The Draft Show: “Who is Likely to Fall?”

Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Vashon (Voch) Lombardi, Kyle Yeomans, Aisha Morrison
(Bobby Belt and Tommy Yarish absent, reporting from Super Bowl week)

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Draft Show, the crew dives deep into 2025 NFL Draft prospects, focusing on players who might fall further than expected and discussing floor-versus-ceiling philosophies in roster building. The conversation spotlights linebackers and edge rushers, dissects reasons why certain prospects are undervalued by NFL scouts, and debates both Cowboys-specific and general NFL draft strategy. Listener questions are featured via "Twitter on the 20," bringing even more draft hypotheticals into the mix.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anthony Hill Jr. – Media vs. League Perception

• Topic: There’s a buzz that NFL teams are lower on Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. than media analysts.
• [02:46] Vashon: “The official people are lower on linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas than media scout people are. I think a little highly of him.”
• NFL scouts reportedly put a 3rd or 4th round grade on Hill, while the show’s hosts have him as a clear 2nd, even late 1st round prospect.
• Hosts praise Hill’s production, athletic upside, youth, and versatility.
• Aisha: “That’s a lot of football...31 and a half tackles for loss, 17 sacks, two fumble recoveries, three interceptions, eight force fumbles. I mean, what are we looking for?” [04:58]
• Debate about why teams are cool on him; consensus is that proven on-field impact should carry more weight.

2. Linebacker Class Depth & Evaluation

• Debate over whether this year’s LB class is “top heavy” or “deep.”
• Aisha: "I think it's a deep class, but I think that there's a select few guys that can do everything..." [09:02]
• Hill is ranked 4th on Kyle's board, behind Arvell Reese, CJ Allen, and Sonny Stiles.

3. Keldrick Falk – First-Round Hype or Day Two Value?

• Complaints about mock drafts putting Auburn EDGE Keldrick Falk in the top 10–15 picks.
• Vashon: “I like Keldrick Falk a whole bunch...I like him a lot. We just don't have day two picks. It’s where you take them…” [11:55]
• Consensus: Falk is a worthwhile prospect, but more reasonable as a late-2nd or 3rd rounder, not a 1st-round pick for Dallas.
• Discussion of his steady run defense, scheme versatility, and developmental upside as a pass rusher.
• The loss of Cowboys DE Marshawn Neely affects positional needs.

4. Draft Philosophy: Floor vs. Ceiling

• “Twitter on the 20” sparks a lively talk about whether the Cowboys (or drafters in general) should prioritize immediate contributors (high floor) or long-term upside (high ceiling).
• Aisha: “I'm typically ceiling person...but as far as the scouting goes, I want a guy...most people want a guy that can come help now.” [21:25]
• Vashon: “If you have a five year deal on a first round player...how many of those years do I have to dedicate to teaching you something?” [23:17]
• Philosophical division: Floor is preferred for Dallas due to roster needs—Cowboys can’t afford developmental projects.

5. Who Could Fall in the Draft? (Potential Steals)

• Positions devalued in NFL Draft rooms: safety and non-elite corners.
• Vashon: “Team suck at drafting Kyle. So they're going to look at Caleb Downs and be like, you play safety.” [28:46]
• Safeties and short corners (like M. Delane) named as likely “fallers” and value picks.
• Aisha: Predicts Peter Woods (Clemson DT) will slide further than most expect: “I didn't see a first round player.” [30:03]

6. Ranking & Evaluating Defensive Tackles

• Debate on Peter Woods (Clemson), Caleb Banks, Kaden McDonald, Mykel Miller, and Lee Hunter.
• Concerns center on football IQ, functional strength (upper vs. lower body), and production.
• Mozzie Smith mentioned as a comparable prospect in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
• Aisha: "His power comes more from the upper half than the lower..." [33:30]

7. Cowboys-Specific Scenarios & Edge Rusher Rankings

• Hypothetical draft scenarios for Dallas: Keep core offensive weapons and go defense early (keep Pickens and draft Sonny Styles + best EDGE at 20), or let Pickens walk and draft WR + EDGE.
• Overwhelming agreement to keep the offensive group intact and reinforce defense.
• Breakdown of edge rusher grades at pick 20, with David Bailey (Stanford) and R. Mason Thomas (Oklahoma) top of the consensus.
• TJ Parker (Clemson) seen nationally as a potential 1st but lower on hosts’ personal boards due to rawness/technique.

8. Traits vs. Technique at Edge—The TJ Parker Debate

• Vashon: “I don't think he knows how to...play football just yet. He doesn't have a plan on both sides. I think he plays the game with his eyes closed—not literally, but it feels that way.” [46:29]
• Preference for pass rushers who show advanced technique, awareness, and counters over pure traits guys.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On draft mistakes:

  “Teams suck at drafting. They do...I don’t work for no team or nothing like that, but I hit on picks. Teams miss every year.”
  — Vashon Lombardi [08:04]

• On player development and Dallas:

  “Dallas ain’t got time to be okay...the time in which it takes for these guys to get there is—you got other stuff you trying to do.”
  — Aisha Morrison [21:25]

• Anthony Hill skepticism:

  “31 and a half tackles for loss, 17 sacks, two fumble recoveries, three interceptions, eight force fumbles. I mean, what are we looking for?”
  — Aisha Morrison [04:58]

• Mock drafts as groupthink:

  “I'm building this draft based on what I heard or whatever. And I see Keldrick Falk at like 9 overall. What y’all think about that?”
  — Vashon Lombardi [09:29]

• Technical vs. raw edge rushers:

  “I’m always gonna go for the nuancey guys, for the technician guys.”
  — Vashon Lombardi [28:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Anthony Hill Jr. evaluation & team perceptions – [02:46] to [06:58]
• Linebacker class depth – [08:58]
• Keldrick Falk draft value discussion – [09:29] to [14:24]
• Floor vs. Ceiling debate – [21:25] to [24:41]
• “Who could fall?” Potential steals – [28:23] to [30:57]
• Defensive tackle rankings & Woods/Banks – [31:28] to [34:52]
• Cowboys draft hypotheticals – [39:34] to [44:46]
• EDGE rusher rankings & Parker debate – [44:59] to [48:47]
• Player development & position value at EDGE – [49:13] to [50:53]

Flow & Tone

The conversation is fast, candid, and laced with friendly banter—often including jokes about shopping in the “husky” or kids’ clothing aisle (early show), playful jabs about being “arrogant,” and tongue-in-cheek remarks about the Cowboys’ (and the league’s) track record at draft evaluation. The crew is analytical but accessible, breaking down advanced scouting concepts in clear, relatable language while debating picks like passionate fans inside the war room.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• Main takeaway: The crew trust their boards and tape study over conventional NFL wisdom and believe several plug-and-play contributors might slip on draft day.
• The divide between “media” and “official” draft grades (especially on linebackers and safeties) could produce value picks for savvy teams.
• For Dallas, the hosts strongly recommend maintaining an elite offense and using draft capital to fill holes on defense—especially immediate-impact players up front.
• Emphasis placed on technical proficiency, football IQ, and track record over raw traits or hype.

The Draft Show continues to offer candid, detailed discussions that go far beyond mock drafts—if you’re a Cowboys fan or NFL Draft enthusiast, this is must-listen material.