Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images Who is your favorite first-round prospect? The 2025 NFL Draft is still a couple months away, but the preparation for the big event is in full swing and has been for the Dallas Cowboys for over a month now. By now we all have a pretty good idea of exactly what their roster “needs” are, but what we don’t know is how free agency will play out or who they could have their eyes on with their first-round pick. Barring a trade, the Cowboys currently hold the 12th overall pick in the first-round of this year’s draft. Minus the 11 players who will be selected before they are on the clock, the Cowboys will still have numerous options who they could be targeting with pick No. 12, either standing pat or trading down. Today, we’re narrowing down those possibilities by looking at potential first-round prospects based on how they fit with the Cowboys. Some players simply make more sense than others and that could help narrow down the field as to who could end up in Dallas either with pick No. 12 or in a trade down scenario. OFFENSE Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images QB – None After signing Dak Prescott to a contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in the league, the Cowboys are definitely not in the market for a first-round QB. That’s a good thing, at least for this year, because the 2025 QB draft class isn’t a great one. RB – Ashton Jeanty, Boise State No shocker here. Ashton Jeanty is by far the best RB in the 2025 draft class and it’s not even close. He’s a favorite to be drafted with the Cowboys 12th overall pick this year and for good reason. It’s one of their biggest needs and he’s one of the few blue-chip players this year. WR – Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State Emeka Egbuka is probably the least flashy WR at the top of the draft class, but he’s also one of the most consistent and productive. He’s more of a trade down target for the Cowboys, but his ability to play inside or out would make him a great complement to CeeDee Lamb. TE – Tyler Warren, Penn State The Cowboys have more pressing needs than TE, however, Tyler Warren could be the top-ranked player on the board when they are on the clock. His do-it-all ability could take Dallas’ aerial attack to an entirely different level and also help take pressure off of CeeDee Lamb. iOL – Armand Membou, Missouri Armand Membou could be Tyler Smith 2.0 for the Cowboys, but on the right side of their offensive line. He could play either RG or RT depending on the circumstances of what happens at those positions. That RG/RT position flex could be invaluable for years to come. OT – Josh Simmons, Ohio State Prior to Josh Simmons’ season-ending knee injury he was flirting with OT1 status. If his medicals checkout he could claim that spot once again. He has the skill set to be a starting LT in Dallas, which would allow Tyler Guyton to move to his more natural RT position. DEFENSE Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images DT – Derrick Harmon, Oregon Even if they re-sign Osa Odighizuwa, Derrick Harmon could be in play with the 12th overall pick or if the Cowboys even traded down. He’s been one of the most disruptive DTs in the NCAA the past few years and has the versatility to play the 1- or 3-technique in Dallas. EDGE – Mike Green, Marshall Micah Parsons 2.0? Mike Green compares favorably to No. 11 in many ways and could be a consideration at pick No. 12. Although he doesn’t have the elite speed, Green is also a twitched up pass rusher with the bend/flexibility to capture the corner and finish at the QB. LB – Jihaad Campbell, Alabama As either a MIKE or WILL, Jihaad Campbell fits the parameters Mike Eberflus looks for in his linebackers. His size (6’3″, 245), sideline-to-sideline speed, and explosiveness in both the run and pass game make him an ideal fit. He could be a top trade-down candidate. CB – Jahdae Barron, Texas Unless Will Johnson is still on the board at No. 12, Jahdae Barron is arguably the best fit at CB for the Cowboys in the first round. He’s a Swiss Army knife DB who can play just about anywhere in the secondary and someone they could target after trading down. S – Malaki Starks, Georgia It’s unlikely Dallas uses pick No. 12 on a safety or even if they trade down, but if they did Malaki Starks would be a great fit. He’d immediately be an upgrade over Donovan Wilson or Malik Hooker and would add some much-needed playmaking skills on the backend.

