Photo by Harry How/Getty Images The Dallas Cowboys response to dropping out of the playoffs at 7-10 and third in the NFC East a year ago, after making the postseason as a 12-game winner the previous three seasons, has been a lot of getting back to basics. For a team that was so fundamentally broken in the final year for head coach Mike McCarthy, one that left the team so unrecognizable from his past successes that many fans have a hard time remembering all McCarthy actually did accomplish on the football side of things over his tenure, this renewed focus on fundamentals has been praised at some turns, but criticized feverishly at others – mainly the hiring of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to replace McCarthy as head coach. Schottenheimer’s first draft has cooled those waters considerably, for now. The Cowboys front office has never wavered in wanting to use the draft as their main source of talent acquisition. Although this wasn’t expected to change under Schottenheimer at all, the team had to do more than sit on their hands and let players get away in free agency without signing new players themselves, and did so while also being active on the trade market. In their estimation, this was enough to go into the draft with a clearer focus on targeting the best players available, regardless of positional need, through all seven rounds. The Cowboys still showed preferences for the things their new head coach is seeking, like improved line of scrimmage play by spending the 12th overall pick on guard Tyler Booker and 44rd pick in the second round on defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku. They continued to target high character prospects from blue chip programs like Texas, Florida, and Oregon on day three with running back Jaydon Blue, linebacker Shemar James, and offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius. This full commitment from picks 12 through 247 to create a deeper roster and strengthen positions with existing star power is what’s earned the Cowboys strong grades for their draft as of now, but the obvious position of need this strategy left unaddressed is guaranteed to remain a talking point from now all the way to Schottenheimer’s regular season debut in September, and likely beyond. If you haven’t figured it out by now, here we are again, talking about the Cowboys not being good enough at the wide receiver position. The more things change, the more they really do stay the same, because a lack of dynamic skill at WR has been an off-and-on problem for the Cowboys through multiple head coaches, offensive coordinators, and even quarterbacks now. Even with it being a position they’ve shown a willingness to step outside their perceived comfort zone and address with in-season trades, like for Amari Cooper in 2018 and Jonathan Mingo last year, the Cowboys are regularly behind the best of the best in the NFL when it comes to making enough big plays on the outside to truly contend in the postseason. The WR room has had some peaks, like the unfortunately brief period where CeeDee Lamb, Cooper, and Michael Gallup were all healthy and on the field together, but also some incredibly low valleys like Noah Brown, Cedrick Wilson, or more recently KaVontae Turpin being asked to play well beyond what their roles should be on offense. There are an endless number of reasons why one of the most common critiques of the Cowboys, specifically from inside the realm of opposing coaches and players they line up against, is that they are too easy to scout, prepare for, and play against in high leverage situations. A lack of firepower at wide receiver belongs near the top of this list though. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images However, adjacent to it is one thing the Cowboys are not only hoping to fix early on at the start of the Schottenheimer era, but perhaps the only thing that will sell the majority of the fanbase on Schottenheimer being a legitimate HC in the first place. Through all of the changes mentioned above in personnel and coaches, the Cowboys have had a major lack of creativity in their offensive play-calling and ability to scheme receivers open. They do not help quarterback Dak Prescott in the ways that other passers around the league, all of which currently make less than the Cowboys leader who became the highest paid at the position prior to week one a year ago, are lifted by play-calling that always seems to allow for easy completions and yards after the catch. The Cowboys making a basic 10 to 15 yard gain in the passing game last season, admittedly without Prescott on the field, felt so incredibly laborious if not borderline miraculous. Meanwhile, the bread and butter for other teams that reached the postseason was to rattle off these types of plays with ease by creating space for their skill players to run. For Cowboys fans still questioning what exactly Schottenheimer brings to the table, or comparing him to Jason Garrett who was often asked the same over his tenure, the best way for the new HC in Dallas to answer it is now staring America’s Team in the face. Coming out of the draft without a single pick spent on a new receiver was a major surprise, and tolerance for the predictable Jerry and Stephen Jones sell jobs that Mingo, Ryan Flournoy or Jalen Brooks can be a consistent WR2 to Lamb is understandably low. The time is unequivocally now for Dallas to uplift the talent they do have at receiver with schemes that bring them up to the more modern approaches to offense in today’s NFL. Any realistic discussion about how the Cowboys can actually get the most out of young players with untapped potential like Jalen Tolbert, Brooks, Mingo, Flournoy, or even their full-time punt/kick returner Turpin has to start with how the brain trust of Schottenheimer as play-caller and Klayton Adams as OC will help these players create separation and access to routes

