The Draft Show: "Offense Still Possible?" (March 17, 2026)

Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish, Bobby Belt

Setting: Dallas Cowboys HQ, 37 days prior to the 2025 NFL Draft

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the evolving landscape of the 2025 NFL Draft, zeroing in on the Cowboys’ first-round options after breaking news: Miami trades Jalen Waddle to Denver, shifting key draft positions and needs around the league. The conversation explores whether defense is still a lock for Dallas, examines the wide receiver class and other position groups, debates philosophies like “best player available,” and ends with a deep dive into edge rushers—including prospects’ technical skills, athleticism, and value.
The hosts use current draft projections, mock drafts, recent NFL free agency moves, and team needs to forecast Dallas’ potential strategies while engaging in classic Draft Show banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Impact of Jalen Waddle Trade on the Draft and Cowboys' Board

• Jalen Waddle is traded from Miami to Denver, giving Miami the 11th pick and another first-round selection at 30 (01:01).

• Immediate reaction: The panel agrees this likely means Miami will go wide receiver at #11, impacting the run-up to the Cowboys’ pick at #12.

  "If potentially Carnell Tate’s the only one that’s gone at that point, you feel pretty good that... we've still got one of these better receivers in the class." — Tommy Yarish, (02:44)

• Miami's options: Possible fits at WR are Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordan Tyson. However, panelists stress the possibility of Miami zigging to defense, especially under new defensive-minded leadership and front office changes (Jeff Hafley, John Eric Sullivan from Green Bay).

  "Who's to say there's not a defensive player up there that they would love?... But I think Tyson now makes a lot more sense." — Voch Lombardi, (04:24)

• Green Bay comparison: Debate on whether Miami’s new front-office culture would reflect Green Bay's historical reluctance to take first-round WRs.

  "Green Bay just doesn’t draft first round receivers." — Tommy Yarish (05:51, repeated with running joke)

2. Forecasting the Wide Receiver Run & Implications for Dallas

• Teams ahead of Dallas with WR needs (top-3 at position) are identified as: Giants (5), Commanders (7), Saints (8), Dolphins (11) (08:56).
• Consensus: Two or three WRs could go in top 11. If they do, it helps defensive talent fall to Dallas at 12.
• Where prospects grade out: Mixed evaluations on whether Tyson and Tate are top-10 talent or more teens-range.

  "I would take Tate number five if I'm the Giants. I love Carnell Tate." — Nick Harris (09:31)

• The hosts exchange individual board positions and preferences for top WRs.

3. Dallas’ Draft Dilemma: Offense vs. Defense – Is Offense Still Possible?

• If a defensive "wipeout" occurs—meaning top targets at DE, CB, LB are gone—should the Cowboys pivot to offense, even if it's not their "biggest need"?

  • Example scenario: Taking the best WR or OT left instead of reaching for lower-ranked defenders.

  "It gets slim and those guys run out fast. I hate mock drafts...those rushers, those linebackers, like the corner [Delane], they go fast. So we really going to be crossing our fingers hoping the offensive guys are going." — Bobby Belt, (10:10)

• Consensus:

  • Best Player Available (BPA) approach wins—don’t force defense if it means skipping a much higher-graded offensive player.

  "If you get to a point where that scenario does come to fruition and you are completely wiped out...there's a higher graded player...I think you're going to see this team, this franchise take that player." — Kyle Yeomans (13:50)

• Specific scenarios debated:

  • Would they consider WR or RB (e.g., Jeremiah Love) at 12?
  • Does positional value or team needs ever override their boards?

    "I'm never taking Chaisson over Lamb no matter, no matter what year it is, no matter how bad my defense is." — Bobby Belt (14:17)
    "I don't think offense is off the table entirely." — Kyle Yeomans (13:57)

• If phone rings with trade-back offers—they'd strongly consider it, but caution "the phone might not ring."

  "I'm not phony. I'll trade back and get the extra picks. I just like to assume the phone don’t ring." — Bobby Belt (15:09)

4. Secondary and Linebacker: Are These Positions “Off the Table?”

• Do free agency signings at DB and S mean Dallas won’t draft these positions early? No—panelists believe Dallas will still consider safety/corner at 12 if top prospects like Downs or Thienaman are available.

  "I would take all three of those guys at 12, Thienaman included." — Voch Lombardi (23:57)

• New coaching regime could change DB priorities (nickel safety/CB types valued more by Christian Parker).

• Linebacker strategy: Dallas wants a veteran "green dot" LB but hasn’t landed one; the panel predicts they'll draft LB regardless of FA moves.

  "I think the very top priority for them to get a veteran...is they're trying to look for a linebacker." — Tommy Yarish (31:11)

• Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech LB): Liked, but not elite. May go late 1st/2nd, but panelists rank several LB prospects higher for Dallas’ scheme (see 33:05–34:25).

5. School-Specific Draft Scenarios (Fun Segment)

• "You can only draft from one school at 12, 20, and 93 (no Ohio State)—which school gives you the best set of prospects?" (25:31)
  • Miami and Clemson named as most viable (e.g., Maui Noah, Mazador, Keonte Scott for Miami).
  • LSU, Georgia, and others discussed in “fun what-if” terms.

