Dallas, TX
Cowboys passed on 3 stud prospects in NFL Draft who could make them pay
The entire NFL world knew where the Dallas Cowboys were going to allocate the most resources in the 2026 NFL Draft, so no one should be surprised that Dallas used nearly all of their picks on defense. And to be fair to this front office, the Cowboys have drafted rather well for years now.
No one accuses the Cowboys of not having talent, and given this defensive overhaul this offseason, the unit may finally be on the right track. And as long as the offense is in a similar spot in 2026, all the defense needs to do is be average, and Dallas is going to find itself right back in the mix at the top of the NFC.
The Cowboys’ draft has received a universal round of applause. There’s a lot to be excited about with Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, and Jaishawn Barham. But like any draft, Dallas could live to regret passing on these three prospects.
The Dallas Cowboys may regret not taking these 3 players in the NFL Draft
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE (Pick 15, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Dallas traded up one spot to select Caleb Downs with the 11th pick in Round 1, but Rueben Bain Jr. was still on the board. Downs was a great pick, as the do-it-all defensive back should be able to play multiple roles for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, and not only could he have been the best player available, but he does fill a major need.
Alongside Jalen Thompson, the Cowboys are prepared to trot out some insanely talented defensive backs. However, Bain was available and he could have filled a more important and urgent need for Dallas. In today’s NFL, games are won and lost in the trenches.
Having strong offensive line and defensive line play is crucial for any team. We have seen Dallas struggle here, as they only had 35 sacks in 2025, but it’s not all about high sack totals. Generating consistent pressure does also push opposing quarterbacks out of the pocket and off-schedule.
A strong pass rush also directly benefits the secondary. Bain would have given Dallas an immediate starter, impact player, and someone who fills a monumental need. There is still a Micah Parsons-sized hole along the defensive line.
Elijah Sarratt, WR (Pick 115, Baltimore Ravens)
Dallas had the 112th and 114th overall picks, selecting Drew Shelton, a tackle from Penn State, and Devin Moore, a rangy cornerback from Florida. At pick 115, though, the Baltimore Ravens took Elijah Sarratt, a wide receiver from Indiana
The main thing here is that there really isn’t much of a guarantee that the duo of George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb stays in Dallas for the long-term. Pickens did sign his franchise tag, but some can see the writing on the wall here that next offseason could be filled with more uncertainty at this position.
Elijah Sarratt isn’t nearly the athlete that Pickens or Lamb are, but he’s a big-bodied, possession wide receiver who could have had a chain-moving role for Dallas almost immediately. Defenses are going to key-in on taking away Lamb and Pickens during the game, which does leave a third, reliable wide receiver in the spotlight.
Sarratt is a sure-handed prospect and projects as a security blanket in the NFL. The Cowboys could have gotten present and long-term impacts had they picked the former Hoosier.
Kyle Louis, LB (Pick 138, Miami Dolphins)
The Cowboys took versatile defensive lineman LT Overton at pick 137, just one spot before Kyle Louis, a hybrid linebacker, went to the Miami Dolphins.
While Dallas improved the linebacker room during the draft by trading for Dee Winters and selecting Jaishawn Barham in Round 3, it’s still not where you’d like it to be. Louis could have made a ton of sense here.
Just under 6 feet and 220lbs, Louis is definitely not an ideal linebacker size, but he does boast great speed and athleticism for the position. He’s also been quite productive in college and is incredible in coverage and serviceable against the run.
Sure, the size is a concern, but good players are good players. Given how many changes this team has made along the defensive line and even in the secondary, many fans were waiting for a substantive move at linebacker.
Louis clearly wasn’t who the Cowboys were targeting at pick 137, but he was absolutely the best player available and someone who would have filled one of the main remaining needs on defense.
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H-E-B is one step closer to opening its first location in the city of Dallas.
The grocery chain filed a construction permit for the store at 635 and Hillcrest Road on Wednesday.
According to the permit, construction is set to begin in March 2027. The store is projected to open in September 2028.
