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[Dallas Cowboys]

Your daily Cowboys trivia game, Sunday edition

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, April 5, 2025
Friday, April 4, 2025
Thursday, April 3, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

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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/2025/4/6/24402293/sb-nation-cowboys-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys still looking for offensive line help, worked out OL Saahdiq Charles

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

It makes sense for the Cowboys to address their offensive line during the NFL Draft.

The Cowboys have had a busy offseason here in 2025. After being very active bringing in more outside free agents than the fans are used to seeing and trading for Kenneth Murray, Kaiir Elam, and Joe Milton, the Cowboys may not be done adding to the roster prior to the 2025 NFL draft.

The Dallas Cowboys are still looking for more help, specifically along the offensive line. We know this because they worked out veteran OL Saahdiq Charles.

The #Cowboys worked out veteran OL Saahdiq Charles today, source says. The former fourth-round pick of the #Commanders recently came out of retirement after walking away last summer during camp with the #Titans. pic.twitter.com/V9FAudmkxv

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 4, 2025​

Charles, a four-year veteran, announced his retirement from the league after joining the Tennessee Titans last offseason. Charles spent four years with the Washington Commanders before signing with the Titans as a free agent after the 2023 season.

Charles started eight games for the Commanders in his four years with the team. Charles has experience playing right guard, left guard, left tackle and right tackle since entering the league out of LSU. Charles versatility could be the intriguing trait for the Cowboys who have plenty of questions at left tackle, right guard, and potentially right tackle.

We will see if Charles and the Cowboys come to an agreement, but it is nice to see the Cowboys continuing to turnover stones as we approach the draft.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ive-line-help-work-out-tackle-saahdiq-charles

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

How the Cowboys upgraded at backup QB with Joe Milton

David Butler II-Imagn Images

How the newly-added quarterback is just what the offense needed.

When the Dallas Cowboys lost Cooper Rush to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, it caught a few by surprise. Since joining the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Rush has spent most of his career with the Cowboys with some memorable moments, like his win against the Minnesota Vikings in primetime on Halloween night in 2021. Rush’s departure left a hole for the Cowboys to fill, and with starting quarterback Dak Prescott finishing the 2024 season on injured reserve, the risk of Prescott getting hurt again lingers. While some veteran options were still available on the market, like Teddy Bridgewater and Joe Flacco, Dallas made the wise decision to search for a solution behind Prescott with enticing upside.

Dallas made a great addition after they traded a 2025 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback Joe Milton and a 2025 seventh-round pick. New England reportedly had better offers for Milton, but the Patriots sent him to his preferred destination. Milton chose Dallas where he isn’t an immediate challenger to surpass Dak Prescott, but Milton’s family has an affinity for the Cowboys, and Milton fulfills a “dream” to live in Texas. The trade gives Dallas control of a talented prospect for the next three years. Think of the Trey Lance addition but with a cheaper contract and with a more immediate need. Here’s why the Cowboys got better at backup quarterback and why its a great move by the front office.

In hindsight, it may be hard to come to terms with this, but Cooper Rush was not as good as some would like to note. Those numbers don’t tell the whole story despite the win/loss column looking favorably for Cooper Rush. When Rush saw extended time as the starter in 2022 and 2024, he threw 15 touchdown passes versus eight interceptions. In 2022, his QBR that season was 52.1; last year, it careened to an abysmal 41.0. Last season, he tied a career-low with only six yards per attempt. When you re-examine his win/loss record, some of it was a byproduct of exceptional efforts by the Cowboys’ defense. Ultimately, what Rush was doing was passable but not groundbreaking.

As for Milton, he’s not a proven product, yet his talent is undeniable. Milton’s arm strength is among the best in the NFL despite being in only his second NFL season. He makes it look easy as he casually launches a ball from one end of the field to the other. At the combine, Milton’s throw was clocked the fastest of his peers, coming in at 62MPH.

Dallas’ offense had felt capped by the sum of its parts without Prescott last year. That starts with the quarterback. Rush doesn’t have the type of arm strength to drive the ball downfield and fit the ball in tight spaces with extra zip like Milton does. When you watch the Cowboys with Rush, they are forced to be more methodical partly because of Rush’s limitations and those that extend beyond arm talent. Milton also has some mobility. This viral clip says as much.

Joe Milton with one of the best "plays that didn't count" of the season pic.twitter.com/NuwGLcLfwD

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) January 5, 2025​

Milton ran a 4.65 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and with his build of 6’5”, 235 lbs., he’s got the frame, and physical traits teams covet in not only backups but starting-caliber quarterbacks also. Why New England would part with Milton for a day three pick, including giving up another one to boot, is anyone’s guess.

It’s too soon to tell, but could Dallas develop special packages for Milton in certain instances? Maybe. However, we do know that if Prescott misses games again this season, Milton will give the Cowboys an extra dimension with a team that would likely commit to the run sans Prescott. The addition of Milton makes the Cowboys an interesting watch this preseason as Milton will get plenty of chances to showcase his talents in Dallas. Give a round of applause to the front office that landed themselves a very valuable insurance policy.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...arterback-joe-milton-dak-prescott-cooper-rush

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys draft: Best weapon & biggest weakness of the top tight ends

Photo by CFP/Getty Images

Do you want to see the Cowboys draft a tight end? If so... where?

The NFL, and more importantly, the Dallas Cowboys, enter full draft mode as we are in April. We continue our top positional series and this time look at the top tight ends in the draft, describing their best and worst attribute and the reasons why.

Tyler Warren (Penn State)​

Best - Versatility
Standing at 6’6” and weighing just under 260 pounds, Warren possesses all the physical attributes to excel in multiple roles within an NFL offense. Warren has demonstrated the ability to line up as an in-line tight end, H-back, slot receiver, and even as a Wildcat quarterback thanks to his background. This perfectly showcases his diverse skill set and he does it all at a very high level. His background as a former high school quarterback enhances his football IQ, allowing him to diagnose coverages pre-snap and exploit defensive weaknesses effectively. This adaptability makes him a dynamic weapon capable of impacting various facets of the game.

Worst - Route Running
Warren’s biggest weakness is his inconsistency in his route-running and separation skills which he is still developing. While his physical tools and versatility are elite, his tape shows he sometimes struggles with crisp, precise route patterns, which can affect his timing and ability to create space against top-tier defenders. Improving this aspect would help him maximize his potential as a receiving threat at the next level.

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Colston Loveland (Michigan)​

Best - Receiving Skills
Loveland has an exceptional ability as a receiver. He has a rare combination of size, agility, and soft hands that can be relied upon in high pressure situations. His precise route-running and knack for adjusting mid-air allow him to secure contested catches and create separation against defenders, making him a true matchup nightmare in the passing game.

Worst - Blocking
While Loveland is an elite receiver with tremendous catching skills and route-running, his technique in run blocking and pass protection is less refined. He sometimes struggles to sustain blocks and against stronger, more physical defenders this weakness is magnified. This will limit his effectiveness in some offensive schemes that require tight ends to contribute significantly in the run game.

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Harold Fannin Jr (Bowling Green)​

Best - Route Running
Despite playing at a smaller school, Fannin has proven he can create separation and consistently get open in tight coverage. His precise, crisp breaks and savvy use of body positioning allow him to consistently beat defenders and become a dominant receiving threat, even in contested situations. His 2024 season was truly eye-popping and doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

Worst - Strength
Fannin’s biggest weakness is his limited size and play strength, which seriously impact his effectiveness as an in-line blocker. While he excels in route running and receiving, he struggles to consistently win against larger, more physical defenders in press coverage or in power blocking situations. This limitation means he’s better suited to roles that emphasize his receiving ability rather than being relied on as a traditional, every-down tight end in blocking schemes. At barely 240 pounds, Fannin is more like an oversized wide receiver than he is a tight end.

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Mason Taylor (LSU)​

Best - Route Running
Taylor is another exceptional route-running technician is this year’s tight end class. He demonstrates highly advanced techniques in manipulating defenders through subtle head fakes and tempo changes, allowing him to create separation effectively and cleanly. This skill set enables him to find soft spots in zone coverage and thanks to his high football IQ he’s able to adjust his routes based on defensive leverage, making him a reliable target in the passing game.

Worst - Burst
Taylor has a serious issue when it comes down to explosiveness. While he is a solid all-around tight end, he doesn’t possess the top-tier burst that would make him a true mismatch against faster linebackers and safeties in coverage. This will limit his role in the NFL as more of a possession-style tight end in certain strategic packages rather than a dynamic playmaker. His experience and lack of targets at LSU may have been down to the fact the team’s coaches knew he had trouble beating faster defenses.

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Elijah Arroyo (Miami) ​

Best - Yards After Catch
Arroyo’s most elite trait is his yards-after-catch (YAC) skills. He has a rare combination of size, agility, and balance that allows him to break tackles and pick up extra yardage after securing the ball. His physicality makes him difficult to bring down, and he excels at turning short or intermediate catches into big gains, making him a dangerous weapon in open space. Don’t expect to see him dancing or skipping around defenders, this is more of head down and drive YAC skill.

