Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images One NFL mock draft has the Dallas Cowboys trading their first-round pick (and more) for Myles Garrett. The Dallas Cowboys have a number of options available to them with the 12th overall pick, and there are a lot of people who have their mind made up on where they want to see the team go with it. A particularly loud sector of the fanbase wants to see the Cowboys turn in that draft card with Boise State running back Ashton Jeany’s name on it. There is an argument to make in that name of course, but there are also arguments against it. Welcome to what life will be like over the next few months. There are obviously other ways in which the Cowboys could choose to spend that top draft pick, their highest first-round selection since 2021 when they traded down from 10 to 12 and came away with Micah Parsons. If one mock drafter is to be believed, Parsons may very well enjoy the result. NFL mock draft sees Myles Garrett traded to Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys have shown over the last few years that they are unafraid to trade down in the NFL Draft. They moved back in 2021 and still landed Parsons, and they also moved down a few spots last year before ultimately selecting Tyler Guyton. It has been a long time since Dallas traded up in the first round, over a decade actually. It was all the way back in 2012 when the Cowboys last moved up and did so to draft Morris Claiborne. Trading out of the first round entirely is another option, something the Cowboys did as recently as 2019 although they did so well before the draft. The Cowboys sent their 2019 first-round draft pick to the then-Oakland Raiders right at the trade deadline in 2018 in exchange for wide receiver Amari Cooper. One mock draft thinks the Cowboys will follow suit with that here in 2025. An NFL.com mock has the Cowboys sending their first-rounder, and more, to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Myles Garrett. Amazingly, Cleveland takes Ashton Jeanty with the pick. Pick 12 Cleveland Browns Ashton Jeanty Boise State · RB · Junior PROJECTED TRADE WITH DALLAS COWBOYS The Cowboys’ all-in mantra is back, baby. Jerry Jones isn’t going to sit on his hands and watch the NFC East run away from him, so he trades two first-rounders (this year’s and next year’s) for Myles Garrett, while the Browns get a new centerpiece for their offense. It would take some creative salary cap maneuvering for Dallas to make it happen, but Micah Parsons has already said he’d take less if it meant he would get to play opposite Garrett. Let it be known that this mock is somewhat predicated on the wildcatter reputation that Jerry Jones has – one that we have not necessarily seen him exemplify all too much recently. One of the most, if not the most, fascinating elements of this mock is that the perceived price to acquire Myles Garrett is two first-round picks. It is hard to turn that down on some level given the idea of Garrett rushing the passer opposite of Micah Parsons. For what it’s worth, Parsons said in the week of talk leading up to Super Bowl LIX that he would take less money to play with Garrett, but a lot of that would involve how much money Garrett himself is going to take up with whoever trades for him given that he is likely seeking a new deal, too. Garrett and Parsons would easily make for the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL and having them would make the Cowboys’ lives easier in a lot of ways. But would the team really do that, even if that price would be enough to get it done? Would you?
