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[Dallas Cowboys]

Dante Fowler Jr. is 'looking forward' to playing in Matt Eberflus defense

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Adjusting won't be a problem for Dante Fowler Jr. under Matt Eberflus.

Veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. is going into his 11th season in the NFL. The former first-round pick has bounced around to several different teams and played for a number of different defensive coordinators.

He played his first four years in Jacksonville under defensive coordinator Todd Wash. After missing his rookie year with a torn ACL, Fowler put up four sacks in 16 games in 2016, although he played barley over half of the team's defensive snaps. He would play only 45% of the defensive snaps the next season, but he managed to get eight sacks. Fowler would be traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, and he would play under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips for the next two seasons. In 2019, Fowler had his best season as a pro under Phillips with a career-high 11.5 sacks.

In four of the last five seasons, Fowler had played under Dan Quinn. The first two were with the Atlanta Falcons, but a knee injury derailed his 2021 campaign. As a backup in Dallas for two seasons, Fowler produced 10 sacks. In his one season with the Washington Commanders in 2024, also under Quinn after he took the head coaching job, Fowler put up 10.5 sacks despite playing just 52% of the defensive snaps. Now, Fowler is back in Dallas on a one-year deal, and he'll play under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Fowler spoke on what he expects under a defense led by him, and the veteran is confident he'll fit in per Jon Machota.

I know this is going to be a fast, physical defense. I’m looking forward to it. I’m a hybrid so I can adjust to anything. ... Whatever the scheme is, I’m going to adapt to it, I’m going to adjust to it and I’ll be ready to go.

Eberflus runs a 4-3 base scheme that is geared towards a lot of zone coverage, which makes getting after the quarterback a huge priority. Fowler fits that mold. Micah Parsons will be on one edge drawing all the attention. Osa Odighizuwa will be a presence at the 3-tech. If Mazi Smith can keep improving and give the Cowboys something at the 1-tech, having a player like Fowler come off the other edge can make things difficult for opposing offenses on critical passing downs.

The Cowboys are hoping that Sam that Williams recovers from his torn ACL and that he finally starts to reach his ceiling in year four. Also, there's Marshawn Kneeland, who is looking to have a better second season after dealing with a torn meniscus that slowed his progress. However, Fowler gives the Cowboys an instant veteran presence as an effective situational pass rusher. That's what Fowler does. He gets after the quarterback, and he's just the type of player you want coming off the edge opposite a guy like All-Pro Parsons when it's third and long.

Dallas still needs to add some more depth to their defensive end group, and they'll undoubtedly look to add one in the NFL draft. Getting Fowler back in the mix was a smart move by the Cowboys, and likely the best one they've made in free agency thus far.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-defense-micah-parsons-dan-quinn-sam-williams

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys 2025 draft: 10 sleepers in this year’s draft

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Here are some sleepers to keep an eye on during the draft.

This year’s NFL draft is creeping up fast and with the help of the All-Star games, the scouting combine, and team’s pro days, we are getting a clear picture of these prospects and how they are valued. There are some names that are getting overlooked or their projections and rankings are way below their skill set. Here are ten names to check out as their projected rankings are way lower than what they should be and offer great sleeper value in this year’s draft.

1. QB Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)​

Rourke is considered a sleeper in this year’s NFL draft because he has the size, arm talent, and experience that NFL teams covet, but he flies under the radar due to his age, deep ball accuracy and his late ACL injury which adds questions on his availability this year. Look past those issues and you’ll find a quarterback with good experience, quickly able to read defenses, and is resilient and unyielding on the field with great leadership. Put in the time and stay patient with Rourke and he’ll pay any team back that drafts him with a solid backup quarterback that’s quick to develop.

Here are some clips of new Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke throwing to DeQuece Carter, Josh Henderson and Christian Turner at their Pro Day. #iufb pic.twitter.com/U2UJcleePH

— Jack Ankony (@ankony_jack) March 5, 2024​

2. RB Bhaysul Tuten (Virginia Tech)​

Tuten ranks outside the top-100 in the consensus rankings and on PFF he ranks as low as 187. With his electrifying speed (4.32 second 40-yard time), and his explosiveness (10-yard split of 1.49 seconds), it’s clear Tuten is an athletic demon on the field. Tuten is a quick and agile slasher capable of excelling in a zone-blocking system, and his exceptional movement abilities suggest he has the potential for significant productivity. His 2,242 all-purpose yards and 29 total touchdowns the last two seasons shows just how productive he can be. The reason he’s so easily overlooked is he’s pert of a very deep and talented running back class, but who ever picks him is getting a very talented running back.

Bhaysul Tuten refuses to be contained! @HokiesFB | #ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/eUJiOH9S86

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) November 11, 2023​

3. DT CJ West (Indiana)​

Another draft prospect from Indiana that ranks outside the consensus top-100, and West is probably the most highly-valued Indiana player in this year’s draft. He’s better suited as a 1T defensive tackle or can push into the nose tackle position if coaches try to steer him that direction. But West’s run defense is very enticing and as a rotational piece in the middle of the defensive line he could become extremely impactful. His 11.4% run stop win-rate is fourth-most in this class, only slightly behind Mason Graham.

CJ West (@CJWEST50) goin to WORK! @IndianaFootball | #ShrineBowl pic.twitter.com/Sa8I9Nb8OM

— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) March 4, 2025​

4. WR Ja’Corey Brooks (Louisville)​

Brooks is probably one of the lesser-known prospects on the list. After transferring from Alabama, Brooks emerged as a big-play threat and put up some good numbers last season. Some scouting services don’t even have Brooks ranked on their big boards, as such his consensus rankings has him at 254, that’s undrafted. But Brooks has a lot to offer as a late-round flyer or priority undrafted free agent and should be able to make his way onto an active roster in the NFL. You may struggle to find a scouting report on Brooks but watch his tape, it’s intriguing. His blend of size, athleticism, and big-play ability is something every team should want to tap into. He showcased his talent as a deep threat, leading the FBS in receptions of 20 yards or more through Week 9 last season. He shows strong hands and body control, excelling in contested catches and tracks the ball downfield at an elite level. Plus he has good versatility which adds more fuel to his value thanks to his ability to play both outside and in the slot.

Ja'Corey. Brooks.

ESPN2 x @LouisvilleFB pic.twitter.com/hgkEPqIouD

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 26, 2024​

5. OT Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College)​

Boston College is no stranger when it comes to churning out high-quality offensive linemen (Chris Lindstrom, Zion Johnson, even Marc Columbo), and Trapilo has the potential to follow that tradition. He’s projected as a fourth-round prospect but what makes him a sleeper is how his value has dropped the past few weeks and continues to decline with each passing week. At 6’8”, 315 lbs, he has the size, but he also has the athletic build and versatility to be a standout offensive tackle. He quietly put together a string of solid performances against strong ACC competition, showcasing excellent footwork, balance, and hand placement. He’s particularly intriguing because he’s still developing with room to add strength and polish to his technique, but he also displays the intelligence and movement skills teams covet in swing tackles, something that adds value to his stock. With only two sacks and 20 pressures allowed in his last 24 games he certainly has the proven track record that gives confidence to GM’s that want to draft him earlier than his projection.

BC’s Ozzy Trapilo has strong ass hands and this dude is enormous. Interesting name to pay attention to on Day 3 pic.twitter.com/lEsFhmp05M

— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) February 13, 2025​

6. LB Teddye Buchanan (California)​

Buchanan is a coverage specialist with all the physical traits, processing ability, and experience to excel on passing downs in literally any defensive scheme. That’s some good value in a league that’s so heavily predicated on the passing game. Unless you’re a Golden Bears fan you may never even of heard of Buchanan, the consensus has him at 184 while CBS doesn’t even have him ranked among their 400 prospect list. For some, Buchanan hit their radar after a fantastic combine where he pumped 26 reps on the bench, ran a 4.60s 40-yard dash, then exploded in the vertical with a crazy 40” Vert. He was one of the under-the-radar standouts at his position during the testing. He’s overlooked due to his skill set for the modern day linebacker position. He has the speed and explosiveness, covers better than nearly every linebacker in this class, and is extremely smart and disciplined. While he may not have the flashy sack totals or highlight-reel hits and tackles, his versatility and reliability could make him a Day 3 gem who ends up playing significant snaps early.

Watch LB No. 44 on this play. Teddye Buchanan from @CalFootball. Didn’t get his head around for the ball, but watch him flip the hips and take off down the field to cover the deep cross

Former track (jumps) standout in HS. This dude can move pic.twitter.com/3GO53qvwQl

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 25, 2025​

7. CB Darien Porter (Iowa State)​

There was a feeling Porter might be be the fastest player at the combine. Although that didn’t happen, he ran a 4.30s 40-yard dash (third-fastest at this year’s combine). He’s not just a straight line guy though, his tape and combine results prove he’s an athletic freak that is explosive, quick, and has elite agility. He finished the combine with an unbelievable 9.99 Relative Athletic Score, just a fraction off being perfect. His consensus ranking has him at 63, that’s not bad, so why is he a sleeper? He ranked below guys that missed large portions of last season due to injury or come in a lot less athletic for the position. At cornerback, it’s all about the athletic traits and Porter has that in abundance. Last season, among defensive backs with 200 coverage snaps or more, Porter ranks second-best in receiving percentage allowed (29%), receiving yards allowed (70), and is top of his class in passer rating allowed (4.7), beating out Travis Hunter by quite some margin. Being projected as a third-round cornerback is a huge oversight by some scouting services.

A sleeper CB worth keeping tabs on: Iowa State CB Darien Porter. Rare length (6024, 33 1/2-inch arms) and speed (10.6 100-meter athlete). Also has 4 career blocked punts.

Won't be shocked if a team rolls the dice top-100. pic.twitter.com/VGiiM0Qmro

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 15, 2024​

8. DE David Walker (Central Arkansas)​

Walker will feature in BTB’s “Small School Prospect” list coming later toward the draft. He’s by the far one of the most talented small school prospects in this year’s draft but he’s projected to go in the fifth round. Taking talent competition into account and it’s easy to understand why he’s deemed a mid-Day 3 player, but he has all the tools you look for at the position. Last year, Walker led all FBS and FCS edge defenders with a 94.0 pass-rush grade, recording 11 sacks, six quarterback hits, and 37 hurries on 351 pass-rushing snaps. When thrown in with the bigger name players at the Senior Bowl, Walker proved he could hang in there and was one of the standouts during the week. That was followed by an equally impressive showing at the combine. ESPN has him ranked at 145, that’s a lot lower than his value suggests making him a huge sleeper that will surprise fans when he gets to the NFL.

Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker looks like a created player.

His DOMINANT stats over 3 seasons:
37 sacks
5 forced fumbles
151 pressures
6 batted passes
49 TFLs pic.twitter.com/Ot0ZDEDWeL

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) December 22, 2024​

9. DT Aeneas Peebles (Virginia Tech)​

The second Hokies player to hit this list, Peebles is getting widely overlooked. Some scouting services have him as high as the 50’s where others have him dropping below the fifth-round. This puts his consensus at around 150 but his stock has been falling rapidly ever since the combine. He had a consensus ranking just a fraction outside the top-100 and ever since mid-March post-combine, his value has declined massively. That would suggest he must have had a bad combine, but that really isn’t the case. His speed, jumps and agility tests were all either great or a passing grade. The only conclusion can be teams are put off by the fact he’s very undersized. But over the past two years, Peebles has achieved a 92.2 pass-rushing grade, the highest among FBS interior defenders, boasting a 17.4% pass-rush win rate.

Virginia Tech DL Aeneas Peebles lacks ideal size, but he’s a havoc-causing interior rusher (25 pressures in 2024).

Hits a spin zone and swallows up Cam Ward here pic.twitter.com/mEWin7qnSp

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 10, 2025​

10. WR Andrew Armstrong (Arkansas)​

Armstrong won’t show up on some big boards, PFF included. In the three years he played in college he went over 1,000 yards twice, last season being one of those years. In fact, Armstrong led the SEC among wide receivers in receiving yards and receptions last season. He also managed to secure 51 first downs last year, that’s more than Emeka Egbuka, Elic Ayomanor and Mathew Golden, all big-name wide receivers going much earlier in the draft. So why such low value on Armstrong? The answer is touchdowns, where he’s only scored six in the past two seasons. He may not be a burner or a big touchdown scorer, but for teams looking for a possession receiver or red-zone weapon with developmental upside, he’s a smart sleeper pick at the back end of the draft.

Andrew Armstrong #razorbacks

- Good work out of break back to the ball
- Consistently attacks ball at earliest available window

That second detail is a hidden gem with WR play, especially in traffic/tight coverage. #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/lLCU7MuKs7

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) January 20, 2025​

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...sul-tuten-cj-west-jacorey-brooks-ozzy-trapilo

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Predicting what a new contract for Micah Parsons could look like

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

How much would a new contract for Parsons cost the Cowboys?

Lately there has been some talk about movement on a deal with Micah Parsons. Recently there was a flurry of posts between Jane Slater of NFL Network and Terence Parsons. The latter is the brother of Micah Parsons, and without outright saying it, he alluded that the Cowboys and his brother have at least had talks regarding a new contract for the All-Pro defender. The national media has dispelled the notion that the negotiations that have been held are substantial.

Let’s first examine why Parsons deserves a new contract. Parsons is the most impactful defender the Cowboys have had since DeMarcus Ware. Parsons has been named to four Pro Bowls and 2 First-Team All-Pro selections (2021& 2022). With 52.5 sacks to begin his career, Parsons is in elite company, sixth all-time in NFL history for the most sacks in a player’s first four year seasons in the league, trailing only Ware, J.J. Watt, Derrick Thomas, Mark Gastineau, and Reggie White.

3:24 of Micah Parsons pass rushing highlights pic.twitter.com/P84nDUspBr

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) May 31, 2024​

As for how much Parsons should get, one must consider the current market for players at Parsons’ position. Recently, Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett agreed to a new contract with the team on a deal worth $160M over four years. Other contracts neighboring Garrett are Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby ($35M per year) and San Francisco’s Nick Bosa ($34M per year). You can expect Parsons’ beginning price to start somewhere between Garrett and Crosby.

As for the guarantees, when you examine Garrett’s contract, $123.5M out of the $160M is guaranteed (77%). As for Crosby, $91.5M of his $106.5M (85%) is assured, albeit on a shorter three-year commitment. Suppose the “floor” of Parsons’ contract is between Crosby’s and Garrett’s salary; the ceiling of Parsons’ yearly value has to be higher than Garrett’s. Parsons is five years younger, and while Garrett and Bosa are athletic for edge rushers, Parsons is on another plane regarding versatility and athleticism. He can line up at any position in the front seven on a pass rush down and get to the quarterback. Let’s propose two contracts for two separate scenarios.

The first scenario is Parsons accepting a contract very similar to Crosby’s, which is short-term with a vast majority of it guaranteed. Splitting Garrett’s salary down the middle with Crosby gives a baseline of $37.5M annually to Parsons, and we’ll give Parsons more of a guarantee than Crosby at 90% of the deal guaranteed. That would give Parsons a contract three years of $112.5M with $101.25 fully guaranteed. This purported contract gives the Cowboys a lesser annual salary to work around and gives Parsons the flexibility to renegotiate a new contract during his athletic prime.

The other idea is for Dallas to reset the market with Parsons but on a longer-term contract. Pay Parsons a contract to keep him a Cowboy into the next decade. Give Parsons $45M annually on a five-year deal worth up to $225M. However, you guarantee the money Parsons for 3/4 of the total salary for a still lucrative $168.75M. A longer contract allows the Cowboys plenty of time to restructure the agreement and lowers the initial cap charge heading into the next few years. The salary cap is constantly increasing, and $45M won’t seem like much a few seasons into the contract.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...h-parsons-myles-garrett-maxx-crosby-nick-bosa

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys draft poll: 5 draft scenarios for Dallas to fill holes on the roster

Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Asking for your take on these Cowboys’ draft scenarios

The Dallas Cowboys are prepping for the NFL draft after making some moves in free agency. With holes still on the roster, we solicited questions about possible scenarios for the team in the draft. Here are five that could be in play. Cast your vote on each and leave your opinions in the comment section.

The Dallas Cowboys have the choice of offensive tackle Will Campbell (LSU), running back Ashton Jeanty (Boise State), and cornerback Will Johnson (Michigan) at pick 12. Who should they take in that scenario? ​

Cornerback is a huge need for Dallas with questions about two starting spots unanswered (Trevon Diggs injury, Jourdan Lewis departure). On the offensive line, a player like Campbell available is hard to pass up, even with his shorter arms. Running back is still one of the team’s biggest needs and in a class full of talent, Jeanty is clearly at the top.

Drafting a wide receiver with either of the team’s first two picks is a very smart draft strategy? ​

Dallas has an abundance of down-roster receiver talent, but with Brandin Cooks out of the building, the team is in desperate need of a WR2. This year’s wide receiver class has talent, but it’s not as deep as previous years. Taking a position of need that has limited supply could be the best way to go, but that limits their draft plans.

Does the addition of Solomon Thomas preclude Dallas from taking a defensive tackle (or nose tackle) in this year’s draft? Or is it still a major need?​

Dallas added two defensive linemen during free agency, one of those was ex New York Jets player Solomon Thomas. He’s spent much of his career as a rotational player on the defensive line, but he’s remained productive. During his last two seasons with the Jets he tallied 8.5 sacks, 57 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. But how do we feel about drafting a defensive tackle in light of this addition?

The Cowboys are in the market for a backup quarterback, who would be your choice in Day 3?​

Cooper Rush is in Baltimore, Trey Lance is out of here, the team needs to get a backup quarterback in this year’s draft.

Which WR/CB combination is best?​

Vote on which first/second round combination you prefer.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-ashton-jeanty-tetraioa-mcmillan-will-johnson

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

3 Cowboys under the most pressure to preform in 2025

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Dallas has plenty of players who need a bounce-back year in 2025.

Pressure and the Dallas Cowboys go hand in hand. Regardless of the talent on the roster, the Cowboys are consistently the team under the most pressure to perform every season.

This upcoming year is no different, and after a disaster of a season in 2024, Dallas is under increased pressure to turn things around this fall. With that theme in mind, today we take a look at three players on Dallas’ roster who are under the most pressure to perform well in the upcoming season.

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

1) QB Dak Prescott​

When you’re the star quarterback of America’s Team, there will always be immense pressure to deal with. Dak Prescott is no stranger to this, and the 31-year-old signal-caller will again be under pressure to perform in 2025.

Prescott is coming off one of the most disappointing seasons of his nine-year NFL career. While a mid-season hamstring injury did limit him to playing in just eight games, his performance during those eight contests was subpar for his standards.

On the year, Prescott completed just 64.7% of his passes, the second-lowest mark of his career. His Passer Rating (86.0) and QBR (45.3) followed suit, both the worst he has put on record since entering the league back in 2016. He also finished 25th in the NFL in EPA+CPOE (0.050/min 250 snaps) and 22nd in EPA/Play (0.018).

Plenty of contributing factors led to Prescott’s down year, and the lack of impact moves last offseason set him and the rest of Dallas’ offense up for failure from the start. The Cowboys have still need to make some moves on the offensive side of the ball yet, but there seems to be a strong belief they will add a few playmakers to help make Prescott’s job easier in the draft.

No matter who’s lining up beside him, as long as he’s the starting quarterback, Dak Prescott will always be the most scrutinized and under-pressure player on the Cowboys’ roster.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

2) DE Sam Williams​

One positive for the Cowboys to look towards in 2025 is the return of pass-rush specialist Sam Williams. The 2022 second-round pick was poised to have a breakout campaign in 2024 but, unfortunately, tore both his ACL and MCL at the start of training camp, forcing him to miss the entire year.

Williams’ injury occurred at the end of July, so the 25-year-old figures to be ready to go for the start of the regular season this September. If that ends up being the case, that’s big news for a Cowboys’ defense that will really need someone to step up and help their pass rush alongside All-Pro Micah Parsons.

Dallas lost a pair of defensive ends, Chauncey Golston and DeMarcus Lawrence, in free agency this month, making it even more imperative Williams hits the ground running in his return. The Ole Miss product is also entering the final season of his rookie contract, giving him even more incentive to put together a solid year before hitting the open market.

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

3) OT Tyler Guyton​

When the Cowboys drafted Tyler Guyton with the 29th pick in last year’s draft, they hoped they had found their next Tyron Smith. Unfortunately for Guyton and the Cowboys, the 23-year-old could not hit the ground running during his first season in the league, putting together a rather uninspiring rookie year.