Worst - Medicals
This isn’t just extensive, it’s all about the ACL issues. Consecutive seasons with season ending ACL injuries, and then in this year’s Senior Bowl he had another set back which prevented him from doing any major testing at the combine, other than the bench press.

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Gunnar Helm (Texas)​

Best - Hands
Helm has some exceptional hands and ball skills in this year’s tight end class. He consistently demonstrates the ability to secure catches reliably, even in contested situations, making him a dependable target in the passing game. His proficiency in boxing out defenders and effectively using his body to shield the ball enhances his effectiveness, particularly in red-zone scenarios. In his four years at Texas he registered just two drops from 95 targets.

Worst - Athleticism
Helm is very limited with his athleticism, particularly in terms of speed and explosiveness. His combine really highlighted this issue and he ended with a RAS score of just 4.32. This limitation affects his ability to stretch the field vertically and create separation from defenders, making it challenging for him to be a consistent deep threat. Additionally, his route tree is somewhat limited which may restrict his versatility in the passing game. Improving his route-running precision and expanding his repertoire could help mitigate these concerns and enhance his effectiveness as a receiver.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-top-tight-ends-tyler-warren-colston-loveland

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

2025 NFL Draft: Cowboys' ideal draft haul in the first three rounds

Photo by Patrick Mulligan/Getty Images

What is the best way that the first 3 rounds can go for the Cowboys in your opinion?

Thanks to "Dallas Day" and the players the Dallas Cowboys are bringing in for their league allotted 30 pre-draft visits, more and more information is rolling in as to which players have piqued their interest in the 2025 NFL Draft set to kick off later this month (April 24-26). With that information, we can more accurately predict their potential draft selections.

Today, we attempt to predict what the team would view as being an ideal draft haul in the first three rounds. This is not necessarily what we would personally do, but what we think the Cowboys would do based on their current roster "need" and the players they have showed an interest in throughout the draft process.

Round 1, Pick 12​

WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona​

Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As the top-ranked wide receiver and a Top 10 talent this year, Tetairoa McMillan is the ideal WR to be Robin to CeeDee Lamb's Batman for the Cowboys. He's been the most productive WR in college football over the past two years, leading the FBS in receiving yards (2,721), first downs (112), and catches of 20+ yards (42).

McMillan's addition helps take pressure off of CeeDee Lamb as well as gives Dak Prescott another go-to target in the passing game. And, at 6'5", 215-pounds, his basketball and volleyball background should help Dallas in the red zone where they ranked as one of the worst offenses in the league last season.

Round 2, Pick 44​

DT Alfred Morris, Texas​

Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Cowboys still have a need along the interior of their defensive line at the 1-technique position. Mazi Smith has not lived up to his first-round draft status and there is currently nothing behind him on the depth chart. Alfred Collins is an ideal big-bodied, space-eater to upgrade this glaring hole.

At 6'5", 332-pounds with 34" arms and a 85" wingspan, Collins is a massive DT with natural power and coordination who would immediately improve the interior of Dallas' defensive line. His addition to clog up the middle and demand extra attention would have a ripple effect throughout the defense freeing up everyone around him to make plays.

Round 3, Pick 76​

RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee​

Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

The Cowboys did a solid job bringing in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency to add depth to the running back position, but neither one is really considered RB1 material at this point in their careers. Dallas should be looking to add a little more juice to the position and Dylan Sampson is an ideal fit.

Although he's a little undersized at 5'8", 200-pounds, and was just a one-year starter at Tennessee, Sampson checks nearly all the boxes Dallas is looking for at the position. He's a speedy back who is a homerun threat as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. Whether in a platoon or as the RB1 he should make an immediate impact as a rookie.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...tetairoa-mcmillan-dylan-sampson-alfred-morris

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Dallas Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: DE Nic Scourton

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

Here is our scouting report on Nic Scourton from Texas A&M

We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at defensive end Nic Scourton from Texas A&M.

Nic Scourton​

DE
Texas A&M Aggies
Junior
4-star recruit
6’3”
257 lbs

Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

History​

Nic Scourton, born on August 25, 2004, in Bryan, Texas, and attended Bryan High School. Over his final two seasons, he amassed 136 tackles and eight sacks. His performance earned him a spot in the All-American Bowl, showcasing the nation’s top high school talent. He was a consensus four-star recruit and committed to Purdue University in 2022.

In his freshman year, Scourton played in 14 games, recording 22 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and two sacks. His immediate contribution highlighted his readiness for top college competition.

Scourton’s sophomore year marked a breakout season. He led the Big Ten Conference with 10 sacks and tallied 50 total tackles, including 15 tackles for loss. His performance earned him Second Team All-Big Ten honors.

Seeking to play closer to home, Scourton transferred to Texas A&M University for his junior year. He started all 12 games, leading the Aggies with 14 tackles for loss and five sacks. He also recorded 37 total tackles, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. His performance earned him First-Team All-SEC honors.

2024 Statistics​

558 Defensive Snaps
37 Total Tackles
14 Tackles For Loss
6 Missed Tackles
22 Defensive Stops
36 Total Pressures
5 Sacks
2 Pass Breakups
1 Forced Fumble
1 Penalty

NFL Combine/Pro Day​

N/A

Awards​

First-team All-SEC (2024)
Second-team All-Big Ten (2023)

Scorecard​

Overall- 88.9
Speed- 82
Acceleration- 78
Agility- 80
Strength- 91
Tackling- 84
Pass Rush- 85
Run Defense- 84
Discipline- 96

THE GOOD​

• Scourton’s greatest talent is his diverse array of pass-rush moves.
• Has an effective chop, rip, and spin move, allowing him to consistently disrupt opposing offenses.
• He demonstrates solid physicality at the point of attack.
• Effective at utilizing his long arms and has powerful hands to gain leverage against blockers.
• Exhibits good block recognition and positioning, enabling him to effectively engage and shed blockers in run defense.
• Is relentless in pursuit of the ball carrier.
• Scourton maintains a high motor throughout plays, contributing to his effectiveness in both primary and secondary efforts.

TAPE TIME
DE Nic Scourton
Texas A&M

THE GOOD#scouting #NFLDraft #GigEm pic.twitter.com/UIUuGYJnAj

— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) April 1, 2025​

THE BAD​

• Refining his hand techniques could enhance his ability to disengage from blockers more efficiently.
• Improving his processing speed in identifying and reacting to run plays would bolster his defensive impact.
• Enhancing his initial burst and acceleration can make his pass-rushing more formidable.
• Scourton tends to depend heavily on his spin move during pass-rushing attempts.
• Scourton’s needs to work on his counter moves. His strategy can be all over the place at times.
• Plays with high pad level, which affects his ability to maintain leverage when trying to set the edge.

TAPE TIME
DE Nic Scourton
Texas A&M

THE BAD#scouting #NFLDraft #GigEm pic.twitter.com/r9TXoaLhAc

— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) April 1, 2025​

THE FIT​

Scourton is projected as a late first/early second-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft. His versatility allows him to fit as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme or as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 formation. He’s a powerful edge rusher with a relentless motor and an impressive ability to disrupt plays in both the pass and run game. He showcases a strong combination of hand strength, physicality, and a diverse pass-rush arsenal, making him a consistent backfield presence.

With continued development, particularly in technique and play recognition, Scourton has the potential to become a significant contributor to an NFL defense. He sometimes plays with a high pad level, which can impact his leverage and ability to set the edge against the run. His hand technique, while effective, could be more refined to disengage from blockers quicker. Additionally, his burst off the line and acceleration could use improvement to enhance his pass-rushing effectiveness against top-tier offensive tackles.

Scourton could be a solid fit for the Dallas Cowboys, particularly as a rotational edge rusher and potential long-term replacement for DeMarcus Lawrence. Dallas’ defensive requirements would allow Scourton to line up at defensive end, where his natural power and hand strength could be utilized effectively.

His ability to generate pressure and disrupt plays in the backfield aligns with the Cowboys’ aggressive pass-rushing philosophy. However, he would need to refine his run defense consistency to fit the team’s biggest weakness. With coaching and development, Scourton could thrive as a high-motor pass rusher alongside Micah Parsons, giving Dallas another explosive weapon on defense.

COMPARISON:​

Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints

BTB GRADE:​

40th

CONSENSUS RANKING:​

37th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ng-report-defensive-end-nic-scourton-texas-am

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Team meets with running back whose stock is rising

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Your Sunday morning Cowboys news.

Cowboys met with RB prospect ‘skyrocketing’ up NFL Draft boards - Randy Gurzi, SI.com​

Cowboys meet with a first-round talent running back not named Ashton Jeanty.

The Dallas Cowboys are meeting with potential draft picks this week as they’re hosting their top 30 visits and ’Dallas Day’ prospects. Not every name has been confirmed but some of the biggest names in the 2025 NFL Drafthave made their way to The Star in Frisco.

One of those players happens to be North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, who is skyrocketing up draft boards.

Seen as the consensus No. 2 back in this class, Hampton is ranked right behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. There’s not much separation, however, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz says the two are being compared to Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, who both went in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Schultz says both backs are expected to go early, which means Dallas would have to use pick No. 12 on Hampton. That is, unless they wanted to trade back and hope that he was still on the board.

