Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys is here. Micah Parsons feels good about deal getting done with Dallas Cowboys but no talks have been had – Clarence Hill, DLLS It would behoove the Cowboys to get this out of the way sooner than later. Defensive end Micah Parsons admittedly feels good about a deal getting down with the Dallas Cowboys, giving credence to the positive social media chatter over the last couple of days. But there are some caveats and details that make Parsons’ optimism seemingly ring hollow. According a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations, the Cowboys have not had any real talks, if any, with Parsons’ agent David Mulegheta. Owner Jerry Jones and vice president Stephen Jones have talked to Parsons in and around the facility, giving him hope. “It’s coming along well,” Parsons said with a smile at a fundraising dinner Thursday night at The Catch in Dallas, benefitting his Lion Heart Foundation. Parsons was joined by four Cowboys coaches, including head coach Brian Schottenheimer, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill and Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James at the event. Parsons said during the 2024 season said he didn’t need to make $40 million annually on his new contract extension. But he acknowledged that “$40” is real for him, given the recent jump in the market with deals for Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Cincinnati Bengals receiver Jamar Chase, who make $40 and $40.1 million, respectively, as the highest-paid non quarterback in the NFL. “I just played these last couple years on $2 and 3 million, I think if I had $40 million I’d be the happiest man alive,” Parsons said. “You go from playing for the league rookie minimum and get that big of a jump, I think anybody would be happy.” After strong 2024 receiver class, talent evaluators see ‘dropping point’ in 2025 pool – Jori Eppstein, Yahoosports The pickings at WR in the draft may be slimmer than you thought. Talent evaluators from four different teams agreed that this year’s receiver class is significantly weaker than last year’s and compares unfavorably across the past five years. An NFC and AFC evaluator each said they graded just two receivers in the top two rounds this year. Receivers could be drafted more favorably than their grades due to demand exceeding supply, but teams should beware. “It is just one of those years where there’s not a bunch of just scary dudes,” the NFC evaluator said. “[…] I think it’s going to be one of those positions where you’re going to see some wow in the second, third round [guys drafted because] someone sees something in a kid and we’re going to be two or three rounds low on the guy compared to that team. “Who cares? I mean, let’s get our guys, right? But it wouldn’t shock me if, hey, one of these guys that we have in the fifth round goes in the second.” Cowboys’ DC Matt Eberflus makes three stops at SEC Pro Day workouts; Dallas sends trio of coaches to Oregon – Nick Harris, Star-Telegram The Cowboys are putting in the miles. According to multiple sources, Eberflus has made stops at Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina. In addition to Eberflus’ travels, a trio of Dallas assistants were in attendance at Oregon’s Pro Day earlier this week. Wide receivers coach and former Oregon assistant Junior Adams, offensive line coach Conor Riley and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton were all in Eugene to see the numerous draft prospects for the Ducks. The Cowboys also had a representative in attendance for the individual Pro Day workout by Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Widely considered the top receiver in the draft, many mock drafts have had the Cowboys selecting the Southern California native at No. 12. Miles Sanders reflects on time with Panthers, excited for fresh start with Cowboys – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com The former second-round pick wants to add some juice to the running back room on Dallas. Sanders primarily split carries with Chuba Hubbard in Carolina, and the Panthers utilized Hubbard a lot more in 2024 which held Sanders to just 55 carries on the season in 11 games played. “Definitely a learning experience, you just have to control what you can control,” Sanders said of his last two seasons. “I think I’ve made the best of this situation with the cards I’ve been dealt with, there’s a lot of stuff out of my control, but I’m just blessed to still be in the situation I’m in and have another opportunity to ball out.” The opportunity will come in Dallas, which will take some time to adjust to for Sanders, who is a native of Pennsylvania and spent the first four seasons of his NFL career playing for the rival Eagles. “It is going to be a little strange…” Sanders said. “Dak [Prescott] hit me up, it was a funny little conversation, he congratulated me and welcomed me to the team… more excited though, it is going to be a little strange, but I’m excited for the opportunity, honestly.” Prescott wasn’t the only person to reach out to Sanders, as Schottenheimer was the first to make contact with Sanders. Similarly to how some of the other free agents the Cowboys have acquired, Sanders appreciated how personable Schottenheimer was during their initial conversation. “It just came off real genuine, we didn’t really talk about football, it was moreso relationships and stuff like that, what I can do, and just talk about the future and about the team,” Sanders said. “He’s excited for the opportunity too, I love his energy, he answered all the questions that I had.” From a schematic standpoint, Sanders hasn’t dived into the X’s and O’s with Schottenheimer and Adams just yet, but they’ve made it clear that the offense will feature it heavily, and Adams’ history with the offensive line presents a unique situation for Dallas’ offense. “The