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Shemar James is a very exciting name for the future of the Cowboys linebacker group. Day three of the NFL draft was a tough start for the Dallas Cowboys. One of their reported favorites at running back, Bhayshul Tuten, went off the board to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the second pick in the fourth round. From there on, it was a run at the running back position with six getting selected across 36 picks. Entering the fifth round, just one runner was drafted in front of Dallas before they were on the clock. If they wanted to get their guy, now was the time. The Cowboys were ecstatic to get “their boy blue,” Texas running back Jaydon Blue at pick 149. Then the Cowboys did something puzzling. They traded up from their second selection in the fifth round to pick three spots after drafting Blue. Would it finally be a wide receiver? Maybe a young safety to develop behind the current starters? No. Dallas traded up to pick Florida linebacker Shemar James. Dallas has Marist Liufau, and acquired Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray from free agency, but linebacker was still a need, but a trade-up need? The Cowboys could use the depth, but it felt like James was a name that came out of left field. Then you listen to the team’s secret audio, and it starts to make sense. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus seems to like James and what he can bring to that room. “I’m so excited to have you, man,” Eberflus said. “You got so much upside…just come in here and kick some ass I’m just telling you…I’ve enjoyed watching your tape, and you had a great Senior Bowl. I really liked that too. Man, just so excited to develop you and make you into a kick ass backer.” Eberflus has a history of developing late-round linebackers during his many years coaching with the Cowboys. Anthony Hitchens became a great player for Dallas, and while with the Indianapolis Colts, Eberflus transformed Darius Leonard (a third-round pick) into a Pro Bowl player. The love for James does not end with Eberflus and the Cowboys. Bob McGinn of the Go Long Substack did a profile series on every position before the draft, interviewing numerous scouts and getting their opinions on players. One scout gave James a rave review. Said one scout: “Captain America. Phenomenal human being. I can see him being a CEO of a company one day. Just a solid, consistent player. Not the best athlete in the world but good enough. He’ll be gone by the end of the third or the fourth. Someone’s going to fall in love with him based on the interview process.” James is still growing as a player on the field, so he was selected in the fifth round. However, with intangibles like these, there’s no reason to doubt that they played a factor in the Cowboys’ decision to trade up and select him, especially with head coach Brian Schottenheimer emphasizing culture and leadership with almost every draft pick. The rookies’ jersey numbers were released ahead of Cowboys rookie minicamp this weekend. James was given No. 50, made famous in Dallas by linebacker Sean Lee. Maybe it’s a coincidence, or perhaps the number was given to James on purpose. Either way, if there are even just a few “Captain America-like” qualities to the rookie linebacker that resemble Lee, then the mystery draft pick will turn into a home run in no time.

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images Here’s our scouting report on wide receiver Traeshon Holden  We continue looking into this year’s undrafted free agent signings made by the Dallas Cowboys and give you our scouting report on each player. Today we are looking at wide receiver Traeshon Holden from Oregon. Traeshon Holden WROregon DucksSenior4-star recruit 6’2”205 lbs Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images History Traeshon Holden was born on August 12, 2001, in Kissimmee, Florida and he began his high school football career at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. He later transferred to Narbonne High School in Los Angeles, California, for his senior year. As a four-star recruit, Holden attracted offers from top programs, ultimately committing to the University of Alabama over schools like Clemson, Florida, Oregon, and USC. Holden arrived at Alabama in 2020 but saw limited action in his freshman year. He appeared in five games during the Crimson Tide’s national championship season but did not record any receptions. This year served mainly as a developmental period as he adjusted to the pace and expectations of college football at an elite program. In his second season, Holden earned more playing time and began contributing on the field. He played in all 15 games, catching 21 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. His role was mostly as a rotational receiver, but he had notable moments, including a six-catch performance in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship against Georgia. Although Alabama lost that game, Holden’s presence showed he was ready to compete at a higher level. Holden stepped into a larger role in his junior season, starting five of the ten games he played. He posted 25 receptions for 331 yards and a career-high six touchdowns, showing improvement as a red zone threat and a more polished route runner. Despite his productive season, he opted to transfer following the year, seeking a fresh start and potentially more opportunities in a different offensive system and would move