Based on comments from head coach Brian Schottenheimer, it doesn’t seem likely the Cowboys would use such a high pick on a running back. They’re more likely to wait and pick a back on Day 2, especially since this class is loaded with talent.

Omarion Hampton would be a disastrous pick for the Cowboys at No. 12 overall - Marcus Mosher, The Landry Hat​

Here’s why Hampton may not be such a good idea early in the draft.

Taking Omarion Hampton at No. 12 would be a major reach by the Cowboys

Running back is widely considered one of the least valuable positions on the football field. The common belief among most GMs in the NFL is that teams should only take “Money Five” positions inside the top 20. And those five positions are quarterback, pass rusher, offensive tackle, wide receiver, and cornerback. If you stick to those five positions, you’ll usually end up with value in Round 1.

However, there is argument that can be made for Ashton Jeanty in Round 1. He is the No. 3 player on the consensus board and would be considered a major value at pick No. 12. Yes, he doesn’t play a money-five position, but he’s an elite talent who should be considered at that pick.

But the same can’t be said for Omarion Hampton, the standout running back from North Carolina. While most people in this class believe he is the second-best running back in the class, that isn’t a consensus opinion. And the gap between he and Jeanty is much bigger than Hampton and the next back.

Hampton is currently No. 29 on the consensus board with TreVeyon Henderson (37) and Quinshon Judkins (43) not far behind. Picking Hampton at No. 12 would mean not only are the Cowboys ignoring more important positions, but they would be reaching significantly on a lesser player.

It’s worth noting that Hampton is still a very good running back prospect who is worthy of being first-round pick. He’s got a really good combination of size, speed, and power, which is hard to find. Hampton has been productive each of the last two seasons and projects as workhorse back in the NFL right away.

3 most likely outcomes for the Cowboys first-round pick - Mark Heaney, Inside the Star​

If Dallas doesn’t look at running back with their first pick, where else could they go?

The Favorite: Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona

In the last week, the smoke around Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and the Cowboys has started to look more like fire. McMillan, 22, is the most likely prospect to head to Dallas right now. When you have every insider making the connection, the team bringing him in for a top-30 visit, and limited landing spots ahead of the Cowboys at 12, you’ve got an obvious match brewing quickly.

It’s no secret the wide receiver room needs a jolt, especially after veteran Brandin Cooks left for a Saints reunion, and McMillan is the best prospect at the position. An All-American and First-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2024, McMillan showcased what he would do with a star on his helmet with the Wildcats. I’m willing to bet that 84 receptions, 1,319 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns sounds good to Brian Schottenheimer right now.

His 2024 statistics aside, McMillan’s intangibles also make him an attractive prospect, as his 6’4″ 219 lb frame would bring a new element to Dallas’ offense. If you’re betting on the Cowboys first-round pick right now, your money should be on Tetairoa McMillan.

The Dark Horse: Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas

If McMillan isn’t the selection, that doesn’t mean it won’t be a wide receiver. Texas’ Matthew Golden is gaining serious momentum to be the next WR2 in Dallas. Originally a Houston Cougar, Golden transferred to the Longhorns before the 2024 season, and he surpassed all expectations. He led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, and was named Second-Team All-Big 12 in the process.It was originally supposed to be Isaiah Bond’s wide receiver room, but Golden took it over. It seems like that could happen in the draft as well, with the Houston native passing up McMillan.

Dallas’ interest in Golden is very real, and after running a 4.29 40-yard dash, his stock is higher than ever. If the Cowboys want him, it likely has to be with the 12th pick. The separation between Golden and McMillan is narrowing, so it may not even take a team selecting the Wildcat before Dallas for the Longhorn to be their top choice. He could be the WR1 in this draft class.

Cowboys, Schottenheimer having a developmental QB2 in Joe Milton is a big deal - Sean Martin​

Why trading for Joe Milton is so important for the Cowboys.

Through all the Dallas Cowboys have done to address their roster this offseason, questions remain on both the personnel and coaching side when it comes to how much this team has truly improved and is ready to compete in head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s first year. The Cowboys had been in a bit of a lull in adding new players, seemingly content with the state of their roster ahead of the draft, until Thursday when they swapped yet another day three compensatory pick for a player at a position of need. The Cowboys acquired former New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton, a 2024 sixth-round pick out of Tennessee, for a fifth-round pick. The Cowboys also picked up an additional seventh-round pick in the deal.

Dallas getting active in the player acquisition process again here early in April also provides the latest chance to discuss Brian Schottenheimer’s outlook for year one. After an extremely negative initial reaction to the Cowboys going with an internal candidate promoted from an offensive coordinator role after the Cowboys offense struggled so much on offense a year ago, Schottenheimer was able to put together an impressive staff that went a long way in earning some much needed fan trust. After an initial wave of free agent signings and trades though, there hasn’t been much to judge Schottenheimer by, and whether or not he is actually the right coach to lead this team into what will effectively be the start of Dak Prescott’s new contract is still a great uncertainty.

The Joe Milton trade doesn’t at all change the fact the Cowboys are built to move forward as Prescott’s team, and will go as far as he can take them with an offense still lacking an obvious solution to the run game. It does change the dynamic of an all-important room inside of The Star though, and one that Schottenheimer should naturally gravitate towards given his background. The Cowboys kept a very tight circle in the QB room under Mike McCarthy, who talked openly and often about his QB development school and how much he enjoyed keeping that as a constant between Prescott, Cooper Rush, and most recently Trey Lance as backups. Schottenheimer was on McCarthy’s staff for three years of his tenure, and made one of the very few internal hires on his first staff as HC for QB coach with Steve Shimko. Shimko comes from a similar rank as Schottenheimer, promoted from offensive assistant to QB coach. Maintaining the sanctity of the quarterbacks room is something Schottenheimer clearly wanted to keep in place, but adding Milton gives the Cowboys something new they have not had in the room in some time. Milton represents the first young, developmental, still potentially on-the-rise QB they’ve had as a backup in some time.

Trey Lance was supposed to bring some of these qualities, but the former first-round pick had already played in eight games and shown his clear strengths and weaknesses in all of them before arriving in Dallas. Milton only appeared in one game as a rookie, starting the last game of the regular season for the Patriots against the Bills, and winning 23-16 with 241 yards, a 75.9% completion rate, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown.

The dynamic of having a young QB like Milton in the organization now is an underrated move when it comes to evaluating the things many fans are desperate to get a read on Schottenheimer’s ability to coach. Intangibles like leadership, connecting with players, and making young players better. Joe Milton doesn’t need to become anything close to the QB of the future under Schottenheimer for this move to be a success, but seeing just how much the new head coach can get out of him, and what value he will provide in the understanding of a new scheme, is paramount. The way Prescott’s and Milton’s trajectory are lined up right now is also ideal. Milton can get better for the sake of becoming a reliable backup without any expectation to push Prescott as the established high-end starter. This dynamic breeds healthy competition and the type of teaching the Cowboys want between quarterbacks, as opposed to the often dysfunctional dynamic that develops between quarterbacks honestly competing for one starting job.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...draft-stock-omarion-hampton-tetairoa-mcmillan

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Less flashy picks Dallas should consider at 12

Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Notable headlines surrounding America’s team.

3 “boring” but sensible picks the Cowboys could make at 12th overall - Mario Herrera Jr, Inside The Star​

These names might not sell as many jerseys as an RB or WR, but they might be more impactful at 12.

OL Will Campbell, LSU

Offensive line isn’t the sexiest position to draft, but for the Cowboys, it might be the most important for the offense HC Brian Schottenheimer wants to run.

With RG Zack Martin retiring and questions surrounding Tyler Guyton’s development, Dallas desperately needs to reinforce offensive line.

OL Will Campbell fits the mold of what the Cowboys have historically valued up front: size, power, and a nasty streak.

At 6’6” and over 320 pounds, Campbell was a multi-year starter at LSU, facing top-tier SEC pass rushers and more than holding his own.

He may not test as the most athletic tackle in the class, but his technique and toughness are NFL-ready.

Drafting Campbell might not move the needle for fans wanting a splashy playmaker, but it could help keep Dak Prescott upright and open up holes for the run game — and that’s how you win in December and January.

3 draft prospects for Cowboys to “reach” for before their perceived pick range - K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire​

Don’t be afraid to get your guy.

Favorite Outside Top 50 pick for No. 44 - CB Darien Porter, Iowa State

By the time the Cowboys are back on the clock at No. 44, several players whom they likely assumed would be selected will still be available. That’s simply the nature of the second round and this year that may be a bigger group than normal. No matter, Porter would be a tremendous pick for them on Day 2. The sixth-year prospect will enter the league with a much more mature body than most of his counterparts, which may mean he doesn’t have as long a career as others, but he may not hit the dreaded rookie wall like a 22-year old. Porter played wideout until his fourth year, and his ball-hawking skills are transparent, just as his track speed is.

Adding him to the mix gives the Cowboys plenty of configuration options and fail safes depending on how things go with Trevon Diggs’ knee and Bland’s contract negotiations.

Awful Trey Lance trade shockingly may net Cowboys a great parting gift - Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat​

It’s better than nothing.

