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[Dallas Cowboys]

2025 NFL Draft: 3 players who could be Day 3 steals for Cowboys

Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Late-round draft steals the Cowboys should have their eye on.

Barring a trade, of the Dallas Cowboys’ 10 total draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, six of them are on Day 3 in rounds four through seven. With three picks in the fifth round and two in both the sixth and seventh round, it's going to be important for the Cowboys to find impact players in the latter part of the draft.

The Cowboys are fortunately known as a team who have been able to find some hidden gems in the late rounds in the past, as well as hitting on some undrafted free agents, but nothing is ever guaranteed. This year, more than in years past, they may need to hit on more than they miss considering they still have quite a few holes to fill for their roster.

With that in mind, here are a few of the players who could be late-round steals for the Cowboys. Each play listed below possesses the ability to fill one of the Cowboys roster "needs" early on as a role player as a rookie. For a late-round draft pick that should be considered a win.

RB Jaydon Blue, Texas ​

After signing Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency, it's still unclear exactly what the Cowboys are looking for at the RB position or when they may select one in the draft. The one thing we do know right now about their offense based on last season is they could definitely use more playmakers who would add some juice to both the running and passing game. Former Texas Longhorns RB Jaydon Blue could be that player.

Blue probably isn't someone who is expected to carry the majority of the workload at the next level. The 5'9", 196-pound just doesn't have the frame to handle around 20 touches a game in the NFL. What he does bring to the table though is the ability to take it to the house any time he touches the ball as either a runner or receiver out of the backfield. That kind of home run threat is currently lacking from Dallas' offense.

WR Kyle Williams, Washington State​

Kyle Williams is flying under the radar no more after besting nearly every defensive back at the Senior Bowl to only follow it up by performing really well at the scouting combine. Because of that, the former Washington State WR has seen his draft stock skyrocket. While he's still expected to be a Day 3 draft pick, there's a chance he could sneak in and get selected in the latter part of Day 2. It only takes one team to fall in love with him.

Williams is more of a slot/Z WR and may not be what the Cowboys are looking for if they want and X receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb. However, with his talent and skill set, he could complement No. 88 very well. His release package off the line of scrimmage is one of the best in the draft class, and his ability to accelerate to top speed immediately helps him to create separation. He's a versatile playmaker who could fit nicely in Dallas.

G Willie Lampkin, North Carolina​

At just over 5'10", and weighing 270 pounds, Willie Lampkin definitely doesn't pass the eye test for what one would consider an NFL-caliber offensive lineman. Those in charge of the 2025 Scouting Combine must've thought the same thing because he was a snub from the big event. And yet, his film at both Coastal Carolina and North Carolina says otherwise, as well as his performance at the Senior Bowl where he proved he can thrive against bigger competition as a guard.

While it's true the the Cowboys already have several in-house options to replace the recently retired Zack Martin at right guard, and also signed Robert Jones in free agency to add further depth, the depth chart is still fluid. Although he's undersized for an NFL RG, Lampkin is an above-average athlete who plays with tremendous pad level and weight distribution, maximizing what he has to work with despite his size limitations.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...eals-kyle-williams-jaydon-blue-willie-lampkin

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Tony Romo shares his thoughts on the 2014 and 2007 Dallas Cowboys seasons

Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Tony Romo’s thoughts on the 2007 and 2014 Dallas Cowboys seasons are exactly what all of ours are.

When it comes to certain things in life, you just had to be there. One of those things is the 2014 Dallas Cowboys season. For those who did not experience it in the moment, there was something distinctly different about it from other years with team success. It was a breakthrough for quarterback Tony Romo, head coach Jason Garrett (obviously many others as well) and is one of the more cherished seasons throughout the era of The Drought™.

It goes without saying that part of what makes us all hold on to it so firmly in our hearts is the way it ended with Dez Bryant’s infamous catch at Lambeau Field (which amazingly now happened over a decade ago). On some level it all felt taken away from us like it was stolen.

Recently I was down a YouTube rabbit hole and saw that Romo was a guest of Bryson DeChambeau’s on the latter’s “Break 50” series. If you are unfamiliar, DeChambeau is one of the best golfers in the world and has all sorts of videos on his channel doing various golf-related things. In this particular one he and Romo were trying to break a score of 50 by playing from the most forward tees. It was highly entertaining.

Obviously the two were conversing throughout the process and at one point DeChambeau asked Romo what his most memorable celebration was and specified that he meant in the NFL. Romo noted his pounding of the ground in the Wild Card Round victory on that 2014 season and added that the perspective he had relative to what he didn’t earlier in his career was a big reason why.

Former Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo was on Bryson DeChambeau's Break 50 challenge back in September and was asked what his greatest moment of celebration was in the NFL.

He ultimately answered his down-on-the ground celebration after throwing a touchdown to Terrance Williams in… pic.twitter.com/VouiB9oHRj

— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) March 26, 2025​

Romo talked about another cherished season of many, the 2007 campaign, where the team fell short against the New York Giants in the Divisional Round after having a bye in the first round. While the 2014 team was very special, it is arguable that the 2007 group was the best one that the franchise has fielded since winning it all almost 30 years ago.

It appears as if the passage of time helped Romo understand how precious the moment was in 2014 which is why he let loose after throwing the winning touchdown to Terrance Williams. There was something different about that year and therefore about that playoff win. To be clear here, we are talking about a win in the Wild Card Round and not the Super Bowl, but that game against the Detroit Lions was a battle. It helped add to the feeling that destiny was on that team’s side.

Clearly destiny was squarely against the Cowboys as we found out in horrifying fashion a week later. Still though, it was interesting to hear Romo reflect on it all so fondly and with reverence. We obviously hear from Romo on a weekly basis during his duties with CBS, but since he moved on from the Cowboys there have been few moments like this that made the rounds. Knowing it was as special to him, it obviously was, as it was to so many fans makes it even cooler.

Dez caught it.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...easons-playoffs-wild-card-division-dez-bryant

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Brian Schottenheimer, Matt Eberflus hitting Pro Days

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

The latest headlines surrounding the Dallas Cowboys all in one place.

Dallas Cowboys have a strong presence at Texas A&M Pro Day - Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated​

Brian Schottenheimer brought a nice crew with him to evaluate potential draftees at Texas A&M Pro Day.

According to Dallas insider Nick Harris, head coach Brian Schottenheimer, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton are there to represent the coaching staff. Executives on hand include vice president of player personnel Will McClay, director of college scouting Mitch LaPoint, and national scout Ross Wuensche.

Stewart is a player who has been linked to the Cowboys at No. 12 overall and it’s easy to see why. The 6-foot-5, 267-pounder put on a show during the NFL Combine, posting a 4.59 40-yard dash, and a 40-inch vertical jump.

It would have been nice to see Stewart put in more work but he’s done enough to prove he should be selected in the top 20.

Other names to watch include Nic Scourton, a defensive end who is also expected to go in Round 1. Scourton had 10 sacks in 2023 with Purdue before transferring to Texas A&M where he recorded 37 tackles and five sacks.

There’s also Shemar Turner, a projected Day 2 pick. Dallas can also get a long look at Turner since he’s eligible to visit as a ‘Dallas Day’ prospect.

Brian Schottenheimer attending Ohio State Pro Day fuels Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson ideas - RJ Ochoa, BTB​

More pre-draft work for the staff.

It stands to reason that head coach Brian Schottenheimer wants to gather some information at a Pro Day or two to make a decision. As the head coach, he obviously does not have an infinite amount of time to spare, but it is interesting to note that on Wednesday it was reported that he was in attendance for Ohio State’s Pro Day

them. What we are about to do is speculate a little bit which is somewhat reckless, but also a little bit of fun!

We know that Schottenheimer wants to run the ball. History tells us this. He has said it. All signs point to the Cowboys trying to find some sort of identity on the ground. Consider that running back is one of the positions that the team has already double-dipped on in free agency by bringing in both Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.

Even if you feel great about those moves, obviously not everybody does, there is more that is going to have to be added to the positional room. Ohio State has two very interesting running back options who will be in the draft, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, and adding either one of them to the mix could lead to a very solid overall group.

Why delaying Micah Parsons’ extension has already cost Cowboys — waiting will make it worse - Saad Yousuf, The Athletic​

Now that Max Crosby, Myles Garrett, Ja’Marr Chase have pushed the non-quarterback market higher, Micah Parsons’ price tag is only going up.

“I don’t need $40 million,” Parsons said in December, one breath after saying that he didn’t need to be the highest-paid non-quarterback.

That quote from Parsons will be revisited often as negotiations drag out this offseason. When Parsons made those comments about not needing $40 million per year, the highest-paid non-quarterback was Justin Jefferson, averaging $35 million per season, just ahead of Nick Bosa’s and Lamb’s $34 million. At the time, Parsons’ words weren’t about a specific dollar amount, even though he verbalized it as such. The context of what Parsons said was that he didn’t need to reset the non-quarterback market by an average of $5 million.

If Parsons’ deal now comes right around the $40 million mark, some may look at Parsons’ comments in December as blusterous falsehoods. Maybe it was and Parsons was just playing nice for the cameras. Maybe his representation was never going to really allow Parsons to come in below market value. But Parsons’ demeanor felt sincere.

If the Cowboys moved quickly on the deal once their offseason began, the benchmark they would be working with would have been Jefferson’s $35 million. They could have signed Parsons for an extension that averaged around $36 million, giving him the respect on paper that would make him feel validated, momentarily placing him on top of the mountain — at the same time holding him to his words that he didn’t need to go far beyond market heights.

Next Man Up: Carving out a role for Hunter Luepke - Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com​

Will Hunter Luepke find a more prominent role in a new Schottenheimer/Adams-led offense?

