The Draft Show: Mock Draft Breakdown (March 19, 2026)
Hosts: Kyle Youmans, Voch Lombardi, Bobby Belt, Tommy Yarish, Chris Beam
Theme: In-depth analysis and reactions to The Athletic's recent beat-writer mock draft, shifting opinions on prospects, and what would constitute an “A+” draft outcome for the Dallas Cowboys as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches.
Episode Overview
The episode dives into:
- How opinions on NFL draft prospects have shifted over the pre-draft process
- Insights from The Athletic's new beat-writer mock draft, with a focus on Cowboys-related scenarios and picks
- How evaluators navigate balancing film study, inside information, and team needs
- Hypothetical draft scenarios and what positions/players could take the Cowboys’ draft from good to “A+”
- Listener questions about positional priorities, potential draft strategies, and visiting prospects
The show captures both the analytical and conversational spirit of the Draft Show crew—deep expertise balanced with candor and a bit of humor.
Shifts in Draft Evaluation & Process
Changing Perspectives Over Time
- [01:49] Chris Beam reflects on how, five weeks prior, the consensus was that Reuben Bain Jr. (Miami Edge) "couldn’t possibly slide," while now it’s at least a discussion point. Similarly, Dylan Thienaman (Oregon Safety) has moved up boards dramatically.
- "The biggest thing that to me always changes in these five weeks is, and this will be something that you hear analysts and people in the NFL say a lot of times, is like, y’all are catching up to what we think of them." – Chris Beam [02:12]
- National/media narratives often "catch up" to what teams or closer evaluators already see, and the draft process brings these shifts to light as new info emerges (e.g., medicals, interviews).
Balancing Film, Consensus, and New Info
- [03:12] Voch Lombardi admits his own biases when he dislikes a prospect early ("Like, if I watch a way too early top whatever, and I see a player, if I don't like the player, I'll immediately start hating on the player"), but also notes he’s sometimes higher on players (like Harold Perkins) than public rankings.
- [04:52] Bobby Belt: Emphasizes not letting media mock drafts shift his grade "unless it's the outside factors off of the tape and off of the film that we get to learn along this process."
- [05:40] Tommy Yarish: Stresses "trust the tape" as his guiding principle, supplementing with Combine/Pro Day and character info.
Insider Info & Projection
- [07:16] Chris Beam offers a real-world example about Anthony Richardson’s work ethic concerns that changed front office perspectives, reinforcing how much information not seen on film can move a player’s projection.
Beat Writer Mock Draft: Cowboys Scenarios & Analysis
Mock Draft Structure
[08:41] Bobby Belt brings up The Athletic’s new beat-writer mock, where each team’s beat reports make their team’s selection in RD1.
Early Picks Breakdown
- 1st: Raiders take Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
- 2nd: Jets select Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State)
- 3rd: Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami)
On Cardinals, O-Line Focus
[09:11] Chris Beam points out local beat writers always mock OL to Cardinals, regardless of broader national trends.
Cowboys’ Scenarios at Pick 12
- [13:52] Bobby Belt: “This scenario is about as good as it’s going to get for Dallas.”
- Through picks 1–11, multiple non-Cowboys targets go, setting up a “best-case” for positional value at Dallas’ picks.
- [15:02] John Machota (The Athletic/Cowboys beat) selects Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU) for Dallas at 12.
Consensus on Delane
- [15:41] Voch/Lombardi, Tommy and the group are unanimous: “Great pick, John.”
- “Some people are going to have him as the best corner in the draft. And if he falls to 12, then cool. You take the dude and you just do whatever you want to do with him.” – Voch [15:43]
- [16:15] The drop of RB Jeremiah Love is noted as a headline (“How far will Jeremiah Love fall?”), but all agree Delane is the best available fit/value.
Cornerback Board — Delane vs. McCoy Debate
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[16:25] Voch says Jermod McCoy is his top corner strictly on film, but Delane’s cleaner injury/availability status makes him the more prudent pick for Dallas.
“I think McCoy has better film than Mansoor Delane. But if they both were available… I would draft Delane. I wouldn't fight, because Delane is the ready guy… the non-question mark, non-redshirt guy.” – Voch [17:46]
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[18:27] Bobby Belt: “He could end up being the best corner in football in the next three or four years. Or he could be out of the league in three or four years.”
Cowboys at 20: Favorite Board Options
Who’s on the board?
- [20:11] Voch likes transfer edge rusher Akheem Mesidor the most, valuing pro readiness and technique; medicals on his feet is a notable question.
- “Mesador is so pro-ready right now because he knows just what to do with his hands. He has plans. Back up. Like, he's so sound as a pass rusher and I think there's some good run game stuff too.” – Voch [20:18]
- [22:04] Chris Beam identifies LB C.J. Allen as the likely fit if cleared medically, highlighting the importance the new regime places on linebackers’ processing, versatility, and fit with DC Christian Parker’s prototypes.
Official Pick
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[23:59] John Machota’s official selection at 20: CJ Allen (LB, Georgia).
“The only two defenders I had above Allen were the two defensive tackles, Woods and Kaden McDonald from Ohio State. So I love that pick. I think C.J. Allen is instinctually going to be everything that C.J. Parker is going to want.” – Tommy [24:13]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Team suck at drafting.” – Voch Lombardi, critiquing the logic of reach picks in the top 10 like Monroe Freeling at 6 (13:08)
- “If Monroe was 23 years old and got good feets and knees, I think he's a player that you could draft at 12. I think he's that damn good.” – Voch on Mesidor (20:18)
- “If they come away with Styles at 12, and I'll say, at least for me, Mazador or hood at 20, something like that, I'm thinking that's a really, really big win.” – Chris Beam [63:23]
- On shifting draft boards: “Ladies and gentlemen, ain’t nothing wrong with changing your mind. Self-scouting when you get more information.” – Voch [41:23]
Listener Q&A: Positional Priorities & Draft Strategy
LB, Edge, and Free Agency Priorities
- [31:24] Which spot is more likely to be drafted and which more likely to be traded for—LB or Edge?
