The Draft Show: “Golden Standard” (April 10, 2025)

Podcast: The Draft Show
Host: Kyle Yeomans (Dallas Cowboys)
Panel: Zach Wolchuk, Bryan Broaddus, Fox Lombardi (Voch), Chris Beam (producer)
Theme: In-depth Dallas Cowboys/NFL Draft analysis, with a focus on final draft board preparations, prospect tiers, team strategies, and predicted scenarios in the first two rounds.

Overview

With just two weeks remaining until the 2025 NFL Draft, the Draft Show crew discusses the Dallas Cowboys’ mindset and decision points. The episode is a deep dive into draft strategy: how the team should approach “muddy” position groups, how to gauge positional value versus need, the risk of being leapfrogged by other teams, and which prospects are realistic and ideal targets at #12 and #44 overall. The discussion features smart philosophical debates on best-player-available versus need, analysis of top draft prospects at major Cowboys needs (WR, RB, OL, DB), and calls out common misconceptions from mock draft season.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Draft Board Dynamics: Draft Prep, “Lying Season,” and Uncertainty

Timestamps: 00:37–03:18

• Last-minute board movement: Teams are finalizing boards, but “muddy” at spots like cornerback, wide receiver, and defensive tackle.
• Coaches vs. scouts dynamic: Coaches’ input can clarify or complicate decisions at this stage.
• Quote:

  "As you start to compare now, you'll get the coaches involved. That can make things really smooth or really confusing." – Zach Wolchuk (01:36)

• Negotiating positional cutoff points: The team weighs how deep into the draft they feel comfortable addressing each position.
  E.g., Wide receiver urgency before Round 2, but comfortable with later picks at running back or corner.

2. Mapping Draft “Cutoff Points” for Each Position

Timestamps: 03:18–06:51

• Debate on when to stop looking for prospects at each need. For example, is it worth taking a WR after Round 2, or is the value gone?
  • “Third round safety and down is nonsense. But fifth round corner is fine.” – Bryan Broaddus (05:05)
  • Strength can still be a strength: high-graded players should be considered even if not immediate needs.
• Example: Even with a “full” O-line, would the team take a top lineman in the early rounds if great value slipped?

3. Assessment of the Offensive Line & Guard Depth

Timestamps: 06:07–07:46

• Discussion on O-line depth; how recent additions (e.g., Sadiq Charles) may impact draft focus. Don’t dismiss young veterans or training-camp competition but stay flexible for upside.
• “How many of these [current roster] guys can push some of those guys off? How many of those guys wouldn't even matter to the guys we have on the roster?” – Voch Lombardi (06:31)
• Charles viewed primarily as a “competitive body” for preseason evaluation—veteran protection for backup QBs during camp.

4. Strategic Moves: What Other Teams Might Do

Timestamps: 09:12–15:00

• San Francisco (picking just before Dallas): Could target the same RB/DT/CB prospects as Dallas.
• Chicago Bears: Two picks ahead of Dallas in the second round are “dangerous”—could snipe “very good” RB prospects.
• New Orleans & Denver: Cautioned as trade-up or wild card candidates who might jump ahead of Dallas.
• Draft’s “positive wild card”: More QBs than expected going Round 1 could push desirable non-QBs down the board to Dallas at #44.
• Memorable moment:

  “That’s best-case scenario. …If three quarterbacks go before you’re on the clock at 12, does a team like Pittsburgh get antsy? Maybe the phone rings.” – Kyle Yeomans (14:31)

5. Debating Star Prospects & Media Narratives (WR/RB Values)

Timestamps: 15:19–23:12

• Higher Value on “Elite Talent”: Some top players (e.g., Ashton Gentry, Ted McMillan, Matthew Golden) are simply not likely to fall as far as mock drafts suggest, regardless of positional value.
• “He was never going to get to you at 12. It was a pipe dream.” – Zach Wolchuk on Ashton Gentry (17:19)
• Teams “suck at drafting”—expect some teams to make bizarre or “random” picks that push better players down (happens every year).
  • “I hate a perfect mock draft. Goofy picks make a lot of sense…one day we gonna wake up and go, what? You mean Cole Strange went in the first round?” – Bryan Broaddus (22:51)

6. Who Will Be the Cowboys’ Pick at 12? Prospects & Position Debates

Timestamps: 52:56–61:38

• Consensus Names:
  • Ted McMillan (WR): The “common sense” pick if available.
  • Matthew Golden (WR): Distinct possibility; some think Cowboys might rate him higher than McMillan.
  • Will Johnson (CB): Should be considered if both WRs are gone.
• Why Golden? He offers “separation speed” the current WR room lacks.
  “Golden gives you a different element—they do not have a separator.” – Zach Wolchuk (61:01)
• Why McMillan? Elite red-zone and contested-catch ability. “He’s so much better…other than just the 40-yard dash…I’m taking McMillan over anything Golden’s giving me.” – Fox Lombardi (57:49)
• Pros and cons discussed in detail, with much respect for both skill sets and fit.
• Cowboys’ 30-visit and combine “double-overlap”: Both Golden and McMillan had formal combine and 30 visits—a rarity and suggestion that these are the true finalists.

