The Draft Show: Media Day in Mobile – Senior Bowl Insights & Interviews
Main Theme / Purpose
In this episode, the crew (Kyle Yeomans, Tommy Yarish, Nick Harris) brings listeners to “Radio Row” at the newly sponsored Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama for Day 2. With the NFL Draft 85 days out, the team discusses key takeaways from Cowboys’ front office interviews (with Stephen Jones and Will McClay), senior bowl practice standouts, Cowboys draft strategies, and provides exclusive interviews with notable draft prospects.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Cowboys Draft Outlook and Free Agency Strategy
- Front office vision: The crew recaps conversations with Stephen Jones and Will McClay, discussing the hiring of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator and preliminary draft priorities.
- Focus: The Cowboys intend to approach the draft with a “best player available” mindset, but recognize defensive needs (LB, DB, DL).
- Staffing: Stephen Jones mentioned the staff could be wrapped up by weekend, possibly leaking into next week for a hire or two (03:00).
- Free Agency Philosophy: Cowboys not expected to be exceptionally aggressive in free agency; likely to clear $30 million over the cap via restructures, but aiming for smart, targeted additions.
- “We’ve seen more movement as of late...but still not an uber aggressive approach.” — Kyle Yeomans (06:42)
- Draft process remains unchanged: Regardless of free agency moves, Cowboys plan to stick to their established board and take BPA, especially with picks at 12 and 20, but with an eye toward defensive help.
2. Senior Bowl Practice Standouts & Prospect Evaluations
Standouts on Defense
- Derek Moore (EDGE, Michigan): “Just running through people’s faces...so violent out of his stances...speed to power, super well.” — Nick Harris (11:46)
- Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech): “Demanded double teams by the end of practice because he was too disruptive up front.” — Kyle Yeomans (16:03); “He looked really good yesterday. I was lower on him… I felt very wrong about him yesterday.” — Tommy Yarish (19:36)
- Quintavious Hutchins (EDGE, Boston College): “Snapbacks out, just snaps the tackle’s ankles in half, gets an easy pressure.” — Nick Harris (11:46)
- V.J. Payne (CB, Kansas State): “Made a couple plays in team drills I thought was really impressive.” — Kyle Yeomans (17:14)
- Scooby Williams (LB, Texas A&M): “Extremely active at the second level.” — Kyle Yeomans (17:14)
- Kamari Ramsey (S, USC): Struggled covering tight ends in 1-on-1s; “I’m really kind of up in the air on Kamari Ramsey as a whole.” — Kyle Yeomans (17:26)
Standouts on Offense / Skill Players
- Josh Cameron (WR, Baylor): “He looks like a running back...6’1”, 223...used as a gadget guy.” — Kyle Yeomans (14:04)
- Physical special teams contributor, praised for versatility and toughness.
- Aaron Anderson (WR, LSU): “Route runners...he’s a burner...he and Barry And Brown, the two LSU WRs, bring the speed.” — Nick Harris (18:22)
- Kevin Coleman (WR, Missouri): “Has some jets… was 10 yards separated from DBs.” — Kyle Yeomans (19:08)
- Ted Hurst (WR, Georgia State): “Did make some plays. He was reeling stuff in yesterday, though. Some tough catches.” — Tommy Yarish (19:36)
- Jennings Dunker (OL, Iowa): “Held his own yesterday...can stamp his first round value this week.” — Nick Harris (20:21)
Offensive Line Class Overall
- Nick Harris: “This offensive line class as a whole, it’s early, but I’m just not a big fan of it.” (21:47)
- Kyle Yeomans: Sees mid-to-late round value and developmental prospects, but a big gap after upper echelon talent (22:06).