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The latest news surrounding the division. Why did new Commanders receiver retire and then decide to return? – Bryan Manning, USA Today Former Cowboys wide receiver returns to football for the rival Washington Commanders. Even after trading for Deebo Samuel and re-signing Noah Brown and K.J. Osborn, the Washington Commanders still needed more depth at wide receiver. When free agency opened, Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey were the only receivers under contract for 2025. Washington lost two key depth pieces in free agency when Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus signed elsewhere. On Thursday, Washington introduced Samuel to the media while quietly signing a veteran wide receiver that fans should know: Michael Gallup. Gallup actually visited Washington during the first week of free agency but left without a contract. Just over one week later, the Commanders signed the former Dallas Cowboys third-round pick for a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum. When news of Gallup’s visit surfaced, fans groaned. Why? Gallup actually retired last summer, and before his retirement, he hadn’t caught more than 39 passes since 2020. Injuries played a role in Gallup’s struggles with Dallas at the end of his tenure. In six years with the Cowboys from 2018-23, Gallup appeared in 86 games with 67 starts and had 266 receptions, 3,744 receiving yards, and 21 touchdown receptions. So, while he may have never been a No. 1 receiver, Gallup has enjoyed NFL success and is still only 29. So, why did Gallup retire? After signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, Gallup said he wasn’t in the “right head space” and retired in July. Before signing with Las Vegas, all six of Gallup’s NFL seasons were in Dallas. “The way I was let go from being in some place for so long and then jumping right into a whole other team and not being able to process it,” he said. “I never went through that before. So, trying out how to process that and everything, I think it was just fast for me, and I wasn’t there yet.” Gallup doesn’t need to be Washington’s No. 1 or No. 2 receiver in 2025. If he makes the roster, the Commanders could use Gallup to fill Brown’s (30 receptions) or Zaccheaus’ (45 receptions) production. If he doesn’t, Washington loses nothing. [Dan] Quinn wanted to give Gallup another shot to make it, and the rest is up to the veteran wideout. Eagles believe expanded regular-season overtime will add 30 total plays per season – Mike Florio, NBC Sports Philadelphia hopes to align the regular and postseason overtime rules. When the Eagles last played an overtime game, against the Bills during the 2023 season, Philly benefited from the regular-season rule that guarantees a possession for the team that kick offs to start overtime — if the team that receives scores a field goal. The Eagles now want the guaranteed possession for the kicking team even if the first drive of overtime results in a touchdown. We addressed the issue earlier today, making the point that the potential expansion of regular-season overtime to up to 15 minutes shows that the concerns that fueled the 2017 shrinkage of regular-season overtime to 10 minutes (propping up and protecting Thursday Night Football) no longer apply. The proposal, which seemed last month to be destined to be made by the Competition Committee and not by any one team, isn’t expected to result in a significant uptick in snaps, if passes. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Eagles believe the adoption of the postseason two-guaranteed-possessions rule along with a 15-minute overtime will add only 30 plays per year. The extra plays will happen only if/when a game goes to overtime and the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on the first drive. But what about the possibility of a pair of touchdowns and a third drive? It’s believed that the team that scores a touchdown on the second drive of overtime will go for two in lieu of giving the other team an opportunity to win the game with a field goal. So there typically won’t be a third drive, if the first two result in touchdowns. That’s the ultimate attraction of tweaking the rule for the regular season. Eventually, a game will come down to a two-point conversion that will determine the game. And the wind seems to currently be blowing in the direction of the proposal passing, with regular-season overtime matching postseason overtime, but for the fact that in the regular season there can indeed be a tie. Report: Russell Wilson Prefers Giants Over Steelers – Patricia Traina, Sports Illustrated Despite the mutual interest, money may be the biggest sticking point right now. The New