Best of Cowboys: The NFL Draft is less than 1 week away!

The Shan and RJ podcast dives deep into the upcoming NFL Draft, spotlighting the Dallas Cowboys' strategic approach with their two first-round picks at 12 and 20. Executive Vice President Stephen Jones joins the show, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning around the salary cap and the value of drafting players with experience, especially on the offensive line and at key defensive positions. He discusses the evolving nature of draft value charts, crediting Mike McCoy rather than Jimmy Johnson as the original architect, and highlights the significance of 30-visit evaluations in assessing character and fit. The conversation shifts to the Cowboys' potential trade-up for top defensive talent like Sonny Stiles or Caleb Downs, with analysts Matt Miller and Dane Brugler weighing in on the likelihood of a trade with the Browns. They debate the risks of short arms for edge rusher Reuben Bain Jr., despite his elite college tape, and explore the Cowboys’ need for a culture-changing defensive identity. Kyle Yeomans provides detailed scouting insights, dismissing Keldrick Falk as a poor fit due to size and scheme mismatch, while praising versatile options like Dylan Thienemann and Caleb Downs. The episode also touches on the emotional weight of player background stories, including Bain’s fatal car accident, and how teams are factoring in both performance and character during evaluations.