Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Dallas Cowboys have added numerous new players to their roster this season. Between another draft, a few trades, and a free agency that was a little more active than years past, there are going to be several new players to root for this season. With so many players to keep our interest, it’s easy to forget about some of the lesser-known fellas on the roster. But every year, guys emerge from the woodwork to be key contributors on the team. Who will be the player who does that this season? A few years ago, we mentioned that Jayron Kearse was the one player on the roster that everyone is forgetting about. His skills against the run and in coverage were something the team had been lacking at the safety position. Kearse took full advantage, starting 15 games and leading the team in tackles. He also tacked on 10 pass-breakups and two interceptions. He emerged as a key defensive player, earning him a second contract with the team. A couple of years ago, we discussed how Brock Hoffman was the one player who could make the Cowboys have second thoughts about extending Tyler Biadasz. A practice squad player the year prior, Hoffman was poised to show that he had more to offer if given a chance. And sure enough, his progression continued, and the team let Biadasz walk in free agency, leaving Hoffman with an opportunity to take over as the starting center. Ultimately, the team drafted Cooper Beebe last season, but Hoffman still made his presence felt, starting seven games last year, mostly filling in for the injured Zack Martin. Last year, the player we labeled as the guy everyone had completely forgotten about was Chauncey Golston. A third-round pick, Golston had always been a solid player, but he’d been buried on the depth chart, so his chances had been limited. And with fans more interested in the rookie Marshawn Kneeland and third-year player Sam Williams, Golston was an afterthought. But he made the list because the Cowboys had lost two of their defensive ends in free agency, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler. All it would take is some bad luck in the health department, and Golston’s number would be called. Sadly, the team’s defensive end group was beat up last year, with several players missing multiple games. Golston got his chance, starting 13 games where he finished with 5.5 sacks and even had an interception, earning himself a nice reward in free agency with the New York Giants. When you look at these players, they all have multiple things in common. First, the talent was there. They had already provided a glimpse of playmaking ability, which is why the team was interested in them in the first place. Second, they were in the right place at the right time. Due to the team’s depth at their respective positions, opportunities arose, and they capitalized. With that in mind, what player might fit that description this season? This year’s nominee is former fifth-round pick Asim Richards. From the moment he was drafted, it looked as if the team had found a late-round gem. He was an experienced player coming out of college with good traits. His hands, his knee bend, and his ability to turn his hips all made him an intriguing run-blocker. He’s a cerebral player, always quick to his spot to seal off his man. He’s got length, he’s got strength, and he’s quick enough to climb into the second level. The skills are there. What Richards has been lacking is opportunity. In his rookie season, the Cowboys were surprisingly healthy at the tackle position. Terence Steele had returned from injury and logged the most snaps of any offensive player, and Tyron Smith played 847 snaps, the only time he has done that over his last five seasons. Last year, Smith was gone, and Richards got more chances, including his first-ever start, but most of the reps were taken by rookie Tyler Guyton and veteran free agent Chuma Edoga. Edoga is now gone, and the Cowboys don’t really have a swing tackle candidate ahead of Richards this season. It should be his job to lose. But more than that, head coach Brian Schottenheimer has made it clear that he’s playing his best five offensive linemen. While the expectations are that Guyton takes a nice year two jump this season, nothing is promised. Any struggle this year could open the door for Richards to slide in. Obviously, we’re rooting for the team’s former first-round pick to turn a corner because the upside is more favorable, but don’t sleep on Richards. He could also challenge Steele on the other side if the veteran starts to slip. And there is always the possibility of injury. Richards has been a solid player who continues to develop, and if given the opportunity, he could end up a sneaky-good under-the-radar player for the Cowboys this season.