In 15 games (11 starts), Guyton allowed 26 total pressure, 14 QB Hurries, and six sacks. Guyton’s Pro Football Focus offensive grade of 49.4 was the worst among all offensive linemen on Dallas’ roster.

One big problem area for the first-round pick during his rookie year was penalties. The 23-year-old was flagged 18 times during the 2024 season, the second most of any player in the league.

Despite his struggles, the Cowboys have not gone out this offseason and acquired a veteran left tackle, making it extremely likely Guyton will be back as the full-time starter this year. If this is the case, Dallas will need a much better version of Guyton if they want to have any shot of making a return to the playoffs.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...r-2025-sam-williams-dak-prescott-tyler-guyton

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Miles Sanders drops hint on a new-look offense for Dallas

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Your Sunday morning Cowboys news.

Miles Sanders hints at Dallas Cowboys’ new offensive identity - Matt Galatzan, SI.com​

The new running back in town tips the hand of the Cowboys offense and what the plan will be this year.

The Dallas Cowboys are going to look different in 2025. Not only does Dallas have a slew of free agent signings and players acquired through trade, but they also, of course, have an entirely new coaching staff led by head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

Naturally, with so much change, there are plenty of questions surrounding what exactlty the team’s new identity could be under the new staff - particularly on the offensive side of the ball under first year offensive coordinator Klayton Adams. And according to freshly signed running back Miles Sanders, there is going to be a focus on a physical run-first attack on offense.

“The plan for the offense is to go through the run,” Sanders said via DallasCowboys.com. ”You don’t get too many places where the offensive coordinator is an offensive line coach, and I know he’s playing a big part in the plan, I’m excited.”

Obviously, running the football was a major weakness for the Cowboys for the majority of the 2024 season, with Rico Dowdle’s late-season emergence standing as the only silver lining to their rushing attack all season. So it should be no surprise that the team would look to improve that part of their offense in a big way.

Spagnola: Making no bones about run intentions - Mickey Spagnola, DallasCowboys.com​

More talk about the running game in Dallas.

Exhibit C: This, too, is no oversight. Schottenheimer, not only the head coach, is also running the offense and will be calling plays. He didn’t hire a traditional OC, sort of what his support role as OC for Mike McCarthy was that past two seasons. Oh no, he hired a noted offensive line coach in Klayton Adams, the past two seasons the O-Line coach in Arizona, where in 2024 the Cards finished seventh in rushing yards with a franchise 16-year high of 2,451, an average of 144.2 a game and 5.3 a carry, with 18 rushing touchdowns. This with running back James Conner leading the way with 1,094 yards and eight TDs, along with quarterback Kyler Murray running for 572 on 78 carries. And in 2023, the Cardinals finished fourth by averaging 139.1 yards a game along with 17 rushing touchdowns, Conner going for 1,040 yards and seven TDs and Murray just 284 yards and two scores.

When Adams was asked if he might still have a hand in coaching the offensive line while the OC, he said, “I definitely won’t stay away from that.”

Then comes the new offensive line coach Conor Riley, the former offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Kansas State the past six seasons. The Wildcats the last two seasons averaged more than 200 yards rushing and 32 points a game. Check this out: In 2023 with Deuce Vaughan a rookie with the Cowboys, K-State still averaged 204.1 yards rushing a game and scored 32 rushing touchdowns. And this past season the average jumped to 215.5 a game and 21 rushing touchdowns.

Riley knows why Schottenheimer came calling.

“Coach Shottenheimer has talked about it. It’s going to be a physical, physical identity. He’s made it very clear we have to win up front, and we have to win up front on both sides of the football. And then along with that, how do we take advantage of that physicality and utilize the play-action game and getting the ball in the playmakers hands?” Riley said, the Cowboys doubling down with the offensive line, and really tripling down since Ramon Chinyoung remains as the O-Line assistant.

Cowboys’ first-round pick is becoming clearer and clearer - Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat​

Dallas may already shown their intentions with how recent transactions have played out.

We also know Dallas was interested in wide receiver Cooper Kupp to some extent. Needless to say those four positions - receiver, cornerback, linebacker and defensive tackle - are the biggest needs on the roster. After the first wave of free agency, though, it is becoming increasingly clear what position the front office will target with the No. 12 overall pick.

Cowboys are clearly targeting a wide receiver in first round of NFL Draft

While the Cowboys has clear needs at corner, receiver, linebacker and defensive tackle, they have at least added one player at those positions. They have yet to add a new receiver.

As of this writing, Dallas has added LBs in the form of former first-round pick Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn, who impressed under Matt Eberflus in Chicago. They traded for former Bills first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam and signed veteran defensive tackle Solomon Thomas as insurance behind Osa Odighizuwa at the three-tech position. Wide receiver is the one outlier.

The front office didn’t show much urgency to re-sign Brandin Cooks, who inked a two-year, $13 million pact with the Saints. That’s a good deal for an aging receiver, but nobody would have batted an eye if Cooks was brought back given the state of the WR room.

CeeDee Lamb is a top-five player at the position, but Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy leave a lot to be desired. Tolbert is best served as a WR3 and Turpin is more of a gadget player than a downfield threat.

There is a cavernous hole at WR2. While this is not the draft to need a receiver, there are three prospects worthy of a first-round selection: Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka.

Cowboys 2025 draft: 10 sleepers in this year’s draft - Mike Poland, Blogging the Boys​

Keep these names in mind this April when the Cowboys are on the clock.

1. QB Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)

Rourke is considered a sleeper in this year’s NFL draft because he has the size, arm talent, and experience that NFL teams covet, but he flies under the radar due to his age, deep ball accuracy and his late ACL injury which adds questions on his availability this year. Look past those issues and you’ll find a quarterback with good experience, quickly able to read defenses, and is resilient and unyielding on the field with great leadership. Put in the time and stay patient with Rourke and he’ll pay any team back that drafts him with a solid backup quarterback that’s quick to develop.

2. RB Bhaysul Tuten (Virginia Tech)

Tuten ranks outside the top-100 in the consensus rankings and on PFF he ranks as low as 187. With his electrifying speed (4.32 second 40-yard time), and his explosiveness (10-yard split of 1.49 seconds), it’s clear Tuten is an athletic demon on the field. Tuten is a quick and agile slasher capable of excelling in a zone-blocking system, and his exceptional movement abilities suggest he has the potential for significant productivity. His 2,242 all-purpose yards and 29 total touchdowns the last two seasons shows just how productive he can be. The reason he’s so easily overlooked is he’s pert of a very deep and talented running back class, but who ever picks him is getting a very talented running back.

3. DT CJ West (Indiana)

Another draft prospect from Indiana that ranks outside the consensus top-100, and West is probably the most highly-valued Indiana player in this year’s draft. He’s better suited as a 1T defensive tackle or can push into the nose tackle position if coaches try to steer him that direction. But West’s run defense is very enticing and as a rotational piece in the middle of the defensive line he could become extremely impactful. His 11.4% run stop win-rate is fourth-most in this class, only slightly behind Mason Graham.

4. WR Ja’Corey Brooks (Louisville)

Brooks is probably one of the lesser-known prospects on the list. After transferring from Alabama, Brooks emerged as a big-play threat and put up some good numbers last season. Some scouting services don’t even have Brooks ranked on their big boards, as such his consensus rankings has him at 254, that’s undrafted. But Brooks has a lot to offer as a late-round flyer or priority undrafted free agent and should be able to make his way onto an active roster in the NFL. You may struggle to find a scouting report on Brooks but watch his tape, it’s intriguing. His blend of size, athleticism, and big-play ability is something every team should want to tap into. He showcased his talent as a deep threat, leading the FBS in receptions of 20 yards or more through Week 9 last season. He shows strong hands and body control, excelling in contested catches and tracks the ball downfield at an elite level. Plus he has good versatility which adds more fuel to his value thanks to his ability to play both outside and in the slot.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...n-schottenheimer-run-game-wide-receiver-draft

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Post-free agency Dallas Cowboys 7-round mock draft

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

All eyes remain on the 2025 NFL Draft.

With free agency all but over, the Dallas Cowboys will have their eyes set on the 2025 NFL draft that is little over a month away.

While there are still a handful of players still left in free agency that could upgrade the current Cowboys depth chart, it sure sounds like the Cowboys will focus on the draft to find starters and key contributors at certain positions from this point forward. Today we will do a seven-round mock draft to fill out this Cowboys roster.

Let’s dive in.

Round 1, 16th Overall Pick (TRADE)​

DAL 1:12 for ARI 1:16 & 3:78

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona​

Photo by Ricky Bowden/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After passing on the free agent wide receiver market, the Cowboys will turn to the draft to find their WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb. While it should not shock anyone if the Cowboys elect to rely on Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, or an uptick in KaVontae Turpin snaps to fill that role, the Cowboys should heavily consider using their first- or second-round pick on a receiver in this draft. In a weaker class of receivers, this position could be one that falls a bit from what we are all used to seeing. With no consensus WR1, it should not shock anyone if only one receiver goes in the top 20.

Tetairoa McMillan is the likely candidate to be the first receiver drafted. Once considered a top 10 player in the class, concerns regarding McMillan’s speed and versatility has seen him fall in most analysts rankings leading up to the draft. With McMillan, Jahdae Barron, and Josh Simmons the candidates at 12, trading back four spots and picking up an additional third-round pick was the move here. Needing wide receiver and cornerback help, moving back four spots and selecting one of McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, or Matthew Golden was a rather easy decision. The Cowboys desperately need an X-receiver and McMillan thankfully stayed on the board until the Cowboys got on the clock. McMillan is not the twitchiest receiver in this class, but his size, length, and ball skills at the catch point make him a safe prospect in this class to play alongside CeeDee Lamb.

Round 2, 44th Overall​

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State​

Photo by CFP/Getty Images

The Cowboys did a nice job of filling their starting running back need in free agency with two viable backs with starting experience. Even with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders on the roster, the Cowboys need to find a true starter in this draft class.

TreVeyon Henderson can be just that for the Cowboys. Henderson is an explosive, three-down back that excels in the running game, passing game, and in pass protection. Henderson has the makings of being an above average starting running back in year one, with the ability to develop into a plus starter as early as year two in the right system. Henderson checks all of Brian Schottenheimer’s boxes in what he looks for in running backs and would be an instant upgrade and likely starter to start the season for the Cowboys.

