The Draft Show: Mendoza’s Moment

DallasCowboys.com Draft Show — January 20, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish, Bobby Belt
Episode Theme:
A spirited roundtable of Dallas Cowboys insiders and draft experts break down the 2025 NFL Draft class, spotlight prospects rising in upcoming all-star games (Shrine Bowl/Senior Bowl), discuss top positions of need for the Cowboys, and provide a detailed, theme-rich assessment of Indiana’s national championship run—led by likely #1 pick Fernando Mendoza.

Episode Overview

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the crew shares direct insights on draft risers, the Cowboys’ strategy, and the player pool’s depth. The upcoming Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl are previewed as crucial opportunities to evaluate later-round talent, especially those relevant to Dallas’ current draft position. An in-depth review of Indiana’s title win and prospective NFL talent concludes the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The All-Star Game Circuit: Shrine Bowl & Senior Bowl Prospects

• Cowboys focus on value: With no Day 2 pick, Dallas is likely targeting Day 3 and mid-round players—making the Shrine Bowl roster especially relevant ([02:28], Kyle).
• Personnel Involvement: Cowboys TE coach Linda Wells is the head coach for one of the Shrine Bowl teams—a good sign the organization is locked in on this talent pool ([02:28], Kyle).

Notable Shrine Bowl Prospects

• Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC: “Excited to see him.” ([03:23], Nick)
• Patrick Payton, EDGE, LSU: Noted for up-and-down but intriguing play ([03:23], Nick)
• DJ Campbell, RG, Texas: “He could be there at the top of Day 3…potential to be a starter one day” ([03:23], Nick). But, “There’s just too many inconsistencies…big games he plays well, everything in between, you wonder” ([04:34], Bobby).
• Armash Reed-Adams, G, Texas A&M: Another in-state guard to monitor ([03:23], Nick).
• Harold Perkins, LB, LSU: “Freshman year at LSU, this guy looked like a perennial All-American…had an injury…question is, do you still see flashes of that explosiveness?” ([05:44], Bobby).
• Lander Barton, LB, Utah; Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati; Torian York, LB, Texas A&M: Shrine linebacker group praised as “multi-year contributors, day-one captain types”—York especially as a “head coach in waiting” ([06:05], Nick & Bobby).
• Malik Benson, WR, Oregon: “Transfer portal king…huge vertical threat and somebody who has real top end speed” ([08:20], Voch).
• Skyler Bell, WR, UConn: The FBS second-leading receiver: “28, 78 yards, 13 touchdowns, 101 catches…fun player, inside and outside” ([09:39], Bobby).
• Kaden Whetjen, WR/RS, Iowa: Noted for special teams impact; “He’s going to have a punt return touchdown in the game…special teams demon” ([09:13], Nick).

Defensive Prospects

• Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC: “Former HS QB turned safety—tackles well, plays downhill, some ball skills…mid-round value buy at safety” ([11:34], Voch).
• Ahmad Moses, S, SMU: Ballhawk; “Won the game vs Miami with multiple picks. Playmaker, headhunter—could rise on draft boards” ([15:23], Kyle).

2. Position Groups to Watch & Cowboys' Needs

• Linebacker: “Big fan of this LB class…Shrine group strong” ([06:05], Nick)
• Receiver: Voch humorously stresses the need for more depth at WR for Dallas, but agrees multiple Shrine prospects offer intriguing upside ([07:43], Voch).
• Safety:
  • Top tier: “After Caleb Downs and Dylan Thienaman, there’s a drop-off…But Kamari Ramsey (USC), A.J. Halsey (LSU), McNeil-Warren (Toledo)—all strong Senior Bowl guys” ([12:48], Nick & Kyle).
  • Day 3 value: “Cowboys need value day 3 defensive buys—Fitzgerald (USC) could be that guy” ([11:34], Voch).
• Defensive Line/Edge: “This is a draft to watch for interior D-line risers and edge runs; defensive tackle class is especially volatile” ([17:49], Nick).

3. Draft Pick Strategy & Trade Scenarios

• Trade Up? Not Likely, Unless for Blue-Chip:
  • “Don’t have the capital…would require packaging firsts or a player” ([29:02], Nick & Voch).
  • Only two prospects merit a trade-up: “Caleb Downs, David Bailey” ([30:59], Bobby).
  • “Downs transcends. The question is, does his position? The org typically doesn’t value safety in the first” ([32:51], Voch).
• Draft Depth vs. Last Year’s Class:
  • “Last year’s was exceptionally deep, especially at receiver. This year: strong at linebacker, edge, safety, but not quite as deep—it’s solid, but not super top-heavy” ([36:51], Nick & panel).

