The Draft Show: Day 3 Wrap Up – Podcast Summary

Date: April 29, 2025
Podcast: The Draft Show by Dallas Cowboys
Host: Kyle Yeomans, with Zach Wolchuk, Bryan Broaddus, Nick Harris, and Tommy Yarish
Theme: Live war-room coverage, interviews with Cowboys staff, and full analysis of the Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 NFL Draft, focusing on Day 3 picks, scouting philosophies, draft strategies, and reactions.

Main Theme / Purpose

Day 3 of the NFL Draft is all about scouts, depth-building, and unearthing hidden gems for NFL rosters. The Cowboys’ Draft Show team provides an hour-by-hour, behind-the-scenes look inside the Dallas Cowboys’ draft process, including candid interviews with scouts, coaches and draftees. The episode captures the real-time reactions to picks, the philosophies driving Dallas’ decisions, and how the 2025 Cowboys draft class came together.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Draft Philosophy & Day 3 Mindset

• Value over Need: The recurring theme is “stick to the board” and “draft for value, not need.” The Cowboys avoid reaching for positions and let the board dictate their choices, which is particularly important on Day 3.
  • "There doesn’t seem to be a lot of reaching in that draft room and certainly no panic in that draft room." – Clayton Adams (05:36)
• Scouting Approach: Each Dallas scout focuses obsessively on just one draft class per year, rather than splitting time with future scouting. This “one class, all-in” approach is credited for many Day 3 finds.
  • "We’re a one draft class team, so from July to May, we focus on one class... We pour over it and stick to it." – Ross Winchy, National Scout (16:20)
• Collaboration and Culture: Emphasis throughout interviews on the “collaborative” Cowboys process, the contributions of scouts and coaches, and the new coaching staff’s culture-focused approach.

2. Addressing Positional Needs — Especially RB and OL

• The Cowboys entered day with running back as a glaring need. There was ongoing debate about when to pounce, which archetype to target (thumper, speed, etc), and whether to double-dip.
• Offensive line is similarly prioritized, reflected both in first-round picks (Tyler Booker) and late-round depth additions.
  • "You want to build really deep rooms with good and tough players." – Clayton Adams (05:36)

3. Live War Room Surveillance — Trades, Targets, and Tension

• Listeners are updated in real time as running backs begin to fly off the board, prompting debate on whether Dallas should trade up or wait.
• The hosts scrutinize the Cowboys' war room, reading body language and tracking conversations (e.g., Stephen Jones on the phone indicating potential trade talks).
• Tension and speculation build as coveted prospects slip — particularly when Shadur Sanders (QB, Colorado) remains available, and the pros/cons of taking a "Hollywood QB" at this stage are debated.
  • "There comes a point in time where if you're just drafting your board and you keep passing over that tag..." – Bryan Broaddus (151:37)

4. Player and Staff Interviews (Key Segments)

• Clayton Adams, Offensive Coordinator (04:32–14:26)

  • Discusses philosophical approach to offensive line building.
  • Breakdown of new linemen (Booker, Beebe, Smith), and the value of run-game physicality.
  • Why the playbook adapts to personnel rather than forcing square pegs.
  • Quote: “When somebody can impose their will on you in the run game, it's a disease for the entire team, and it affects everybody in a negative way. Conversely, it affects your team in a positive way.” (09:37)

• Ross Winchy, National Scout (14:51–22:52)

  • Explains the Cowboys’ approach to Day 3 (“scout day”), sticking to the board, and why the late rounds are so crucial for Dallas’ roster depth.
  • Describes the benefit of focusing deeply on just one class per year as a scout.
  • On transfer portal/NIL era: “With this transfer portal era, there's so many guys who see the elevation in competition...do you kind of hunt those guys down?” (21:37)

• Connor Riley, OL Coach (25:28–36:00)

  • Talks about transition from college to pros, connection with draftee Cooper Beebe, challenge of teaching players with OL coach turnover.
  • On positional versatility: “Is it better to just, hey, focus one spot?... But at the end of the day...finding what kind of value they ultimately bring.” (34:47)

• Bo Toliver, Northeast Area Scout (39:13–50:49)

  • Shares on-the-ground insights about picks (Ezraku, Revel).
  • Explains how coaches use area scouts to verify intangibles/character—especially amid NIL and transfer insanity.
  • “The biggest thing is when you write a guy, you do all this work, and then come December, he’s gone to the transfer portal…” (45:07)

• Steve Schimko, QB Coach (51:37–58:53)

  • Talks about evaluating backup QB candidates, the changing nature of QB footwork/coaching due to shotgun, and approach to day-three QB prospects.
  • Touches on the high-profile Shadur Sanders drama and media circus.
  • “The best teams in the league, they’re able to kind of shuffle in and out...It’s powerful to have versatility.” (70:28)

• Aaron Whitecotton, DL Coach (68:39–79:26)

  • Details his scouting trips, why pro days still matter when players skip workouts.
  • Emphasizes player-personality fit and the value of “family” in the locker room.