Round 3, 76th Overall​

Jamaree Caldwell, DL, Oregon​

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We have heard a lot about the Cowboys want to beef up their run defense over the last few years. Surprisingly all their moves in free agency were more focused on pass rush, rather than beefing up the run defense. With Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas the options at 3-technique, adding a quality 1-technique to compete with Mazi Smith is a must in this draft class.

Jamaree Caldwell has been climbing up draft boards over the last month and his skill-set and traits match up well with what the Cowboys need in a defensive tackle. Caldwell’s tenacity and effort jumps off the tape at Oregon and while the sack totals in 2024 will not excite you, the player you see on tape proves to be more than just an early down nose tackle. Caldwell could compete for starting reps at the 1-technique in year one and develop into a potential plus starter in year two with his explosiveness, strength, and ability to hold up against double teams.

Round 3, 78th Overall (TRADE)​

Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State​

Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/Getty Images

The cornerback position for the Cowboys as of today is in drastic need of help, but with still plenty of holes on the roster, a position will likely have to suffer. At 78th overall, the best cornerback available was Cal’s Nohl Williams, instead of reaching for a position of need, taking the best player available, while also addressing a position of need in safety was the best option.

Winston suffered a partially torn ACL in September after playing in only two games for the Nittany Lions in 2024. Over the course of his career, Winston was a versatile, athletic, and rangy safety prospect that can lineup anywhere on defense and make plays. Winston’s injury will have him go much later than his healthy tape suggests, but the Cowboys love taking risks on injured players on day two that could end up being tremendous value when fully healthy. Winston fits the bill for that and could be a major upgrade to the Cowboys secondary with his ability to play multiple spots, including the slot, where the Cowboys desperately need an answer after Jourdan Lewis’ departure in free agency.

Round 5, 149th Overall​

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon​

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With Cooper Rush heading off to Baltimore to backup Lamar Jackson, the Cowboys are in need of a capable backup quarterback. From the sounds of it, they would love to add one in the draft this April. Dillon Gabriel is the perfect backup option that can be had on day three.

Gabriel is limited due to his lack of size and high-end tools, but his experience, accuracy, and IQ at the position is the perfect dart to throw at the backup quarterback position. Gabriel has six years of college experience under his belt (in three different offensive systems) and has played a lot of football over the course of his college career. While he may not develop into an everyday starter, he has a Cooper Rush-esque ability to keep things afloat as a backup if Dak Prescott is to miss games for injury in the next few years.

Round 5, 171st Overall​

Tyler Batty, EDGE, BYU​

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Similar to the Jamaree Caldwell selection, Tyler Batty is the perfect addition to the Cowboys front seven that has ignored the run defense so far this offseason. Batty is the ideal left defensive end option to play opposite of Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler on early downs if need be. Batty tested better than expected, but his strength, motor, and length make him a prime candidate to be drafted on day three and play a long career in the NFL due to his high-floor. Batty would be a nice finishing touch to the Cowboys defensive end room that needs to be better against the run in 2025.

Round 5, 174th Overall​

Luke Kandra, OG, Cincinnati​

Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

With Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass slated to be the starting right guard in 2025, adding guard depth on day three is a nice insurance plan for the Cowboys. Luke Kandra has combined for 1,922 snaps at right guard over the last three years and would provide quality depth with starting potential here on day three. Kandra has the size and athleticism to fight for starting snaps in year one, but his issues in pass protection will need to get corrected before he can be trusted over veterans like Hoffman and Bass.

Round 6, 204th Overall​

O’Donnell Fortune, CB, South Carolina​

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

It took a while, but we finally got some decent value at corner. O’Donnell Fortune meets a lot of the thresholds Will McClay and Matt Eberflus look for in corners and his zone-heavy game fits perfectly with what Eberflus calls on defense. Fortune would likely be more of a depth addition than a starter, but with the cornerback room thin with Trevon Diggs recovering for the knee injury he suffered in 2024, Fortune could see the field earlier than expected on the outside opposite of DaRon Bland.

Round 6, 211th Overall​

Collin Oliver, EDGE, Oklahoma State​

Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There are a few edge rushers on day three that are surprisingly not getting more love as we approach the draft. Collin Oliver is one of them and provides excellent upside late in the draft. Oliver’s physical limitations and foot injury suffered in 2024 have him falling late into day three, but he is one of those guys that knows how to get to the quarterback and did it very well at Oklahoma State. Oliver racked up 23.5 sacks at Oklahoma State in four years despite his lack of size and length, but the low-risk, high-reward dart throw late on day three is a great way to spend a compensatory pick for Dallas.

Round 7, 239th Overall​

Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa​

Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/Getty Images

The Cowboys loaded up on linebackers in the first week of free agency, adding Jack Sanborn and trading for Kenneth Murray. Late on day three the Cowboys would be wise to add depth to the room and potentially look to upgrade their special teams in Iowa’s Jay Higgins. Higgins is a limited athlete, but his toughness, motor, and instincts allowed him to carve out a very nice career for Iowa and that should translate well to the NFL. Higgins is a high-character guy that can rotate in as an inside linebacker or serve as a key special teams player early in his career.

Round 7, 247th Overall​

Xavier Truss, OT, Georgia​

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With their final pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Cowboys add to the trenches in Georgia’s Xavier Truss. Truss has played left tackle, right tackle, left guard, and right guard for the Bulldogs, but his athletic limitations will likely land him inside at guard in the NFL. While his 6-foot-7 frame has more than enough room to fill out, Truss’ versatility and experience is the main reason he could be drafted this year. Truss is likely a practice squad player, but taking a chance on an offensive lineman with his size and amount of starts in the SEC is worth the risk in the seventh round.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ck-draft-tetairoa-mcmillan-treyveon-henderson

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys could have a competition for starting TE in 2025

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What do you expect from the Cowboys tight end room in 2025?

The Cowboys are still adding talent and options for their 2025 roster, but one position that may already be set is tight end. Beyond just having enough bodies, Dallas could even have a competition brewing at the top of the depth chart between incumbent starter Jake Ferguson and third-year prospect Luke Schoonmaker.

It’s easy to assume that Ferguson will just waltz right back into his spot as TE1. But there are reasons that the Cowboys may not dismiss Schoonmaker outright. While draft pedigree only goes so far, Ferguson was a fourth-round pick in 2022 and Schoonmaker was a second-rounder the following season. So just in terms of sheer investment, Dallas obviously put more into acquiring Schoonmaker and may expect a greater return on the field.

Granted, coaches won’t hold down superior talent to help make the scouting department look good. Just look at how quickly CB DaRon Bland, a fifth-round pick in 2022, leapfrogged second- and third-round picks Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright from the previous year’s draft. So regardless of which round or even which day a guy was selected, if he’s clearly the superior talent then he’ll generally get rewarded.

A year ago, there was no debate about who was the superior option between our two tight ends. Ferguson was coming off a breakout season as a top-ten producer at the position while Schoonmaker, with just eight catches as a rookie, was already being labeled as another second-round mistake. Many were upset even when he was drafted, seeing it as a waste given was Ferguson had already flashed in his own rookie season. After 2023, those critics were all the more emboldened.

But things feel different ahead of 2025. Missing three games and playing hurt most of the year, plus missing his starting quarterback for half of it, Ferguson’s numbers took a dive. Dropping from 71 to 59 catches wasn’t that bad considering the circumstances, but he went from 10.7 yards per reception to just 8.4 and was held out of the endzone completely.

If Ferguson and the Cowboys offense get back in form this year, he could easily bounce back. But if Schoonmaker is also about to make a third-year leap in his development and on-field potential, things could get interesting. One of the reasons he was a second-round pick was a superior athletic profile than Ferguson. Assuming their combine numbers still hold true, Schoonmaker is quicker, faster, and slightly bigger. So if he’s putting things together in terms of technique, that could push him closer to the starting job.

Also, from a roster management standpoint, Ferguson’s on the last year of his contract and Schoonmaker’s goes one year longer. That extra season at low cost would benefit Dallas and could motivate them to give Schoonmaker opportunities to compete. At the very least, it could prompt more of a timeshare between the players as Dallas would still like Ferguson to have a market in 2026 free agency, which helps their compensatory pick formula.

The change in coaching staff could also breed more competition. New coaches mean new sets of eyes and strategies for how to utilize talent, plus less attachment to what players have previously achieved. And if Dallas is going to increase focus on the run under Brian Schottenheimer, how Ferguson and Schoonmaker handle run blocking could mean more than it did when Mike McCarthy was in charge.

There are other factors at work here, of course. Players’ approach to the game and chemistry with teammates also drive success, which is an area that Ferguson appeared to excel in during his breakout season. There were plenty of guys through the years who had more athletic gifts than Jason Witten but they could never beat him as a worker, leader, and in how well he clicked with QB Tony Romo. Ferguson could still easily best Schoonmaker in these critical areas, which will also show up on the field.

But unlike all that time when Witten had the TE position in a stranglehold, Jake Ferguson hasn’t earned enough clout to go unchallenged. If Luke Schoonmaker is ready to step up in Year 3 and show the world that he was worthy of his draft pick, we may have a true camp battle on our hands. Hopefully, no matter the result, it produces two capable weapons for the Cowboys’ offense this year.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...tight-end-2025-jake-ferguson-luke-schoonmaker

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys options for next contract extension after Micah Parsons gets paid

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After Parsons signs, whose turn is it after?

After a flurry of transactions, including reuniting with edge rusher Dante Fowler after a one-year stay in Washington and re-signing Osa Odighizuwa to a four-yea, $80M contract, the Dallas Cowboys aren’t finished opening their checkbook. Terence Parsons, the brother of All-Pro edge rush Micah, had teased on X that his brother and the Cowboys had begun discussing a new contract. However, it’s been reported that the talks have not been substantial although Parsons has said that 40M annually would make him the “happiest man alive.” Striking a deal would not only be important for the Cowboys and Micah Parsons’ financial security, but also would impact other players on the roster.

Currently, Parsons is playing out the last year of his rookie contract on a fifth-year club option with a cost of $24M. Signing Parsons to a long-term contract is the Cowboys current highest priority, but what about after that? Here are the players who should be next in line for new deals right after Parsons.