York Giants continue to wait in their quest to sign a veteran quarterback. The Giants are thought to be waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make up his mind, but in the interim, they’ve met with Russell Wilson, who might be a better fit than Rodgers. During an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Wilson sees the Giants as “more of a viable option at this point” for him to continue his career [h/t Bleacher Report]. If Wilson wants the Giants, and the Giants thought enough of Wilson to have him in for a visit twice (including last year), then why hasn’t a deal been struck? The likely answer is money. The Giants were reportedly all set to meet Matthew Stafford’s desire to be paid like a top-10 quarterback had a trade been worked out. While it’s unknown what price point Wilson might be seeking, it’s not a stretch to conclude that the financial terms of a potential union still need to be ironed out before a deal can be struck. Like any other human seeking a paid position, Wilson probably thinks he’s worth just as much as his contemporaries. However, as is the case across multiple employment landscapes, there is typically a give-and-take in which two sides ultimately meet somewhere

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images Losing Cooper Rush is a bigger deal than you think. After spending most of the last eight seasons with the Cowboys, quarterback Cooper Rush recently signed to back up Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. It’s a loss that Dallas shouldn’t take for granted given the significant role that Rush has played, and the likelihood that whoever takes over as QB2 will need to be ready to win some games. Many have declared indifference to Rush’s departure. It generally comes in two flavors; either you don’t think Rush was that good or you feel that the Cowboys’ season would be over regardless of who the backup QB is. The first line of reasoning is debatable, and the second is even easier to debunk. There are legitimate complaints about Rush’s overall skill set. He certainly wasn’t flashy in any one area, particularly his athleticism. He isn’t very mobile and his arm strength is average at best. But in terms of the core duties of a quarterback, Rush processed well, avoided turnovers, and delivered the ball with sufficient accuracy. You could keep running most of your offense with him in the game. His personality was also great for the role, able to step up and perform even in high-pressure situations. Rush went 9-5 as a starter in the last four seasons. While wins are a team stat, it demonstrates that Rush was capable of doing enough to help Dallas win 64% of those games. That’s 10-11 wins in a 17-game season, which some NFL franchises would love to see. Maybe he wasn’t going to beat top teams or give you much confidence in the playoffs, but how many backup QBs do? There’s a reason the 2017 Nick Foles story was considered worthy of a Disney movie; it was a fantasy come to life. But even though the legend of Foles is an extreme example, it does illustrate that seasons don’t end just because you lose your starting QB. Even more realistic is the fact that not all injuries are season-ending. Just look at 2022 when Prescott missed five games from Weeks 2-6. That was when Rush really put his name on the map for NFL backups, going 4-1 as the starter. It allowed Prescott to return to a 4-2 team, which led to another 12-5 season and playoff berth. That’s when you need a guy like Cooper Rush. No, he’s probably not going to win you a Super Bowl or even a second-round playoff game. But he proved that he could keep your season afloat. It says something that the Ravens, who project to remain a championship contender in 2025, would trust Rush with their backup job. The Cowboys can’t be any less serious about their own QB2. Prescott has missed 26 games over the last five years, 20 from season-ending injuries and six in temporary absences. He’s only getting older and you’re not exactly confident about your offensive line these days, particularly at offensive tackle. Dallas has to have someone they trust to keep the team competitive, at least in the regular season, when Prescott gets knocked out of action again. It’s hard to say Will Grier is that guy with any kind of boldness. The only other QB currently under contract, Grier hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2019 with the Panthers. Maybe the former third-round pick is just waiting for another opportunity to show what he can do, like Rush for several years before 2021. But some things just can’t be proven on the practice field or even in preseason games, and then you’re putting the team’s W-L record on the line. There’s still plenty of time for the Cowboys to show how they really feel about losing Cooper Rush. Right now, Grier would be the next man up by circumstance over strategy. We still have a lot of offseason left to go and ample opportunities for Dallas to find Rush’s actual replacement via free agency or the draft. Maybe we’ll get to training camp and Grier will still seem like the front-runner, but it’d be nice to see another veteran or a mid-round draft pick here to compete. But if the Cowboys truly appreciate what they’ve had these last several years with Rush, they won’t be flippant about who fills his shoes.