Harris tweeted that Lance “should” net Dallas a comp pick. A sixth-rounder is the most likely outcome, but it’s impossible to say at this point in the NFL calendar. For what it’s worth, Harris believes the Cowboys will get an additional fifth-rounder after losing Jourdan Lewis.

A sixth-round pick is nothing to write home about, but it’s better than nothing. “Nothing” is essentially what Lance contributed over his two years in North Texas.

While he started every preseason game in 2024, he appeared in just four regular-season games and his only start came in Week 18 last season. In total, Lance completed 25 of 41 passes (61.0%) for 266 yards and zero touchdowns to one interception in his four regular-season appearances.

It’s not like Lance stood out in preseason, either. His 65.0 PFF passing grade ranked 16th out of 25 QBs who dropped back to pass at least 50 times. He ranked 11th in completion rate and tied for the most interceptions with five.

2025 NFL Draft: Cowboys’ ideal draft haul in the first three rounds - Brian Martin, Blogging The Boys​

Seems like a plan.

Round 1, Pick 12

WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

As the top-ranked wide receiver and a Top 10 talent this year, Tetairoa McMillan is the ideal WR to be Robin to CeeDee Lamb’s Batman for the Cowboys. He’s been the most productive WR in college football over the past two years, leading the FBS in receiving yards (2,721), first downs (112), and catches of 20+ yards (42).

McMillan’s addition helps take pressure off of CeeDee Lamb as well as gives Dak Prescott another go-to target in the passing game. And, at 6’5”, 215-pounds, his basketball and volleyball background should help Dallas in the red zone where they ranked as one of the worst offenses in the league last season.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ll-darien-porter-trey-lance-tetairoa-mcmillan

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Can you guess this player who beat Dallas in today’s 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​

Sunday, April 6, 2025
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Friday, April 4, 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/2025/4/7/24402886/sb-nation-cowboys-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys draft: Cornerbacks the team should consider drafting on day two

Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Cowboys need cornerback help.

After losing Jourdan Lewis in free agency and Trevon Diggs unlikely to be ready for the start of the season, Dallas will need to find at least one starting level player at cornerback in this draft class. With Will Johnson and Jahdae Barron being the potential options at 12, we will take a look at some day two options for the Cowboys to improve the cornerback room.

Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina​

The Cowboys have a knack for drafting players coming off of injury in round two. Shavon Revel fits that mold here as he is currently recovering from an ACL tear he suffered early in the 2024 season. Revel checks a lot of the boxes that the Cowboys look for in their defensive backs.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 192-lbs, Revel has excellent length, coverage skills, and versatility to fit into man and zone-schemes. Revel was considered a first-round talent coming into the season, before suffering the ACL injury in week three. Revel has seen limited reps in the slot, but with a need at outside corner with Diggs currently rehabbing, the former East Carolina corner makes a ton of sense if he is on the board at 44.

I think ECU's Shavon Revel has been forgotten a bit. He's a Round 1 player all day if his recovery is on-schedule.

- 6'2", ~33" arms, 4.4 40, 11' broad at ECU camp
- Twitched-up, disciplined in press
- Good route vision in off-man, zone
- Explosive, tenacious run support splicer pic.twitter.com/3W5uwYuQoc

— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) April 4, 2025​

Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss​

One of the best options for the Cowboys with their second-round pick is Ole Miss CB Trey Amos. Amos, a 23-year old senior, is one of the top graded cornerbacks in this class that could be a border-line first-rounder.

Amos has excellent size, length, and athleticism at the position. While he did not show many ball skills or ball production until 2024, he did show some growth in that area of his game throughout the 2024 season. Like Revel, Amos checks a lot of Will McClay’s boxes for cornerbacks and his scheme versatility makes him an intriguing candidate to fit into the Matt Eberflus defense.

Trey Amos' field/route awareness + PBUs from this year. The IQ and instincts jump out drastically in his reps pic.twitter.com/XesU5Fk6Bx

— Football Digest (@FoootballDigest) March 26, 2025​

Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame​

Like Shavon Revel, Benjamin Morrison was getting a ton of first-round buzz heading into the season before injuries quieted a lot of the buzz. When healthy, Morrison has some of the best cornerback tape in this class. Morrison proved in his two healthy seasons that he can be a lockdown cover corner with elite ball skills.

Morrison’s hip injuries muddy things a bit, but if he checks out medically he is another example of a first-round caliber player falling into the second round due to injuries suffered during the 2024 season. Morrison does not have the elite length that Revel and Amos have, but his coverage skills, physicality, and fluid movement skills are some of the best in the class.

Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison… I forgot how much I loved his ‘23 tape. Here’s 5 plays vs. OSU ‘23. Step-for step w/ MHJ but gives one up. Then watch how he responds on the rest of game!

Not biggest, nor fastest. But DAMN good football player. Instincts, leverage, ball… pic.twitter.com/oxvBCKxU2S

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) February 24, 2025​

Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State​

All the names listed above are more boundary corner fits, but Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish could be the Jourdan Lewis replacement the Cowboys so desperately need. Despite his lack of size, Parrish has relatively good length and pairs it with excellent coverage skills out of the slot.

Parrish spent most of his time on the outside in Kansas State’s defense, but did play over 200 snaps in the slot over his three years with the Wildcats. Parrish is super athletic, explosive, and has the technique to be a starter from day one for the Cowboys in the slot that has plenty of experience and success playing outside in the BIG12.

Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish
Talent
Recognition pic.twitter.com/SE61IgdlOX

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) December 11, 2024​

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...vel-trey-amos-benjamin-morrison-jacob-parrish

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

BTB Monday Musings: Offense needs to be the pick in the first round

Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images

It makes sense for the Cowboys to target offense in the first round of the NFL draft.

The NFL Draft is just two weeks away and when it gets here it is going to divide fan bases everywhere because of what each and every team does.

When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys we all obviously have our preferences for how the team should handle the weekend overall, but there is no question that the most valuable resource at their disposal is their first-round pick which sits at number 12 overall.

The Cowboys have been fairly active in free agency to this point and have even executed three trades, all things that are characteristically unlike them. We have seen the team address, even if anything from just a quantitative standpoint, all perceived positions of weakness except for one - wide receiver.

Perhaps the Cowboys are waiting to draft someone like Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and that is why they have largely ignored the position. While receiver makes the most sense the offense as a whole could still use an infusion of sorts even if it is along the offensive line or dare I even say... at running back.

While I am personally against the idea of a running back at 12 overall I think it is fair to say that if we diluted an argument down to whether or not the team should go offense or defense in the first round then the former is by far the better choice.

For our Monday Musing discussion here on the blog we want to know what you think... should the Cowboys go offense or defense (if we had to cast blankets that wide) in the first round?

Let us know in the comments down below!

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...fense-needs-to-be-the-pick-in-the-first-round

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

4 Cowboys with a lot to lose in upcoming draft

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

The draft is going to change a lot about the Cowboys.

As it does every year, the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft will see many dreams come true for the next wave of rookies. But inevitably, it will also also create some nightmares for current veteran players whose job security could be threatened by new arrivals. Today, we’ll look at four significant Dallas Cowboys who might suffer from the additions of younger or superior talent.

CBs Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland​

It is widely projected that Dallas will target a cornerback early in this draft, even as high as the first round. The higher the investment, the more likely it is that the Cowboys are preparing to move from one of their high-profile veterans.

Diggs is coming off two tough years wrecked by his 2023 injury. After his 11-interception season in 2021, he remained an excellent overall corner but then got injured in Week 2 of the 2023 season. While he did return to play in 11 games last year, Diggs was clearly still not all the way back. There was also talk that the team was not happy with how he approached his medical care and rehab, potentially limiting him in 2025 as well.

Bland also just had a down year following a training camp foot injury. His record-breaking performance in 2023 with five touchdowns off interceptions was far from duplicated; no turnovers of any kind in the seven games he played last season. But Bland did look better in coverage by the end of the year, leaving hope that he can get back to his previous form.

The big difference between these two is where they are in their contracts. Diggs has four years left on the large deal he signed after 2022, while Bland is entering the final year of just his rookie contract. After this year, Diggs can be released for over $12 million in cap savings and Bland becomes an unrestricted free agent.

There was already speculation that Dallas would have to choose between one of their star corners in 2026, not wanting to pay both top-10 money. If they were to draft Will Johnson or Jahdae Barron in the first round, or one of several corners projected to go in the second round, it would indicate the intention to part with either Diggs or Bland after this season. Paying to keep both of them, plus putting a significant pick on a third corner, would be more investment at one position than the Cowboys typically prefer.

WR Jalen Tolbert​

Right now, Tolbert is Dallas’ other starting receiver by default. That could still be true if we get out of the first three rounds without a new addition. But if Arizona’s Tet McMillan makes it to the 12th pick, it’s highly likely that he’ll become a Cowboy. Dallas could also trade down with the thought of targeting Matthew Golden, Luther Burden, or Emeka Egbuka.

There are still players on Friday night who could come in and challenge Tolbert for WR2, but it’s not a given. Even some of the first-round guys we just named are considered better Robins than Batmans, and Tolbert has three years of experience going for him in any competition.

