Dallas, TX
Cowboys news: Draft class still receiving praise, but intriguing free agents still available
Cowboys land 4 players in ESPN’s top-100 draft values – Mario Herrera Jr., Inside The Star
The Cowboys may have gotten good value with a lot of their draft picks, but will they get the starting-caliber talent they need?
A few days ago, ESPN NFL Journalist Matt Miller published an article with his top-100 draft values and the top two on the list feature the Chicago Bears picks of QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze.
There are several Philadelphia Eagles on the list, headlined by cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean making the top 12.
The Dallas Cowboys were honored four times. Their first selection at #36 on the list and their last locking in the 88th slot out of 100.
#36 OT Tyler Guyton
The Cowboys’ 1st-round pick, Tyler Guyton also tops the list for Dallas’ selections to Miller’s top 100, coming in at #36.
“Entering the draft, the Cowboys had issues at left tackle, running back, center, and linebacker. The front office waited and played the board well, trading back and still getting one of the top tackles in the class.
“Guyton should be seen as a developmental player after just 15 starts in college, but Dallas does a great job identifying talent and coaching it up on the line (as we saw with Tyler Smith before him).”
The massive offensive tackle from Oklahoma was almost a telegraphed pick to the Cowboys based on how they’ve drafted before.
He is raw but he has the traits the Cowboys look for in offensive tackles, standing nearly 6’8″ tall and weighing in at 322lbs with 34 1/8″ arms.
Free Agents Cowboys Should Pursue After 2024 NFL Draft – Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report
The Cowboys seem comfortable with what they have, but some names that could help remain available in free agency.
Dallas did turn back to the free-agent market post-draft, signing former running back Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year, $2 million deal. The Cowboys may not be done bargain-hunting, though, with just $4.5 million in cap space remaining, they may also have to get creative with their contract construction.
Here, we’ll examine three available free agents Dallas should pursue in the post-draft window of free agency.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
The Cowboys have one great receiver in CeeDee Lamb and a lot of questions after him. Brandin Cooks was mostly just fine in 2023, Jalen Tolbert is still developing and Michael Gallup is gone.
Dallas did take a sixth-round flier on Southern Missouri State’s Ryan Flournoy, but it could stand to have more depth at receiver.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is one of the more notable names left on the market, and his skill set would also fit with the Cowboys. The speedy, if sometimes inconsistent, receiver can play on the perimeter or in the slot. He would also give Dallas another potent deep threat to help back off opposing defenses.
Valdes-Scantling had his fair share of ups and downs with the Kansas City Chiefs over the past two years, but he came up big in the 2023 postseason. He caught eight passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs and had two grabs on Kansas City’s overtime game-winning drive in Super Bowl LVII.
For a Cowboys team that hasn’t advanced past the divisional round since 1995, Valdes-Scantling’s Super Bowl experience could be quite valuable—if Dallas can land him on a team-friendly deal.
Stephen Jones blames failure to pursue Derrick Henry on salary cap – Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
The Cowboys were not willing to spend anywhere close to the top market price for a free agent RB this offseason.
Appearing with Adam Schein of SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio, Cowboys executive V.P. Stephen Jones addressed the failure to make a phone call to Henry.
“Well, first of all, nothing but respect for Derrick Henry,” Jones said. “I mean, he’s one of the top backs in this league. He’s had one of the great careers in this league. I wish him nothing but the best with the Ravens. I’m sure a great place for him. Our situation is just, you know, and no one ever wants to say it, but it’s salary cap, and we just didn’t have the money to allocate to that position in terms of where we were from a cap standpoint, knowing what we’re looking at with Dak [Prescott] and certainly Micah [Parsons] and CeeDee Lamb. We just didn’t have those type of resources to allocate to that position or we probably would’ve already had it filled with Tony Pollard. We hated to lose Tony Pollard. We had to lose Zeke the year before from a cap standpoint. And, you know, we just didn’t have the dollars to allocate to the running back position. And, certainly, looking to do it in a more efficient way in terms of how it complements the rest of our offensive roster.”
If they had reached a deal to extend the contracts of Prescott and/or Lamb, however, their cap numbers for 2024 — $55.45 million and $17.991 million, respectively — would have dropped, creating room for other positions. That’s how these things go. Cap space gets created, can gets kicked, team can go all in, or something like it.
How CeeDee Lamb, WR corps help Cowboys running game in 2024 – Reid Hanson, The Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys may not have a true lead running back, but they have plenty of players that can line up in the backfield.
Using WRs as an extension of the running game is nothing new in the NFL. It doesn’t take Deebo Samuel or a Shanahan offense to get the ball into the hands of these untraditional ball carriers, Mike McCarthy showed last season even he can find ways to give carries to his top pass catcher.