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images Linebacker depth has improved for the Cowboys this offseason. The Dallas Cowboys made it a mission filled holes defensively through the first wave of free agency. Specifically, they have upgraded the linebacker position due to DeMarvion Overshown recovering from a torn ACL, veteran Eric Kendricks being a free agent, and Damone Clark not taking the next step up until this point. Last week, Dallas signed Jack Sanborn to a one-year deal and traded for Kenneth Murray. Sprinkle in Marist Liufau, who showed great promise as a rookie in 2024, and the Cowboys linebacker room looks a lot better than it did a few weeks ago. However, Bill Barnwell of ESPN doesn’t think Dallas should stop there. He laid out ideal landing spots for some of the top remaining free agents on Wednesday. The Cowboys were mentioned when it came to White. Why he’s still a free agent: Once a safety, White can be a tweener in some NFL defenses, which might see him as more of a weakside linebacker than the middle linebacker role he played in Arizona over the past two seasons. Teams prioritized paying three-down linebackers Nick Bolton and Robert Spillane early in free agency, but even while White has been an every-down linebacker, he might not have a ton of teams seeing him as that sort of player in their own defenses. Why teams should be interested: He’s fun! White makes a ton of tackles; his 11.9% tackle share last season ranked 16th in the league, an impressive figure given that Budda Baker ranked third by the same metric. White’s missed tackle rate was reasonable (5.5%), and he had 2.5 sacks and eight knockdowns as a blitzer. White is certainly a tackling machine. He logged over 100 in three of the last four seasons and still had 90 in the one season he didn’t (2023). During his seven seasons in the NFL, White has played in 92 games with 73 starts, including 17 last season for the Arizona Cardinals. White hasn’t been hit too hard with injuries during his career as he was placed on injured reserve for the final two games at the end of the 2020 season with a hamstring issue and missed we the final six games in 2023 with a torn biceps. The 2024 campaign was arguably the best for White as a pro. His 137 tackles were his second most in any season. He also set career highs in sacks (2.5) and quarterback hits (8), and he also tied a career best with nine tackles for loss. So, White is still a very productive player. On top of that, he’s more than cost efficient with a market value of only $5.8 according to Spotrac. Dallas could be done adding linebacker help until the draft, and it would be understandable with the Sanborn and Murray additions. A guy like White is someone they Cowboys should consider, though, and he wouldn’t stop them from picking up another in the NFL draft next month.

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images The latest buzz surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Why this draft fits favorably with Cowboys’ remaining needs: One on one with Dane Brugler – Saad Yousuf and Dane Brugler, The Athletic The draft class includes many players who can help fill the Cowboys’ needs for 2025, including Ashton Jeanty. Brugler: If Dallas focuses on the prospect who will make the greatest impact at No. 12, then Jeanty should absolutely be on the very short list of potential Cowboys. His vision and contact balance make him a tough guy to get on the ground. What I love the most about his game is the reactionary reads — he won’t predetermine his path, he has the instincts to read, sort and cut. Want a big-play creator? Jeanty had 12 carries of 50-plus yards in 2024. No other FBS player had more than five. He is a true every-down back and does much of his best work on passing downs, catching the football or blocking in pass pro. For me, the No. 1 reason not to take Jeanty is the volume of backs available in the subsequent rounds. Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson on Day 2 would be a great fit in Dallas. Oregon’s Jordan James early on Day 3? Yes, please. The Cowboys could wait until the fifth round and still land a quality player like Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks or Kansas State’s DJ Giddens. The options are plentiful and likely why I would look elsewhere than running back in the first round, even if Jeanty has special all over him. Yousuf: I’m fascinated to see how the Cowboys judge this running back draft class. They have a lot of needs they can address in the first three rounds but then don’t have a fourth-rounder because of the Jonathan Mingo trade. I wonder if they would package some of their Day 3 picks to move into the fourth round to get their guy. Even if they wait, a guy like Giddens is interesting, especially with Brian Schottenheimer adding former Kansas State assistant coach Conor Riley to his staff as offensive line coach. Possible Pick: Will Johnson is the prototype at cornerback in the NFL – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com Will Johnson is a player to watch if the Cowboys are looking to add more talent in the secondary early on in the draft. Where He’s Projected: Although Johnson has suffered various injuries over the course of his three years at Michigan, he’s still being mocked in the mid-to-late first round of the NFL draft. How He Helps the Cowboys: The Cowboys are big fans of tall, long-armed cornerbacks and Johnson is the perfect prototype for what Dallas has liked at the position in the past. In addition to his 6’2 height, Johnson registered 30 1/8” arms at the NFL Combine, giving him a dream build for an NFL