The Draft Show: “Finding the Perfect Fit”

DallasCowboys.com Draft Show – April 8, 2025
Hosts: Kyle Youmans, Bryan Broaddus, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish, Voch Lombardi
Producer: Jasmine Marshall

Overview

In this episode, the Draft Show crew is just over two weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft, breaking down the aftermath of the Dallas Cowboys’ 30 pre-draft visits and strategizing how those meetings inform the team’s intentions. The panel analyzes prospects who fit best outside of Round 1, discusses positional priorities (with particular focus on running backs, safeties, and corners), and identifies underrated players and sleeper “perfect fits” for the Cowboys on Days 2 and 3. Lively debates, scouting reports, and memorable moments abound as the crew balances draft philosophy with targeted Cowboys needs.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Significance of the 30 Pre-Draft Visits

• Bryan Broaddus underscores how these visits are a crucial chance for front office brass (Jerry and Stephen Jones) to get to know prospects on a deeper level beyond the Combine. These are fact-finding missions for personality, fit, and on-field acumen.

  • Quote: “The 30 visits are the opportunity for Jerry and Steven to kind of sit down with kids and have a little bit of an understanding of maybe what makes them tick.” (01:32)

• The visits aren’t always a direct draft indicator, but they signal strong interest, especially in multi-positional prospects or those with special traits.

  • Tommy Yarish: “30 visits are… not always necessarily an indicator of interest. They obviously can't pick all 30 guys, so that's something to remember.” (06:01)

• Discussion on the flexibility these visits allow—putting prospects on the whiteboard, getting them around core players like Dak Prescott, and gauging intelligence and fit.

2. 30 Visit List & Position Priorities

Main Reported 30 Visit Names:

• Ohio State: TreVeyon Henderson (RB), Emeka Egbuka (WR), Quinshon Judkins (RB)
• Texas: Kelvin Banks (OL), Alfred Collins (DT), Safety Andrew Mukuba
• Others: Walter Nolan (Ole Miss, DT), Shamar Stewart (Texas A&M, DE), James Pierce Jr. (Tennessee, DE), Luther Burden III (Missouri, WR), Savon Revel (East Carolina, CB), Jonah Sava (Arizona, OL), Tet McMillan (Arizona, WR), Omarion Hampton (UNC, RB) (03:03)

Notable Interpretations:

• Heavy focus on RBs, WRs, and corners in early rounds; safety (Andrew Mukuba) gets unique attention as the "blinking light" due to the otherwise light focus on the position in reported visits.

  • Voch Lombardi: “That, that means we're in the running back business, we're in the wire receiver business, but they may not be in the safety business, but they're in the Andrew Mukuba business.” (05:31)

• Consensus: Dallas must address running back (likely by Round 3), with strong consideration for wide receiver and cornerback needs, but flexibility depending on how the draft board falls.

3. Deep Dive: Safety Andrew Mukuba

• Pros/Cons Debated:

  • Strong coverage skills, football IQ, but undersized (6’0”, 186) and tackling questions (13 missed tackles in 2024 per PFF, largely due to aggressiveness).
  • Is he a “full-time nickel,” or flexible safety/rover type best used floating in coverage?
  • Broaddus: “I think he's a second round player regardless of where you play him. I don't see any real, real weakness to his game.” (06:31)
  • Youmans: “Coverage, change of direction, football IQ…all of that stuff jumps off the page.” (07:27)

• Draft Range:

  • Panel consensus is that if you want Mukuba, #44 (Dallas’s Round 2 pick) is the spot; he won’t last to Round 3. (07:12)

• Comparative Value:

  • Discussion centers on whether a playmaking safety is a rarer “difference maker” compared to second-tier RB options available later.

4. Running Back Strategy and Dilemmas

• Dallas is “painted in a corner”—they must address RB by Round 3 due to current depth and need for a featured back (Rico Dowdle not comparable).

  • Broaddus: “I think Dallas has kind of painted themselves in a corner here. So for running back, and I think they have to do it by the time the third round hits.” (12:22)

• If Top RBs Go Early:

  • What if Hampton, Henderson, and Johnson are all first-rounders? Do you reach at 44? Wait for Day 3?
  • Harris suggests: “Don’t be surprised if we get to day three and a running back hasn’t been picked yet.” (14:52)

• A few “sleeper” RB names for later rounds: Jonathon Brooks, Kyle Manungai (Rutgers), Jarquez Hunter.

5. Cornerback: Savon Revel Jr. (ECU)

• Physically gifted (size/speed), ball skills, versatility, but only one year of starting experience and coming off an ACL tear.

  • Harris: “Physically gifted… most physically gifted defensive back in this class. He can play inside, outside… plays to his size, got ball skills, can return pick-sixes.” (16:35)

• Cowboys have medical edge (Dr. Dan Cooper did his surgery). Potential for great value if healthy, but question if he can contribute immediately.

  • Broaddus: “My first round corners, they've all got questions… but every one of them are damn good football players. And [Revel and company], when you watch their tape, they make plays.” (20:47)

6. Panel’s Most Underrated Draft Prospects (27:05–41:02)

Highlights from “Twitter on the 20” segment.

