from the guy they pick ... I wouldn't want them doing that." — Bobby Belt [12:01]

Booker’s Reputation & Character

• Booker's off-field traits and leadership repeatedly praised:
  • “You hear from the scouts, you hear from Schottenheimer, their offensive line coach at Alabama, Chris Kapilovic ... said he's the best leader he's ever coached in his football career and that he's top tier in his preparation.” — Bobby Belt [09:08]
• Noted for authenticity and intensity:
  • "Everything that he says, I just believe him. Like he's a believable guy. ... But Tyler Booker, very matter of factly look, I imagine my opponent and I imagine what the crowd sounds like and what the wind smells like and what sweat tastes like." — Voch Lombardi [19:01]

Notable Quote

• Voch Lombardi:
  “This is as clean as a pick as you can get.... I think this is a slam dunk for the player.” [17:48]

Day 2: Value Picks — Donovan Ezraku & Savone Ravel Jr.

Draft Class and Board Value

• Picks: Donovan Ezraku (EDGE, Boston College, 44th) and Savone Ravel Jr. (CB, 76th).
• Broaddus praises the haul:
  “If you can tell me that I can grab three of my top [37] players in the first 76 picks ... I'm totally on board with what they did here.” [25:48]

Donovan Ezraku — Immediate Impact & Traits

• Seen as a draft steal and likely to rotate heavily with Micah Parsons and others.
• Voch Lombardi:
  “Donovan knows how to get sacks. Day one, the Cowboys clearly have a type. Donovan got length, got those long arms... And he can pass rush. Right now ... you have day one usage with him.” [30:18]
• Ezraku’s suddenness and pass-rush arsenal draw raves.
  “He flips what looks like pass rush losses into victories like that.” — Bobby Belt [32:51]

Savone Ravel Jr. — Steal of the Draft?

• Ravel, a highly-touted prospect, slid to 76 due to injury concerns.
• Bryan Broaddus:
  "If you tell me I could get at 76, I could get the 12th player off my board, I don't care how good Ted McMillan is, I'm happy with the way that went."[37:00]
• There’s excitement about his pairing with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.

Trade Up Hypotheticals

• Debate: Would you rather have McMillan (WR) and Ezraku, or Booker, Ezraku, and Ravel?
• Consensus: The class they landed has both higher floor and ceiling, especially given Ravel's board value.

Day 3 & Depth Additions: Future Contributors

Picks Overview

• Fifth Round: Jaden Blue (RB, Texas), Shamar James (LB, Florida)
• Sixth Round: Ajani Cornelius (OL, Oregon), Jay Toia (DT, UCLA)
• Seventh Round: Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson), Tommy Akingbasote (DT, Maryland)

Who Can Contribute in 2025?

• Jaden Blue (RB) and Jay Toia (DT) are strong bets for rookie roles.
  • Blue is seen as a versatile, fast, pass-catching RB who adds a new dimension.
    • “Jadon Blue is going to make this offense fast, really fast.” — Voch Lombardi [48:52]
  • Toia, a stout run defender, should push incumbent Mozzie Smith for starter reps.
    • “He has some great movement for his size. ... I see him as day one, go be big in there, run defense type guy.” — Voch Lombardi [48:52]

Day Three Debates & Critiques

• Phil Mafah (RB): Physical profile but needs to adjust running style for the NFL.
  • "Put him in the I formation ... He’s at his best when he’s running forward and running through people. ... Stop dancing, my guy. Run directly into people." — Voch Lombardi [55:41]
• Tommy Akingbasote (DT): Size and flashes, but needs technical polish and quickness off the ball.
  • "He is going to have to learn to come off the ball quicker ... I could see actually him being a practice squad guy." — Bryan Broaddus [59:43]

Depth, Competition, and Roster Outlook

• Defensive line especially deep and competitive—16 potential contributors, but few locks beyond the top picks.
• Roster churn and practice squad spots expected for late-round picks unless they stand out in camp.

Notable Quotes

• “The D line room is deep right now. ... They’re going to have to figure all this out.” — Voch Lombardi [61:50]

Fun & Memorable Podcast Moments

• Mall of America offensive line nickname:
  • “We’re about to move people. ... I’ve even named him the Mall of America.” — Voch Lombardi [06:31]
• On authenticity:
  • “Everything that he says, I just believe him. Like he's a believable guy....” — Voch Lombardi [19:01]
• Day Three Exhaustion/Laughter:
  • “We get to the point where it’s loopy... we just got to survive on the air without getting canceled, Zach.” — Kyle Youmans [47:18]
• Gratitude and camaraderie:
  • “This has been the coolest thing that I've ever had an opportunity to do. Shouts out to everybody that put their arms around me and let a old YouTuber in the building to come in here and talk about some draft man.” — Voch Lombardi [62:44]

Key Timestamps

• Start / Booker Reactions: 03:09 – 09:40
• Need vs. Best Player, WR debate: 09:40 – 13:40
• Booker’s Character & Reputation: 18:56 – 20:32
• Ezraku Analysis: 25:48 – 35:29
• Value/Trade Up Debate: 35:50 – 39:36
• Cornerback Room Strategy: 40:25 – 41:06
• Day 3 Breakdowns: 47:18 – 62:26

Conclusion

The final Draft Show episode delivered a reasoned, comprehensive, and enthusiastic send-off for the Cowboys’ draft class. With honest admission of pre-draft media narratives, sharp analysis of players’ film and traits, and anticipation for immediate rookie impact (especially from Booker, Ezraku, Ravel, Blue, and Toia), the crew sets both measured expectations and real cause for optimism. Fans will come away wiser on the “why” behind the picks, and more confident about the Cowboys’ 2025 rookie haul.

Panel:

• Kyle Youmans (Host)
• Bryan Broaddus (Veteran scout/analyst)
• Bobby Belt (Reporter/insider)
• Voch Lombardi (Film analyst and newest addition)
• Chris Beam (Producer)

Memorable Sign-off:
"This is a show that I've been watching for 10 years ... now I get to bust this suit out to close out the draft. So I appreciate you.” — Voch Lombardi [62:44]