corner. Johnson was incredibly productive in his three seasons with the Wolverines, winning a national championship in 2023 as one of the cornerstones on the defensive side of the ball. He had nine career interceptions, returning three for touchdowns and did not allow a touchdown when in coverage in his final two seasons of college football. Johnson has dealt with a number of injuries as of late, including a turf toe injury that sidelined him for all but six games in the 2024 season and a hamstring injury preventing him from working out at his pro day. In a Matt Eberflus scheme that will likely incorporate a lot of zone coverage, Johnson is a player that excels in zone and has the build of a future star at cornerback. The Cowboys acquired Kaiir Elam via trade to help build depth at the cornerback position, and adding a player like Johnson wouldn’t hurt whatsoever. Cooper Rush has classy message for Cowboys fans after free agency exit – Josh Sanchez, Sports Illustrated Cooper Rush says his farewell to Dallas as he prepares to make his move to Baltimore. Rush will be missed, and on his way out, he let everyone know he would also be missing Dallas with a heartfelt message to the fans and a video package from his time in Dallas. “From an undrafted rookie wearing [No. 7] to an eight year veteran wearing [No. 10], I appreciated every moment in a Cowboys uniform,” Rush wrote on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cooper Rush (@_cooperrush) He continued, “Thank you Dallas for all of the love that you showed to me and my family. I’m excited for the next chapter but forever grateful for the first one.” Now that Rush has moved on from the team and Trey Lance is not expected to return, the Cowboys will be looking to add a younger option behind Dak Prescott. A mid-round pick in the NFL Draft to add a young signal-caller is the direction the Cowboys are expected to go. Ex-Cowboys WR Michael Gallup signs with Washington Commanders – SportsDay Staff, Dallas Morning News After taking a year off, Michael Gallup is returning to the NFL to play for a Cowboys’ rival. Former Dallas wide receiver Michael Gallup signed with Washington on Thursday, the team announced, becoming the latest player from the Cowboys’ roster during Quinn’s time on staff to head north. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Gallup is attempting a return to the NFL after retiring ahead of the 2024 season. He was released by the Cowboys last offseason and signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders in April 2024. But Gallup had a change of heart in late July and instead chose to retire. Gallup, who just turned 29 years old, has 266 career catches for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was Dallas’ third-round selection out of Colorado State in the 2018 draft and built a strong career with the Cowboys that he turned into a five-year, $62.5 million contract ahead of the 2022 season. Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks: ‘It’d be a

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Things could be lining up nicely for the Cowboys to have another strong start to the draft. The year was 2020. The Dallas Cowboys had just signed Amari Cooper to a new contract extension after previously using a first-round draft pick to acquire him in a trade a couple of years prior. The Cowboys weren’t looking for a new wide receiver, but the draft gods delivered them a golden opportunity when CeeDee Lamb was passed over not once, but twice by two teams who opted to select a different wide receiver. Just like that, Lamb was a member of the Cowboys. Michael Irvin said CeeDee Lamb was the top WR on the Cowboys’ draft board. He now pairs with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. A lot of weapons on that Dallas offense pic.twitter.com/QOCgdxhwOf — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 24, 2020 But the fun didn’t stop there. The gifts kept coming. Despite seven cornerbacks being drafted in the top 50 picks, one of the Cowboys’ top guys, Trevon Diggs, was still there when pick 51 rolled around. You might remember that Diggs was believed to be a player the team was considering in the first round, so to land him in round two was super fantastic. If the first 16 picks played out a certain way, CB Trevon Diggs was a player the #Cowboys were STRONGLY considering in the 1st round at No. 17. And now they get him at No. 51. Ideal scenario for Dallas. — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 25, 2020 Two picks. Two eventual All-Pros. What a great way to start the draft. For their own reasons, the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos preferred the Alabama receivers Henry Ruggs III (pick 12) and Jerry Jeudy (pick 15). Lamb was viewed as the nation’s top collegiate wide receiver, but every team sees things differently. Five seasons in, Lamb has the most receptions of any receiver taken in the entire draft. Diggs had battled injuries, missing extended time in each of the last two seasons, but when he’s on the field, he’s been very good. Despite the games missed, Diggs still has more interceptions than all seven corners selected before him in the draft… combined! The interesting thing about the great start of the 2020 draft is that when you start looking ahead to the upcoming draft, the table is set for a similar occurrence. Even though the Cowboys already have their WR1, a wide receiver is totally in play in the first round after the team failed to lock up a WR2 option in free agency. Sitting with pick 12, they are in a great position to land one of this year’s best pass catchers. The only question