The Draft Show: "Combine Concerns?" – March 3, 2026

Podcast: The Draft Show
Host: Dallas Cowboys
Panel: Kyle Yeomans, Bobby Belt, Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish, Chris Beam
Topic: 2026 NFL Scouting Combine reactions, Cowboys draft outlook, prospect interviews & medical concerns

Episode Overview

This episode marks the return of the full Draft Show crew to break down the whirlwind of the NFL Combine and forecast how the Dallas Cowboys might navigate the 2026 NFL Draft. With insight from the entire team and a focus on real-time combine reports, formal meeting confusion, risers and fallers, and inside anecdotes from prospects and staff, this episode is vital listening for Cowboys fans and draft diehards.

Main Theme:
Dissecting the biggest stories and takeaways from the 2026 NFL Combine, including standout prospects, rumors about interview and medical red flags, and strategizing how the Cowboys might approach picks 12 and 20.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Combine Meeting Chaos and Reporting (02:05–06:20)

• The combine is filled with rumors about “formal” meetings between teams and prospects. The staff explained how confusing the reporting can be and why the numbers often balloon (claims of “87 formal meetings” for the Cowboys).
• Chris Beam detailed the grueling process of tracking formal meetings and why the data is unreliable:

  "Take that formal meeting list with a grain of salt." (03:39)

• Bobby Belt mentioned the trend of agents encouraging players to say they've met formally with every team to raise their stock (05:00).
• Voch Lombardi: “There’s no negative to saying you’re meeting with every team in the NFL formally. That sounds really good for you." (05:50)

2. The Real Value of the Combine (07:24–09:22)

• The Combine is more than just drills—it's networking, insider gossip, and a meeting ground for all league decision-makers.
• Voch Lombardi: “It is the greatest hub of information that exists in the NFL offseason, not just for draft.” (08:27)
• The panel agrees the real “mess” (information and rumors) are more valuable than on-field testing.

3. Prospect Stock Risers and Fallers (09:40–16:23)

Standouts & Risers

• Dylan Thieneman, S, Oregon:
  Ran 4.35s in the 40, 41" vertical, strong all-around athlete.
  Tommy Yarish: “I would take him at 20 if I’m Dallas, and that kind of cemented it for me.” (09:56)
• Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas:
  Weighed 223 lbs, ran a 4.33, led SEC with 6.4 YPC.
  “Probably had the best week of any running back at the combine.” (09:56)
• Sonny Styles, LB:
  Exceptional interviews and athleticism likely push him into the top 7–8.
  Voch Lombardi: “I think he’s pretty much solidified himself … I think it’s really hard to see Styles slipping out of the top seven or eight.” (12:22)
• Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia:
  “This is a first round guy to me now.” (14:37)
• Traidan Stukes, S, Arizona:
  Unheralded but tested very well and has strong tape (14:41)
• Jeremy Bernard, WR, Alabama highlighted as a day two target.

Fallers & Red Flags

• Our Mason Thomas, Edge:
  Disappointing 40-yard dash (4.7 at 240 lbs). (12:22)
• Keldrick Faulk, Edge:
  Underwhelming testing (12:22).
• Nadame Tucker, Edge, Western Michigan:
  Ran a 4.73, not ideal for an undersized edge. (15:57)
• Jermod McCoy:
  Didn’t work out due to injury—concerns about medical redshirt status. (13:05–14:13)

4. Interview & “Weirdness” Concerns: The Makai Lemon Case (16:24–23:06)

• Chris Beam raised the issue of Makai Lemon's reportedly strange combine experience:
  • Poor attention in drills (“literally from the broadcast being told…” 16:56)
  • Rumors of bombing formal interviews.
• Panel on perception:

  “Wide receiver’s always been weird people… you can superstar your way into being aloof.” (17:25, Bobby Belt)

• Nick Harris:

  “If scouts or college coaches describe you as a ‘weird dude’… it never means in a good way.” (18:46)

• Voch Lombardi:

  “In that setting, I want players to lock in and take this thing seriously.” (17:31)

• Past examples highlighted: George Pickens, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson—players fell due to interview reputation but became good pros. (22:18–22:33)

5. Cowboys Draft Strategy, Day-One Starter Needs & Downs’ Medical Rumors (29:48–36:49)

• Day-One Impact:
  Committee leans toward immediate contributors (e.g., RF Keldrick Falk, Jermod McCoy off the board as possible redshirts).
• Plug-and-Play Prospects at 12 or 20:
  • Ruben Bain, Monsour Delane, C.J. Allen, Dylan Thieneman all cited as ready now. (30:25–31:51)
• Caleb Downs Medical Rumor:
  • Rumors of a partially torn meniscus and possible degenerative ACL. (31:51–34:11)
  • Most teams do not have red flags (34:11); it is uncertain how each medical staff will interpret it.
  • Weighing the pros and cons of drafting Downs if he might redshirt or have shortened career ala Todd Gurley.

