Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images All the Dallas Cowboys news that’s fit to print. Cowboys’ Dante Fowler Jr. fired up for 2nd stint with team after free agency reunion – Ali Jawad, Sports Illustrated In a reverse of last offseason, the Cowboys got back a defensive lineman that previously followed Dan Quinn to the Commanders. After a season in the nations capital Fowler Jr. opted to return to the Cowboys last week, signing a one-year free agent contract. “It feels amazing to be back, I’m definitely happy to be here in Dallas,” Fowler Jr. told DallasCowboys.com. “I’m ready to get going with the guys for sure. I’m definitely excited to be back in this defense and to help get this defense to be one of the top defenses in the league and to help the team get some wins.” During his first run in Dallas, Fowler Jr. appeared in 34 games and recorded 40 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles. In his lone season in Washington, the former 2015 first-round pick proved just how productive he can be when playing away from attention-getting players like Pro Bowlers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Fowler Jr. recorded 39 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 20 pressures, and a pick-six last season with the Commanders. He credited his breakout season in Washington thanks to his first run in Dallas. “It was pretty big, just to be able to go out there and show the people that I’m still here and be able to produce at a high level,” Fowler Jr. said. “I felt really confident going into this season especially with these past two years getting to work from coach [Aden Durde], Micah [Parsons] and [DeMarcus Lawrence] with the d-line group that we had.” Cowboys free agent moves on the defensive line show they are serious about taking the ball away – Dan Rogers, Blogging The Boys Turnovers are once again a point of emphasis for the Cowboys defense, with a very new-look front seven to get after the ball. And attrition is at work again this year. The Cowboys had six defensive linemen with at least two sacks last year, and four of them are not on the team this year. DeMarcus Lawrence (free agency) Chauncey Golston (free agency) Carl Lawson (unsigned) Linval Joseph (unsigned) Unlike last year, the Cowboys aren’t sitting on their hands in free agency to replace the players they’ve lost. We’re only one week into free agency and the Cowboys have already made the following additions. Signed Dante Fowler to a one-year deal Signed Solomon Thomas to a two-year deal Signed Payton Turner to a one-year deal Add in the four-year, $80 million deal that Osa Odighizuwa got a week ago, and suddenly the Cowboys have some bodies. And don’t forget that Sam Williams returns after sitting out all last year with a knee injury. The Cowboys have a good assortment of pass rushers, but creating pressure hasn’t been the issue for this defense. Of course, it helps when you have one of the best defensive players in the league in Micah Parsons on the roster. The Cowboys have finished in the top three in sacks in two of the last three years. What’s impressive about that stat is that one of those years was last year, where they had to reach deep down the depth chart to get help. While the pass rush was still there, the Cowboys have seen a drop off in creating turnovers over the last two years. In 2021 and 2022, the Cowboys defense led the league in takeaways, but in each of the past two seasons, they have finished outside the top 10. That is something the defense would love to get back. New Cowboys linebackers Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray Jr. on Dallas’ new-look defense – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com The Cowboys have completely flipped the depth chart at linebacker under Eberflus, with new additions Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray ready to hit the ground running. “I feel like we’ve got every piece that we need to be a dominant defense in the NFL,” Murray said. “Just looking at our personnel, we’re going to be a really fast defense, a really violent defense.” That identity falls right under the umbrella of what new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is looking for. Sanborn spent the first three years of his NFL career with Eberflus and now Cowboys linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi in Chicago, and he knows exactly what to expect now that they’ve all reunited again. “Both are great coaches, and both are great defensive minds. I think that is one thing that stood out for me with my time in Chicago, and at the same time just both great people, people that you want to play for, and two people that kind of get the best out of me,” Sanborn said. “I really enjoyed working with them, I’m excited to work with them more and have a great defense here.” When Eberflus’ defenses have been at their best in the past, they specialize in being able to stop the run and take the ball away. Turnovers have been a staple of the Cowboys defense in recent years, but they’ve struggled to stop the run, finishing 29th in the league last season and have not finished top 10 in the league since 2018 in the run defense category. Sanborn thinks all that will change soon. “Being aggressive, one of the big things is he wants to stop the run,” Sanborn said. “I think being aggressive, being physical, flying around to the football, tackling well, and we’ve got to get the football taken away from opposing offenses and that’s what he harps on and is something he wants to get accomplished.” Jourdan Lewis’ replacement might already be on Dallas Cowboys roster thanks to overlooked free agency decision – Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports The Cowboys retaining their own free agents has been overlooked slightly by their outside

