Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images Malik Hooker has a history with Matt Eberflus. When a new defensive coordinator comes to town, we’ve seen how they like to bring some of “their guys” with them to the roster. These veterans give the coach some comfort in terms of already knowing how to perform in his scheme, as well as the role they can play in helping their new teammates make the transition. With Matt Eberflus’ arrival in the Cowboys, he may already have a guy in safety Malik Hooker. When Dan Quinn was hired in 2021, he brought LB/S Keanu Neal and S Damontae Kazee with him from the Falcons. In 2022, Dante Fowler was also signed after getting released by Atlanta. Last season with Mike Zimmer replacing Quinn, LB Eric Kendricks and DT Linval Joseph soon followed based on previously working with him in Minnesota. We’ll have to wait until next week, at the earliest, to see what free agents might be lured to the Cowboys by Eberflus. He’s certainly got his own pool of guys from the last three years as the Bears’ head coach, and four years as the Colts’ defensive coordinator before that. But there may already be one in-house “Eberflus guy” with Hooker, who played under him from 2018-2020 in Indianapolis. The 15th-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Hooker was already in place when Eberflus left his job as linebackers coach in Dallas and became Colts DC in 2018. Hooker, who fell in the draft due to injury issues, suffered another bad one that year after just seven games. Already at three interceptions and four deflections when he went down, Hooker was on pace to challenge for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Medical issues continued to keep Hooker from being a consistent impact player with the Colts. He missed six games from 2018-2019, one of them a playoff loss, and then nearly all of the 2020 season with an Achilles tear. Even before that next major injury, Indy had decided to decline Hooker’s fifth-year option for 2021. His reputation for poor health was why he remained untouched in free agency that year until the Cowboys finally signed him just ahead of training camp. Since then, Hooker has only missed four games in as many seasons. After rotating with Jayron Kearse and Donovan Wilson in the first two years, he’s been the Cowboy’s full-time free safety for the last two seasons. He’s now one of the veteran leaders on defense and one of the few stable presences in a secondary that’s had plenty of other injury woes the last few years. We might quickly assume that Eberflus and Hooker will be happy to see each other again in Dallas. But should we? Remember, Eberflus wasn’t part of the Colts’ staff when Hooker was drafted. He was part of it when they declined his option year and chose to let him walk in 2021, but we can’t say how much influence Eberflus had on those decisions. What we do know is that even after they declined the option year, the Colts still named Hooker as a Week 1 starter in 2020. Here’s what Eberflus was saying about him going into that training camp: Matt Eberflus was just on the @MorningShow1075. And he was asked about Malik Hooker (by @HolderStephen): pic.twitter.com/2Q5qKGreJ2 — Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) July 30, 2020 Eberflus also said the following after Hooker’s season-ending injury in 2020: Matt Eberflus says the example Malik Hooker set in terms of work ethic and positive attitude is what they’ll miss most about having him. — Jim Ayello (@jimayello) September 22, 2020 It sounds like Eberflus still had plenty of respect for Hooker even though their time together ended. So as long as that goes both ways, it’s not wild to guess that the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator is looking forward to working with the now-veteran safety again. Hooker may be very important to Eberflus this year as he probably won’t get much opportunity to bring in external free agents. If the Cowboys are as focused on keeping their own like Osa Odighizuwa, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Jourdan Lewis as reports indicate, plus the Micah Parsons extension, that’s not leaving much for outside hires. So in terms of having someone who’s played in his scheme and can help teammates, Hooker may wind up being Eberflus’ best and perhaps only translator. While already an established starter with job security in 2025, Malik Hooker’s value to the Cowboys may have just gone up after Matt Eberflus’ return. If he can help make the transition to a new defensive scheme even smoother, it will only help Dallas to be playing their best ball sooner rather than later. The defense took time to get going under Mike Zimmer last year, so hopefully we can avoid the same delay next season.