At the very least, Tolbert’s odds of being ousted by a veteran free agent are getting lower. Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper are the only ones left with much respect on their names. Allen is about to turn 33 and Cooper has a checkered past, meaning Dallas may not be interested in either. So while he’ll probably still be WR2 when the draft starts, Tolbert could easily fall down the depth chart by the end of the first night.

TE Jake Ferguson​

If the Cowboys don’t go with a CB or WR in the first round, and if a certain Boise State running back is also gone by the 12th pick, there’s a good chance that Penn State’s Tyler Warren will be the best offensive playmaker on the board. If the Cowboys weren’t able to add more firepower at RB or WR, it could make sense for them to do it through a blue-chip tight end.

That would certainly be bad news for Jake Ferguson’s job security in Dallas. It was rough enough when they used a second-round pick on Luke Schoonmaker in 2023, which Ferguson responded to by emerging as a top-10 TE that year. Even after his injury and down season in 2024, Ferguson is still generally considered the Cowboys’ best tight end. But if they add Warren, Ferguson would be relegated to a lesser role in a contract year. He might even become trade bait.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...diggs-daron-bland-jalen-tolbert-jake-ferguson

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys defense: Comparing front seven additions/subtractions from 2024 to now

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has already made his presence felt in retooling the Cowboys DL and LB groups.

For the third consecutive season, the Dallas Cowboys will have a new defensive coordinator. Matt Eberflus returning to Dallas after being fired mid-season as head coach of the Chicago Bears last year is actually one of the more familiar faces on the Cowboys staff, considering the Cowboys also have a new head coach, offensive coordinator, and new positions coaches at nearly every spot. This hasn’t slowed the Cowboys down one bit in responding to how last offseason’s inactivity caused so much regression, with trades and free agent acquisitions shaking things up significantly going into Schottenheimer’s first year.

Where Schottenheimer will call plays for an offense that is about to go into the draft still with major needs at wide receiver and running back, Eberflus’ past experience with the team has allowed them to dig in even more on the defensive side of the ball to build around cornerstones like Micah Parsons.

Osa Odighizuwa became one of the Cowboys most important internal free agents to retain as a centerpiece to Eberflus’ defensive line, one that will be expected to bring pressure without a dependency on blitzing/stunting the team has needed at times. Impressively, the Cowboys were able to get this deal done early with Odighizuwa and make him a mainstay of the defensive line for years to come. They have also added veteran DT Solomon Thomas and edge rushers Dante Fowler and Payton Turner.

The Cowboys defensive line will feature a blend of new and old faces thanks to these moves, but the linebacker position has a chance to look almost entirely different. A former Eberflus defender with the Bears, Jack Sanborn, was signed to a one-year deal around the same time the Cowboys traded for yet another former first-round pick in Kenneth Murray. Second-year player Marist Liufau is likely the most promising player with any past experience to continue seeing snaps alongside these new additions to start the year. DeMarvion Overshown is a question mark for 2025 at this point.

When looking at the Cowboys skill positions, offensive line, and secondary under this same lens of comparing last offseason to this current one, the results so far have been mostly humbling. Sure, there are more moves to talk about, but through all of the noise the same questions at a lot of the same positions that held this team back a year ago persist. This is still a team that is looking to find players that can help them win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball more, which did bode well when looking at some of the promising players still on the rise expected to start on the offensive line. Will the Cowboys defensive line under Eberflus, and front seven as a whole, be able to have a similar expectation in year one? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Defensive Line​

2024 Additions: Marshawn Kneeland, Justin Rogers

2024 Losses: Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Neville Gallimore, Johnathan Hankins

2025 Additions: Solomon Thomas, Dante Fowler, Payton Turner

2025 Losses: Chauncey Golston, DeMarcus Lawrence

Despite this being yet another position group the Cowboys lost a lot from last offseason without doing much to replace, the way they’ve rebounded to still maintain some depth up front is noteworthy. Both Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler followed former DC Dan Quinn within the division to the Washington Commanders in 2024, but Fowler is now back with the Cowboys. He is joined by two other former first-round picks in Payton Turner and Solomon Thomas as additions for 2025.

Whether or not the Cowboys have harder players to replace between 2024 or this offseason with the departures of Chauncey Golston and DeMarcus Lawrence is a toss up. Lawrence was obviously a great and consistent player throughout his career in Dallas, and Golston turned his career year in 2024 into a FA contract with the Giants, but also losing Hankins and Gallimore last offseason created a real depth issue. The Cowboys losing depth at defensive tackle last year was not expected to be met with corresponding moves at a position group they’ve devalued for a very long time.

As a result, Zimmer’s defense was certainly pushed around up front more than desired and failed to patch up the struggles against the run that marked the final year of Quinn’s tenure. Re-signing Odighizuwa was just the first sign the Cowboys finally want to get better on the defensive interior, and adding Thomas was a great complementary move. Dallas also saw promising growth from Mazi Smith as their starting 1-technique moving forward, but will go into the draft needing at least one more player capable of joining the rotation at this spot early. Justin Rogers is still here, but only after the 2024 seventh-round pick was cut and spent the year on the Bengals practice squad. Rogers re-signed with the Cowboys last December. He is a player that showed some promise in preseason action in his first stint with Dallas, but also one that can easily be replaced should the team prioritize the position group enough to target it on day one or two of the draft.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

As for the Cowboys edge rushers, this group is always going to be defined by Micah Parsons. This isn’t at all to say the players around Parsons don’t matter, and that looking for the team to have a real plan to surround their franchise player on defense isn’t something to watch closely for, but Parsons is the definition of a star that gives you a chance to be successful every time he’s on the field. He is a one-man game-plan wrecker on the right day for an opposing offense. Parsons teaming back up with Dante Fowler is exciting, as Fowler had a total of ten sacks in two seasons from 2022-23 in Dallas. Fowler may never be the most consistent, technically sound, or physically overpowering rusher, but this is a savvy defender with a knack for getting off blocks and finishing at the quarterback whenever given the chance. He can go a long way in helping the Cowboys replace the production from DeMarcus Lawrence at defensive end. Fowler and Parsons are both players that can rush from stand up positions and attack gaps, which for now is a lesser talked about benefit to the team seemingly upgrading at defensive tackle. These DTs occupying space and blocks inside could directly lead to more pressures for speed rushers and blitzing linebackers.

Of course, the flow of any given game will determine how much the Cowboys can be in these specific pass rush situations, and getting to them by being better fundamentally as a front four should be a goal early for Eberflus. This is where players like Sam Williams returning from ACL and MCL surgery, Marshawn Kneeland, and Payton Turner will need to step up and find some consistency.

Like we prefaced before going into this exercise, simply calling any position group from last year until now for the Cowboys even a stalemate with the potential to be improved is a bit of a win. Eberflus more than has the pieces in place for this to be a reality on the defensive line, and being the latest defensive coordinator to get his hands on an all-world player like Micah Parsons certainly helps.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Linebacker​

2024 Additions: Eric Kendricks, Marist Liufau

2024 Losses: Leighton Vander Esch

2025 Additions: Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray

2025 Losses: None (Eric Kendricks TBD, still a free agent)

Looking at the Cowboys depth chart from 2024 to now at linebacker, right away there is another noticeable deviation from the pattern that’s been a constant at nearly every other spot. There is a significant acquisition from the 2024 offseason to talk about! Eric Kendricks represented one of just three outside players brought in via free agency a year ago, and was the only one to make it until the end of the season.

His reunion with another former DC in Zimmer went as well as the Cowboys could have asked for. Kendricks’ veteran presence really kept the defense together at times, giving this team at least something they could feel good about on gamedays and have a chance to compete with. At 32 years old, chasing down plays and making tackles in space still came relatively easily for Kendricks.

Having Kendricks as the lone bright spot of last offseason, but not on the roster as of now going into 2025, could have easily made this yet another position of great concern for the Cowboys. What they have done to mitigate this is recreate something very similar to the Kendricks signing under Eberflus. Just like Kendricks had experience playing for Zimmer prior to signing with America’s Team, Jack Sanborn comes over as a free agent having played for Eberflus his first two seasons in the league with the Bears. The undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin even shares some similarities to Kendricks in play style with his ability to read opposing offenses, line up in the right spots, and avoid blocks to make plays downhill.

The only thing holding back the Cowboys linebacking corps from being an obvious point of improvement from last offseason to now is that DeMarvion Overshown will miss significant time at the start of 2025 yet again. After missing his entire rookie season, Overshown was fantastic in 13 games for the Cowboys last year before being hurt again. His absence going into next season makes the trade for Kenneth Murray more of a necessity compared to a luxury for Dallas to add yet another skilled linebacker with first-round draft status.

The easiest way the Cowboys can make linebacker a spot of improvement is to continue seeing development from second-year prospect Marist Liufau. Despite the team being out of contention for most of the year, Liufau played with an intensity that jumped off the screen every single time he stepped on the field as a rookie. This is a player that should easily still find a role even with the additions of Murray and Sanborn carrying the expectations that both new faces will play plenty of snaps right away.

