NFL Draft expert Mike Mayock joins the show to preview the draft and expectations from the Cowboys

Mike Mayock joins Sean and RJ on 105.3 The Fan to preview the 2026 NFL Draft, offering deep insights into top prospects and strategic drafting considerations. He discusses the elite talent across non-traditional premium positions—particularly safeties, running backs, offensive guards, and off-the-ball linebackers—arguing that this year’s draft features more top-10 caliber players at these positions than usual. Mayock emphasizes the importance of team alignment and medical evaluations, especially when assessing high-risk, high-reward players like Jermon McCoy and Jordan Tyson. He also breaks down the unique challenges and opportunities presented by players with extreme physical traits, such as edge rusher Bain’s unusually short arms, and stresses the need for a unified draft room strategy. The conversation turns to the Cowboys’ draft needs, with Mayock suggesting they may need to pivot to offense if their defensive board is depleted, and he praises Max Crosby’s intangibles despite health concerns. Finally, Mayock weighs in on the new eight-minute clock, noting it benefits well-prepared teams while increasing pressure on others. Key takeaways include: (1) Prioritize elite talent over position scarcity—value trumps need; (2) Medical evaluations are critical, especially for players with injury histories; (3) Physical anomalies like short arms require tailored defensive schemes and power-based play; (4) Teams should be ready to move up or down based on real-time value; (5) Intangibles like leadership and work ethic (e.g., Max Crosby) can outweigh pure stats; (6) The new clock favors prepared, agile front offices; (7) The 2026 draft features an unusually deep class at non-premium positions; (8) Don’t draft a player just because he fits a need—draft the best player available.