The Present: Luepke’s role with this new offensive system has yet to be determined, but his versatility will likely help his chances of making the team for a third year. With his ability to play some tight end/H-back, Luepke is always a candidate to be on the game-day roster, which is why he’s only missed one game in his career. From his ability to carry the ball in short-yardage situations, to his knack for getting the first down on the catch, Luepke has become a reliable option in many ways.

The Future: Players who have a role on special teams, but can always get 10-12 offensive snaps in the game, usually find a place on the roster. That’s why Luepke could have an extensive career. This is a big season for Luepke, who will be an exclusive rights free agent at the end of the season. The Cowboys most definitely want to run the football this year in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense and while the Cowboys have acquired Miles Sanders and Jovante Williams and could even draft a running back early in the upcoming NFL Draft, there could be a role for Luepke, based on his versatility to line up across the field.

Possible Pick: Derrick Harmon’s traits finally starting to mirror his production - Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com​

Derrick Harmon may be a great target for the Cowboys if they look to add a DT in the early rounds of this year’s draft.

Where He’s Projected:

Harmon has typically come off the board early on Day 2 in most projections, but some have seen him sneak into the back end of the first round. He’s widely considered to be amongst the best in this year’s defensive tackle class.

How He Helps the Cowboys:

Size is one of the biggest things that the Cowboys are in need of up front on the defensive line, and Harmon brings that and then some. He’s a big, wide-bodied defender that is hard to move and plugs up gaps well in the run game with a quick punch and great twitch right off the bat.

That athleticism translates and allows him to move around anywhere on the line and can help him fit in across several fronts, and he uses those quick moves up front with a good amount of speed to move very well at his size.

Harmon may not be a double-digit sack guy, but that’s what Odighizuwa is for, and their play styles would have a chance to complement one another nicely if paired together. He has a way of playing instinctually to help out his linebackers, which would be a welcome addition to a defense that has struggled against the run but looks to turn things around under Matt Eberflus.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...berflus-pro-days-draft-texas-am-hunter-luepke

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Can you guess this Cowboys running back 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’re back for another day of the Blogging The Boys in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

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

Previous games​

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Tuesday, March 25, 2025

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/2025/3/28/24395789/sb-nation-cowboys-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Dallas Cowboys can’t afford to trade up in the draft

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Not even for Travis Hunter

In just about a month, the Cowboys will draft their next player with the 12th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. That is, if they don’t trade out of that slot before now. Draft trades have become extremely common in the NFL, especially for Dallas, and the prospect of trading up recently became a hypothetical discussion point.

I miss the days when the Cowboys were aggressive & fun. Spice it up. Trade up for Travis Hunter.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 25, 2025​

Of course, Travis Hunter is the two-way phenom from Colorado who won this year’s Heisman after playing both wide receiver and cornerback on a full-time basis over the course of his entire college career. He finished this season with 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 96 catches while recording 25 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and four interceptions.

Hunter, the unofficial fourth son of Colorado head coach and Cowboys legend Deion Sanders, has repeatedly stated his desire to continue playing both ways in the NFL. Several draft experts are skeptical, believing his best fit is playing cornerback with occasional packages on offense. Still, many have Hunter as the top prospect in the draft based on his versatility and sheer playmaking ability.

In short, if the Cowboys want to trade up to get him, they probably have to move into the top five, at the very least. As recently as last week, Vegas odds had the Patriots - who pick fourth overall - as the most likely team to take Hunter.

Needless to say, the price tag to move into the top three is going to be steep. A majority of the time, teams only make that kind of move to draft a quarterback, but doing so for a non-quarterback would be questionable, to say the least.

Herein lies the problem with this trade-up suggestion: historical data almost universally tells us that trading up in the first round for a non-quarterback is the wrong move. In fact, economists from the University of Chicago and Yale published a study back in 2006 that found evidence of teams losing value on trading up while gaining value by trading back. This study has been endorsed by recent results nearly every year since.

ESPN’s Seth Walder broke this down last year in a piece that highlighted several fallacies teams use to justify trading up for players. In general, these fallacies come back to outdated trade value charts or teams placing far too much value on the “right to choose” or “get their guy” rather than letting the draft come to them.

To be clear, Walder emphasizes that there is such a thing as a good trade up, but that the typical cost of doing so makes such a scenario very rare:

Yes, it can [make sense to trade up]. To be clear, there is nothing inherently wrong with trading up: in an efficient market trading up, trading down and staying put should all be reasonable options. But because trade-ups are typically not efficient, the easiest way for a trade-up to be palatable is if it is well below market price (and thus close to a fair price).

Once you’re paying something close to a fair price, then lots of arguments can start to come back into play to justify a trade-up. Perhaps there’s a huge drop-off at a critical position of need after the player you’re targeting or a player has fallen a few spots too far.

Across the NFL, the Cowboys are one of a handful of teams that seems to understand and accept this. The last time they moved up in the first round was 2012, when they went from pick 14 to pick 6 to take Morris Claiborne. In fact, the most recent time they moved up within the first three rounds of the draft was 2014, moving up 13 spots in the second round to draft DeMarcus Lawrence.

Notably, that 2014 draft class also marked the first year with Will McClay playing a heavy role in running things on draft night. He famously helped talk Jerry Jones out of Johnny Manziel in the first round, instead selecting future Hall of Famer Zack Martin.

Not only has the McClay era seen a general lack of early trades up, but the Cowboys have very recently become trade-back kings. In 2021, they traded back in the first round to land Micah Parsons, and the extra selection they netted helped bring Chauncey Golston to Dallas.

This past year, McClay did it again, moving back a few spots to select Tyler Guyton, whom many believe the Cowboys would’ve taken if they’d stayed put anyway. Instead, they got an additional third-round pick that became starting center Cooper Beebe.

The Cowboys can’t afford to move up for Hunter, or anyone else for that matter, but they probably already know that. Doing so for a position that isn’t the most valuable one on the field - and also carries risk, given nobody has done what Hunter aspires to do in the modern NFL - would just be bad process.

The Cowboys have survived largely because of McClay’s knack for drafting good players, which ultimately reflects his good process. Now is not the time to throw that all out the window just for the sake of making a splash.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ft-travis-hunter-will-mcclay-morris-claiborne

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

BTB Friday Open Thread: Who is your MLB team?

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

We have a general open thread going on this fantastic Friday so in that spirit... who is your baseball team?

Happy Friday!

You may have noticed that we started doing some discussion threads here on the blog every weekday and every Monday through Thursday there will be a prompt that is either related to the Dallas Cowboys specifically or to the league at large.

But Fridays are a bit more fun in nature and in that spirit we will venture off onto some tangents from time to time. This Friday happens to fall one day after Opening Day in Major League Baseball, I was at Houston’s personally, and we want to know who your favorite baseball team is!

Obviously a lot of Cowboys fans are likely also fans of the Texas Rangers. That tracks in a geographical sense.

But as we all know the Cowboys have one of the biggest and most widespread fanbases in the entire NFL. Using myself as an example I root for the Houston Astros as noted, but even that is still within the state of Texas. Surely there are fans of all sorts of teams.

So let’s hear it. Who is your favorite baseball team? And how about why, too!

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2025/3/28/24394595/btb-friday-open-thread-who-is-your-mlb-team

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

3 veteran QBs the Cowboys might add to their backup competition

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

We know there will be a new backup QB in Dallas next season, but who?

After spending most of the last eight seasons as the Cowboys’ backup quarterback, Cooper Rush is now a Baltimore Raven. Dallas hasn’t really addressed his departure yet with an offseason move, but there are still some veteran free agents who could find their way into the competition.

Dallas did retain Will Grier from last year’s practice squad. He’s the lead candidate to be Dak Prescott’s backup right now, but only because there isn’t another QB under contract. In addition to Rush’s defection, Trey Lance remains unsigned in his own free agency. There is talk of Lance moving to the Canadian Football League this spring but it’s only in the earliest of stages.

Right now, it feels like the Cowboys are waiting for the draft to make any notable addition to their QB depth chart. Even if they don’t take one on Thursday or Friday night, Dallas still has three fifth-round picks and four more in the final two rounds to use on a passer. They may even be tempted in the third round depending on who’s available, leaving so many options open.

Still, even if a fresh-faced rookie joins Grier in the backup battle, the Cowboys might want at least one more veteran to make it a triple-threat match. Grier may have friends in the locker room but his NFL career hasn’t been pretty, quickly losing favor after the Panthers made him a 2019 third-round pick and having not played a regular-season snap since. Adding someone with more game experience, which Rush took out the door with him, would only make sense.

If that’s still part of the Cowboys’ offseason strategy, here are a few veteran free agents that could make sense.

Desmond Ridder​

After trying the whole “one man’s trash” thing with Lance, why not make another attempt with this young passer? A third-round pick in 2022 by the Falcons, Ridder started as a backup to Marcus Mariota in a rebuilding year. He was named the starter in 2023 but wasn’t impactful, leading Atlanta to sign Kirk Cousins the following offseason and trade Ridder to the Cardinals. Ridder lost the backup battle there and ended up on the practice squad, but got picked up by the Raiders after they suffered some injuries.

With only three seasons under his belt, and all of them with teams not really poised to compete, Ridder may still have some untapped potential. It also might help him that new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams was the Cardinals’ offensive line coach last year, so he at least has some firsthand exposure to Ridder’s work. Then again, if that works wasn’t good, maybe that would only close another NFL door.

Nevertheless, like Trey Lance, Ridder was once viewed as a premier QB prospect with strong athletic potential. He’ll only be 26 this August and has 18 career starts, going 8-10 overall. He offers an interesting mix of playing experience but also potential upside to mine.