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

The Cowboys are no strangers to asking their own promising young players to take the next step as a huge part of their team-building approach. Despite fans looking for any slight signs this will change entirely under Schottenheimer, this premise is not going away, and Liufau is a great example why. Not only is Liufau a player poised to help this defense significantly in year two, but he will have the benefit of a DC that worked with the likes of Sean Lee and Bruce Carter previously in Dallas, getting the absolute most out of nearly every linebacker that came through here. It is natural to get more excited about new players as opposed to established ones as fans, but coaches have every right to see things differently. Players already established that are eager to take to coaching and help set a standard quickly are worth their weight in gold to new coaches, and the pairing of Eberflus and Liufau together is an exciting one for these reasons.

The Cowboys have plenty of ways they are going to potentially surprise opponents with different looks, schemes, players, and coaches in 2025. The depth chart at linebacker has completely been turned on its head in just one offseason under Eberflus.

Just how much this group can ultimately be the reason the Cowboys win more than seven games won’t be determined until the games start to mean something, but the arrow is pointing up, for not only the Cowboys linebackers, but the front seven as a whole to really help Dallas establish a much-needed identity as a football team going forward. The work they have done this offseason at both position groups to make this a reality is worthy of a lot of praise, despite not having a long-term deal in place yet with Micah Parsons.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...s-subtractions-2024-roster-trades-free-agents

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys draft polls: Should Tyler Warren be a consideration? Possible o-line adjustments?

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Asking for your take on these Cowboys’ draft scenarios

This week, we present five newly crafted draft-related questions, all obviously focused on the Dallas Cowboys. Cast your vote on each and leave your opinions in the comment section.

If TE Tyler Warren is available at pick 12, should Dallas make that pick? ​

Last season, the Cowboys tight end group caught one touchdown between them, and that was by Luke Schoonmaker. Jake Ferguson had his struggles last year and Brevyn Spann-Ford was a clear blocking tight end with little to offer in the receiving game. Tyler Warren is a huge blue-chip player and one of the best all-around tight ends we’ve seen come through the draft in recent years. We all know Dak Prescott loves to utilize his tight ends and Warren would be a huge target on offense to play with, certainly in the redzone where they struggled massively last year.

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Does the injury history with CB Shavon Revel make him too much of a risk given the injuries last year at comeback for Dallas?​

Some people are asking whether the East Carolina standout cornerback is worth a first-round pick? Shavon Revel is a talent at the position that’s for sure, but with only one full season under his belt in college he comes with some serious concerns. Last year, Revel missed most of the season with a torn ACL and will more than likely unavailable for the start of the season. With the injury issues the defensive back position had last year for Dallas, is it worth another medical issue joining the rotation, or is the talent just that good?

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Does the acquisition of QB Joe Milton III mean Dallas is out the market for drafting a QB on Day 3 of the draft? ​

The Cowboys traded with the New England Patriots for the Tennessee Volunteers quarterback. Joe Milton III now sits second on the depth chart for Dallas, but does that preclude the team from drafting a quarterback late in the draft?

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If the Cowboys drafted OL Will Campbell at pick 12 where is he better suited to play?​

There’s plenty of talk Will Campbell from LSU could be available to pick for Dallas in the first round. He’s an athletic monster that is so difficult to shift in both the passing and running game. But his reach and wingspan are a huge concern for Campbell coming unit he pros. With such short arm length, could he be the Zack Martin replacement?

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Should the Cowboys draft a center in this year’s draft and put Cooper Beebe at right guard?​

Sticking with the Zack Martin replacement talk, some people have suggested that moving Cooper Beebe into the right guard position could herald big positive results. Beebe was a ray of sunlight on an otherwise cloudy season for the Dallas offensive line. He was one of the most productive players and managed to get his snapping perfected. Moving him would put the right guard back as a safe position but would mean drafting a center in this year’s draft.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...r-beebe-will-campbell-shavon-revel-joe-milton

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Why the Joe Milton trade is a much better deal for the Cowboys than the move for Trey Lance

Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Joe Milton trade last week really was incredible.

It’s important to have a quality backup quarterback. The Dallas Cowboys have learned this lesson the hard way a time or two. There have been many times over the last two decades where the team has been put in a bad spot due to not having a viable backup quarterback on the roster. And with Dak Prescott missing time in four of the last five seasons, it’s not wise to head into the new season without a backup plan.

The Cowboys have relied on Cooper Rush for the last few years, and he’s been decent. The team has tried to get better but hasn’t had much success in doing so. They rolled the dice when they traded for Trey Lance, the former no. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance was an incredibly raw quarterback when he entered the league and only threw 102 passes before the San Francisco 49ers decided to give up on him. The brain-trust at The Star believed there was still something there and gave the 49ers a fourth-round pick in exchange for the last two years of his rookie deal.

Because the Cowboys acquired him in late August of 2023, he only had one training camp with the team. He never saw the field that season and only saw any real action in one game over his two seasons with the team. He finished his career in Dallas going 25 for 41 for 266 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Needless to say, the Lance trade didn’t work out so well for the Cowboys.

Not to be discouraged, the Cowboys are making another trip to the ‘pet sematary’, hoping things will work out differently this time. The team has given it another go by making a trade with the New England Patriots for last year’s sixth-round pick, Joe Milton.

Things are different this time. At least, that is what we want to believe. Milton doesn’t have the draft pedigree of Lance, but his inexperience as a pocket passer is evident which is why he was a late-round pick. The Patriots invested their third-overall pick in Drake Maye last year, and they bought some insurance in the form of Joshua Dobbs in free agency, so it was going to be a tight squeeze to keep Milton on the team as he would serve only as a development guy to keep in their back pocket.

But now, he’s in the Cowboys' pocket. For a fanbase that’s had to witness the underwhelming arm strength of Rush over the last few years, the rocket arm of Milton is quite intriguing. But we shouldn’t ignore that the Patriots had him in their clubhouse for a year and were perfectly okay with giving him up for almost nothing. The Cowboys gave up a late fifth-round pick but got an early seventh-rounder in return, making the cost of acquiring Milton equivalent to a sixth-round pick.

The gist of it is that Milton needs a lot of work. He’s a big guy with a big arm who will elude pressure and make some fun plays, but to believe he’s a guy who can step in and keep the offense humming, that’s a little optimistic. Entering the league, Milton had several passing deficiencies that made him not quite ready for Sunday action. The biggest knock has been throwing catchable balls. He didn’t throw his guys open or have a soft touch, as he just rifled his passes to his receivers. He would tip off where he was going with the ball, allowing defenders a chance to contest his throws. While he did a good job taking care of the ball, he wasn’t a guy who could make accurate throws down the field. During his last year in college, he completed just 38.6 percent of his throws beyond 10 yards.

But that was his college days. At the pro level, Milton is off to a good start, at least in terms of what he’s done on the field. He didn’t play in the first 16 games last year but finally got his chance in the season finale, and he made it count. Milton looked fantastic. He finished the game 22 for 29 for 241 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also had a touchdown with his legs.

It’s one game, which we know doesn’t tell us a whole lot, but in that one game, Milton was sharp. He was decisive with the football, unnerved by pressure, and put the ball in perfect spots. He completed his first 11 passes of the game and looked very comfortable in the pocket. And while he didn’t take any deep shots, he was on target with the short and intermediate stuff. A couple of times, he wowed the crowd with his elusiveness, showing great composure and using that arm strength to make big plays. Again, it’s just one game, but it’s hard not to at least wonder if this could manifest into something larger.

The Cowboys will enter the upcoming season with a new project quarterback, but things are different this time. The cost was way less and the team gets three years of player control instead of just two. They’ll also have more than just one training camp to work with him. What Milton ultimately becomes is unknown, but credit the Cowboys for trying and doing so at a low cost. For New England to be so quick to cut him loose certainly brings about some concerns, but at the very least, pre-season just got a whole lot more interesting for the Cowboys.

I know it's only one game, but Joe Milton looked fantastic in his NFL debut last year. He hung in the pocket, made good decisions, and rifled the ball right where it needed to go. There are legitimate reasons for Cowboys fans to be excited by this move. pic.twitter.com/RXXHJk3IlJ

— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) April 6, 2025​

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...e-dak-prescott-cooper-rush-backup-quarterback

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Trades and surprise positions of need all still in play for Dallas in draft

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

All the Dallas Cowboys news that’s fit to print.

2025 NFL Draft: Giants, Browns and Titans headline nine teams that need to ace their picks this April - Eric Edholm, NFL.com​

It is fair to say the Cowboys still have a long way to go to be competitive in Brian Schottenheimer’s first year.

Rank 8 Dallas Cowboys

Total draft picks: 10

It has been a strange few years for the Cowboys. The offseason passivity is nothing new — just ask Dallas fans about it — but that has led to growing frustration, especially after the rival Eagles dominated in the Super Bowl. A coaching change from Mike McCarthy to Brian Schottenheimer has only muddied the waters, even if it turns out to be the right move.

Taking care of the team’s own stars has been a necessary measure, and that effort continues as the Cowboys try to lock up Micah Parsons long term with a contract that likely will set a record for non-QBs. So far, the most interesting moves the Cowboys have made have been of the low-risk, potentially high-reward variety, such as buying low on former higher picks like Kenneth Murray Jr., Kaiir Elam, Javonte Williams and Solomon Thomas and trading for Joe Milton. Expecting all those additions to hit would be specious, at best. The Cowboys still have some sizable holes on both sides of the ball. On defense, they might need more run stoppers and help in the secondary. On offense, they could use playmakers at running back and receiver.