    “He could have an amputated left ankle; I’m still taking him at 12.” – Chris Beam (32:10)
    "If I'm building for a decade... but what this team's trying to do right now…"
    – Nick Harris (35:00)

Debate: Is it worth taking Downs for unrealized future vs. a pro-ready now?

• If the window is now (2026–2028), passing on a redshirt makes sense even for a blue chip.
• “At the end of the day, I'm taking two years of Caleb Downs over three years of anyone else.” – Chris Beam (37:16)

6. Draft Needs by Position – Where Can Dallas Upgrade? (49:50–54:08)

• Linebacker:
  Anyone drafted in the top 3–4 rounds probably upgrades current roster. (50:28–51:05)
• Edge:
  Most Day 1/Day 2 picks start over current incumbents. (51:22–51:47)
• Cornerback:
  If Bland & Revel healthy—nickel competition opens up in 4th round. Rookies generally need time. (52:27–53:35)
• Safety:
  Deepest class in years—could get a quality option into 4th/5th round. (53:57–54:08)

7. Cowboys’ Scheme and Draft Priorities Post-Combine (54:25–58:18)

• Christian Parker’s influence:
  • Emphasis on nickel corner as a “do everything” defender.
  • Roster still needs pass rush juice—possibly leads to early investment at edge.
  • Defensive tackle depth is solid; focus is on outside linebacker/edge.
  • “If James Houston and Jadeveon Clowney are your next best options… you won’t have a very good pass rush.” (54:42, Tommy Yarish)
• Strong suggestion that Dallas will “bust the budget” to sign a pass rusher in free agency (58:16).

8. Combine Medical Red Flags Watch (58:18–61:29)

• Beyond Downs, the only major medical chatter is Ahmad Moses, SMU S, needing fusion surgery (like Damone Clark).
• Most medical notes will come out after full staff reviews; interview performance is being discussed more intensely right now:
  • Sonny Styles, J. McCoy, Colton Hood cited as elite interviewees.

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights

• Kyle Yeomans pays tribute to Tommy’s “wrap up” article:

  “I thought Tommy did a great job on DallasCowboys.com. It’s a good roadmap.” (01:36)

• Chris Beam explains the futility of tracking ‘formal meetings’:

  “We cross 45 and we’re like, oh…” (03:28)

• Nick Harris on "weird" interview rep:

  “If scouts or college coaches describe you as a weird dude… it's never anything good.” (18:46)

• Chris Beam on Caleb Downs:

  “He could have an amputated left ankle; I’m still taking him at 12.” (32:10)

• Tommy Yarish with humor:

  “Makai Lemon is a communications major at USC… as a fellow communication major, I also am not good at math.” (20:50)

• Voch Lombardi on combine’s real value:

  “You don’t even have to ask. Sometimes you’re just standing somewhere when big information is like, oh, it’s right there.” (08:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Combine formal/informal meetings: 02:05–06:20
• Combine’s off-field value: 07:24–08:27
• Stock up/down prospects: 09:40–16:23
• Makai Lemon/Interview Red Flags: 16:24–23:06
• Day-one starter debate: 29:48–36:01
• Caleb Downs medical rumor debate: 31:44–37:36
• Draft needs by position: 49:50–54:08
• Scheme conversations post-combine: 54:25–58:18
• Medical red flag watch: 58:18–61:29

Memorable Moments

• The "87 formal meetings" joke, showing how unreliable public prospect/team meetings reporting really is.
• “Scouts gone wild” (09:22)—the combine compared to NFL spring break.
• Caleb Downs injury debate—where would the panel draw the line? Would you take a top prospect if he’s a redshirt?
• Makai Lemon’s combine blooper, missing a drill assignment after being told what to do on live TV (20:16). “Maybe he just has trouble with fractions…” (20:10, Voch).

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive, insider’s lens into the 2026 Combine and how the Dallas Cowboys may adjust their draft board in light of on-field and off-field developments. The panel remains bullish on immediate contributors, especially on defense, with notable skepticism toward ambiguous medical and interview information leaks. "Combine Concerns?" is a must-listen for any Cowboys or draft fan eager to understand not just who stood out, but why—and how those narratives are shaped behind closed doors.