Tyler Smith​

Though there was a lot of cynicism about the selection of Tyler Smith in the 2022 draft, he has exceeded all expectations. He played admirably as a rookie left tackle and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team. Where he really thrives is at left guard. Since making the transition full-time to that position, he has been exceptional. He’s a powerful mover in the running game and has good athleticism in getting to the second level of a defense. Smith is also a very effective pass blocker.

Smith struggles with penalties occasionally, but his overall impact far outweighs that. He’s made the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and is only improving. At 23 years old, he’s got so much more potential to realize. Next year will be his fifth-year option season. The Cowboys should move now and secure one of their cornerstone pieces for the future.

DaRon Bland​

DaRon Bland is one of the more instinctual cornerbacks with excellent ball skills when healthy. He played in the slot as a rookie before moving to the boundary corner because of injuries. Even then, he showed he could hold his own and cemented himself as a playmaker. In year two, Bland erupted. He had nine interceptions and returned an NFL record five of them for touchdowns. He was named to the All-Pro team for his efforts, and things were looking up for his third season.

DARON BLAND JUST BROKE THE NFL SINGLE-SEASON RECORD WITH HIS FIFTH PICK-SIX OF THE YEAR

(via @dallascowboys)pic.twitter.com/BTjADFUah5

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 24, 2023​

Unfortunately, injuries derailed Bland’s third year as he spent most of the season on injured reserve with a nagging foot injury. That shouldn’t scare Dallas from making a deal with Bland. In fact, it should motivate them. Bland’s value is lower than it would’ve been had he been healthy last year. After Parsons strikes a deal, then Dallas should ink Bland to a short-term deal with frontloaded money in case injuries persist and Dallas won’t be tied to an injury for an extended time.

Tyler Smith and DaRon Bland are the obvious ‘next up’ options, but there are some down-roster players that may make sense to lock up now.

Brock Hoffman & Juanyeh Thomas​

Lastly, we’re grouping Juanyeh Thomas and Brock Hoffman mainly because of their status as exclusive rights free agents. You get the sense that both of them have a chance to be integral players for the team in the next few years. A pay increase for each would raise eyebrows because of the cost, yet both have a part to play for the team.

Hoffman is a versatile lineman who can play either guard or center, and when he gets the chance to play, he is a rugged bulldozer who opens up running lanes and plays with an edge through the whistle. Keeping him in the fold alongside Cooper Beebe and Tyler Smith gives the Cowboys a formidable trio in the trenches to run the football behind.

As for Thomas, he has proven to be a reliable player on special teams but also boasts many traits you covet in a prototypical safety. He’s got great length at 6’3” and has a good understanding of how to play the ball in zone coverage as a robber in the middle of the field. He’s also unafraid to tackle near the line of scrimmage. Thomas and Hoffman might be the two best sneaky signings the team could make once Parsons gets his money.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...parsons-tyler-smith-daron-bland-brock-hoffman

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Calais Campbell is a veteran option the Cowboys should consider

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This would be an instant upgrade to the Cowboys' defensive front.

Coming into the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys knew they had work to do to fill some holes before the NFL draft, and the defensive line was one of the key areas. They've made several moves in regard to the unit, with bringing back edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. being the most noteworthy. When taking a look at the free agent market, there's another name the Cowboys should consider, and it's veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell.

Of course, in the world of the NFL, any player north of 30 is considered old. Campbell is looking father time directly in the face and holding up very nicely. In 2024, his 17th in the league, Campbell finished with 52 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and also recorded five batted passes at the line of scrimmage for the Miami Dolphins. Campbell recorded a defense grade of 82.3 per Pro Football Focus, which was seventh among all defensive lineman. Also, his 85.9 run-defense grade was ranked first for all defensive lineman. With Campbell's help, the Dolphins were ninth against the run last season and were fourth in total defense.

That alone should make Campbell appealing to the Cowboys. They were terrible against the run last season and haven't been the best going back to the Dan Quinn era. Campbell could come right in and help a guy like Osa Odighizuwa and also work with Mazi Smith to anchor the interior of the defensive line and help in turning that aspect around. With Campbell still being able to get to the quarterback, he can assist in moving the pocket as well and set up guys like All-Pro Micah Parsons and the aforementioned Fowler to make plays off the edge.

Campbell played on a one-year deal worth $2 million with a $1.2 million based salary last season. Dallas currently has the ninth-most cap space at $38.5 million per Over The Cap. So, from a cost standpoint, getting Campbell is more than doable for the Cowboys.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...n-free-agent-option-osa-odighizuwa-mazi-smith

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

This one offseason mistake could really come back to bite the Cowboys

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Amid all the good things the Cowboys have done this offseason, there’s still one glaring hole that needs addressed.

After two weeks of free agency, the Dallas Cowboys have done a good job filling holes on their roster. They’ve lost some key players, but they have been, let’s just say, selectively aggressive in replacing them. The team is certainly active and that’s something.

One area that still needs attention is the backup quarterback spot. Last season, they had two backups on the roster, Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. As of right now, neither will be returning, meaning the Cowboys will be forced to go a different direction after counting on Rush for the majority of his eight seasons with the Cowboys.

Rush’s time in Dallas was weird. He was an undrafted free agent in 2017 and relegated to third-string behind Prescott and Kellen Moore. He had a great showing in preseason and eventually took over as the second-string quarterback when the team released Moore who was then signed to the practice squad. In 2018, the Cowboys drafted Mike White in the fifth round, but he struggled and was eventually sent packing.

Rush thwarted any attempt to push him off the roster during his first three years in the league. It was his gig. Oddly enough, it was a gig that didn’t require him to do much on the field. Rush never started a game from 2017 to 2019 and only threw one pass for two yards.

In 2020, amidst a coaching change, the Cowboys went another direction at backup quarterback. Even though Prescott hadn’t missed a single game through his first four years, the team spent a little extra money and signed Andy Dalton in free agency. They also selected Ben DiNucci late in the draft, who was a favorite of new head coach Mike McCarthy.

With two new quarterbacks, Rush was released. He was signed the very next day by the New York Giants, who just so happened to have Jason Garrett as their new offensive coordinator. Rush didn’t make the team with the Giants and the Cowboys conveniently re-signed him in October after Prescott had his gruesome ankle injury and Dalton suffered a concussion. He was still stuck behind DiNucci and another backup quarterback, Garrett Gilbert. While four quarterbacks played for the Cowboys in 2020, Rush wasn’t one of them. He never played a snap that season for anyone.

Rush was back in the saddle as the team’s primary backup the following year, beating out both DiNucci and Gilbert. And this go round, he finally had his number called. From 2021 to 2024, Rush made 14 starts covering for the injured Prescott. Over the next two seasons, he was 5-1 as a starter, causing the Cowboys to re-up on him with a two-year, $5 million extension. Rush finished his time in Dallas with a 9-5 record as a starter with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While he was never anything flashy, he proved to be an effective backup who could hold down the fort as a short-term replacement.

But now Rush is gone. His departure doesn’t bring about much sadness for Cowboys’ fans. The Baltimore Ravens signed him to a two-year, $6.2 million deal (with incentives that could raise the value to $12 million) to hang out behind their All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Rush signing elsewhere leaves a hole at the backup quarterback position for the Cowboys. After that incredible four-year start where he never missed a game, Dak has missed time in four of his last five seasons. In two of those seasons, he’s missed at least half the season. He’s missed a total of 24 games in five years. The Cowboys have been without Prescott 30% of the time over the last half-decade.

And it’s not likely to get much better. Prescott will be 32 when the season starts. Assuming he plays at least six games this upcoming season, he will surpass Tony Romo and have the second most starts at quarterback for the Cowboys, trailing only Troy Aikman.

Currently, Will Grier is the team’s backup. Similar to Rush, Grier gets a second chance in Dallas. He was originally signed in 2021 after DiNucci was released. He never saw action with the Cowboys and was released when the team traded for Trey Lance. Speaking of Lance, the team spent a fourth-round draft pick gambling on his potential, only to realize what the San Francisco 49ers already knew. He just doesn’t have it.

The Cowboys' plan at backup QB is unclear. There’s not much left to choose from in free agency as 16 backups have already been signed. The best free agent backup QB left on the market is the 40-year-old Joe Flacco. That means the team’s best chance to get a viable backup is April’s draft, however, that could be a little tricky as well.

The good news is the Cowboys have some extra Day 3 picks thanks to compensatory picks, but these picks are so late in the draft that the top 10 college prospects should be gone by then. That means the Cowboys are grasping at straws to find a quality quarterback late in the draft.

It’s scary when you think about it. Nothing feels worse than when Prescott goes down and if the team doesn’t have someone giving them a fighting chance, that’s a bad spot to be in. We’ll pass judgment come summertime when it’s clearer what they’re doing, but right now they aren’t sitting in a good place when it comes to having a good backup plan at quarterback.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...arterback-cooper-rush-dak-prescott-will-grier

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Dallas hits and misses in the third round of recent drafts

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Notable headlines surrounding America’s team.

Cowboys’ 3rd round NFL Draft selections under Will McClay have been more hit than miss - Mario Herrera Jr, Inside The Star​

In case you need additional faith in Will McClay.

CB Jourdan Lewis

Drafted: 2017, 92nd overall

Jourdan Lewis, selected 92nd overall in 2017, was one of McClay’s better picks.

The Michigan cornerback quickly became a staple in the Cowboys’ secondary, known for his tenacity, ball skills, and ability to make plays at key moments.

His high football IQ and ability to cover effectively in a variety of coverages made him a key puce of the defense.

Lewis left for Jacksonville on a contract much richer than the Cowboys could offer, further enforcing how great of a pick it was for McClay.

WR Michael Gallup

Drafted: 2018, 81st overall

One of the most successful third-round picks during McClay’s tenure was the selection of WR Michael Gallup in 2018.

Gallup quickly established himself as one of Dak Prescott’s top targets, providing the Cowboys with a strong outside receiving threat.

His ability to make contested catches and stretch the field made him a crucial asset to the offense.

Dallas Cowboys land massive haul in Micah Parsons trade prediction- Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated​

If they are going to do it, they better get a haul.

For full disclosure, he states that his expectation is for the two sides to strike a deal. Still, he plays the “what-if” game and uses the Khalil Mack trade from 2018 as a barometer. While acknowledging Parsons is younger, he comes up with a five-pick haul from the New England Patriots.

“Dallas sends Micah Parsons to the Patriots for 1.4, 2.38, 5.144, 2026 first rounder, 2027 third rounder. The Patriots give Parsons a five-year $205 million contract with $90 million fully guaranteed.”

