The Draft Show: Predicting the Future (April 17, 2025)

Host: Kyle Yeomans
Analysts: Bryan Broaddus, Voch Lombardi, Tommy Yarish
Producer: Chris Beam
Podcast Theme: Deep-dive Dallas Cowboys and NFL Draft analysis, breaking down team needs, ideal draft strategy, and risers/fallers one week before the 2025 NFL Draft.

Episode Overview

With the 2025 NFL Draft just a week away, the crew debates ideal draft strategies for the Dallas Cowboys, focusing on when and how deep certain key positions should be addressed. The episode delivers insightful takes on wide receiver, cornerback, defensive tackle, and offensive line classes, examines prospect risers and fallers, and responds to lively listener questions about draft-night scenarios.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Draft Strategy: How Late Can You Wait to Fill Key Positions?

• Wide Receiver 2

  • Consensus: WR2 needs to be drafted high – second or no later than third round for a true starter-type.
  • Voch Lombardi (05:35): “I would say round two is as late as I would feel confident [about getting a WR2]. Once we get past Simmons or Mimbo, I'm not really looking for offensive tackle at all. ... Once we get past round two, I'm moving on from wide receiver.”
  • Tommy Yarish names Kyle Williams (Washington State) and Savion Williams (TCU) as suitable WR2 options, mentions value in their run-after-catch and versatility (07:53).
  • Bryan Broaddus: Is higher on Trey Harris (Ole Miss) at 44 and appreciates the WR class depth through round three, but warns holding off past then means missing on top-tier upside.

• Cornerback

  • Voch Lombardi calls CB the “deepest position in the draft,” feeling comfortable looking even into rounds 4-5 for starting-caliber talent: “Corners is deep in this class” (13:40).
  • Broaddus cautions that while there’s depth, true starters are likely to be found in rounds 2-3, referencing Philadelphia’s rapid turnaround by investing premium picks at CB (15:47).
  • Kyle Yeomans points out a rotational guy can be secured in 4-5, but a bonafide starter still needs to come earlier (14:13).

• Defensive Tackle (One-Tech/Run Stuffer)

  • Voch prefers attacking this need by the third round, mentioning C.J. West, Peebles, Collins, and Caldwell as the last viable batch for a starting 1-tech (53:16).
  • Broaddus & Yarish note a likely “run” of 320+-pound DTs mid-draft, warning that waiting too long could leave only rotational types and urging action before pick 76.

• Offensive Line (Guard/Tackle)

  • Voch likes starting options through the third round: “So like third round for me for guard” (63:27).
  • Yarish highlights Miles Frazier (LSU) as the last guard he’d count on for a starting role.
  • Broaddus points to Luke Kandra (Cincinnati, 4th round grade) as his cutoff line for a starter who can truly push Brock Hoffman.

2. Is Dallas More Comfortable at WR than Fans Are?

• The crew debates whether the Dallas front office is more confident in its current WR group (including Mingo, Tolbert, Flournoy, Brooks) than media/fans are (10:27).
• Speculation about whether the team’s numerous pre-draft WR visits are real or a smokescreen. Broaddus even suggests corner might be a more urgent need than WR.

3. Positional Value & Board Differences from Previous Years

• They compare Jade Baron’s grade to last year’s top CBs (18:10), noting how positional classes fluctuate and how inflation in draft class quality impacts the value at pick 12 (19:02).
• “This draft, man, we gotta account for inflation... this is one of them drafts where the dude that we draft at 12 this year ain't gonna be like the dude that went 12 last year.” – Voch Lombardi (19:04)

4. Twitter on the 20: Answering Listener Questions

Notable Tweets & Their Responses

• Biggest Prospect Fallers/Risers

  • Faller examples: Nick Scorton (Texas A&M, former top-10 buzz, now not even in all 3-round mocks, 27:35), Cam Williams (Texas OT, rawness and lack of polish exposed, 28:12).
  • Risers: Brandon Mimbu (Missouri OT, from fringe first-round to potential top-10, 44:17), Golden and Booker among OTs climbing throughout the process (44:47).