to Oregon. After transferring to Oregon, Holden faced early adversity. In February, he was briefly dismissed from the team following a felony arrest, but the charges were dropped and he was reinstated later that month. On the field, he had a strong season, playing in 14 games with two starts. He recorded 37 receptions for 452 yards and six touchdowns, plus two rushing attempts for 12 yards and a rushing score. His consistency and playmaking ability helped boost Oregon’s offensive depth. In his final collegiate season, Holden continued to develop as a reliable target. He played in eight games and started six, finishing with 45 receptions for 718 yards and five touchdowns. His 16.5 yards per catch marked a career high, highlighting his growth. He also had two rushing attempts for 22 yards. He shined in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game with a career-high seven receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Despite missing some time due to injury and an ejection, he made the most of his opportunities and positioned himself for a shot at the NFL. 2024 Statistics678 Offensive Snaps54 Targets45 Receptions 718 Receiving Yards5 TDs279 YAC6 Missed Tackles Forced149.6 Passer RTG When Targeted3 Penalties NFL Combine/Pro Day 10-Yard Split- 1.54s (68%)40-Yard Dash- 4.57s (26%)Vert- 32” (13%) Broad- 123” (64%) Awards N/A ScorecardSpeed- 61Acceleration- 66Agility- 66Strength- 71Catching- 74Route Running- 66YAC- 67Blocking- 61Discipline- 90 THE GOOD Prototypical size for an NFL outside receiver. Reliable hands and effective at the catch point; shows ability to make contested catches. Good body control and tracking ability on deep and sideline throws. Red zone threat with strong frame and physical style of play. Flashes some route nuance on in-breaking routes and comebacks. Experience in two elite college systems shows a degree of good football IQ. THE BAD Not a true deep separator or burner, may struggle to create separation at the next level against faster corners. Speed is way below average. He isn’t particularly elusive in space and tends to get tackled quickly after the catch. Lacks suddenness in short-area quickness; his releases against press can be inconsistent. Needs to become a more aggressive run blocker to fully contribute as a rotational or depth piece in the NFL. Injury history and availability could be a concern, was also ejected and missed one game due to bad sportsmanship. UDFA HIGHLIGHTS Traeshon HoldenWROregon#DallasCowboys #Cowboys #NFLDraft2025 #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/PDQva6aXRt — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) May 3, 2025 THE FIT Traeshon Holden displays natural hands and is comfortable catching away from his body, especially on back-shoulder throws and slants. His body control is one of his better traits, he can adjust to balls in the air and does well in contested catch situations. He plays with good physicality at the top of routes and has the toughness to take hits over the middle. His size gives him a reliable catch radius, making him a useful target on third down and in the red zone. Overall, Holden projects as a developmental possession receiver with upside. He’s an ideal candidate for a practice squad or back-end roster spot position who could grow into a rotational role with the right coaching. His size, hands, and experience give him a foundation to build upon, especially in red zone packages and sideline work. Holden fits a specific role for the Dallas Cowboys as a big-bodied possession receiver who has a chance to contribute for depth behind CeeDee Lamb. With Jalen Tolbert still developing and questions on Jonathan Mingo, Holden brings physicality and red zone potential that Dallas currently lacks in their receiver room. His size and catch radius offer a contrast to the smaller, speed-oriented targets on the roster, making him a situational asset in spread or bunch formations, especially on third downs or in the red zone. As an undrafted free agent, Holden will face an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster but is a strong candidate for the practice squad. If he impresses in camp, particularly with his ability to win contested catches and block on the perimeter, he could

Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Projected win totals are a tough scene for the Cowboys. The Super Bowl was played 85 days ago and we still have 122 to go until the regular season kicks off, which means we haven’t even reached the halfway point of the offseason yet. But free agency came and went, the draft is in the books, and while a lot can happen between now and the start of the regular season, that didn’t stop a Vegas Sportsbook from releasing updated 2025 NFL regular season win totals this week, post draft. Bet MGM released their NFL Over/Under win totals for all 32 teams on Sunday and they have the Cowboys facing a tough season with just 7.5 wins. The top teams, with 11.5 projected wins each, are the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, and Eagles. Here’s a summary of the win projections for all 32 NFL teams. AFC AFC East Proj. Wins Buffalo Bills 11.5 Miami Dolphins 8.5 New Engand Patriots 7.5 NY Jets 5.5 AFC North Proj. Wins Baltimore Ravens 11.5 Cincinnati Bengals 9.5 Pittsburgh Steelers 8.5 Cleveland Browns 4.5 AFC South Proj. Wins Houston Texans 9.5 Indianapolis Colts 7.5 Jacksonville Jaguars 7.5 Tennessee Titans 5.5 AFC West Proj. Wins Kansas City Chiefs 11.5 LA Chargers 9.5 Denver Broncos 9.5 Las Vegas Raiders 6.5 NFC NFC East Proj. Wins Philadelphia Eagles 11.5 Washington Commanders 9.5 Dallas Cowboys 7.5 NY Giants 5.5 NFC North Proj. Wins Detroit Lions 10.5 Green Bay Packers 9.5 