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Cowboys keep another promising member of their defense. The Dallas Cowboys have been making business moves left and right on Tuesday. After signing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year deal, restructuring the contract of wide receiver CeeDee, and re-signing special teams ace C.J. Goodwin to a one-year deal, the Cowboys have picked up the contract option of safety Juanyeh Thomas, who was an exclusive rights free agent. And even more roster news… Juanyeh Thomas, an ERFA, is having his contract option picked up by the #Cowboys in 2025 — he revealed to @nhutchisontv. The talented young safety is, as expected, staying put. pic.twitter.com/2G9rlm2AjY — Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) March 4, 2025 Thomas went undrafted in 2022 before signing with the Cowboys. After he failed to make the final roster, Thomas was added to the practice squad. In 2023, Thomas was able to make a name for himself after he was impressive in the preseason. This time, he would make the final roster and log 190 snaps. He would produce 22 tackles and four pass breakups in 16 games with one start. Thomas saw his snaps reduced to 90 in 2024 as he would finish with 14 tackles, one pass breakup, and a forced fumble. Although he hasn’t played a ton, Thomas has shown that he has the ability to cover and play against the run. The problem has been that the Cowboys have invested quite a bit in Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker. However, the safety position wasn’t a strong suit last season, so the depth chart could look a little different in 2025. No matter the players the Cowboys have at safety, Thomas should be given plenty of opportunities to make an even bigger impact next season.

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images The Dallas Cowboys lock up their best defensive tackle for the foreseeable future. The Dallas Cowboys have taken care of one of their biggest offseason priorities. After much speculation that they might be priced out due to his elevated play, the Cowboys signed defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80M deal that includes $58M guaranteed and has a $20M signing bonus. Cowboys and DT Osa Odighizuwa reached agreement today on a four-year, $80 million deal that includes $58 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. Odighizuwa’s agent Sam Leaf Ireifej negotiated and confirmed the deal. pic.twitter.com/G96RihxqFQ — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2025 Odighizuwa is coming off of his best season yet on the NFL level. He set career highs in tackles (47), sacks (4.5), and quarterback hits (23). Per Pro Football Focus, Odighizuwa ranked third in pressures (60) and fifth in hurries (39) amongst defensive lineman in 2024. Also, his 78.5 pass-rush grade ranked 11th (second-best of his career). With Odighizuwa locked in, the Cowboys have a guy that can be very solid against the run and provide a good pass rush help in the middle of the defensive line. It was also important to secure a talented player to play alongside Mazi Smith while he continues to develop. Of course, the Cowboys should certainly look for another addition or two on the defensive line in April’s NFL draft because they simply need more quality players in that area. Dallas is now in a position to turn their efforts into getting something long-term done with All-Pro linebacker/edge Micah Parsons, and preferably sooner rather than later so that the Cowboys can get more wiggle room to hopefully add more quality players in free agency.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jayden Higgins time in Dallas? The Dallas Cowboys need more juice on offense opposite of CeeDee Lamb. With Deebo Samuel now in Washington, the Cowboys will be looking to match the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders wide receiver duo’s with a strong pairing of their own. There have been plenty of discussions around taking a receiver in round one, but with needs littered throughout the roster, could waiting out the wide receiver pay off for the Cowboys? With the wide receiver class in 2025 being an interesting one, there are a few options available outside of the top 50 to come in and make a difference right away. One name to become familiar with is Jayden Higgins out of Iowa State. In looking for a complement for CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys need a wideout that can win on the outside consistently with Lamb dominating in the slot. Higgins can do just that. At 6-foot-4, 215-lbs, Higgins has the size needed at the “X-receiver” position to be a consistent outside threat. He had a good week in Indianapolis at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.47 40-yard dash, jumping 39” in the vertical, and a 10’ 8” mark in the broad jump. Jayden Higgins gauntlet pic.twitter.com/3Wq3COAbPV — Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 1, 2025 It was not reported that the Cowboys met with Higgins in any fashion at the combine, but that should not mean they are no interested in the former Iowa State receiver. Higgins put up impressive numbers at Iowa State, posting 28 touchdowns and 3,317 receiving yards on 227 receptions. Higgins proved along with his productive career, that he is a very good athlete at his size to win against man-coverage in all three levels of the field. Higgins has similar size and straight line speed that Seattle Seahawks D.K. Metcalf possessed coming out of Ole Miss in 2019. Brian Schottenheimer had a big hand in drafting Metcalf from his days in Seattle. Higgins possesses all the traits the Cowboys need in a receiver in 2025 and could be a perfect complement to CeeDee Lamb and a friendly target for Dak Prescott.

Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images The latest and greatest Dallas Cowboys offseason news. NFL Combine: 3 takeaways involving the Dallas Cowboys – Shane Taylor, Inside The Star The combine came and went without the Jerry visit on the bus in Indy. Not Like Jerry Cowboys owner Jerry Jones loves to talk about his team, because the more he talks about the Cowboys, the more the media talks about the Cowboys. Most General Managers speak to reporters from one of the various podiums in Indy. Jones typically holds court on his touring bus. This year, he did neither. He noted that he would talk when he got back to Dallas, but regardless of why, this is not like Jerry Jones at all. This dude can’t wait to have the microphone in front of him and talk about whatever, even if it means nothing important about the football team. It seems like this offseason is going to be an interesting one for the Dallas Cowboys, and my first takeaway from the combine that might not mean much to some, but Jerry Jones not saying anything at all is not like him. Maybe the pressure is finally starting to get to him, and instead of talking, he is actually trying to get some important work done to make the team better? 2025 All-Combine Team, Offense: Quinshon Judkins, Luther Burden III among standouts in Indianapolis – Nick Shook, NFL.com Even more running back options stood out at the combine for the Cowboys. RUNNING BACKS Bhayshul Tuten Virginia Tech · RB Best team fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings I typically select two running backs for this team, but I must mention Tuten beyond honorable status because of how well he tested. The former Hokies runner posted the fastest 40 of any running back at 4.32 seconds, had a 40.5-inch vertical and logged a 10-foot-10 broad that gave us statistical proof of his explosiveness. His drills weren’t perfect, but he’s incredibly light on his feet, dancing around bags swiftly and darting through them in a subsequent drill like he was sifting through hallway traffic on his way to his next class. He’s not a supremely polished player, but the physical potential is absolutely there and should intrigue some personnel executives in April. HONORABLE MENTION: Donovan Edwards, Michigan; RJ Harvey, UCF; Dylan Sampson, Tennessee; Jaydon Blue, Texas. Cowboys seem to have learned valuable offseason, free agent lessons – Ben Grimaldi, The Cowboys Wire This is a small but encouraging step in the right direction. Last year the braintrust for the Cowboys waited forever to start working on new deals for their priority free agents. Quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb were the two extensions the team needed to get done quickly in order to participate in free agency, but there wasn’t a sense of urgency to get either completed. Lamb’s deal wasn’t done until training camp, which caused the All-Pro WR sit out all team activities in the offseason, and Prescott didn’t get his extension until the just before Week 1 of the regular season. By waiting so long to work on, and agree to deals, the team wasn’t able to use free agency to upgrade the roster since the Cowboys were up against the salary cap. The Joneses slept through free agency while watching the majority of the league find players to improve for the upcoming campaign. That isn’t happening again. This offseason, things are trending in a much different direction as the organization is actively working on deals before the start of free agency. Stephen Jones said the team would look at what went wrong last offseason, and he’s going about fixing it in 2025. The two biggest deals the Cowboys need to get done this offseason are with key members of the defensive line, and there are active talks to retain both players. Dallas has already been talking with free agent defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa about getting a long-term deal done before free agency opens. If that doesn’t happen, the Cowboys are expected to use the franchise tag on their blossoming DT, something that must be announced before March 4th at 4:00 PM EST. Utilizing the tag shows how badly the Cowboys want to