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images The Cowboys appear to be really focusing on defense so far. The defense of the Dallas Cowboys took a nice step forward when Dan Quinn arrived in 2021. During his time with the team, the defense was one of the better squads in the NFL in generating pressure and taking the ball away. Quinn left for a head coaching job in Washington and the team replaced him with former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Under Zimmer, the defense played admirably considering how decimated they were with injuries. It was a mixed bag with both outstanding and atrocious play by the defense last year. The Cowboys have again changed out their defensive coordinator and brought back another former Cowboys coach, Matt Eberflus, who was their linebackers coach from 2011-2017. Eberflus will try to make this defense stronger. A few weeks ago he was asked by the Cowboys media how he could get the defensive line to a championship level. “It’s really about getting the depth that we need. We’ve had some free agents leave us over the last couple of years. There are some good pieces that are there to work from. It’s exciting to be able to look at that in the future in terms of the draft and acquiring other players that are special talent guys and we’re excited to get that done.” It’s good to see Eberflus acknowledge how depth along the defensive line has presented some challenges for Dallas in recent years. The Cowboys had seven defensive linemen with at least two sacks in 2023, and four of those players were not available last year. Dorance Armstrong (free agency) Dante Fowler (free agency) Sam Williams (injury) Jonathan Hankins (free agency) And attrition is at work again this year. The Cowboys had six defensive linemen with at least two sacks last year, and four of them are not on the team this year. DeMarcus Lawrence (free agency) Chauncey Golston (free agency) Carl Lawson (unsigned) Linval Joseph (unsigned) Unlike last year, the Cowboys aren’t sitting on their hands in free agency to replace the players they’ve lost. We’re only one week into free agency and the Cowboys have already made the following additions. Signed Dante Fowler to a one-year deal Signed Solomon Thomas to a two-year deal Signed Payton Turner to a one-year deal Add in the four-year, $80 million deal that Osa Odighizuwa got a week ago, and suddenly the Cowboys have some bodies. And don’t forget that Sam Williams returns after sitting out all last year with a knee injury. The Cowboys have a good assortment of pass rushers, but creating pressure hasn’t been the issue for this defense. Of course, it helps when you have one of the best defensive players in the league in Micah Parsons on the roster. The Cowboys have finished in the top three in sacks in two of the last three years. What’s impressive about that stat is that one of those years was last year, where they had to reach deep down the depth chart to get help. While the pass rush was still there, the Cowboys have seen a drop off in creating turnovers over the last two years. In 2021 and 2022, the Cowboys defense led the league in takeaways, but in each of the past two seasons, they have finished outside the top 10. That is something the defense would love to get back. Eberflus was asked what concept or philosophy is the hallmark of his defense and he was quick to respond. “It’s pretty simple. We take the ball away. That’s what we do.” And when you look at the pieces they have combined with the pieces they’ve added, that’s not just lip service. It appears they are making a concerted effort to have players who not only can get to the quarterback, but have the ability to attack the ball and jostle it loose. One thing about the Cowboys’ revamped pass rush that will make it fun to watch is that these guys are splash makers. Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, and Payton Turner…they don’t just sack you, they take the ball away. pic.twitter.com/OLAvPN4R10 — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) March 16, 2025

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Here is our scouting report on Princely Umanmielen from Ole Miss We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at edge defender Princely Umanmielen from Ole Miss. Princely Umanmielen DE/OLBOle Miss RebelsSenior4-star recruit6’4”244 lbs Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images History Princely Umanmielen was born on April 18, 2002, in Manor, Texas, and attended Manor High School, where he excelled as a four-star recruit. During his senior year of high school in 2019, he recorded 90 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks, helping his team reach the Texas UIL Class 5A, Division 1 state championship quarterfinals. Ranked ninth among strong-side defensive ends nationally, he committed to Florida over offers from Auburn, Baylor, and Texas. As a true freshman at Florida, Umanmielen saw limited action but began to display his potential. He appeared in a handful of games, finishing the season with four tackles, two for a loss, and two sacks. His early contributions hinted at his athleticism and ability to disrupt opposing offenses, setting the stage for increased responsibility in subsequent years. In his second year with the Gators, Umanmielen’s role expanded as he played in more games and showed improvement. He recorded 17 tackles, including two for a loss, along with two sacks and a forced fumble. This season marked his development as a rotational player, gaining valuable experience in the SEC while refining his skills against top competition. Umanmielen’s junior year was a breakout campaign, as he became a key contributor on Florida’s defensive line. He tallied 39 tackles, with ten for a loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles, including a notable strip sack against Texas A&M’s Haynes King. His performance demonstrated his growing consistency and ability to impact games, earning him recognition as a rising star in the SEC. In his final season with Florida in 2023, Umanmielen solidified his reputation as one of the conference’s top edge rushers. Starting all 12 games, he posted another career-high 39 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and a team-leading 17 quarterback hurries, earning second-team All-SEC honors. His decision to transfer to Ole Miss after this season was driven by a desire for further development, setting the stage for his next greatest season. Transferring to Ole Miss, Umanmielen had a transformative year under coach Lane Kiffin and defensive coordinator Pete Golding. Playing in 12 games with six starts, he recorded 37 tackles (19 solo), 14 tackles for loss, and a team-high 11 sacks, tied for second-most in Ole Miss single-season history. His efforts helped the Rebels lead the nation in sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120), earning him first-team All-SEC and second-team All-America honors. 