Cowboys news: Taking inventory on 3 familiar faces who might not be on the roster in 2025
Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images Notable headlines surrounding America’s team. Have Cowboys fans seen the last of these 3 familiar faces? – Mario Herrera Jr, Inside The Star Difficult decisions are on the horizon. RG Zack Martin is another team captain and leader that has been with the team since the same 2014 NFL Draft as Tank Lawrence. Martin was the Cowboys’ 1st round pick in that draft, taken 16th overall. This was the famous draft where it is reported that Stephen Jones and Will McClay talked Jerry Jones out of taking QB Johnny Manziel from Texas A&M-College Station. It turned out to be the right choice, as Martin has racked up seven NFL All-Pro selections, and for a time had more All-Pro selections than accepted penalties against him. Martin is not the same player he once was, dealing with an array of injuries, but when healthy, he is still a valuable piece of the offensive line. If he chooses to continue to play and the Cowboys want him back, maybe they can bring him back on a team-friendly deal. Where do Tyler Guyton, Cowboys 2024 rookies rank among other first-year classes in NFL? – SportsDay Staff, DMN Re-evaluating last year’s draft. A Dallas rookie class highlighted by early-round draft picks Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe and Marist Liufau landed at No. 26 in the NFL.com rankings. Deputy editor Gennaro Filice gave the class a C grade and wrote that the Cowboys’ rookie class left “much to be desired.” Filice wrote that first-round pick Guyton and second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland “struggled with injuries and inconsistency.” By contrast, Beebe — who started 16 games at center — was lauded as the team’s “most impactful selection — by far.” Liufau also earned praise for his growth during the season and the potential for a bigger role in 2025 given DeMarvion Overshown’s injury last season. Dallas’ NFC East rivals all fared much better in the rankings. The Washington Commanders’ class, led by Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, ranked No. 1 in the NFL. The New York Giants landed at No. 6 with a class that brought in Pro Bowler Malik Nabers and a number of other significant contributors. The Philadelphia Eagles came in at No. 7 with defensive back Cooper DeJean — who had a pick 6 in the Super Bowl — being an important member of the champs’ secondary. Cowboys are all but eliminated from contention to land star WR this offseason – Luke Norris, The Landry Hat Don’t get your hopes up. Davante Adams reportedly wants to join a West Coast team, which the Cowboys obviously aren’t According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, if the Jets and Adams do indeed part ways this offseason, the three-time First-Team All-Pro would prefer to play on the West Coast. “The Jets must address the future of receiver Davante Adams,” Fowler wrote, “whose $38.3 million cap hit is untenable. A source told me Adams is intrigued by a return to the West Coast and would be open to potentially joining teams such as the Rams or Chargers — if he gets released. I would put the 49ers in the conversation, too. Adams grew up in Northern California.” Dallas, of course, is obviously not located on the West Coast. So, one would think the Cowboys are out of the equation. But let’s get real here. Did anyone actually see Jerry Jones making this happen if the geography wasn’t part of the equation? 5 Cowboys who should see reduced roles in 2025 NFL season – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated A larger share of the pie for some players means a reduction for others. There was a point in the 2024 season where Mazi Smith started to show signs that the light bulb was coming on. As encouraging as that was, he still ended his second season far short of the expectations Dallas had when they made him a Round 1 pick in 2023. Smith finished with 41 tackles and one sack. His numbers were far superior to what he recorded as a rookie but he was still ranked 117th out of 118 defensive tackles by Pro Football Focus. Dallas needs to find a nose tackle who can give them more snaps because Smith isn’t ready to be the full-time starter. Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: DL Shemar Stewart- Mike Poland, Blogging The Boys Stewart does fill a much-needed hole on the defense. Stewart boasts impressive physical attributes for an NFL defensive end, standing at 6’5” and weighing around 281-290 pounds. His long arms (34¼” arm length) and wingspan (83½”) contribute to his effectiveness on the field. He moves well for his size, showing good explosiveness off the line and the agility to change direction. Stewart uses his strength effectively to extend blocks and set the edge, demonstrating good lower body power to anchor against run plays. He has a relentless motor, Stewart is a high-energy player who chases plays down from sideline to sideline, and does it from snap one till the final play of the game.