C.J. Beathard​

A longtime NFL backup with 13 career starts, Beathard has a valuable connection to the Cowboys in new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Back in 2021, when Schottenheimer was the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive coordinator, Beathard was signed that offseason to be QB2 behind Trevor Lawrence.

Beathard became fairly well known back in 2017-2018 when he started 10 games for the 49ers. A third-round pick, he started five games as a rookie after Brian Hoyer was benched. But San Francisco traded for Jimmy Garoppolo that October and he took over after Beathard suffered leg and hip injuries a few weeks later. Beathard would start five more games in 2018 after Garoppolo was injured, but eventually got hurt himself.

Since then, it’s been fairly quiet. But it’s interesting to note Beathard’s numbers in his last three NFL starts; two with the 49ers in 2020 and one for the Jaguars in 2023. He’s completed 40 of 53 passes for 1,136 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions. The teams went 2-1 in those three games. So, if Schottenheimer thought well of Beathard during their year together in Jacksonville, it’s not hard to see the Cowboys' front office viewing him as a potential candidate.

Jeff Driskel​

In May of 2021, the Cowboys met with Driskel but ultimately didn’t sign him as a free agent. That ended up being the year that Cooper Rush got his first big win in Minnesota, locking down the backup job for the next three seasons. But if Driskel’s still on Dallas’ radar, the veteran is available again and could get another look.

Driskel entered the league the same year as Dak Prescott as a sixth-round pick with the Bengals. He’s been with several different teams in varying backup spots, most recently as the third-stringer with the Commanders last year. He’s had pedestrian numbers as a passer and a concerning 1-10 record as a starter, but he’s rarely played in ideal circumstances.

One thing that helps Driskel is that he’s looked good in a few appearances against the Cowboys. He scored three touchdowns in a 2019 game while with the Lions, then also helped the Texans’ in a narrow 2022 loss to the Cowboys. Driskel even drew some praise from Jerry Jones in post-game comments.

One intriguing element to Driskel’s game is his running ability. In his limited playing time, the QB has 80 career rushes for 417 yards and three touchdowns. Mobility is a nice trait for backups because it can create a new wrinkle in the offense, or at least another tool they can turn to if things aren’t grooving in the passing game.

At the very least, Driskel brings more experience to the table than Grier has. He would hardly get anyone excited, but that would make him fit right in with Miles Sanders, Parris Campbell, and some of the other Cowboys signings so far.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...agents-will-grier-desmond-ridder-jeff-driskel

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Dallas Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: RB Dylan Sampson

Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

Cowboys draft prospects include RB Dylan Sampson

We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at running back Dylan Sampson from Tennessee.

Dylan Sampson​

RB
Tennessee volunteers
Junior
4-star recruit
5’8”
200 lbs

Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images

History​

Dylan Sampson was born on the 14th September, 2004 and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he attended Dutchtown High School. In high school, he was a standout player, known for his speed, vision, and versatility, rushing for over 1,900 yards and scoring more than 30 touchdowns in his senior season, breaking Eddie Lacy’s school records. He was a four-star recruit and outperformed expectations.

At Tennessee, Sampson made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2022, showing explosive playmaking ability and earning a role in a crowded backfield. Despite playing behind veteran backs, he showcased his explosiveness and vision whenever given the opportunity. He finished the year with 397 rushing yards on just 58 carries (averaging 6.8 yards per carry) and six touchdowns, highlighted by big performances against UT Martin and Vanderbilt. His ability to break off long runs and contribute as a receiver out of the backfield quickly made him a fan favorite and a key rotational player.

Sampson continued to develop into a key contributor in 2023, known for his agility, acceleration, and ability to both run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield. He totaled 604 rushing yards on 106 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and scored seven rushing touchdowns, while also contributing 22 receptions for 194 yards and one receiving touchdown. He demonstrated improved patience and strength to go along with his speed, often providing critical plays in tight games. His standout performances included big moments against Virginia and Texas A&M, solidifying himself as one of the SEC’s more dangerous all-purpose backs.

In 2024, Sampson delivered on his high expectations, emerging as Tennessee’s lead running back and one of the SEC’s most reliable offensive threats. He rushed for 1,491 yards with an unbelievable total of 22 rushing touchdowns, consistently showing his trademark speed, agility, and toughness between the tackles. Sampson also became a key part of the passing game, adding 143 receiving yards and several big-play through the air. His performances in matchups, including strong showings against Georgia and Alabama, cemented his reputation as a versatile, all-purpose back and a leader for the Volunteers’ offense.

2024 Statistics​

598 Offensive Snaps
258 Rush Attempts
1,491 Rush Yards
5.8 YPC
22 Total TDs
20 Receptions
342 Receiving Yards
4 Fumbles
78 First Downs
70 Missed Tackles Forced
1 Penalty

NFL Combine/Pro Day​

10-Yard Split- 1.58s (72%)
40-Yard Dash- 4.48s (90%)
Vertical- 35” (67%)
Broad- 10’4” (89%)

Awards​

All-American (2024)
SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2024)
First-team All-SEC (2024)

Scorecard​

Overall- 83.9
Speed- 88
Acceleration- 91
Agility- 90
Strength- 70
Contact Balance- 79
Vision- 94
Elusiveness- 87
Receiving- 74
Blocking- 58
Discipline- 99

THE GOOD​

• Has excellent burst and acceleration, allowing him to hit holes quickly and reach top speed in a flash.
• His agility and ability to make defenders miss in space are standout traits.
• He’s dangerous on cutbacks and in open-field situations.
• A true all-purpose back, he’s effective as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
• Shows maturity beyond his years in setting up blocks, reading defenses, and waiting for the right lanes to open.
• Coaches consistently praise his effort in practice, film study, and leadership growth.
• Runs with determination and isn’t afraid of contact, often falling forward and fighting for extra yards.

TAPE TIME
RB Dylan Sampson
Tennessee

THE GOOD#scouting #NFLDraft #Vols pic.twitter.com/UxIiDseFnb

— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) March 26, 2025​

THE BAD​

• Slightly undersized for a workhorse role at the NFL level, which could raise durability concerns in a pro setting.
• Still developing consistency as a blocker; bigger blitzing linebackers can give him trouble.
• While tough and willing, he’s not a true power back who will run over defenders consistently.
• Has had occasional ball security lapses under contact.
• Although elusive, he sometimes goes down on first contact against physical tacklers rather than bouncing off hits.
• At times runs too upright, which can make him an easier target for tackles and limit yards after contact.

TAPE TIME
RB Dylan Sampson
Tennessee

THE BAD#scouting #NFLDraft #Vols pic.twitter.com/kyMoskTjWU

— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) March 26, 2025​

THE FIT​

Dylan Sampson projects as a dynamic change-of-pace or committee back with the potential to develop into a feature role in the right system. His speed, versatility, and playmaking ability will appeal to teams looking for an explosive weapon who can contribute immediately on third down and special teams, with upside to become an every-down back if he adds strength and refines his pass protection.

Sampson projects as a Day 2 pick with the potential to develop into an every-down back in the NFL. He needs to improve his consistency in pass protection, as he can sometimes struggle to anchor against bigger rushers and must refine his technique and awareness in blitz pickup. Additionally, developing more power in his running style and improving contact balance will help him break more tackles and gain tough yards between the tackles. Adding strength and running with lower pad level will be key to handling short-yardage situations and becoming a more complete, every-down back at the next level. His biggest area for improvement is ball security, he had four fumbles in 2024.

Sampson would be an intriguing fit for the Dallas Cowboys, who are in need of a versatile back to complement their offense and current crop of recently added running backs. His explosiveness and ability to make plays in space would pair well with the Cowboys’ physical offensive line and proposed play-action-heavy system. In particular, he could thrive on outside zone runs, quick screens, and wheel routes, giving Dak Prescott a reliable checkdown and home-run threat.

While he may not be the every-down power back immediately, he could fill the spell-type role with big-play ability and gradually take on more touches as he develops strength and pass protection skills. His speed and versatility would add juice to a Dallas backfield looking for more explosiveness and balance.

COMPARISON:​

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

BTB GRADE:​

70th

CONSENSUS RANKING:​

96th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...g-report-running-back-dylan-sampson-tennessee

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

3 things we should keep in mind about Cowboys players and their contracts

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Contracts tell you a lot about roster status for players

The Dallas Cowboys are constantly trying to make all the right moves when it comes to dealing with contracts. They receive a lot of heat for lollygagging on extensions (some of it deserved, some of it not), but there are also many other things that come into play when talking about a player's future. People will throw out blockbuster trades, recommend cutting players, and offer their suggestions on when a player should receive an extension.

There’s a lot to take into consideration, but oftentimes, some of the details are overlooked. To help keep everyone in the know, here are three things we should keep in mind when it comes to certain players and their contracts.

Dak Prescott isn’t going anywhere​

There are a lot of different opinions about Prescott as the quarterback of this team. Many acknowledge that he has been great at times, while others quickly point out that he hasn’t delivered when it’s crunch time. Regardless of where you stand, it should be accepted that he’s the quarterback of this team, and that isn’t going to change for the foreseeable future. And the reason for this is the money.

The Cowboys are invested heavily in him. Between signing bonuses and restructures, the team still must account for almost $150 million of his salary on their books. And on March 16, that number jumped to $190 million because his entire 2026 salary of $40 million became fully guaranteed. So, hypothetically speaking, if the Cowboys decided to cut him, they’d endure a $190 dead money hit. That’s obviously not going to happen.

Trading Prescott is almost just as impossible. His contract has a full no-trade clause. That means if the Cowboys were to trade him, Dak would have to give his approval. In that instance, his new team would be on the hook to pay his 2026 salary next season, dropping his dead money hit down a bit, but we must also remember that the team just converted $46 million of his base salary into bonus money at the beginning of the month. If the Cowboys had any inkling of an idea to trade Prescott, they would have done so before moving money around because that’s now money they have to account for on their books.