4. Indiana’s National Championship: In-Depth NFL Scouting Reports

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (Probable #1 Pick)

• “Efficient, smart, high completion. Heavy RPO offense; improved as a deep ball thrower, but excels short/intermediate. Good athlete, can extend plays, but needs to add some weight” ([43:32], Bobby).
  • Memorable Moment: “Fourth and five run into the end zone. That’s going to be on Indiana clips and memories for lifetimes.” ([44:09], Bobby)
• “He’s not just a guy you want your daughter to date, he’s who you want to lead your franchise back from the depths of hell” ([44:29], Nick).
• “Kirk Cousins comp. Don’t expect Burrow/Allen upside, but he’s an absolute franchise QB you can win with” ([45:03], Voch).

Key Indiana Skill Players

• Elijah Surratt, WR:
  • “Route runner, size, can play everywhere, great hands, red zone, nasty—Keenan Allen type, big slot. Day two player.” ([47:26], Tommy)
• Omar Cooper, WR: “Best catch of the season vs Penn State, high-pressure player.” ([48:12], Nick)

Defenders

• D’Angelo Ponds, CB:
  • “5-9, 175. Plays way bigger. Hits, ball skills, but gets moved easily by big blockers. Scares me size-wise, but he just keeps making plays” ([48:52], Bobby).
  • On small CBs with big production vs elite competition: “What do you do with the 5-9, 170 guy that’s whooping everyone in big games? Draft him.” ([50:16], Tommy).
  • “Scouts will ask: has anyone ever made it with that body type?” ([50:49], Voch). Comp: Marcus Jones (Patriots; 5-9, 173) ([55:33], Voch).
• Aiden Fisher, LB: “Can call your defense, potential long-term NFL starter, special teamer Day 1” ([48:19], Nick; [54:49], Bobby).
• Mikhail Kamara, Edge: “Violent, versatile, special teams value. Day three riser.” ([52:50], Nick)
  • “Indiana’s whole D was the team’s backbone. Not full of individual stars but full of tough, cohesive players” ([53:35], Voch).

Special Teams Emphasis

“Most psychotic special teams program in America…You’ll hear a lot of Indiana names called on Day 3 just for kicking game value” ([55:48], Nick).

5. Miami Standouts & Other Prospects to Know

• Francis Mauigoa, RT: “Top five, top seven pick. Phenomenal against Indiana, needs to shape his body but that’s it.” ([56:55], Nick)
• Akeem Mesidor & Ruben Bane, Edge: “Each had a sack, NFL guys.” ([57:35], Nick)
• Keonte Scott, Miami, CB/S: “Slot corner, plays like a linebacker, difference maker—would take in the second on ability, only knock is age (25 as a rookie)” ([57:35], Bobby).
• Carson Beck, QB, Miami: “Extremely volatile figure…someone will talk themselves into him on day three, highs and lows, but volatile intangibles.” ([59:03], Kyle & panel)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Shrine Bowl linebackers:

  “If this team is looking for a day-one captain-type, that is Torian York. He’s going to be a head coach in high school or college one day.” ([06:05], Nick)

• On Indiana’s QB, Fernando Mendoza:

  “He’s not just the guy you want your daughter to date, he’s the guy you want to lead your franchise back from the depths of hell.” ([44:29], Nick)

• On the Cowboys’ need for receivers:

  “You win with four receivers deep. That’s what you do.” ([07:43], Voch)

• On small CBs:

  “What do you do with a 5-9, 170 guy that whoops everybody in all the competition? Draft him.” ([50:16], Tommy)

• On Indiana’s team-centric, underdog rise:

  “There’s still a little bit of confirmation bias – ‘yeah but it’s Indiana’…did they build a team that succeeds at the college level, or will this translate?” ([53:35], Voch)

• On the value of special teams:

  “There is no program in America that was as psychotic about special teams this year than Indiana…you’ll see a lot of these guys in round 5, 6, 7.” ([55:48], Nick)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Shrine Bowl Preview and Cowboys’ Draft Angle: [00:45]–[03:23]
• LB, WR, and DB Prospects to Watch (Name-drops, detailed evaluations): [03:23]–[12:07]
• Safety Class Deep Dive & Cowboys’ Philosophy: [12:07]–[14:54]
• Ascenders to Watch at Shrine Bowl: [16:55]
• Draft Trade Scenario & Strategy Discussion: [29:02]–[32:51]
• Indiana’s Title, Mendoza & Team Report, NFL Outlook: [43:00]–[55:48]
• Miami Prospects Review: [56:53]–[59:01]

Episode Tone

Knowledgeable, playful, rapid-fire, and loaded with inside jokes and off-the-cuff banter—all while displaying deep expertise and scouting rigor.

For New Listeners

This episode is a high-value listen for Cowboys fans seeking an edge on Day 2/Day 3 prospects, draftniks tracking position value trends, and NFL followers hoping to understand how college playoff performances shape pro draft stocks. Indiana’s program, typically dismissed as a football underdog, is celebrated both for individual risers and as an object lesson in the power of team-building—and what scouts must unpack when evaluating “surprise” champions.