The Cowboys have some tough decisions to make at cornerback
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Cowboys cornerback room could see a bit of a shakeup this offseason. It was an interesting year for the defense of the Dallas Cowboys. With a new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and a slew of injuries, there were plenty of highs and lows. At times during the season, the defense was a hot mess, but things improved as the year progressed. When you look at the season as a whole, there were some good things… Sack percentage = 9.22%, second-best in the league Third-down conversion rate = 36.6%, ninth-best in the league And there were some bad things… Points allowed per game = 27.5, second-worst in the league Red zone scoring percentage = 75%, worst in the league Opponent yards per pass = 7.9, second-worst in the league The injuries took a toll, and no other unit faced more adversity than the cornerback position. The Cowboys’ top six cornerbacks all missed time dealing with different injuries. Top six guys! That’s crazy unlucky. PLAYER INJURY Trevon Diggs groin, knee, cartilage DaRon Bland foot, setback Jourdan Lewis neck Caelen Carson shoulder Amani Oruwariye foot Josh Butler knee The Cowboys were fortunate to have such a deep group and for most of the season, they weren’t the liability they could have been. It didn’t get messy until they were forced to rely on CB#7 Andrew Booth. Entering the new season, the Cowboys cornerback group situation is a little murky. They have some good players, but each has its own situation and brings uncertainty for the future. The front office has some tough decisions to make to ensure they are going down the right path as one wrong move can create some real problems later. DECISION #1 – Re-sign Jourdan Lewis It’s weird to say this, but Lewis might have been the Cowboys’ top-performing cornerback last season. A fan favorite who plays with great intensity, Lewis has had an interesting career thus far. Multiple coaching staffs have pushed him a bit down the depth chart, but in recent years he’s established himself as a reliable slot corner. The team values his contribution and re-upped him twice as his services haven’t been too expensive (three-year, $13.5 million, and then one-year, $2.82 million). With Lewis coming off his best season as a pro, he should command a raise this offseason. He did a great job staying in the hip pocket of his receiver and played with a high level of physicality. He showed that he is an asset any defense would love to have. Even with a pay bump coming, the Cowboys should strongly consider giving Lewis his fourth contract as he’s proven a reliable player and a much-needed piece to the cornerback group. DECISION #2 – How good do you feel about Caelen Carson? After Carson’s Week 1 performance against the Cleveland Browns, it looked like the Cowboys had an embarrassment of riches at the cornerback position. They had two young All-Pros in Trevon Diggs and Daron Bland, a seasoned veteran in Lewis, and this fifth-round rookie that made people feel like the team landed a gem on Day 3 of the draft. Unfortunately, those feelings didn’t last long. Carson dealt with a variety of problems, one of which was a shoulder injury that put him out of action for most of the season. In fact, we never saw him in action again after Week 11. In the time he did play, Carson showed some potential. He’s physical, has good speed, and great closing burst. But he also shows a lot of inconsistent footwork and can often be seen getting his body turned around causing him to be late to defend the pass. There is something to work with for sure, but can he take a nice step forward and be someone the team can rely on as a starting outside cornerback, or will they need to go back to the well and draft another guy to develop? How they feel about him could be an important domino affecting other decisions, bringing us to the most important decision. DECISION #3 – Picking between Trevon Diggs or DaRon Bland When one of their young corners intercepts 11 passes in a season and the other one has an NFL record five pick-sixes, it became clear that a time would come when the Cowboys had to pick one or the other. Well, that time is approaching. This topic runs deep, so it warrants a separate discussion. For that reason, we’ve broken this article into two parts. Join us tomorrow as we’ll dive into which All-Pro cornerback the Cowboys should ride-or-die with. Stay tuned…
Ignoring Micah Parsons’ request to be aggressive in free agency could be dangerous
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images The Cowboys would be wise to listen to Micah Parsons. The Dallas Cowboys had a rough enough season with constant injuries and finishing with a 7-10 record, which ended their streak of three consecutive playoff appearances. On top of that, they had to watch their bitter division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, battle in the NFC Championship Game, and to add insult, the Eagles won their second Super Bowl in the last eight seasons. There’s one player in Dallas that is certainly tired of the Cowboys not being in the mix when it comes to competing for championships, and that’s All-Pro edge/linebacker Micah Parsons. The former first-round pick has made his feelings public by saying that he wants the Cowboys to differ from their frugal spending ways in free agency and be aggressive. “The talent is there, we just got to be aggressive the same way [other teams] did,” Parsons said. “I don’t want to sit back and watch other [teams] build and build and us stay the same. Definitely some call to action. I want to see us become aggressive and get some players that will come in and make an impact. I want to see us bring back our own players, that’s just as important. Let’s see what we can do there.” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones mentioned that the organization would look at teams like the Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs when it comes to the team-building aspect. Both of those organizations not only know how to draft and develop, but they’re aggressive in bringing in outside help. The Eagles were led by Saquon Barkley in 2024 and his 2,000 rushing yards, which allowed them to control the clock, build leads, and let their defense pin its ears back. Although they lost to the Eagles in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs brought in guys like DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown even after winning back-to-back titles, which further proved their commitment to excellence. Dallas has been one of the cheapest teams in the league from a free agency standpoint, and predictably, it hasn’t produced much success outside of the regular season. With Parsons coming out and challenging the front office in Dallas as the team’s best player, this puts more pressure on them to change their ways and get with the current times of the NFL. Parsons is in line for a major extension soon, and he’s even mentioned taking less money so that the Cowboys can get a player like All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett. If the Cowboys ignore Parsons and his pitch to improve the roster, he could very well begin to think about other options as far as where he’ll lace up his chest going forward. Then there’s guys like quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and cornerback Trevon Diggs. All three have signed lucrative extensions with the Cowboys, but a lack of effort in free agency, which would keep the team stagnant, could force them to explore other teams as well when they’re eligible again for free agency. Dallas makes signings in free agency every year, but they’re just bodies and not guys that can dramatically change a roster. Although Parsons is the one going public, the rest of the players notice it as well, and even the media has begun to scold the Cowboys for how they operate from a team-building standpoint. Continuing to do things the way they have shows a lack of commitment by the Cowboys front office. Individual accolades are great in their own right, and all the players mentioned on the Cowboys have them, but at the core, every football player that loves the game wants to win. The Cowboys have had three decades of mediocrity, and it has pushed fans and also the players to the breaking point, which was made clear by what Parsons had to say. If the Cowboys don’t make an attempt this offseason to switch gears and go all out, or “all in” in terms of free agency and trades, what would make these players want to stay? Prescott feels that the Cowboys are very close to the Eagles. Well, the only way they can truly be in that conversation without any doubt is to maximize every avenue, which means opening up the checkbook in March when the frenzy begins.
Dallas Cowboys mailbag: Questions on Mike Green, Brian Schottenheimer and the coaching staff
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images Here is our latest Dallas Cowboys mailbag. Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook about Dallas Cowboys players and other issues surrounding the team. So let’s get right into it. “Why’s everyone high on Mike Green from Marshall and should the Cowboys draft him at 12?” (Ryan Jones on Facebook) Mike: Some people will say to pick him at 12 is too rich, but post-combine people will soon change that tune. Picking a defensive end early isn’t a bad way to go for Dallas and pairing an elite pass rusher opposite Micah Parsons would make this defense lethal. Mike Green led all of the FBS in sacks (17) and earned All-American honors and the Sun Belt Player of the Year award after an insane final season at Marshall. Green has an explosive first step, elite levels of bend around the edge, and a variety of pass-rush moves. His athletic profile, including his speed and agility, would add versatility to the Cowboys’ defensive line. His ability to set the edge and make tackles for loss would complement Micah Parsons, enhancing their defensive front’s effectiveness. Green would give the Cowboys a formidable duo on the edge. Combining Green’s skills with Parsons could create a dynamic pass rush, potentially overwhelming offensive tackles and quarterbacks. Dana: Mike Green had a stellar 2024 season at Marshall logging 84 total tackles (22 of which were tackles for loss), 17 sacks, 15 QB hits and 3 forced fumbles. It was a very impressive season for him and the buzz surrounding his draft potential only got louder after the Senior Bowl where he was able to show off his power and bend at the EDGE position. Mike Green. SIR. pic.twitter.com/v1CZAAzn0H — Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) January 29, 2025 Green is now being projected by some as a top-20 overall pick in this year’s draft. Should Dallas be the team to draft him? Well, there are a lot of holes to fill for many positions on this team and they may decide to go in another direction. Additionally, if the team does decide to pick an EDGE player with the 12th overall pick, there are some other really good players that may be a possibility; some players like James Pearce Jr., Mykel Williams, and Shemar Stewart just to name a few. However, Green would be a great fit for the Cowboys if they do decide to pick him at number 12. The future is still unclear for DeMarcus