is, who is it? Pro Football Network and Draftwire have mocked Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan to the Cowboys while NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah and CBS Sports have mocked Texas receiver Matthew Golden to Dallas. We don’t know if the front office’s top-graded player at 12 will be wide receiver, but if it is, it could provide them with a great one-two WR punch for years to come. The Cowboys have done a lot of work over the last week to fill holes along the defensive line and at linebacker, but there are still some question marks at cornerback. Diggs’ health and DaRon Bland’s future could mean they need to look at finding more talent sooner rather than later. And as luck would have it, a cluster of corners fall in the late-first/early-second range. Players like Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston and Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas are hit-the-ground-running corners who would immediately help the team and potentially shore up the position should Diggs or Bland not be around much longer. It’s not unreasonable that one of the team’s favorite corner prospects is there when the Cowboys are on the clock in round two. Two picks. Two premium positions. Two positions where they need help. It’s almost like the universe is lining up perfectly for the Cowboys to score two more great talents. How great would it be if they started things off like they did in 2020? And it would still leave room for them to find their answer at running back in round three. What would be your ideal Rd 1/Rd 2/Rd 3 scenario for the Cowboys? Mine would be…Round 1: WR Tetairoa McMillanRound 2: CB Azareye’h ThomasRound 3: RB RJ Harvey pic.twitter.com/8iVoN2dRVu — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) March 17, 2025

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images Who would surprise you to see the Cowboys take in the first round? It’s important to remember Jerry Jones and Company have a way of saying one thing and then doing the complete opposite. While it looks as if the Dallas Cowboys are zeroing in on running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and maybe even another pass rusher with the 12th overall pick in the first-round, they could very well do something completely unexpected as well. With that in mind, we tried to think a little outside of the box to try to figure out what positions, and more importantly what players, the Cowboys might draft in the first-round that could completely surprise us. While it seems unlikely such an occurrence should take place, it’s still realistic enough to examine further in all likelihood it actually does come to fruition. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images It’s no secret the Dallas Cowboys have been zeroing in on potential wide receivers who could come in and help take pressure off of CeeDee Lamb. There’s a very real possibility they could have their pick of the best WRs in the 2025 draft class with the 12th overall pick in the first-round. But, what if they’re targeting a different kind of player who would also pair nicely with No. 88 as well as being an even more dynamic and versatile playmaker. Tyler Warren was a do-it-all offensive weapon during his time at Penn State and actually makes sense for the Cowboys in the first-round. Whether in-line, split out, or as a gadget player he can be utilized in a variety of ways to improve Dallas’ offense. And, with Jake Ferguson entering a contract year with no one behind him who’s shown starting potential, Warren could be an intriguing surprise selection with the 12th overall pick in the first-round. LT Josh Simmons, Ohio State No ma’am Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The most immediate concern for the Cowboys in regards to their offensive line is who is going to step in and replace Zack Martin at right guard. While they have several in-house options and also added free agent Robert Jones, there’s still a belief they could draft another guard to fill the void. But, after watching Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele struggle mightily in 2024 and with little to no depth behind them, tackle may be of higher priority. Josh Simmons is someone who could be a surprise first-round pick for Dallas. If not for his season-ending knee injury in his last season at Ohio State, there’s a very good chance he would’ve been the first offensive lineman off the board in April. After his medical checkups at the scouting combine, signs point to him being 100% ready for training camp. He could be a plug-and-play LT, allowing Guyton and Steele to battle it out for the starting RT job. DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan Photo by CFP/Getty Images After Taco Charlton and now possibly Mazi Smith, quite a few people around Cowboys Nation have soured on the Dallas Cowboys drafting any defensive lineman out of Michigan. However, they currently have a glaring hole at nose tackle unless Mazi suddenly starts living up to his potential as a former first-round pick. As unlikely as selecting another first-round DT is, drafting a dominant one-technique could help transform Dallas’ defense. At 6’3″ and over 330 pounds, Kenneth Grant is a massive defensive tackle who is surprisingly athletic for his size. His ability to anchor down against the run is arguably the best in the draft class and his strength, power, and agility helps him collapse the pocket as a pass rusher. Considering Dallas’ current dilemma with their last first-round DT selection and other roster “needs” elsewhere, taking Grant at No. 12 would be quite the shocker.