From there, Drummond goes into a full 7-round mock draft where he replaces Parsons with another Penn State star, Abdul Carter. He also lands TreVeyon Henderson and makes a deal for Joe Milton from the Patriots as well.

All this and a first-round pick in 2026 is pretty enticing — but would the Cowboys pull the trigger?

Micah Parsons isn’t the only Cowboys player who needs an extension - Todd Archer, ESPN​

Fan fiction about a Micah Parsons tade not withstanding, Archer argues the Cowboys could get ahead of the curve after signing Parsons by signing members of their 2022 draft class early.

Three key members of the Cowboys’ 2022 draft class are in position to sign extensions. First-rounder Tyler Smith, a Pro Bowl guard, has his fifth-year option for 2026 at a cost of $21.27 million. Tight end Jake Ferguson, their fourth-round pick, and cornerback DaRon Bland, their fifth-round pick, are about to enter the final year of their respective rookie contracts.

The Cowboys created more than $55 million in cap space for a reason, although it has not led to a high-priced signing of an outside free agent yet. They can use that money on extensions for all three players — and Parsons, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

As has been said over and over, an extension would actually lower Parsons’ 2025 salary cap figure. Extensions for Smith, Ferguson and Bland would raise those 2025 figures but not exorbitantly.

In a perfect world, the Cowboys would sign all four to extensions before the season starts, although recent history says that won’t happen. Getting at least one or two of them signed would be a good start.

Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl 60 odds have gotten worse since free agency began - Luke Norris, The Landry Hat​

It seems selective aggression has not paid off so far.

Not long after the Philadelphia Eagles took down the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, we took a look at the way-too-early betting odds for Super Bowl 60.

At that time, Dallas was getting +6000 odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next February at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

But after this “selectively aggressive” approach to the first wave of free agency, the Cowboys have seen their odds get even longer, as they now sit at +7000, tying them for 19th among all NFL teams with the Miami Dolphins.

Furthermore, Dallas doesn’t even crack the top 10 in the NFC, ranking 11th, as they trail the Philadelphia Eagles (+650), Detroit Lions (+900), Washington Commanders (+1600), San Francisco 49ers (+1900), Los Angeles Rams (+2200), Green Bay Packers (+2200), Minnesota Vikings (+3000), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3500), Chicago Bears (+3500), and Seattle Seahawks (+6500).

Calais Campbell is a veteran option the Cowboys should consider- Matthew Lenix, Blogging The Boys​

Spend some money Dallas.

Coming into the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys knew they had work to do to fill some holes before the NFL draft, and the defensive line was one of the key areas. They’ve made several moves in regard to the unit, with bringing back edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. being the most noteworthy. When taking a look at the free agent market, there’s another name the Cowboys should consider, and it’s veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell.

Of course, in the world of the NFL, any player north of 30 is considered old. Campbell is looking father time directly in the face and holding up very nicely. In 2024, his 17th in the league, Campbell finished with 52 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and also recorded five batted passes at the line of scrimmage for the Miami Dolphins. Campbell recorded a defense grade of 82.3 per Pro Football Focus, which was seventh among all defensive lineman. Also, his 85.9 run-defense grade was ranked first for all defensive lineman. With Campbell’s help, the Dolphins were ninth against the run last season and were fourth in total defense.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...rio-micah-parsons-will-mcclay-calais-campbell

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Can you guess this Cowboys linebacker in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Cowboys player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Cowboys fans! We’ve got a new treat for everybody. Some of you have likely seen the daily trivia game that lives in the top right corner above the fold of the site. To date, that game has been the SB Nation in-5 trivia game. Today, that changes here.

We’ve now got a Dallas Cowboys version of the game. The SB Nation version has been a general NFL game with active and retired players from all 32 teams featured. Moving forward, at Blogging The Boys you’ll get a daily Cowboys version of this game. We’ll be rotating between current Cowboys and some of our old favorites and not so well-known options. You can still play the SB Nation version. You just need to go to sbnation.com, where it lives on the front page every day.

You can play the game below and share your results in the comments or on social media. Please share any and all feedback about the game, both good and bad. You can post feedback in the comments, but we also have a Google Form. We’re past the beta stage of the game, but it’s still a work in progress.

See Blogging The Boys in-5 game instructions below the game.

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Blogging The Boys in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Cowboys player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2025/3/24/24392412/sb-nation-cowboys-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Dallas Cowboys roster review: QB position after free agency

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Cowboys quarterback room could use some work.

It has been an interesting offseason for the Dallas Cowboys quarterback room. With Cooper Rush heading to the Ravens to serve as Lamar Jackson’s backup in Baltimore, the Cowboys quarterback depth chart currently consists of Dak Prescott, who is still rehabbing his surgically repaired hamstring and Will Grier, who has started just two games in the NFL.

With Trey Lance still a free agent, there is a chance he could return if his market stays cool leading up to the draft. But there have been multiple reports coming out this offseason that suggest Lance will be looking for an opportunity elsewhere due to how his tenure went with the Cowboys.

Where does that leave the Cowboys?

In an interesting spot to say the least. When healthy, Dak Prescott has been a top ten quarterback in the NFL in almost every season of his career, but the issue is he has not been healthy much over the last few years. In his last three years as the Cowboys starter, Prescott has missed significant time (14 games) due to a broken thumb and the hamstring injury he suffered in 2024. Now more than ever, the Cowboys backup quarterback spot holds more value than ever before since Prescott took over as the starter in 2016. At the moment, Will Grier is the backup on the roster.

The free agent market still has a few intriguing options including Lance, Drew Lock, Carson Wentz, and Joe Flacco, but it sure sounds like the Cowboys are eyeing the draft to find their QB2.

The 2025 draft is one of the weaker quarterback classes we have seen in recent years, but there should be a few options available to the Cowboys throughout the draft to find their backup quarterback. Recently, Texas QB Quinn Ewers has been tied to the Cowboys as a potential target on day two. Will Howard is another name to get familiar with if the Cowboys elect to use one of their day two picks on a quarterback.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Day three of the draft should be littered with options at quarterback, but finding the right one will be key for the Cowboys to feel good about their quarterback room in 2025. Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel is one of the better options for Dallas to consider given his experience at the college level in multiple offensive systems. Gabriel lacks size and elite arm strength, but his accuracy, intelligence, and athleticism would be a quality option for the Cowboys to consider at some point in the 2025 draft.

At the end of the day, like multiple other position groups, the Cowboys have to address the quarterback position with an NFL ready player. Whether that comes from a veteran free agent still on the market or a young developmental option in the draft it must be addressed before the Cowboys break for training camp.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ee-agency-dak-prescott-will-grier-cooper-rush

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

BTB Monday Musings: Does this offseason feel different? Even just a little bit?

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Do you feel like this offseason is different relative to last?

It feels very fair to say that 2024 was a poor year for the Dallas Cowboys.

To be clear we are talking about the year at large, not just the football season. Negative headlines dominated every move they made and as if matters weren’t bad enough, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl shortly after the calendar officially turned.

We all know better than to line up for the field goal attempt that Lucy is holding right in front of us, but to be straight up about things the fact that she is even holding the ball up is progress for the Cowboys these days. It was flattened on the ground at this time last year.

Starting today we will have discussion templates every weekday here on the blog and today we want to know:

Does this offseason feel different? Even just a little bit?

To be clear you can think that it feels different while simultaneously believing that it is still not enough or not close to enough. “Different” doesn’t mean that everything is perfect all of a sudden.

Let us know in the comments below!

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...fseason-feel-different-even-just-a-little-bit

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

4 run-stuffing defensive tackles the Cowboys should consider drafting on day two

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Cowboys really need to add a one-technique.

The Dallas Cowboys have talked a lot about being tougher, more disciplined, and stronger in the trenches this offseason. Their actions in free agency only somewhat matched the talk we heard earlier in the offseason. After adding Dante Fowler, Solomon Thomas, and Payton Turner in free agency to the defensive line, the Cowboys looked to boost their pass rush, but they did not have many additions to boost their ability to stop the run.

With Mazi Smith being the only 1-technique on the roster with NFL time under his belt, the Cowboys will need to add someone in the 2025 NFL draft that can compete with Smith for starting reps and provide quality depth. Today we will look at four names that should be available on day two that can be upgrades for the Cowboys struggling run defense.

Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State​

Outside of drafting Mazi Smith in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, the Cowboys have made very little investment in the 1-tech position over the last decade. It has been a slow development for Smith so far heading into year three and the Cowboys could look to add competition early in this draft.

Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams is projected to go early in round two and would be excellent value if available at 44. Williams has the size (6-foot-3, 334-pounds), power, and anchor to be an immediate upgrade on the Cowboys defensive front. Despite his lack of length, Williams plays with consistent pad-level to hold his ground in the run game, while showcasing an explosive first step to win as a rusher. Williams will not be drafted inside the top 50 for what he will bring as a pass rusher, but his power and athleticism allows him to shine in that area on occasion.

Ohio State iDL Tyleik Williams run defense (and one PA pass) highlights v Iowa pic.twitter.com/9wz65BOG4T

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 17, 2025​

Alfred Collins, DL, Texas​

One of the better run defenders in the draft is Texas’ Alfred Collins. Listed at 6-foot-6, 332-pounds, Collins is an absolute giant on the defensive line with a lot of power at the point of attack. To match his impressive frame, Collins has extremely long arms that allows him to keep his chest free of blocks to hold his ground against the run.

Collins brings very little to the table as a pass rusher, but he gives defensive coaches something to dream on with his frame and natural power package. Given his physical traits, Collins is another candidate that would be considered with the 44th overall pick.

One of the best ways to boost your run defense this offseason? Draft Texas’ 6’6, 330lb Alfred Collins (35” arms) on Day 2.

But with a 14th percentile vert and 6th percentile broad, does he meet the Bills’ explosiveness thresholds?pic.twitter.com/DCCDgbTq8U

— Air Raid | Buffalo (@TheBillsGuys) March 18, 2025​

Jamaree Caldwell, DL, Oregon​

One of my favorite players in the 2025 NFL draft is Oregon’s Jamaree Caldwell. Despite his lack of sack production in his college career, Caldwell is the total package that can develop into a quality three-down player in the NFL. Caldwell’s lack of length will likely hurt his draft stock, but he uses his shorter, stout frame to his advantage to win with leverage along the interior.

