The Draft Show — “Round 1 In the Books”
Date: April 25, 2025
Host: Dallas Cowboys Draft Coverage Team
Panel: Kyle Yeomans, Bryan Broaddus, Bobby Belt, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish, Vox Lombardi, Zach Wolchuk (rotating)
Location: The Star, Frisco, Texas
Episode Overview
Night one of the 2025 NFL Draft delivered on the “total chaos” forecast, with high-profile trades, last-minute surprises, and shifting draft boards, especially impacting the Dallas Cowboys. Broadcasting live steps from the Cowboys’ war room, the panel recapped every twist, from the shockwaves of Jacksonville’s blockbuster move, to Dallas’ heartbreak with their top wide receiver target, and the ultimate addition of a mauling offensive lineman.
Central Theme:
- The hunt (and eventual heartbreak) for elite offensive weapons at #12 for Dallas
- Real-time board management: pivoting from preferred targets amid a shifting first round
- Reflections on the best team-building strategies and value left for Day 2
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Stage: Draft Night Energy & Early Chaos
(Timestamp: 00:45–04:44)
- Kyle Yeomans welcomes the audience, previewing “three days…of total chaos” with the Cowboys panel.
- The group introduces themselves, emphasizing the deep experience in the room, with Bryan Broaddus humorously tracing his draft coverage back to 1992.
- Tension over “formal dress” is relieved by joking about Bobby Belt’s hat/hair issues (02:49).
“12 full months of diligent planning, intense legwork…all combine into these 257 picks of total chaos. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
— Kyle Yeomans (00:45)
2. Cowboys' Primary Target: Tetairoa McMillan Watch
(Timestamp: 03:40–10:52)
- Broaddus and Harris share that McMillan, wide receiver from Arizona, has been the focus of Cowboys’ interest at #12.
- Panel discusses the “minefield” of teams ahead likely to take McMillan—Jacksonville, New Orleans, even trade-up rumors involving Chicago.
- Early consensus is that trading up is too costly; trading back is more palatable, if the Cowboys are wiped.
“Dallas…they might have to walk a little bit of a minefield to get there [to McMillan], but boy, that’s part of the journey here with this draft.”
— Bryan Broaddus (04:44)
- Nick Harris: “I am on the team of never trading up in this draft…draft capital is certainly going to be more worth than what they could potentially give up even two or three spots.”
3. If Not McMillan—What’s Next? Pivot Scenarios
(Timestamp: 08:32–16:49)
- The hosts break down what the board looks like if McMillan is gone: names like Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden (WR), Tyler Booker & Gray Zabel (OL), and defensive linemen Mason Graham, Walter Nolan.
- Consensus grows that if McMillan is wiped, trade back becomes most likely; if stuck, Dallas would go with “a player they like and feel good about.”
- Panel highlights the extreme depth at positions like running back, but the relative scarcity of “can’t miss” prospects at the top this year.
“If you have a large group, why not slide back three to five spots—it gives you an easier decision later down the line?”
— Nick Harris (15:10)
4. Trade Markets & League-Wide Moves
(Timestamp: 11:52–15:01; throughout 80:54–88:43)
- Bobby Belt discusses potential trade partners: Seattle is a logical dance partner due to draft capital, but warns, “so many teams want to move back, it’s a buyer’s market.”
- Talk centers on the effects of aggressive trading at the top—especially Jacksonville’s move up for Travis Hunter, which reverberated through the entire round and helped push McMillan closer to Dallas’ range.
“Teams are willing to come up, because the price of playing poker is not that expensive.”
— Bryan Broaddus (13:19)
5. Live Draft Room Reactions — Cowboys' Targets Wiped
(Timestamp: 130:02–131:53)
- Drama unfolds live: Carolina takes Tetairoa McMillan at #8, breaking Cowboys hearts and forcing an immediate pivot on air.
- The entire panel recognizes Dallas was prepared for this scenario—Booker, Zabel, golden, and defensive names become the focus.
- “A real-time test of your board” as all agree, you learn what the Cowboys really think based on who they pick or if they push hard to move down.
“They were ready for this. It doesn't hurt them less, though.”