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images We are tracking everything you need to know regarding Dallas Cowboys pre-draft visits. The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of work to do to their roster if they want to have a competitive football season and the NFL draft is a big opportunity to infuse themselves with talent. History has shown us that the Cowboys love to prioritize the draft and treat it as the most serious avenue of team-building across the offseason as a whole. One of the most fun parts about draft season is trying to piece together everything that is happening in real time thanks to the breadcrumbs that make their way out. An important part of that process is the 30 visits that the Cowboys host (formal meetings with draft prospects) at The Star in Frisco. These 30 visits are formal and occur at team headquarters. Nothing is ever fully predictable, but it stands to reason that at least one of (maybe even multiple) the players who Dallas brings in for a formal visit will be a team draft pick. Consider that last year the Cowboys hosted Marist Liufau and Nathan Thomas and wound up drafting them both. We will be tracking all reported 30 visits for the Cowboys as well as players who are set to attend their annual Dallas Day. The latter is local prospects, players who went to high school or college in the area, and are not official 30 visits. Keep in mind that the team uses this to their advantage so will not formally host someone who they can bring in as a Dallas-area visitor. Last Updated: Thursday, March 20th at 1:00pm ET Official Dallas Cowboys 30 Visits TBD Dallas Day Participants Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (multiple reports) Miami RB Damien Martinez (via Nick Harris) TCU WR Savion Williams (via Nick Harris) Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II (via Ryan Fowler)

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images It is going to be interesting to see how the Cowboys work Hunter Luepke into their plans. One young Cowboys player with a lot of fans is fullback Hunter Luepke. But after two years on the roster in Mike McCarthy’s offense, Luepke now has to reprove his worth to a renovated coaching staff. Based on history, particularly Brian Schottenheimer’s, Luepke’s versatility may not have the same value now as it has the last two seasons. Fullbacks probably get more attention in Dallas than most of the NFL because of our deep-rooted appreciation for Daryl “Moose” Johnston as a beloved figure from the 90s dynasty. Two strong years from Richie Anderson in the early 2000s helped to stoke the fire a bit, too. But even as the position teeters on extinction throughout most of the league, the Cowboys have generally kept one on the roster most seasons. Luepke is the latest to occupy the job and his abilities as a ball-carrier and receiver, mostly seen during preseason but flashed at times in real games, have led to inordinate hype. McCarthy’s history with renowned fullback John Kuhn in Green Bay, and even Aaron Ripkowski after him, prompted speculation that Luepke could become a prominent name. But thanks to Ezekiel Elliott’s return as the primary short-yardage option and third-down back last year, Luepke’s role was still fairly limited. Now with Schottenheimer taking full control of the Cowboys’ offense, Luepke’s value could take a hit. Fullbacks have never really seen the ball much in Schottenheimer’s offenses, going back through his past stops with the Seahawks, Rams, and Jets. They may see plenty of work as traditional run-blockers but either he hasn’t had any with much offensive skill or hasn’t chosen to feature it. In Seattle, converted linebacker Nick Bellore was the fullback and only touched the ball five times in two seasons under Schottenheimer. If this trend holds now that Schottenheimer’s calling plays in Dallas, that could be a real problem for Luepke. Run-blocking is not his strongest trait, which means Dallas might see less need for him to even make the roster. They may look to do more double TE sets to get both Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker on the field, putting whoever their running backs end up being in single-back formations. Luepke will likely have to either develop as a run blocker or show that he’s the team’s best power RB to improve his job security. While McCarthy and even Jason Garrett before him have given true fullbacks a place to work, Schottenheimer seems less inclined to do so based on history. He has preached being adaptable to his talent, though, so perhaps he’d find ways to take advantage of Luepke’s strengths. But his track record suggests otherwise, and Dallas has foregone even keeping a FB on the roster as recently as 2021-2022. Whether driven by nostalgia or an appreciation for unique players, Hunter Luepke has developed a following in his first two seasons with Dallas. But with Mike McCarthy gone, will he find the same support from his coaches and the front office? Roster spots are valuable, and being the only fullback is hardly a guarantee of one in the modern NFL. Luepke may have to fight harder than ever to remain with the Cowboys in 2025.

