The Draft Show: Potential Sleeper Picks at 20?
Dallas Cowboys Podcast | March 5, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish, Bobby Belt
Episode Overview
This episode dives into potential "sleeper" prospects for the Cowboys around the 20th overall pick in the fast-approaching 2025 NFL Draft. The hosts break down under-discussed players on both offense and defense, analyze prospects' fit with the Cowboys, and debate hot takes on the scouting process. The crew also fields Twitter questions about positional fits and risk/reward scenarios, offers insight on team philosophy changes with new coaching, and, as always, brings fun and friendly banter.
Scouting the Under-the-Radar Prospects
Segment Start: [03:22]
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
- Tommy Yarish: Advocates for Johnson as a "polarizing prospect" who grew steadily at SDSU. “He’s not going to run 4.3 speed, but he ran a 4.4 at the combine… His fundamentals are great, and he can limit quicker receivers.”
- Nick Harris: Considers Johnson “pretty much stamped a day two, probably round two pick,” especially after a strong combine.
- Voch Lombardi: Loves his instincts in zone; "He had a nasty pick in the Cal game baiting the quarterback."
- Consensus: Late 1st/early 2nd-round possibility, especially after a trade back.
Chris Brazel, WR, Tennessee (via Tulane)
- Nick Harris: “Dog mentality... He’ll talk that s*** on the outside… Big catch radius, high floor. Would not surprise me if he sneaks into the back of the first round.” [06:35]
- Brings up concerns about Tennessee’s WR system translating to the NFL.
- Defends Brazel’s route running and proven production at Tulane.
- Bobby Belt: Notes NFL teams’ wariness of Tennessee WRs, referencing previous prospects who haven't translated well.
- Kyle Yeomans: Brazel’s success in multiple systems gives him more pro appeal than past Tennessee wideouts.
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
- Nick Harris: Highlights Price’s “high floor, smooth as a runner, strong in pass protection.” Scouts loved him in interviews. Day two/three value.
Jake Goldie, LB, Cincinnati
- Bobby Belt: “Not all-world athleticism, but great instincts, size, and processing. Needs to take on blocks with more physicality.” Considers him a modern, versatile LB who could sneak into the late first.
Jayshawn Barham, LB/EDGE, Michigan
- Voch Lombardi: “A Walmart (Arvell) Reese… Can play off-ball or rush the passer. Super explosive off the edge, but needs discipline and technique.” [13:45]
- Nick Harris: Sees him more as a day-three pick; "liked last year's off-ball tape but athletic testing was underwhelming."
- Bobby Belt: Emphasizes the need for Barham to play under control; otherwise, he gets lost by overpursuit.
Players the Hosts Are Higher On Than Consensus
Segment Start: [15:31]
Keldrick Falk, DE/EDGE
- Bobby Belt: “People talk him down, but he’s a first-round guy for me, not top-10, but easily top-32. Power, frame, and quick reaction in the run game.” [16:17]
Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
- Voch Lombardi: “I like him more than McNeil Warren. Wheatley’s range jumps him up the board for me—a safety who can roam ‘the roof’ and tackle. I might have him higher than anybody else.” [17:16]
Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
- Tommy Yarish: “Fantastic at attacking the ball and in coverage. Best as a deep-coverage free safety.” [18:18]
- Bobby Belt: Sees him more as a strong safety: “I’d rather him playing forward pretty consistently.”
Dalen Everett, CB, Georgia
- Nick Harris: “Top-50 player; best run-defending corner in this class. Zone-coverage fit but has the length and had a great combine." [19:48]
- Group: Agrees he’s undervalued; “top-10 corner in this draft, definitely a possibility.” [21:42]
Twitter Q&A: Draft Scenarios & Philosophies
Segment Start: [26:50]
First-Round Pairings: Safety & Cornerback
- Choices: C.J. Allen & Dylan Thieneman (S) vs. Mansoor Delane (CB) & Emmanuel McNeil Warren (S). [27:36]
- Bobby Belt & Voch Lombardi: Prefer Allen and Thieneman, citing readiness.
