The Draft Show: Stay Put or Trade Out?

Podcast: The Draft Show (DallasCowboys.com)
Episode: Draft Show: Stay Put or Trade Out?
Date: February 3, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Aisha Morrison, Chris Beem, Voch Lombardi (plus Tommy Yarish & Nick Harris)
Context: Analysis and debate on the Dallas Cowboys’ strategies for the 2025 NFL Draft, including whether to keep or trade their top picks, roster needs, and key takeaways from the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl.

Episode Overview

This episode explores the Dallas Cowboys’ draft options just 79 days before the 2025 NFL Draft. The hosts review the strengths and weaknesses of this year's draft class, dissect whether the team should "stick and pick" or trade out of their current draft slots, and reflect on standout players from recent showcase games. Lively debate, team banter, and detailed scouting insights drive a fast-paced and informative hour.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 2025 Draft Class Overview

• Differing Positions of Strength:

  • Linebacker, defensive line (especially edge), and cornerback positions are stronger and deeper than recent years.
  • Offensive line and quarterback classes are considered weak or “down” compared to previous drafts.
  • Running back and wide receiver depth are both called “thin,” with Jeremiah Love a standout at RB.

  “This linebacker class... sneakily has some great players. This defensive line, especially with the edge position, [has] some depth. The cornerback class is deep, solid.”
  — Aisha Morrison [03:14]

• Disappointing Offensive Talent Pool:

  • Comprehensive first-round offensive line options are lacking.
  • Few (if any) superstar playmakers at the top of the WR or RB lists.

• Impact of Quarterbacks Returning to School:

  • Dante Moore and others going back to college means fewer QBs to push talent “down” the board.

2. Cowboys’ Draft Capital – Day Two Frustration

• Lack of 2nd and 3rd Round Picks:

  • The absence of day two picks is “hurting,” limiting flexibility in value-rich rounds.

  “The lack of a Day 2 pick is hurting you right now. And then when you think about where those went, you feel okay... but I’m right there with you.”
  — Kyle Yeomans & Aisha Morrison [05:48-06:01]

• The hosts agree that the 3rd and 4th rounds will hold significant value, especially due to the draft’s positional distribution and the lack of elite QBs.

3. Stick and Pick vs. Trading Back

• Stick and Pick (“Captain Stay Put”):

  • Kyle and Voch argue for sticking and selecting difference makers, referencing recent Cowboys history (e.g. Micah Parsons).
  • Benefits: Secure great defensive talent, avoid the loss of “real” first-round grades.

  “You’re going to have 13 or 14, maybe upwards of 18 first round grades... Confidence level is high [at 12]; you might get one at 20.”
  — Kyle Yeomans [07:09]

• Trade Back:

  • Some scenarios suggest flipping picks for additional 2nd and/or 3rd round selections, but risk missing out on top-tier talent.
  • Trading down works best if a team is desperate to move up for a QB or high-profile WR, which may not happen given this year’s board.

  “If you want to maximize your trade back, you better hope somebody likes one of these quarterbacks to move up to 20 to get them.”
  — Chris Beem [42:40]

  • Cowboys’ Usual Practice:

    • Historically, Dallas makes minimal draft position moves, rarely trading back for huge hauls.

    “Even when they drafted Micah and they traded back, they went back two spots... When they traded back and drafted Tyler Guyton, they went down five spots. They’re not making these massive jumps.”
    — Kyle Yeomans [17:45]

  • On Mock Drafts and Trade Scenarios:

    • Hosts dislike speculative, unrealistic trades, pointing out most mock simulators don’t reflect actual league dynamics.

    “I hate mock draft... Just not the way that people do them, nine times out of ten, it’s not gonna happen like that.”
    — Aisha Morrison [18:18]

4. Best Player Available (BPA) Philosophy

• Emphasis on BPA:

  • Both the front office and hosts stress the importance of drafting the best player available, regardless of short-term roster needs.

    “Despite the fact that we know there’s an emphasis on defense, they are not ruling [out] that offense. As much as it makes me itch... if we want them to go BPA, we need them to go BPA.”
    — Aisha Morrison [11:00]

5. Running Back and Free Agency Considerations

• Dallas’s RB situation is murky; the show agrees the position has been devalued recently, but the right prospect (like Jeremiah Love) would be welcomed if the board falls that way.

• The viability of “going RB early” hinges on free agency moves—especially if Javonte is or isn’t brought back.

• The hosts debate the merits of balancing rookie and veteran (e.g. Javonte Williams) RBs.

  “Because one thing about Javonte—you see what happened to Genti this year, right? You need both [rookie and veteran].”
  — Aisha Morrison [14:10]

6. Doubling Up & Drafting by Position

• If “wiped out” (many board targets gone), which positions would you double-up?
  • D-Line: Most likely, with the logic of creating a strength and future-proofing the roster.
  • Linebacker: Only if top talents fall; still, there are reservations about reaching for LB at 20.