Minnesota Vikings 8.5 Chicago Bears 8.5 NFC South Proj. Wins Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9.5 Atlanta Falcons 7.5 Carolina Panthers 6.5 New Orleans Saints 6.5 NFC West Proj. Wins San Francisco 49ers 10.5 LA Rams 9.5 Arizona Cardinals 8.5 Seattle Seahwaks 7.5 One really cool thing about this projection is that it has seven out of eight division winners from last year repeating as division winners this year (49ers take the NFC West from the Rams). Why would that be cool? Because it would be the first time this has ever happened in the NFL! In the 22 seasons since realignment in 2002, an average of only 3.5 teams per year repeated as division winners. Only three times, including last year, did six teams repeat. In 18 out 22 seasons (82%) four teams or less repeated at division winners. So why would a sportsbook put up such an unlikely scenario? Because the oddsmakers are simply trying to provide odds where the action from the betting public will remain even on both sides of the bet. And the betting public, by and large, believes that the most likely outcome in 2025 is going to be largely the same as the 2024 outcome. It’s called recency bias and is the tendency to think that trends and patterns we observe in the recent past will continue in the future. But predicting the long-term future based on what has happened in the past is often no more accurate than flipping a coin. We know that in the NFL, less than half of teams repeat as division winners from year to year, and that an average of about six to seven new teams make it to the playoffs every year. That means only half of each year’s NFL playoff participants make it back to the playoffs the following year. Yet every offseason or pre-season team ranking has last year’s top teams still sitting at the top. Why? Recency bias. There’s a chance, however remote you feel it is, the Cowboys could end up in the playoffs this year, just as there’s a chance that they could end up behind the Giants in the division. If they do, it has nothing to do with last year’s team, and everything to do with this year’s team. Can the Cowboys field enough healthy NFL-level cornerbacks at the start of the season, have they done enough to improve their pass rush, can they stop the run (like, at all), is there a WR2 hidden away somewhere on that roster, can somebody run the ball, and is the McCarthy complacency finally and irrevocably out of the building? These are some of the questions that will determine the course of the 2025 season, not where the team finished on the 2024 league tables. What happened in 2024 stays in 2024. It has no bearing on what has yet to happen in 2025. In the NFL, last year doesn’t matter. Anything can happen in the NFL. The NFL is intrinsically designed to be a parity-driven league; the draft, revenue sharing, the salary cap, compensatory draft picks, all the way through the schedule; everything about the NFL is designed so that every team from every market has a legit opportunity to compete year-in and year-out. Every year a team that nobody was thinking of as a contender suddenly strings together a couple of wins early in the year, starts playing like a good football team in the middle of the season and actually becomes a good football team as it clinches a playoff spot late in the season. Could the Cowboys be that team in 2025?

Sara Diggins / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Your Sunday morning Cowboys news. Will this Cowboys rookie duo take over the offense? – Mark Heaney, Inside the Star The Cowboys have two rookies looking to take over the backfield. The Potential Duo: Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah One week ago today, the Cowboys ran to the podium to secure an absolute firework in the fifth round. Two rounds later, they double-dipped at the position to bring in the exact opposite of that guy. Jaydon Blue, a speedster from Texas, was Dallas’ first choice at running back, and Phil Mafah, a big, strong runner from Clemson, became their second. The two could not be further apart in their skill sets, but that’s what could make them a special rookie duo. Blue, a 5’9, sub-200 lbs guy with legit 4.2 speed, can bring the boom with explosive runs or vertical receptions, while Mafah can flat out bulldoze you with his 235 lb frame. That kind of contrast in playing style is what this offense needs. Letting Blue and Mafah share the starting job would be looked at as a risk by some in the football world. They are both day-three draft picks after all. If we look at skill alone, however, they can both handle it, and Blue’s pass-catching ability stands out especially. He reeled in 56 passes over the last two seasons at Texas, which is a crazy number for a guy with the potential to be a dominant runner as well. Mafah has a similar trait when it comes to goal-line scoring. The Clemson product has rushed for 21 touchdowns over the last two seasons. In short, he can get you into the end zone. These two guys, if given the chance, have a lot of immediate impact skills to bring to the field, as well as sky-high potential. Cowboys giving 1st-round pick every chance to succeed after disappointing start – Reid D. Hanson, Cowboys Wire Cowboys are taking the slow and steady approach with last year’s first-round pick. Second chances aren’t guaranteed in life; not even for former first-round picks. When Tyler Guyton rolled snake eyes his rookie season, the Dallas Cowboys were under no obligation to wipe the slate clean and just hand him the job back. As their top pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Guyton wasn’t going to get cut from the roster or anything, but the Cowboys could have added competition to the mix and