Averaging just under one carry per game, Lamb was quite the formidable weapon on the ground. Whether it was a handoff around the edge, or a run between the tackles, Lamb was consistently successful. His 85.7% success rate as a runner was far and away better than any of the Cowboys’ traditional ball carriers. His 8.1 yards/attempt were staggeringly efficient with over 57 percent of his carries going for either a first down or touchdown.
Given the wear and tear associated with the ground game and Lamb’s importance in the passing game, he’s obviously limited in terms of volume. But Lamb isn’t the only WR on the roster, and given the rawness of the WR room overall, rushing attempts may be exactly what this group in Dallas needs to manufacture opportunities.
Behind Lamb and Brandin Cooks are a number of viable candidates in the WR room. KaVontae Turpin leads the list of explosive playmakers starving for opportunities. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound human joystick averaged 10 yards per carry as a runner last season. The problem was he only logged 11 attempts. While Lamb is too valuable to the passing game to risk overusing as a runner, Turpin is primarily just a return man. The risk isn’t as severe with Turpin and the reward could be astronomical.
Even if Turpin just averaged one rushing attempt per game, he’d establish himself as a threat and could be used in motion as a decoy to spread out defenses and create more opportunities for others.
Bland talks prep after historic season, Diggs return – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com
It will be exciting to see what DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs can do together in Mike Zimmer’s defense.
“It’s definitely harder to keep a low profile after last season, but I’m enjoying it,” said Bland, wearing a big smile after enjoying the 2024 Reliant Home Run Derby to benefit The Salvation Army.
But don’t plan on him changing his approach this offseason because, well, it ain’t broke so Bland isn’t trying to fix it.
“It’s all been the same,” said the First-Team All-Pro of his offseason approach heading into Year 3. “Gotta keep it the same. “I always have the same expectations. It [did] improve my confidence, going into more years in this league as well. I’m going into my third year so, yeah, I’m more confident now.”
It certainly works in the Cowboys’ favor that Bland isn’t the only record-setting cornerback that will take the field for them in 2023, seeing as Trevon Diggs is currently on track to be available at the start of training camp after suffering a torn ACL last September.
The loss of Diggs was a massive blow to Dallas’ defense, and Bland’s excellence helped to stop the bleeding. In the months to come, however, Diggs will return to a defense that features an ascended Bland playing the opposite boundary, versus the version that was previously set (in 2023) to split reps with Jourdan Lewis in the nickel before injury rocked the depth chart.
For his part, Bland could not be more thrilled with Diggs’ return.
“A lot of people aren’t expecting what Tre is gonna come back with,” he said of his fellow First-Team All-Pro and former NFL interceptions leader. “I know what Tre is gonna come back with, and it’s gonna be something dangerous. I can’t wait.”
A huge reason for the instant success of both Diggs and Bland at the NFL level is attributable to a coaching staff that features Al Harris, who received a promotion this offseason to assistant head coach — while also retaining his original duties as defensive backs coach.
Cowboys already have significant disadvantage in quest for back-to-back NFC East titles – Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports
The 2024 NFL schedule will be released this month, possibly as early as next week.
Cowboys have a much tougher schedule than the Eagles do in 2024
Although many insist on using last year’s win-loss record to determine strength of schedule, things change so quickly in the NFL that is always a better idea to use Las Vegas’ win total projections for the upcoming season. Although the betting world doesn’t get everything right, they’re usually pretty darn close in the grand scheme of things.
Using this method, popularized by Warren Sharp from Sharp Football, the Cowboys’ schedule ranks 22nd in the league (32nd being the toughest). Meanwhile, the Eagles will face the 9th easiest schedule.
The difference is massive for a division that has consistently come down to the wire in recent years. After finishing first in the NFC East last year, the Cowboys will be squaring off against the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions, which appear to have a lot of continuity after finishing 2023 as the best NFC teams. Meanwhile the Eagles avoid both squads in a relatively thin NFC.
The Cowboys also get the Houston Texans as their “17th game” which means they’ll need to face the rising C.J. Stroud, who will now count with Stefon Diggs to target in the passing game.
Ultimately, the division will largely come down to how the Cowboys fare against the Eagles in their two games next season. But any advantage (or disadvantage) matters in a race that hasn’t been won in back-to-back years by any team since 2004, which is the case for the NFC East crown.
UPDATE 6-26-2026: Gracie has been found about four miles south of the Cedar Hollow Ranch, according to a Facebook update from Real County Animal Rescue. Ranch manager Vic Jones has assembled a team to safely bring the wandering giraffe home.
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A giraffe named Gracie is missing in Texas, and the search for her has become a tall order.
Gracie, who is about 3 years old, has been missing for nearly two weeks after escaping her enclosure at Cedar Hollow Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, said Vic Jones, who owns the remote property about 100 miles west of San Antonio. He said Wednesday, June 24 that Gracie had wandered into a part of the privately owned preserve that other giraffes previously avoided.