2024 Statistics 474 Defensive Snaps37 Total Tackles14 Tackles For Loss4 Missed Tackles27 Defensive Stops55 Total Pressures 11 Sacks1 Forced Fumble1 Fumble Recovery TD0 Penalties NFL Combine/Pro Day 10-Yard Split- 1.62s (71%)40-Yard Dash- 4.72s (75%)Vert- 38” (93%)Broad- 126” (95%)Shuttle- 4.46s (44%)3C- 7.33 (36%) Awards First-team All-SEC (2024)Second-team All-SEC (2023) Scorecard Overall- 83.8Speed- 79Acceleration- 77Agility- 80Strength- 84Tackling- 71Pass Rush- 92Run Defense- 78Coverage- 60Discipline- 96 THE GOOD Umanmielen’s quick get-off allows him to threaten offensive tackles immediately off the snap, creating instant angle disadvantages. His acceleration off the edge is elite, often catching linemen off-balance. He has an ideal build for an NFL edge rusher. His length aids in disengaging from blocks and extending his tackling radius. Displays rare hip and ankle flexibility to dip his shoulder and turn tight corners while maintaining speed, making him a lethal speed rusher from wide alignments. Has a fantastic speed rush and inside spin. His inside spin move is particularly effective and technically refined, often set up with hesitation or fakes. Shows strong recognition skills, squaring up blocks with his length and anticipating run directions. His pursuit speed and effort make him a factor chasing plays from the backside. Consistently plays with urgency, delivering second and third efforts in both pass rush and run defense. TAPE TIME DE Princely UmanmielenOle Miss ✅ THE GOOD✅#scouting #NFLDraft #OleMissRebels pic.twitter.com/UJ9CX9b6ez — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) March 7, 2025 THE BAD Lacks elite upper-body strength and punch power to consistently convert speed to power or collapse the pocket with bull rushes. While sufficient as an edge-setter, he struggles to hold ground against double teams or larger linemen due to moderate play strength and a high pad level at times. Can get washed down on outside runs. Relies heavily on his speed rush and spin move, with fewer effective inside counters or secondary moves when his initial plan fails. Needs to diversify his arsenal to beat NFL linemen consistently. His long-striding athleticism limits twitchiness in tight spaces, impacting his ability to redirect quickly or dominate in stunts requiring sudden changes of direction. Occasionally plays too upright, reducing his leverage and bend when turning the corner or slanting inside, which can stall his rush against technically sound tackles. TAPE TIME DE Princely UmanmielenOle Miss ❌THE BAD❌#scouting #NFLDraft #OleMissRebels pic.twitter.com/k7cwh0bMM8 — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) March 7, 2025 THE FIT Princely Umanmielen is a long, explosive, and flexible edge rusher whose 2024 season at Ole Miss showcased his ability to dominate as a pass-rushing specialist. His elite first step, bend, and technical growth make him a tantalizing prospect for NFL teams seeking speed off the edge. He’s best suited for an aggressive 4-3 defense as a wide-9 defensive end or on 3-4 defenses as a stand-up outside linebacker. His length, speed, and bend make him a natural fit for one-gap schemes that prioritize edge disruption over stout anchoring. He does have some issues to watch for. His lack of a pronounced power game and inconsistent run defense anchor suggest he’ll need development to become a complete player. Early in his career, he’s likely to thrive as a situational pass rusher in obvious passing downs, with the tools to grow into a full-time starter in the right situation. His consistent statistical improvement signal a prospect on the

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images Getting a Micah Parsons extension done asap continues to be a good idea. The Dallas Cowboys have spent more money this offseason than in recent history. They will spend much more depending on how soon the front office wants to extend defensive end Micah Parsons. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett agreed to a new deal last week that made him the wealthiest non-quarterback in the NFL, earning $40 million annually. On Sunday night, the Cincinnati Bengals surpassed that number with a new deal for their star wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase. BREAKING: #Bengals WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins exclusively tell me they’ve agreed to contract extensions with the team. Ja’Marr gets: 4-years, $161M with $112M guaranteed — making him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. Tee gets: 4-years, $115M with the first two… pic.twitter.com/zbdnEDELgz — Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 17, 2025 Breaking down the new deal for Chase, he surpasses Garrett, making $40.25 million. It was only a matter of time before Parsons was in the conversation for highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Before the season ended, Parsons mentioned he wanted to finalize a contract sooner rather than later, allowing the team to concentrate on free agency spending. Thus far, those conversations have been minimal and have yet to advance to a contract proposal. Even before Garrett signed his deal, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby signed an extension giving him $35.5 million a year. No one knows for sure if the Parsons plan was always to hold out for some of the league’s stars to raise his eventual price tag, but the way he’s talked about in the past, all he was looking for was enough money for a lake house. Micah Parsons reiterated that he doesn’t need to be paid $40 million. @clarencehilljr: “38$?” “I just need somewhere where I could have a lake house.” One reporter joked that could be $20 million. Another said $1M. “It could be a lake house in Lake Tahoe. You don’t know?” — Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) December 19, 2024 Last year, the front office waited until the last minute to finalize deals with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. It’s puzzling to many that they continue to do business this way. With the Chase deal done, Trey Hendrickson remains the only player who could potentially surpass his teammate as the highest-paid player who does not play quarterback. However, Hendrickson is not on the same level as Parsons, despite leading the league in sacks in 2024. Parsons is a younger player with his prime right in front of him. The asking price for the Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher could exceed $40.5 million a year.

Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images It seems inevitable that the Cowboys will draft a quarterback. The Dallas Cowboys know they need to draft a quarterback in this year’s NFL draft. Cooper Rush is officially out of Dallas and will backup Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, and Trey Lance unlikely to return, so the only other quarterback on the roster behind Dak Prescott is Will Grier. A backup quarterback is now a need and expect the team to pick up a guy in Day 3 of the draft. Here are the top-five late round guys that fit Dallas in this year’s draft. 1. Kyle McCord (Syracuse): McCord would be a solid fit for the Cowboys as a developmental backup and ranks at the top of this list. He has a strong arm, experience in a pro-style system, and has shown an ability to handle high-pressure situations. Originally playing for Ohio State, he then transferred to Syracuse and played in big games, showing flashes of being a capable pocket passer with good decision-making skills. At the Shrine Bowl, McCord was easily one of the highlights during the week and proved he was no fluke. He would fit the offensive plan for Dallas that will look to add more play-action and his deep ball accuracy is extremely exciting to watch. While he needs to improve his mobility and consistency under pressure, sitting behind Dak Prescott in Dallas would give him the time to develop his mechanics and understanding. With the Cowboys’ strong supporting cast at wide receiver, McCord could thrive as a long-term backup, and when called on to spot the offense if needed. .@CuseFootball QB Kyle McCord with a picture perfect deep ball : 2025 #NFLCombine on NFL Network : Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/NLdbFY3S7l — NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 2, 2025 2. Dillon Gabriel (Oregon): Size is against Gabriel at only 5’11” and just over 200-pounds. But it’s what’s between the ears that makes Gabriel a fine choice for Dallas. His pre-snap reads and awareness, along with quick reactions and processing make Gabriel one of the best in this department among all the prospects on this list. The way he dissects defenses and throws with a very quick release, he almost compares to Tony Romo. Where he differs from Romo (apart from size) is his speed and mobility. He has some wheels to get out and go. The issue is no matter how much coaching Gabriel has by NFL coaches, they cannot coach his size. He’s a smart quarterback, but you’ll find him this far down in Day 3 of the draft due to him being an outlier due to the physical measurable’s. WHAT A DIME Dillon Gabriel to Tez Johnson for the @oregonfootball TD pic.twitter.com/Xbvt0to6id — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024 3. Kurtis Rourke (Indiana): Rourke is another great fit for Dallas as a late-round backup due to his size and poise, and he’s another guy that has a lot of experience in a pro-style offense. The Indiana quarterback looks more like a linebacker with his size which makes him hard to bring down, and he has a strong arm with good accuracy. He also has the ability to make quick decisions with the ball. He suits the Cowboys’ passing attack needs with a proven track record; last season he threw for a 70% completion rate, over 3,000 yards, with 29 passing touchdowns to only five interceptions. He isn’t the most mobile quarterback, but his pocket presence and ability to read defenses make him a very solid developmental option. He would make a great fit in terms of being the closest comparison to Dak than most of the guys on this list and the fact he’s much older (24), isn’t so much of a factor when you’re asking him to be your developmental QB2. The biggest hindrance to Dallas drafting him is the medicals, which includes an ACL injury that came late in the season. That’s one reason you’ll hear most scouts saying his a late Day 3 pick. But Rourke is a huge sleeper in this draft. Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke vs Purdue: 23/31 349 YDS 6 TDS 0 INTS@IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/rtTsRIfz19 — PFF College (@PFF_College) December 1, 2024 4. Brady Cook (Missouri): Cook led Missouri to two 10-win seasons, earning accolades such as the Music City Bowl MVP and Goodyear Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP. He has above average arm strength, good agility, and is known for his leadership (something comparable to Dak). However, his areas for improvement revolve around his decision-making, which is a serious issue, and also his general ball placement. Cook is projected to be selected in the seventh round and would need a lot of coaching, mostly with his arm strength and footwork. But if the Cowboys coaches can put in the time to coach him up, Cook could be a great career backup quarterback for Dallas. After an ELITE #NFLCombine performance, @MizzouFootball QB Brady Cook combined proven experience against elite competition, tested leadership as a three year captain, and an outstanding athlete at the position. He leaves #Missouri as one of the most prolific passers in school… pic.twitter.com/p1Qdyzzl79 — Eric Galko (@EricGalko) March 4, 2025 5.. Seth Henigan (Memphis): It’s more than likely Henigan goes undrafted, but there’s a chance a team goes to get him late in round seven to make sure he doesn’t get picked up in the undrafted free agent pool. Dallas has one of the last picks of the draft at pick 247 so they may pull trigger on Henigan. If not he’s a good pickup as a UDFA. Henigan was an efficient and consistent point-producer during his college career. In 2024, he completed 65% of his passes for 3,502 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. His experience and consistency make him an intriguing late-round selection. His arm talent is average, he has good mobility, and reads the field well. That’s checking a lot of boxes this late in the draft for a backup quarterback. His potential hinges on his