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images The latest and greatest Dallas Cowboys offseason news. Despite multiple All-Pros, this position is big need for Cowboys – Ben Grimaldi, The Cowboys Wire Cornerback is a virtual need for every team in every offseason, but with the injuries Dallas had last year it is especially important they find depth. Caelen Carson is currently the third CB on the roster, and if Diggs is out, he’d be elevated to a starter. There were high hopes for the fifth-round prospect from the 2024 draft, but injuries saw him play just six games as a rookie. The lack of playing time limited his growth and he didn’t have a positive impact. Carson is heading into his second year and the hope is he can stay healthy enough to play up to his potential. With Diggs availability up in the air, having just one bonafide corner in a league that eats up bad ones is not ideal. There are other options on the roster, but none should elicit confidence. Andrew Booth was traded to the Cowboys last August and the former second-round CB has now shown he can’t play with two teams. Dallas also has veteran corner Tony Pride, a journeyman. With free agency and the draft approaching, the Cowboys need to seriously consider adding one or more CBs. The team could start by re-signing Jourdan Lewis, who was the team’s best CB last season. Lewis has spent each of his eight years in the NFL with Dallas and is considered one of the better slot corners in the league. The Cowboys allowed Lewis to test the open market last year but brought him back on cheap one-year deal and he paid dividends. Good CBs are hard to come by and Lewis’ 2024 performance could make him an expensive option to keep. Lewis has said he’d like to return, but he understands it’s a business and could make a bigger payday somewhere else. Not re-signing him could mean big trouble for the secondary. If Lewis comes back, that gives the Cowboys two solid CBs to start the year with the hope that Diggs returns and Carson works out. If the veteran CB signs elsewhere, Dallas will be in an even bigger hole at the position. Either way, that’s not enough talent at CB. The Cowboys need to strongly consider selecting a CB high in the draft, and the first round needs to be in consideration. The time is coming when the Cowboys will have to choose between Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland – Dan Rogers, Blogging The Boys The Cowboys may never get the best out of Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland playing together due to injuries. Soon, the day will arrive when the Cowboys will have to choose which of these players will be a part of their future. Diggs is entering the second year of his five-year, $97 million deal he signed in 2023. On the surface, it looks as if the Cowboys are committed to him regardless, however, that is not completely true. The team was able to get a deal done early with him and in the process, only a third of it was guaranteed. This means the team has some early-exit escape hatches built in. This is important because Diggs just had chondral tissue graft surgery last month. His timetable is uncertain, but he’s expected to miss offseason workouts and parts of training camp. When will he be back on the field and playing at full strength? The Cowboys have already paid out his guaranteed money and they haven’t restructured a cent, meaning it will be easy for them to get out of his contract at any point during his last few years with the team. If they are not happy with what he is doing on the field, they can simply move on without any huge financial repercussions. Moving away from Diggs means moving forward with Bland as the team’s new CB1. Bland is in the last year of his contract. If they want to move forward with him, they should try to work in an extension this summer before he hits free agency next offseason. If they let him play out his rookie deal, they’ll either have to let him walk and get a compensatory pick, or franchise tag him while they figure out what they want to do. It’s a slippery slope, and this one may not have an obvious answer, but the Cowboys don’t seem like a team that would be willing to pay top money for two cornerbacks. And in that case, one of them has got to go, but which one? Micah Parsons being recruited by former teammate is terrifying for Cowboys fans – Luke Norris, The Landry Hat It is really, really hard to picture Micah Parsons playing for any other team but the Dallas Cowboys. Micah Parsons’ college teammate, Bears safety Jaqaun Brisker, would love a reunion in the Windy City For those who missed Rapaport’s recent report, here’s what the NFL Network insider had to say about the Cowboys possibly being open to trade offers for Parsons: “Normally open with his opinions, the Cowboys’ 25-year-old superstar hasn’t said much of anything about the team’s promotion of Brian Schottenheimer after a surprise parting of ways with head coach Mike McCarthy — a move Parsons called ‘devastating’”, Rapaport wrote. “While there have been no trade talks, sources say there have at least been some internal discussions about whether to pay Parsons or trade him for a king’s ransom. If the Cowboys are willing to listen, they may get it.” Even before this report, Parsons was already being linked to other teams, as this was always a slight possibility given how much money the Cowboys have wrapped up in Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. And once the report broke, more rumors began to swirl, one of which involved the Chicago Bears, who may only be a few players away from being a genuine contender in the NFC. As