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas Cowboys select fast-rising wide receiver in latest NFL mock draft – Koby Skillern, Sports Illustrated Providing Dak Prescott a solid WR2 seems to be where many people project Dallas to go in the draft. The Dallas Cowboys had a strong start to the offseason with a productive round of NFL free agency, signing players at key positions of need that should have a significant impact in the 2025 season. After their active moves in free agency and trades, there has been a growing debate about the team’s biggest remaining roster needs. With the likelihood that the Cowboys won’t be very active in free agency until after the NFL Draft, the focus will now shift to utilizing their draft picks to find impact players and further strengthen the roster. Fox Sports’ Rob Rang put together a mock draft and had the Cowboys solving their WR2 problem by selecting Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden. “With all due respect to Jalen Tolbert and the rest of the Cowboys’ supporting cast at wide receiver, Dallas needs to give Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb a little help in the passing game. In just 4.29 seconds at the Combine, Golden cemented his first-round stock, boasting not only elite speed but the playmaking ability to project as a “star” in the NFL,” said Rang. Golden could be the perfect complement to Lamb. While Lamb excels in the slot, Golden thrives as a deep threat. There may be debates about the Cowboys’ biggest need—whether it’s cornerback, backup quarterback, wide receiver, or defensive lineman—but there is no doubt that if the Cowboys come away from the first round with a talent like Golden, it could immensely change the immediate future for Dallas. The offense lacks firepower, and Golden provides just that. He could instantly relieve the pressure on Prescott and Lamb, giving the team a wide receiver duo they haven’t had since trading away Amari Cooper three seasons ago. Mailbag: What’s the plan at backup QB now? – Mickey Spagnola & Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com Another offensive need is a solid QB2. Were you surprised that Dallas let Cooper Rush get out of the building? Could the Cowboys have afforded the two-year, $12 million contract that Baltimore gave him? That doesn’t sound like a whole lot of money for a proven and reliable QB2. With Cooper gone, what do you think the Cowboys will do about their backup quarterback position? Is it Will Grier’s to win or lose, or do they draft and develop a quarterback from the later rounds?– Mark Somma/ Winchester, VA** Mickey: ​Very good question, since in my mind, having a backup quarterback who can go .500 (4-4) like Coop did this past season under adverse injury situations is pretty strong. His deal with the Ravens by the way, is two years, “up to” $12 million. It’s really two years, $6.25 million, with $4.2 million guaranteed. Just remember, every million dollars counts against the salary cap. So, for now, today, Will Grier would be the backup and the Cowboys plan is to draft one at least around the fourth (if they can trade back into that round) or the fifth. But that guy would not be likely to be the immediate backup. Also, they need quarterbacks in here for the offseason workouts since can’t expect Dak to be ready for much. To me, interesting name out there now is Desmond Ridder, who started 13 of 15 games for Atlanta in 2023. Think we can label this as a “fluid” situation. Tommy: I strongly believe they’re going to draft a quarterback in the later rounds come April. Stephen Jones essentially told the media at the combine that having a younger quarterback on the roster was a preference, and with the way the Trey Lance experience went I think they’ll look to the draft this time around to find their guy. That said, I think it would also benefit them to add a free agent at the position too, just so you’ve got some experience there with more than likely a lower price tag than what Rush earned in Baltimore. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb tried recruiting Cooper Kupp to Dallas – Brandon Loree, Blogging The Boys The Cowboys took a run at Cooper Kupp until the dollar amount got too high. Almost immediately after news broke last Friday morning about the Dallas Cowboys being a sleeper team for signing Cooper Kupp, conflicting reports surfaced even faster, dampening Dallas’ interest in the former All-Pro wide receiver. Kupp’s asking price for a new deal was around $15 million annually, which is exactly what the Seattle Seahawks gave the former Los Angeles Ram to join their team on a three-year contract. Despite the conflicting reports, Adam Schefter wanted to make it clear on The Adam Schefter Podcast that the Cowboys were initially interested in Kupp. So much so that Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb called the then-free agent wide out. Almost immediately after news broke last Friday morning about the Dallas Cowboys being a sleeper team for signing Cooper Kupp, conflicting reports surfaced even faster, dampening Dallas’ interest in the former All-Pro wide receiver. Kupp’s asking price for a new deal was around $15 million annually, which is exactly what the Seattle Seahawks gave the former Los Angeles Ram to join their team on a three-year contract. Despite the conflicting reports, Adam Schefter wanted to make it clear on The Adam Schefter Podcast that the Cowboys were initially interested in Kupp. So much so that Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb called the then-free agent wide out. Pivoting from a receiver like Cooks and Kupp could signal they want to get someone younger at the position. The NFL draft could be their opportunity to find not only a great No. 2 wide receiver but one who comes at a low price tag (a win-win for the front office). Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), and Matthew Golden (Texas)