— Bobby Belt (131:30)
6. The Pick — Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama at No. 12
(Timestamp: 149:57–153:45; 175:03–177:20)
- After fielding (but declining) a low-ball trade offer from Houston, Dallas stands pat and takes Tyler Booker, plug-and-play right guard from Alabama.
- Draft room insights: Broaddus describes Booker as a “mauler,” a “bulldozer,” and perfect to help reinforce the interior run game, replacing Zach Martin.
- Booker’s “alpha” leadership and SEC-tested pedigree highlighted as key tiebreakers.
- Reaction is enthusiastic; Vox Lombardi (Vach) notes Dallas’ interior line goes from “needing help” to “strong as hell.”
“You got three people pushers in the middle. Run game is about to be physical, ladies and gentlemen.”
— Vox Lombardi (154:03)
“They feel like they’re not guessing at all on this one.”
— Bobby Belt (156:55)
Notable Quotes After Pick:
- Bryan Broaddus reads a scout’s text: “Booker was my favorite player in my area.” (155:37)
- “You get to remake your offensive line, and you do it in one pick.”
— Kyle Yeomans (158:57)
7. Listener/Viewer Feedback: Fan Reactions and Draft Philosophy
(Timestamp: 224:31–228:39)
- Some fans grumble about not getting a WR, but the panel reminds: “You can't throw the football if you can't block and protect your quarterback… never a bad idea to be putting stuff in the trenches.”
— Zach Wolchuk
- Calls for patience: “Take a deep breath. There's a lot of NFL draft left and still plenty of wide receivers and running backs you can attack.”
— Zach Wolchuk
8. Outlook for Day 2 – Value & Strategy
(Timestamp: 285:09–301:59)
-
They discuss how, with only two RBs and several WRs taken, there is rare depth for Cowboys to shop for value at #44 and #76.
-
Luther Burden (WR, Missouri) is a consensus “run to the podium” target if he starts slipping.
-
Broaddus: “I definitely think about going after [Burden] if it was me.”
-
Emphasis on “Don’t overthink it” — plenty of good corners, runners, and receivers left for Friday if Dallas stays patient.
Most Notable Quotes & Moments
-
“Dallas…they might have to walk a little bit of a minefield to get there [to McMillan], but boy, that's part of the journey.”
— Bryan Broaddus (04:44) -
“You have three people pushers in the middle. Run game is about to be physical, ladies and gentlemen.”
— Vox Lombardi (154:03) -
“They feel like they're not guessing at all on this one.”
— Bobby Belt (156:55)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:45–04:44: Opening, cast intros, setting the theme of “chaos”
- 04:44–08:32: McMillan watch and trade-up/trade-down scenarios
- 08:32–16:49: Alternate plans if McMillan wiped, deep dive on other targets
- 11:52–15:01: Cowboys trade market analysis
- 80:54–88:43: Real-time reaction to live trades at the top, shifting board
- 130:02–131:53: Cowboys react to losing McMillan (Carolina at #8)
- 149:57–153:45: Cowboys pick Tyler Booker, live discussion and instant breakdown
- 175:03–177:20: Secret audio of Cowboys’ war room phone call to Tyler Booker
- 224:31–228:39: Addressing fan reactions, looking ahead at value for Day 2
- 285:09–301:59: Day 2 strategy — targets, trade-up/down talk, optimism
Summary Table: Cowboys First Round Options & Ultimate Pick
| Preferred (Wiped) | Backup Pool (Considered, Not Taken) | The Pick | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------| | Tetairoa McMillan (WR) | Matthew Golden (WR); Emeka Egbuka (WR); | Tyler Booker (OG, AL) | | | Gray Zabel (OL); Walter Nolan (DT); | | | | Defensive names: Mikel Williams, Jalen Walker| |
Final Thoughts
The Draft Show’s night one episode delivered authentic, in-the-moment reactions and robust analysis as the draft unfolded. Cowboys fans looking for high-profile weapons swallowed a bitter pill when McMillan came off the board to Carolina, but the panel convincingly explained the value of re-fortifying the trenches with Tyler Booker—“the safest, most needed pick”—especially with a loaded RB/WR crop for Day 2. The recurring message: be patient, set your board, and trust the work.
Next up: The team preps for a potentially juicy second round, with strong WRs, RBs, and DBs still ripe for picking.