The Draft Show: Is Defensive Tackle Now a Need?
Dallas Cowboys | March 12, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish
Producer: Chris Beam
(Episode summary covers football content only – ads and promos omitted.)
Episode Overview
This episode of the DallasCowboys.com Draft Show focuses on the shifting needs of the Dallas Cowboys following the recent trades of defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas. With these departures, the panel debates whether defensive tackle should now be considered a draft priority, evaluates new positional flexibility gained with an extra third-round pick, and breaks down potential draft superlatives and candidates at defensive tackle for the 2025-2026 NFL Draft.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Cowboys’ Recent Moves—The Osa Odighizuwa & Solomon Thomas Trades
[01:38] – [02:55]
- The panel opens by acknowledging the impact and leadership lost with departures of DTs Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.
- “OSA was always willing to speak freely and was always willing to back up his teammates too.” — Kyle [01:38]
- Both were seen as great locker room presences, with Osa’s value in particular highlighted as exceeding expectations with a top-100 (third-round) pick as trade compensation.
2. Increased Draft Flexibility
[03:34] – [07:58]
- Dallas now owns three top-100 picks: #12, #20, and #92, providing more options for maneuvering on draft day.
- Discussion of how the additional third-round pick allows the team to target defensive depth areas (corner, linebacker, safety) and maybe take an offensive player earlier if desired.
- “You can stick and pick a lot easier at 12 and 20 now that you do have a day two pick.” — Nick Harris [07:55]
3. Positional Needs & Draft Strategy
[04:12] – [07:58]
- The team is unlikely to fundamentally change its approach but is now less “locked in” at specific positions in rounds 1–2.
- Possibility to trade up (using extra draft capital), stand pat, or trade back (e.g., “parachuting back” for more day two picks).
- Trading with the Bills (moving from #20 to #26) is mentioned as a common mock scenario.
4. Third-Round Targets and Value at Pick #92
[08:10] – [11:42]
- List of potential third-rounders:
- Defensive Backs: Trey’n Stukes (CB/S, Virginia), Malik Muhammad (CB), Genesis Smith (S, Arizona), Keith Abney (CB, Arizona State), Dalen Everett (CB, Georgia)
- Defensive Tackles: Xavian Harris (Ole Miss), Dominique Orange (“Big Citrus,” Iowa State), Daryl Jackson Jr. (Florida State), Peter Woods (Clemson)
- Edge/Linebacker: Gabe Yakis (Illinois), Zion Young (Missouri), Derek Moore (Michigan), Harold Perkins Jr. (LB, LSU), Bryce Betcher (LB, Oregon), Charles Demings (“Chucky D,” Stephen F. Austin)
- “I have a second round grade on Trey’n Stukes. I think he’s a versatile guy who can play corner or safety.” — Nick [08:29]
- Panel raves about Demings as an example of a sleeper with big personality and athletic upside [09:44].
5. Impact of the Trades on Defensive Tackle Needs
[12:01] – [15:44]
- Do the trades make defensive tackle a day-one need? Panel consensus: It’s a greater need, but not necessarily a top priority over EDGE, LB, CB, or S.
- Christian Parker’s preference is clearly for bigger, heavier DTs:
- “He [Parker] wants these bigger, heavier defensive tackles that are going to work in the scheme.” — Tommy [15:01]
- The team still has two quality starters up front but must prepare for depth/injury scenarios.
Memorable Metaphor: The Countertop Remodel
[12:54] – [13:41]
- Nick compares defensive coaching changes to a house remodel:
- “Sometimes when that marble countertop…there’s mold underneath it. Sometimes you gotta rip out the whole countertop...But you better put a really damn good countertop on top when you’re done.” — Nick Harris [13:02]
6. Defensive Tackle Prospects — Scheme Fits for Dallas
[17:38] – [24:15]
A. Profiles & Ideal Fits
[18:04] – [20:40]
- Dominique Orange (“Big Citrus,” Iowa State):
- Size and brute strength fit Parker’s mold – “One of the strongest defensive linemen in the draft. Squatted 650 lbs, cleaned 365, benched 450.” — Kyle [19:09]
- Varying projections from late-2nd to late-3rd; “92 spot probably makes a lot of sense.” — Nick [20:01]
- Daryl Jackson Jr. (Florida State): Senior Bowl standout; 6’5”, 315; possible fit at #92 or #112.
- Cameron Ball (Arkansas): “More athletic than you’d expect for his size, consistent & experienced.” — Tommy [58:15]
- Peter Woods (Clemson): Elite college film in 2024; miscast by Clemson in 2025, creating context for a lighter, less productive final year. Could be a fit at #20 if available; possibly top-10 pick per NFL execs [22:57].
