The Draft Show: Preparing for Battle

Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish, Kyle Yeomans
Location: SWBC Studios at The Star in Frisco
Theme: Senior Bowl Preview, Shrine Bowl Recap, Key 2025 Draft Prospect Debates

Episode Overview

With 91 days until the 2025 NFL Draft, the Draft Show crew gears up for draft season’s biggest pre-draft events: the Shrine Bowl and the (newly branded) Panini Senior Bowl. The show features in-depth analysis of quarterback throw sessions, heated debates over edge rushers, initial breakdowns of offensive tackle prospects, and answers to fan questions about linebackers and first-round targets for the Dallas Cowboys. Throughout, the team emphasizes blending analytics with “old-school” film study—and does plenty of on-air homework to back up their strong takes.

Key Segments and Insights

Senior Bowl and Data Analytics at the Shrine Bowl

[04:12–11:57]

• Throwing Session Takeaways: Tommy Yarish reports on a quarterback showcase at the Shrine Bowl, where advanced analytics—including spin rate and spiral efficiency—were tracked by Wilson’s smart footballs.

  • Quarterbacks mentioned: Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Kyron Drones (Virginia Tech), Haynes King (Georgia Tech), Mark Gronowski (South Dakota State), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Baron Morton.
  • Notable quote:
    “Haynes King had the most consistent spin rate with spin efficiency of all quarterbacks.” – Tommy Yarish [05:00]
  • The hosts liken analytics gathering to MLB bullpen sessions, but emphasize that throw sessions "on air" with no defense are just data points—not deal-breakers or makers.

• Throwing Mechanics Deep Dive:

  • Nick Harris details Haynes King's high-armed, old-school mechanics, comparing him to John Elway, with efficiency stats to back it up.
  • Quote:
    “He was born 40 years too late… if he was in the 1986 draft, he’d be the number one overall pick.” – Nick Harris [07:48]

• Film vs. Analytics:

  • Voch Lombardi challenges the over-reliance on minute data, reminding listeners of the importance of raw film and playmaking over perfect numbers.
  • Quote:
    "At some point, we just have to get back to film and go: the film checks out, as opposed to somebody’s analytics." – Voch Lombardi [11:57]

Senior Bowl Edge Rusher Preview

[13:39–23:03]

• Edge Rusher Prospects to Watch:

  • Ruben Bain, David Bailey—top billing, but focus goes to "one-plan" guys who can rise or fall with one-on-one drills.
  • Voch’s Watchlist:
    • Mello Height (Texas Tech): Standout, potential late 1st-round riser.
    • Gabe Jacquez (Illinois), TJ Parker (Clemson), Zion Young (Missouri), Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State): All “run down the middle” types needing to prove they have real pass rush plans and counters.
  • Quote:
    “Right now, let me just say: Mello Height, pass rusher from Texas Tech… might work himself into the end of first round talk by whooping feet versus these guys.” – Voch Lombardi [14:05]

• Development and Planning:

  • The crew describes how Senior Bowl one-on-ones expose both edge rushers and O-linemen who succeed mostly on size and strength at the college level, pushing the need for technique and multiple rush moves.
  • “If you ain’t got a plan in the league, they got moves to latch onto you and make you stop moving.” – Voch Lombardi [15:55]

• Prospect Grades:

  • Dani Dennis-Sutton: 3rd-round grade due to lack of mental processing after initial contact.
  • Praise for chop/rip/second-move rushers like Mesidor (Miami), Ruben Bain, David Bailey.

Twitter on the 20 – Listener Mailbag

[27:16–46:08]

• Sonny Styles (Ohio State) at Linebacker:

  • Versatile, “safety-turned-linebacker” compared with DeMarvion Overshown.
  • “I think he’d be a really good player along with Overshown… together would bring a lot of speed to the table.” – Tommy Yarish [29:13]
  • Debate: Is Styles a WILL or MIKE? Consensus: on Dallas’s roster, he'd have to anchor the middle (MIKE).