made things awfully uncomfortable for the second-year left tackle. Instead, they cleared the path for the young man to succeed. Not only did Dallas add offensive line guru Klayton Adams to lead the offense in 2025, but they allowed Guyton’s top competition from last season, Chuma Edoga, to leave in free agency. Edoga replaced and rotated with Guyton at LT in 2024 after the rookie’s maturity, focus and effort were called into question. Edoga himself wasn’t seen as much more than replacement level, but even still, his exodus over the offseason shows a certain degree of faith and commitment Dallas has in the former Sooner. Second chances aren’t guaranteed in life; not even for former first-round picks. When Tyler Guyton rolled snake eyes his rookie season, the Dallas Cowboys were under no obligation to wipe the slate clean and just hand him the job back. As their top pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Guyton wasn’t going to get cut from the roster or anything, but the Cowboys could have added competition to the mix and made things awfully uncomfortable for the second-year left tackle. Instead, they cleared the path for the young man to succeed. Not only did Dallas add offensive line guru Klayton Adams to lead the offense in 2025, but they allowed Guyton’s top competition from last season, Chuma Edoga, to leave in free agency. Edoga replaced and rotated with Guyton at LT in 2024 after the rookie’s maturity, focus and effort were called into question. Edoga himself wasn’t seen as much more than replacement level, but even still, his exodus over the offseason shows a certain degree of faith and commitment Dallas has in the former Sooner. From Amazon to the Cowboys: Shavon Revel Jr.’s story is just getting started – Tommy Yarish, Dallascowboys.com Third-round pick has had an amazing journey but its far from over. Shavon Revel Jr.’s road to the NFL has been the furthest thing from easy. From dealing with multiple devasting injuries dating back to high school to working long shifts at Amazon with his father, his journey to being selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Cowboys is an inspiring one. But it’s far from over. “Job ain’t finished,” Revel said. “I still have to go out there and prove myself to the coaches. I’ve got to go out there and show them what I have. You can always talk, at the end of the day, you’ve got to prove to the coaches what you can do.” The next chapter in Revel’s book will be overcoming the ACL tear he suffered three games into his final season at East Carolina. The surgery done to repair his knee was done by Cowboys team doctor Dan Cooper, who Revel gave high marks to. “He did an extraordinary job on my knee,” Revel said. “For me to be walking the week after my surgery should tell it all. All the connections that he had just helped me connect with other people and open up opportunities for me to help me know more about the facility and the Cowboys.” Now about seven months removed from his injury, slowly but surely Revel is getting closer to making his way back onto the field and reaching his goal of being ready to play by the time the Cowboys head to Oxnard for training camp. “Right now I can pretty much do everything,” Revel said. “Running straight line, cutting, haven’t gotten too much into that, just trying to take it day by

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images The latest news from around the division. NFL analyst: Commanders still need edge rusher – Serena Burks, USA Today Like the Cowboys with WR2, Washington still needs to fill one major position. The free agency frenzy died down over a month ago, and the 2025 NFL draft concluded this past Saturday. After the conclusion of the draft, NFL teams began signing undrafted free agents and inviting them to mini-camps for further evaluation. But even in adding new faces and players to their teams, no team in the NFL did everything it needed to do this offseason. The Washington Commanders are no different; they made some great moves, but there is one position they didn’t handle. Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano says the one need the Commanders didn’t answer was with an edge rusher. Biggest need: Edge rusher They needed help off the edge even before they lost Dante Fowler and his 10 ½ sacks in free agency, and it’s been their No. 1 need all offseason long. Yet GM Adam Peters doesn’t seem to be very concerned. His only edge signing was Deatrich Wise, who turns 31 in July and had eight middling seasons in New England. They seemed like they were in a perfect position in the draft to grab an edge rusher in the first round, but they went offensive line instead. In fact, they didn’t take any edge rushers at all. So it’s really unclear where their pass rush is going to come from this year. He’s not wrong, in this case. The Commanders’ pass rush last season wasn’t great, and losing Dante Fowler hurts. Frankie Luvu has promise, but he’s not a true edge rusher. He did have eight sacks last year, plus 99 tackles, including 12 tackles for a loss. He also had an interception and recovered two fumbles. A veteran linebacker, Luvu can help on the edge, but it’s not his forte. Adam Peters can still add to the roster should he find a solution to this problem; the final 53-man roster won’t be set until August. But if he doesn’t bring in anyone else, the Commanders better have a plan for their pass rush, or it’s going to be a repeat of last year, only worse without Fowler. Phil Simms’ No. 11 to stay retired with Giants amid Abdul Carter search – ESPN New Giant Abdul Carter can’t get a jersey number. First, Lawrence Taylor. Now, Phil Simms. For Abdul Carter, the toughest part about being in the NFL