Cowboys news: Plenty of choices for Dallas at pick 12 in the draft

The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys is here.

After failure of 2024, will Cowboys finally jumpstart running game in NFL draft? – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News

Dallas has to figure out their running back situation immediately.

The upcoming draft

Dowdle entered the offseason as a free agent, and while open to a return, his representatives were expecting an average salary of $6 million.

Dowdle signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers worth $2.75 million with nearly $3.5 million in incentives.

Elliott remains on the free agent market.

Meanwhile, Dallas signed running backs Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams in free agency.

The Cowboys held in-person visits with 10 running backs this spring in preparation for the draft. Frisco Lone Star product Ashton Jeanty from Boise State and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, projected first-round picks, were among the visitors to The Star.

Stephen Jones, the team’s co-owner and COO, said his team’s philosophy is simply to fix what ails them, “not try, we are going to improve our football team.”

So next week, the goal is again to find a Week 1 starter at running back who provides the team with long-term security.

And what do the Cowboys want from the running back position? Schottenheimer explains:

“You want a guy that’s got vision and has contact balance,” he said. “The fronts that we’re seeing, the fronts that we’re facing require guys to be able to make hidden yards. Whether it’s a free safety in the hole or there’s a linebacker or defensive lineman coming off the point of attack, you got to have a guy that’s willing to run through arm tackles. I do believe you have to have the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.”

Group Chat: Surrounding Parsons with new DE faces – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com

Dallas could add more on the edge in the draft, and it could come come early.

What’s Up: If there was a section for “What Didn’t Happen” that’s where Micah Parsons and his contract situation might fall. Parsons and the Cowboys are still negotiating a new contract but nothing materialized so far this year, something Micah suggested he wanted to occur to help the Cowboys in free agency. But there is no deal right now and the Cowboys could always put the franchise tag on Parsons at the end of the year if a deal isn’t made before next year’s free agency.

Parsons, however, is entering his fifth year and remains the most important cog not only on the D-line but the entire defense, which is now being run by DC Matt Eberflus.

Let’s not forget the expected return of Sam Williams, who had an ACL injury in training camp last summer and missed the entire season.

What’s Next: With the Cowboys, never rule out a pass-rusher to be drafted, even if it would be the first pick. Now, aside from Penn State’s Abdul Carter, who is expected to go in the Top 3 picks, there doesn’t seem to be an edge rusher that makes sense at No. 12. But if the Cowboys were to slide down in the draft and add more picks, then a pass-rusher would once again be in play.

Georgia’s Mykel Williams, Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, Marshall’s Mike Green and James Pearce from Tennessee are all solid first-round options to rush the passer. Players like Landon Jackson (Arkansas) and Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) could be second-round options for the Cowboys at No. 44.

The Cowboys are always looking to add pass-rushing talent, especially considering Parsons, Sam Williams and Fowler are all entering the final years of their respective contracts.

3 best Dallas Cowboys fits in Round 1 of NFL Draft – Matt Galatzan, Sports Illustrated

The Cowboys will have their pick of impact players in the first round.

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Matthew Golden isn’t just the top reciever prospect not named Travis Hunter in this draft, but he is almost the most versatile and well-rounded prospect at the position as well. He can take the top off the defense with his elite speed, operate in the middle of the field, catch contested balls and is arguably the best route runner in the class.

Perhaps what is most impressive about Golden, however, is his ability to show up when it matters. On countless occasions last season with the game on the line, Golden was the go-to-guy for Quinn Ewers. Whether it was in the college football playoff, SEC Championship or a tough saturday in November against Arkansas, he never disappointed when his number was called.

He would be a tremendous complement to CeeDee Lamb’s game as well, and give Dak Prescott the legitimate one-two punch at reciever that he has lacked for some time.

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Most people expect the Cowboys to go offense in Round 1 and rightfully so. That said, addressing the secondary would not be shocking in the least. Dallas won’t have Trevon Diggs early next season, they lost Jourdan Lewis in free agency, and the future of DaRon Bland is up in the air as now.

Texas Longhorns defensive back Jahdae Barron could help solve those issues in whatever capacity they need him to. He is a similar player to Lewis, only better in many respects. He can help against the run, play in the slot, on the outside or even give you some snaps at safety.

Last season alone, he ended the year with an SEC-high five interceptions, to go along with 11 pass breakups, 67 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. That elite season helped him take home the Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation’s top defensive back, and earn both first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors.

If Cowboys want to improve OL, these 5 tackles could do the trick – Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire

Even with other bigger needs, the offensive line in Dallas still needs work.

5. Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College

Height: 6-foot-8, Weight: 316, RAS: 8.88

Ozzy Trapilo is an old-school, massive right tackle who struggled on the left side before finding his place. In 443 passing snaps at left tackle, Trapilo gave up five sacks, but after moving to the opposite side, he only gave up two in 747 pass blocking snaps. He knows how to use his length to get his hands in the correct place to keep defensive ends off his body. His initial punch is impactful, and he has good drive on his run blocks for how light he is at 6-foot-8. He has issues when players get inside on him because his height works against him in those situations. He also isn’t great on the second level due to his height. He can’t get compact enough for a solid push-up the field. Trapilo’s dad played college ball and was drafted to the NFL, so he has some pedigree to go with his size.

4. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

Height: 6-foot-6, Weight: 331 RAS: 9.43

In every draft class, scouts look for the traits Aireonte Ersery has for an offensive tackle. Ersery is 6-foot-6, a well-proportioned 331 pounds, has an 80-inch wingspan and a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.43. He is built in a lab for what scouts look for. He is an excellent blocker in zone concepts because of his length and quick first step. He latches onto defenders with grip strength in the run game, but redirects and counters are effective against him when he is pass blocking due to his power and anchor being in his upper body. He knows how to time combo blocks, and his patience before moving up to the second block is consistently excellent. False steps and high pad level will be what coaches focus on improving, so speed rushers are handled more efficiently.

3. Will Campbell, LSU

Height: 6-foot-6, Weight: 319 RAS: 9.91

Most scouts have Will Campbell as the top tackle in the draft or the top guard if the plan is to move him inside. He was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in the SEC, given to the best blocker in the conference. He was also the first consensus All-American on the offensive line since 2004. Campbell could play all five positions on the OL, but he played two snaps at RT and the rest at LT in college. He doesn’t have the length most great offensive tackles do, but he makes up for it with high I.Q. and competitive demeanor. Campbell is excellent at pushing edge rushers past the QB, and stunts and twists have nearly zero impact on him.

He is durable, and he has never missed a game with injury. LSU offers the No. 7 jersey to the best playmaker, and Campbell became the first offensive or defensive lineman to be awarded that number (though not allowed to wear in games). He is a prospect with some of the least risk of being a bust.

Former Cowboys center Travis Frederick to announce team’s second- and third-round picks – RJ Ochoa, Blogging The Boys

Travis Frederick will announce both Cowboys draft picks on Day 2.

The NFL draft is next week which means the Dallas Cowboys are going to have some new players on their roster soon enough. While the first round is clearly full of intrigue, the draft contains more than that, and progresses across three total days. Over the last almost decade we have seen the draft get a bit fun in nature as it has worn on with different people announcing the different selections.

Perhaps the most iconic of these was Drew Pearson announcing Chidobe Awuzie’s draft selection when the draft was held in Philadelphia and boos rained down on him. The Original 88 was not flustered though and delivered an all-time speech.

Yesterday, the franchise legends that will make picks on behalf of their team this year were announced and Travis Frederick is the player for the Cowboys.