5. Cowboys’ Picks – Live Reaction & Analysis

• Running commentary — with real-time reactions — for each Dallas selection.
• Day 3 picks included RB Jaden Blue (Texas), LB Shamar James (Florida), OL Ajani Cornelius (Oregon), DT Jay Toia (UCLA), RB Phil Mafah (Clemson), and DT Tommy Akingbesote (Maryland).
• Post-pick, show plays each draftee’s “secret audio” — the moment they receive the call from the draft room.

6. Debate: Shadur Sanders at 149?

• With Sanders falling, the hosts seriously weigh the pros and cons.
  • “There’s an argument that this is the best fit.” – (156:03)
  • Ultimately, Cleveland selects him at 144.

7. Draft Class Recap, Day 3 Gems, and Draft Philosophy

• Hosts repeatedly highlight how competitive undrafted free agency will be and how the Cowboys have succeeded in that market.
• The final picks focus on specialized traits: run-stopping, positional flexibility, and special teams chops.

8. Notable Late-Round NFL Draft Trends

• Patterns of “runs” at RB and DL, late round focus on special teams/traits guys.
• Increasing prevalence of Power-5 transfers and the effect of NCAA’s transfer portal rules.
• Teams drafting for “culture fit” and leadership, not just raw measurables.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On First-Round Offensive Line Philosophy:
  “When somebody can impose their will on you in the run game, it's a disease for the entire team, and it affects everybody in a negative way...It's a recipe for disaster if you can't run it and they can run it on you.” – Clayton Adams, OC (09:48)

• Sticking to the Board:
  “Day three...we’re a one draft class team, so from July to May, we focus on one class...We pour over it and stick to it.” – Ross Winchy (16:20)

• Running Back Double Dip Philosophy:
  “If you don’t think that Blue could be a goal line, thumper guy for you — get you a thumper guy. There’s dudes out there.” (213:47)

• Shadur Sanders Debate:
  “There comes a point in time where if you're just drafting your board and the way it's worked out for us so far, we need to consider Shadur Sanders here in the fifth round if it gets to that.” – Bryan Broaddus (158:47)

• Coach/Scout Chemistry:
  “He was awesome. I mean, he's got hands on experience. Donovan, he sold him, obviously coached against him in practice. He's going to make our guys better and then on Sundays he's going to help us win games because he can rush the passer.” – Ross Winchy (18:05)

Timestamps – Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | Highlights | |---------|------------|------------| | Introduction | 00:29–01:34 | Setting the stage for Day 3 war room | | Interview: OC Clayton Adams | 04:32–14:26 | Philosophy on O-line, Day 1 pick Tyler Booker | | Interview: National Scout Ross Winchy | 14:51–22:52 | Cowboys’ “one class obsession”, late round philosophy | | Interview: OL Coach Connor Riley | 25:28–36:00 | Adapting to new staff, developing young linemen | | Sanders Debate | 151:37–158:47 | Real-time debate: should Dallas take Shadur Sanders? | | Interview: Area Scout Bo Toliver | 39:13–50:49 | Coping with NIL/portal, late-round DB targets | | Secret Audio – Cowboys pick calls | throughout | The “call” to each draftee played after selection | | Day 3 picks & reactions | 149:00, 204:00, 217:00 etc. | Description and breakdown each new Cowboy | | Final wrap-up, draft philosophy | 494:47–End | Showdown of final picks, thank-yous, undrafted free agent setups |

Complete 2025 Dallas Cowboys Draft Class

1. Tyler Booker, G, Alabama – 1st round
2. Donovan Ezraku, EDGE, Boston College – 2nd
3. Savone Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina – 3rd
4. Jaden Blue, RB, Texas – 5th
5. Shamar James, LB, Florida – 5th (via trade-up)
6. Ajani Cornelius, OL, Oregon – 6th
7. Jay Toia, DT, UCLA – 7th
8. Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson – 7th
9. Tommy Akingbesote, DT, Maryland – 7th

Notable Quotes from Cowboys Staff (A taste of "the secret audio")

“I want you to come in here, kick some ass man. Congratulations. You come in here, you compete every day. Hey, and we got the right style of defense for you man. We like to knock people back and go hit the freaking quarterback.” – Matt Eberflus (LB Tommy Akingbesote call, 487:17)

“We just put your card in, and you have tremendous support in this room...I can’t imagine what it might be like to think about playing in the NFL around here. I’m proud for you...” – Jerry Jones (Shamar James call, 254:39)

“I'm a big team guy. Whatever I can do to help the team win, you know, I'm all for whether that's, you know, four guys on me. I don't make a play, whatever it is, I'm ready to help the team win.” – Jay Toia (421:36)

Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is honest, insightful, lively, and full of inside jokes, pop-culture references, and deep scouting knowledge. There is “in-the-room” energy with passionate debates, huge scout/coach adoration for their picks, and real tension with trades, missed targets, and unexpected talent dropping. Listeners get a clear feel for the “Cowboys way” – collaborative, culture-driven, and relentless in pursuit of Day 3 value.

For anyone who missed listening, this episode captured the pure drama and grind of Day 3 — the stuff that separates perennial contenders from the rest.