might be finding a uniform number. Carter’s hopes of bringing the famed No. 56 of Taylor out of retirement were rebuffed last weekend by the Hall of Fame linebacker, who respectfully urged the New York Giants rookie to make his own mark instead. Simms then entered the picture when he said on FanDuel TV that he would be open to unretiring his No. 11 so that Carter, or fellow Giants first-round pick Jaxson Dart, could wear it. “I told some of my friends and people around me, ‘I’d let him have it in a second. Can you just help it a little or make it better?’” Simms said. “I think it would be a lot of fun. It wouldn’t bother me.” Carter, who wore No. 11 at Penn State, seemed keen on the idea, writing on social media: “It would be an HONOR.” But those hopes evidently were short-lived. Simms told longtime New York Daily News writer Gary Myers on Friday that he was “outvoted by his family” and his No. 11 will remain retired by the Giants. Eagles GM Howie Roseman on repeating as Super Bowl champs: ‘We understand that 2025 is a new year, and we haven’t won a game yet’ – Kevin Patra, NFL.com It’s a new year and every team has yet to win a game. The Philadelphia Eagles hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in February, pulverizing the back-to-back champion Kansas City Chiefs. Philly enters 2025 keenly aware that the Super Bowl performance guarantees nothing moving forward. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman told Adam Schein on Thursday on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio that his club is preparing to be the hunted. “We understand that 2025 is a new year, and we haven’t won a game yet,” Roseman said. “In 2025, we’re going to have to do our best and work our hardest to have the kind of season that we’re looking for, and nothing in the past is going to guarantee future success.” The Eagles won their first Super Bowl in 2017, knocking off the dynastic New England Patriots. Philly couldn’t replicate the success of that club, going 9-7 each of the next two years and quickly bowing out of the postseason before sinking to 4-11-1 in Doug Pederson’s final season. The 2025 version of Philly Super Bowl winners is vastly different than that initial iteration. For one, there is stability under center with Jalen Hurts. The Super Bowl MVP is the clubhouse’s clear leader, and his contract ensures he’s going nowhere soon. Roseman also points out that this team is much younger, particularly on defense, with a core that can grow together. He also boasted about the pieces he’ll be able to add in the coming years to sustain success. “You’ve got to take the lessons we learned from that 2017 team and what we did there and this is a different group for sure, but also, you know, we’re building it a little bit differently,” the GM said. “This is a young team. I think we have two players projected on our defense that are over 25 years old. We’re extremely young, our core guys, they’re all in their twenties, so this isn’t like we’re just putting the band back together to make one last run, like we feel like we’ve got an opportunity here to continue to build our core players and keep our core guys together. We’ve got a lot of picks next year already, expecting comp picks, and we’ve made

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images The Cowboys got one of the biggest draft steals in Shavon Revel Jr. The Dallas Cowboys came into the 2025 NFL Draft in a not so ideal situation when it came to their cornerback room. With Trevon Diggs recovering from a knee issue, the loss of Jourdan Lewis, Josh Butler rehabbing a torn ACL, and Caelen Carson coming off a tough rookie campaign, Dallas had to add another cornerback to help out DaRon Bland, who is looking to return to form himself. They chose to stick to their board and let the draft fall to them, and it paid off tremendously. With the 76th pick pick in the third round, the Cowboys took Shavon Revel Jr. out of East Carolina. He’s coming off an injury-plagued year, but Revel was still one of the highest ranked players in the draft. Matt Miller of ESPN released his rankings of the top 100 picks on Wednesday, and Revel landed at No. 26, just one spot ahead of Tyler Booker, who Dallas took with the 12th overall pick in the first round. My final overall ranking: No. 57 Revel’s elite size and playmaking ability had him looking like a first-rounder before he tore an ACL in September. The Cowboys didn’t need a corner in this draft, which shows how much they valued Revel. They got him nearly 20 picks lower than I had him ranked. This could be one of the biggest steals in this draft if he gets healthy and develops into a future starter. Revel could have been the top cornerback (except sometime CB Travis Hunter) taken off the board in the draft if it weren’t for his injury. It is largely because he was such a good performer in 2023 for East Carolina. He put up 54 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, 13 pass breakups, one sack, and a fumble recovery (scored a touchdown). Despite only playing in three games last season, Revel logged two interceptions, and he ran one back for a score. Revel is expected to be ready by training camp. This will give him the perfect opportunity to get out on the field and test his limitations while he gets back to playing shape. The Cowboys will need Revel to get up to speed and fast because even if Diggs comes back healthy and preforms well, he’s expected to begin training camp on the PUP list, and there’s concern that he won’t be ready for Week 1. Dallas will be in a situation where they’ll need Revel to be ready to start immediately if that’s the case. So, his rehab and how he responds to it is very important.