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Notable headlines surrounding America’s team. Ranking the Top 5 Cowboys Free Agent Additions – Mark Heaney, Inside The Star Looking at the newest crop of Cowboys players. 2. Jack Sanborn, Linebacker Speaking of Eberflus, the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, his former linebacker from Chicago comes in at the second spot on this list. Sanborn is a very underrated signing by Dallas, and I trust him more than Murray going into the 2025 season. His overall production and name recognition may not stack up with his newly acquired teammate, but Sanborn’s film is superior. Few players show up with more determination when he is on the field. Sanborn has 164 career tackles in just 19 career starts because of that. His connection with Eberflus, who took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin, is significant as well. The Cowboys free agent class is much stronger with Jack Sanborn in it. His one-year deal didn’t make the headlines, but I’m willing to bet that when the 2025 season is over, he’ll be one of the top new contributing additions in Dallas. Cowboys lose Dak Prescott insurance policy in NFL free agency – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated Thank you for your time here, Mr. Rush. Rush is once again heading out of Dallas with Ian Rapoport reporting that he signed a deal with the Baltimore Ravens. The veteran will backup Lamar Jackson and can earn up to $12.2 million with his new team. Rush became a fan favorite during his first start, when he led the Cowboys to a last-second win over the Minnesota Vikings. In that Week 8 showdown, he had 325 yards and two touchdowns, while hitting Amari Cooper for a game-winner. He then started five games in 2022, leading Dallas to a record of 4-1. That kept their playoff hopes alive while Prescott recovered from a hand injury. This past season, he led them to a 4-4 record in place of an injured Prescott, finishing his time in Dallas with a mark of 9-5. Rush was the quintessential game-manager, completing 60.7 percent of his attempts for 3,463 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 picks. Cowboys sneakily may have just signed their Jourdan Lewis replacement – Jerry Trotta, Cowboys Wire Was the replacement on the roster all along? The Cowboys have announced they signed defensive back Isarael Mukuamu to a one-year deal, confirming he’ll play a fifth season for the organization. Mukuamu was drafted in the sixth-round by Dallas in 2021. He is someone that fans have been screaming from the heavens to get more playing time. Even though Mukuamu was drafted as a cornerback out of South Carolina, he is listed as a safety on the depth chart largely for depth purposes. For whatever reason, Mukuamu has struggled seeing the field at both positions, even though Dallas’ safety play hasn’t been the best. After falling out of favor with Dan Quinn, Mukuamu finally got some run at cornerback under MIke Zimmer last season. While injuries had a lot to do with that, Zimmer wisely used him in the nickel more than out wide. He played 92 snaps in the slot compared to 41 on the perimeter, per PFF. Nobody is saying that Mukuamu is ready to replace Lewis or if he can duplicate Lewis’ production or impact. Lewis has been the heartbeat of the Cowboys’ secondary for several years. He’s underrated in coverage and is happy to get stuck in defending the run. He’s a trash-talker and plays with a bulldog mentality that inspires teammates to play with an edge. Cowboys announce $5M in performance-based bonuses; this unlikely player got biggest bump – Todd Brock, Cowboys Wire Some Cowboys players got extra cash. OC Cooper Beebe: $705,000 Beebe was a rock in his first year as a pro and his first year playing center. The third-round draft pick played just over 90% of the Cowboys’ offensive snaps last season and was in on nearly 12% of the special teams plays. Beebe’s bonus almost doubled his base salary for the season. WR Jalen Tolbert: $593,000 Tolbert actually led all Cowboys wide receivers in snaps in 2024, with the third-year man lining up on over 76% of offensive plays on the year. He appeared in every game (but logged stats in just nine of those contests) to ensure a nice end-of-year boost to his $1.17 million base salary. DE Chauncey Golston: $580,000 Golston agreed to terms with the New York Giants for the 2025 season, but he played enough (over 71%) of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps- plus more than a third of the special teams snaps- in 2024 to rack up a $580K bonus before leaving. His base salary for last year was $1.33 million. Cowboys would be wise to follow subtle advice from Zack Martin about young linemen, balance in offense – Sean Martin, Blogging The Boys It would be wise to listen to the future Hall of Famer. There is another element to how the Cowboys can create an ideal situation through the rebuild of their offensive line, and it is already something they’ve talked about numerous times as a major point of emphasis this offseason. Zack Martin even dropped some insight into the topic when answering questions at his press conference. If you haven’t guessed by now, we’re once again talking about the running game for the Cowboys. When asked about when he knew he had adjusted to play in the NFL after seemingly making it look “too easy” as a rookie in 2014, Martin had this to say: “I came into a perfect situation for a young offensive linemen. The running game was a big part of what we did. It really allowed me to develop. A lot of young linemen get thrown into the fire throwing the ball 50 times a game. We were running it 30-40 times a game, it allowed me to develop some of those things I wasn’t great at when I first got here.”