7. Running Back Scenario: Hampton at 12? Second Round Target Wipeouts

Timestamps: 29:40–37:46

• Amarion Hampton at #12? Panel consensus: Very unlikely, would be a surprise. Player is good, but not enough positional value.
• If top RBs are gone by #44, don’t reach for lower-tiers; be aware of risk of being left with “good” not “very good” options—urgency may prompt unanticipated pick at #12.
• Top four RBs by consensus: Gentry, Johnson, Hampton, Henderson.
• “This is why they would take him at 12. They feel like if their best guy’s off the board, and they don’t want to take a chance, they don’t want to wait.” – Bryan Broaddus (36:19)

8. Underrated Day 2/Day 3 Gems, QB, and EDGE Options

Timestamps: 40:54–48:02

• QB sleepers: Dylan Gabriel (Oregon) praised for accuracy and adaptability; Curtis Rourke (Indiana) mentioned for tough, pocket-passing style.
• Day 3 EDGE options:
  • Q Robinson (Alabama): “pass rusher, standing linebacker, bendy as all get out, bursty as hell.” – Voch (46:09)
  • Ahmad Hassanin (Boise State): “The Egyptian Cowboy”—raw but intriguing upside.
  • Elijah Roberts (SMU), Johnny Walker Jr (Mizzou): Both noted as late-round fits with upside.
  • Break after extensive listing of fifth- and sixth-round defensive ends.

9. Audience Q&A: Rapid-fire Scenarios and Philosophy

Timestamps: 29:38–48:10

• Twitter on the 20: Fans ask about possibility of Amarion Hampton at #12, who the 49ers might snipe, and underrated QBs/EDGEs.
• Quote: “As soon as you think we're safe at 44, that's when Marshawn Nevil goes off the board. How’d we get here?” – Bryan Broaddus (52:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mock Draft Silliness:
  • “…Teams suck at drafting. I hate a perfect mock draft where all the picks are perfect. Goofy picks and mock drafts make a lot of sense, because one day we gonna wake up and go, what? You mean Cole Strange went in the first round?” – Bryan Broaddus (22:50)
• Positional Value Realism:
  • “Third round safety and down is nonsense. But fifth round corner is fine. Fifth round running back is fine…” – Bryan Broaddus (05:05)
• Media Narrative Critique:
  • “…You could fight me all you want about running back positional value and all that crap. The idea is to take the best player in the draft.” – Zach Wolchuk (17:34)
• Cowboys-Specific Draft Reality:
  • “Cowboys are probably the most covered team when it comes to the NFL Draft. Teams look at the work that's done here... It's terrifying to know all that information’s going out, but the Cowboys are OK with that.” – Zach Wolchuk (38:46)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Draft Board & Lying Season: 00:37–03:18
• Positional Value/Cut-off Round Debates: 03:18–07:46
• Looking at Other Teams' Draft Tactics (SF/CHI/NO): 09:12–15:00
• Star Prospects and the Fallacy of Mocks: 15:19–23:12
• Audience Q&A (Twitter on the 20): 29:40–48:10
• Predictions for Cowboys at #12: 52:56–61:38

Conclusion & Episode Takeaway

This episode delivered an unfiltered look at Cowboys' possible draft approaches, honing in on value vs. need and realistic scenarios in rounds 1–2. The panel collectively doubts any board will fall "perfectly" and they expect surprises both beneficial and damaging. The strongest consensus: WR is the most likely #12 pick—Ted McMillan is the “common sense” choice if he falls, but Matthew Golden is a fast-riser who fits an urgent team need for separation and play speed. Expect the Cowboys’ decision to hinge on which one they genuinely prefer if both are there, and don’t rule out a cornerback like Will Johnson. The running back conversation is one of value, urgency, and timing: don’t expect Dallas to force a pick, but beware a run on RBs cleaning out their targets by #44.

Throughout, the hosts mix humor, candor, and experience (“teams suck at drafting!”), offering fans both reassurance and a realistic barometer for draft-day emotions.

If your time is short, skip right to:

• (29:40) Twitter on the 20: Quick-hitting answers on prospects and board strategies
• (52:56) Full panel predictions for Cowboys’ #12 overall pick
• (17:34) Zach’s passionate defense of best-player-over-position-value

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