With the NFL Draft less than two weeks away and league meetings taking place last week in Arizona, it seemed like a good time for a Dallas Cowboys mailbag.
We asked for questions earlier this week. Here are the responses:
Note: Some questions edited for clarity
Sam C.: What is (Cowboys defensive coordinator) Christian Parker looking for in DL profile?
Each position is a little different, but versatility seems to be a big factor. Of course, every coach wants linemen who have great ability to get to the quarterback. As of right now, Dallas doesn’t have any elite edge rushers. The Cowboys should be improved up front against the run, but getting to the quarterback remains a bit of a question. That could come from the addition of a notable edge rusher early in the draft, or Parker will have to get it done schematically. With Parker never having called a defense before, it’s difficult to know exactly how things will look up front in Year 1.
Bobby M.: (George) Pickens was expected to contribute last year, but not elevate the entire offense. Even less was expected of (Javonte) Williams, and he had a similar impact. Who are the guys on the roster today that could have an unexpected impact on the defense? Anyone we could look up in December and say, damn, we probably should have extended him in August?
I don’t see anyone on the defensive side of the ball who comes close to making the impact Pickens did. DeMarvion Overshown has the potential to turn in a really impressive season if he’s able to stay healthy, but that’s a huge “if.” The closest comparison to Williams on defense probably would be Cobie Durant. Depending on what Dallas does in the draft at cornerback, Durant could have the opportunity to play a lot of snaps. Perhaps that leads to a big year from the veteran, which makes the Cowboys want to keep him around beyond his one-year deal. The big impact on that side of the ball likely comes from Quinnen Williams and perhaps from a young edge rusher like Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Chris P.: With the Dolphins now having the 30th pick, and the draft capital they have overall in the first three rounds, are they a good partner if Dallas wants to move out of pick No. 20? If so, would that be too far back in your opinion? And what picks would Miami need to send in return to feel good about the deal if you’re Dallas?
Yeah, the Dolphins could be a good fit in that scenario. I don’t think that would be too far back at all. They could draft at 12, trade back from 20 to 30 and gain Miami’s third-round pick (No. 75 overall) and maybe something else. The Dallas defense needs as many pieces as possible. Turning pick 20 into 30, 75 and something else could be exactly what they need. Giving Parker four top-100 picks to fix the defense would be a great strategy.
Sheila: With talk of trading up to a top-five pick in this draft, it raises the question: Is the appeal of an elite edge rusher bigger than the appeal of an elite DB? The Cowboys have red-chip talent in both position groups, but lack that big impact blue-chipper. Does Christian Parker’s experience cultivating DB talent make it easier to pick lower at that position? Or would it be better to give him a blue-chip player like Caleb Downs to boost the intellect in the secondary? If the Cowboys trade 12 and 20 for, say, three and 60, how to prioritize?
The appeal for an elite edge rusher should be greater than the appeal for an elite DB. I feel that way in general, but especially with the way the Cowboys’ roster is currently constructed. I wouldn’t be all that interested in trading picks 12 and 20 to get a top-five pick, but I think it would be very smart to use 12 or 20 on a top edge rusher. Parker’s specialty is the back end, which is why I think they are throwing a lot of different players at that corner position, signing Durant and Derion Kendrick while also bringing back Reddy Steward and Corey Ballentine. They know they have starters in DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel, but it seems like they want to give Parker a bunch of options to potentially get an impressive year out of someone we’re not expecting that from at the moment.
Sam C.: What’s Plan B for the OL if Tyler Guyton struggles?
It could be someone they add in the draft, but at the moment, it’s Nate Thomas. He’s going to be given an opportunity to compete for the starting left tackle spot. He’s currently expected to be their swing tackle. If Guyton struggles on the field or to stay healthy and Thomas can’t handle the job, Tyler Smith would then probably kick out from left guard to left tackle. It doesn’t sound like the Cowboys want to do that with Smith. That’s an emergency scenario, but it’s on the table. The Cowboys are planning on Guyton or Thomas being the starter at left tackle and their interior can remain a strength with Smith, Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker.
The Cowboys are planning on Tyler Guyton (60) being in the mix for the starting left tackle job. (Cory Knowlton / Imagn Images)
Christian V.: I’m a Cowboys fan since the ’70s that quit on last season the minute Parsons was traded. First time in over 40 years I didn’t watch a single minute of Cowboys football. And you know what? It was awesome. Give me one good reason to come back? Because I think it will be the same as the past 20-plus years. Jerry will make promises, the team will look incredible early in the season, Dak will put up MVP numbers, and then the team will implode in the first playoff game, because that’s what the Cowboys do. Any reason it will be different this time?
I completely understand where you’re coming from. Absolutely no excuse for a franchise of this caliber to go 30 years without at least an appearance in the NFC Championship Game. I’m sure more will do as you did if things continue heading down this path. The biggest reason for optimism would have to be that the offense could be even better in Brian Schottenheimer’s second season calling plays. And, frankly, the defense can’t be any worse. None of that guarantees a deep playoff run, but it’s the best I’ve got at the moment.
Roger S.: Outside of DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant, what do the Cowboys think they have in the CB room?
I think they have an unfinished room. They have some experience that could develop into quality snaps, but more work is needed, likely early in the draft. If Parker can help one or two of the others — Caelen Carson, Steward, Trikweze Bridges, Josh Butler — become a solid contributor, they’d have to be pleased. But there’s no way they can feel like they’re done at corner.
Andrew M.: What is your feel on how the Cowboys view the RBs behind Javonte? Do they really want (Jaydon) Blue to take hold of RB2 or is Malik Davis in the front seat based on performance last year? And would they carry four with those three and (Phil) Mafah?
Schottenheimer didn’t sound all that interested when asked about the possibility of adding another young running back when asked last week. He mentioned that he sees Blue “taking the next step.” But then also mentioned Mafah and Davis as players they are also “excited about.” He added: “That should be a very competitive position, but we have to get those young guys going.” I don’t think it would be a bad idea to draft a running back late, but I’d be trying to get as many defensive players as possible. There’s just too big a talent gap on the two sides of the ball. Drafting all defense doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
Don M.: Chances of a draft day trade involving Pickens? And what might the return be? Second-rounder? … Also, Browns look like a solid trade target for a swap of one or both picks with maybe something from next year thrown in. Any thoughts?
Highly unlikely that the Cowboys would trade Pickens during the draft or at any time this season. I expect Pickens to be a Cowboy in 2026, and he will likely remain under the franchise tag. In regard to the Browns, they do look like an ideal trade partner. I’d be very interested in trading pick Nos. 12 and 20 to Cleveland for Nos. 6 and 39. I think the player the Cowboys could get at six will certainly be better than what’s there at 12. And I don’t think there will be a huge difference in what they get at 39 compared to 20.
Michael S.: Do you think Jerry and Stephen (Jones) are more concerned with making money than winning, as some have suggested, or just not very good at doing what it takes to put together a playoff-winning team? One or the other of these explanations has to be the primary reason for the long drought, right? We’ve had a lot of different coaches and styles of play and two very good-to-excellent quarterbacks, but no playoff success to speak of in 30 years.
I think they’d love to win another Super Bowl. I’m not sure they do everything in their power to make that happen. I think Jerry Jones is very pleased that the NFL is as popular and valuable as it is today. Obviously, he has been significantly involved in making that happen. But I look at it this way. If there wasn’t a salary cap, I don’t think the Cowboys would be outspending every other team the way the Los Angeles Dodgers do to basically win at all costs. And I think many believe that would be the case for the most valuable franchise in sports.