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Cowboys draft: Scouting Combine’s biggest risers that should be on Dallas’ radar

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Cowboys draft: Scouting Combine’s biggest risers that should be on Dallas’ radar


This year’s NFL scouting combine is officially in the books and all 321 prospects now leave Indianapolis and await for their respective pro day.

The list of players the Dallas Cowboys took time to interview is available here. Below are three prospects the Cowboys had a formal interview with that performed extraordinarily well at the combine and raised their stock the most. If the Cowboys want to draft any of these prospects they will need to reevaluate what pick they intended to use, or trade up to get any of them.

TROY FAUTANU, OT, WASHINGTON
All offseason there was plenty of talk on Troy Fautanu and his versatility. Some made comments that he would best be placed at guard in the NFL to succeed. That idea is still on the table, but drafting him to play tackle is now a very viable option. During the measurements he officially came in at 6’3” and 317-pounds which is perfectly fine to play tackle. The main concern for Fautanu was his reach and arm length, but he measured in at 34.5 inch on his arm length which would place him in the adequate range among offensive tackles. Fautanu also had a good day during the athletic testing. He came in with a 1.77s. 10-yard split (69%) along with a very fast 5.01s. 40-yard time (90%). His broad jump of 113” (92%) also showed his explosiveness proving he has all the tools to play offensive tackle in the NFL. The problem for Dallas is Fautanu may have put himself in the top 20, just out of reach for the Cowboys pick. That means if they want him they may have to go up and get him.

EDGERRIN COOPER, TEXAS A&M
Off-ball linebacker is a massive need for Dallas and Edgerrin Cooper represents the very best in this year’s draft. To no surprise, Dallas got in early and had a formal interview with the Aggie linebacker. Will McClay and company then sat and watched as Cooper blew up the athletic testing. Cooper registered a blazing 1.54s, 10-yard split along with an electrifying 40 time at 4.51s. (both 97th percentile). What made Cooper standout though was the on-field drills. He showed his full range of motion and looked very clean and clinical during the drills. He was smooth, explosive and had no errors. His stock might go up considerably after the linebackers completed their workouts on Thursday and where Dallas hoped to take him in the second-round may not be an option. Cooper is now a fringe first-round talent.

XAVIER WORTHY, TEXAS
The Cowboys used seven of their 45 formal interview choices on the wide receiver position. One of the receivers the Cowboys spent time talking to was Longhorns burner Xavier Worthy. Unless you missed Worthy due to how insanely fast he was at Indianapolis, he set a new fastest 40-yard time at 4.21s. His elite athleticism didn’t end there however. Although he didn’t outrun Dez Bryant’s combine leading 10-yard split time of 1.4s, Worthy still clocked in at 1.48s which is elite quickness. But Worthy also registered a vertical jump of 41” (98%) and a broad jump of 10-foot-11 (97%). Some will argue that Worthy is just a fast deep threat and stirred up echoes of John Ross some years ago who failed to translate in the NFL. But he proved he’s a lot more than that and his 26 career touchdowns for Texas is testament to the fact. For Dallas, they would have viewed Worthy as a prospect just outside the top-50, but after his performance at the combine he’s now inside the top-40.





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Abbott is ramping up protection across Texas after Iran airstrikes

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Abbott is ramping up protection across Texas after Iran airstrikes


Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to increase protection at key state sites following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

Abbott issued a statement Saturday supporting the military action, writing “Texas stands with President Trump in sending a clear message to Iran: its aggression toward American and the West will no longer be tolerated.”

The governor said he directed DPS and the Texas National Guard to ramp up surveillance and patrols at energy facilities, ports and southern border.

“Texas is working closely with our federal partners to protect Texans and our critical assets from potential threats of retaliation,” Abbott said.

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In a post on X, the Texas National Guard announced its activation of service members.

Iran has retaliated by firing attacks toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the Middle East.

Across the U.S., law enforcement has stepped up patrols at sensitive areas, including houses of worship and diplomatic sites.

Security expert Eric Jackson, who retired as Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas FBI field office, said law enforcement would be analyzing intelligence closely for potential threats at home.