RJ Harvey, RB, UCF

• Voch Lombardi & Bryan Broaddus: Productive, strong runner, not enough round two talk, concerns about age (will be 25 as a rookie), but “just get a playmaker and run with it.” (27:09, 28:31)

Tommy Oladejo, EDGE/LB, UCLA

• Tommy Yarish: Hybrid edge with untapped potential, versatile, twitchy, improved production late. Only started at EDGE recently, developmental but big upside. (29:20)

Lan Larison, RB, UC Davis

• Nick Harris: Small school standout with ridiculous production, receiving ability, tested as elite athlete at combine, “major sleeper.” (34:55)

Caleb Rogers, OL, Texas Tech

• Nick Harris: Versatile, high motor, can play 4/5 OL spots, “Senior Bowl guy”, beloved by Tech staff. (34:03)

Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia

• Broaddus: Elusive, explosive, natural hands, good vision & blitz pickup, not the biggest but highly effective. (37:37)

Johnny Walker Jr., Edge, Missouri

• Kyle Youmans: Shrine Bowl standout, productive late season, versatile pass-rusher, “tweener,” good upper-body strength, Day 3 target. (39:28)

7. Perfect Fits for the Cowboys (Outside Round 1) (48:47–62:17)

The panel discusses ideal later-round Cowboys fits, with an emphasis on realistic team needs and overlooked gems.

RB Kyle Manungai (Rutgers)

• Scouting profile by Harris: “Downhill guy, great pass protection, zero fumbles in 669 carries, lacks speed/explosiveness but a ‘dog’ who’ll grind.” (50:47)

CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)

• Harris: True nickel/versatile, Day 1 starter, can bridge Diggs’ injury, “best fit in class.” (52:41)

RB Bashaw Tootin (Virginia Tech)

• Harris, Voch: Undersized bowling ball, home run speed, tons of breakaway runs, main issue is ball security (8 fumbles in 2 years). (53:47)

WR Trey Harris (Ole Miss)

• Tommy: If McMillan (Arizona) is gone, Harris is the “second-best X, go up and get it guy,” excellent 50/50 balls, good size, strong hands, not a burner but fills a need. (55:21)

LB/EDGE Teddy Buchanan (Cal)

• Broaddus: Long, physical, twitched-up, strong blitzer, can drop, high finisher, “big-time athlete.” (56:54)

LB Carson Schwesinger (UCLA)

• Voch: “Does it all… sideline to sideline, strong diagnostic ability, reminiscent of Sean Lee. Size is NFL-ready at 242 lbs.” (58:15)

  • Nick notes: “Cowboys’ LB coach worked him out individually at his pro day. Second-round target.” (59:35)

CB Trey Amos (Second Round)

• Youmans: Big, physical, plug-and-play outside CB, would stabilize immediate need. (62:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Broaddus on Jerry Jones during 30 visits:
  “One of my favorite things is when these kids get pictures with Jerry in his office… whether they get selected here or not, it’s something they’ll always remember.” (01:32)

• Voch on RB urgency:
  “That means we're in the running back business, we're in the wide receiver business, but they may not be in the safety business, but they're in the Andrew Mukuba business. What that mean?” (05:31)

• Yarish on flexibility with RB picks:
  “30 visits are…not always necessarily an indicator of interest. They obviously can’t pick all 30 guys, so that’s something to remember.” (06:01)

• Harris on running backs in the later rounds:
  “Don't be surprised if we get to day three and a running back hasn't been picked yet.” (14:52)

• Broaddus, on Savon Revel’s athleticism & readiness:
  “My first round corners, they've all got questions… but every one of them are damn good football players… when you watch their tape, they make plays.” (20:47)

• Voch (on LB Schwesinger):
  “I want that [diagnostic ability] back in Dallas, so bad… as a sideline to sideline guy, covering guy backwards, downhill tackler, blitzing, sometimes get some sacks.” (58:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Start & 30 Visit Recap: 00:34–03:58
• Running Back/Position Debates: 03:58–16:05
• Savon Revel/Corner Analysis: 16:05–21:43
• Most Underrated Prospects (Twitter on 20): 27:05–41:02
• Perfect Fits for the Cowboys (Round 2/3 focus): 48:47–62:17

Podcast Tone

• Conversational and energetic with friendly jabs, deep scouting analysis, and candid panel disagreements. The panel maintains fan-centric focus while offering insight on team-building logic, draft philosophy, and on-the-ground prospect evaluations.

Final Takeaways

• The Cowboys are casting a wide net on early-impact skill positions but must thread the needle between urgent needs (RB, CB) and draft value.
• Flexibility and depth in scouting pays off, especially with overlooked or medically risky prospects like Revel, Mukuba, and RB/WR sleepers.
• The panel is collectively bullish on the quality of Day 2/3 options at key positions—so long as the team is decisive and prepared to pivot as the board falls.

For deeper player-by-player breakdowns or specific timestamps, see headings above.