Lawrence and Green would make an excellent young paring along side Micah Parsons to make life very difficult for opposing QB’s. “What are the new coaching staff members that has been selected so far?” (Cornell Johnson on Facebook) Mike: Officially, the Cowboys coaching hires were completed as of Friday. Klayton Adams took over the vacant offensive coordinator role left by the promotion of Brian Schottenheimer. This will be Adams first time as offensive coordinator and has a wealth of experience as an offensive line coach and was with the Arizona Cardinal last season. Matt Eberflus was quickly brought on to be the defensive coordinator. He became the first Chicago Bears coach to ever be fired mid-season, but some guys are better coordinators than they are head coaches. Eberflus has been in Dallas before as linebacker coach from 2011 until 2017, but the highlight of his career was how he turned the Indianapolis Colts defense around while hired as the team’s defensive coordinator. Nick Sorensen takes over from John Fassel as special teams coordinator. He’s mostly been employed as a defensive coach but almost had the special teams coordinator job in San Francisco to start this season. The rest of the coaching hires and positions: “What did Brian Schottenheimer bring to the table during the interview process to separate himself from other head coach candidates?” (MrEd315 via Twitter/X) Mike: In short, familiarity. He knows the offense and its shortcomings intimately and what the needs are. He also has chemistry with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and the rest of the offense which will help motivate the offense that fell short last year. On top of that, he also knows the Jones’ and the operation of the franchise meaning he leads straight into organizing the team rather than trying to climatize to the monster that is the Dallas Cowboys. Dana: Since the Cowboys were not able to retain Mike McCarthy as head coach, they interviewed a few coaches like Kellen Moore, Robert Saleh, Leslie Frazier, along with Brian Schottenheimer. After conducting these interviews, the things that make Schottenheimer stand out from the rest were familiarity, continuity, and long-standing experience. No other coach had all three. In an article from Todd Archer of ESPN, Schottenheimer was quoted: “The continuity through change,” Schottenheimer said. “I know the players. I know the building. I know our strengths. I know our weaknesses. I know our issues. And the more and more we got into conversations, sitting around and just discussing different things, I wanted it even more.” The Cowboys have Prescott and Lamb locked in for the next handful of years and it was likely a consideration when choosing Schottenheimer to keep some continuity with them to grow from rather than completely starting over.
7-round mock draft: Big trades let Cowboys bomb trenches after free agency rebuild
The Dallas Cowboys have a trench problem. Not only has their offensive line suffered losses to their once dominant group, but the defensive line is staring at more attrition and turnover. The 2025 offseason is underway and the need to identify how this team will move forward under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Schottenheimer has gone to great lengths to fill his staff with capable assistants. On offense, the focus will return to the OL creating lanes while the defense focuses on the big guys up front getting to the quarterback while allowing the back seven to play coverage. At least, that’s what the coaching hires indicate the plan will be. Whether or not the front office complies on getting the talent necessary to execute this plan is another matter. At least in this mock world, everything is possible.
Cowboys could use a big second-year jump from WR Ryan Flournoy
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Ryan Flournoy needs to have a big second season for the Cowboys. When projecting the depth chart for the 2025 Dallas Cowboys, one of the brighter blinking red lights is the wide receiver room. Outside of CeeDee Lamb the Cowboys have zero proven receivers on the roster. That could change by the time we get to Oxnard, but in an underwhelming wide receiver free agent class and a wide receiver draft class that falls off outside of the top 50, the Cowboys will likely rely on guys on the roster to make bigger contributions in 2025. One of the biggest unknowns in the mix is second-year wideout Ryan Flournoy. Flournoy played just 13.32% of the offensive snaps in 2024. With Brandin Cooks expected to leave in free agency, players like Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks, Jonathan Mingo, and KaVontae Turpin all move up on the depth chart. Another guy who will get a look and could benefit from a big second-year leap is Ryan Flournoy, the 2024 sixth-round pick. Flournoy had a quiet rookie season in 2024 after impressing in training camp and during preseason games, spending a good chunk of his time on the game-day inactive list. With Cooks now likely out of the picture, Flournoy has an opportunity to battle for starting snaps at the X-receiver position. Flournoy has the size and skillset to excel on the outside in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense. Flournoy finished his rookie campaign with 102 yards on 10 receptions and lost a fumble in week six against the Detroit Lions. This offseason will be a big one for the former Southeast Missouri wideout. The Cowboys currently lack quality X-receivers on the roster and with a big offseason, Flournoy could be primed to see more snaps in year two depending on what happens during NFL free agency and the 2025 NFL draft.