Jim Cowsert/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Let’s remember DeMarcus Lawrence for the right reasons. The Dallas Cowboys have moved on from DeMarcus Lawrence as the veteran pass rusher signed a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. The departure came with a little drama as Lawrence made some parting remarks about the Cowboys organization and their inability to win a Super Bowl. Former teammate and current Cowboys player Micah Parsons didn’t care for that and had some words of his own. Banter ensued and sports media outlets ate up every bit of it. Sadly, our last impression of Lawrence has been tarnished due to these recent events, but it would be terrible to leave things like that. It feels only appropriate to take a final look at Lawrence’s journey and remember him the way he should be remembered, a Cowboys great. It’s been quite the ride for the Cowboys star defensive end, starting at the beginning. He should have been a first-round pick, but character issues caused him to fall out of Day 1. He was suspended on three separate occasions at Boise State for violating team rules, although details of those events have never been disclosed. The Cowboys took advantage of his sliding draft stock and traded away their third-round pick to move up towards the beginning of the second round to select him. Lawrence had a rough rookie season. He broke his foot in training camp and missed the first half of the season. When he finally stepped on the field, it was in a backup role. He never started a game and didn’t record a single sack during the regular season of his rookie year. He did leave his mark in the playoffs, however, recording the game-cinching sack against the Detroit Lions in the wild card game. This redeemed himself after he had just blown a previous game-cinching fumble recovery when he picked up a loose ball and tried to run, only to cough it up and give the Lions new life. After battling injuries in two of his first three years in the league, Lawrence had a breakout season in 2017 where he recorded 14.5 sacks and forced four fumbles. It came at a good time as he was in a contract year. Because of this potential “phantom” year of production, the Cowboys played it safe and franchise tagged him the following season. In 2018, he put together another strong year finishing with 10.5 sacks en route to another Pro Bowl season. The front office tagged him again, only this time, as a placeholder and negotiating ploy. However, Lawrence played back at them, delaying shoulder surgery until they agreed on a long-term deal. It worked. A month after slapping the franchise tag on him, the Cowboys signed him to a five-year, $105 million contract. The years that followed came with mixed reviews. Lawrence never reached seven sacks again, but he was a consummate disruptor. His performance against the run made him a dynamic player, repeatedly forcing fumbles and batting down balls. Starting with his playoff strip his rookie year, Lawrence never went a season without forcing a fumble. But lacking the inflated sack numbers, some viewed him as overpaid, and that included the Cowboys front office in 2022. Because of his high cap hit, he was considered a potential cap casualty, but the front office was able to finagle a contract reduction that made his cap hit go from $27 million to just $14 million. Lawrence remained in Dallas and secured some more guaranteed money, but at a lower pay rate. Lawrence finished his modified three-year extension and became an unrestricted free agent this offseason. While the perfect scenario would have been a team-friendly deal to keep him in Dallas, it wasn’t meant to be, and just like that, Lawrence is off to the Pacific Northwest. “I mean everything really happened so fast. The offers came across the table and Dallas offer wasn’t there. I had a decision to make and that’s what happened.” It’s easy to see how Lawrence’s departure from the Cowboys created some emotion. The front office played games with him not once, not twice, but three times over his career in Dallas. And when it came time to talk about 2025, it was crickets. That can’t feel good. We can debate how good he was on the field, but his résumé speaks for itself. He’s had four years where he missed extended time due to injuries, but in the other seven he was pretty darn fantastic, including four Pro Bowl seasons. He has over 60 sacks and a 20/20 in forced fumbles/batted down balls in his career. He also finishes with 97 tackles for a loss as he lived in the backfield of opposing offenses. And the love for Lawrence extended more to just what he did on the field. He was a true leader of this defense. Thanks to behind the scenes footage from Hard Knocks and All or Nothing, we got to see how respected he was. From Jason Garrett calling out him and Tyrone Crawford during a film study or his unimpressed demeanor walking in on Tarrel Bashem doing an impression of him, Lawrence said so much by saying nothing. He was good-natured and a family person who just like the rest of us, expects Chuck E. Cheese to show up when he pays extra for it. When it came time to step up the intensity, he did. When he opened his mouth, his teammates took notice as he was a vocal leader in huddles before games. Lawrence’s time in Dallas wasn’t without drama. There were bumps along the way, but we shouldn’t lose sight of how hard this guy played for this football team. His body did him wrong at times, but the guy played through a lot of it, including two seasons dealing with a torn labrum. We can focus on the social media cat fight or instead appreciate him for what he gave

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images The Cowboys should pay attention to Zack Martin’s advice. The Dallas Cowboys are officially living in a post-Zack Martin world, with the All-Pro, future Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame member already holding his retirement press conference. The Cowboys are in the midst of changing their approach under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and immediately having a player the caliber of Martin to replace at right guard will certainly put the front office and coaching staff’s “selectively aggressive” plan to the test. The Cowboys are no strangers to investing heavily in the offensive line and supporting coaches that believe in making this position group the lifeblood of the team. With so many other roster holes for Schottenheimer to address though, they must find a dynamic way to do so that involves developing young players and not relying on having the type of situation Martin stepped into where established stars like Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick were already in place playing at a high level. The only outside additions the Cowboys have made to their offensive line so far in free agency are Robert Jones and Dakoda Shepley, but unlike in past offseasons, both players are far from the biggest name the team has acquired overall. The Cowboys came into this signing period with so many needs, that even their unexpected and frankly surprising flurry of moves can be met with the criticism they