Podcast Summary: The Draft Show – "Deciphering Defense"

Podcast: The Draft Show
Episode Title: Deciphering Defense
Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Youmans, Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish, Bobby Belt
Theme: In-depth analysis of the 2025 NFL Draft defensive class, positional strengths/weaknesses, and specific fits for the Dallas Cowboys as the team searches for a new defensive coordinator and rebuilds across multiple units.

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the 2025 defensive draft class with an eye towards positions of need for the Dallas Cowboys. The crew debates top prospects at edge rusher, linebacker, cornerback, and safety; evaluates which players could step in and help from day one; and discusses team strategy given an uncertain defensive coordinator hire and two first-round picks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Edge Rusher Class: Depth and Concerns

• Early Focus: The Cowboys' inability to generate pass rush was a central concern.
• Top Names Discussed:
  • David Bailey (Texas Tech): Tommy’s favorite; praised for explosiveness and production. "He's just a game wrecker, man... he finds ways to crash the backfield. He has a knack for knocking the ball free, forcing fumbles." – Tommy (03:30)
  • Ruben Bane: Seen as versatile; debate over whether he’s best as a wide edge or moved inside.
  • Cassius Howe (Texas A&M): Noted for splash plays but uneven production.
• Key Debate: Whether any edge is a true top-10 pick this year.
  • "I don't think there's a top 10 edge in this class. I'm not sold completely on any edge being top 10." – Nick (09:27)
  • Discussion of positional value and whether teams will reach.
• Sweet Spot for Drafting Edge:
  • The second half of round one is seen as the best value, especially with picks in the 20s: "I think you can find a good hit in those. Cassius Howe, TJ Parker, Mateo Uigalelei (Oregon) – these are guys I’d target." – Nick (22:21)

Notable Quote

• "16 sacks, 29 hits, 60 pressures. That's stupid." – Voch on Bailey’s numbers (05:25)

2. Linebackers: Surprising Strength and NFL Readiness

• Favorite Prospects:
  • C.J. Allen (Georgia): Labeled most ‘NFL-ready,’ high IQ and production.
  • Arvell Reese & Sonny Styles (Ohio State): High upside, athleticism, but still raw.
• Draft Range: Allen, Reese, and Styles are consensus early picks (top 15 or so). "C.J. Allen, that's an NFL linebacker tomorrow." – Bobby (13:47)
• Testing and Skill Sets: Styles is faster (former safety), Allen is more physical but less of a sideline-to-sideline athlete.
  • "I don't see a great cover dude in CJ Allen… I wish Sonny was a little more physical sometimes." – Voch (35:30)
• Depth: Noted as a deep class—starters can be found on day two and early day three.
  • "When we're talking about day two, day three… that's a steal there in the fifth round." – Nick (32:22)

Notable Moment

• Comparing C.J. Allen to previous “high floor” Georgia defenders:
  "He's sort of a linebacker version of what Malachi Starks was last year for Georgia – not top-end athletically, but so high IQ." – Bobby (17:09)

3. Cornerbacks: Question Marks and Big Boards

• Top Prospects:
  • Mansoor Delane (LSU): "One of the best man-to-man corners… not the biggest, but so natural." – Tommy (38:46)
  • Jermod McCoy (Tennessee): Questioned due to ACL injury; tape is outstanding but no recent play.
• Other Names: Keonte Scott (Miami), Brandon Cissee (South Carolina), Colton Hood (Tennessee), Avion Terrell (Clemson).
• Testing/Traits:
  • Some corners may lack ideal size/speed; compare to recent highly-rated corners who slid in the draft (e.g. Arnold, Farley).
  • "If you just watch like the tape and see how [Delane] covers. He's so, so good, but it's just the physical traits don’t really pop." – Bobby (41:21)
• Positional Run: Class has quantity; likely two days' worth of solid contributors but few standouts.

