The Draft Show (April 14, 2026): Trade Up Fallout?

Podcast: The Draft Show
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Voch Lombardi, Nick Harris, Bobby Belt, Tommy Yarish, Chris Beam
Episode Theme: With just nine days before the 2025 NFL Draft, the crew dives deep into the swirling chaos at the top of the board, focusing on Dallas Cowboys options regarding trading up, staying put, or moving down. They debate the value of "game changers" vs. multiple contributors, review top scenarios, and address listener questions about prospects, team needs, and draft strategy.

Episode Overview

The panel, nine days from the draft, explores the uncertainty at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft—specifically picks 1 through 12. Amidst wild scenarios and conflicting buzz, they scrutinize trade-up possibilities for the Cowboys, debate strategy between moving for a single star or staying put for depth, and break down possible selections through rounds three and four if Dallas does make a major move. The episode is rich in candid scouting opinions, real-time prospect evaluations (notably Robert Henry), and listener-driven prospect talk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Climate Nine Days Before the Draft

• Unprecedented Uncertainty at the Top

  • No consensus on picks 1-11; teams and experts disagree sharply about prospects and positions that will go early.
  • Unpredictable run on WRs or defenders could force Dallas into tough trade-up or trade-down spots.
  • "No one knows... This is going to have a ton of parody in the top 12. That is still remaining the case." - Nick Harris [05:29]

• The Draft Starts at Pick 2

  • Expected debate: Will the Jets at #2 select Arvell Reese, David Bailey, or trade out?
  • Cardinals (pick 3) and others might pivot between best available (Reese/Bailey) and position need (OT Maui Noah).
  • "The interesting part about this draft is there are so many players at non-premium positions that are so good... Do you throw it all out the window?" - Tommy Yarish [07:40]

• Dallas’ Unsettled Approach

  • Front office is monitoring how things fall, prepared to pounce or wait it out; flexibility and patience are key.
  • "Dallas, to me, is the top candidate, like the earliest candidate in the draft to want to go up..." - Tommy Yarish [09:10]

Trade-Up Scenarios: Cost, Risk & Strategic Value

• Major Risks of Trading Up Early

  • Cost to jump to #3 (from #12): "12, 20, and then 92," possibly next year’s second.
  • Dangers: Trading up before the board is clear may result in losing out on targeted players if WR/CB run differs from projections.

• Optimal Trade-Up Windows

  • Hosts agree: “It doesn't start until 6... that’s your first real opportunity” - Nick Harris [09:39]
  • Moving up to 6, 9, or even 10/11 preferable for value; allows Dallas to retain more picks.
  • “If you move to six or nine, you still get to pick multiple times... you have the ability to add a game changer.” - Kyle Yeomans [13:19]

• “Game Changer vs. Multiple Contributors”

  • Save assets for multiple contributors unless a can’t-miss prospect (i.e., Bailey or Reese) is within reach.
  • "Do you want two contributors or one game changer? It may be the defense needs two contributors.” - Tommy Yarish [13:04]

The “True Game Changer” Debate

• Only Bailey and Reese Worth Top-3 Trade Up

  • "If you're going up that high...you need a 10-sack guy." - Nick Harris [16:54]
  • Sonny Styles, while excellent, doesn’t fit Cowboys' “instant impact” expectations at that price.
  • Bailey is “pro ready” and projects as the only rookie edge who could hit double-digit sacks. [17:29]

• Floor vs. Ceiling

  • Bailey: high floor, likely Pro-Bowl caliber, strong run defender but seen as less high-ceiling than Carter (Giants 2025).
  • "I feel comfortable that Bailey’s going to be a Pro Bowl player." - Tommy Yarish [19:55]

Real-Time Scouting: Robert Henry (UTSA RB)

• Instant Evaluations
  • “Robert Henry, so far he’s looking nice.” - Bobby Belt [06:05]
  • “Contact balance, change of direction, tall stance… breaking tackles… Robert Henry from UTSA is going crazy.” - Bobby Belt [27:04]
  • Consensus: Fifth/sixth round “steal” potential; productive even vs. major programs like A&M.