While Caldwell will be an immediate upgrade to the Cowboys run defense, there is more in the tank as a pass rusher. Caldwell has some of the more impressive tape in this class and he would be an excellent option if the Cowboys address other positions with their first and second-round picks in April.

Jamaree Caldwell is a 340-lb nose tackle who can:
- hold the point in the A-gap
- split double teams
- win with power
- win with speed
- chase screens/stretch runs to the sideline

Surprised he doesn't have more hype pic.twitter.com/htXTbGKZUp

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 9, 2025​

CJ West, DL, Indiana​

C.J. West is an option that should be being talked about in the third round to address the Cowboys run defense concerns. Despite size concerns for West, his quickness, explosiveness, and technique allow him to play much bigger than his 6-foot-1, 316-pound size would suggest. West split time playing the 1- and 3-technique in his one year at Indiana and that versatility translates well to his role in the NFL. West may not be as hot a name as some of the other guys in this class, but his tape shows a player that will have no problem carving out a valuable role in the NFL.

CJ West is an awesome run defender. Can beat you with strength or shoot a gap with his quickness to get into the backfield pic.twitter.com/6amyQdXrem

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 11, 2025​

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...fting-day-two-alfred-collins-jamaree-caldwell

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Examining how the Cowboys roster looks after the first two weeks of free agency

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Cowboys, but how much have they improved the team in your opinion?

Believe it or not, the Dallas Cowboys have done some stuff. It’s different from past offseasons where they patiently wait for better deals. This year, they have been active early and addressing several areas of their roster. How are things looking after these recent moves? Today, we’ll run through each position group and examine how this Cowboys team looks after the first two weeks of free agency.

QUARTERBACK​

Need: A backup QB

Initial prediction: Re-sign Cooper Rush and draft a late-round rookie

They say you don’t appreciate someone until they’re gone and that could ring true for Cooper Rush as he signed with Baltimore, leaving a huge hole at the backup QB position. With no remaining desirable free agent, this puts a lot of pressure on finding a quarterback late in the draft or else they’ll be putting all their faith into Will Grier.

RUNNING BACK​

Need: A starter and backup RB

Initial prediction: Re-sign Rico Dowdle and select a RB within the first two days of the draft

Rico Dowdle turned out to be too expensive for the Cowboys so they instead went with a couple of low-cost former second-round picks in Javonte Wiliams and Miles Sanders. Both players are coming off underwhelming seasons where they averaged just 3.7 yards per carry, but they are fine choices with the caveat that the Cowboys will select a RB within the first three rounds of the draft, which feels like a foregone conclusion.

WIDE RECEIVER​

Need: Find a WR2 to complement CeeDee Lamb

Initial prediction: Select a wide receiver within the first two days of the draft

Like the running back position, this will be judged based on what the team does in next month’s draft. Some big-name free agents were floating around, but the team instead chose to re-sign KaVonta Turpin and then sign Parris Campbell. Nothing the team has done at wide receiver makes us feel any better. If they draft a receiver early, they’ll earn a strong grade, but it also has a chance to blow up in their face if they disappoint us next month.

TIGHT END​

Need: A blocking TE to join Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker

Initial prediction: Late-round draft pick or priority free agent

The Cowboys haven’t done anything at the tight end position and that’s fine. There won’t be anything splashy happening at any point. Ferguson is in the last year of his rookie deal so the team could surprise us and unexpectedly draft a tight end if they’re looking ahead. A more likely outcome is finding a new, young in-line blocker that meets the standards of new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams.

OFFENSIVE LINE​

Need: Add offensive line depth

Initial prediction: Sign a low-cost lineman who has position flexibility

There wasn’t a lot expected here. Terence Steele’s name was brought up a lot as an “all but certain” cap casualty but his 2025 salary became fully guaranteed last Sunday, we can finally put that to rest. The Cowboys retained Brock Hoffman who was an exclusive rights free agent. They also went out and signed free agent Robert Jones who is 26 years old and has 30 NFL starts under his belt. His cost is low and he can play either guard position, so this signing is right on brand for them.

DEFENSIVE END​

Need: Add edge-rushing depth

Initial prediction: Re-sign Carl Lawson

Maybe it was a pipe dream to think DeMarcus Lawrence would return on a team-friendly deal. With Tank leaving for more money, the Cowboys pivoted and brought Dante Fowler back on a one-year incentive-based deal. Fowler had 10.5 sacks last year and adds reinforcements to the edge group. The team also added former first-round pick Payton Turner. With Sam Williams returning and joining forces with Micah Parsons and Marshawn Kneeland, the Cowboys are in good shape for the upcoming season.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE​

Need: Add more resources at both 3-tech & 1-tech spots

Initial prediction: Sign a low-cost veteran for depth

They started great by re-signing Osa Odighizuwa which we predicted they would do a year ago. Better late than never. They followed that by signing former third overall pick Solomon Thomas to a two-year, $6 million deal. As far as 3-tech defensive tackles go, the Cowboys are in good shape. They still lack depth at nose tackle as it’s just Mazi Smith and not much else. They aren’t likely done here as we could see them look to the draft or another one of their late-summer veteran adds they have grown accustomed to doing.

LINEBACKER​

Need: Any and all linebacker depth they can get

Initial prediction: Mid-level free agent signing and draft a linebacker on Day 3

With Marist Liufau and Damone Clark being the only linebackers on the roster, this area needed lots of attention. Fortunately, the Cowboys have been active and made a concerted effort to get better. First, they signed former Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn to a low-cost deal. The 24-year-old has made 19 starts over his three seasons in the league. Then, they swapped late-round draft picks to pick up the last year of Kenneth Murray’s two-year deal with the Titans. It’s not a stout group by any means, and they certainly will miss DeMarvion Overshown while he’s recovering from his injury, but at least they now have a fighting chance in the middle of the defense.

CORNERBACK​

Need: Get help now, get help later

Initial prediction: Re-sign Jourdan Lewis and draft a top collegiate corner by round two

The Cowboys cornerback room is a big enigma that got more puzzling after Lewis left in free agency. Lewis’ price tag was a bit steep, so the front office was smart to let him walk, but it still left them with questions. The team acquired former first-round pick Kaiir Elam from Buffalo, but we’ve seen them trade for underachieving corners before (Noah Igbinoghene and Andrew Booth), so expectations are tempered. The Cowboys still have some depth as players like Caelen Carson and Josh Butler are on the team, but they should look for young talent in next month’s draft.

SAFETY​

Need: Add depth

Initial prediction: Release Donovan Wilson and draft his replacement on Day 3

The team solidified their depth by re-signing both Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell to new deals. On top of that, potential cap casualty Donovan Wilson is still hanging around. Wilson didn’t accrue any additional guaranteed money by the start of the new season, so his release is still an option for the Cowboys, but it appears they are taking the “wait and see” approach.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-javonte-williams-kenneth-murray-dante-fowler

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Waiting on extending Micah Parsons is going to cost the Cowboys again

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys have cost themselves at least $20 million by waiting to extend Micah Parsons.

It’s no secret that the Dallas Cowboys dragged their feet on extending their star players over the past few seasons. What should’ve been relatively straightforward extensions for quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb turned into protracted negotiations that resulted in no reward whatsoever for the team. Those two deals, in particular, are case and point for why teams should be proactive in signing their cornerstone pieces as soon as they’re able: the market rate at every position is increasing rapidly alongside the NFL salary cap.

Instead of learning from this mistake, the Cowboys appear ready to make it again with another star: Micah Parsons, who is among the NFL’s best pass rushers and also provides unique linebacker versatility when needed. Parsons should be one of those “slam dunk” extensions: a no-brainer star player, entering his prime, and coming off multiple years of elite production. Parsons is about as reliable as they come and would instantly become the most coveted pass rusher available if he were to hit the open market.

Parsons was eligible for an extension in 2024, but in the midst of protracted negotiations for Prescott and Lamb, he simply wasn’t in the Cowboys’ plans at the time. Dallas instead picked up Parsons’ fifth-year option – which itself is a pretty big payday at $24 million – and no movement was made on an extension throughout the season. The Cowboys had another opportunity to extend Parsons over the past two months, another chance to get out ahead of the massive record-setting deals that were coming for Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby.

The Cowboys didn’t seize that opportunity, and it’s likely to cost them significantly in the long run.

The previous record-holder among pass rushers was the 49ers’ Nick Bosa, whose deal came in at a hefty $34 million per year back in September of 2023. If the Cowboys had been proactive with Parsons’ deal and signed him to an extension back in 2024, it’s possible Parsons could’ve been signed for a slight increase to that number. Something like $35 million would’ve been a reasonable raise given the cap increase. Even getting the Parsons deal done during the 2024 season or prior to the start of 2025 free agency would’ve helped keep the number in that range.

Instead, the top of the market was completely reset with the Cleveland Browns finally reaching an agreement on a long-term extension with Myles Garrett. Garrett’s trade demands made national news earlier in the offseason, but the Browns solved that issue by giving him a four-year extension at an incredible $40 million per year.

We also saw massive deals go out for two other top pass rushers. The Raiders extended Maxx Crosby at $35.5 million per season, and the Texans added another year onto Danielle Hunter’s contract to bring his yearly rate to just top Crosby’s at $35.6 million per year.

The Crosby deal is a great example of what the Cowboys probably could’ve extended Micah Parsons at prior to 2025 free agency. Now? $35.5 million probably isn’t even the starting point of negotiations.

That start point is much likelier to be Garrett’s $40 million number. And why shouldn’t it be? A clear case can be made for Parsons to demand more than Garrett. Parsons is four years younger and offers versatility that Garrett just doesn’t have. Sure, Garrett has the longer track record of success, but how much does that really matter in this context? Not enough to convince Parsons to take a discount.

The expectation is that the Cowboys will work out a deal for Micah Parsons before the start of the 2025 season. As much as other teams would love for him to be available via trade, we all know that’s a fantasy. Dallas would be foolish to let Parsons out of the building. But the team’s failure to proactively address Parsons’ future is now going to cost them, to the tune of at least $5 million per year over the length of his deal. Assuming a four-year extension, that’s $20M of salary cap and cash flushed down the drain.

And for what? There’s no argument to be made here, like the one that was made for Dak Prescott, that you still want to “wait and see” if he’s worth the cost. Parsons clearly is worth it. It’s certainly not a lack of cap flexibility, since Parsons already has a very high cap hit in 2025 thanks to the fifth-year option. If anything, the extension would lower Parsons’ cap hit this season and give the team increased flexibility for other moves.