• Cowboys’ Worst-Case Draft Wipeout:

  • If Reuben Bain, Jeremiah Love, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, CJ Allen, and others are gone, who would be the pick?
  • Voch likes best-available wide receiver (Jordan Tyson, Brandon Inniss, Lemon).
    • “I'd rather take the best receiver on the board than the fifth rusher just because you need a pass rusher.” – Voch Lombardi [34:19]
  • Corners like Mansoor Delane (LSU) and McCoy (if healthy) in play.

• Cornerback Scenario:

  • Mansoor Delane (LSU) seen as a premier, versatile option; fits needs with new DC search focusing on secondary specialists.

• Edge/Pass Rusher – Cassius Howell (Texas A&M):

  • Debate: Is he second-tier or top-12 worthy?
    • Nick Harris: “The highs of Cassius Howell are some of the best in the class…but he has some of the lowest lows. There are just games where he disappears.” [37:58]
    • Tommy Yarish: Likes tape study, sees limitations against long-armed tackles, thinks he’s mid-second tier.
    • Voch (after on-air homework): Impressed by Howell’s flashes against elite OT Trevor Goosby, emphasizes value of going up against top competition over stat lines. [53:16–54:13]

• Other Edge Prospects:

  • R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma), Keldric Faulk (Auburn) are highlighted as high-motor, versatile “second-round swing” types.

Senior Bowl Offensive Tackle Preview

[56:26–62:21]

• Top Tackles to Watch:

  • Jennings Dunker (Iowa): Classic Iowa run blocker, possibly destined to move inside to guard.
  • Isaiah Worell (Oregon): Athletic, tall (6'8"), but needs technique refinement, often high/overextends, late-season struggles.
  • Max Iheanachor (Arizona State): Impressive footwork, big body, one to watch in isolation drills.
  • J.C. Davis (Illinois): Strong, probably more guard projection.
  • Kage Casey (Boise State): Good in pass pro, Power Four competition a test.
  • Trey Zuhn (Texas A&M): Captain, played with confidence, late-round prospect.
  • Quote:
    “If he’s at tackle and David Bailey’s across from him at practice…it could probably get terrible for Dunker there.” – Voch Lombardi [58:13]

• Importance of Facing Top Competition:

  • “Even if you lose versus one of the best guys, I want to see that you went against those guys. Then I’ll grade you from there.” – Voch Lombardi [55:37]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Analytics vs. Film
  “I wonder how often do we just look at the film and go, alright, I like the film… At some point, we just have to get back to film.” – Voch Lombardi [11:57]
• On Edge Rusher Evaluation
  “If you ain’t got a plan in the league, dog, they got moves to latch onto you and make you stop moving.” – Voch Lombardi [15:55]
• On Haynes King’s Mechanics
  “He brings it so high up and then just brings it down. It’s like he's John Elway… If he was in the 1986 draft, he’d be the number one overall pick.” – Nick Harris [07:48]
• On Facing Top-Flight Tackles
  “I would rather you lose versus top talent than for you to not play against the top talent at all.” – Voch Lombardi [54:13]
• On Best-Available Philosophy
  “I'd rather take the best receiver on the board than the fifth rusher just because you need a pass rusher.” – Voch Lombardi [34:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• **[04:12] Shrine Bowl throw session analytics breakdown
• [06:41] Value and limits of quarterback analytics
• [11:57] Film study over analytics commentary
• [14:05] Senior Bowl edge rushers, “one-plan” types to watch
• [27:16] Listener mailbag begins: Sonny Styles LB fit
• [34:02] Wrapping Cowboys draft wipeout scenario, WR/CB debate
• [37:58] Cassius Howell edge debate
• [53:16] Live tape review: Howell vs. Texas OT Goosby
• [56:26] Offensive tackle preview: Dunker, Worell, others
• [60:18] Max Iheanachor footwork discussion
• [62:27] Final thoughts, prepping for Mobile

Tone and Style

• Conversational, deeply knowledgeable, and authentic—with irreverent asides, playful jabs, and on-air tape study amid passionate debates.

Summary Takeaway

This episode provides a deep, nuanced look at how the Cowboys' draft team is preparing for the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl, with a strong focus on how prospects’ technique, film, and live competition reveal more than pure analytics. The hosts’ willingness to challenge each other, back up their takes with homework, and pivot based on new info makes this an essential listen for draft junkies seeking a real edge on this year’s class.