- Xavian Harris (Ole Miss): 6’8”, length and special teams/blocking upside; “Blocked 6 kicks”— Nick [55:00]
B. Positional Philosophy & 3-4 Requirements
[31:37] – [33:45]
- Panel explains the need for either big 320lb+ gap-eaters or versatile “4i” players (can play outside or inside gaps).
- Scheme flexibility will be critical; some linebackers/edges in this class fit a hybrid “3-4 with 4-3 spacing” Parker looks for.
7. Defensive Tackle Draft Superlatives
[50:10] – [59:45]
A. Most Technically Skilled
- Peter Woods (Clemson); “Fantastic player, first-round grade.” – All panelists
- Runner-up: Kaden McDonald (Ohio State): “One of the best run-defending DTs, makes life easy for linebackers.” — Tommy [50:53]
B. Most Athletic
- Zane Durant (Penn State): “4.75 forty at 290 pounds. That’s terrifying.” — Nick [52:50]
- Caleb Banks (Louisville): “Freaky size/speed/production—huge upside if technique comes.” — Tommy [53:30]
C. Biggest Upside / Risk
- Caleb Banks (Louisville): Can be both “most upside” and “biggest risk” depending on how his technique develops [54:18].
- Xavian Harris (Ole Miss): “Long, powerful, already an impact on special teams.” — Nick [55:00]
D. Biggest Value
- Daryl Jackson Jr. (Florida State): Late third-round projection, two-down player but physical and ready; improvements needed in conditioning [57:01].
- Cameron Ball (Arkansas): “Consistent, experienced, under-the-radar player with 50 college games.” — Kyle [59:03]
E. Most Likely to Become a Cowboy
- Consensus favorite for vibes: Dominique Orange (“Big Citrus,” Iowa State) [58:03]
- Cameron Ball also named as a likely fit.
8. Cowboys’ Defensive Tackle Room & Roster Management
[41:50] – [43:52]
- Dead money vs. draft ammo: Trading Osa before June 1st took on $16M dead cap but netted a valuable third-rounder—“You’ve got to rip off that beautiful marble because there’s mold all over the house.” — Nick Harris, referencing his earlier metaphor [41:50]
- The moves are partially cap-driven, but also about transitioning to Parker’s preferred personnel for scheme fit.
9. Outlook: Free Agency & Offseason Grading
[60:54] – [61:46]
- Speculation: Back-to-back DT moves might hint at a pending bigger free agency move, but likely just cap compliance (“I think they're just trying to get CAP compliant.” — Nick [61:12])
- Offseason graded around B-minus; team wants more impact moves before the draft, but could still achieve that with picks #12/#20 if they land elite talent.
Notable Quotes
"Sometimes when that marble countertop...there’s mold underneath it. Sometimes you gotta rip out the whole countertop...But you better put a really damn good countertop on top when you’re done."
— Nick Harris, on roster overhaul and scheme fit [13:02]
"You can stick and pick a lot easier at 12 and 20 now that you do have a day two pick."
— Nick Harris [07:55]
"I would buy a jersey that said Big Citrus."
— Kyle Yeomans, on Dominique Orange [18:11]
“If we look up in two years and we’re like redrafting the 2026 draft, it would not surprise me if [Peter Woods] is a top three guy.”
— Nick Harris [55:56]
Important Timestamps
- [01:38] – Osa/Solomon trades reaction; leadership loss
- [03:34] – Cowboys’ draft flexibility with third-rounder #92
- [08:10] – Third-round target names/potential value
- [13:02] – “Marble countertop” metaphor for roster rebuild
- [20:01] – Dominique Orange and value of “Big Citrus”
- [22:57] – Peter Woods as a potential top-10 pick
- [31:37] – 3-4 scheme fits; the kind of DT body type Dallas wants
- [50:10] – [59:45] – DT superlatives: skill, athlete, upside, value, and Dallas fits
- [61:00] – Offseason grade and expectations ahead of draft/free agency
Conclusion
This episode offers an in-depth look at the Cowboys’ evolving strategy now that defensive tackle has emerged as a fresh area of need. The panel explores draft scenarios and player fits with engaging banter and vivid metaphors, particularly around how coaching changes drive shift in personnel philosophy. The episode arms the listener with key names to track at DT, insight into how Dallas will attack the draft with renewed flexibility, and the smart, sometimes hilarious perspective that makes The Draft Show a must-listen for Cowboys and NFL draft fans.