keep Odighizuwa and how aggressively they’re trying to get a deal done before using issuing the tactic demonstrates how the team has learned about getting things done quickly. If they two sides can agree before applying the tag, they could focus on using their cap space in free agency to get better. If they can’t, that $25.1 million earmarked for Odighizuwa could hold up some of their free agency plans. The Cowboys have also begun preliminary talks with edge rusher Micah Parsons on an extension. Parsons falls more in line with the mega deals the team had to get done last offseason, and the type of contract the team has trouble completing in a timely fashion. It feels like the discussions between the two sides are in the early stages, but it’s still lightyears ahead of where the Cowboys were with their two All-Pro players last spring. Report: Cowboys to tender KaVontae Turpin at second-round level – Josh Alper, Pro Football Talk The Cowboys’ new coaching staff on offense seems to want KaVontae Turpin to remain a part of it. Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Cowboys will tender Turpin as a restricted free agent. They are expected to use a second-round tender in their move to hold onto him. That would come with a salary of $5.346 million for the 2025 season and it would require a team to fork over a second-round pick if they successfully sign Turpin away. Turpin was a first-team All-Pro as a returner in 2024 after returning one punt and one kickoff for touchdowns during the regular season. He’s also made a pair of Pro Bowls as a returner in his first three seasons and he’s caught 44 passes for 556

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Cowboys should consider getting creative with the veteran trade market. The Dallas Cowboys will be under a new direction defensively in 2025 and beyond with Matt Eberflus taking over for Mike Zimmer. There are multiple areas that need to be upgraded for the Cowboys defense to get back to be a respectable unit. One them is linebacker, especially with DeMarvion Overshown suffering a torn ACL and veteran Eric Kendricks headed for free agency. On Wednesday, an interesting development came about. Linebacker Harold Landry, who has played for the Tennessee Titans since 2018 after being drafted in the second round, was granted permission to seek a trade. Per executive vice president Stephen Jones, the Cowboys will be “selectively aggressive” in terms of their approach in free agency. Well, this would be one of the times where Dallas should do just that. Landry would have a solid rookie campaign with 4.5 sacks. His first breakout performance came a season later when he upped his sack total to nine. In 2021, Landry earned his only Pro Bowl nod as he recorded 12. Before the 2022 season, Landry suffered a torn ACL. However, his last two years have been productive as well. After he put up 10.5 sacks in 2023, Landry produced nine more this past season. When breaking it down, Landry doesn’t win as a pass rusher as much as you would like as he posted a pass-rush grade of 49.6 in 2024. Actually, throughout his career, it hasn’t been that great, but it makes the fact that he has 280 pressures and 175 hurries for career pretty impressive. Landry can provide some help against the run also as he’s coming off a season with a career-high 82.2 run defense grade. Of course, especially when it comes to the Cowboys, contracts are a big factor. Landry has two years left on his five-year, $87.5 million extension that he signed in 2022. He has a base salary of $17.5 million and a cap hit of $24.05 million in each of the next two seasons. With all that being said, Landry is only 28 years old (29 in June) and still has plenty of football left in the tank. The only linebacker the Cowboys know that they can rely on going into 2025 is Marist Liufau. Getting a guy like Landry adds depth to the position and a starter for next season, plus it doesn’t hinder the Cowboys from taking another one in the NFL draft. With his pass rush ability, although it could be more consistent, the Cowboys would have more ammunition against the pass along with All-Pro Micah Parsons.