Terence Steele is here for at least another year​

Many fans had written off the team’s right tackle, expressing great confidence that he would be a cap casualty this offseason. While his “disappointing” performance may have been exaggerated, the team has always spoken highly of him and given every indication that he wasn’t going anywhere. On March 16, the cement dried on that notion.

Steele’s 2025 salary became guaranteed, meaning his dead money hit went from $13.5 million to $26.75 million. If they wanted to move on from him, they would have done so before his salary became guaranteed. Steele has three more years remaining on his deal after this season, so the Cowboys can still choose to cut him loose early, but it’s definitely not happening this year.

Donovan Wilson may still be a cap casualty​

The Cowboys' veteran safety is in the last year of the three-year, $21 million deal he signed in 2023. Wilson has had some ups and downs, flashing both great play and atrocious play. While he may be seen as the defensive version of Steele, the financials are quite different between the two. For starters, there is no more guaranteed money remaining for Wilson. He is due $7 million this year, but the Cowboys could choose to get out of all of that by releasing him. Additionally, the team didn’t touch his contract during restructures, meaning the only dead money hit they’d take would be the $3.3 million left from his signing bonus.

Wilson’s job security will depend on where the team stands at safety after the draft. They already have depth pieces like Markquese Bell and Juanyeh Thomas behind Malik Hooker. Should the team draft a safety next month, a Wilson release is still a legitimate possibility.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...rence-steele-donovan-wilson-trades-dead-money

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

NFC East news: New York gets their QB, Washington and Philly focus on offensive line

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The latest news from around the division.

Russell Wilson praises explosive Malik Nabers igniting Giants’ offense with deep connections in thrilling new era - Harper Wright, MotorcycleSports.net​

The top quarterback and wide receiver for the Giants are ready to get to work.

A Dynamic Union Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and explosive receiver Malik Nabers have forged a connection that promises to revitalize the team’s offensive approach. Wilson, celebrated for his deep passing accuracy, has embraced Nabers’ ability to accelerate plays and create impactful moments downfield.

Unleashing Explosive Talent

Wilson expressed genuine enthusiasm about integrating Nabers into the offensive structure, emphasizing the receiver’s remarkable speed and agility. Nabers’ performance on a pivotal play—where a well-timed cross route turned into an impressive gain—showcased his natural talent for exploiting opportunities in tight coverage. His ability to shift direction swiftly and extend plays makes him an integral part of the strategic vision.

Forging a New Offensive Era

As preparations begin for an intensive offseason program starting on April 21, the focus remains on building a cohesive unit that leverages the distinctive skills of both Wilson and Nabers. Their collaboration is expected to bring a renewed sense of urgency and innovation to the offensive game plan, setting the stage for a dynamic season where deep connections become a hallmark of the team’s evolving strategy.

Eagles Reunite With 2018 Draft Pick - John McMullen, Sports Illustrated​

Philadelphia continues to focus on their offensive line stability and depth.

PHILADELPHIA - The Eagles lost two members of their successful 2018 draft class in free agency this year, and will now be bringing one back to the organization.

Philadelphia’s two fourth-round picks that year, edge defender Josh Sweat and defensive back Avonte Maddox, left for Arizona and Detroit, respectively, and now sixth-rounder Matt Pryor is returning after four seasons with Indianapolis, San Francisco, and Chicago.

The Philadelphia’s Jeff McLane first reported the move and a league source confirmed it to Philadelphia Eagles On SI.

All five members of the Eagles’ 2018 draft class, which also includes star tight end Dallas Goedert in the second round and second-team All-Pro left tackle Jordan Mailata in the seventh round, contributed in a meaningful way to the organization and all remain in the league eight years later.

The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Pryor, 30, was the 206th overall pick in the 2018 draft out of TCU and spent his first three seasons with the Eagles before being dealt to the Colts, along with a 2022 seventh-round pick, for a sixth-rounder in 2022 year at the initial cutdown to 53 before the 2021 season.

Pryor played 27 games for the Eagles with 10 starts quickly highlighting the versatility to play inside and outside with what is a tackle frame. Six of Pryor’s starts in Philadelphia came at right guard, three at right tackle, and one at left guard.

He moved on to play two seasons with the Colts, starting 14 of 33 games before being a backup for one season with the 49ers.

Last season, Pryor signed with the Chicago Bears and started a career-high 15 of 17 games while playing in 1,005 offensive snaps (895 at RG, 59 at RT, 49 at LG, and 1 at LT), grading out at No. 21 of the 77 offensive guards who played enough to be ranked.

Commanders showing interest in massive offensive line prospect - Bryan Manning, USA Today​

Washington is also focusing on their offensive line.

The Washington Commanders have been aggressive this offseason, using the trade market to fill holes, while approaching free agency with a more conservative approach. Washington signed several players to one-year deals, including re-signing key free agents, such as linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz.

Trades for cornerback Marshon Lattimore during last season, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and left tackle Laremy Tunsil this month have left Washington with only five selections in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft. There are ways the Commanders can land more picks, but their lack of selections hasn’t changed their approach to the draft. General manager Adam Peters and his staff have been represented at most pro days across the country. In some cases, Washington is present to watch lesser-known talent, particularly in the trenches.

The Commanders have been busy scheduling top 30 visits. Generally, if you schedule a prospect to travel to the team facility, it signals either significant interest from the team or an opportunity to learn more about the player. Washington has scheduled Top 30 visits with UCLA edge rusher Femi Oladejo, Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley and Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Per Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, another name you can add to that list is Oregon State offensive lineman Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan.

Christian-Lichtenhan is a massive prospect at 6-foot-9, 330 pounds. With so much talk about arm length for tackles, that’s no problem for Christian-Lichtenhan, who has 36” arms. Christian-Lichtenhan is known as excellent pass blocker and is receiving significant interest from NFL teams throughout the pre-draft process. The Kansas City Chiefs also scheduled Christian-Lichtenhan for a Top 30 visit.

Christian-Lichtenham really helped himself during Shrine Bowl week in front of NFL scouts.

With Washington picking at the bottom of the first round and needing to add depth on the offensive and defensive line, Peters is doing extensive work on numerous prospects, not just those slated to go early.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-washington-philadelphia-focus-offensive-line

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Updates from the Micah Parsons negotiations

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys is here

Cowboys star Micah Parsons wants to become the NFL's first $200 million defensive player - Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News ​

The Micah Parsons contract is still the topic until it gets done.

As the Cowboys progress in the offseason, pass rusher Micah Parsons is expected to ask for a $200 million contract extension that would become a record for a non-quarterback.

The request is in line with making him among the highest-paid players at his position. This offseason, Arlington native Myles Garrett signed a contract extension with Cleveland worth $160 million, the most for an edge rusher.

Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has the highest average salary for a non-quarterback at $40.25 million. Parsons seeks more.

Parsons’ agent David Mulugheta and members of the Cowboys’ front office held preliminary discussions about a contract at the NFL scouting combine in late February. However, no serious talks have occurred since. A person with knowledge of the discussions told The Dallas Morning News that team owner Jerry Jones has had extensive talks with Parsons about his contract.

It’s not out of line for Jones to speak with players regarding their contract extensions. The Cowboys’ owner is in no rush to get a deal completed because of a desire to see what’s on the free-agent market and if another pass rusher gets a deal this offseason.

Next Man Up: Tyler Guyton preparing to own franchise role for Cowboys in 2025 - Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com ​

The Cowboys need Tyler Guyton to step up in year two.

The Present: Things became uneven from there, having mostly silenced a future Hall of Famer in Cleveland, that game showing what Guyton can be at this level. The former Sooner would struggle against both penalties and injury over the remainder of the season, and found himself constantly working to reacquire the starting role from Chuma Edoga after having beaten the veteran for the starting spot in training camp. This offseason will serve as a much-needed reset for Guyton physically, as he takes lessons learned from Year 1 — training regimen and film alike — with the understanding that it’s his show now at left tackle, and unequivocally.

The Future: The 2025 season will need to serve as a coming out party for Guyton, particularly with Edoga departing for the Giants in free agency and, at this moment, no veterans having been signed to replace him. Refining his technique and potentially bulking up a bit might serve the former first-round pick well in Year 2, as would blending any added muscle with his already elite footwork while working on, and trusting, his hand technique and placement. The tools are there, the time is now, and Guyton will be placed under an even brighter spotlight this time around — one he’s not entirely unaccustomed to standing under as a former player in the Big 12 — although this specific light has been known to cause extreme sunburn for anyone unprepared for it. The Cowboys need Guyton to blossom … Sooner … than later … and believe he’s up to that task.

Argue Amongst Yourselves: Cowboys don't need to draft a WR early - Reid Hanson, Cowboys Wire ​

Should the Cowboys wait to plunge on a wide receiver in April?

The wide receiver position is one of the most valuable positions in the NFL. Starting wideouts are the second-highest paid in the NFL, trailing only quarterbacks. They also seem to be the most popular position in blockbuster trades these days with the top playmakers rarely smelling free agency.

With WR a major need on the Dallas Cowboys this season, it’s no wonder the object of most fans’ desire is Tetairoa McMillan, the All-American from Arizona. Aside from Travis Hunter, who plays both receiver and cornerback, McMillan is in a league of his own this draft cycle. According to consensus boards the next ranked WR this year, Matthew Golden, falls 10 spots below McMillan. Based on everything, McMillan seems like a no-brainer should he fall to the Cowboys at No. 12. But if a case could be made against it, what would it be?