- Chris: Both will likely have veteran acquisitions before the draft, but the team wants experience at LB due to “all the communication stuff going on.”
- “I would assume that whoever is starting alongside DeMarvion Overshown next year at linebacker is not here right now but is an NFL player already.” – Chris Beam [32:33]
Day 3 Sleeper Prospects at RB/TE (112 overall)
- [34:32] Tommy Yarish singles out Tanner Koziol (Houston) as a tough, underrated tight end, while RB Mike Washington (Arkansas) is his surprise RB3.
- [34:08] Voch prefers staying defense-heavy at this part of the draft: “I would rather Torreon York, Keyshawn Elliott, Red Murdoch or something like that.”
- Chris: Running back class is “not great,” but tight ends are deep—possible value later.
“Wasting the Window” — Positions to Avoid with Top Picks
- [37:44] Chris Beam: For the current win-now Cowboys, only obvious spots like QB are “off-limits” RD1, but specific players (e.g., Dylan Thienaman) at 20 would be passed up for greater team needs.
- “12 is different than 20. Like 12, you have to take different numbers. Who falls to you... 20, you can open up the board.” – Voch [39:00]
- Potential mistake: Double-dipping at CB in the first round; would be "redundant" given roster.
LB Prospects & Christian Parker Scheme Fit
- [43:30] Ranking Sonny Styles, Anthony Hill, CJ Allen, and Jacob Rodriguez for new DC Christian Parker’s system:
- Consensus: Styles and Allen are the best scheme fits, with Styles offering most versatility. Rodriguez is least optimal due to limitations in coverage.
- “They want those inside linebackers… that versatility as a means of disguise, of, like, I could be dropping or I could be playing forward…” – Chris Beam [44:23]
A+ Draft Scenario for Dallas
What Has to Happen?
- [60:13] “You get two players [at 12 and 20] that you feel like can at some point during the year get on the field quickly and start and contribute for you.” – Tommy
- [61:07] Chris: Any mix of CB/S/LB/Edge that play 40%+ of snaps could be A+.
- [61:56] Voch: For a true “A+,” Dallas needs help from other teams—e.g., a top prospect falls by surprise into their laps at 12 or 20; not just hitting needs with “wiped out” boards.
- Example: Sonny Styles at 12, then corner Mansoor Delane “falls” to 20 because teams go OL/WR heavy early.
- [63:23] Chris: Styles at 12, then Mazador or Hood at 20 is “a really, really big win.”
Additional Cowboys Notes
- [53:24] On Dallas hosting Indiana WR Omar Cooper as a top-30 visit, crew speculates on the reasons (not always pure interest, could be info gathering for UDFAs or cross-referencing teammates).
- [57:21] Noted schools attended for Cowboys’ Pro Days: Arkansas, Clemson, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Oklahoma, San Diego State, USC, Wisconsin.
- Interest in Kentucky OL prospects—Jalen Farmer, Jaeger Burton, Joshua Braun
- [59:17] Voch on Kentucky Guard Jalen Farmer: “He beat the hell out of Georgia for no reason… the biggest question you had about him was his athleticism.”
Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights
| Time | Speaker | Quote / Moment |
|----------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 02:12 | Chris Beam | “Y'all are catching up to what we think of them.” |
| 05:40 | Tommy Yarish | “Nothing's more important than what's on the field and what's on tape.” |
| 13:08 | Voch Lombardi | “Team suck at drafting. …I do believe Monroe Freeling could go top six because some people bad at this.” |
| 15:41 | Tommy & Voch | “Great pick, John.” “Some people going to have him as the best corner in the draft.” |
| 17:46 | Voch Lombardi | “I think McCoy has better film than Mansoor Delane. But… I would draft Delane.”|
| 20:18 | Voch Lombardi | “Mesador is so pro-ready right now because he knows just what to do with his hands.”|
| 24:13 | Tommy Yarish | “I love that pick. I think C.J. Allen is instinctually going to be everything that C.J. Parker is going to want.”|
| 39:00 | Voch Lombardi | “12 is different than 20… 12, you generally taking who falls to you. 20, you can open up the board a little bit.”|
| 63:23 | Chris Beam | “If they come away with Styles at 12, and… Mazador or hood at 20, something like that, I'm thinking that's a really, really big win.”|
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
- The episode ended with a look ahead to the crew’s own "official" first-round mock, teasing heightened analysis in the coming weeks.
- They emphasize the unpredictability of the draft and the importance of being ready for sliding prospects, both in terms of value and fit.
Episode Takeaways for Dallas Cowboys Draft Fans
- Best Case: Dallas can get a "blue-chip" defender at 12 (Styles, Delane, possibly Downs) and a strong second starter or high-upside player at 20 if the board falls kindly.
- Draft Approach: Trusting film most but moving players up/down based on injury/character red flags that emerge closer to draft; value is recognized when both need and top grade align.
- Positional Focus: The consensus is defense heavy—LB, Edge, CB maybe S—with running back/TE only likely later unless an elite talent slides.
This summary covers all major topics, key debates, and memorable moments from the March 19, 2026 episode of The Draft Show.