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images A legend in every walk of his life, Jimmy Johnson is calling it a career as a FOX studio analyst. Jimmy Johnson is retiring from his television career as a studio analyst on FOX NFL Sunday. After nearly 30 years in media and winning numerous Emmys and other awards along with his FOX team, the 81-year-old Johnson says goodbye to yet another job where he left a legendary mark. Johnson has been a mainstay on FOX since 2002, having also worked for them briefly between his departure as coach of the Dallas Cowboys and joining the Miami Dolphins. He was part of the original lineup along with James Brown, Terry Bradshaw, and Howie Long that became the gold standard for NFL studio shows. Brown left FOX in 2005 to join CBS, but the analysts have all remained until today’s news. Jimmy Johnson retires. pic.twitter.com/hWrevBXJEl — David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 3, 2025 Back in 1994, Johnson was one of the hottest names in sports following two straight Super Bowl championships with Dallas. Battle-tested in front of microphones from his time as the ringmaster of Jerry Jones’ circus, Johnson was a natural in TV and became a beloved NFL figure over his long, heralded career on FOX. Cowboys fans have regularly heard his thoughts on the team as FOX often carries Dallas games, many of them their “Game of the Week.” We join all Cowboys Nation in warmly wishing Jimmy a wonderful retirement!

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images Drafting Ashton Jeanty would (obviously) feel a lot like 2016. The year was 2016. The Dallas Cowboys were coming off a losing season when their quarterback missed extensive time due to injury. They had finished with a 12-win season the year prior before losing to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. Their quarterback was entering his 10th season as the team’s full-time starter and recently in the MVP conversation. Their quarterback was also north of 30 years of age and had missed games in three of the previous four years, including being lost for the season twice over the last six years. At running back, the team had just used a low-cost veteran, who despite not being used much early in the year. managed to pick things up as the season went on and churned out 1,000 yards. Before that, they had just let a Pro Bowl running back walk in free agency. That running back in question wasn’t used much early in his career, but finished with two straight 1,000-yard seasons before pricing himself out in Dallas. If this story has a familiar sound, it is because this exact situation is happening again in Dallas. SITUATION THEN NOW Losing season the previous year Yes Yes Lost in the playoffs the year before that to the Packers to the Packers QB entering his 10th year as a full-time starter Tony Romo Dak Prescott QB finished with MVP votes the year before last Tony Romo Dak Prescott Seasons missing extensive time over the last six years 2 (Romo) 2 (Prescott) Seasons missing games over the last four years 3 (Romo) 3 (Prescott) Low cost 1,000-yard rusher Darren McFadden Rico Dowdle Previous Pro Bowl RB DeMarco Murray Tony Pollard Eerily enough, the similarities may not stop there. Back then, the Cowboys made a concerted effort to give Tony Romo some help (or at least they thought it would be Romo they were helping) by using premium draft capital to take college’s top running back, Ezekiel Elliott. The team had previously invested in their offensive line by using first-round draft picks on linemen, and the belief was that fortifying a rushing attack that would command the attention from the defense would take some of the pressure off their quarterback. The Cowboys can do this again by taking college’s star running back Ashton Jeanty with their 12th overall pick. Adding a running back with elite talent would give the team a balanced attack on offense and force opposing defenses to have to stop both Jeanty and CeeDee Lamb similar to how they had to deal with Zeke and Dez Bryant in the past. And to add a cherry on the top of this doggleganger scenario, the Cowboys have also mentioned that they are interested in taking a quarterback in this year’s draft. “You know, I think one of our goals is to get a young quarterback in the draft,” Jones said. “I don’t know where that’s going to be. That was also their thinking in 2016 as they wanted a better backup plan should their injury-prone quarterback go down again. And that is what led them to draft Dak Prescott. It was a good thing they did because Romo wasted no time going down as he was injured in the preseason, calling Prescott to action sooner than expected. We know how that story unfolded, but it would be crazy to think the Cowboys could hit the bullseye again, especially considering that dart would be thrown no sooner than the fifth round. Over the last 10 years, there haven’t been many new late-round Dak stories. Mr. Irrelevant himself, Brock Purdy, stands alone as the only quarterback selected late in the draft who has made any noise. Here are some of the other late round quarterbacks over the last 10 years that have done okay: 2022 – Sam Howell (5th-round) 2019 – Gardner Minshew (6th-round) 2018 – Mike White (5th-round) 2016 – Jeff Driskel (6th-round) Yes, that’s not a long list, nor is it an intimidating one, but that’s the best we got. This speaks to how unlikely it is for the Cowboys to find a viable quarterback late in the draft. If you’re looking for a silver lining, the Cowboys have three fifth-round darts to throw and one of those quarterbacks on the above list, Mike White, was drafted by Dallas. It’s not likely to be déjà vu all over again, but the Cowboys have to think about their quarterback position and take action to preserve his health and have a feasible contingency plan should he go down.

Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Here is our scouting report on Mykel Williams from Georgia We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at defensive end Mykel Williams from Georgia. Mykel Williams DEGeorgia BulldogsJunior5-star recruit 6’5”265 lbs Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images History Mykel Williams was born on June 29, 2004 and grew up in Columbus, Georgia, a city where football holds a deep cultural significance. He attended Hardaway High School, where his talent on the field quickly made him a local star. During his high school career, he showcased exceptional athleticism and strength, earning him a reputation as one of the top recruits in the country. Williams became a five-star prospect as a result of his fine high school performance. He committed to USC initially, but in October he flipped his commitment to stay closer to home and play for the University of Georgia, becoming the highest-rated recruit in their 2022 class. At Georgia, Williams wasted no time making an impact. As a true freshman in 2022, he contributed to the Bulldogs’ national championship win and earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team. He had 28 total tackles, five sacks, and seven tackles for loss while playing multiple positions along the defensive front. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart highlighted Williams’ relentless drive and potential to be a dominant force in his first season playing for Georgia. In 2023, Williams continued to solidify his reputation as a key contributor to the Georgia Bulldogs’ defense. Playing primarily as a defensive end, he appeared in all 14 games, recording 18 total tackles, including seven for loss, and adding five sacks. Despite not putting up gaudy stats, his presence helped anchor a stout Georgia defense that finished the season ranked among the nation’s best, going 13-1 and winning the Orange Bowl. Williams’ performance earned him recognition as a rising star, setting the stage for an even bigger role in 2024. In the 2024 season, Williams further established himself as a vital piece of the Georgia Bulldogs’ defense, despite battling a significant ankle injury that impacted his availability and performance. As a junior, he played in 11 games, recording 21 total tackles, including a team-high nine tackles for loss and five sacks. His season was hampered by a Grade 2 left ankle sprain suffered in the opener against Clemson, causing him to miss two games. Despite this, Williams showcased his versatility and resilience, contributing in key moments like the SEC Championship win over Texas, where he logged two tackles for loss and two sacks. 2024 Statistics 402 Defensive Snaps26 Total Pressures5 Sacks21 Total Tackles9 TFL2 Pass Breakups2 Forced Fumbles 2 Penalties NFL Combine/Pro Day TBC Awards Second Team All-SEC (2024)Second Team All-SEC (2023)Freshman All-SEC Team (2022) Scorecard Overall- 87.7Speed- 82Acceleration- 90Agility- 79Strength- 89Pass Rush- 82Run Stop- 89Tackling- 80Discipline- 96 THE GOOD Williams boasts a prototypical frame for an NFL edge rusher—long arms, excellent size, and a powerful lower body. His blend of length, strength, and fluidity makes him a nightmare to block one-on-one. He moves with rare agility and twitch for a 265-pounder. His first step off the line is quick, and he shows surprising bend around the edge. He is a brick wall against the run, using his strength to set the edge and his long arms to keep blockers at bay. He consistently sheds blocks with violent hand usage and pursues with a high motor. Has insane versatility, playing from a 3-technique to a wide-9, and even as a stand-up rusher from the 2-point. He’s comfortable with his hand in the dirt or playing in space, giving him scheme flexibility at the next level. His bull rush is a weapon, as he can collapse the pocket by driving blockers back with sheer power. TAPE TIME DE Mykel Williams Georgia ✅ THE GOOD✅#scouting #NFLDraft #GeorgiaBulldogs pic.twitter.com/1XhqNUqhLs — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 27, 2025 THE BAD While athleticism carries him, Williams lacks a refined arsenal of pass rush moves. He leans heavily on power and speed rather than counters or technical finesse. Williams