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Osa Odighizuwa may be out of the Cowboys’ price range. Time will tell whether or not the Dallas Cowboys are more active than usual in free agency. In case you haven’t been paying attention and still believe them to be aggressive in this area of roster construction, that has not been the case for a very long time. It does seem that more people are catching on to the Cowboys’ M.O. in this area, although one of their own in Micah Parsons recently challenged them to act differently. Parsons called for the front office to be more aggressive this offseason, and part of the reason he did is likely because he doesn’t want to see one particular teammate leave. In addition to needing some outside help the Cowboys have a very talented player set to his the open market in defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. Odighizuwa may have garnered more national attention over the last four years if not for sharing a draft class with Parsons, but people have really picked up on how good he is as of late. Those people also believe that he is in line for a big payday. Osa Odighizuwa is projected to earn $21M per year We still have a few weeks to go until free agency fully begins in the NFL, but between now and then the idle hands across the league will do everything they can to anticipate it. Lately there has been talk about Odighizuwa and the projected deal he will get in free agency, something we added to our news roundup last week, but talks are getting a bit louder. The great Bob Sturm shared PFF’s projection for Odighizuwa on Sunday and it is seismic. PFF believes Odighizuwa will hit $21M per year when it is all said and done. In other news, PFF projects Osa Odighizuwa’s free agent projected contract at….4/$85m! Yowzers. pic.twitter.com/pGfROHCmtx — Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) February 16, 2025 To be fair, PFF actually believes Odighizuwa will eclipse $21M per year which is really saying something. The state of the defensive tackle position in the NFL lends itself to his advantage, and being on the open market in a world of free enterprise suggests that he will be very happy soon enough. We can all have, and do obviously, thoughts on how the Cowboys should be more aggressive in free agency, but this might be a bit rich if we are being honest. Odighizuwa has, as noted, been a great player for the team, but this is a lot of money to consider handing out, especially with the Parsons extension looming and hope for aggression elsewhere. For what it’s worth, things can always be done and figured out, but it seems like Odighizuwa has played his last game for the Cowboys if we are being honest with ourselves. Add in the fact that Dallas’ first thought about this deal is how incredible of a compensatory pick they may get as a result of it, the math is all pointing in one particular direction.

Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The latest news from around the NFC East division. Giants are ‘scouring the landscape’ for their next franchise QB – Dan Benton, USA Today Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will need to find the right guy for their job security. The New York Giants are very obviously in need of a quarterback (or two) this offseason and have made it clear that will be their primary objective. “That’s obviously the number one issue for us going into this offseason, is to find our quarterback of the future,” co-owner John Mara said at his year-end press conference. “Whether that be via the draft or acquiring a veteran, it’s going to be up to (general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll) to decide, ultimately.” Schoen left the door open to acquiring a quarterback in a variety of ways: Free agency, a trade, and the 2025 NFL draft. “It’s the most important position in football,” Schoen said. “So, that’s definitely important to any team in the NFL’s success. So, that’s something we’ll definitely be looking at.” Staying true to their word, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that the Giants have invested extensive resources into every possible avenue available to them in order to identify their next franchise quarterback. It’s no secret the Giants are scouring the landscape for their future franchise quarterback. One NFL executive said general manager Joe Schoen made it obvious at the Senior Bowl that was his focus. Not only have the Giants