Chris Jones-Imagn Images Your Sunday morning Cowboys news. Can the Cowboys’ defense trust Kenneth Murray? – Inside the Star, Shane Taylor Under a new defensive coordinator, how much faith should the Cowboys have in newcomer Kenneth Murray? One important piece to new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ defense is going to be the man wearing the green dot, and as you look at his career thus far, it makes you wonder can this team trust Kenneth Murray? Dallas traded for former first-round pick Murray, who has racked up 416 tackles and 8.5 sacks in five years. This past season, he gave the Tennessee Titans 95 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one pick. Still, he’s not seen as a difference-maker, which is how the Cowboys landed him for a low price. Defensive Outlook Under new DC Eberflus (a notable linebacker whisperer), either one of them – or both – are expected to be in the starting lineup to start this season with DeMarvion Overshown still recovering from injury. Marist Liufau and Damone Clark are other candidates to start as returners from last year. In his first year with the Titans last year, Murray earned captain status on the defense and finished with 95 tackles and 3.5 sacks, as I noted above. He started in every game he played in and has two more years of NFL experience than Sanborn. That is why he will be the one wearing the green dot, having direct communication with the coaching staff. “I think it’s a great fit,” Murray said, via Clarence Hill of All City DLLS. “I’ve been enjoying myself, obviously transitioning over from being traded and getting up to speed and stuff like that. Lot of things work to my strengths, coming down hill, playing the coverage, stuff like that. It’s been good. It’s been great being here during the offseason program, getting around the guys and just trying to come in and establish a culture and get better every day.” Passing on name CBs shows Cowboys still haven’t shaken their cheap, bargain-shopping ways – Ben Grimaldi, Cowboys Wire The Cowboys did a lot this offseason, but there are calls for more. The Dallas Cowboys made two moves this week, signing defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey and cornerback Robert Rochell as they continue to churn the bottom of the roster. While both additions were at positions of need, it’s the signing of Rochell that continues to demonstrate how cheap the organization has become. Adding Rochell shows the Cowboys understood they need help at CB, but instead of signing a quality player, they once again went bargain basement shopping. There were numerous free agent signings the team could’ve made at the position, with Rochell likely being the least expensive option. That point was hammered home when prior to the Cowboys signing Rochell, the Baltimore Ravens added free agent CB Jaire Alexander. The timing of both signings, hours apart, made Jerry and Stephen Jones look even cheaper, and proved how differently organizations pursue the Super Bowl. The Cowboys didn’t need to sign Alexander, and it’s probably smart they stayed away. Dallas’ CB room has enough injury questions, but they could’ve signed someone who has shown more ability than Rochell. Among the CBs still available are Asante Samuel, Mike Hilton and Stephon Gilmore, all of whom are more accomplished than Rochell. This isn’t about the player they didn’t sign, it’s about the Cowboys’ approach. The Ravens already had one of the best secondaries in the league, boasting an All-Pro CB and safety in Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton, respectively. They also have two of the game’s best young secondary pieces in second-year CB Nate Wiggins and rookie first-round pick safety Malaki Starks, so it was a stacked group that didn’t necessarily need an upgrade. Dak Prescott warned he could repeat Cowboys fans’ biggest heartbreak (but worse) – Jared A’Latorre, The Landry Hat Dak Prescott is trying to change the narrative. In what will be a historic result of the 2025 NBA Finals, sports talk shows are still finding themselves talking about Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s legacy. Prescott made headlines this week when he was asked about his own legacy. He explained he doesn’t really care about how people see him, but for his own sanity, he wants to win a Super Bowl. The hardcore faithful of America’s Team has been waiting three decades to get back to the NFC Championship game, and Prescott might be the last hope to get them there before they have to reboot with another QB. David Helman of Fox Sports claims that if Prescott doesn’t win a Super Bowl it will actually be more embarrassing than not completing the same goal as his predecessor and former teammate, Tony Romo. Dak Prescott not winning a Super Bowl would potentially put him below Romo in Cowboys legacy Helman’s comments are bold if we’re being honest.. The barbershop dialogue always go back to the QBs that have won a Super Bowl. While Prescott has said that doesn’t care about his legacy, Helman says that he has to win a Super Bowl, or else, Cowboys fans will always mirror him back to Romo, or even worse. “People have warmed to Romo’s legacy over time, and most acknowledge now that he was a far better player than he often got credit for when he was trying to shoulder the hopes and dreams of America’s Team…The best way to secure (Prescott’s) legacy, or to silence the debate about it, would be to win the championship that’s eluded the Cowboys for so long.” David Helman A pair of Cowboys players are projected to make the 2025 NFL All-Rookie team-Brian Martin, Blogging the Boys Two Cowboys rookies enter the year with big expectations. Gennaro Filice for NFL.com recently projected who he believes will make the 2025 NFL All-Rookie team, and guess what, a pair of Dallas Cowboys players made his cut, one on offense and one on defense. That’s right, a team that will be relying heavily on several of