- Tommy Yarish: Stands by Delane & McNeil Warren, believes McNeil Warren’s skillset fits as a box safety even if he lacks deep range.
- Nick Harris: Challenges the logic: “So your safety can’t play safety?” Strongly values versatility.
- Bobby Belt: Skeptical: “I imagine I’m going to have 50 players above Emmanuel McNeil Warren.”
Safety Rankings
- Top consensus: Downs and Thieneman as first-round grades with Wheatley, Halsey, McNeil Warren rounding out the top five.
Using Draft Picks/Player Values
- Discussion on the risk of being “wiped out” at 12 or 20 and reaching for next-tier defenders or trading back.
Defensive Line and 4i Position Candidates
- Names like Solomon Thomas and Deny Dennis-Sutton surface as potential 4i fits in Christian Parker’s new scheme. [33:17]
Day 3 Edge Rusher Favorites
- Kylon Crawford, Auburn (Tommy/Yarish, Voch): “Raw but freak athlete, high ceiling."
- Ethan Burke, Texas (Nick Harris): “Hasn’t played football long, but huge upside."
- Anthony Lucas, USC (Bobby): “Traits and size, no instincts yet, but upside."
- Malachi Lawrence, UCF (Nick Harris): “Stock rising—probably a Day 2 pick now.”
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Chris Brazel’s toughness:
“He’ll talk that s*** on the outside. He’ll go up against your best corner and he won’t be afraid.”
—Nick Harris, [05:37] -
On Zakee Wheatley’s value:
“Whenever you can fly around the football field, you can run and you can cover some damn grass as a safety, that'll throw you up the board for me.”
—Voch Lombardi, [17:35] -
Everett on the run:
“There is not a better run defending corner in this class in my opinion."
—Nick Harris, [19:48] -
On Twitter Q&A fights:
“So your safety can’t play safety?”
—Nick Harris, [29:58] -
Colton Hood Media Buzz
Colton Hood could be on Dallas’ radar as high as pick 20, with multiple hosts hearing from different league sources. Some suggest he has a similar play style to Quinyon Mitchell, if not quite the same ceiling. -
On stretching for player value:
"When you’re talking about picking at 20… you’re trying to find people who contribute over the next three years… Colton Hood makes sense."
—Bobby Belt, [54:41]
Game Show—Draft ‘Would You Rather’
Segment Start: [46:45]
- Scenario: Choose behind three “doors”: Two have defensive standouts (e.g., Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles), one has a lower-value player (e.g., Diego Pavia).
- Tommy Yarish: “My Texas education tells me you have a 66% chance of getting a defender that's going to help change your defense. I'm taking the deal.” [48:06]
- All hosts say they’d roll the dice, highlighting the stakes and unpredictability at picks 12 and 20.
Other Key Topics
- System Concerns: Ongoing debate about WRs and CBs coming from specific college systems (e.g., Tennessee, Baylor) and translating to NFL schemes.
- How Coaching Changes Affect Evaluation: New DC Christian Parker may value measurables (like length) differently from the old staff, making past tendencies less reliable.
- Combine/Pro Days: Several hosts await specific pro day workouts from key non-combine invitees (e.g., Jermod McCoy, Zion Young, Jordan Tyson, Isaiah Nwokobia).
Closing Thoughts and Banter
Memorable Moment [56:29]
- Voch: “I think when the draft show is really good is when we fussin’ at each other in good faith… Shouts out to Tommy. Tommy had some good fights today.”
- Kyle: “If I’m going to fuss with anybody, I’d much rather be with y’all.”
Takeaways & Flow
- The hosts provide a rapid-fire, in-depth rundown of overlooked prospects who could rise to the Cowboys' first or second pick.
- They challenge each other on player projections and positional value, aiming for realism rather than groupthink.
- The show balances player analysis with schematic discussion—how scheme and fit might trump consensus “rankings.”
- For each player discussed, the crew weighs combine data, film, temperament, and pro potential.
- Friendly argumentation and humor keep things lively and relatable, even as they get granular on scouting.
For listeners wanting specific draft strategy, context on lesser-known prospects, and a taste of the draft room debate, this episode delivers insight with trademark Draft Show camaraderie.