The Draft Show: Mock Draft Special (April 2, 2026)

DallasCowboys.com Draft Show – Bryan Broaddus, Kyle Yeomans, Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Bobby Belt, Tommy Yarish

Episode Overview

The Draft Show crew gathers for a high-energy, war room-style first-round mock draft with a focus not only on the Cowboys but on the entire NFL landscape. The show dives into the 2025 draft class, mock strategies, and key names expected to shake up the board. Insider insights and debate abound as the panel navigates picks, potential trades, and how a real "wipeout scenario" might affect the Cowboys’ approach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mock Draft Philosophy & Process ([04:13])

• The panel sets ground rules, emphasizing that the mock attempts to predict team behaviors but also encourages some unpredictable, “realistic” unexpected picks.
• Voch Lombardi voices a common sentiment:

  “We suck at mock drafting…Teams suck at drafting.”

• The exercise is both war room simulation and entertainment, expecting the unexpected and including possible trades.

2. Early Picks and Edge Rushers Dominate

Picks 1–5 ([06:44]–[11:32])

• #1 Raiders: Fernando Mendoza is the consensus pick, disregarding the real-life signing of Kirk Cousins.
• #2 Jets: Arvell Reese (edge/LB, Ohio State), with discussion if the true draft kicks off at this pick.
• #3 Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa (OL), heavily rumored to Arizona.
• #4 Titans: David Bailey (Edge), with Nick Harris dismissing RB Jeremiah Love as early “smokescreen.”
• #5 Giants: Sonny Styles (LB/S), described as a nightmare for NFC East teams to face.

3. Trades & Team Strategies in Focus

Browns at #6 – The Trade Dilemma ([12:03]–[16:35])

• Bobby Belt details how the Browns want to trade down in real life, even trying to work a simulated trade with the Cowboys and Panthers.
• No deal satisfied both sides, so Browns stick with OT Monroe Freeling.
• Cowboys’ potential targets (Bailey, Bane, Downs) are debated; Cowboys don’t trade up in this scenario.

4. Wide Receivers Start Coming Off the Board ([17:36]–[18:55])

• #7 Commanders: Carnell Tate (WR)
• #8 Saints: Jeremiah Love (RB, described as a BPA/luxury, possibly signaling an Alvin Kamara trade)
• #9 Chiefs: Monsieur Delane (CB)
• #10 Bengals: Caleb Downs (S)
• #11 Dolphins: Reuben Bain (Edge)
  Cowboys are up next and find themselves "wiped out" on their main defensive targets.

Cowboys’ First-Round Struggles & Trade Conversation

The "Wipeout Scenario" at Pick #12 ([29:52]–[37:02])

• Cowboys’ top targets are gone; discussion ensues about trading down.
• Offers from Vikings (pick #18 + thirds or second-rounder) and Bears.
  • “If I’m picking receiver at 12, then…for resource management, I have to pick up extra capital…” – Bobby Belt ([33:55])
• Nick Harris (as Vikings GM) wants to trade up for S Dylan Thieneman.
• Internal debate: if forced to pick, names floated include Jordan Tyson (WR), Makai Lemon (WR), and Akeem Mesidor (EDGE).
• Consensus: Cowboys trade back to 18, pick up the 49th overall pick.
• Vikings take Thieneman at 12.

Picks 13–17

• Rams: Makai Lemon (WR)
• Ravens: Jermod McCoy (LB/EDGE)
• Buccaneers: Colton Hood (CB)
• Jets: Jordan Tyson (WR)
• Lions: Spencer Fano (OL); debate if he's projected at G or T.

Cowboys at #18 ([40:56]–[42:17])

• Consensus pick: Akeem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
  • “You can get whatever player on defense you want at this point…so you can go safety, corner, linebacker, edge.” – Voch Lombardi ([41:40])

More Trade Offers and Drafting for Value

Pick #20 – Stick or Trade Again? ([47:03]–[51:43])

• Cowboys field more trade offers (Texans, Chiefs).
• “I want as many picks as possible. I would take the Chiefs' offer.” – Tommy Yarish ([48:52])
• Ultimately, for clarity, they “stick and pick” at 20:
  • Pick: Avion Terrell (CB, Clemson)
• Discussion on his fit given an already deep corner room: “Does he play over anybody?” – Voch wonders about existing personnel ([51:53]).