If there’s a case against drafting a WR in the first round, it’s that the 2025 NFL draft isn’t a very strong WR class compared to previous years. For as good as McMillan is as a prospect, he would have been WR4, at best, if put in last year’s class.

Scouts generally feel that the state of the college game ensures drafts in the foreseeable future will be fairly rich in WR talent. By that logic 2026 and beyond will mark an improvement over the class this year. If the Cowboys wait a year, they may have a better pool of WRs to pick from, even if they’re picking later in the draft.

Cowboys set to meet with elite cornerback prospect ahead of 2025 NFL Draft - Marcus Mosher, The Landry Hat​

Shavon Revel is a name to keep an eye on in terms of Day 2 of the NFL draft.

The Dallas Cowboys are in need of cornerback help, especially with the uncertain status of Trevon Diggs entering the season. Jourdan Lewis left in free agency and now the Cowboys are in need of at least one starting cornerback to pair with Daron Bland. But where might they find their next star cornerback?

The 2025 NFL Draft doesn’t have the top-end talent at cornerback for the Cowboys to consider picking one at No. 12. But there are plenty of good options who are expected to be available in Round 2, including Maxwell Hairston, Trey Amos, and Benjamin Morrison.

One player that Dallas could target at No. 44 is Shavon Revel, an outstanding prospect from East Carolina. Revel comes in at No. 39 on the consensus board, which is well in the range for the Cowboys in Round 2. And now, they are set to meet with Revel ahead of the draft on a 30 visit, according to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network:

The Dallas Cowboys will host East Carolina DB Shavon Revel Jr for a 30 visit next week, source said.

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 28, 2025​

Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer is focused on one thing above all heading into first season - David Moore, Dallas Morning News​

It makes perfect sense for Brian Schottenheimer to think this way.

It’s been two full months since Brian Schottenheimer went from wondering if he would remain in the Cowboys organization to becoming its head coach.

That’s the high wire assistant coaches and their families often walk.

It’s been a whirlwind since that January day when Schottenheimer was announced as the 10th head coach in franchise history. He’s assembled a staff, bulked up his roster through free agency, traveled the country to watch potential draft picks on their pro days and purchased a home near The Star with the help of his wife, Gemmi.

Now, he’ll be part of the Cowboys contingent in Palm Beach for the NFL annual meeting. Then it’s back to the club’s facility in Frisco to dig even deeper into draft preparation.

Asked what his focus has been through these hectic days, Schottenheimer didn’t hesitate.

“People,‘’ he said. “Hiring the staff. Making sure we’re getting the right people. The right type of teachers, the right type of connectors. Developing relationships with all the players.

“Obviously I’m very close with all the offensive guys. I have some great relationships with the defensive guys, but I’m getting to know them on a deeper level.”

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...tions-tyler-guyton-brian-schottenheimer-draft

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Can you guess this Cowboys lineman 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’re back for another day of the Blogging The Boys in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

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

Previous games​

Friday, March 28, 2025
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Wednesday, March 26, 2025

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/2025/3/29/24396466/sb-nation-cowboys-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys draft: Day 3 picks could be the difference between success or failure

Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Cowboys have a ton of capital to work with on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

The Dallas Cowboys have been a little more aggressive this year in free agency than they were a year ago. Although they added a number of free agent additions, they will still rely heavily on the 2025 NFL Draft to upgrade their roster.

After the trade for Jonathan Mingo, the addition of compensatory picks, and the two trades for CB Kaiir Elam and LB Kenneth Murray, the Cowboys currently hold a total of 10 draft picks in this year's draft. Having 10 selections in this year's draft sounds pretty good, but unfortunately seven of those picks are on Day 3.

Barring a trade, the Cowboys only have three picks in the top 100 (12, 44, 76) and then have to wait out the entire fourth round until they are on the clock again in the fifth round with the 149th overall pick. That puts them behind the eight ball so to speak as far as percentages go that they'll be able to hit on the majority of their selections this year.

The good news is the Cowboys current roster "needs" matchup pretty well with the depth at the positions they need to target. Because of that, there's a good chance they could find immediate starters with their three picks in the Top 100. After that though, it's a roll of the dice as far as hits and misses are concerned. And there lies the problem.

While the Cowboys have had success finding some of late-round hidden gems that have turned into starters recently (DaRon Bland, Donovan Wilson, Terence Steele), counting on that kind of continued success would be like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. But, that's what they will try to do this year in rounds five through seven.

The way the roster is constructed right now, Dallas "needs" a new nickel CB to replace Jourdan Lewis, a WR to pair with CeeDee Lamb, and a nose tackle. RB can be thrown in there as well, although Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders lessens that need a little. Then there is further depth needed at linebacker, corner and along the offensive line.

Even if they hit on some of those needs in the Top 100, they will still need some Day 3 picks to come through to truly make the roster playoff-worthy. It's not unreasonable to believe they can be successful doing just that with seven draft picks to work with, however, it won't be easy and the percentages are working against them.

All in all, it's going to be really interesting to see how this plays out in April. Maybe they will be able to find a trade partner to accumulate more early-round picks. or maybe they do hit on a couple of selections on Day 3.

Should the Cowboys stay with their picks and trust Will McClay to hit on some late gems, or should they be very active in trying to trade up into the first two days? If they keep their picks, they have more shots at trying to fill out the roster. If they trade up, they have fewer darts to throw, but the pool of players will be better. What’s the call?

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...failure-trades-needs-cornerback-wide-receiver

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys draft polls: 5 draft questions for Dallas on Day 2

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It stands to reason that the Cowboys could see a few surprises in the NFL Draft.

This week, we present five newly crafted draft-related questions, all obviously focused on the Dallas Cowboys. Specifically, these questions will center around the team’s options on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, asking how their strategy should work and potential impact that could have on the season. Cast your vote on each and leave your opinions in the comment section.

Which position should be the top priority for Dallas in the second round of the NFL draft? (Their first pick was CB Will Johnson in this hypothetical)​

We come in fast and ask you what position the Cowboys should prioritize if they were to take a cornerback in the first round of the draft. Defensive back is still a primary need and taking a high-flying cornerback like Will Johnson would transform the secondary. But what would be the next position to target after that?

Which potential Day 2 running back would be the best fit for the Cowboys?​

Day 2 is the sweet spot with plenty of options at the running back position. The Cowboys have signed two running backs to the roster but both carry question marks as to their production. If Dallas went out and targeted a running back on Day 2, who would you want it to be?

Which second-round prospect should the Cowboys target to improve their defense in the 2025 NFL Draft?​

Switching to the defense, there are great options for Dallas to target in Day 2 of the draft. Whether it’s defensive back, a run-stuffing defensive tackle. or linebacker, there are some great prospects to choose from that carry great value. But who would you want to take on Day 2 to bolster the defense?

Which Round 3 wide receiver would be the best fit for the Cowboys?​

The wide receiver talent depth is not what we are usually accustomed to from previous seasons. But if Dallas waited until the third round to take a shiny new pass catcher, which prospect would be the best fit?

Which Day 2 offensive lineman would give the Cowboys the biggest immediate impact?​

Offensive line is still an obvious area of the roster that needs improving. Dallas may look to go BPA in the first round or land an unexpected talent that falls to pick 12. That means waiting till Day 2 to find the next offensive line upgrade. If that was the case, who’s your pet cat to fill the offensive line needs in the second or third round?

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-back-cornerback-wide-receiver-defensive-line

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

2025 NFL Draft: Texas, Ohio State players could dominate Cowboys' early-round picks

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

There are some players who played in the Cotton Bowl that could. make sense for the Cowboys.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns were two of the best collegiate programs in the nation last season in 2024. They put on a show for us in the Cotton Bowl in a back-and-forth game until the Buckeyes ultimately claimed the 28-14 victory thanks to their fourth-quarter heroics.

That Cotton Bowl matchup featured quite a bit of NFL caliber talent, many of which are now part of the 2025 NFL Draft class. Between the Buckeyes and Longhorns there's a couple of dozen players with draftable grades this year and close to half of those NFL hopefuls could end up being Top 100 selections

This could be of particular interest to the Dallas Cowboys, who currently hold three draft picks in the Top 100 (12, 44, 76). You see, both the Buckeyes and Longhorns prospects expected to be selected the Top 100 matchup favorably with the Cowboys current draft "needs". It stands to reason, these players could dominate their early-round picks.

After being "selectively aggressive" in free agency, the Cowboys still need help at cornerback, defensive tackle, and linebacker depth on defense. Offensively they need a wide receiver, running back, backup quarterback and maybe offensive line as well. As luck would have it, Ohio State and Texas players could fill those voids.

Cornerback​

• Jahdae Barron, Texas
• Denzel Burke, Ohio State

Jahdae Barron could very well be Dallas' first-round pick. He fits Matt Eberflus' defense nearly perfectly. Denzel Burke could be in play for them on Day 3.

Defensive tackle​

• Tyelik Williams, Ohio State
• Alfred Collins, Texas
• Vernon Broughton, Texas
• Ty Hamilton, Ohio State

All four of these DTs are currently expected to be Day 2 draft picks and any one of them would help fill a major "need" for the Cowboys roster. Tyelik Williams and Alfred Collins though make the most sense.

Defensive end​

• JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
• Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
• Barryn Sorrell, Texas

The Ohio State DEs are both expected to be second-round draft picks and could be of interest for the Cowboys with the 44th overall pick. Barryn Sorrell is expected to be an early Day 3 pick.

Wide receiver​

• Matthew Golden, Texas
• Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
• Isaiah Bond, Texas

Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka are both probably worthy of being selected with the 12th overall pick by Dallas. Isaiah Bond is expected to be a Day 2 selection, putting him in play at 44 or 76 for the Cowboys depending on where they have him ranked.