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images Questions are going to linger at linebacker for a little bit. Last year was a tough season for the Dallas Cowboys. They were losing games, injuries were piling up, and it became very evident early in the season that this team wasn’t going anywhere. That’s not a common thing for this organization. The team experienced a similar ordeal in 2020, but outside of that, lost seasons have not really been a thing for the Cowboys. With all the bad things that went wrong last year, there might not have been a worse event than the DeMarvion Overshown injury. Yes, many players got hurt, and yes, one of them was a season-ending hamstring injury to the team’s franchise quarterback, Dak Prescott. But for many of the hurt players, we knew they would heal up and be ready to go next year. That’s not the case for Overshown. A third-round pick in 2023, Overshown has been a player the team has loved from the beginning. A celebrating war room on draft day served as a testament to what they felt they got. Sadly, his rookie season was taken away from him after he suffered a torn ACL in a preseason game. Last season, he returned, healthy as an ox, but fast as a gazelle. Overshown gave us a dose of his athleticism as he was all over the field. His length and great closing speed made him one of the defense’s top players. His playmaking ability made him worth the wait, but sadly, an injury struck again. In Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Overshown injured his knee again, but this time it was much worse. He tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL, bringing a dark cloud over the career of the team’s young defensive superstar. According to reports, Overshown’s rehab is progressing nicely, and there is some optimism that a mid-season return could happen. When he returns and what he’s able to do this soon are big mysteries, and it’s reasonable to lower our expectations for the upcoming season. When you look at the range of outcomes, the likelihood of him either missing the entire year or coming back late and having a limited impact seems rather large. Only time will tell. Overshown had a great debut season. Despite missing the last quarter of the season, he still finished second on the team with 90 tackles. He also finished tied for third with five sacks and had the team’s most spectacular defensive play when he tipped the ball to himself and returned an interception for a touchdown. Before his injury, he was a star in the making, but now there is this great uncertainty about what type of player he can be. This is something the Cowboys will need to figure out sooner rather than later. With little information likely to work with from the upcoming season, the team will have a big decision to make. They can extend him next offseason before he enters the final year of his rookie contract, or they can wait and see and take their chances in free agency. This is a decision that is a lot tougher than it sounds. The Cowboys have rolled the dice on some red flag injury risks before. Both Jaylon Smith and Terence Steele received contract extensions before the existing deals expired. Each situation was different, but in both cases, the team ultimately felt they were getting a good value on a player who was still trending upward. They guessed wrong with Smith and Steele remains a TBD who is off to a slow start. The team also believed Michael Gallup would return to his 1,000-yard ways after his knee injury, but alas, it was not to be. The team was left with an underperforming receiver who was expected to fill the void of Amari Cooper at a discounted price. The Overshown situation will be a huge dilemma for the Cowboys. In a perfect world, it would be nice to wait and out and see how well he does once he’s at full strength, and who is to say if that will even come while he’s still on his rookie deal. Suffice to say, if he returns to form in 2026, he’s going to elevate his market value. The agent of Agent 0 will do everything they can to preserve his financial well-being. The front office is often criticized for waiting too long to get deals done, but one could criticize them just as much for the times they try to be proactive. How they decide to handle this situation is something that will garner a lot of attention the closer we get to his contract being up, and this one has a good chance of being a real conundrum for the Cowboys.

Chris Jones-Imagn Images It stands to reason that the Cowboys will get some production from rookies this year. Gennaro Filice for NFL.com recently projected who he believes will make the 2025 NFL All-Rookie team, and guess what, a pair of Dallas Cowboys players made his cut, one on offense and one on defense. That’s right, a team that will be relying heavily on several of their young players, including this year’s 2025 draft class, may have drafted a couple of impacts starters. What’s more, both rookies play positions where they saw two of the longest tenured players move on this offseason. Have you guessed which Cowboys rookies where alluding to? If you guessed Tyler Booker and Donovan Ezeiruaku you are right. Booker is expected to step in and replace future Hall of Famer Zack Martin, and Ezeiruaku is expected to compete for the starting job to replace DeMarcus Lawrence. Here is what Gennaro Filice had to say about both Tyler Booker and Donovan Ezeiruaku. OG Tyler Booker, Alabama DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 12 overall A lot of people think Dallas overdrafted Booker at No. 12 overall. I disagree with that sentiment. And I could take this opportunity to remind everyone of this Cowboys regime’s sparkling track record when it comes to selecting offensive linemen in Round 1, or I could just point you to the hardest quote of the draft cycle. “Football is a child’s game,” Booker said on Bleacher Report’s draft reaction show. “So, people wake up being like, ‘Man, I can’t wait to play this football game today.’ They listen to their hype music, they take all the pre-workout, they get so excited to play football … until they come across Tyler Booker. And then when I’m going after you — quarter after quarter, play after play, series after series — and I start to see that love leave their eyes, that’s what makes me love the game.” Micah Parsons was on the Bleacher Report set that night, and he let out a scream just listening to his new teammate go FULL METAL. Being the first offensive guard off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft comes with high expectations. Those expectations may be a little higher considering who he’s replacing with the Cowboys. That is none other than the future Hall of Famer Martin, who decided to retire this offseason. Those are some big shoes to fill for Booker. Booker possesses the right mindset and talent to be a dominant player at his position from the get-go. He’ll likely be a plug-and-play starter from Day 1 and someone the Cowboys will be relying heavily on as both the run blocker and especially in pass protection with QB Dak Prescott coming back from a season-ending hamstring injury. It comes as no surprise Booker was projected to make the 2025 NFL All-Rookie team. The other Cowboys player who was projected to make the All-Rookie team may have a little more difficult path to success to make the cut. EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College Drafted: Round 2, No. 44 overall Like we just discussed with Abdul Carter, Ezeiruaku walks into an advantageous environment. Sharing the field with perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Micah Parsons, the rookie is set to receive favorable matchups — and he has the pass-rushing arsenal to take advantage of them. With pterodactyl length and hair-on-fire spirit, Ezeiruaku explodes off the snap with a quick first step, often allowing him to get the edge and bend to the quarterback. If the pure speed rush doesn’t work, no worries: The dude knows how to use his hands, and he has a full bag of tricks that range from a spin to a Euro step to a pretty wicked ghost move. So, why did he last until midway through the second round? Well, he’s on the lighter side, naturally raising concerns about how he’ll set the edge against NFL blockers. But the Boston College product is poised to rack up the kind of sexy stats that garner recognition, having finished last season at second in the FBS in sacks (16.5) and third in tackles for loss (20.5). Seeing Ezeiruaku getting projected to make the 2025 NFL All-Rookie team is a little more of a surprise than it was to see Booker make the list. Ezeiruaku was the sixth edge player drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft with Abdul Carter, Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker, Shemar Stewart, and James Pearce Jr. going off the board ahead of him. But, like we’ve all probably heard a million times before “it doesn’t matter where you get drafted”. Unlike Booker though, Ezeiruaku isn’t projected to be a plug-and-play starter opposite Micah Parsons right now. He will first have to win the starting job and will have to beat out some stiff competition to do just that. If he does win the starting gig he is on his way to making this projection much more attainable. All in all, the Cowboys organization, and all the fans around Cowboys Nation, would be absolutely thrilled if both Booker and Ezeiruaku end up making 2025 NFL All-Rookie team. If this comes to pass, that would mean the organization has a much better chance of getting back to playing winning football.

Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images It is still wild that George Pickens is a Cowboy. Just like when the Dallas Cowboys traded for Amari Cooper, giving up a third-round pick for George Pickens has high upside for the offense. At the time of the Cooper trade, Dak Prescott desperately needed help at wide receiver after the team parted ways with Dez Bryant and went into the season with Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson, and Tavon Austin. This time around, Pickens doesn’t have all the pressure on his shoulders walking in, with CeeDee Lamb established as the team’s top target and Jalen Tolbert entering his fourth year on the same offense. That opens up the door for Pickens to do what he does best. It’s no secret how good the fit is between Dallas and Pickens. So much so, it’s caught the attention of various figures across the league. ESPN published an article in which NFL executives and scouts gave their favorite moves of the offseason. The Cowboys’ trade-first approach this offseason, acquiring Joe Milton, Kaiir Elam, and Kenneth Murray, showed an aggressive side of the organization. Pickens, however, was the golden goose for an NFC coach and someone in the personnel department of an AFC team. “Dealing with CeeDee [Lamb] and him opens things up for them,” a coach in the division said. Added an AFC personnel man: “He’ll be a big piece there. When he’s covered, he’s really open. I know the concerns are there, but I think having an already established passing game with veterans to help him along, and the fact he’s in a contract year, will help keep him in line. If you can tap into what he can do fully, his major ability will shine through.” The one-two punch of Lamb and Pickens should (on paper) make the Dallas offense dangerous in the passing game, even with first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer coming from his father’s tree of “Marty Ball.” Keeping options open and remaining versatile on offense seemed to be a focus when reconstructing the roster this offseason. Using a first-round pick on Tyler Booker and a gamble on Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders should keep things moving in the run game. Dallas’ inability to run the ball in the first part of last season limited their game plan to depend on Prescott connecting with Lamb. It’s safe to say it didn’t work out. Dak Prescott on George Pickens: “It’s a guy that loves football, loves his teammates, and he’s been excited every day that he’s been there. He’s been early, too, so no concerns on the personal matters of G.P. or anything about it. I’m just super excited that he’s on our team.” pic.twitter.com/69WSMfDZvV — Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) June 12, 2025 Now, if the running game struggles to find its footing in the first few weeks of the season, having Lamb and Pickens on the outside, along with Jake Ferguson, KaVontae Turpin, and Tolbert, should keep the offense moving until they figure out how to run the ball. So far, Pickens has been a model citizen in the Cowboys locker room, gaining the trust and respect of his quarterback and strengthening his existing connection with Lamb. The rest of the league should be aware of that, too.