Jones said he has sent up helicopters to look for Gracie, a few sightings have trickled in, and a $5,000 reward is on the table.
But the giraffe, which stands roughly the height of a tree, hasn’t turned up.
“She wound up going up and feeding in an area on the hillside and the rocky ledges that none of the other giraffes had ever gone on before,” Jones said. “And when she came down off of there, she came down on the wrong side of the gate.”
The ranch is in rural Real County, where its roughly 2,700 residents were put on alert to be on the lookout for a missing giraffe. Jones said the search area is extremely remote, and the likelihood of Gracie encountering any humans is low.
“People are not in danger of her because she’s not around people,” Jones said. ‘She’s out in very, very rough, heavily wooded lands.”
The Texas Hill Country has one of the largest concentrations of exotic captive animals in the country. Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson said the mild climate and rugged terrain seems to serve as a good stand-in for most of the animals’ native African environments.
He rattled off a list of animals that have gone missing over the years, especially after floods, but said this was his first giraffe.
“I’ve had wildebeests, I’ve had water buffalo, I’ve had monkeys, I’ve had zebras, all go missing,” Johnson said. “Sometimes we recover them, and sometimes we don’t.”
While the middle of Texas is not a giraffe’s native environment, Jones said Gracie should be able to find plenty of leaves and other vegetation to eat. He said other animals were not likely to bother her.
Jones said he initially had helicopters searching an area of about 7,500 acres (3,000 hectares) with no luck. A few days later, there was a report that Gracie was spotted to the south.
But by the time they could search the area, Jones said, she was already gone.
“We’re always two three days late for where the information is coming from, so that makes it tough,” Jones said.
Egypt takes on the Socceroos on Friday, July 3. See ticket prices for Dallas
Editor’s note: See all updated scenarios for the 2026 World Cup tournament bracket
The most volatile group has come to a close at the 2026 World Cup.
Egypt and Iran played to a 1-1 draw late on Friday night, which allowed Belgium to rise up from third place all the way to the top spot in the group while Egypt took second. Iran will have to wait and see if their third place finish is good enough to qualify for the knockout round.
As the Group G runner up, Egypt will take on Australia in the round of 32.
SHOP: Egypt vs. Australia 2026 World Cup tickets
Australia finished as the second-place team in Group D, sitting on four points. Egypt and Australia will face off in Dallas on Friday, July 3, the final match of the round of 32.
Here is everything you need to know in order to buy Egypt vs. Australia World Cup tickets.
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Egypt vs. Australia round of 32 World Cup tickets
As of publication, the cheapest ticket to attend the Egypt vs. Australia costs $834. Lower-level seats for the round of 32 match at AT&T Stadium in Dallas start at $1,083.
Egypt World Cup next opponent
Egypt will take on Australia in the round of 32. Australia finished as the runner up in Group D, finishing the group stage with one win, one draw and one loss.
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Egypt World Cup schedule
- June 15 – Egypt vs. Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle – DRAW 1-1
- June 21 – Egypt vs. New Zealand at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver – WIN 3-1
- June 26 – Egypt vs. Iran at Lumen Field in Seattle – DRAW 1-1
- Friday, July 3 – Australia vs. Group G runner up at AT&T Stadium in Dallas (round of 32) – Shop tickets
World Cup Group G Standings
| TEAM | POINTS | RECORD |
| Belgium | 5 | 1-2-0 |
| Egypt | 5 | 1-2-0 |
| Iran | 3 | 0-3-0 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0-1-2 |
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Australia World Cup schedule
- Australia vs. Turkey – WIN 2-0
- Australia vs. United States – LOSS 2-0
- Australia vs. Paraguay – DRAW 1-1
- Friday, July 3 – Australia vs. Group G runner up at AT&T Stadium in Dallas (round of 32) – Shop tickets
World Cup Group D Standings
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Restaurants across Dallas-Fort Worth are doubling down on their patriotism for the Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday, firing up limited-time deals and celebratory menus that range from elevated, reservation-only experiences and skyline dinners to casual fast-food specials, family meal packs, and grab-and-go treats designed for star-spangled celebrations. Special props to those that have found a way to work in “1776” and “250.”
Here are the DFW spots offering patriotic specials and deals. (Note: This list will grow as more are announced closer to the holiday.) For a list of top 4th of July events and fireworks, go here.
Black Sheep Coffee is celebrating America’s birthday over Fourth of July weekend with $4 matcha drinks from July 3-5. The special is good for small Iced Vanilla Matcha, Iced Blueberry Matcha, and Iced Strawberry & Cream Matcha drinks, with a $1 upgrade to a 16-ounce medium. The offer is available in-store and through the app at all four DFW locations.
