The Draft Show: Secrets from Radio Row

Dallas Cowboys | February 26, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Nick Harris, Tommy Yarish
Location: Live from Radio Row at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, IN

Episode Overview

This episode brings listeners inside the heart of NFL Draft season as the Dallas Cowboys' draft team broadcasts from Radio Row at the NFL Scouting Combine. With interviews underway and the buzz building ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft (now just 57 days away), the crew of Kyle Yeomans, Nick Harris, and Tommy Yarish breaks down the Cowboys’ draft strategy, the significance of formal/informal combine interviews, position group priorities, and rising prospects. Deep dives include the front seven’s heavy focus, potential surprise picks at defensive tackle, and the inside scoop on prospects the Cowboys are targeting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Atmosphere of the Scouting Combine

[00:30-02:41]

• The combine is characterized as “a football convention,” a unique chance for networking, deals, and football evaluation that impacts rosters for years to come.
• Kyle expresses excitement at returning since 2023, noting this is a pivotal offseason for Dallas — “already a buzz… Dallas has two first round picks… new coaching staff… a little worry mixed in… you don’t have any day two picks… trying to leave out day two.”

2. Cowboys Draft Context: 2026 Outlook

[02:41-04:07]

• Dallas holds two first-round picks but lacks day two selections, intensifying focus on maximizing early and late-round value.
• Key offseason themes:
  • New hope for the defense under DC Christian Parker
  • Offensive progress in 2025
  • Uncertainty and intrigue regarding roster direction

3. Formal vs. Informal Combine Interviews

[04:07-09:33] Nick Harris explains the process:

• Formal meetings:
  • Up to 45 per team
  • 18–20 minutes each with coaching staff, scouts, position coaches
  • Goal: “make the player uncomfortable, see how they respond.”
  • Not a guarantee of intent to draft, but formal meetings have led to past 1st-round picks (e.g., Tyler Guyton, Tyler Booker).
• Informal meetings:
  • Can be spontaneous, even chance encounters (“bumping into an assistant coach at the airport”)
• The Cowboys had already used at least 28 formal interviews by the first day, mostly with front seven players (LB/DE/DT). “Well over half are coming in that front seven. That shows you how many resources the Cowboys are dedicating…” (Nick Harris, [06:06])

[06:25-07:35]

• Defensive back formal interviews haven’t begun yet — expectation is these will be filled with names from positions of need (safety, corner). Questions arise about the balance between defensive vs. offensive meetings, hinting at defensive priority in early rounds.

4. What Can We Infer from Interviews?

[08:12-11:32]

• “It’s not a direct indication that Dallas is interested in drafting this specific prospect…” (Kyle Yeomans, [08:12]) — but bulk position focus suggests draft intentions.
• Previous years saw formal meetings not resulting in picks at those positions; teams sometimes interview to gather intel on divisional rivals’ likely choices.
• 6 defensive tackles among early formal interviews, notably Peter Woods (Clemson) stands out:
  • “We have… versatility… some of my best play has been at the four-‘I’” (Peter Woods, paraphrased by Nick, [10:46])

5. Front Seven Focus & Defensive Tackle Debate

[11:32-14:27]

• Debate over need vs. value:
  • Tommy sees other needs (pass rush, linebacker, corner, safety) as more pressing than defensive tackle — “there’s nothing wrong with taking your best position group and making it stronger, but… I think you need to allocate your resources there.” [12:42]
  • Kyle notes, if DT is taken, “…then you must have done something significant in free agency…” [13:16]
  • Nick adds context on Clemson’s underuse of Peter Woods, and why his versatility is still intriguing.

6. Cowboys’ Tracked Formal Interviews (Front Seven Heavy)

[18:08-29:37]

• Notable Prospects Interviewed (Front 7 & select DBs):

  • Linebackers: Arvell Reese (Ohio State), Sonny Styles (OSU), C.J. Allen (Georgia), Kendall Daniels (Oklahoma), Harold Perkins (LSU), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Josiah Trotter (Missouri), Scooby Williams (Texas A&M), Xavian Sory (Arkansas), Caleb Elarms (TCU), among others.
    • Harold Perkins: “The Cowboys have also scheduled a dinner with Harold Perkins the night before his pro day…” (Nick Harris, [20:54])
  • Defensive Tackles: Caleb Banks (Florida), Darrell Jackson Jr. (FSU), Peter Woods (Clemson), Xavian Harris (Ole Miss), Gary Smith III (UCLA), Nick Barrett (South Carolina)
    • “He (Gary Smith III) said Kenny Clark is the guy he models his game after.” (Nick Harris, [25:17])
  • Defensive Ends: Reuben Bain Jr. (Miami), Cassius Howell (Texas A&M), David Bailey (Texas Tech), Keyron Crawford (Auburn), Josh Josephs (Tennessee), Danny Dennis-Sutton (Penn State), Zion Young (Missouri), Milakai Lawrence (UCF), Akeem Mezador (Miami), T.J. Parker (Clemson), Trey Moore (Texas), Mason Thomas (Oklahoma)
    • “Trend with a lot of these defensive ends… fit that role in a 3-4/4-3 spacing… stand up rusher… maximize athleticism off the edge, but also step back into coverage…” (Nick Harris, [26:42])
  • Defensive Backs: Caleb Downs (Ohio State), several others expected in upcoming days.

