The Draft Show: Player Evaluations

Dallas Cowboys Draft Show – March 26, 2026

Hosts: Kyle Youmans & Voch Lombardi

Episode Overview

This special edition of the Draft Show dives deep into 2025 NFL Draft evaluations, with a specific focus on player assessments, positional rankings, Cowboys draft philosophy, and interactive fan Q&A via phone calls. With other regulars out at pro days, Kyle and Voch drive wide-ranging discussions covering offensive line prospects, running backs, corners, strategic trade scenarios, and more—providing rich insights for both Cowboys fans and general draft enthusiasts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Offensive Line Evaluations & Kaden Proctor Deep Dive (03:10 – 11:50)

• Voch's O-Line Analysis: Voch highlights trends in mock drafts, notably Georgia’s Monroe Freeling climbing into the top 12 and Utah’s Lomu Fano falling out. He stresses the importance of offensive linemen playing against elite competition.
• Focus on Kaden Proctor (Alabama):
  • Voch meticulously charts Proctor’s matchups against high-quality edge defenders and notes he allowed only one sack (not even to an elite opponent).
  • Attributes: Size (6’6”, 360 lbs), long arms, strong grip, savvy foot placement.
  • Critique: “He don’t move all that fast... he got hand technique. He’s strong as hell. He knows where to put his feet. He don’t cross his feet. He don’t stumble over himself.” (06:18)
  • Ranking: Both hosts rank Proctor as a high second-round grade—just below Maolinua and Fano, but above Freeling and Lomu.
  • Kyle adds: “Did you know he was a track star in high school?...That’s why he tested so well. I do have knocks—he plays high, and his hands get wide—but those things can be coached.” (08:03)
  • Voch’s core principle: Evaluating prospects against actual competition matters more than raw stats or physical traits.

2. The Impact of Competition on Evaluations (09:35 – 10:58)

Voch expands his philosophy: “I don’t mind you losing reps versus good dudes... I want to see you versus better dudes.” He applies this approach across all positions, favoring film against quality opponents to illuminate true NFL potential.

3. Cowboys Draft Strategy & Openness to Offense in R1 (14:41 – 18:06)

• Fan Callers: Several fans advocate for players like Jeremiah Love (RB), Ruben Bane (EDGE), and Monsieur Delane (CB) as “best in class.”
• Voch’s Outlook: “Ya’ll need to prepare yourselves for the idea that an offensive player could be drafted [by Dallas]... I just want ya’ll to be ready.” (15:13)
• Head coach Mike McCarthy recently signaled openness to the best player available, even if that means offense at pick 12 or 20.
• Kyle agrees: “I think you’re going to get a dude at 12, and you’re cartwheeling. But don’t be shocked—if Love is there, or a top OL falls, Dallas could shock people.”

4. Trade-Back Scenarios & Value Judgment (20:08 – 25:15)

• Caller Nick in Austin proposes a trade-down with the Jets for extra picks if key defenders are gone.
• Both Hosts' Take: Only consider a trade if the value aligns—i.e., top targets gone and a reasonable package available. Dylan Thienaman (safety) is specifically mentioned as a player worth moving down for, not at 12 but in the mid-teens.
• Kyle recalls his famous “running bet” from 2020: He ran 13.7 miles when Dallas drafted CeeDee Lamb at 17, fulfilling a promise. This leads to a lighthearted debate about media draft-show “bets.” (24:46)

5. Texas Prospects: Scheme Fit & Draft Range (31:26 – 36:47)

• Malik Muhammad (CB): Both see him as a fourth-round-caliber player: “Better athlete than technician... loose hips, but if you want zone, that’s not it.”
• Anthony Hill Jr. (LB): “Great as a Will linebacker who pass rushes every now and then...but not great in coverage. Dallas wants more of a Mike.”
• Lament about Dallas’ current draft capital probably not matching Hill’s likely second-round range.

6. On Cornerback Urgency and Evaluation (39:53 – 44:03)

• Caller Lester: Advises not to force CBs in R1 unless elite; look mid-rounds, prioritize linebacker and edge.
• Hosts’ Corner Rankings:
  • “The only names I feel like are Delane and—let’s say McCoy falls and the knee’s good—you get him at 20, somebody has to sit.” (41:33)
  • Acknowledges that corner may not actually be Dallas’ top emergency if current players return healthy.

