The Draft Show: Trick Up the Sleeve?
Dallas Cowboys Draft Analysis – April 22, 2025
Host: Kyle Yeomans, with Bryan Broaddus, Zach Wolchuk, Tommy Yarish, Nick Harris
Location: The Star at Frisco
Producer: Chris Beam
Episode Theme: Final draft board strategy, trade scenarios, and pick projections as the Cowboys prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Episode Overview
Just two days ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Draft Show’s crew breaks down the perplexing decisions that await the Cowboys at pick #12 and beyond. The conversation ranges from possible trade-backs, the philosophy of building and trusting "the stack" (draft board), wild card scenarios, and which positions and prospects could (and should) rise in Dallas’s priorities. The team’s lively back-and-forth captures the tension, uncertainty, and excitement pulsing through the Cowboys' war room on the eve of the draft.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Finalizing "The Stack" and Draft Philosophy
Timestamp: 01:41 – 10:08
- Pressure of the Final Board: Bryan Broaddus emphasizes the need for clarity and consensus before Thursday. He warns against "window dressing" (changing board order for in-the-moment decisions), which led to past organizational failures.
"If you're going to put together an order and you say this is how we would take these players... You should take those players."
— Bryan Broaddus [05:50] - Lessons from Past Drafts: The team recalls the 2014 Johnny Manziel/Zack Martin scenario, where discipline in sticking to the stack led to long-term success.
- Importance of Pre-Draft Debates: Internal debates and scenario planning should happen before the clock starts, avoiding last-minute chaos.
2. Possible Trade-Back Scenarios, Especially With Denver
Timestamp: 10:08 – 14:41, 31:15 – 34:51
- Denver at #20: Denver is flagged as the likeliest trade partner wanting to jump up. Bryan Broaddus insists on demanding pick #51 (second round) in any deal, citing league relationships and “draft gods” for possible overpay.
"If you want to come up here and grab a player... I want 51. If not, then I'm done."
— Bryan Broaddus [14:16] - Cluster Planning: If trading back, Dallas should only do so if confident with several closely-ranked prospects remaining.
- Player Trade Rumors Debunked: Nick Harris shoots down rumors of a pick swap for veteran WR Courtland Sutton—“No one’s taking a Pro Bowl WR for just a pick swap.” [31:15]
3. Cowboys Targets at Pick #12: Wide Receiver, Offensive Line, or Wild Card?
Timestamp: 03:04 – 25:10
- Tetairoa (Tet) McMillan: Consensus favorite if available, but expectations are growing he’ll be gone before #12.
"I think that Tet McMillan is the pick if he's there at 12…I think he's their top wide receiver on their board."
— Zach Wolchuk [03:04] - Matthew Golden: Seen as the likely pivot if McMillan is off the board; but some on the panel have multiple other players slotted above him.
- Surprise Names: Mikel Williams (ED), Shemar Stewart (ED), Will Johnson (CB), and more are discussed as possible "stack" surprises.
- Stack Distance Matters: The gap between McMillan and Golden (and who sits in between) could dictate the pick.
"I just think they're going to be several players between McMillan and Golden on the stack."
— Brian Broaddus [62:08]
4. Wide Receiver Debate: Beyond the Big Two
Timestamp: 18:27 – 25:30
- Luther Burden and Mecha Igbuka: Both are praised, especially for complementing CeeDee Lamb or bringing unique skills (blocking, after-catch ability).
"[Emeka Igbuka] is, in my opinion, the best blocking wide receiver in this class... I would be standing on the table and fighting for Emeka Igbuka."
— Zach Wolchuk [21:02] - Golden vs. Igbuka: Panelists split over who slots as WR2 or WR3.
- Clustered Grading: Nick Harris ranks several WRs and non-WRs above Golden, illustrating the broad spectrum after McMillan.
5. Reactions to Mock Scenarios and Position Priorities
Timestamp: 36:01 – 43:47
- Running Back Run and Options: The team discusses how a "run" on running backs could shape Day 2, and whether trades are intended to leap for RB, TE, or CB targets.
- Mock Draft Choices: Panel responds to various three-round mock scenarios, emphasizing strong needs at CB and their comfort with waiting on WR.
- Dante Thornton vs Tet McMillan: Thornton, while fast and big, is seen as a "one-trick pony" compared to McMillan's refined, versatile game.
"Thornton is really explosive. The problem is he doesn't make anybody miss... that's the total opposite of what you got in McMillan."