never played a full-time set of reps in a season. This leaves some uncertainty about his stamina and consistency over a full NFL workload. His reaction to the snap can be inconsistent. If he loses the advantage that his athleticism provides his pass rush stalls, especially against quicker tackles. Despite flashes of dominance his sack and TFL totals don’t match his elite traits, partly due to rotation and injury. TAPE TIME DE Mykel Williams Georgia ❌THE BAD❌#scouting #NFLDraft #GeorgiaBulldogs pic.twitter.com/fs2vkv7B84 — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 27, 2025 THE FIT Mykel Williams ceiling is that of a Pro Bowl-caliber edge rusher if he refines his pass-rush moves and stays healthy. However, his floor is a rotational piece if technical growth stalls. He has immense potential but needs to refine several areas to maximize his NFL impact. His pass-rush arsenal is underdeveloped, relying too heavily on raw power and speed without consistent counters or a polished plan, which savvier offensive tackles will neutralize. His get-off at the snap can be inconsistent, costing him the edge against quicker opponents when his timing isn’t sharp. Additionally, he’ll need to prove he can handle a full workload after limited snap counts at Georgia. Developing technical finesse and maintaining health will be key to unlocking his elite ceiling. Williams could be an excellent fit for the Dallas Cowboys where he would slot in at the defensive end rotation. His ability to set the edge against the run aligns with Dallas’ need to shore up a run defense that ranked 29th in rush-yards allowed (137 yards per game) in 2024. Williams’ power-based pass rush and untapped athleticism could thrive in Dallas, potentially boosting his sack totals alongside Parsons’ pressure. However, his rawness might require patience, but Dallas’ track record of developing defensive line talent (Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Lawrence) suggests they could refine his pass-rush moves. If drafted in

Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Could the former Texas Longhorn WR stay in Texas? With the talks of blockbuster trades, big free agent signings, and the NFL draft right around the corner, the Dallas Cowboys have found themselves in plenty of headlines regarding wide receivers around the league. Sitting at 12th overall, the Cowboys have been rumored to like Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka, and Missouri WR Luther Burden III. One guy we may need to get on our radar is Texas WR Matthew Golden. Golden had one of the more impressive showings at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a 4.29 40-yard dash and a 1.49 10-yard split. Golden was as smooth as it comes on film at Texas, but the high-end athleticism was something that was often questioned. After posting such impressive numbers, plenty of teams and scouts will be heading back to the tape to confirm what the testing showed in Indianapolis. I don’t know what Matthew Golden’s draft stock was before coming to Texas but with the season he had and then you go out and run 4.30u…my gawd Golden has earned millions of dollars after transferring to UT#HookEm | #Texas pic.twitter.com/CP1AkjZqwI — Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) March 1, 2025 At 5-foot-11, 195-lbs, Golden has nice size and proved at Texas to have the versatility to play both inside and outside. Golden would be the fastest receiver the Cowboys have drafted in quite some time and bring much needed speed and explosiveness to the Cowboys offense, which has been lacking for a while now. Along with his speed, Golden is one of the better route-runners in this class, showing a nuanced ability to run every route at all three-levels of the field. Golden currently stands at 28th overall on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board and will likely see a nice jump after impressing at the combine. While Golden was not necessarily in the discussion for the 12th overall pick, we could be hearing that pick up some steam as we move closer to the draft. A potential trade-back could also make a lot of sense for the Cowboys and Matthew Golden pairing that is likely to be talked about much more over the next month and a half.