Running back​

• TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
• Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
• Jaydon Blue, Texas

All three of these RBs could hear their names called at some point on Day 2. Jaydon Blue is a bit of the wildcard here though and could end up sliding into Day 3.

Offensive line​

• OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
• OT/G Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
• OT/G Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
• OT Cameron Williams, Texas
• C Jake Majors, Texas
• C Seth McLachlan, Ohio State

Both Josh Simmons and Kelvin Banks could be in play with the Cowboys in the first round with Pick 12 or in a trade-down scenario. Donovan Jackson is a fringe first-round pick and could potentially be available at 44. Williams is a Day 2 developmental OT and both Majors and McLachlan are considered Day 3 selections.

Quarterback​

• Quinn Ewers, Texas
• Will Howard, Ohio State

The Dallas Cowboys are looking for a developmental QB both Quinn Ewers and Will Howard could potentially be in play for them at some point on Day 2.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-early-round-picks-emeka-egbuka-jahdae-barron

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys draft: Best weapon & biggest weakness of the Top 10 running backs

Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images

The Cowboys will have a lot of options at running back in the NFL Draft.

As we get closer to the draft and finding out who the Dallas Cowboys select at pick 12, let’s look at the top weapon and biggest weakness of the the top running backs in this year’s draft.

Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)​

Best: Contact Balance
An important trait for any running back coming into the NFL is contact balance. The better a running back is at absorbing blows and bouncing off tackles the more punishing he can be and impose his will against the defense. Jeanty has elite levels of contact balance which is seen consistently on tape.

Worst: Snap Count
In three seasons playing at Boise State, Jeanty has racked up over 1,600 offensive snaps, that’s an insane amount. Running backs coming out college with a high snap count usually carry a high risk of injury or peak really early in their NFL careers. Saquon Barkley’s time in New York was very troublesome due to his injury history, he came out college having played over 1,900 offensive snaps.

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Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)​

Best: Downhill Running
Hampton has the best combination of strength, toughness and compact frame. This gives him an exceptional ability to gain extra yards after contact and makes him very difficult to tackle. His ability to break through arm tackles and gain tough yards sets him apart as the best physical, workhorse-style running back in this class. His ability to fall forward for those few extra yards after getting tackled makes him an incredible downhill runner.

Worst: Creativity
You’re not going to see Hampton as flashy or making the highlight reel by dancing between defenders and snapping ankles. All too often Hampton goes actively looking for contact on the field. This can end impactful runs early or sees him getting wrapped up by defenders coming in from the side.

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TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)​

Best: Burst
Henderson is a guy who can hit a home run at any moment. As soon as he gets that ball he’s off the mark and hits the hole quickly. This puts defenders immediately on the back foot and constantly trying to play catchup. He has rare burst and acceleration, allowing him to hit top speed quickly and break off long runs.

Worst: Vision
His great burst and speed comes at the cost of him misreading blocks or getting into the wrong running lane, which immediately kills the play. Instead of taking what the defense gives him, he’s always looking for the big play and gets bottled up as a result.

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Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)​

Best: Patience
Judkins has an exceptional ability to read blocks, wait for the right hole to open, and then burst through with power. His ability to set up defenders and make sharp cuts allows him to consistently gain yardage, even in tight spaces. His contact balance is very good as well.

Worst: Long Speed
While Judkins has great power and strength, he doesn’t possess true breakaway speed, which can limit his ability to turn long runs into touchdowns. There are a lot of moments on tape you find him getting caught and tackled from behind.

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Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)​

Best: Size/Speed Combo
At 6’0” and 224 pounds, he has the size and power to break tackles but also possesses some surprising breakaway speed, making him a threat both between the tackles and in the open field.

Worst: Lateral Agility
While he has a passable grade for his straight-line speed, he isn’t the most elusive runner in tight spaces. This limits his ability to make defenders miss and create explosive plays when the initial running lane isn’t there.

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Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)​

Best: Center of Gravity
Skattebo is like a cannon ball that looks to wreak havoc with anything it comes into contact with. He runs with an exceptionally low center of gravity, with his size, power, and high energy running making him extremely difficult to bring down by the first defender. His physical running style allows him to pick up tough yards even when the blocking isn’t perfect.

Worst: Explosiveness
While Skattebo runs with fantastic power and balance, he doesn’t have the burst to consistently outrun defenders in the open field or hit big home-run plays. His game is more about grinding out tough yards than breaking away for long touchdowns.

---

Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)​

Best: Acceleration
Sampson has insane burst from the moment he gets the ball, think Dalvin Cook. He hits top speed quickly, allowing him to explode through holes and turn small openings into chunks plays. His quick first step makes him a dangerous playmaker, especially in space.

Worst: Pass Protection
Sampson’s smaller frame limits his ability to take on blitzing defenders effectively, and his technique in picking up blocks needs improvement. This can make him a liability on passing downs if he’s asked to stay in and protect the quarterback. This fact limits his ability to play all three downs.

---

D.J. Giddens (Kansas State)​

Best: Agility
Giddens has some very impressive footwork for a bigger back. This allows him to make sharp cuts and change direction quickly without losing momentum, and given his size this makes him a nightmare to bring down. His elusive lateral agility also makes him dangerous in space and effective at avoiding defenders in tight running lanes.

Worst: Pass Protection
While Giddens has the strength and power as a runner, his technique and awareness in pass protection needs some serious improvement. He can struggle to pick up blitzes or sustain blocks against stronger defenders, which limits his effectiveness on passing downs.

---

Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)​

Best: Speed
Tuten ran an insane 4.32s time in the 40-yard dash at the combine so this one is obvious. But Tuten isn’t one of those “test well” type guys, his speed is seen and felt on the field. His rapid accelerator helps him get quickly into top gear and you see him leave the opposition defense behind constantly.

Worst: Decisiveness
At times, Tuten can be too eager to bounce runs outside instead of trusting his blockers and following the designed play. This can lead to missed opportunities for efficient gains between the A and B gaps, and given his speed this makes it all the more worse.

---

Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)​

Best: Physicality
Gordon thrives on breaking tackles and running through defenders, making him a workhorse back who can wear down defenses over the course of a game. His ability to impose his will on defenders makes him especially dangerous in short-yardage and goal-line situations. A true three-down back.

Worst: Pad Level
While his power and physicality make him a reliable runner in short-yardage and goal-line situations, his straightforward and upright running style can make it easier for defenses to target and tackle him. He lacks elusive maneuvers to keep defenders off balance and running tall limits his power and exposes his body to punishment, running the risk of injury.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...0-running-backs-ashton-jeanty-omarion-hampton

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Jerry Jones is reportedly infatuated with one player in the 2025 draft

Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images

The Travis Hunter hype will not stop.

The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for the NFL draft in April. This time around, they hold the 12th overall pick in the first round. Players such as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson have been linked to Dallas, and they all would have an immediate impact.

There’s another guy that could have a bigger effect than all of them. Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is one of the top prospects in the draft, and he's expected to be a top five pick, meaning out of the Cowboys range. However, while Dianna Russini of The Athletic was on the Scoop City podcast with Chase Daniel, she revealed that Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones is rather smitten over the superstar talent.

Could Travis Hunter be Jerry Jones' new Deion Sanders?

What I'm hearing about the Cowboys' interest in the Heisman winner: https://t.co/OtMHsPxA93 pic.twitter.com/H6P598ELhv

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 28, 2025​

Let's face it, why wouldn't Jones be infatuated with Hunter?

It was a season for the ages for Hunter as he defied the odd as a two-way playmaker for the Buffaloes. He played 709 snaps on offense and 713 on defense while adding another 21 on special teams. In total, Hunter logged 84.6% of Colorado's snaps from scrimmage, which is an insane stat, to say the least.

Despite the huge workload, Hunter excelled on both sides of the ball. He finished with 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense. Defensively, Hunter registered 36 tackles, four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. This all culminated in Hunter winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy.

Dallas has huge needs at wide receiver and cornerback, and as it was just documented, Hunter plays both exceptionally well. Putting Hunter opposite CeeDee Lamb would instantly give the Cowboys multiple guys that can be dynamic with the ball in their hands in the open field. With Trevon Diggs recovering from major knee surgery, Hunter and his elite ball skills would serve as a great complement to DaRon Bland.

Of course, for the Cowboys to pull this off, some serious finagling would need to take place, which would include hefty draft compensation to move up. Like Russini said, just because Jones likes Hunter doesn't mean he'll sell the farm to get him. However, it isn't like it's completely crazy to think about, especially with the season the Cowboys are coming off of.

Not only would Hunter immediately upgrade the roster, but he'd have plenty of eyes on Dallas, which Jones loves. Now that this is out there, let the speculation begin.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-draft-travis-hunter-ceedee-lamb-trevon-diggs

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Debating when is the right time for Dallas to take a running back

Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Your Sunday morning Cowboys news.

Cowboys need to consider selecting the ‘Honda Civic’ of RBs in 2025 draft - Randy Gurzi , SI.com​

Reliable, budget-friendly, and reasonable. The Cowboys taking this running back for the right “price” makes a lot of sense.

The Dallas Cowboys dropped the ball last season when it came to their running back stable. They’ve proven through the early portion of the offseason that they’ve learned their lesson.

Dallas lost Rico Dowdle after a breakout campaign, but added Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in NFL free agency. They’re also expected to add another option in the 2025 NFL Draft, especially with Williams and Sanders each on a one-year deal.

While most targets connected to the Cowboys are early-round talents, this class is deep enough that they could find someone on Day 3 capable of making a difference. One possible fit is Kyle Monangai from Rutgers, who was called the “Honda Civic” of this year’s class by Connor Rogers of the NFL Stock Exchange.