7. Zion Young & Edge Class Depth (45:54 – 49:49)

• Caller Chris: Asks about Zion Young’s stock post-pro day (4.75 40 at 262 lbs).
• Both hosts: “Top 100 player. Third-round grade. Strong, big, great versus the run—but not a finished pass rusher.”
• “When Cowboys go nickel, these big edge/5-tech guys might not have a role unless you play more 3-4.”

8. The Quarterback “Tax” and Poor QB Class (54:58 – 56:34)

• Caller Eric: Wonders if a team could trade up for Ty Simpson (QB).
• Voch: “People think I’m being arrogant when I say teams suck at drafting quarterbacks... I don’t recommend anybody drafting a quarterback high unless they’re a fan of it. It’s a bad class.”
• Kyle lists several QBs with real question marks, none worth a premium pick.

9. Rapid-Fire Twitter Q&A (56:49 – 65:51)

Key scenarios and evaluations:

• Sticking and Picking vs. Trading Down: Preferred combo is Delane (CB, LSU) at 12, Cashius Howe (EDGE, Texas A&M) at 20. (57:48)
• Double Offense in R1? Hosts see it as unlikely, possible only if OL and RB get wiped out and best offensive talent falls.
  • “That’s Team 50-burger,” jokes Kyle about drafting Malinoa and Love (59:03).
• Parker vs. Falk: Hosts debate which edge prospect offers more value; Voch prefers the higher floor of Falk as a run defender (60:43).
• Toughest Evaluations: Lesser-known, ‘tweener’ prospects and small-school guys.
  • Example: Harold Perkins (LB), “He’s strong sometimes, sometimes gets moved around. Sometimes I’d love him as a full-time edge, sometimes not. Tough evaluation.” (63:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kaden Proctor:
  • “I went to my board and I just made a little list, right? Kaden Proctor... only gave up one sack… and it wasn’t against none of these dudes.” — Voch (06:07)
  • “Did you know he was a track star in high school?... That’s why he tested so well.” — Kyle (08:03)
• On Drafting Offense in Round 1:
  • “Y’all need to prepare yourselves for the idea that an offensive player could be drafted.” — Voch (15:13)
  • “Don’t be mad if the Cowboys draft a running back or offensive line... I just want y’all to be prepared for it.” — Voch (17:38)
  • “That’s Team 50-burger right there.” — Kyle, on the possibility of double-dipping in elite offense at the top (59:09)
• On Media Bets:
  • “Maybe I’ll run every stair in the Ford Center. Or maybe I’ll just do the show and be happy with the pick.” — Kyle & Voch, after recalling the CeeDee Lamb “marathon bet” (25:01)
• On Malik Muhammad’s Quote:
  • “80% of the Earth is covered by Malik Muhammad. The other 20% is covered in burnt orange. I was like, I don’t think that’s the right way to use that quote at all.” — Kyle (31:33)
• On QB Class:
  • “Quarterback tax is one of the things that get teams in trouble... Just imagine you had to spend 12 overall on Ty Simpson.” — Voch (55:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Kaden Proctor O-Line Deep Dive: 03:10 – 11:50
• Competition Matters in Evaluation: 09:35 – 10:58
• Cowboys Offense in Round 1 Philosophy: 14:41 – 18:06
• Trade-Down Scenarios: 20:08 – 25:15
• Texas Prospects & Scheme Fits: 31:26 – 36:47
• Cornerback Need Analysis: 39:53 – 44:03
• Zion Young/Edge Deep Dive: 45:54 – 49:49
• Quarterback Class Critique: 54:58 – 56:34
• Rapid Twitter Q&A / Scenarios: 56:49 – 65:51

Final Takeaways

This episode delivers a lively, detail-rich tour through 2025 draft prospects and Cowboys strategy:

• Emphasis on real competition tape and substantive evaluation—not just traits or testing.
• Open-mindedness to BPA (best player available) strategy, even at the expense of fan assumptions about needs.
• Nuanced positional breakdowns (OL, CB, EDGE), as well as draft board philosophy explained.
• Fan interaction shapes the show, bringing out both technical analysis and humor (“Team 50-burger”).
• Voch’s and Kyle’s honest, grounded dialogue offers fans clarity and realistic draft expectations, punctuated by inside jokes and memorable anecdotes.

A can’t-miss for draft nerds and Cowboys diehards alike, blending NFL scouting rigor with plainspoken Cowboys fandom and interactive fun.

Next Up:
Mock Draft episode planned for next week—if all hosts’ schedules align. Stay tuned for full first-round action.