Photo by Todd F. Michalek/Syracuse Athletics/University Images via Getty Images Here is our report on defensive back Alijah Clark We begin looking into this year’s undrafted free agent signings made by the Dallas Cowboys and give you our scouting report on each player. Today we are looking at defensive back Alijah Clark from Syracuse. Alijah Clark DBSyracuse Orange Senior4-star recruit 6’1”188 lbs Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images History Alijah Clark, or also known by his nickname “Cinco” (a nickname given his mother when he started playing football at age five), was born on July 11, 2003, in Camden, New Jersey, Clark. He was a standout student-athlete at Camden High School, earning a four-star recruit status from 247Sports. He played both wide receiver and defensive back in high school, showcasing versatility with 21 receptions for 357 yards and four touchdowns on offense, and 22 tackles on defense during an abbreviated 2020 season. Clark’s collegiate journey began at Rutgers in 2021 where he appeared in seven games, recording six tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception. He made his collegiate debut against Temple and notched his first interception against Michigan State. The following year saw Clark transfer to Syracuse where he started 11 of 12 games at safety. He tallied 56 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two pass breakups. Notably, he was not responsible for a single passing touchdown over 576 defensive snaps, contributing to a defense that ranked 14th nationally in passing defense. In 2023, Clark started 12 of 13 games, recording 66 tackles, five tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. His two fumble recoveries tied for third-most in the ACC that season. He had standout performances against Army (eight tackles) and Clemson (six tackles, two pass breakups). In his final collegiate season, Clark appeared in 12 games, accumulating 61 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception, and four pass breakups. He earned Defensive MVP in the Holiday Bowl after recording six tackles and an interception against Washington State. 2024 Statistics 591 Defensive Snaps326 Coverage Snaps61 Total Tackles3 TFL4 Pass Breakups1 INT92.3 Passer Rating Allowed 68% Completion Rate Allowed 1 Penalty NFL Combine/Pro Day 10-Yard Split- 1.53s (78%)40-Yard Dash- 4.50s (73%)Vert- 33” (19%) Broad- 122” (58%) Awards N/A Scorecard: Speed- 75Acceleration- 76Agility- 72Strength- 66Tackling- 64Run Defense- 75Zone Coverage- 73Man Coverage- 67Press- 66Discipline- 91 THE GOOD Has shown tremendous versatility having lined up as a split safety, in the box, and in the slot. He has the range to play deep and the toughness to fit the run as a box defender. In run defense he consistently takes good angles and doesn’t shy away from contact. Shows good route recognition and awareness, especially in zone coverage. Rarely caught out of position. Effective wrapping up, especially in one-on-one situations. Has very good work ethic, maturity, and resilience off the field. Vocal leader in the secondary. THE BAD Doesn’t possess good top-end speed, which could limit his range in single-high or deep coverage responsibilities in the NFL. Can struggle to mirror quicker slot receivers. His instincts are solid, but closing burst and hands could be more consistent. Lacks takeaways during his time in college. Only two interceptions and one forced fumble in 44 college games. When beaten initially, he lacks the ability to recover and contest plays downfield. UDFA HIGHLIGHTS Alijah Clark DBSyracuse ( : ACC Network)#DallasCowboys #Cowboys #NFLDraft2025 #Cuse pic.twitter.com/M5nL4BUXLB — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) May 1, 2025 THE FIT Alijah Clark is a smart, physical, and sensible safety who excels in zone-heavy schemes that allow him to read the quarterback and support the run. His toughness, tackling, and football IQ make him an interesting prospect who can contribute early on special teams and develop into a rotational player at the next level. He is best suited as a strong safety or in a split-safety look where he can operate downhill and keep the play in front of him. Clark brings leadership, physicality, and positional versatility to a defense. He’s a strong tackler, dependable in run support, and processes the game at a high level. His zone instincts and ability to quickly diagnose plays make him a valuable asset in coverage and run fits alike. He’s also durable and has shown improvement each season, with a strong close to his career. To thrive at the next level, Clark will need to refine his man coverage skills and turn more of his disruption into turnovers. While he won’t be asked to play single-high often, improving his range and straight-line speed would boost his ceiling and role flexibility considerably. It’s clear he has it between the ears, but now he needs to work on athleticism aspect to become more well-rounded. Clark fits Dallas’ need for depth, physicality, and football IQ in the secondary. He’s not the flashiest athlete, but he could quietly become a Matt Eberflus favorite as a steady, assignment-sound safety who doesn’t miss tackles, communicates well, and does the dirty work that lets stars shine. He’d a smart value signing as a UDFA, with a realistic path to contributing on special teams in Year 1. Clark could serve as a reliable backup early on and push for snaps in sub-packages or even as a rotational starter down the line. Clark’s toughness and consistent tackling would add value, especially on early downs and red-zone defense against the run, something this Cowboys defense has struggled with in the past. Clark could be a decent player initially to help on special teams and look to develop from there. COMPARISON: Vonn Bell, New Orleans Saints BTB GRADE: 264th CONSENSUS RANKING: 366th(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Tyler Booker makes the rest of the offensive line look very interesting. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all the Cowboys’ 2025 draft picks was the first one, Alabama guard Tyle Booker. He walks in as a new starter, presumably replacing Zack Martin at right guard. But while that’s the natural assumption, another possibility is out there which could lead to greater change across the offensive line. Booker played left guard for the Crimson Tide last season. Transitioning OL positions upon entering the NFL is hardly uncommon; Martin himself was a left tackle at Notre Dame but immediately went to RG in Dallas. Tyler Smith was also a LT at Tulsa but immediately moved to guard as a pro. Cooper Beebe played guard and tackle at Kansas St. but became a center with the Cowboys. So yeah, it happens all the time, and asking Booker to stay at guard and just move from left to right is probably the least challenging transition there is. But again, Dallas’ picking Booker was a big surprise because the interior OL was low on the needs list compared to others. Smith and Beebe are locked in as starters and Brock Hoffman was competent last year when Martin got hurt. Dallas had already brought in veteran Robert Jones and Saahdiq Charles this offseason to compete with him, T.J. Bass, and other prospects. Compared to WR, CB, and other positions, it just didn’t seem like the spot Dallas would address on Thursday night. If the Cowboys were going to pick an offensive lineman early, a new tackle made way more sense. Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele were the weakest points on last year’s line. Steele is also a ripening cap casualty with $8.75 million saved next year as an outright release. A new OT could have provided immediate competition, or at least a new swing tackle, and at least someone to groom for next year if Steele’s gone or if Guyton doesn’t progress. Well, what if the Booker pick has more to do with Guyton and Steele than we think? Sure, this is total speculation, but let’s follow it through. You can draw a straight line from Booker to the likes of Hoffman, Bass, Jones, and Charles as the clear losers from his arrival. They’ve probably gone from competing for a starting job to backup spots at best. However, did Dallas add a new guard because they’re considering moving Tyler Smith to left tackle? Could Booker, again, a LG in college, be playing that same spot in Dallas so that Smith can provide an upgrade protecting Dak Prescott’s blind side? It’s not hard to imagine. While Smith is an All-Pro at left guard, he proved that he could handle LT duties in his rookie season. After preparing all offseason to play guard in 2022, Tyler returned to LT when Tyron Smith got injured and played there most of the season. It wasn’t always pretty, which was to be expected given the circumstances, but still good enough for the Cowboys to go 12-5 and win a playoff game. It stands to reason that Smith would be even better now at left tackle, especially if he gets a full offseason to prepare for it. And unless Guyton takes a massive developmental leap in his second season, Smith is probably Dallas’ best option for arguably the most critical position on the entire offensive line. That doesn’t mean Guyton wouldn’t start in 2025. He could be tried at right tackle, which he played in college, in a competition with Steele. Maybe he ends up there long-term given Steele’s contract situation. At the very least, Guyton could be a strong swing option this season as he works on his craft and towards starting again in his third year. This scenario opens the door back up for Hoffman, Jones, and that pack of interior options to compete for a starting job. It also allows for flexibility; Booker could still end up on the right side if one of those guys is particularly better at left guard. The offseason is the time for moving guys around and positional shifts, especially with a new offensive coaching staff shaking things up anyway. Odds are that Tyler Booker is here for the obvious, replacing Zack Martin as the Cowboys’ new right guard. But given the weakness at offensive tackle last year and the goal of deploying the best line possible in 2025, the possibility that his arrival facilitates Tyler Smith sliding left shouldn’t be ignored. It may be how Dallas gets their five best linemen on the field this season.

Think you can figure out which Cowboys player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game! Hey Cowboys fans! We’re back for another day of the Blogging The Boys in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form. If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article. Previous games Friday, May 2, 2025Thursday, May 1, 2025Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games NFL in-5MLB in-5MMA in-5 Blogging The Boys in-5 instructions The goal of the game is to guess the correct Cowboys player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it. After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form. Enjoy!