When plans for the location were first announced last year, some neighbors raised concerns about the development. Those concerns included increased traffic, noise pollution and crime.
A primary concern is congestion in an already high-traffic area. H-E-B says it plans to add turn lanes and make other upgrades to ease congestion, but neighbors still have concerns.
When the zoning request was still being considered in December 2025, some drew comparisons between the abundance of grocery stores in northern Dallas to the long fight to bring more grocers to food deserts in southern Dallas. The rezoning request passed 14-1.
In a statement, H-E-B wrote: “We appreciate the thoughtful consideration from city officials, staff, and community members throughout this process. We are committed to serving Texans and look forward to bringing our first H-E-B store to the city of Dallas.”
Benjamin Scott, Group Vice President of Real Estate and Shopping Center Development for H-E-B said the new store will bring 800 new jobs and an estimated $24 million in tax revenue to Dallas over the next five years.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.
1. Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE, Commanders
This one makes too much sense to me to not talk about.
Dorance Armstrong is a player the Commanders could cut ties with to save some cap space. For Dallas, this would not be some mystery evaluation because the Cowboys know exactly who Armstrong is.
They drafted him, and watched him grow into a dependable pass rusher.
I’m not saying Dorance Armstrong is some game-wrecking superstar, but he’s an edge defender who can give good snaps, set the edge, chase quarterbacks, and fit into a rotation without needing the whole defense built around him.
The NFC East part gives it extra spice, too. Bringing back a former Cowboy from Washington would get some attention, but the football part is what sells it. Dallas needs waves of pressure and Armstrong brings another wave.
2. Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE/LB, Seahawks
Uchenna Nwosu is the kind of name that doesn’t scream headline, but fits the job description.
Seattle’s roster lists Nwosu as a linebacker, and shows him at 6’2, 265 pounds with nine years of experience. He is credited with seven sacks during the Seahawks’ 2025 season.
That’s the kind of veteran pass rusher I would love to see Dallas pick up if the money doesn’t get weird.
Nwosu isn’t a luxury piece, but he is insurance. He’s the type of player I feel would keep the Cowboys from putting too much stress on the same pass rushers every week.
You can never have enough guys who can heat up the pocket, especially in a conference where every playoff road seems to run through quarterbacks who can make you pay if they get comfortable.
More than 100 people gathered Friday night at a high school near the sealed‑off blast zone to honor the victims of the deadly explosion at The Clyde apartments in Oak Cliff.
The vigil – filled with hymns, prayers, and candles – brought together neighbors, local leaders, and pastors, many of whom were personally connected to those who died.
Just down the street, the debris field marks where three people were killed and five others injured when an explosion and fire tore through the complex earlier in the day.
Remembering Sylvia Collins
Among those honored was Sylvia Collins, a Democratic Party precinct chair known for her energy, advocacy, and signature raised‑fist rally pose.
State Rep. Cassandra Garcia‑Hernandez reflected on the loss, saying she couldn’t imagine taking another “fist‑up photo” with Collins.
State Sen. Royce West urged the community to remember Collins by continuing the work she championed.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the other two victims, believed to be a young woman and her toddler.
Search and Recovery Complete, Cause Still Unknown
Dallas Fire‑Rescue Chief Justin Ball confirmed that the search and recovery phase is complete, though he declined to comment on whether construction crews digging near the property may have struck a natural gas line before the blast.
Ball also defended the actions of firefighters who were on scene for up to 10 minutes before the explosion without ordering evacuations. He said crews first had to locate the source of the gas odor, secure a water supply, and gear up before they could begin clearing the building.
Lawsuit Filed Against Atmos Energy
One survivor has already filed a lawsuit against Atmos Energy, accusing the utility of failing to properly monitor for gas leaks. Attorney Sadi Antonmattei‑Goitia said incidents like this “don’t happen without bad decisions being made.”
Atmos did not respond to questions about the lawsuit but issued a statement saying the company’s “hearts go out to the people who were tragically lost, their families, and everyone who has been impacted.”
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