became so necessary thanks to the team not having the depth needed to compete at all last season. This is still a franchise that’s going to favor drafting at certain positions and relying on younger talent at these spots though, and right now the Cowboys are making a clear statement about where they plan on doing this by the positions they haven’t addressed with an outside signing or trade. There is another element to how the Cowboys can create an ideal situation through the rebuild of their offensive line, and it is already something they’ve talked about numerous times as a major point of emphasis this offseason. Zack Martin even dropped some insight into the topic when answering questions at his press conference. If you haven’t guessed by now, we’re once again talking about the running game for the Cowboys. When asked about when he knew he had adjusted to play in the NFL after seemingly making it look “too easy” as a rookie in 2014, Martin had this to say: “I came into a perfect situation for a young offensive linemen. The running game was a big part of what we did. It really allowed me to develop. A lot of young linemen get thrown into the fire throwing the ball 50 times a game. We were running it 30-40 times a game, it allowed me to develop some of those things I wasn’t great at when I first got here.” Just using the eight games starting quarterback Dak Prescott played in last season, the Cowboys threw the ball 323 times and ran it just 173 times. In the three games they won in this stretch, the Cowboys beat the Browns with a +7 differential in passing 32 to 25, the Giants with a +4 advantage with the pass 27 to 23, and the Steelers with +11 more passes compared to runs at 42-31. When this differential ballooned to numbers like 18 in Week 2, 35 in Week 3, 27 in Week 6, and 29 in Week 9, the Cowboys lost by 25, three (but trailed by 22 in the second half), 38 to the Lions, and six to the Falcons in Prescott’s last appearance of the year. This was a Mike McCarthy offense designed to have balance, but lacked the personnel to achieve this. The Cowboys seem hellbent on bringing in the personnel to have a stronger run game, with clear needs on both sides of the equation in the backfield and up front. Making the stronger commitment to a running back may actually be the key to getting the most out of the developing offensive line, where last year’s rookie starters Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe are still in place and ready to build on being day one starters to make a year two jump under OC Klayton Adams and highly-regarded OL coach Conor Riley. Yes, the Cowboys have brought in new running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, but lost last year’s most productive player here in Rico Dowdle. The Panthers signing Dowdle is what made Sanders expendable to them, and allowed the Cowboys to pull off something of a swap. A depth chart of Williams, Sanders, Malik Davis, and Deuce Vaughn still falls well short of the imposing run game Martin described as such an enhancement to his game early on. This is why many expect Dallas to still be aggressively targeting running back early in the draft, leaving just the offensive line as a position where they may be more dependent on incumbent talent taking the next step. As Martin also alluded to, these two things go hand in hand, should the Cowboys actually draft a running back that makes a day one impact. Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images The Cowboys are not going to fix all of their roster needs and be some version of the super-team that their bitter rival Philadelphia Eagles just assembled to win the Super Bowl in Schottenheimer’s first offseason. What they are learning is how to lean harder into the position groups that do have established talent, and make the few current strengths they have even stronger in hopes of establishing an identity. The Cowboys have all but renamed AT&T Stadium to “We Want to Run The Ball Stadium” while sending the message of what they hope this identity can be. The defensive front seven under new DC Matt Eberflus has become the primary focus ahead of the draft in hopes of complementing this identity, giving the Cowboys a more tough-nosed and athletic group to pair with their

Photo by Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Hoe the Cowboys can fix their roster holes in the draft The Dallas Cowboys have many roster holes going into the season and with the NFL Draft just around the corner this would be a great place to restock and rebuild. Let’s try fixing the roster by looking at the ideal prospect to take in each round and make this the “best-fix” solution draft. All players taken have to be realistic here (we used the Mock Draft Database), and it’s no trades as we try and find the best player for each pick given what the team has to play with. ROUND 1 (12) Tetairoa McMillanWRArizona The Cowboys lose Brandin Cooks and need a viable WR2 to complement CeeDee Lamb. The team has a great collection of WR3’s and WR4’s but lacks a true number two or a possession type receiver on the outside. McMillan is the best X-receiver in the draft and fills a huge need on the Cowboys offense. Since the departure of Dez Bryant this team has missed having that big, physical boundary receiver on the outside and they don’t get much better in this year’s class than the Arizona prospect. The wide receiver talent-shelf drops off fast this year, so grabbing a position of need that has a low amount of depth in the draft makes this a smart move to get in early. TETAIROA MCMILLAN NOW HAS FOUR TOUCHDOWNS AND 248 RECEIVING YARDS IT’S ONLY THE THIRD QUARTER pic.twitter.com/WD7u2uTluc — ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2024 ROUND 2 (44) Omarion HamptonRunning backNorth Carolina For some scouts, Omarion Hampton is the best running back and that doesn’t seem crazy when you break it down. Ashton Jeanty dominated last season and did so in the Mountain West. He did face a solid defense at the end of the season in Penn State and go watch that game, it will leave you asking questions. Add the fact Jeanty has 750 carries under his belt in college, you have to be concerned about the wear-and-tear already. Hampton offers a solution in the second round, and a very talented solution. He blew the combine out the water, finishing with a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.61, that’s about as perfect as you can get. His 10-yard split and broad jump were both in the 97th percentile which shows his explosiveness which is seen often on tape. He’s an immediate three-down starter and his violent running style and insane contact balance will punish defenders for years to come. Omarion Hampton (RB4) has all the physical traits to succeed at the next level https://t.co/1AZ2sz6Okr pic.twitter.com/eT5IhWqsvI — The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 6, 2025 ROUND 3 (76) Wyatt MilumOffensive TackleWest Virginia So far it’s all offense, but don’t panic defensive help is coming up. The offensive line is the foundation of any team and last year the Cowboys foundation was best described as rocky. Running the ball was a hard