Cowboys news: Late-round receivers that could interest Dallas
Mike Watters-Imagn Images Your Sunday morning Cowboys news. 6 late-round wide receivers Cowboys should monitor at NFL Combine – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated These late-round receivers should be sure to ‘catch’ your eye. Ricky White III, UNLV Ricky White III topped 1,000 yards the past two seasons while scoring 19 touchdowns. He benefited from an explosive offense but should still be on the radar for any team wanting to add more firepower in the passing game. He has a strong feel for the game and is superior at tracking the ball in the air. White’s primary concern is dealing with man coverage but he also offers special teams versatility. That means he can still contribute while learning to overcome his weaknesses. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Jaylin Noel isn’t the biggest wideout but you wouldn’t know that by watching his tape. He’s a tough receiver who wins more than his share of jump balls. Throw in his vertical speed and he could be a lot of fun in an offense that plans to utilize far more play-action passing. Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas If the Cowboys want to add someone with plenty of size, they could look to Andrew Armstrong from Arkansas. Born in Dallas, Armstrong began his collegiate career at Texas A&M-Commerce before spending his final two seasons with the Razorbacks. He proved to be a valuable weapon once he was in the SEC, recording 764 yards in 2023 and 1,140 in 2024. Despite his numbers and quick burst off the line, there are questions surrounding Armstrong. He might be able to quiet those at the Combine and given his ties to Dallas, the Cowboys will be watching. Jimmy Horn Jr., Colorado If Dallas wants someone who can stretch the field and offer help in the return game, they could look to Jimmy Horn, Jr. The 5-foot-9, 160-pounder didn’t get the attention he deserved at Colorado, which is understandable. That team was loaded with star power on the field, plus they have Deion Sanders coaching them. Horn still managed to stand out due to his developed route tree and elite speed. He would likely be around late on Day 3 and would give them someone capable of hitting the home run. Are we sure this formula will work for the Dallas Cowboys? – Shane Taylor, Inside the Star Did the Cowboys really get it right this time? Here we are again, talking about an offseason filled with more questions than answers, and unfortunately for all of us fans, we are in store for much of the same. With a boat load of pending free agents, the Cowboys coaching staff is brand new and when it comes to scoring points, this team is going to rely on three people. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Brain Schottenheimer. Bad Formula? This offense maybe reached its peak two years ago, and yes bringing back the same guy who was behind the scenes may help with familiar, that does not mean it’s a good formula. Look, I’m not here to try and tell everyone how to run a football team, but now Micah Parsons is even speaking out. This team has to get more talent or they have no chance. The formula to win games right now is getting a running back in the backfield that can produce, Rico Dowdle is one of over 20 pending free agents, will he return? I don’t know. Brain loves to run the football, we know that is his and his dads philosophy, so is Jerry going to draft a back or not? Potential Draft Picks The clear-cut best running back prospect in the class, and a name that has been connected to the Cowboys early and often in mock drafts, with Jeanty. Kaleb Johnson is another guy that I really like from Iowa. Johnson racked up 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, proving to be the Hawkeye’s primary source of offense. He could be available when Dallas is on the clock at No. 44, and if they don’t land a back in Round 1, he would be a tempting option. Yet, the back I really want Dallas to take is one of the two who just won the national championship. Think about this: TreVeyon Henderson finished his Ohio State career with 667 touches, 4614 yards, 48 touchdowns and ZERO fumbles. Give me a guy who touches the ball as much as he did, plus playing in the big ten with nothing but NFL talent