Mailbag: Should Cowboys trade first-round pick? – Tommy Yarish, DallasCowboys.com
Will the Cowboys trade one of their first-round picks?
The famous line from the 1990s was that the Cowboys couldn’t spell Super Bowl until they got Charles Haley. Dak Prescott is in his prime. CeeDee Lamb,
George Pickens, much of the offensive line, the kicker, the returner, some of the defensive linemen, they all are in their primes. So shouldn’t Dallas trade a first-round pick for a proven veteran who can immediately help them make a run? – William Franklin/Hinton, WVTommy: Sure, if it makes sense.
If it’s a massive contract or a player on an expiring deal, I think it would be tough to rationale with that given the amount of needs that the Cowboys have defensively. No one player is going to fix that, even if that one player can really help you. On the flip side, there aren’t going to be many big-time difference makers available that are under contract, at a workable price and worth just one first round pick. If the Cowboys are going to move one of their picks, I would look to pick up more draft capital, especially on Day 2 since they’ve got no second or third round picks as things stand right now. With so many needs on defense, try and fill them in with young players if you have the resources to do so.
10 players snubbed by the scouting combine that could interest the Cowboys – Brian Martin, Blogging the Boys
The Cowboys will be in Indianapolis next week for the combine, but here are some names to earmark that will not be there.
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off in a little less than a week. There will be 319 participants attempting to boost their draft stock by impressing the scouting community with their performances in the on-the-field drills as well as official and unofficial interviews with different teams. This big event of the offseason is a great way to get a better understanding of this year’s draft hopefuls and last before individual Pro Days.
Unfortunately, there were quite a few talented players who failed to make the cut and get an invite to this year’s combine. Not only does it make it difficult for these combine snubs to showcase their talents on a bigger stage, but it also hinders the evaluation process for teams. Today, we identify some of these players who the Dallas Cowboys could potentially be interested in.
Edge Mikail Kamara, Indiana
Although Kamara was a 15-game starter and a national champion in 2025 with the Hoosiers, he saw his production dip this past season. In 2023-2024, the former James Madison standout had several campaigns of production, accumulating 17.5 sacks. He could help fill a pretty bare cupboard in Dallas.
LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana-Lafayette
At 6’4”, 240 pounds with nearly 35” arms and a wingspan of 84”, Dugger definitely looks the part of an NFL LB. In a deep LB draft class he’s flying a little under the radar, but he could be a late round steal for the Cowboys. He has the skill set/talent to contribute in the NFL.
5 Dallas Cowboys starters who will be replaced this offseason – Jake Beckman, Fansided
This would be quite the surprise.
RB Javonte Williams
It’s not really fair to say that Javonte Williams came out of nowhere in 2025, but it is fair to say that no one expected him to have that good of a season.
The Broncos drafted him in the second round in 2021, and he had a very solid rookie season (903 yards, four touchdowns). Then, after some wicked injuries, it looked like his career was going to end up being mega-disappointing. He hit free agency last year, having played 29 games in his four seasons in Denver, and having a total of 2,394 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
He finished the 2025 season with 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. We kind of knew that he had the talent to be awesome, but he seemed like he was washed up… He wasn’t.
Now, the Cowboys have a decision to make: are they going to re-sign him and keep the magic going, or are they going to hit up the draft and free agency to get someone else?
With all the needs this team has on defense, you have to think that they’re not going to have the resources to make a running back a big priority. I would bet that they’re going to look at last season, see that they turned Williams into a 1,000+ yard rusher, and try to recreate last season with someone cheaper.
The Dallas Cowboys defensive coaching staff is complete, and here’s the best thing about it – Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports
What is the most exciting part about the Cowboys new defensive coaching staff?
The best thing about Parker’s new staff
One thing that stood out from the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator search was that youth was a consistent theme. Heck, Parker is 34 years old and already a coordinator.
Well, Parker’s staff matches the theme alright.
The average age for every newly hired defensive coach, Parker included, is 36 years old. Each one of Parker’s hires is under 45.
I know what you may be thinking. So what? Youth doesn’t equal success in the NFL. But Schottenheimer has talked about energy since the day he was named the Cowboys head coach. These hires fit his vision, and we already saw that approach pay off for the offense.
So no, hiring young coaches doesn’t guarantee success. But a head coach with a vision strong enough that it even changes the way the franchise does things (remember, Matt Eberflus, Mike Zimmer, and Dan Quinn are the Cowboys’ most recent defensive coordinators) is exciting.
Most intriguing hire?
I don’t know who will turn out to be Parker’s best hire. But I do know linebackers coach Scott Symons is the most intriguing one. The reason is simple, he’s fresh off of a defensive coordinator gig that helped turn around SMU, making it into a serious contender out of the ACC.
Under Symons, SMU became a College Football Playoff team in 2024. His defense was a creative one, too. It used disguised coverages, simulated coverages, and varying fronts. Though he’ll be limited to coaching linebackers in Dallas, I’d expect him to have no shortage of ideas in the meeting room.
New Cowboys Mock Draft Builds Around Christian Parker’s Vision – Randy Gurzi, SI.com
Get ready for lots of mock drafts.
Round 1, Pick 20: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Machota again discussed the possibility of trading back, but decided to go with Georgia linebacker CJ Allen. Not only does Allen come from an elite defense, but he has ties to new Cowboys’ outside linebackers coach, Chidera Uzo-Diribe, who spent the past four seasons with the Bulldogs.
”Dallas’ options were then one of the best remaining pass rushers (Keldric Faulk, Cashius Howell, T.J. Parker or Zion Young), a top safety (Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren) or a top off-ball linebacker. The Cowboys’ linebacker play was probably the worst in the league last year. Allen would instantly upgrade the group as their starting middle linebacker, potentially forming a great duo if DeMarvion Overshown can stay healthy,” Machota wrote.
