Jan. 28, 2026, 3:05 p.m. CT

The 2026 Senior Bowl practices are well under way and the Dallas Cowboys, along with every other NFL franchise, are paying close attention. Some of the 2026 NFL draft’s top talents are competing in live action this week and the Cowboys, owners of two first round picks, are in prime position for more than a few of them.

The Senior Bowl, coached by NFL coaches, offers teams a great opportunity to see players operating outside their regular comfort zone. It pits player against players and offers information the NFL combine and NCAA film simply cannot.

Through the early portion of the Senior Bowl practice week multiple defensive ends have flashed for scouts. In the market for a new starting defensive end, Dallas has particular interest in this position as they head into the offseason. Finding someone to build around opposite Donovan Ezeiruaku is a priority and free agency doesn’t appear to be an affordable way to fill it.

T.J. Parker, Clemson

Much was expected of the Clemson DE in 2025 but T.J. Parker, and frankly the entire the Clemson program, disappointed. Blessed with a 6-foot-5, 263-pound build complete with 33-inch arms and power for days, Parker has physical characteristics that can’t be taught. In 2025 offenses keyed on him, hence the slippage in production, but Parker is showing at the Senior Bowl he’s every bit as dominant as he was in his breakout 2024 campaign.

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Parker has been showcasing his notorious long-armed pass rush. He’s turning the corner with power and speed while maintaining leverage and putting opponents on ice. Slated to go somewhere in the 20s on most big boards, Parker falls right into the Cowboys’ range at Pick 20. If he keeps this up, he may go even before that.

Derrick Moore, Michigan

Moore, 6-foot-3 and 253 pounds, brings speed and strength to the battle. His explosive break and bend around the edge have been on full display as he’s proven to be one of the top standouts of practice. He has yet to show a deep bag of tricks in his pass rush plan, but the ones he has are proving legit and something to build on.

Projected as a third-round pick on current consensus boards, Moore should see a rise in stock if he can keep this up. The Cowboys don’t have picks in the second or third round but could easily position themselves there if the trade market cooperates.

Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan

One of the most interesting sleeper pass rushers in the 2026 NFL draft has to be Western Michigan’s Nadame Tucker. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound edge rusher is coming off a 14.5 sack season with 61 pressures and a 93.3 pass rush grade. At 25 years old already, he’s new to the game and long in the tooth which will sour some team builders, but scouts love him and he’s on an excellent trajectory.

Likely a Day 3 pick because of age and experience, Tucker is a potential steal as he dominates reps at the Senior Bowl. He’s proving his program size doesn’t matter and that his skills translate just fine.

Zion Young, Missouri

At 6-foot-5, 262 pounds, Zion Young has been turning heads and dropping jaws in practices. His ability to win on one-on-one pass rush drills has been drawing a crowd. Young’s 33.5-inch arms combined with his power and pass rush plan make him a high floor prospect with strong star potential at the next level.

High character player with leadership skills only sweetens the deal. Like the others, if he can keep this up he’ll have made himself a lot of money this week. His current consensus value of 53.1 could rise to the edge of the first round when all is said and done.

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