The Eagles and Commanders are the current heavyweights of the division, while the Giants signed Russell Wilson and figure to be big players in the draft. The Cowboys must find ways to add talent between now and August to give Schottenheimer a chance Year 1.

Cowboys predicted to make surprise pick to push former first-rounder - Randy Gurzi, SI.com​

The Cowboys not addressing defense at all in the first three rounds may be a surprise, but a haul of WR, RB, and OT is one possible path.

2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton is slated to hold down the left tackle position, but his rookie campaign was full of ups and downs. Dallas is hopeful he can find more consistency in year two, but they have no backup plan with Chuma Edoga leaving in NFL free agency.

That’s why Athlon Sport’s Luke Easterling has the Cowboys targeting Jackson Slater in his latest 4-round NFL mock draft.

Easterling has Dallas taking the Sacramento State offensive tackle at No. 76 overall, with Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan going to the Cowboys at pick No. 12 and Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson at No. 44.

Slater has climbed draft boards as of late, which started when he held his own during the Senior Bowl. In addition to his strength and technical skill, scouts like his versatility. Slater played all over the line, including center, making him an ideal backup.

As a Round 3 pick, however, the Cowboys would like to see Slater develop into a starting-caliber player. Even if this accomplishes nothing more than pushing Guyton to reach his potential.

4 Cowboys with a lot to lose in upcoming draft - Jess Haynie, Blogging The Boys​

It feels like the days of Jalen Tolbert being high on the depth chart at WR could be coming to an end after the draft.

WR Jalen Tolbert

Right now, Tolbert is Dallas’ other starting receiver by default. That could still be true if we get out of the first three rounds without a new addition. But if Arizona’s Tet McMillan makes it to the 12th pick, it’s highly likely that he’ll become a Cowboy. Dallas could also trade down with the thought of targeting Matthew Golden, Luther Burden, or Emeka Egbuka.

There are still players on Friday night who could come in and challenge Tolbert for WR2, but it’s not a given. Even some of the first-round guys we just named are considered better Robins than Batmans, and Tolbert has three years of experience going for him in any competition.

At the very least, Tolbert’s odds of being ousted by a veteran free agent are getting lower. Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper are the only ones left with much respect on their names. Allen is about to turn 33 and Cooper has a checkered past, meaning Dallas may not be interested in either. So while he’ll probably still be WR2 when the draft starts, Tolbert could easily fall down the depth chart by the end of the first night.

How soon is too soon for the Cowboys to pick a DT in the 2025 NFL draft? - Reid Hanson, The Cowboys Wire​

The Cowboys of old would likely feel set at DT going into the draft with Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas, but the new Schottenheimer and Matt Eberflus staff could see it differently.

Defensive tackle happens to be a major need on the Cowboys this offseason. The first month of free agency has done little to address this need making the upcoming draft Dallas’ best way to take steps forward in their defensive interior. If positions like receiver, cornerback, defensive end and possibly offensive tackle are all taking priority, defensive tackle looks to lose out big in 2025.

There’s no reason not to trust what Schottenheimer has been telling reporters.

His idea of targeting gamechangers early seems to mesh with the front office’s tendencies of the past. Based on comments speaking directly to Dallas’ first round pick, No. 12 overall, the Cowboys are categorizing this early selection separately from previous first-round picks that have fallen in the back portion of the draft. It stands to reason their outside-in strategy applies predominantly to that No. 12 pick and doesn’t necessarily prevent them from addressing an inside position as soon as Day 2.

The 2025 draft class is rich in DT talent and should feature significant role players deep into Round 3. 1-techs typically slip in drafts because they are more run-focused and one-dimensional than their 3-tech counterparts. Since the Cowboys are specifically, but not exclusively, in the market for someone who can play 1-tech, it speaks well to their ability to find one in the middle parts of the draft.

A look at the profiles from this years draft class versus last years (per @fball_insights) gives you an idea of how great this years DT prospects are.

There's a reason why 41 DTs were invited to the combine in 2025, and just 25 were in 2024.

Deep & loaded class. pic.twitter.com/xv4kbjIWLY

— Tristan Duarte (@Trisduar1) February 27, 2025​

Dallas Cowboys pull off huge trade in latest two-round NFL Mock Draft and land unpopular first round prospect - Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports​

The Cowboys trading back for tackle Tyler Guyton last year made the pick more popular, and the same could happen with trading back from 12 to take a running back this time.

Adams’ prediction? The Cowboys strike a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And it’s quite a profitable one as Dallas lands a 83rd overall and the Steelers’ 2026 second-round pick while moving back from 12th to 21st.

As for the Cowboys? They end up taking an unpopular route and land RB Quinshon Judkins, making him the third player at his position taken in the Draft. Below is Adams’ breakdown of the pick:

The Cowboys missing out on the top two RBs in the class led them to make a big trade-down in this mock. But I still think RB would be a position to watch for. Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins is a player who has gained a lot of first-round buzz over the past few weeks. The league is high on this RB class, and the need across the league at the position could very well lead to more hearing their names called in round one than people realize. Judkins would pencil in as the Cowboys’ day-one starter and has true three-down bell-cow potential.

Picking a first-round running back not named Ashton Jeanty or Omarion Hampton would be as controversial as it gets. But what we know is the Cowboys are expected to emphasize the run game under head coach Brian Schottenheimer and we are very much aware that right now, they don’t have a proven starter on the depth chart.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...t-tyler-guyton-quinshon-judkins-jalen-tolbert

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Can you guess this Texas college player 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​

Monday, April 7, 2025
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Saturday, April 5, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
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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/2025/4/8/24403656/sb-nation-cowboys-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

BTB Tuesday Take: Cowboys throwback helmet is not that great

Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

How do you feel about the Cowboys throwback helmet specifically?

Welcome to the Tuesday edition of our daily thread/prompts here at Blogging The Boys. In case you have not noticed by now we have dubbed these as “Tuesday Take” days which means we offer a bit of a take on something.

For today I am going to maybe ruffle a few feathers. Let me say that I absolutely love any and all uniform permutations that the Dallas Cowboys have to offer. There is no bad look that the team ever deploys.

But if I am being fully honest with you all, the throwback helmet itself is not that great. I adore the throwback uniforms and am thrilled that they have returned to our lives for the Thanksgiving Day game, but the helmet (while obviously perfect in a matching sense) is a bit of a miss for me.

My stance centers around the idea that I just love the silver helmet so much. I recognize that the silver one would not work as well with the throwback ensemble all as one full uniform, but I just can’t go any longer without letting you all know my true feelings here.

How do you feel about the throwback helmet? Do you agree in any sense? Is it your favorite one?

Let us know in the comments down below!

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ke-cowboys-throwback-helmet-is-not-that-great

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys draft: Best weapon & biggest weakness of the Top 10 offensive linemen

The Cowboys are very likely going to address the offensive line at some point during the draft.

The NFL draft will be here in just a few weeks. We continue to dive in our top positional series and this time look at the top offensive linemen in the draft, describing their best and worst attribute and the reasons why.

Armand Membou (Missouri)​

Best - Body Control
Membou’s impressive foot speed and athleticism off the snap enables him to effectively handle speed rushers and execute various blocking assignments, such as widening on stretch plays and sealing backside rush lanes. Thanks to his crazy physical attributes Membou can mirror defenders at ease, stay balanced throughout the play and maintain good leverage. These attributes make him a versatile and formidable presence for any offensive line.

Worst - Over-aggressiveness
Membou has some technical areas that require improvement. His biggest issue arises with how he can become overaggressive when facing speed rushers, leading to lunging and a loss of balance. This tendency underscores the need for him to trust his footwork more and avoid overextending.

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Will Campbell (LSU)​

Best - Recovery
Campbell has unbelievable athleticism for an offensive lineman, particularly his explosiveness and mobility. At 6’6” and 323 pounds, he recorded a 4.98-second 40-yard dash (94th percentile), a 32-inch vertical jump (90th percentile), and a 113-inch broad jump (94th percentile), showcasing his outstanding straight-line speed and power. Thanks to his great athletic skills Campbell is able to recover any mistimed strikes or when he’s caught out of position while mirroring.

Worst - Arm Length
Campbell’s most notable concern among scouts is his below-average arm length, measured at 32 5/8 inches during the NFL Combine, which ranks 14th percentile. And that was followed by a wingspan that ranks in only the seventh percentile. These measurements have raised questions about his ability to effectively handle edge rushers in the NFL, especially the fast twitched rushers.

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Kelvin Banks Jr (Texas)​

Best - Pass Blocking
Banks’ combination of smooth footwork and refined hand techniques allow him to effectively neutralize various pass-rushing strategies. Banks demonstrates impressive quickness out of his stance, enabling him to gain depth on his kick slide and maintain balance against edge rushers. His adept hand usage, including a potent bait technique and strategic hand placement, disrupts timing and grants him control during engagements. These attributes make him a formidable presence in pass protection, capable of handling diverse defensive tactics.