• Would the Cowboys Poll Dak Prescott about WR Preferences?

  • Broaddus: “Jerry Jones likes to solicit opinions... you would ask, but you wouldn't say, okay, we're going to draft the guy that you tell us to draft based on you and you alone” (33:55).

• If Top WRs are Gone at 12, Trade Back or Take BPA?

  • Group consensus: Don’t bank on a trade back (36:32). “For 13 drafts, I sat there and watched the phone not ring.” — Broaddus (38:02); “If you like the player, take him.” (38:56)
  • Example fallback options if wiped out at 12: Mimbu at OT, Emeka Egbuka at WR (39:01).

5. Prospect Scouting Highlights

Defensive Tackles

• Tyler Williams (Ohio State): Debate over 2nd vs. 3rd round value. Voch loves his mobility and lateral play for a big man; Broaddus feels he’s too reliant on power and struggles to disengage (56:43).
• Collins (Texas): Divides opinion; Voch says his ceiling is higher, but technique is raw. Warns there will be a "run" on big DTs mid-draft (58:33).
• Walter Nolan (A&M): Broaddus has him as DT2 behind Mason Graham; lauds his power, constant double-teams, and fight through adversity (62:12).

Offensive Line

• Kelvin Banks (Texas OT): Question about why he’s “fallen” — Broaddus says maybe he just didn’t rise as others did, nothing inherently wrong, and he’s still a top-5 player on his board (45:13).
• Luke Kandra (Cincinnati): Broaddus’s deepest true starter, fourth-round grade (64:02), plenty of physical and technical upside.

6. Memorable Quotes & Banter

• On position runs and draft class depth:
  “This is going to be a draft with a run on defensive tackles... once you miss that run, you might only get rotational guys.” – Kyle Yeomans, (60:47)

• “Teams are terrible at drafting. ... Like, you can go find [their] record, but you can also, like, find ours.” – Voch Lombardi, (47:55)

• On Twitter smokescreens:
  “Are they smokescreening us maybe? ... Or did they bring all these guys in to say, listen, we’re not going to give anybody an opportunity to get a gauge of what we’re doing?” – Bryan Broaddus (11:05)

• On draft trade realities:
  “Sometimes we get spoiled in draft simulators... just because you can always trade back in Madden doesn’t mean it happens on draft night.” – Bryan Broaddus, (38:02)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [04:35] – Debate over timing for drafting WR2
• [12:33] – Deep dive into CB class and positional value
• [26:35] – Twitter on the 20: Biggest prospect risers and fallers
• [33:55] – Reader Q: Would Dak get input on WR choice?
• [36:32] – If top WRs gone at 12, do you trade down or take BPA?
• [53:16] – Interior defensive line draft depth and drop-off
• [62:53] – Establishing final cut-off for starting OL picks

Takeaways & Final Thoughts

• The Cowboys’ biggest needs (WR2, CB, DT, OL) match up well with the depth in the 2025 class, but patience is needed so as not to miss position “runs.”
• Take key starting talent at need positions in the first three rounds or risk being forced into rotational or developmental types.
• There’s healthy skepticism about the team’s faith in current WRs, and whether smokescreens are putting off the scent of actual draft intentions.
• Trade-back scenarios are sexy for fans, but don’t assume the phone will ring at 12.
• Ultimately, as Broaddus pointed out: “If you like the player, take him.”

Panel’s Parting Recommendations

• Target WR2 and CB by round two or three, DT before 76 overall, and OL by the third or fourth for the last possible conclusive starter.
• If wiped out at a position, pivot to BPA at another need—don’t count on a trade, and don’t reach far down the position board.
• Prepare for a busy early draft weekend: “You’re going to have to address needs early in the top 80 picks.” — Kyle Yeomans (64:31)

For Cowboys Nation, the table is set for a high-stakes, high-leverage draft. Tune in next week as the predictions are put to the test!

Listener Reminder:

• Draft 101 Event is Thursday evening at the Fan Showroom, 4131 North Central Expressway, Dallas. Come grab a Whataburger and meet the team!