heavily scouted the quarterback prospects ahead of April’s draft — something that will continue at the NFL Combine — they’ve also been linked to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, as well as several other impending free agents. Thus far, the smoke has largely surrounded Stafford and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders but it’s important to remember that it’s lying season in the NFL. Rumors and speculation will continue to run rampant until free agency on March 12 when a clearer picture comes into focus. Kellen Moore Admits Leaning On Two Top Eagles’ Assistants – John McMullen, Sports Illustrated Moore is building his staff, and may poach some coaches from Philadelphia. Moore finished a whirlwind week in which he won the Super Bowl after practicing all week at the Saints facility in Metairie, LA, jetted back to Philadelphia after routing the Chiefs, only to return to NOLA to hammer out his deal with the Saints before another 180 to be at the Eagles’ championship parade on Valentine’s Day. Moore’s frequent-flyer trips between Philly and the Big Easy ended on Saturday when he arrived back and started to settle into his new job by interviewing Minnesota defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones to be the Saints defensive coordinator. On Sunday, he was interviewing his long-time right-hand man and current Eagles’ quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier to be the Saints OC, and his former boss with the Los Angeles Chargers, Brandon Staley, to be the DC. Buried in all that was a discussion with Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer in which Moore offered up a tacit endorsement for Eagles associate head coach and passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo, the man perceived as the frontrunner to take over as OC for Moore in Philadelphia. Moore and Patullo grew to be very close in a short time during their one season together and the Saints coach admitted he leaned on Patullo, along with offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland, to gain a foothold in Philadelphia “The first few weeks in Philadelphia, I was really mostly a listener,” Moore told Breer. “Letting Stout [Jeff Stoutland] explain where the run game was at, Kevin Patullo explain where the passing game is at, showing those cut-ups and starting with the intent of keeping what is in place that we feel really good about.” Commanders are betting favorites to land Myles Garrett – Mike Florio, NBC Sports Washington’s draft capital and salary cap flexibility may make this move possible. Two weeks ago, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett made known his desire to leave the Browns. The Browns reportedly won’t do it. Garrett apparently won’t abandon his desire to go to a contender. The current odds at DraftKings have Garrett taking his next snap with a team that went farther than the Browns have gone since the late 1980s. The Commanders are +300 favorites to land Garrett. Next are the Eagles, at +450. His current team lands at 5-1. The Bills are +550, and the Lions have +650 odds. The Bears come in at +900. If the Browns were to decide to make taking on Deshaun Watson’s remaining $92 million in guaranteed pay one of the trade terms, the Commanders could pull it off. They have nearly $100 million in cap space for 2025. Still, absorbing Watson’s albatross deal complicates the rest of the trade talks. The draft-pick compensation would drop. And the new team would be less willing to give Garrett a market-level deal on the way through the door. Of course, if Garrett wants a shot at a Super Bowl badly enough, maybe he’ll take less to make it happen. And if the Browns want to get rid of the Watson obligation badly enough, maybe they’ll decide that it’s worth losing the remainder of Garrett’s prime years. The cap consequences are manageable. The deal is doable. In the next few weeks, we’ll find out whether it’s done.

Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images Here is our scouting report on Armand Membou from Missouri We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at offensive tackle, Armand Membou from Missouri. Armand Membou OTMissouri TigersJunior4-star recruit 6’3”314 lbs Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images History Armand Membou was born on March 27, 2004, he attended Lee’s Summit North High School in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. As a four-star recruit, Membou received offers from several notable schools including Kansas State, Kansas, Oregon, Iowa State, Nebraska, and Missouri. He ultimately committed to play for the Missouri Tigers in 2022. During his time at Missouri, Membou appeared in 24 games with 18 starts over his first two seasons, primarily playing at right tackle and allowed only three sacks. In 2023, he was a full-time starter on the Tigers’ offensive line, which was recognized as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, an accolade for the nation’s top offensive line unit. Heading into the 2024 season, Membou was named to Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” for his exceptional physical attributes and exceptional strength. His performance was highlighted by his ability to handle top-tier SEC pass rushers, with a record of allowing very few pressures and no sacks in his last season. He left Missouri allowing only three total sacks in three seasons, nearly exclusively at right tackle. 