First Round Mentality & BPA vs. Need
- “You’ve seen in the first round, Tyler Guyton was a massive need. Mozzie Smith, he was a massive need ... With 12, if you’re sitting there and let’s say there’s a CeeDee Lamb type of offensive player, I don’t think there is ... there’s probably a lot of defensive players that are going to come off the board first.” — Nick Harris & Kyle Yeomans (08:25-09:28)
Player Interviews & Notable Quotes
1. James Brockermeyer (Miami OL, Fort Worth, TX native)
Timestamps: 24:51–33:22
- On his college journey: “If you told me I was gonna...got three colleges coming out of high school, I’d probably call you crazy. But I’m very grateful … I wouldn’t have traded [Miami] for the world.” (25:33)
- On learning at Alabama: “You’re probably never going to be the most talented guy in the room. You got to learn how to find your edge in different ways.” (27:23)
- On versatility: “At the end of the day, they want me to play guard, play jumbo tight end, or something, I’ll jump into it full speed ahead.” (30:51)
- Fun Michael Irvin story: “He’s got the most energy of a human being I think I’ve ever seen in my life...it’s contagious!” (32:14)
2. Kamari Ramsey (USC Safety)
Timestamps: 36:16–39:37
- On Senior Bowl experience: “Just getting my feedback underneath me… just getting used to coming out of my breaks...it’s good to come out here and compete.” (36:16)
- Role flexibility: “Me and a versus chess piece for the DC, being able to move and play different positions.” (37:15)
- On favorite play moment: “There’s nothing like a blitz. That’s like calling a play for somebody on defense.” (38:17)
- Must-see film: “LSU 2024...it brought a lot out of both teams and coaches.” (38:51)
3. Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
Timestamps: 39:40–42:26
- On Texas Tech’s rise: “When Coach McGuire got the job…we wanted to set a culture...to now being Big 12 champs, it means a lot.” (40:27)
- On takeaways/ball skills: “Just as a team collectively…you’ll see guys going attacking for the ball and wanting to take the ball away...that constant feedback.” (41:21)
- On what scouts should notice: “He doesn’t get shaken with nerves… he puts his teammates up for success.” (42:02)
4. Josh Cameron (WR, Baylor)
Timestamps: 42:30–46:12
- On walking on to Baylor: “As I was praying, I was only hearing Baylor from the Lord… my parents supported me through and through.” (43:46)
- On proving himself: “Halfway through the season, that’s kind of when I kind of made my start… that Oklahoma moment...that’s when it started clicking.” (43:56)
- On NFL transition: “Knowing how to internalize, ‘Why am I not in this position?’...I feel like that’s the biggest lesson.” (45:12)
- On the dream: “It would mean everything. That’s the dream, that’s the goal at the end of the day.” (45:44)
- Grew up a Cowboys fan: “Being able to put on that uniform would definitely be surreal.” (46:02)
5. Jennings Dunker (OL, Iowa)
Timestamps: 46:19–48:42
- On loyalty to Iowa: “If I had another year of eligibility, I probably would have went back there for my sixth year just to be around the guys…” (46:43)
- On OL tradition: “It’s just following the standard they set for me, doing what Coach Barnett taught me to do...” (47:01)
- Biggest strength: “Probably running and hitting, you know, fitting backside hand and hitting aiming points and stuff.” (47:23)
- On personality vs. play style: “I think I’ve kind of always been this way. I don’t know if I could change it.” (47:51)
- On modeling after NFL players: “Spent the summer watching Sheriff and Robert Gowery, and, you know, Laporta too. He was a huge team leader...” (48:10)
Practice Trends & What to Watch For
- Physicality ramps up on Day 2: With one day behind them, players are more comfortable and intensity rises. The crew expects “more intensity today” and “more hard hitting.” (49:16)
- OL vs. DL battles: Noted defensive front seven talent is a tough test; standout offensive linemen can distinguish themselves.
- Key prospects to monitor:
- Colton Hood (CB, highly mocked to Cowboys) needs to show top-tier play to justify draft stock (49:42).
- Lee Hunter (DT): after a dominant Day 1, defensive linemen and offensive linemen will be better prepared for him.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “He wants good players, he wants smart players… he has a vision, it’s off to a good start right now.” — Will McClay re: Christian Parker’s draft input (03:03)
- “Are they going to do the same thing again (in free agency) or maybe see some more splash guys…?” — Kyle Yeomans (05:21)
- “You need these type of guys on your roster and those types of guys are worth spending a fourth, fifth round pick if you have the confidence that they can hit. And I have the confidence in a guy like Josh Cameron to do so.” — Nick Harris (13:14)
- “This offensive line class as a whole…just not a big fan of it.” — Nick Harris (21:47)
- “If you see an offensive lineman standing out, that tells you a lot…if they’re holding up against these talented guys.” — Tommy Yarish (21:20)
Important Timestamps
- 03:00 – Cowboys’ front office thoughts on draft and coaching staff
- 05:21 – Free agency approach: cautious optimism for additions
- 11:46 – Defensive standouts in Senior Bowl practice
- 14:04 – Josh Cameron’s emergence and versatile skillset
- 16:03 – Lee Hunter’s disruptive interior play
- 21:47 – Offensive line class evaluation
- 24:51–33:22 – Full interview with James Brockermeyer (Miami OL)
- 36:16–46:12 – Montage of prospect interviews (Kamari Ramsey, Jacob Rodriguez, Josh Cameron, Jennings Dunker)
- 49:16 – Preview of Day 2 practice: physicality and intensity
Tone & Style
- The team is light-hearted but highly analytic, blending first-hand observation with on-the-ground reporting and insider access.
- The atmosphere is energetic and collegial, with playful ribbing and technical insight.
For Those Who Haven’t Listened
This episode gives a deep, detailed look into:
- The evolving Dallas Cowboys draft process and mindset entering both free agency and draft season
- First impressions of Senior Bowl prospects and which names are rising after live reps
- The lived experiences and personalities of likely 2025 NFL Draft picks
- What Cowboys fans should watch for in the coming weeks as the draft process accelerates
Whether you want a team-building macro view, player-specific scouting observations, or direct prospect voices, this episode provides comprehensive updates direct from Senior Bowl week.
