Hopefully the Cowboys can win over the Eagles and keep us from talking about the draft too much in the coming weeks. Still, it’s never too early to scope out some talent while you are watching college football this Saturday.
Ole Miss vs Texas
Ole Miss has rebounded from its only loss by dominating consecutive SEC opponents, while Texas has fallen from number one to 19th after back-to-back defeats and poor quarterback play. The Longhorns now need to protect Arch Manning against an active Ole Miss front and prove their
own offensive line can regain control of a game.
Ole Miss: Blake Purchase, edge rusher
Purchase transferred from Oregon to Ole Miss looking for a larger role, and the move has allowed him to turn athletic promise into more consistent production. So far, Purchase has recorded 23 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles this season. Those are not dominant numbers, but they show a player becoming more disruptive as his responsibilities grow.
His first step is his best tool. Purchase anticipates the snap well and can threaten the outside shoulder before an offensive tackle settles into his pass set. He understands how to reduce the surface area available to a blocker, dips underneath contact and accelerates toward the quarterback once he clears the edge. That speed also appears when he chases running plays from the back side.
Purchase offers more against the run than his size might suggest. He plays with good effort and keeps moving after initial contact.
Why The Cowboys Care
Dallas has already invested in its edge group, but it has not received enough consistent production from it. Rashan Gary produced a strong pressure total against Green Bay, but he hasn’t been consistent. Von Miller is a short-term veteran, while Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence are still developing. The Cowboys need more young rushers rather than assuming one player will solve the problem.
Purchase would give Christian Parker another movable pressure piece. He could initially play on passing downs, contribute on special teams and attack from different alignments while he adds strength. His closing speed would be useful in a defense that wants to create confusion before the snap and force quarterbacks to hold the ball.
Texas: Brandon Baker, offensive lineman
Baker arrived at Texas as the top offensive tackle in the 2024 recruiting class. He started at right tackle in 2025, did not allow a sack and improved steadily after a difficult opening assignment against Ohio State. Texas moved him to right guard this season, giving evaluators evidence that he can handle multiple positions.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound junior plays with balance and controlled feet. At tackle, Baker showed enough lateral movement to stay connected against speed rushers. Moving inside has allowed him to use his natural strength more often. He generates movement on double teams, keeps a wide base against power and has the mobility to work into space on pulls and screens.
Why The Cowboys Care
The Cowboys have solid starters across much of the offensive line, but the unit has not been consistently reliable. Terence Steele remains a big question around the long-term conversation at right tackle. Dallas cannot allow one injury or one poor matchup to shrink the entire offensive plan.
Baker would provide several solutions. He could backup the guard position and offer emergency tackle depth. His experience at both spots would allow Dallas to dress fewer offensive linemen on game day without leaving itself exposed. If the club eventually changed its tackle alignment, Baker could help it move pieces without creating another immediate hole.
Houston vs Utah
Utah is 6-0 and owns the longest active winning streak in the FBS. Houston is 6-1, has won four straight and is playing ranked opponents in consecutive regular-season games for the first time since 1977. The matchup places Houston’s explosive passing game against one of the country’s most efficient defenses, while Utah running back Wayshawn Parker faces a Cougars unit allowing fewer than 100 rushing yards per game.
Houston: Amare Thomas, wide receiver
Thomas has produced at every stop of his college career. After two productive seasons at UAB, he transferred to Houston and immediately became the Cougars’ leading receiver. He caught 67 passes for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, including six scores of at least 20 yards. He is coming off seven receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns against Oklahoma State and now has six touchdown catches this season.
The 6-foot, 200-pound senior wins through detail rather than rare physical traits. Thomas changes pace during routes and uses leverage and sharp route breaks to create separation. He understands how to settle into open areas against zone coverage and works back toward the quarterback instead of waiting for the football to reach him.
Why The Cowboys Care
Thomas would offer a different skill set from CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. He could play inside or outside, give Dak Prescott a reliable answer against pressure and turn quick throws into useful gains. His route awareness would also help an offense whose combinations have not consistently placed receivers in positions that suit them this season.
His lack of top-end speed should keep him in the Day 3 conversation. That makes him the type of affordable receiver Dallas could add without forcing the pick. Thomas would have to earn snaps on special teams, but his production and polished route running give him a chance to outperform his draft position.
Utah: Wayshawn Parker, running back
Parker has become the engine of Utah’s balanced offense. He’s rushed 89 times for 597 yards and seven touchdowns through six games, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. He posted consecutive games of more than 170 rushing yards against Iowa State and Kansas, and he enters the Houston matchup with 2,313 career rushing yards.
His running style is built on vision and sudden changes of direction. Parker presses the line patiently to force linebackers into declaring their gaps, and then accelerates through the crease. His low center of gravity helps him bounce off arm tackles, while his lateral quickness lets him redirect without losing all of his speed.
Why The Cowboys Care
Running back depth is easy to overlook when a starter like Javonte Williams is quietly productive, but Williams shouldn’t be asked to carry the entire backfield again next year. Parker currently projects as an early Day 3 or late Day 2 option. That is an appropriate price for Dallas to build a more dependable rotation without diverting its limited selections from the offensive line and defense.
Parker could fill that role. His vision and compact running style would translate to the Cowboys’ inside and outside-zone concepts, while his open-field movement would add an explosive element behind Williams. If his receiving and pass-protection skills develop, he could eventually handle complete drives rather than entering only for designed carries.