2024 Statistics 827 Offensive Snaps411 Passing Snaps9 Pressures Allowed 0 Sacks4 Penalties NFL Combine/Pro Day TBC Awards Second-team All-SEC (2024) Scorecard Overall- 85.1Speed- 81Acceleration- 88Agility- 71Strength- 95Pass Blocking- 79Run Blocking- 89Discipline- 90 THE GOOD Shows exceptional explosiveness off the snap and impressive agility for his size. Watch for his 10-yard split at the combine, it will impress. He has excellent strength and the ability to generate power, making him effective in both pass- and run-blocking in zone-blocking scenarios. Displays good depth in his pass sets. Effectively mirrors edge rushers with good foot speed and arm length. His hand strikes are powerful, often jolting defenders and helping him maintain control in pass protection. Shows a nasty demeanor as a finisher. Shows good range to allow him to reach the second level and seal lanes effectively. TAPE TIME OT Armand MembouMissouri ✅ THE GOOD✅#scouting #NFLDraft #mizzoufootball pic.twitter.com/tWmez50rXA — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 15, 2025 THE BAD Hand technique needs refinement to avoid being exposed by NFL-level pass rushers. Consistency in his strike timing and hand placement can be an issue. Despite his power, Membou occasionally struggles to maintain his anchor against larger, longer defensive linemen, which can lead to being pushed back. His size may lead some teams to consider him for a guard position, although he has the length and agility to potentially succeed at tackle. TAPE TIME OT Armand MembouMissouri ❌THE BAD❌#scouting #NFLDraft #mizzoufootball pic.twitter.com/49VqQ9mM1R — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 15, 2025 THE FIT Armand Membou projects as a potential impact player, with some scouts suggesting he could be drafted in the first round. His athletic profile, combined with his performance against top-tier college competition, indicates he could be an immediate starter, possibly at tackle but with a much higher ceiling at guard. His blend of physical tools, pass protection skills, and run-blocking prowess make him a versatile offensive lineman prospect. However, his technical aspects like strike timing and maintaining an anchor will be crucial areas of focus for his development at the next level. With both his hand issues and size, this has other scouts considering him closer to a second-round projection. This makes ranking him difficult. For the Dallas Cowboys, Membou could be an intriguing fit. The Cowboys coaching staff values a strong run game, and Membou’s proficiency in wide-zone schemes aligns well with Brian Schottenheimer. His ability to move quickly to the second level and his power in blocking could bolster the Cowboys’ ground attack, which they could then aim to use to control game tempo and set up their passing game. Membou’s athleticism and length would provide an upgrade, especially on the right side where there are questions about consistency and Zack Martin’s future. His strength and athleticism could translate well inside, offering flexibility in the line-up or as a contingency. His quick feet and ability to mirror pass rushers would be a plus against the defensive threat in the NFC East. Membou has the tools but might need some time to fully adapt to the professional level, which could affect his immediate contribution. If the Cowboys draft Membou, they’d likely see him as a piece for both the present and future. He could initially compete for the right tackle spot or even be groomed at right guard, providing depth and competition. His athletic profile would make him a versatile option, potentially filling any gaps in the offensive line over time. The Cowboys’ commitment to a strong, dynamic offensive line would align with Membou’s skill set, especially if they’re looking to rejuvenate their line with younger talent. COMPARISON Robert Hunt, Carolina Panthers BTB GRADE 31st CONSENSUS RANKING 19th(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services)