Twitter on the 20 (Listener Q&A Highlights)

Start, Bench, Cut: Ohio State Defenders (28:00)

• Downs (S), Reese (LB/EDGE), Styles (LB/Hybrid).
• Most prefer:
  • Start: Downs, Bench: Reese, Cut: Styles (for Dallas’ fit).

Day 3 Physical Freaks (29:08)

• Takario Davis (CB, Washington)
  • “The tallest corner... longest wingspan… makes even the biggest missteps non-fatal.” - Nick Harris [29:16]
• Markel Bell (OT, Miami)
  • 6’9”/346: “Raw... but moves well for 6’9.” - Kyle Yeomans [32:34]
• Lorenzo Styles (Athlete, Ohio State)
  • “Ridiculous athlete with next to no instincts... total project, but traits are there.” - Tommy Yarish [34:44]

Best Mid/Late-Round Safety Fits for Dallas (39:23)

• Trade and Stukes (Arizona), Jalen Kilgore (South Carolina), Wheatley (Penn State), Halsey (LSU), Bud Clark (TCU).
• Most have Wheatley and Halsey as top third-round fits.

Trade Fallout: What Should Dallas Target at 92 & 112? (46:37)

• If Linebacker (e.g., Styles) at 6:

  • 92: Edge rusher like Max Llewellyn (Iowa), Romelo Height, Derek Moore
  • 112: Safety/corner like Genesis Smith, Jaden Kennedy, Chandler Rivers
  • "You can address your three biggest needs that way—Range as hell, get picks, takes away crosses..." - Bobby Belt [47:41]

• If Edge Early:

  • 92/112: LB like Jacob Rodriguez, Josiah Trotter
  • S/CB options: Bishop Fitzgerald, Kilgore, Bud Clark, Stukes.

• On Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State):

  • Why less buzz? Technique and off-field flags impact perception. But real coverage skills—“He had a seven-game stretch... five receptions for 43 yards”—put him as CB5 on Nick's board. [58:51]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Draft Parity & Fog

• "No one knows. It's getting worse. We said this was going to be parity-filled and it's still the case. The draft still begins at pick number two." - Nick Harris [05:29]

Game Changer vs. Multiple Contributors

• "Do you want a couple contributors or one game changer? It may be the case that the defense does need two contributors instead of one game changer." - Tommy Yarish [13:04]

Robert Henry “Live” Scouting

• “I’m telling you... Robert Henry from UTSA is going crazy. Please.” - Bobby Belt [15:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:46–04:33: Setting the stage: Draft countdown, uncertainty, Nick’s process, prospect obsessive jokes
• 04:33–14:02: Top-12 chaos, Dallas trade-up scenarios, the “wipeout” risk, what would justify a move
• 14:02–20:03: What’s worth it at what pick, floor vs. ceiling, Bailey vs. others, debate on positional needs
• 21:41–38:13: Twitter on the 20 — Robert Henry evaluation, start-bench-cut, day-three athlete targets
• 39:23–42:10: Mid/late-round safety fits for Dallas (Wheatley, Clark, etc.) and stacking safety boards
• 46:37–54:55: Trade up fallouts: What do you do at 92/112, edge/LB/S fits, philosophy on older rookies (25+)
• 57:02–59:22: Further late-day strategy, nickel as sweet spot, deep-corner talk, and closing debate on value

Conclusion

The war room energy is high and tense, with no one (including teams) having a firm pulse on the board's top half. The hosts advocate for patience and flexibility from Dallas, discourage early all-in moves unless for a true difference-maker, and stress the value of maximizing picks in uncertain conditions. Fans get up-to-date positional fits, day-three athletes with upside, and live scouting flavor absent in mainstream coverage—all delivered with camaraderie and expert banter that keeps the pre-draft nerves real.

Next Episode: Thursday, 11am Central—one week out from the 2025 NFL Draft!