The Draft Show: Coordinators & Combine

Dallas Cowboys | February 19, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish
Topic: First impressions of new Cowboys DC Christian Parker, early draft analysis, and NFL Combine preview

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into key changes for the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff, most notably the introduction of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator. The hosts dissect Parker’s philosophy and what it means for the team’s roster construction and draft strategy, especially regarding the nickel position and defensive flexibility. The crew also gives their early 2026 draft predictions and highlights players to watch at the upcoming NFL Combine, offering insight into how the team might reshape its defense and strengthen critical positions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Combine Buzz and League Landscape

• Nick Harris expresses new energy for the offseason:

  “I have never been more excited for a combine week. …Not necessarily from a draft perspective, but more so just league buzz.” (01:43)

• Excitement centers on free agency and early negotiations—a pivotal factor for the Cowboys’ future.

2. First Impressions: Christian Parker, Defensive Coordinator

Press Conference Takeaways:

• Tommy Yarish:

  “He comes across as a really smart guy… I enjoyed the Art of War and philosophy references. It’s very clear he knows what he’s doing despite being 34 years old, first time coordinator.” (03:19)

• Scheme Evolution & Staff Needs:
  • Teaching scheme, staff unity, and personnel fit are now under scrutiny.
  • Parker stressed the nickel’s importance: the role must blend coverage, safety, and even linebacker/blitz responsibilities, requiring versatility.
  • On nickel: “That’s a player that has to play corner, safety, linebacker at times, they even have to play defensive end at times when they’re blitzing... A guy who can be versatile and do a lot of things” (03:45).

3. Draft Strategy: Nickel & Safety = Priority

• Discussion pivots around which prospects could fit Parker’s vision:
  • Nick Harris:
    “When he was talking about that nickel spot and he was talking about the versatility, …Caleb Downs. That would be a dream fit for what Christian Parker is trying to build.” (05:02–05:24)
• Voch Lombardi reframes the discussion:

  “What Christian Parker described yesterday wasn't a nickel corner. He described a nickel dude.” (06:28)

Names Mentioned as Fits:

• Caleb Downs: Alabama, versatile DB (emphatically the crew’s favorite).
• Avion Terrell: Clemson, physical, aggressive, played nickel.
• Bud Clark, Keontae Scott, McNeil Warren: Safeties with positional flexibility.
• Dylan Thienaman, Sunny Styles: linebacker and safety hybrid possibilities.

4. Scheme Change: From Edge Rushers to Big Ends?

• Discussion: Parker referenced 3-4 looks but also “multiple” fronts.
• Kyle Yeomans:
  “You don’t have the big defensive ends, the big run-stuffing edge-setting guys for that type of scheme… You’ve got to upend your edge rusher room” (09:48)
  • Only Donovan Azaraku and James Houston under contract—emphasizes need for new bodies.

Potential 3-4 Fit Prospects:

• Keldric Faulk (big end types)
• TJ Parker, David Bailey, Danny Dennis-Sutton, Anthony Lucas (athletic edge/OLB types)
• Philosophy: Draft “bang for your buck” twitch/bend pass-rusher types early; find big-body edge setters later.

5. Who Should the Cowboys Draft? Early Picks at #12 and #20

Early Round Predictions:

• Nick Harris:
  • #12: Sunny Styles (Ohio State, LB/S hybrid)
  • #20: Avion Terrell (Clemson, CB/Nickel)

  “Both of those guys are immediately going to play significant snaps and probably be pretty good as rookies too.” (22:48)

• Tommy Yarish:
  • #12: Sunny Styles
  • #20: Dylan Thienaman (Oregon, S)
• Voch Lombardi:
  • Advocates “be ready for disappointment”—if top defensive targets are gone, he's prepared to pivot to offense (e.g., RB Jeremiah Love or OL Francis Mauigoa).
  • On positional value:

    “I’m prepared that we gonna get wiped out... I need Cowboy fans to be read for that too. These drafts ain’t gonna always go the way you want.” (24:12)

• Kyle Yeomans:
  • Predicts Avion Terrell at #12 and TJ Parker (Clemson, DE) at #20 – possibly over-drafting “need fit” picks.