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images WR2 needs to be a real point of emphasis this offseason. The next stop on our Dallas Cowboys offseason preview series is wide receiver. Unlike most roster positions, receiver is one where Dallas can proudly claim to have one of the NFL’s true elites in CeeDee Lamb. But as good as he is at the top of the depth chart, the rest of it has arguably held the team back over the last three seasons. Building this group up, particularly at the other starting position, is a top concern in 2025. Under Contract CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen BrooksRyan Flournoy, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen CropperSeth Williams, Kelvin Harmon Potential Departures Brandin Cooks, KaVontae Turpin The latest Cowboys star to get a big, new contract, Lamb isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. And after gutting it out through much of last year with a shoulder injury, Dallas’ franchise receiver has more respect than ever as a leader and one of the team’s cornerstones. Unfortunately, there isn’t much else at WR right now to lean on. Brandin Cooks’ contract is up and, after missing seven games last season and turning 32 this year, it’s hard to see him returning. He was never really a great fit in the scheme anyway, and though offensive changes are coming with Mike McCarthy gone, you’ll never see Cooks step up and carry the receiving load if Lamb were to go down. It’d be great if we had more confidence in Jalen Tolbert after three years but that’s just not the case. His third season was the best yet with career highs across the board, and leading the team in receiving touchdowns with seven. But is that enough to trust Tolbert as Lamb’s primary wingman? Shouldn’t he at least have to compete for the job? Competition will be hard to find from current options. Guys like Jalen Brooks, Jonathan Mingo, and Ryan Flournoy may help you fill out a depth chart but you wouldn’t feel good about any of them being in the top three. Even if these young prospects blossom in 2025, you’d rather have that be a pleasant surprise for your depth than a gamble you’re depending on with your key positions. Dallas also has to deal with KaVontae Tuprin’s expiring contract. While best known for his First-Team All-Pro work in the return game, his offensive role grew in 2024 as he got the fifth-most targets of all pass-catchers. Turpin will be a restricted free agent this year and should draw plenty of interest for his return work alone, and even more if creative offensive coaches see ways to use his speed. Free Agency The Bengals’ Tee Higgins is one of the biggest names in this entire free agent pool, but does he want to remain a Robin to another team’s Batman? After four years in Ja’Marr Chase’s shadow, Higgins would still be behind Lamb in Dallas’ pecking order. He’s likely looking for a chance to be WR1 and earn the money that comes with it, neither of which the Cowboys would offer. Next you have a bunch of older guys, some with injury issues on top of them, like Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, and Chris Godwin. Dallas should thoroughly investigate this group for good fits and positive medical reports, but any of them would come with a “wait and see” concern for how well they’d fit in with the Cowboys and find chemistry with Dak Prescott. One prospective free agent who’s proven he can play with Prescott is Amari Cooper. In many ways, Cooper would be the next-best option on the market after Higgins. But how would all parties involved feel about getting back together? If Mike McCarthy was the driving force behind Cooper’s dismissal three years ago, could his departure open the way for a reunion? Again, this is all about finding a true WR2 to enhance the passing game. There are only so many guys who are going to walk in as a starter; many would still have to prove they deserve the job more than Tolbert. At the very least, Dallas should replace Cooks with a potential starter and strong depth option in free agency before going into the draft. 2025 NFL Draft Lamb’s next wingman may well be a rookie. The Cowboys should have several opportunities to land a talented WR with any of their first three picks. But if they don’t get one by the end of Friday night, not having a fourth-round pick means a huge drop in talent by the time they’re back on the clock. That puts a lot of pressure on Dallas to draft for need in the first three rounds, which is rarely ideal. While Travis Hunter isn’t falling to the 12th pick, Arizona’s Tet McMillan could. If he’s gone, Luther Burden and Emeka Egbuka are consensus first-round guys who should be available. If the Cowboys go with another position on Thursday, someone from the likes of Elic Ayomanor, Tre Harris, and Isaiah Bond should be there at #44. Even if they wait until the third round, there are enough options in the class to still find solid talent. But unlike at RB, DT, or some other positions in 2025, the WR class seems to go off a cliff after the first few rounds. That means Dallas either needs to make it a top priority with those early picks or use free agency to go into the draft without such a big need. Final Thoughts Cooks’ and Turpin’s free agency means Dallas can’t just sit on their hands at wide receiver. Even if those guys get new deals to stay, the Cowboys’ offense needs more firepower from previous years. They need a guy who can make teams pay for paying too much attention to Lamb and, ideally, one who can adequately fill those WR1 shoes should Lamb ever miss time. That’s no small ask, meaning Dallas’ front office can’t be misers if the right veteran WR2 is out