who didn’t put the ball on the ground once. Other guys like Cam Skattebo, Dylan Sampson, Kaleb Johnson, TreVeyon Henderson and Devin Neal will all be around in the later rounds for this team to get. ESPN’s 2025 NFL predictions makes intriguing statement about Cowboys – K.D. Drummond What the experts think of ahead of 2025 season reveals about the Cowboys. With the conclusion of the 2024 season and the requisite championship parade, the NFL world is ready to move on to bigger and better things. The chase for SuperBowl LX has begun and to kick things off, ESPN’s collection of analysts weighed in with their early thoughts about how things are going to shake out. 13 NFL experts were asked for their predictions about a wide variety of topics, including which two teams would represent their conferences in The Big Game, who would take home the MVP and what teams would breakout in a big way. 65 predictions were made, some with the requisite “if it isn’t X, then Y” double dips and the most interesting thing for fans of the Dallas Cowboys was that they weren’t mentioned at all. Not once. Has the malaise brought on by Jerry Jones’ inability to manufacture hope among his team’s fanbase finally soured the media from including Dallas in every conversation? Dallas didn’t garner a single thought in the entire lengthy article. There was no wild predictions they would breakout in the first year under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, no mentions
Cowboys must improve in defending this particular position in 2025
Cowboys must improve in defending this particular position in 2025 reidhanson New year. New defense. The Dallas Cowboys effectively turned the page on the old season by bringing in an almost completely new coaching staff in 2025. While Brian Schottenheimer took the elevated role of head coach, all three coordinator positions saw churn. With these changes, new schemes are expected. Matt Eberflus, the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, has a clear style and scheme he’s expected to bring to Dallas. How that fits the personnel on hand remains to be seen but it’s clear he has some work to in both run stopping and pass defending. Pass defense is today’s focus. The Cowboys gave up an average of 0.58 expected points per dropback in 2024 (13th). It was a significant decline from the -0.60 expected points they allowed the season before (5th). Going through the various position groups, the Cowboys didn’t excel in defending any single position last season. Opposing receivers were especially deadly for the Cowboys. The 0.32 EPA/target allowed was eighth worst in the NFL. The injuries to Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland clearly impacted Dallas’ ability to matchup against opposing WRs and the numbers prove it. Luckily for the Cowboys both starters are expected back at some point in 2025. Nickel cornerback Jourdan Lewis may leave in free agency, but the Cowboys have Caelen Carson developing in the background who, with any luck, can mitigate that loss. Opposing tight ends also had their way with the Cowboys defense. Their 0.23 EPA/target allowed ranked near the middle of the league. The Cowboys showed promise in this regard, but the revolving door at linebacker likely impacted Dallas’ ability to defend TEs. Like the TE position, opposing running backs had success against Dallas at right around league average levels. The Cowboys allowed 0.09 EPA/target to RBs in 2024. It was a damaging number but a far cry from what WRs did to the Dallas defense. Eberflus, a coach who prefers to keep players back in coverage on early downs, wants to minimize damage through the air. His bend-but-don’t break defense wants offenses to grind out yards rather than gain them in chunks. He’s likely to encourage short dump offs to RBs in his defense; it’s stopping the WRs who he’ll focus on stopping most in 2025. Eberflus might be just what the doctor ordered for the Cowboys defense. For as unexciting as his typical scheme can be at times, it’s usually successful in its ability to minimize the big plays downfield that often target the wideouts. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Follow all of your favorite Texas teams at Cowboys Wire, Longhorns Wire, Texans Wire, Rockets Wire and Aggies Wire!