Notable Quotes

• On Corner Value:
  • "I want all these corners to tackle a little better… but people should be talking about Mon Delane more. Could go top 12." – Voch (39:46)
  • “Why do corners we love keep falling? ... They’ve all had some sort of flaw that makes teams let them slide.” – Bobby (41:44)

4. Safety Focus: The Caleb Downs Tier

• Caleb Downs (Ohio State): Universally regarded as a pro-ready, high-impact safety and potential top-12 pick.
  • “If Downs is there at 12, I’m running the card to the table.” – Nick (55:28)
• Class Thinness: After Downs, clear drop-off in consensus high-end starters.
  • "It's either Caleb Downs or all right, let me go look somewhere else." – Voch (48:03)
• Possible Alternatives: Dylan Theeneman (Oregon), Emmanuel McNeal (Toledo), Kamari Ramsey (USC).
• Draft Strategy: If the Cowboys lose Donovan Wilson in free agency, immediate safety need could make Downs a must-pick.

5. Dallas Cowboys Team Strategy & Positional Needs

• Uncertainty: Who will be the defensive coordinator heavily affects draft approach.
  • “It really depends on what the new DC wants… it’s premature to lock into one position or body type.” – Bobby (07:09)
• Multiple Needs: Hosts agree Dallas must plug several holes, possibly with both first-rounders.
• Best Player Available Debate: Do the Cowboys have to pick premium positions (edge/corner), or can they go LB/safety? Consensus is, pick the best defenders—even if it means doubling up at “non-premium” spots.
  • "Given who might be there, I don't know that they can afford not to take [safety & linebacker] if it's Downs at 12 and CJ Allen at 20." – Bobby (28:21)
• Free Agency Influence: Multiple hosts stress that defensive free agents signed will heavily dictate draft targets.
  • "They got a lot of holes. Historically worst defense in NFL history — 2.88 points per drive!" – Bobby (53:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Edge Class Weakness:
  “I don’t need your FCS corner or safety or whatever you put in the group mess.” – Kyle to Nick, playfully (01:54)

• On Unpredictability of Safety Value:
  “Safeties are so unpredictable at how the league is going to view them.” – Bobby (29:36)

• Positional Scarcity vs Best Player Available:
  "I personally don’t care about position value... just as long as they’re dudes you know you can use." – Voch (26:16)

• On Draft Process Adapting:
  "Every draft is different. And I’m also very phony. I’ll change my mind and by the time we get to April, I’ll say something totally different." – Voch (34:01)

• Draft Philosophy Summed Up:
  "If you draft a safety first and a linebacker second, I don’t care, dawg. Just as long as they're dudes." – Voch (26:16)

Important Timestamps

• Edge Rushers Discussion & Top Names: 03:30 – 11:10
• Linebacker Tier & CJ Allen Praise: 13:08 – 18:00
• Secondary: Corners, Testing, Concerns: 38:46 – 41:21
• Full Cowboys Defensive Needs List: 53:17 – 56:34
• Caleb Downs is “the” safety: 48:03; 55:14 – 55:28

Conclusions & Draft Outlook

• Edge: Good depth, but a lack of elite, do-it-all top-10 prospects. Best value likely late first/early second.
• Linebacker: Strong up top, with Allen seen as plug-and-play. Styles/Reese have big upside but more projection.
• Corner: Quantity over clear stars; key prospects have health or testing concerns.
• Safety: Caleb Downs stands alone as a premium, can't-miss defensive back. Big drop after him.

For the Cowboys:
The hosts urge a "best defensive player available" strategy, possibly doubling up on non-premium spots due to dire need, unless free agency changes the calculus.

“If you tell me they had nothing in free agency: I don’t think there’s a combination of two players you can draft that will make the defense better than Downs and Allen.” – Bobby (28:33)

This summary captures the analytical and candid tone of the show and provides both a granular and top-level roadmap for Dallas Cowboys fans and draft enthusiasts heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.