Rogers says Monangai doesn’t have the explosive athleticism of many backs in this class, but was impressed with his 1.54-second time in the 10-yard split, which he says is far more important than the 4.6 time in the 40-yard dash.

Still, it’s the reliability that won over the draft pundit, as Rogers pointed out that Monangai had 670 career carries without a fumble. He also praised his strength and ability to break tackles as Monangai has forced 139 missed tackles since 2023, eclipsing all other backs in the Big Ten.

2025 NFL Rule Changes: KaVontae Turpin could thrive - Shane Taylor, Inside the Star​

Changing the game, will make life easier for Dallas’ gamechanger.

Not only are they want to change some rules, such as the Tush Push, but they also took away the celebration from CeeDee Lamb. Here’s a look at Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(d) from the rules report (via Benjamin Solak). The NFL has previously received push back for banning and/or penalizing certain celebrations, so much so that the league even eased up on some of their stricter celebration policies back in 2017.

Urban Dictionary notes, “The index finger slides horizontally under the nose in the path of the ops and ends with the thumbs down position. This gesture lets your team know you’re out for blood and to scare the ops away.” Other things like banning the tush push has been brought up again, and regular season overtime rules.

The Eagles want the regular-season overtime rules to match what we have in the playoffs — where both teams get a chance to possess the ball. The proposal is stated this way. A change to the playoff seeding has also been brought to the forefront. To amend the current playoff seeding format to allow wild-card teams to be seeded higher than division champions if the wild-card team has a better regular-season record. This one I agree with!!

Turpin Time

The NFL is still tinkering with its kickoff rules after the so-called “dynamic kickoff” didn’t achieve the results the league expected during the 2024 regular season, and wig the best return in the entire leauge, of this gets change, Dallas and Turpin are going to benefit greatly.

The NFL is proposing the ball is set at the 35-yard line for touchback, a small yet impactful change. Keep in mind, when the dynamic kickoff was invented for the XFL in 2020, touchback were set at the 35-yard line.

Suddenly, the trade-off becomes much more difficult for kicking teams. Allowing the offense to start at the 35-yard line is less enticing because tackling them deeper into their territory becomes much more doable.

Cowboys don’t need to draft a WR early - Reid Hanson, Cowboys Wire​

Catch ya later. Why Dallas doesn’t need to lock in at wide receiver with the 12th pick.

The wide receiver position is one of the most valuable positions in the NFL. Starting wideouts are the second-highest paid in the NFL, trailing only quarterbacks. They also seem to be the most popular position in blockbuster trades these days with the top playmakers rarely smelling free agency.

With WR a major need on the Dallas Cowboys this season, it’s no wonder the object of most fans’ desire is Tetairoa McMillan, the All-American from Arizona. Aside from Travis Hunter, who plays both receiver and cornerback, McMillan is in a league of his own this draft cycle. According to consensus boards the next ranked WR this year, Matthew Golden, falls 10 spots below McMillan. Based on everything, McMillan seems like a no-brainer should he fall to the Cowboys at No. 12. But if a case could be made against it, what would it be?

If there’s a case against drafting a WR in the first round, it’s that the 2025 NFL draft isn’t a very strong WR class compared to previous years. For as good as McMillan is as a prospect, he would have been WR4, at best, if put in last year’s class.

Scouts generally feel that the state of the college game ensures drafts in the foreseeable future will be fairly rich in WR talent. By that logic 2026 and beyond will mark an improvement over the class this year. If the Cowboys wait a year, they may have a better pool of WRs to pick from, even if they’re picking later in the draft.

Jerry Jones is reportedly infatuated with one player in the 2025 draft-Matthew Lenix Jr., Blogging the Boys​

Will Jerry have his way?

The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for the NFL draft in April. This time around, they hold the 12th overall pick in the first round. Players such as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson have been linked to Dallas, and they all would have an immediate impact.

There’s another guy that could have a bigger effect than all of them. Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is one of the top prospects in the draft, and he’s expected to be a top five pick, meaning out of the Cowboys range. However, while Dianna Russini of The Athleticwas on the Scoop City podcast with Chase Daniel, she revealed that Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones is rather smitten over the superstar talent.

Let’s face it, why wouldn’t Jones be infatuated with Hunter?

It was a season for the ages for Hunter as he defied the odd as a two-way playmaker for the Buffaloes. He played 709 snaps on offense and 713 on defense while adding another 21 on special teams. In total, Hunter logged 84.6% of Colorado’s snaps from scrimmage, which is an insane stat, to say the least.

Despite the huge workload, Hunter excelled on both sides of the ball. He finished with 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense. Defensively, Hunter registered 36 tackles, four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. This all culminated in Hunter winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy.

Dallas has huge needs at wide receiver and cornerback, and as it was just documented, Hunter plays both exceptionally well. Putting Hunter opposite CeeDee Lamb would instantly give the Cowboys multiple guys that can be dynamic with the ball in their hands in the open field. With Trevon Diggs recovering from major knee surgery, Hunter and his elite ball skills would serve as a great complement to DaRon Bland.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ack-kavontae-turpin-jerry-jones-travis-hunter

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

How Cowboys built and maintained an advantage in signing undrafted free agents

Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Talent acquisition does not end with the draft - undrafted free agency is a critical part of the process.

The Cowboys currently have 74 players on their roster, a number that includes eight players acquired via free agency, two acquired via trade, and 10 players signed to reserve/future contracts.

That leaves the Cowboys with 16 open spots on their offseason roster. The Cowboys currently have 10 picks in the NFL draft, which should bring their roster size to 84 players, That number, coupled with possible coming releases among their reserve/future players (all but one of which had been on the practice squad last year), leaves ample room to bring in undrafted free agents after the draft.

There are about 6,000 draft-eligible players per year. Only 257 of those will actually get drafted this year. All other players sit through three days of the draft and don’t hear their names called. Some are crushed at not being selected, some didn’t expect to be selected in the first place, but all end up in the pool of undrafted free agents (UDFA) that’s available to teams immediately after the draft.

“Every time we sign those 15 to 20 [UDFA] guys, we sign them from our draft board.” - Stephen Jones​

If you’re an UDFA, one of the better teams to sign with is Dallas. Everybody knows how the Cowboys developed UDFAs like Tony Romo and Miles Austin into NFL superstars, but there are many more UDFAs on the roster in Dallas. Last year alone:

• 10 former UDFAs started at least one game for the Cowboys: Terence Steele (17 starts), Rico Dowdle (15), Cooper Rush (8), Brock Hoffman (7), Hunter Luepke (4), T.J. Bass (3), Josh Butler (3), and Kavontae Turpin (2) all started at least one game for the Cowboys
• Seven former UDFAs (Brandon Aubrey, Markquese Bell, Princeton Fant, Jalen Moreno-Cropper, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Juanyeh Thomas, Tyrus Wheat) all saw playing time
• Two former UDFAs (TE John Stephens, OT Earl Bostick) spent the season on IR

That’s quite a list, but it doesn’t stop there. More recently, former Cowboys UDFAs like Charvarious Ward (KC) or Peyton Hendershot (KC) found their way to Super Bowl rings with other teams after signing their first NFL contract as an UDFA with the Dallas Cowboys. WR Danny Amendola and QB Matt Moore are older examples of players that buil a career elsewhere after initially signing in Dallas. The Cowboys have historically taken on board more UDFAs than many other teams, and have been historically more successful than most other franchises at developing these UDFAs.

Last year, the Cowboys signed 12 rookie UDFAs after the draft. Three of them are still with the Cowboys and three more are currently on the roster of another NFL team. That’s 50% of the UDFA class still in the NFL. Here’s an overview of last year’s UDFA class:

[td]

Player​

[/td]​

[td]

POS​

[/td]​

[td]

NFL Team 2024​

[/td]​

[td]

2025 Status​

[/td]​

[td]

Brevyn Spann-Ford​

[/td]​

[td]

TE​

[/td]​

[td]

Cowboys​

[/td]​

[td]

Cowboys​

[/td]​

[td]

Brock Mogensen​

[/td]​

[td]

LB​

[/td]​

[td]

Cowboys​

[/td]​

[td]

Cowboys​

[/td]​

[td]

Denzel Daxon​

[/td]​

[td]

DT​

[/td]​

[td]

Cowboys​

[/td]​

[td]

Cowboys​

[/td]​

[td]

Emany Johnson​

[/td]​

[td]

S​

[/td]​

[td]

Chargers​

[/td]​

[td]

Chargers​

[/td]​

[td]

Julius Wood​

[/td]​

[td]

S​

[/td]​

[td]

Titans​

[/td]​

[td]

Titans​

[/td]​

[td]

Cam Johnson​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

Panthers​

[/td]​

[td]

Panthers​

[/td]​

[td]

Josh DeBerry​

[/td]​

[td]

S​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

CFL: Hamilton Tiger Cats​

[/td]​

[td]

Byron Vaughns​

[/td]​

[td]

DL​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

UFL: Houston Roughnecks​

[/td]​

[td]

Nathaniel Peat​

[/td]​

[td]

RB​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

Jason Johnson​

[/td]​

[td]

LB​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

Alec Holler​

[/td]​

[td]

TE​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

Corey Crooms​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

​

The Cowboys’ history with UDFAs is not just a bit of nice-to-know trivia shared with you on a lazy Sunday morning. It’s an argument the Cowboys actively when competing for the players available immediately after the draft, as Will McClay explained to The Athletic after last year’s draft:

“We’re looking at guys and it’s a competition,” Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay said after the draft. “It’s almost a free market. We’re talking to guys about opportunities and the best chance for them to get on the field. We talk about our history with free agents and guys making the roster.”