• Offensive interviews are minimal so far — only Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame RB) is mentioned ([07:35], [29:00]).

7. Twitter on the 20: Listener Q&A

[35:11-43:10]

• Pick at #12: Sonny Styles vs. Monsour Delane
  • Unanimous: Sonny Styles is the pick (“He’s the best player on my board… his intelligence is a big reason why”—Tommy, [19:44])
• Pick at #20: C.J. Allen vs. Brandon CC
  • All select Allen for his intelligence and “instincts and the smarts in the middle… communicator (from) Day 1” (Nick Harris, [37:50])
• Where can Dallas find a starter at pick 112?
  • “If you look at the data… day 3 safeties… you’ve seen more starters immediately from the safety position” — Nick’s data-driven take ([38:43])
  • Tommy leans linebacker for special teams value.
• Most surprising trends from formal meetings?
  • Heavy defensive tackle and defensive end focus, and overall defensive slant in the first 30 meetings.

8. Potential for a Surprise DT Pick?

[41:22-42:25]

• Consensus: Defensive tackle is a “sleeper position” that could surprise, but still not likely unless DTs vault up the value chart or other needs are addressed in free agency.

9. Draft Priorities by Position (at #12 and #20)

[42:03-43:10]

• Top 5 likely positions for the Cowboys at 12 and 20:
  1. Linebacker
  2. Corner
  3. Edge
  4. Safety
  5. Defensive tackle / Off. tackle (ranking debated)
  • Defensive tackle is ranked above most offensive positions, reflecting the interview focus.

10. Insider Combine & Coaching Notes

[44:19-46:17]

• Behind-the-scenes meetings with agents, including for George Pickens and kicker Brandon Aubrey.
• Positive first impressions from interviews with new Cowboys position coaches about what traits and styles they want in players.
• “Marcus Dixon (DT coach) was fantastic… his insight on what he’s looking for at defensive tackle was great… Derek Ansley… what are they looking for at corner? Physical guys who are tough … great insight” (Tommy Yarish, [45:13])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On formal interviews:
  “They can put them on the whiteboard, they can test them… the goal is to make them uncomfortable… see how they respond.”
  — Nick Harris, [04:07]

• On the sheer volume of defensive interviews:
  “28 of them one day… over half are coming in… front seven. That shows you how many resources the Cowboys are dedicating…”
  — Nick Harris, [06:06]

• On why formal meetings don’t always indicate true draft intention:
  “…sometimes it’s like, hey, I know so and so is going to draft this player. Let’s bring him in to see what he’s about…”
  — Nick Harris, [09:33]

• On balancing the draft board at DT:
  “There’s nothing wrong with taking your best position group and making it stronger, but when everything else you just have a need at, I think you need to allocate your resources there.”
  — Tommy Yarish, [12:42]

• Insider detail on linebacker leadership:
  “CJ Allen today talked about how… at Georgia, the defensive coordinator… did not [call plays]. It was C.J. Allen who was calling plays on the field for Georgia this past season.”
  — Nick Harris, [22:57]

• On DE/OLB fit in the new defense:
  “You'll see a trend with a lot of these defensive ends… they can be a stand up rusher and maximize their athleticism off the edge, but also step back into coverage… that is exactly what they talked about during my formal meeting…”
  — Nick Harris, [26:42]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:30-02:41] — Combine atmosphere and NFL networking
• [04:07-09:33] — In-depth explanation of formal and informal interview processes
• [06:06] — Cowboys using 28/45 formal interviews on front seven players
• [10:46] — Peter Woods’ positional versatility and fit
• [14:27] — Deep dive on Clemson’s player management and positional fit
• [18:08-29:37] — Run-through of all known formal interview prospects
• [20:54] — Cowboys’ extra dinner meeting with Harold Perkins
• [26:42] — Defensive end trends and Christian Parker’s scheme
• [35:11-43:10] — Twitter on the 20 Q&A: pick debates and position priorities
• [41:22-42:25] — Defensive tackle as a sleeper first-round option
• [44:19-46:17] — Coaching staff interviews, new defensive philosophy insights

Tone and Style

Energetic and detailed, balancing true insider football analysis with fan engagement, friendly banter, and “war room” rigor. The crew is candid and collaborative, regularly referencing their own evaluation process, data, and direct conversations with league and team insiders.

Conclusion

This combine episode of The Draft Show offers a deep, inside look at draft strategy, position trends, and scouting philosophies as Dallas gears up with two first-rounders. The heavy lean toward defensive prospects, especially the front seven, signals a likely draft focus, while some “sleeper” positions (like defensive tackle) could still surprise. Listeners come away with a clear view of where the Cowboys' scouting priorities lie, how the combine interviews shape those plans, and which rising prospects to watch as the road to the 2025 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh continues.

Next episodes this week will dive further into defensive back interviews, more offensive prospects, and breaking team news from Indianapolis.