Rest of the First Round: Value, Needs, and Surprises

• Steelers: KC Concepcion (WR), a shift for the “small fast guy.”
• Chargers: Peter Woods (DT)
• Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq (TE/Weapon), lauded as a “Howie Roseman pick.” ([55:21])
• Browns (from Jaguars): Omar Cooper (WR)
• Bears: Kaden McDonald (DT)
• Bills: Gabe Yakis (DE), “This hasn’t been nonsense enough yet.” – Voch ([56:58])
• Miners: Zion Young (Edge)
• Texans: Kadyn Proctor (OL/OG), “I’m not as high on Banks...” – Voch
• Chiefs: Keldrick Falk (Edge)
• Dolphins: Brandon Cissé (CB)
• Patriots: CJ Allen (LB), “Go watch CJ Allen be an All-Pro for the Patriots.” – Voch ([60:38])
• Seahawks: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S), “A lot of M’s – ‘the M safeties.’” – Nick Harris ([61:43])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Voch Lombardi on the unpredictability of drafts:

  “I want to make stupid picks on purpose because I think that’s realistic… Teams suck at drafting.” ([05:01])

• Nick Harris on RB rumors:

  “I think it’s a smokescreen. Why would you take Jeremiah Love at 4 when you need so many other things?” ([10:12])

• Bobby Belt on resource allocation:

  “If I’m picking receiver at 12, then…for resource management, I have to pick up extra capital because…I can’t just devote this much to receiver.” ([33:55])

• Voch Lombardi on sticking to best available:

  “I feel like I would rather have a dude that I think can come in and do spectacular things…than to go back [to 18].” ([34:04])

• “There hasn’t been enough nonsense in this draft. And every year, there’s always some nonsense…” – Voch ([56:58])

Key Timestamps

• [04:13] – Show philosophy: “War room” exercise and realism about unpredictability.
• [06:44] – Mock begins: Mendoza to Raiders.
• [12:03] – Browns’ trade-down scenario at #6.
• [29:52–37:02] – Cowboys “wipeout” at #12; trade-down debate.
• [40:56] – Cowboys’ pick at #18 after trade-down: Akeem Mesidor.
• [47:03] – Cowboys field another trade at #20; ultimately select Avion Terrell.
• [51:43] – Discussion on cornerback depth and Dallas’ draft strategy.
• [61:01] – Seahawks' pick and final notes.

Cowboys’ Final Haul

• #18 Akeem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
• #20 Avion Terrell (CB, Clemson)
• Plus, an extra 2nd-round pick (via trade back with Vikings)

The consensus is that while it’s not a “fantasy draft,” the draft set up broke against Dallas – a “wipeout scenario.” The panel largely agrees that trading back and picking up extra capital is a realistic and likely approach if top-tier targets are off the board.

Episode Tone & Flow

The show is energetic, playful, and authentic, with the analysts poking fun at each other, but always circling back to insightful, often contrarian, analysis. The “war room” spirit shines as they debate, agree, and sometimes bemoan the luck (or lack thereof) of the Cowboys’ simulated draft scenario. There’s a running joke about “wiping out” and “stupid mock picks,” embodied in Voch’s quips and the group’s collective self-awareness.

Summary Table of Mock Draft (Top 12)

| Pick | Team | Player (Position, School) | |------|-------------|-----------------------------------| | 1 | Raiders | Fernando Mendoza (QB) | | 2 | Jets | Arvell Reese (Edge/LB, Ohio St.) | | 3 | Cardinals | Francis Mauigoa (OL) | | 4 | Titans | David Bailey (Edge) | | 5 | Giants | Sonny Styles (LB/S) | | 6 | Browns | Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia) | | 7 | Commanders | Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio St.) | | 8 | Saints | Jeremiah Love (RB) | | 9 | Chiefs | Monsieur Delane (CB) | | 10 | Bengals | Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State) | | 11 | Dolphins | Reuben Bain (Edge, Miami) | | 12 | Vikings (via Cowboys) | Dylan Thieneman (S) |

Closing Thoughts

The mock exemplifies how actual NFL teams approach the unpredictability of draft night, the pressure of wipeout scenarios, and the value of trade flexibility. For the Cowboys, the group’s simulated “worst-case” highlights the importance of considering both Plan B and C, with nearly unanimous agreement: “If your board gets wiped out, don’t panic, pick up the phone, and grab value.”