Instead, fans are left wondering what exactly the front office in Dallas is doing… again. There is no real logic in delaying an extension for Parsons in 2024, and and the same goes for not extending him prior to 2025 free agency. If there’s one thing that’s become abundantly clear over the years since the COVID crisis created a temporary cap squeeze, it’s that the salary cap, and likewise player contracts, are starting to skyrocket every single year.

The best teams have learned this, and have started to get out ahead of their biggest deals well before they are forced to act. Extending a player with two years left on their current contract used to be a rarity. That’s no longer the case, because there’s value in locking down your stars as early as possible. The players like the added security and guarantees, and it helps the team with future planning and cap flexibility.

So why aren’t the Cowboys adapting along with the rest of the NFL? Why are we now looking at two straight offseasons of Dallas sitting on their hands and letting the rest of the league dictate their contract terms, instead of setting the market for themselves? Cowboys fans have their own ideas on that answer, so let’s hear your answer in the comments, but the way the team operates is incredibly frustrating.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-garrett-maxx-crosby-market-rate-pass-rushers

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

BTB Tuesday Takes: Debates about the ‘America’s Team’ nickname are silly

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

It is so silly when other fanbases try to claim the America’s Team nickname.

There are very few things that annoy me as far as other NFL fanbases anymore. Once upon a time certain things got my attention or riled me up. Maybe it is the passage of time or something along those lines, but we live in a world where the Philadelphia Eagles just won their second Super Bowl and it feels pretty “eh” in my opinion.

Something that used to really get me going was when other teams would claim that they were the new America’s Team. To be clear this still happens pretty often when a newcomer tastes success for either the first time or first time in a long time (shout out to the Detroit Lions) and people run with it.

My stance has always been that nicknames belong to who they first belonged to no matter what. There is only one Steel Curtain. There is only one New York Sack Exchange. You can’t just try to use something old because you like it and want it in the here and now.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe other teams taking it still upsets you.

For our Tuesday Takes here at BTB, how do you feel about other teams claiming to be America’s Team? Upset? Indifferent?

Let us know in the comments below.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...es-about-the-americas-team-nickname-are-silly

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys offense: Comparing skill position additions/subtractions from 2024 to now

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Cowboys have addressed some skill positions, but others are still in deficit compared to last year.

The Dallas Cowboys have stepped well outside of their proposed comfort zone to add to their roster this offseason. In doing so, they’ve at least shown they’ve learned one tough lesson from one offseason ago, where they did as close to nothing as humanly possible. Mix together offseason complacency, the attrition of talented players leaving in free agency, draft picks not all immediately being ready to play, and a big serving of injuries, and the Cowboys keeping their three-season streak of winning 12 games alive was impossible in 2024.

At 7-10, they missed the playoffs for the first time in this stretch as well, and allowed Mike McCarthy’s contract to expire before promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach. This move alone was the first catalyst towards Cowboys fans expecting much more of the same in this current offseason, but Schottenheimer and his completely revitalized staff have done the opposite and gotten to work bringing in new players. The Cowboys have used all phases of player acquisition to do so, signing external free agents early in the process, and making trades while retaining draft capital to still churn the roster with more young talent in April.

Going through the skill positions on offense - quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end, let’s compare what Dallas has added and subtracted between last offseason and now.

Quarterback​

2024 Additions: None

2024 Losses: None

2025 Additions: None

2025 Losses: Trey Lance, Cooper Rush

The Cowboys most notable loss this offseason at quarterback is Cooper Rush, who parlayed 13 starts over the last three seasons and eight wins into a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens worth as much as $12.2 million over two seasons. Rush checked the absolute most important box any backup QB can over his time with the Cowboys, which is the ability to win games in the absence of the starter. Dallas is gambling on not having this behind Dak Prescott who is coming off a season-ending hamstring surgery, but have already made their intentions clear on bringing in a rookie quarterback in next month’s draft. With a new offensive system being put in place, and the Cowboys cap space better allocated elsewhere in an attempt to win with Prescott as the starter still, the timing is right for the Cowboys to have a young understudy in the QB room.

This does not excuse them from the fact that, on paper at least, there is simply no way to say the Cowboys are in a better QB situation currently than they were with both Prescott and Rush in place. Will Grier is the current backup option, and while he may be serviceable for a one game spot start, the idea of him playing for some of the longer stretches that Rush did is an uneasy one for Cowboys fans that just endured the 2024 season.

It is not an unfamiliar position to be in, but to get an honest evaluation of all the Cowboys have done so far and will accomplish on the field at the start of the Schottenheimer era, it is going to take Dak Prescott staying healthy.

Running Back​

2024 Additions : Ezekiel Elliott

2024 Losses: Tony Pollard

2025 Additions: Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders

2025 Losses: Rico Dowdle

This may not be the time or place to debate the merits of how seriously any given catchphrase uttered by the Cowboys front office should be taken. For some, the wounds of last offseason’s now infamous “all in” moment from Jerry Jones may still be too fresh. Not only that, but no position group on last year’s team epitomizes how much the Cowboys failed in this approach more than running back. Going into the season with Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn predictably hamstringed this team and put an insurmountable amount of pressure on Prescott was he was available at QB.

One thing is clear with the direction of the Cowboys’ new staff though, and that is they are serious about fixing the run game. While Schottenheimer will call plays, Klayton Adams is his offensive coordinator with past experience as an offensive line coach. The front office has added Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, but this only puts the final picture of what the backfield will look like into half focus. At the time of the Williams signing, the former Denver Broncos back seemed like a logical fit to play in tandem with Rico Dowdle, but Dowdle went on to sign with the Carolina Panthers - where the Cowboys added Miles Sanders from.

The Cowboys are better off by default than they were a year ago at running back, largely because of how much their only addition of Ezekiel Elliott was so ineffective. The best thing that came from their backfield later in the year was realizing Dowdle could be something of a lead back, and his departure leaves a void in this very area yet again for Dallas.

The at-large expectation for some time now is that the Cowboys will be serious players for one of the top running backs in the draft, mainly Ashton Jeanty. Nothing they’ve done so far on the depth chart at RB would suggest otherwise, but they may have done just enough to avoid being handcuffed with the 12th overall pick and not reaching for another back should Jeanty go in the top ten.

It feels a bit silly to add Rico Dowdle to the list of players the Cowboys are worse off without having, but as things currently stand there is no other option. He was the best thing to come from a bad situation in 2024, and neither Sanders or Williams have proven anything with their new team yet. As assured as it feels that the depth chart will be realigned early in the draft, until that happens, the Cowboys are forging on into the same state of uncertainty at running back, making it a more than reasonable position group to feel like the ‘25 team will be held back by once again.

Wide Receiver​

2024 Additions: Ryan Flournoy, Jonathan Mingo

2024 Losses: Michael Gallup

2025 Additions: Paris Campbell

2025 Losses: Brandin Cooks

Running back may be the center of attention for intrigue when it comes to how the Cowboys will look in their new offense, but wide receiver is just as much a position to watch under Schottenheimer’s play calling. It is one of the spots the Cowboys brass must see more potential in Schottenheimer’s scheme compared to the stagnant final year of Mike McCarthy’s play calling. The most important task here is to better support clear WR1 CeeDee Lamb, which Dallas has not done with any outside additions yet this offseason.

The task of replacing Brandin Cooks may prove to be harder than replacing Gallup from a year ago too. Though he only played in ten games last season, Cooks was a reliable big play threat and red zone target throughout his two years in Dallas. The same was said about Gallup at different times too, but most often when the Cowboys had a stronger supporting cast around both him and Lamb. The pairing of Cooks and Lamb provided some highlights, but ultimately fell short of being good enough for the Cowboys passing game to reach true contender status, and now is back to being just on Lamb.

The Cowboys should work to make this offseason’s acquisition Paris Campbell nothing more than a depth player, and bringing back one of their own with KaVontae Turpin does not accomplish this alone. The next logical place to look is a step up in both playing time and comfort within the offense from Jonathan Mingo, looking to live up to the fourth-round pick status the Cowboys gave away to trade for him. Second-year player Ryan Flournoy also flashed as a red zone threat at times in training camp and the preseason, but got buried down the depth chart once his rookie season arrived. He will again get his chance to compete against the likes of Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks, two more experienced players who did make the most of their playing time a year ago. Counting on a significant jump from Tolbert yet again feels tired, but there is certainly a sense of if not now, when for the fourth-year player.

The Cowboys currently have a good crop of possession receivers, a Swiss army knife-type player in Turpin, and a true alpha in Lamb. Sorting out all of these roles while installing a new offense and making this a position group that puts real fear into defenses feels like an overall tall task for Schottenheimer, though.

The Cowboys need more big-play potential at wide receiver to be a better team than they were the last time we saw them finish in the bottom half of the league in both passes over 20 and 40 yards in 2024.

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

Tight End​

2024 Additions: Brevyn Spann-Ford

2024 Losses: Peyton Hendershot

2025 Additions: None

2025 Losses: None

The Cowboys dependence on their own players having to shoulder too big of a load was also evident at tight end in 2024. In what was supposed to be an ascending year for Jake Ferguson, the third-year tight end plateaued and only further added to the problem of the entire passing game funneling through Lamb. The Cowboys passing offense seemed to never figure out how to consistently target the middle of the field, an area where Ferguson can do damage at his best.

Dallas did get very brief flashes from Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford at times in support of Ferguson, but this position group as a whole still points to more of the same alarming trend. The Cowboys do deserve credit for a lot of the things they’ve done this offseason, but the underlying dependence on players at or close to their ceiling to suddenly become something more has not faded. Where at least the other position groups on offense will have new coaches to change the approach within Schottenheimer’s offense, the Cowboys opted for continuity with Lunda Wells. This not only means a likely continued trust in Ferguson as the top dog at TE, but even more growth from Spann-Ford and Schoonmaker in a new scheme.

If it all comes together, this could be a surprise position group that really helps the Cowboys pass offense find some balance going forward, but it is leaving a little more to be desired as currently standing.

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In part two of this exercise, we’ll look at the changes along the offensive line between last season and the upcoming one. We’ll then wrap up the offense as a whole in terms of what Dallas has done so far.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...btractions-free-agents-trade-javonte-williams