Worst - Waist Bend
His most significant weakness lies in his tendency to bend at the waist and lunge during blocks, leading to balance issues and making him susceptible to being outmaneuvered by defenders. This limitation can hinder his ability to sustain blocks and effectively counter when run blocking.

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Josh Simmons (Ohio State)​

Best - Lateral Speed
Simmons is renowned for his exceptional lateral mobility. This elite trait enables him to effectively mirror speed rushers and execute backside cutoff blocks with remarkable fluidity for a player nearly 320 pounds. His quick foot speed and kick-slide technique consistently allow him to beat defenders to the spot, making him a formidable presence in pass protection.

Worst - Knee Injury
Simmons has many notable strengths, but his most significant concern is the knee injury he sustained in October 2024, which ended his season prematurely. This injury raises questions about his durability and recovery, factors that are critical for his transition to the professional level.

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Tyler Booker (Alabama)​

Best - Anchor
Booker has an outstanding anchor in pass protection, meaning he can absorb and stop bull rushers without giving ground. His lower-body strength allows him to sit down on power rushes and keep the pocket clean, which is crucial for interior offensive linemen at the next level. He’s rarely moved off his spot, even by the strongest defensive tackles in the SEC, and that kind of pass-pro anchor is a huge asset in the NFL.

Worst - Agility
Bookers most notable weakness is his mediocre quickness and lateral agility, which can make him susceptible to agile defenders executing counter moves. This limitation may hinder his effectiveness against higher-end, widely-aligned rushers and complex sub-package looks. Utilizing him on outside run concepts will be a disaster, as he may struggle to effectively engage linebackers at the second level.

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Josh Conerly Jr (Oregon)​

Best - Movement Skills
Conerly’s standout trait is his fluid mobility, which enables him to effectively mirror defenders and excel in both pass protection and run blocking. Conerly’s quick footwork and agility allow him to handle speed rushers adeptly, maintaining balance and positioning. Additionally, his ability to move efficiently to the second level makes him proficient in engaging linebackers and executing pulls and screens. These attributes contribute to his versatility and effectiveness on the offensive line.

Worst - Anchor
His most notable weakness is his inadequate anchor against power rushers. He struggled with bull rushers, indicating a need to improve his lower-body strength to better withstand powerful defensive linemen. His technique is sound, but his mass and lack of strength are both a huge issue in his game.

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Donovan Jackson (Ohio State)​

Best - Strength
This guy pumped out 32 reps on the bench press. His robust build, featuring a muscular upper body and solid core, enables him to effectively neutralize bull rushes and maintain a firm anchor in pass protection. This strength is particularly evident in short-yardage situations, where he consistently generates movement at the line of scrimmage.

Worst - Hands
Thanks to his tremendous strength and power, Conerly has never picked up correct hand technique, more specifically with his hand placement. He occasionally allows his hands to drift wide, exposing his chest to defenders and making him susceptible to counter moves.

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Grey Zabel (North Dakota State)​

Best - IQ
Zabel’s mental processing and football IQ is easily one of his best attributes, especially for a small-school prospect. He shows excellent diagnostic ability at recognizing defensive fronts, stunts, and blitzes quickly and adjusting accordingly. This processing speed allows him to communicate effectively on the line, pick up late movement, and react without hesitation.

Worst - Arm Length
Will Campbell has arm length issues but Zabel is even worse. His below-average arm length measured at 32 inches, that’s sixth percentile. This limitation can make it challenging for him to maintain effective contact with defenders, sometimes leading to lunging and compromising his balance. Zabel will undoubtedly struggle with speedy edge rushers in the NFL who can exploit his limitations in pass protection, suggesting that a move to an interior line position could better suit his skill set.

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Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota) ​

Best - Power Run Blocking
In the run game, Ersery’s explosiveness and power enable him to create significant movement at the line of scrimmage, effectively driving defenders back and opening lanes for ball carriers. His athleticism allows him to excel in zone-blocking schemes, where he can efficiently move laterally and reach the second level to engage linebackers. As a run blocker, Ersery is completely devastating to defensive linemen.

Worst - Pad Level
Ersery tends to play with a high pad level, which can compromise his leverage against defenders, making it easier for them to gain control during engagements. Due to playing too upright in pass protection he overextends, leading to balance issues and vulnerability to counter-moves.

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Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)​

Best - Strength
Savaiinaea’s most elite trait is his exceptional play strength, which stems from his impressive physical build and technique. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 324 pounds, he possesses a dense, thick frame with remarkable thickness through his core and limbs, creating an imposing presence that defenders find challenging to navigate around or through. His play strength is particularly evident in the run game, where he effectively uses his wide-bodied frame and sound footwork to generate movement on down blocks, especially when working in tandem on double teams to clear rushing lanes.

Worst - Agility
His most significant area for improvement lies in his pass protection against speed rushers. His lateral limitations become evident when facing quicker defenders, leading to issues such as opening his hips prematurely, which exposes him to inside counter moves.

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Marcus Mbow (Purdue)​

Best - Versatility
Throughout his collegiate career, Mbow has demonstrated the ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line, including both right and left guard as well as right and left tackle. During the Senior Bowl, they had him line up everywhere and play four different positions on the line. This adaptability allows him to fit into various offensive schemes and address team needs effectively.

Worst - Length And Mass
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing just about 300 pounds makes him incredibly light for the position. Add Mbow’s arm length which measures around 32 inches, this is shorter than the typical reach desired for tackles at the professional level. This combination of size and arm length leads to challenges in maintaining a strong anchor against power rushers, resulting in defenders penetrating the pocket.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...offensive-linemen-armand-membou-will-campbell

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Mel Kiper has Cowboys going running back and cornerback in latest two-round mock draft

Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The mock drafts are picking up with the NFL draft two weeks away.

There are two weeks and change to go before the NFL Draft officially begins which means now is the time where things are really going to start to pick up. Such close proximity to the draft means two wildly different things. Chatter is picking up and therefore teams are holding their cards as closely to the vest as possible, but reputable insiders are unloading legitimate lines of intel as it is about to expire. It is strange how both are simultaneously true, but that is part of the wonder that is the draft.

On Tuesday Mel Kiper released his latest mock draft and this one was of the two-round variety. There are a number of possible permutations for the Cowboys in the first two rounds as they hold picks 12 and 44 overall and it stands to reason that they will walk into the third round with two verifiable playmakers.

As far as the first round is concerned, Kiper has Dallas going with a name they have been connected to already in the process in North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

I was torn here, as I think Dallas will look at all offensive playmakers. It needs a difference-making WR2 to take some of the load off CeeDee Lamb. But I’m not sure Texas’ Matthew Golden or Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan will go quite this early.

Instead, I see the Cowboys trying to improve the run game, which managed 4.0 yards per carry and a league-low six TDs last season. They have thus far replaced Rico Dowdle with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Neither new back has the home run ability of Hampton, who can scoot through holes and take off despite his 221-pound build. I’ve never been an advocate of the first-round running back, but team owner Jerry Jones isn’t afraid to address the position on Day 1.

From a philosophical standpoint taking a running back this early would lead to a number of discussions all over the spectrum. It feels like all of the Ashton Jeanty chatter early in the draft process really cooled, but this is obviously the same thing in a theoretical sense. While running back is certainly a position of need it is fair to note, as Kiper does, that Dallas addressed the position and in a sense by signing Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. The level of talent in the room is certainly still worth improving, but the point is that Dallas already raised the floor.

On the other hand wide receiver is certainly a place worth exploring and Kiper said here that he is not sure if Matthew Golden or Tetairoa McMillan will go at this point which is interesting because so many people believe the latter won’t even make it to Dallas at 12. Taking Hampton, a very good player in his own right, over McMillan (for example) sitting there would be a bit bold to say the least.

Taking either running back or wide receiver is a different kind of bold for some people as they want to see the Cowboys improve the defense with their most premium asset and specifically the back end of it in the secondary (check out our Tuesday discussion on the blog as an example of that point). As noted, Kiper’s mock was two rounds and in the second he had Dallas going cornerback with Trey Amos out of Ole Miss.

44. Dallas Cowboys

Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

Trevon Diggs had 11 interceptions in 2021, and DaRon Bland had nine in 2023. But neither played more than 11 games last season, and both struggled at times in coverage when on the field. The end result was 7.9 yards allowed per opponent pass attempt, which tied for worst in the NFL.

Amos had three picks and 15 pass breakups last season, and he has played in 63 career games. In addition to shoring up the outside, he’d help replace Jourdan Lewis, the Cowboys’ slot corner who left in free agency.

To be clear, Amos is a very good player and deserves consideration in and of his own right. But part of the entire process here is assessing the needs that Dallas has and while on paper Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland exist, the reliability of the duo is certainly fair to question.

Corner is a spot that could get tricky in a hurry for the Cowboys next season if things go particularly array. Kiper notes the Jourdan Lewis departure and how Dallas is already tasked with covering that up. While the team did trade for Kaiir Elam early in free agency, they are certainly going to have to hit the position early on in the draft and going there in the first round is certainly on the table.

How do you feel about Kiper’s two-round mock?

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...cornerback-two-round-omarion-hampton-tey-amos