INDIANAPOLIS — There are 319 prospects at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week. And while NFL teams are tasked with keeping a close eye on all of them, that doesn’t mean you have to, Cowboys fans.
Here are 10 players to watch at the combine this week at the combine.
Note: Workouts are scheduled from Thursday to Sunday.
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Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
This week is a make-or-break week for many prospects on the field. It’s also pivotal off the field, as well. McCoy is a great example. McCoy is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the draft despite missing the entirety of the 2025 season. McCoy suffered a torn ACL during an offseason workout in January 2025. Defensive backs, like McCoy, are set to have medical examinations on Wednesday. If the results are positive, especially about his chances to start in training camp, then McCoy could be a fit for the Cowboys at pick No. 12. If there are concerns with the medical evaluation, then the Cowboys, in theory, could balk at making him their top pick. The Cowboys need an instant impact player with their first-round pick.
LSU CB Mansoor Delane
New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker has developed impressive and highly talented young corners in both of his last two jobs. He did it in Denver with Pat Surtain II, an eventual Defensive Player of the Year Award winner. He did it with the Eagles after they drafted back-to-back corners to open the 2024 draft. Both players played a role in the team’s Super Bowl win. Delane could be his next project. Delane is known as a fantastic cover corner. He didn’t allow multiple receptions to any player he covered in 2025. Pairing Delane (or McCoy) with second-year outside corner Shavon Revel and DaRon Bland could help the Cowboys improve a secondary that struggled last season.
Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
Styles is considered the top off-ball linebacker in the draft. In case you didn’t watch last season for the Cowboys, that’s a significant area of need for them heading into 2026. A marriage between the two would make sense, right? That is if he’s still there. Interestingly enough, Styles is reportedly planning on doing on-field workouts, which is something many top prospects shy away from at the combine. Based on his athleticism, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Styles thrive in that area.
Miami (Fla.) DE Rueben Bain Jr.
The NFL Combine is a place where the “yeah, but” factor comes into play. Bain is a perfect example. Bain was dominant at Miami, playing a crucial role in the Hurricanes’ run to the national championship this past season. He finished his three-year career with 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks. Bain’s production and film looks like a player who could be a top-10 pick, “yeah, but,” is size could hinder him. Bain is expected to have shorter arms than an ideal defensive end. At 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, he’s a little bit of an in-between prospect between on the line and off the edge. His measurements on Thursday could determine whether he’s available at pick No. 12 or not.
Georgia LB C.J. Allen
We know the Cowboys need linebackers. Do they need a specific type of linebacker, however? The Cowboys have been adamant a healthy DeMarvion Overshown is someone they want to build around. In theory, building around Overshown, a weak-side linebacker, would mean having a strong inside Mike linebacker next to him. Allen fits the bill. Allen is productive and instinctive. The only questions about him are centered around his speed and explosiveness. A good showing at the combine could answer some of those.
Clemson DE T.J. Parker
The Cowboys will likely be out of the running for one of the elite edge rushers in this class. The second tier could be a place they target one. Parker is among those potential players. Parker had a very productive 2024 season, but his production dipped in 2025, sparking questions about his draft stock. He then dominated at the Senior Bowl, raising his stock once again. Could he continue his momentum with a successful combine?
Oregon S Dillon Thieneman
It’s hard to accurately say a player is moving up draft boards this early in the draft process, but Thieneman might fit the bill. He’s someone that could be a consideration for the Cowboys at pick No. 20, especially if Ohio State safety Caleb Downs isn’t available for the Cowboys at pick No. 12. Thieneman has the chance to rise even higher with a good combine showing.
Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
McNeil-Warren is another candidate for a non-Downs type safety option for the Cowboys at pick No. 20. He’s big, rangy and a punishing hitter. It’ll be interesting to see what combine workouts he participates in and how he does in those, especially when it comes to speed and quickness.
Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriquez
Rodriquez was a playmaker at Texas Tech. You don’t find yourself in the Heisman conversation as a defender without that type of reputation. How much of that will translate to the NFL level? Determining that after combine workouts could reveal where Rodriguez is drafted. One note: he currently is expected to be a Day 2 selection. The Cowboys don’t have any second- or third- round picks yet. Barring a trade — something the Cowboys are open to doing if they can acquire more picks — Rodriguez might not be available to them.
Oklahoma DE R. Mason Thomas
There are always a handful of players who raise their draft stock on measurables alone. The combine is a stage for them. Thomas could take the spotlight on that stage this week. Thomas is known as an explosive, speedy pass rusher. If his 40-yard dash and shuttle times reflect it, then he could be a major winner here in Indianapolis. He had 15.5 combined sacks the last two seasons.
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