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“These types of matters bring out the best in the [FBI],” said Jackson. “Everybody’s working hard and everybody’s focused on protecting the homeland.”





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Insider Reveals Dallas Cowboys’ Upcoming Plans With Anthony Hill Jr.

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Insider Reveals Dallas Cowboys’ Upcoming Plans With Anthony Hill Jr.


The Dallas Cowboys may not have met formally with Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. at the NFL Combine, but their interest in the Longhorns’ defender is still worth watching.

Earlier this week, it was revealed by Dallas Cowboys’ beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. that Dallas has intentions to schedule a private dinner with Hill Jr. ahead of Texas’ pro day.

Currently, the Texas linebacker is rated the No. 5 linebacker and the No. 34 prospect in this year’s draft class.

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The Cowboys have made it abundantly clear that they are keeping their eyes on the elite prospects coming from the state of Texas.

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Not only did the organization meet with Longhorns’ linebacker Trey Moore earlier this week, but it has also spent time with multiple Texas A&M prospects during the pre-draft process.

Why Anthony Hill Jr. Makes Sense for Dallas

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Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. celebrates during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Hill Jr. makes plenty of sense for Dallas because of the kind of speed, range, and physicality he brings to the second level of a defense. Across three years at Texas, the linebacker totaled just under 250 tackles, 31.5 tackles for a loss, and 17.0 sacks. He also forced eight fumbles, deflected seven passes, and caught three interceptions during his time in Austin as well.

With that kind of résumé at the collegiate level, it’s no wonder why the Cowboys have shown great interest in Hill Jr. While they may not have formally met with him before the NFL Combine, the organization’s willingness to schedule a dinner the Texas linebacker says plenty about the level of respect it has for his game.

There are many mock drafts that have Hill Jr. going in the first round of this year’s draft. He’s projected an early second-round pick, but his versatility and well-rounded physical traits set him apart from most defensive prospects.

He also set himself apart from the other linebackers in this draft cycle by running a 4.51-second 40-time at the NFL Combine earlier this week. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles both ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, while TCU’s Kaleb Elarms-Orr recorded an impressive time of 4.47 seconds.

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The private dinner gives the Cowboys a chance to learn more about Hill Jr. away from the football field. While the Texas linebacker has the tangibles to be an instant playmaker for any NFL franchise, it seems that Dallas is looking to learn more about his personality before the Texas Longhorns’ pro day.

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Last year, Texas’ Pro Day took place on March 25, giving NFL teams one final chance to watch the Longhorns’ draft prospects go through drills and interviews in Austin.





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Letters to the Editor – Three Cheers for a Plano fire station, Dallas Parks & Rec, voting

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Letters to the Editor – Three Cheers for a Plano fire station, Dallas Parks & Rec, voting


1 Plano No. 5 fire station paramedics — I thank God for the paramedics at Plano No. 5 fire station. On Sunday after services, my wife of 46 years had a severe heart attack. The 911 call brought six great men who quickly got my wife to the excellent Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital and saved her life.

I am so grateful to not only live here in Plano, but that the Lord is not done with Donna yet.

Anton Skell, Plano

2 Dallas Park and Recreation teams — On behalf of all the bikers, joggers and walkers along the White Rock Creek trail, a special thanks to the Dallas Park and Recreation teams that clean all the goo and muck off the trail after a heavy rain.

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This is particularly an issue at the White Rock Creek and Cottonwood Creek low water crossing as mud several inches thick accumulates along about a foot-long swath of the trial, making it incredibly slippery and unsafe.

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However, like clockwork, we can count on a team from Park and Rec with their front-end loader, shovels and squeegees to clear the path within 24 hours or so. Appreciate all the work!

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Ron Carey, North Dallas

3 DMN voting recommendations — Thank you for the time and energy that you spend vetting the candidates and making your recommendations. I take your thoughts seriously and am grateful for the information you provide.

I hope you continue to provide this valuable service. It’s needed and appreciated.

Alice Gant Coder, Dallas

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here.

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If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com



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