task for most of the season and the right hand side of the line really struggled in that regard. By taking Milum here it solidifies the line and gives the team options. Should Guyton stay on the left then Milum offers a solution at right tackle to take over from Terence Steele who really had issues in run-blocking last season. Or maybe the coaches choose to push Guyton to his natural position and play Milum on the left. The good news is Milum has played snaps on both sides, and in his last three years playing at West Virginia he allowed zero sacks. He also finished last season with a run-blocking grade of 89.2 and a pass blocking grade of 92.5. He’s a steal in the third round. The dream is about to be realized @MilumWyatt | #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/ehMD0Wydxj — West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) March 2, 2025 ROUND 5 (149) David Walker Defensive EndCentral Arkansas With no fourth round pick it’s a long wait for the Cowboys first pick on Day 3. The best way to start is with a small school guy that’s going a little under the radar. Sure, competition level is a concern with David Walker, but he was insanely productive at Central Arkansas. He left the Bears with a career of 152 pressures and 37 sacks over a three-year period, that’s some wild production. But he proved in the Senior Bowl he could hang with the big guys and actually looked like one of the stars during the week. The Cowboys love Senior Bowl standouts and Walker ticks that box immediately. Adding to his appeal is his combine results where he looked great during the on-field workout. But at 265 pounds he ran a 40-yard time of 4.69s (88th percentile), made a vertical of 35” (84th percentile), cranked out 26 reps on the bench (84th percentile), and finished his agility drills that ranks in the 77th percentile. He fills a huge need for Dallas, all nicely bundled with the 150th pick. Central Arkansas ED David Walker was outstanding to wrap up Senior Bowl week with a slew of pressures during live reps. His ability to create push from different alignments is what makes his profile so intriguing. pic.twitter.com/UNoOpZwZDL — Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 4, 2025 ROUND 5 (171) Kobe KingLinebackerPenn State The Cowboys added to the linebacker position through a trade and free agency, and it helps to fill the void left by Eric Kendricks while DeMarvion Overshown will miss time during the 2025 season. Marist Liufau has given fans optimism and played great in Overshown’s place, but this Cowboys defense needs all the help it can get at run stopping. King is a rock solid run-stuffing MIKE linebacker and that’s exactly what Dallas needs for the future. He may not flash great speed or agility, and he has struggles in pass coverage, but as a run defender you won’t find much better in Day 3 than King. He made 97 total tackles last year along with nine tackles for loss

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images Some Cowboys free agents haven’t found new teams yet. Could this lead to their return to Dallas? After about a week of 2025 free agency, some of last year’s Cowboys have yet to find new teams. But as Dallas has already added 10 new players on top of re-signing others, the chances that certain unsigned veterans could return may be slim to none. Let’s check in on these guys and see how things stand. LBs Eric Kendricks & Nick Vigil Despite leading the Cowboys in tackles and forced fumbles last year, the 33-year-old Kendricks is still on the market. But with Mike Zimmer gone, it’s not surprising if Kendricks future isn’t in Dallas. They’ve already brought in two linebackers by trading for Kenneth Murray Jr. and signing Jack Sanborn, who followed Matt Eberflus from Chicago. Marist Liufau and Damone Clark are still here as young prospects, and of course they’re hoping to get DeMarvion Overshown back at some point in 2025. So while he did everything right in his one year in Dallas, it doesn’t seem like Kendricks will get another. Nick Vigil was another Zimmer guy, playing for him in Minnesota in 2021. He was also connected to former assistant Paul Guenther from their time in Cincinnati, but Guenther has followed Zimmer out the door. Turing 32 this August, Vigil has likely been replaced by the aforementioned moves and whatever’s still to come in the draft. WR Brandin Cooks Another veteran with age concerns, Cooks is one of several thirty-something receivers still looking for employment. Dallas has done a little work at WR by re-signing KaVontae Turpin and just adding Parris Campbell, but these aren’t moves that preclude them from bringing in someone else who could compete for the other starting job. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Cooks re-signed after testing the market, but it could just as easily be a different veteran like Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, or Amari Cooper as well. Alternatively, the Cowboys could just be focused on the draft for CeeDee Lamb’s next wingman. QBs Cooper Rush & Trey Lance Both of last year’s reserve passers are still unsigned in an increasingly thinning pool. While Jameis Winston remains the premier backup QB out there, unless Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson accept stunning demotions, Rush is not far behind and Lance is still just 24 years old with potential intrigue. Dallas only has Will Grier right now behind Dak Prescott, so it’d be no surprise if they eventually bring back one of them. But it’s also possible that the Cowboys are waiting to see what comes in the draft, as there are usually veteran backups available in May. DE Carl Lawson Lawson had a strong year in Dallas’ pass-rushing rotation. But now that the Cowboys have signed Dante Fowler and expect Sam Williams back from injury, it feels like Lawson will have to try to parlay his 2024 performance into a contract with a new team. While Dallas does need more DE talent to replace DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston, they’re likely focused on run-stoppers. DTs Linval Joseph & Carlos Watkins Like the linebackers mentioned before, Joseph was also connected to Mike Zimmer from the Vikings. While Dallas has re-signed Osa Odighizuwa and added Solomon Thomas, they could still use another true nose tackle for run defense. But Joseph turns 37 this October, so it’s hard to say how the team sees him or if he’s even still looking to continue his career. Watkins could still be appealing as a cheap backup, at least for camp, but is hardly the level of player that Dallas should be concerned about right now. The Cowboys will likely see what they come out of the draft with before filling out the rest of their 90-man roster, which is where we could see Watkins return. CB Amani Oruwariye Dallas’ rough year with CB injuries forced them to play Oruwariye off the practice squad far more than they would’ve liked. He’s best known for a blunder on a blocked punt that played a huge role in a loss to the Bengals. At 29 years old, Oruwariye probably wasn’t coming back anyway but was made even more expendable after Dallas traded for Kaiir Elam and re-signed Israel Mukuamu.