Notable Moment:

• All agree that if Caleb Downs is available at #12, he is “the pick—easy.”
  • Voch:

    “Yes, it’s Downs. Right.” (36:15)

6. Trade-Back Scenarios

• Would you trade #12 with the Jets (get #16 and #44)?
  • Consensus: Only if top defensive targets (Downs, Styles, Delane) are gone.
    • Nick Harris:

      “If those three guys are off the board, I’m on the phone lines.” (28:42)

    • Kyle Yeomans:

      “If Downs is there, I ain’t going.” (29:10)

• Adding a second-round pick is valuable, but not at the cost of missing THE guy.

7. Draft Philosophy: BPA vs. Need

• All hosts caution against rigidly “drafting for scheme”—prefer getting the best players and then fitting the scheme.

• Voch:

  "Just draft who you need to draft, dog. Draft who you need to draft. Don't try to get too cute with trade backs." (36:57)

8. NFL Combine Preview: Players to Watch & Stock Risers

Offensive Names

• Brennan Thompson (Miss. St. WR): Favorite for fastest 40 time (41:13)
• Nicholas Singleton (PSU RB), Demond Claiborne (Wake RB): Potential RB risers
• Casey Concepcion (TAMU WR): “Electrifying” slot option; 5'11" but could run in the low 4.4s
• Emmett Johnson (Nebraska RB): Hidden gem, versatile with pass-catching ability (43:01)

Defensive Stock Risers

• R. Mason Thomas (Oklahoma, EDGE): Elite bend/athletic testing expected (47:36)
• Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech, LB): Potential first or solid second rounder, combine could decide (47:47)
• Brandon C. (South Carolina, CB): Athleticism should shine at the combine (48:17)
• Kyle Lewis (Pitt, LB), Caleb Banks (Florida, DT): Testing could spike stock.

Hypothetical Outcomes & Cowboys Fan Mindset

• Nick Harris:

  “If you are a Cowboys fan watching the combine …you need to be rooting for a lot of offensive players to have a damn good week. …That increases the chance you're going to get your defensive guy at 12.” (46:35)

• Voch:
  • Cautions against Combine overreactions; expects “teams suck at drafting” surprises (24:47).
  • “Do you think Sonny Styles will go so crazy at the combine that he turns into a clear top-eight dude and we should stop talking about him? …I don’t think Downs is going to blow us away [athletically].” (49:41)

9. Medical Red Flags—Combine Crucial for:

• Jermaine McCoy’s medicals/participation will influence draft stock; others to track at Combine include Kool-Aid McKinstry (foot), Akeem Mezador (late-season injury), and Isaiah World (ACL, Oregon) (52:39–54:00).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Nickel/Versatility:

  “What Christian Parker described yesterday wasn't a nickel corner. He described a nickel dude.” – Voch Lombardi (06:28)

• On Draft Philosophy:

  “I think you’re better off looking for your standing rush... use the premium stuff on the standing guys and find my bigger guys later.” – Voch Lombardi (16:15)

• On Accepting Draft Reality:

  “These drafts ain’t gonna always go the way you want… You just can’t be like, ‘Oh, I’m just going to trade back.’ Make a pick!” – Voch Lombardi (36:15)

• Fan Advice for Combine:

  “If you are a Cowboys fan …you need to be rooting for Ty Simpson to have the best combine …You are rooting for all these offensive guys to get mocked top 12 coming out of the combine because… that increases the chances that you’re going to get your defensive guy.” – Nick Harris (46:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment/Focal Point | Timestamp | | ------------------------------------- | --------- | | Intro & Combine Week Excitement | 01:00 | | Christian Parker Press Conf Recap | 03:19 | | Importance of Nickel Role/Versatility | 03:45–06:30| | Draft Fits for Parker’s Defense | 06:30–09:00| | Discussion on Defensive Scheme Shift | 09:48–12:23| | Early Draft Predictions (12 & 20) | 22:21–27:38| | Trade Scenarios & Philosophy | 28:42–30:40| | Combine Preview: Offensive Talent | 41:13–44:50| | Combine Preview: Defensive Talent | 47:36–48:17| | Medical Red Flags to Watch | 52:39–54:00|

Final Thoughts

The episode is a comprehensive primer for Cowboys fans heading into combine week and draft season. The crew sets clear expectations: Dallas is likely to be flexible, focus on defensive personnel—particularly versatile DBs and edge players—and must be ready for the draft board to fall unexpectedly. Combine performances will stir up buzz, but proven tape and medicals still reign supreme in shaping actual draft-night decisions.