Cantina Laredo is bringing back its patriotic USA ‘Rita for the Fourth of July weekend. Available July 3-5 at the Addison and Frisco locations, the festive frozen cocktail puts a red, white, and blue spin on the restaurant’s signature Casa ‘Rita with layers of Blue Curaçao and strawberry purée.
USA ‘Rita at Cantina LaredoPhoto courtesy of Cantina Laredo
El Chico is spicing up Independence Day weekend with Family Meal Packs available July 4-5 at its Rockwall location only (503 Interstate 30, Rockwall). Options include Family Fajitas ($73.99) with chicken, steak, or both; Family Tacos ($47.99) with 12 tacos and sides of rice and refried beans; and Family Enchiladas ($49.99) with a choice of beef, cheese, spinach, or chicken enchiladas, all serving six to eight people.
Ford’s Garage, the Plano burger and craft beer restaurant inspired by the heritage of the Ford Motor Company, is celebrating America’s 250th with a patriotic meal deal available July 1-4: an American Standard Burger, fries, and select draft beers or a soft drink for for $17.76, in tribute to the nation’s founding in 1776.
HTeaO tea shops are celebrating the Fourth of July with a pair of patriotic summer specials. Through Labor Day, the tea chain is serving a limited-time Blue Razzler Energy Refresher topped with vanilla cold foam and red, white, and blue sprinkles in a commemorative America’s 250th cup. From July 1-4, participating locations will also offer three gallons of freshly brewed tea for $17.76, a nod to the year the United States declared its independence.
JD’s Chippery is celebrating Independence Day with festive Fireworks Cookie Cakes, available in a variety of sizes and cookie flavors with hand-decorated patriotic designs. The bakery’s Preston Royal location is also hosting a daily Cookie Happy Hour through July 31 from 5-7 pm, featuring a buy-one, get-one-free cookie deal.
JW Steakhouse at the JW Marriott Dallas is marking Independence Day with a four-course dinner for two on July 4. Priced at $195 per couple, the menu includes buffalo bison cigars and shrimp ceviche tostadas, a toasted farro salad with Fredericksburg peaches, a pepper-crusted tomahawk steak with charred cipollini onions and black garlic truffle purée, and chipotle chocolate cake with Garrison Brothers bourbon cherry sauce. Optional wine pairings are available for an additional charge.
Kessaku will offer a Fourth of July experience with limited window seating atop The National in downtown Dallas. Guests can reserve exclusive window tables with a $250 deposit, securing panoramic skyline and fireworks views from one of Dallas’ highest dining destinations.
Luckys Diner on Oak Lawn Avenue is celebrating Independence Day with a Stars, Strips & Sausage special available July 1-4. The $10.49 meal includes a grilled sausage plate with potato salad and pinto beans, with the option to add a slice of apple pie.
Monarch is marking Independence Day with Stars, Stripes & Skyline, a Fourth of July celebration atop The National on July 4. The experience features a prix-fixe dinner priced at $150 per person (with a $55 children’s menu), served from 5:30-10 pm, along with optional window seating for fireworks views. The menu will include dishes such as wagyu filet, wood-grilled branzino, hamachi crudo, hearth-grilled lamb ribs, and a shared s’mores dessert. Monarch is also offering a limited-time gift card promotion over the July 4 weekend: purchase a $250 gift card and receive a $50 bonus card for a future visit, available July 4-5.
Nothing Bundt Cakes is celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a lineup of festive cakes and patriotic-themed desserts. Seasonal offerings include a patriotic decorated cake, Fireworks and Freedom Bundtini toppers, and the return of S’mores Made With Hershey’s through July 19, featuring chocolate cake with milk chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham streusel. From July 3-5, Bundtastic Rewards members can earn 250 bonus points on any purchase as part of the holiday promotion.
Nothing Bundt Cakes are getting patriotic for the 4th.Photo courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes
Sonic is celebrating America’s 250th with a limited-time America $2.50 Menu available through July 12. Participating locations are offering fan favorites for $2.50 each, including the returning Red, White & Blue Slush Float, Jr. Double Cheeseburger, All-American Hot Dog, and medium onion rings. The chain is also serving drinks in limited-edition commemorative cups.
The Statler in downtown Dallasis celebrating Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday on July 4 with all-day dining, drink specials, and rooftop festivities across its venues, including Overeasy, Scout, and Waterproof. Overeasy is offering breakfast specials like BBQ Brisket Benedict, Red, White & Blue Pancakes, and Firecracker Omelets from 7 am-2 pm. Later in the day, Scout and Waterproof will serve classic American fare such as burgers, ribs, and smoked sausage alongside themed cocktails like Uncle Sam’s Punch, Star Spangled Spritz, and The Patriot. The celebration culminates at Waterproof with a rooftop pool and fireworks watch party from 7 pm-1 am, featuring a $35 cover charge, live entertainment, and patriotic frozen treats and cocktails.
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