It’s never too early to start thinking about potential draft picks of the Dallas Cowboys in the future. Here are some prospects that could be interesting who are playing this weekend.
Ohio State at Texas
This is the main event of Week 2 and features two players likely to be selected near the beginning of the 2027 NFL Draft. Ohio State and Texas both won comfortably in their opening games, but this matchup will provide a much stronger test.
Key Dallas Targets:
Ohio State: Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver
The 6-foot-3, 223-pound junior produced 87 receptions for 1,243
yards and 12 touchdowns last season, taking his career total to 2,558 yards and 27 scores in only two years.
His size, speed and body control make him extremely difficult to cover one-on-one. Smith can run away from defensive backs, win contested catches and adjust to passes thrown outside his frame. He is especially dangerous after the catch because he has the strength to run through contact without losing his speed.
The challenge against Texas will show how Smith handles physical coverage and extra defensive attention. The Longhorns will know where he is on every snap, so his ability to create separation when the defense is designed to stop him will be important.
Why The Cowboys Care
George Pickens is playing under the franchise tag, and Dallas has not given him a long-term contract. That leaves his future beyond this season uncertain. Smith could eventually give the Cowboys another dominant receiver alongside CeeDee Lamb and allow the offense to remain aggressive through the air.
Smith is expected to be selected very early, meaning Dallas might need to move up to get him.
Texas: Colin Simmons, Edge Rusher
Simmons has 21 sacks, 29.5 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles already on his college record, and he finished 2025 with 12 sacks and earned first-team All-SEC honours.
His first-step speed is his greatest weapon. Simmons can explode past an offensive tackle before the blocker has properly settled into position. He can also bend around the corner while maintaining his balance and closing quickly on the quarterback.
This game gives Simmons an opportunity to face an Ohio State offensive line filled with NFL-level talent. Scouts will want to see whether he can still create pressure when an opponent slides protection toward him.
Why The Cowboys Care
Dallas added Rashan Gary to start opposite Donovan Ezeiruaku, but a team can never have too many pass rushers, even with rookie addition Malachi Lawrence. Simmons would bring the burst and natural finishing ability needed to become a major part of the Cowboys’ defensive front.
Gary is an established veteran, while Simmons could give Dallas a younger and cheaper long-term option on the edge while Lawrence continues to develop in his second year.
Oklahoma at Michigan
Oklahoma travels to Ann Arbor to face a Michigan team that narrowly escaped with a 13-12 victory over Western Michigan last week. This game features a powerful defensive tackle and a productive running back who could address future needs in Dallas.
Key Dallas Targets:
Oklahoma: David Stone, Defensive Tackle
Stone is a 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle with an impressive combination of strength and quickness. He can hold his position against double-team blocks, but he is also athletic enough to attack the gap between two offensive linemen.
His hands are powerful, allowing him to knock blockers backwards or remove their grip before moving toward the ball. Stone is still developing his pass-rush plan, but his ability to collapse the middle of the pocket can prevent quarterbacks from stepping forward to avoid outside pressure.
Why The Cowboys Care
Stone could become the next powerful interior defender the Cowboys use in their three-man front. His size would help protect the linebackers against the run, while his quickness could provide pressure directly in front of the quarterback. That ability to affect both the running and passing games would make him a valuable early-round target and makes an already strong front even more formidable.
Michigan: Jordan Marshall, Running Back
Marshall rushed for 932 yards and ten touchdowns in 2025 despite playing in only 11 games. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry and showed that he can handle contact without losing his ability to produce explosive runs.
Marshall has the build to run between the tackles. He reads his blocks patiently, makes one cut and then accelerates into open space. He is also willing to finish runs by lowering his shoulder rather than constantly trying to escape toward the sideline.
Why The Cowboys Care
Dallas re-signed Javonte Williams, but the team still needs to consider the long-term future of the position. Jaydon Blue has gone, while Malik Davis is better suited to a supporting role which he will prove this year how well he can handle that role (depending on his injury).
Marshall could provide a physical option who keeps the offense on schedule and helps Dallas control games. He would not need to carry the entire workload immediately, making him a possible second-day selection who could begin in a rotation before earning a larger role.