We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 75) with some Cowboys history We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football. Today – number 75. Kevin Smith Born: April 7, 1970. Orange, TexasPosition: Cornerback Dallas Cowboys: 1992-2000Awards: Super Bowl champion- XXVII, XXVIII, XXXAll-Pro- 1996 Photo credit should read PAUL BUCK/AFP via Getty Images Kevin Smith played cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1992 to 2000 after being selected in the first round out of Texas A&M. He quickly became a starter in his rookie year and helped solidify a progressing, young, and aggressive secondary during the Cowboys’ dominant era during the 1990s. Smith was a key and integral part of the team that won three Super Bowls and was known for his physical style, tight coverage, and ability to match up with top receivers. Though his career was hampered by injuries, Smith remained a trusted and steady presence in the Dallas defense. All-time trolling from Kevin Smith here: How he used an article about the way Jerry Rice liked his house vacuumed as a means of getting in his head during the 90s Cowboys/49ers games: pic.twitter.com/OZUonL8yeu — Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) November 21, 2024 Best known for:Smith was best known for being a reliable shutdown corner during the Cowboys’ Super Bowl dynasty of the 1990s, starting in multiple championship games and taking on top receiving threats week after week with utter confidence. Lesser known fact:Smith chose Texas A&M to play despite offers from both Houston and LSU, but these teams wanted him to play wide receiver as he was a two-way player in high school. The Aggie’s wanted him to play cornerback, a position Smith enjoyed playing over wide receiver, so opted to play for them instead. This move that not only transformed his trajectory into the NFL, but also gave him an edge in reading routes and anticipating passes throughout his NFL career. ✭ COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF ✭ With 100 days to go until the #Cowboys kickoff the season against the #Eagles, we are counting down with a @BloggingTheBoys Top-100 consensus ranking. We asked staffers to give in their top-100, here is: DAY 75Kevin Smith#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/9yLg2dgN6K — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) June 21, 2025

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The latest news from around the division. Commanders’ Terry McLaurin negotiating salary revealed in contract talks – Jeremy Brener, Sports Illustrated The numbers are unsurprisingly in the top tier for NFL receivers. Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is approaching the final year of his current contract. McLaurin wants to remain with the Commanders, but he isn’t looking to play again until he has a new deal on the table. Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton dives into McLaurin’s current state of affairs. McLaurin could make $30 million per year “During an interview with 106.7 The Fan, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said contract negotiations with McLaurin’s camp will realistically start with $30 million per year,” Moton wrote. “McLaurin is the Commanders’ best offensive skill player and one of the league’s most consistent receivers. He’s eclipsed 1,001 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons despite Washington’s instability at quarterback before the franchise drafted Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick last year. “According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Commanders want McLaurin around for the long term. Most people around the league expect the two sides to work out a new deal. “If Breer is correct on the negotiated estimate, the two-time Pro Bowler will be one of the league’s top eight highest-paid receivers.” McLaurin is still seeking an extension after voluntarily holding out of the team’s mandatory minicamp earlier this month. The Commanders should be a bit skeptical paying a lot of money to McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, but he has proven that he should be one of the top wide receivers in the league. McLaurin will have a month to negotiate a new deal with the Commanders before he is asked to report to training camp on July 22. PFF shares data that all but confirms Jalen Hurts has an elite supporting cast – Anthony Miller, InsideTheIggles.com He’s a solid quarterback, but the team around him is solid, too. Pro Football Focus is up at it again with more definitive proof that the Philadelphia Eagles had one of the best supporting casts for their quarterback Jalen Hurts in the NFL last year. They have to data to back it up. Dalton Wasserman wrote an article on the impact of the supporting casts in the NFL and which ones were the best in 2024. The Eagles were ranked fifth with an overall grade of 80.8. Given the Eagles’ loaded roster, it’s easy to see why they ended last season as Super Bowl champions. Led by Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and an outstanding offensive line, Jalen Hurts was able to deliver the franchise’s second championship, despite ranking 23rd among qualified quarterbacks in PFF passing grade. Ten of Philadelphia’s 11 