— Brian Broaddus [40:15]
6. Interior Offensive Line: Sneaky First-Round Consideration
Timestamp: 43:47 – 47:35
- Work on IOL Prospects: Daniel Jeremiah and the group note Dallas's strong diligence on guards and tackles, with names like Will Campbell, Armand Mebbu, and Kelvin Banks flagged. If WRs are gone, beefing up the OL for the desired "physical identity" is viable.
- Scheme Fit Debates: If Dallas prioritizes a lineman (especially a true OT like Simmons), it could signal waning faith in recent pick Tyler Guyton.
7. Final Mock Picks: Each Analyst's Cowboys 3-Round Forecast
Timestamp: 52:19 – 61:16
- Tommy Yarish:
- 1: Matthew Golden (WR)
- 2: Savon Revelle Jr. (CB)
- 3: Jordan Phillips (DT)
- Bryan Broaddus:
- 1: Will Johnson (CB)
- 2: TreVeyon Henderson (RB)
- 3: Terrell Royals (WR)
- Zach Wolchuk:
- 1: Tet McMillan (WR)
- 2: Maxwell Harris (CB)
- 3: Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Virginia Tech)
- Nick Harris:
- 1: Mikel Williams (ED)
- 2: Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
- 3: Bhayshul Tuten (RB)
"If you gave me a scale of 1 to 10, what would be your confidence level on your first round pick?"
"Like a 4."
— Kyle Yeomans [60:42]
8. Concluding Theories and Surprises Ahead
Timestamp: 61:16 – 62:50
- Flexibility and Free Agency: Team wonders if WR is actually less urgent than CB/DT, since Dallas could still sign a competent WR post-draft without affecting compensatory pick formulas.
- “Draft gods” Factor: Team concludes that this year's board could break in wild directions, and the Cowboys’ planning for “clusters” of closely-graded players will be vital for extracting value.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Stack ‘em, stack ‘em, stack 'em… If you've got a cluster of players… put the cluster in the order that you would take it. Don't just jump around.”
— Bryan Broaddus [09:20] - “To me, that's the fun part… I'm consumed with trying to figure out how their stack looks… how high they have Matthew Golden on their board. Do they have offensive linemen above him?”
— Bryan Broaddus [01:41] - “Do you feel like the Matthew Golden conversation has been a smokescreen the entire time?”
— Kyle Yeomans [55:22] “No, I don’t. I think they’re legitimately trying to figure out the receiver position, but… not considering where their stack is…”
— Bryan Broaddus [55:31] - “I just think they're going to be several players between McMillan and Golden on the stack. That’s just... how I think this is going to play out.”
— Bryan Broaddus [62:08] - “That trick is fun… make that happen.”
— Nick Harris, as the team jokes about Dante Thornton’s one-dimensional but exhilarating profile [41:18]
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Segment Topic | Timestamps | |----------------------------------|--------------| | Building/trusting “the stack” | 01:41–10:08 | | Denver trade possibility | 10:08–14:41, 31:15–34:51 | | WR/OL targets at 12 & cluster talk | 03:04–25:10 | | WR2/WR3 debate (Golden, Igbuka, Burden) | 18:27–25:30 | | Three-round Mock Draft scenarios | 36:01–43:47 | | Thornton vs McMillan comparison | 39:13–41:18 | | Interior O-line first round options | 43:47–47:35 | | Analyst 3-round predictions | 52:19–61:16 | | Concluding theories/surprises ahead | 61:16–62:50 |
Episode Summary & Takeaways
- Philosophy Over Panic: The Cowboys’ best shot at value lies in trusting their pre-draft process—not panicking and jumping the board in the moment.
- Trade-Backs Demand Steep Returns: Denver remains the favorite to strike a deal—but only for a premium price.
- Wide Receiver is Top-of-Mind… Unless It's Not: Tet McMillan is widely admired, but if the run on offensive linemen or defenders pushes other high-caliber prospects to #12, Dallas could pivot away from WR.
- Cluster is Key: This draft’s perceived lack of sure-fire superstars at #12 means Dallas must be ready to pull from a “cluster” of closely-ranked players if the board gets wiped.
- Expect Twists: With medicals, interviews, and wild-card favorites all swirling, Thursday night is primed for surprises. A disciplined approach—and luck—will determine just how big a “trick” the Cowboys have up their sleeve.
This episode is a must-listen for Cowboys fans craving insight into how the front office approaches its board and prepares for every scenario, from the dream fall to the unexpected pivot.