2025 NFL draft: Predicting great Cowboys combinations for Round 2 and Round 3
The draft is an inexact science, which makes accurate mocking an exercise in futility. But one of the most interesting parts of the process is how taking a position early impacts the availability of other talent wells later on. The Cowboys have been one of the best teams in the league at nailing first-round pick in the NFL draft under the direction of Will McClay. McClay was the director of football research when Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick were drafted, and the man in charge of the selections of Byron Jones, Zack Martin, Ezekiel Elliott, Leighton Vander Esch, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, and Tyler Smith. Every player listed has reached All-Pro status for the Cowboys. Dallas has struggled in the second rounds, however, with far more busts than All-Pros (3). The third round has been a struggle, too, with just one All-Pro. No player from the past two drafts have made a significant impact yet, but to turn things around after a disastrous 2024, Dallas will need that from their top 100 selections. Here are some combinations they could draft on Day 2 that could start to restock this roster with All-Pro-capable talent. Pairing North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton with… Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports All-purpose back Omarion Hampton out of North Carolina would make a great selection at No. 44. Hampton will fit any style of rushing attack as he can be physical inside or make people miss, get wide, and break a big play. He had over 1,500 yards rushing in the last two seasons at UNC, averaging six yards per attempt and scored 15 touchdowns each year. He never has to leave the field as he is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, catching 67 passes for nearly 600 yards and three touchdowns in that time. Dallas would have their new workhorse back in Hampton for the next few years. … Utah State WR Jaylon Royals Sep 30, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Utah State Aggies wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) runs the ball for a touchdown against the UConn Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports Dallas would then look for a receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb, selecting Jaylon Royals from Utah State the third round. Just like Lamb, Royals can play outside or in the slot. He isn’t an explosive athlete; winning with savvy and anticipation over suddenness and route running. He will find holes in zones and shield off defenders in man so he can give an open target to his quarterback. Royals is a possession receiver but has an ability to break tackles to add yards after catch. He was a production machine in both 2023 and 2024. He caught 71 passes in 2023 for 1,080 yards and 15 scores. He only played in seven games in 2024 but was on pace for 102 receptions for 1,548 yards and 11 touchdowns. Pairing Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor with… Nov 16, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (13) catches a pass in warmup before the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images If Dallas skipped the running back position on Day 2, they could look to fill their other two major roster holes with a weapon to pair with Lamb and a defensive tackle to pair with Parsons. Elic Ayomanor could be an option at No.44 to fill a giant need at receiver. Ayomanor has the size and hands to be a possession receiver on the outside. He can win on back shoulder throws or 50-50 deep balls to create big plays, but he also has the athleticism to win by making people miss on a slant and taking it for a touchdown. Defenses would have multiple concerns defending Ayomanor, opening up the field for Lamb to create havoc. … Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott Tennessee defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott (55) celebrating after a play during the NCAA college football game against Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn. In Round 3, Dallas could get the big-bodied defensive tackle with pass-rush upside they love to try to develop in Omarr Norman-Lott. Norman-Lott is a nose tackle-size DT at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, with the anchor to hold ground in the run game. His change of direction ability and motor at his size make him unique. He can be seen on tape chasing plays 10 yards or more up the field, and Matt Eberflus needs a four-man pass rush for the defense to be at its best. Norman-Lott gets penetration with explosion enough at his size to see the upside in that area. Norman-Lott has limitless upside if the new defensive coaching staff can unlock his potential. Pairing Michigan DT Kenneth Grant with… Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) reaches out to sack Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Monday, January 8, 2024. If Dallas lands their offensive playmaker at N0. 12, Eberflus might get the next two picks to reload his defense, which could begin with defensive tackle Kenneth Grant out of Michigan. Grant is the best run-stuffing DT prospect in the draft. He is nearly immovable inside with an elite anchor, but he is not a trash-can-full-of-dirt player. Grant can move, averaging six tackles for a loss, over three sacks, and five pass deflections in the last two seasons at Michigan. He had a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 87.5 against the run and a true pass rush grade over 77. Grant knew how to step up in the moment, making plays at crucial times on the national championship team like Lawrence has for Dallas for