6. Running Back Roundtable — Jeremiah Love Debate

• If RB Jeremiah Love is there at #12, what would they do?
  • Voch: "We going to jail, y’all. 11 personnel finna be fired. I think that’ll be fantastic. I think that’ll be a great option...I love the running back and he’s a top five player on my board, so, yeah, I’ll take him." (36:22)
  • But panelists note taking an RB that high might signify your “competitive window” is shifted to a few years out.
  • Most believe Love will be gone in the top 5 anyway (38:31).

EDGE RUSHERS: Superlatives, Scouting Reports, and “Risk Factor”

(Edge segment begins at 42:07)

Most Technically Skilled

• Reuben Bane (Miami): Panel consensus as most technically gifted pass-rusher (43:02–43:39)

  "When you have short arms and you are still a dominant top 15 worthy edge, you are the most technically skilled. So I'm gonna go Reuben Bane." — Nick Harris (43:02)

• Also mentioned: Akeem Mezador (Miami), Max Llewellyn (Iowa).

Most Athletic

• Arvell Reese (Ohio State): Most explosive on-field, but may not test as well (45:10-45:41).

• Malachi Lawrence (UCF) described as “testing” athletic freak: 4.52 forty, 40" vert, at 6’4", 253 lbs. (45:41–46:26)

  "I am that high on Malachi Lawrence...and if he's there at 92 and you haven't taken an edge, you go take Malachi Lawrence. I'm a huge fan." — Nick Harris (46:08)

• Harold Perkins (LSU): For those considering him an edge/OLB hybrid, he’s in the running for most athletic (46:47).

Biggest Upside

• Harold Perkins (LSU): Multiple hosts endorse him if used as a pure edge/spy (47:32–48:59).

  "I think this guy's at his best when he pins his ears back, gets after the quarterback." — Tommy Yarish (48:34)

• Arvell Reese: Still raw, but huge “gap” between now and potential (49:02–49:34).
• Malachi Lawrence: Nick Harris votes him for all three superlatives: athletic, upside, value.

Biggest Value

• Akeem Mezador: “Ready to contribute now and trustworthy,” especially if taken around 20 (50:00–50:55).
• Jayson Barham (Michigan): LB/edge tweener with versatility; “just wins by running past people” (51:01–51:54).
• Joshua Josephs (Tennessee): Strong potential, just needs more pass rush plan/technique (52:00–52:10).

Biggest Risk

• Keldrick Falk (Auburn): Great run defender, but unproven as a pass rusher—classed as the “traits get guys in trouble” case (52:35–53:23).
• Cashius Howell: Specialist edge rusher with high tools but risk of being "just" a rotational player (53:28–54:13).

  "Historically, when we've seen teams draft specialist type edge rushers, really high doesn't work. It has not consistently clicked." — Tommy Yarish (53:33)

• Other risky profiles: Prospects with “cool metrics” but nothing proven on field (e.g., LT Overton, Reuben Bane due to rare measurables).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I literally just said it at the very beginning.” (Panel ribbing Voch for repeating a point, 05:54)
• “You, you can talk me into like Maui Noah... if he was sitting there and they’ve gotten absolutely cleaned out and you can’t trade out, then I could potentially be talked into going that direction.” — Tommy Yarish (12:36)
• “I think you hit the nail on the head. ...regardless of round, I think they draft a linebacker no matter what.” — Voch Lombardi (32:20)
• “I think Jerry... loves overdrafting the second dude that they’re drafting a year. The Cowboys love doing it.” — Bobby Belt (35:09)
• “Traits get guys in trouble.” — Wisdom relayed from personnel discussions (53:00)
• “We going to jail, y’ all.” — Voch, on offensive firepower if Dallas drafts Jeremiah Love (36:22)

Segment Timestamps

• 01:00 — Draft news: Jalen Waddle traded, Miami picks at 11 & 30
• 03:35-06:37 — Miami’s draft options, implications for WR run
• 10:10-15:44 — Debate: Defending drafting offense if wiped at defense; trade-down scenarios
• 17:01 — Twitter questions: Secondary, safety, linebacker needs after free agency
• 25:23 — School-specific drafting hypothetical (Clemson, Miami, LSU, Georgia, etc.)
• 36:09 — Jeremiah Love (RB) at 12: Would they do it?
• 42:07 — EDGE rusher superlatives and scouting
  • 43:02 — Most technically skilled edge
  • 45:10 — Most athletic edge
  • 47:28 — Biggest upside edge
  • 50:00 — Biggest value pick at edge
  • 52:35 — Biggest risk at edge
• 55:29–END — Wrap-up, preview of future episodes

Takeaways for Cowboys Fans

• Offense is very much in play at pick 12—especially if value and the board dictate.
• Expect the Cowboys to consider DB and LB high despite free agency moves, especially as new coaching staff adjusts philosophy.
• Edge rusher class is deep but risky, with high upside prospects mixed with “traits over tape” concerns.
• BPA rules the day: If a top offensive player outgrades available defenders, the Cowboys could surprise with a non-defensive pick.
• Trade-back remains possible, but “the phone might not ring.”

If you missed the episode, this recap gives you the key news, arguments, and the colorful personality on display during the Draft Show—setting up storylines to watch as the NFL Draft approaches.