“If I double down, I’ll take two linebackers. If it’s—”
— Chris Beem, [25:58]
“I don’t feel comfortable taking either one of those guys in the first round despite the talent... But I just think, I just don’t think it lines up that way.”
— Aisha Morrison [28:39]

7. Current State of the Linebacker Room

• Discussion of who has true "MIKE" (middle linebacker) potential;
• CJ Allen and Anthony Hill, Jr. mentioned—questions about size and scheme fit.
• Marist Liufau’s role remains unclear—uncertainty about whether he can or should be “the guy” for Dallas.

8. George Pickens Contract Scenario

• Debate over how much not extending Pickens should shift draft priorities to WR—consensus is defense remains the true “emergency.”

• Strong argument for paying Pickens quickly to avoid distractions:

  “Let’s just get it done. Let’s not try to win the negotiation here... You’re at your best when everybody’s at camp, happy, paid, participating.”
  — Chris Beem [34:03]

• Hosts dismiss “character” concerns about Pickens, asserting positive locker-room impact and competitive fire.

9. Trade-Back Compensation in Practice

• Actual NFL trades for picks in 12-20 range rarely yield current-year 2nd or 3rd rounders unless a team is desperate (often for a QB).
• Most returns include a later first, a day two pick, and a future high pick.

10. Senior Bowl & Shrine Bowl Standouts

• Trenches Dominated by Pass Rushers:
  • Edge players outperformed offensive linemen; concern about whether Senior Bowl offensive linemen will translate well to the NFL.
• Max Ehanachor (Arizona State OT):
  • Showed impressive size, movement, and technique; projected as a potential third-round pick but may rise.
• Other O-Lines Discussed:
  • Jake Slaughter (Florida), Jeremiah Wright (Auburn), Cooper Rutledge (Georgia Tech), Jennings Dunker (Iowa) – each with notable skill sets and sometimes position versatility.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I just want the Cowboys to get it right. There's a lot of players that's in that range that I probably won't be feeling. ... Where Cowboy fans get down is when they ask us, well, can we get a Michael Parsons-type guy at 12 this year? And we're like, well, nah, but you can get a nice safety or something.”
  — Chris Beem [03:27]

• “Every time I'm watching [the draft class], I find out somebody that I maybe didn't notice before and they might go to a smaller school or whatever, but they're talented.”
  — Aisha Morrison [04:53]

• “Quit playing. Just take the pick.”
  — Kyle Yeomans [15:45]

• “Put your parts on the table and just take 'em. So that's where I'm at.”
  — Chris Beem [16:29]

• “I don't like the uncertainty... Draft night is so unpredictable.”
  — Aisha Morrison on mock drafts [18:24]

• “You probably have a really good time [at Monster Jam]. People just get drunk and watch and scream.”
  — Aisha Morrison [24:41] (comic relief)

• “If you want to maximize your trade back, you better hope somebody likes one of these quarterbacks to move up to 20 to get them.”
  — Chris Beem [42:40]

• “I feel like this third, fourth round is going to be really rich.”
  — Aisha Morrison [06:01]

• “They need to hit on these picks. They need to hit on these picks.”
  — Aisha Morrison [16:55]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:14: Overview: Strong positions (LB, Edge, CB) in the draft
• 05:48: The pain of lacking 2nd & 3rd round picks
• 07:09: Debate: “Stick and pick” vs. “trade back” philosophy
• 11:00: Importance of BPA and not forcing picks by need
• 14:10: RB room, free agency, and balancing rookie/veteran backs
• 17:45: Cowboys’ historical draft trade tendencies; “Captain stay put”
• 18:18: Host disdain for unrealistic mock drafts
• 25:24: Which position would you “double up” on if wiped out?
• 28:39: LB position analysis; discussion of Hill and Allen
• 34:03: Pickens contract discussion, WR draft urgency, and “pay your stars”
• 42:40: What “real” trade-back value looks like at picks 12, 20
• 49:37: Senior Bowl recap: edge rusher dominance & OL prospects
• 53:28: Max Ehanachor scouting report (Arizona State OT)
• 62:27: Jennings Dunker (Iowa OL) discussed
• 66:13: Episode wrap-up and preview of next show

Language & Tone

The hosts bring a friendly, fast-paced, slightly irreverent Cowboys-centric energy. They balance insider scouting language with fan-oriented metaphors ("put your parts on the table"), relatable draft anxiety, and dry humor around mock drafts and pick speculation.

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive, realistic, and often entertaining look into the Cowboys’ 2025 draft strategy, emphasizing prudence, the value of staying put barring exceptional offers, and a BPA approach to roster construction. The hosts blend film analysis, scouting philosophy, and Cowboys front office trends, making it an essential listen (or read) for fans tracking how Dallas might build its next contender.