The Cowboys’ success with college free agents is more than simple luck. One of the reasons for their success with UDFAs is that Chris Hall, director of college scouting for the Cowboys (and the long-haired guy in the Cowboys draft room during the draft), doesn’t allow his scouts to “come off grade”. If they have a grade on a guy before the draft, they have to stick with it after the draft. Which means that after the draft, they try and sign every guy still left on their draft board, as the Cowboys feel those players effectively amount to extra draft picks.

After last year’s draft, Stephen Jones said Dallas had about 10 players left on their board that they were trying to sign as free agents. Of those 10, the Cowboys say they ended up landing half.

Stephen Jones explained the process a while back:

“We used to put 250 players on the board, however many get drafted. Now we put about 100, 120 players on our board, and they’re just the players we want,” pro personnel director Stephen Jones said.

“We don’t think about, ‘That guy is going to get drafted,’ so we put him on our board. If he doesn’t fit what we want, even though he may get drafted in the first or second round, we don’t put him up there. It keeps us focused not only all the way through the draft, but also through college free agency.”

“And pretty much every time we sign those 15 to 20 [UDFA] guys, we sign them from our draft board. I think that’s why we’ve had some really good success with players who weren’t drafted.”

More recently, the Cowboys have added an extra component to their arsenal of weapons in the UDFA hunt: cold, hard cash.

It used to be that UDFAs got a small signing bonus, and then were paid on a per diem rate per week through camp or per day in mini-camps. And only when they made the final 53 or the practice squad did they get a real NFL contract and make any money of note.

The CBA has a cap on the amount of signing bonuses a team can give out to its UDFAs (“Undrafted Rookie Reservation”). In 2011, that was a combined $75,000 per team and by 2024 that number had climbed to $183,103 per team.

With just under $200K to work with, it’s hard to provide a significant financial incentive for a prospective UDFA to sign with your team, so over the last 10 or so years, some particularly enterprising teams have figured out that the best way to work with the UDFA signing bonus cap is to work around it - just like most teams are doing with the salary cap.

Michael Rothstein from ESPN explains:

The way some NFL teams create UDFA contracts has evolved from strictly using a capped-out signing bonus to offering some guaranteed money on the base salaries of contracts, which is another way to lure a player to their squad.

In 2020, NFL teams spent $8,787,100 on base salary guarantees for UDFAs. In 2021, teams spent $7.175 million. Then in 2022, the number more than doubled to $14,902,500. Four teams spent more than $1 million on base salary guarantees for UDFAs in 2022 — the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles.

In that three-year span, only four teams did not give any money in base salary guarantees: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams.

“It’s factually a huge, major distribution of talent,” said one longtime NFL agent who spoke with ESPN on the condition of anonymity. “So all 32 teams are not on a level playing field. So the teams that are doing it are putting themselves in such an advantageous position to acquire talent.”

Last year, the Cowboys made headlines by winning what some described as a “bidding war” for tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford, who got a $20,000 signing bonus (from a capped UDFA signing bonus pool) and a $225,000 guarantee out of a much, much larger team salary pool.

The Cowboys reportedly had a fifth-round grade on Spann-Ford and made sure they “got their guy.” But Spann-Ford wasn’t the only UDFA to get a chunky guarantee. Four players in total got more than $100K in total guaranteed money (signing bonus + guaranteed salary).

[td]

2024 UDFA Class​

[/td]​

[td]

Player​

[/td]​

[td]

POS​

[/td]​

[td]

Total GTD​

[/td]​

[td]

Brevyn Spann-Ford​

[/td]​

[td]

TE​

[/td]​

[td]

$245,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Julius Wood​

[/td]​

[td]

S​

[/td]​

[td]

$190,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Emany Johnson​

[/td]​

[td]

S​

[/td]​

[td]

$170,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Jason Johnson​

[/td]​

[td]

LB​

[/td]​

[td]

$155,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Josh DeBerry​

[/td]​

[td]

S​

[/td]​

[td]

$31,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Cam Johnson​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

$10,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Denzel Daxon​

[/td]​

[td]

DT​

[/td]​

[td]

$6,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Byron Vaughns​

[/td]​

[td]

DL​

[/td]​

[td]

$5,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Brock Mogensen​

[/td]​

[td]

LB​

[/td]​

[td]

$3,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Nathaniel Peat​

[/td]​

[td]

RB​

[/td]​

[td]

$3,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Corey Crooms​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

$3,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Alec Holler​

[/td]​

[td]

TE​

[/td]​

[td]

--​

[/td]​

[td]

Total​

[/td]​

[td]

$821,000​

[/td]​

​

Stephen Jones said the Cowboys had draftable grades on five players last year, the guaranteed money paid out to the draft class should make it pretty clear who at least four of those five players are.

In 2022, the Cowboys said they signed seven players with draftable grades to their UDFA Class. We have no such statement for the 2023 class, but we know that eight of the 12 players signed that year were in Dane Brugler’s top 300 prospect list, for what it’s worth. Here’s what those two UDFA classes look like in terms of total guaranteed money spent:

[td]

2022 UDFA Class​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

2023 UDFA Class​

[/td]​

[td]

Player​

[/td]​

[td]

POS​

[/td]​

[td]

Total GTD​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Player​

[/td]​

[td]

POS​

[/td]​

[td]

Total GTD​

[/td]​

[td]

Markquese Bell​

[/td]​

[td]

S​

[/td]​

[td]

$215,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Earl Bostick​

[/td]​

[td]

OT​

[/td]​

[td]

$220,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Peyton Hendershot​

[/td]​

[td]

TE​

[/td]​

[td]

$165,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Hunter Luepke​

[/td]​

[td]

FB​

[/td]​

[td]

$200,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Juanyeh Thomas​

[/td]​

[td]

S​

[/td]​

[td]

$165,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Tyrus Wheat​

[/td]​

[td]

LB​

[/td]​

[td]

$200,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Alex Lindstrom​

[/td]​

[td]

C​

[/td]​

[td]

$112,500​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

T.J. Bass​

[/td]​

[td]

OG​

[/td]​

[td]

$150,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Malik Davis​

[/td]​

[td]

RB​

[/td]​

[td]

$110,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Myles Brooks​

[/td]​

[td]

CB​

[/td]​

[td]

$150,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Dontario Drummond​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

$110,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

David Durden​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

$150,000​

[/td]​

[td]

James Empey​

[/td]​

[td]

C​

[/td]​

[td]

$110,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Durrell Johnson​

[/td]​

[td]

DE​

[/td]​

[td]

$150,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Aaron Hansford​

[/td]​

[td]

LB​

[/td]​

[td]

$85,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Jalen Moreno-Cropper​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

$150,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Ty Fryfogle​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

$80,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Isaiah Land​

[/td]​

[td]

DE​

[/td]​

[td]

$100,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Quandre Mosely​

[/td]​

[td]

CB​

[/td]​

[td]

$80,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Princeton Fant​

[/td]​

[td]

TE​

[/td]​

[td]

$30,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Jaquarii Roberson​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

$80,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Jose Barbon​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

$3,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Aaron Shampklin​

[/td]​

[td]

RB​

[/td]​

[td]

$80,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

D'Angelo Mandell​

[/td]​

[td]

CB​

[/td]​

[td]

$3,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Isaac Taylor-Stuart​

[/td]​

[td]

CB​

[/td]​

[td]

$70,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

John Stephens​

[/td]​

[td]

TE​

[/td]​

[td]

$3,000​

[/td]​

[td]

Dennis Houston​

[/td]​

[td]

WR​

[/td]​

[td]

$65,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Storey Jackson​

[/td]​

[td]

LB​

[/td]​

[td]

$65,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Jonathan Garibay​

[/td]​

[td]

K​

[/td]​

[td]

$55,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Mike Tafua​

[/td]​

[td]

DE​

[/td]​

[td]

$55,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

La'Kendrick Van Zandt​

[/td]​

[td]

S​

[/td]​

[td]

$55,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Amon Simon​

[/td]​

[td]

OT​

[/td]​

[td]

$5,000​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Markaviest Bryant​

[/td]​

[td]

DE​

[/td]​

[td]

- -​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Grand Total​

[/td]​

[td]

$1,762,500​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Grand Total​

[/td]​

[td]

$1,509,000​

[/td]​

​

The Cowboys have been heavy spenders in UDFA for quite a while, not just over the last three years, and not just between 2020 and 2022, which is the period the ESPN article looked at.

All the way back in 2012, the Cowboys raised eyebrows across the league when they picked up OG Roland Leary and paid him a $9,000 signing bonus and guaranteed $205,000 of his salary.

The team had rated the Memphis lineman as a third-round talent, but gave him a sixth-round grade because of concerns over his surgically-repaired knee. Ultimately, the team won a bidding war for his services by guaranteeing more than half of his rookie base salary.

Leary went on to play four seasons for the Cowboys, three as a starter, and then tacked on three more seasons in Denver.

Even former HC Mike McCarthy, who leaves no legacy of note in Dallas, recognized the quality of the UDFA process in Dallas.

“It’s an excellent process here,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “I mean, obviously I’ve been with other organizations. [...] It’s extremely organized. It’s clearly the most productive free-agent system that I’ve been a part of.”

The Cowboys need all the help they can get to improve their roster this year, and the 2025 UDFA class will be a part of that. The Cowboys have a track record of success and they have a proven process in place. Now we can only hope that Stephen doesn’t start clutching those purse strings too tight when it’s time to sign quality UDFAs.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ge-stephen-jones-guaranteed-money-draft-board

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Can you guess this Cowboys running back 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’re back for another day of the Blogging The Boys in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

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

Previous games​

Saturday, March 29, 2025
Friday, March 28, 2025
Thursday, March 27, 2025

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/2025/3/30/24397066/sb-nation-cowboys-daily-trivia-in-5