offensive starters return this season, so the team should enjoy similar success in the quest for a repeat in 2025.” PFF also gave the Eagles the sixth best grade for pass-blocking with 73.6. They were the fourth highest NFC team graded. The data is backed up by Eagles’ solid lineup and should continue in 2025 Hurts has always been blessed to have a solid supporting cast around him since taking over as the full time starter in 2021. The additions of Brown and Smith helped him in the passing game over the last three years. Barkley added a whole new element to the running game as he’s coming off 2,504 yards in the regular season and playoffs. Giants rookie Abdul Carter shares honest feelings on new jersey number – Billy Heyen, SportingNews.com After aiming for the fences for his number, Carter is pleased with his new digits. Abdul Carter had to do some serious work to end up with his rookie season jersey number with the New York Giants. First, he inquired about the No. 56 retired by Lawrence Taylor: Nope. Then, it was the No. 11 that he wore in college which is retired for Phil Simms: No again. So it was third time’s the charm for Carter, who ended up with No. 51. And now after rocking it for minicamp, he posted on social media with his thoughts: “51 growing on me,” Carter wrote. 51 growing on me pic.twitter.com/O0T0V518ei — Abdul Carter (@1NCRDB1) June 11, 2025 Athletes do have a strong connection to the number on their uniform. But at the end of the day, if Carter lives up to the hype of the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, that’ll be much more important than the digits on his chest. Carter was a star at Penn State, which has led to some calling him the next Micah Parsons. But with a new number in hand, Carter would like to leave his own legacy. And at his talent level, he’s got a great chance to do just that.

Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 76) with some Cowboys history We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football.Today – number 76. Jay Ratliff Born: August 29, 1981. St. Petersburg, FloridaPosition: Nose TackleDallas Cowboys: 2005-2013Awards: All-Pro- 2008 & 2009Pro Bowl– 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Tim Heitman-Imagn Images Jay Ratliff played defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys from 2005 to 2012 after being selected in the seventh round out of Auburn. He was considered seriously undersized by traditional nose tackle standards, but Ratliff used quickness, leverage, and relentless effort to become a dominant interior presence in the Cowboys’ odd front defense. He earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2008 to 2011, and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2009. Ratliff was a disruptive force up front, consistently collapsing pockets and making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. For a player taken so late in the draft, Ratliff proved that it’s not all about where you start, it’s where you finish. Even though he was drafted in the seventh round, Jay Ratliff would NEVER let you forget about him. #DeepBlue | @pepsi pic.twitter.com/ELCjx1YyTT — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 25, 2023 Best known for:Ratliff was best known for outperforming expectations as a seventh-round pick and becoming one of the NFL’s premier nose tackles during his peak, anchoring the Cowboys’ defensive line with power and tenacity. Lesser known fact:Early in his college career at Auburn, Ratliff actually played tight end before switching to the defensive side of the ball, moving from defensive end to defensive tackle in his final year. This unusual and unique path gave Ratliff an intimate understanding of offensive line blocking techniques he would later use to his advantage. ✭ COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF ✭ With 100 days to go until the #Cowboys kickoff the season against the #Eagles, we are counting down with a @BloggingTheBoys Top-100 consensus ranking. We asked staffers to give in their top-100, here is: DAY 76Jay Ratliff#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/7XH6XTQD0h — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) June 20, 2025

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images We all know the traditional rivals of the Cowboys… but is there a non-traditional NFL team that you also dislike? If so, why? There are Dallas Cowboys fans all over the world. This circumstance leads us to different approaches to fandom. We all share the same general fandom in that we root for the team and root against division rivals, but perhaps you also root against a team that somebody else does. To be more specific as a hypothetical, it is possible that you live in an area that has another strong NFL presence and so that fanbase annoys you. You might live in Arizona and get sick of people talking about the Cardinals or something like that. You get the picture. Or maybe you have a sibling or friend who roots for a team another Cowboys fan has no apparent beef with so you root against that squad in the same way you do the Philadelphia Eagles. For our Friday discussion we want to know if there are any non-traditional rivals of the team who you root against? If so, why? Let us know in the comments below!