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The Cowboys’ past 2 draft classes: Some hits, but Dallas needs more from young players

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The Cowboys’ past 2 draft classes: Some hits, but Dallas needs more from young players


Entering this season, a large part of determining the success of the 2024 Dallas Cowboys was going to depend on their first- and second-year players. That’s just a reality for a draft-and-develop program that doesn’t spend much in free agency. Dallas’ plan has been to re-sign its own, like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence, and then fill in the remaining holes largely with quality draft picks.

The Cowboys didn’t get much impact last season from their 2023 draft class. They needed a lot more in Year 2.

“Those guys have to make a jump for us to succeed,” Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay said in May. “… We need those guys to take a jump now based on the cap and the way things are. And they just have to step up. At the end of the day, that’s exactly what it is. We’ll continue to try and fill holes and add players as we go through this process. But guys just have to step up. It’s their time now.

“We’ve lost a number of really quality vets that have been on our roster, that have been with us for a while. These young guys need to step up. There’s no other way about it.”

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Through six games, Dallas’ two most recent draft classes haven’t provided enough.

Let’s start with last year’s group which is in Year 2.

2023 draft class

Meeting or exceeding expectations

DeMarvion Overshown, LB: His rookie year ended before it ever really got started when he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the Cowboys’ second preseason game. He has had some impressive moments this season as Dallas’ second-leading tackler. The 2023 third-round pick has outstanding athleticism and looks like he should be a significant contributor for a while.

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Jalen Brooks, WR: He’s eighth on the team in receiving yards, but for a seventh-round pick, he has been meeting expectations. Dallas could certainly use more, especially with Brandin Cooks being on injured reserve, but Brooks has delivered what you would expect from a player drafted outside of the top 200 picks.


Jalen Brooks has five catches for 77 yards this season. (Andrew Dieb / Imagn Images)

Need more from

Mazi Smith, DT: He had the best game of his young career a month ago against the New York Giants. Overall, however, he hasn’t performed to the expectation of a first-round pick. Pro Football Focus has 119 interior defensive linemen ranked this season and Smith is No. 119. The Cowboys continue to be one of the NFL’s worst run defenses. They need more from Smith.

Luke Schoonmaker, TE: Pro Football Focus ranks him 45th among all tight ends through seven weeks. Schoonmaker has shown that he can probably be a solid NFL tight end, the problem is that Dallas used a second-round pick on him. The expectations have to be higher.

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To be determined

Asim Richards, OT: It’s difficult to say if he’ll ever be more than a swing tackle. He has played 20 offensive snaps this season, which is eighth-most on the team among offensive linemen.

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Deuce Vaughn, RB: He has had some impressive moments in the preseason during the last two seasons, but that production has never really been there in regular season work. Vaughn has seven carries for 20 yards in four games this season.

No longer on the team

Viliami Fehoko, DL: It’s never good when a fourth-round pick is no longer on the roster after only one season. The Cowboys had hopes of Fehoko playing some defensive end and defensive tackle but they moved on before the regular season started. He is a free agent.

Eric Scott, CB: He was released by the Cowboys in August and is on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad.

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2024 draft class

The expectations shouldn’t be the same for rookies. The majority aren’t going to hit the ground running. But the Cowboys’ current roster-building structure can only succeed if there is some production coming from their rookie draft class.

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Here is how those eight players have performed through six games.

Meeting or exceeding expectations

Cooper Beebe, C: Dallas appears to have its starting center for the foreseeable future. For a third-round pick, the Cowboys have to feel good about Beebe being able to start at center or one of the guard spots, if needed. Making the move to center was going to take some time to adjust, but this has the looks of an excellent pick.

Marist Liufau, LB: Like Overshown, this is a third-round pick who has a lot of upside. Liufau is a physical player who should only improve. He has played the third-most linebacker snaps this season behind Eric Kendricks and Overshown.

Need more from

Tyler Guyton, LT: A knee injury has slowed his progress. Penalties have been an early concern. He has been called for six penalties in five games, with three of them being holding calls. He’s making the move from right tackle in college to NFL left tackle so an adjustment period was always expected. But the Cowboys’ offensive line play hasn’t been good enough and they need more from their first-round pick.

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To be determined

Marshawn Kneeland, DE: He was trending in the right direction before he suffered a knee injury earlier this month at Pittsburgh. The Cowboys could use him right now with injuries to Micah Parsons, Lawrence and Sam Williams, but Kneeland looks to be a player with a good chance to be a starter in the future.

Caelen Carson, CB: The Cowboys thought enough of him to start him against the Cleveland Browns in the season opener. However, a shoulder injury has caused him to miss three games.

Ryan Flournoy, WR: The seventh-round pick showed his upside during the preseason. He has played in two regular-season games, catching one pass for 12 yards.

Nathan Thomas, OL: He is on IR with an undisclosed injury. He has not played in a game this season.

No longer on the team

Justin Rogers, DT: He was released by the Cowboys in August and signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.

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(Top photo of Marist Liufau and DeMarvion Overshown: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)



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Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle

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Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle


The Dallas Cowboys were initially in the mix for Las Vegas Raiders superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby ahead of NFL free agency, and were believed to be one of the finalists in trade talks. However, he was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks.

Now, the NFL world has been turned on its head with the Ravens deciding to pull out of the trade agreement with Las Vegas.

On Tuesday night, NFL insider Adam Schefter was among the experts discussing what went wrong between the Raiders and Ravens, revealing that Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper, one of the premier knee specialists, played a role in the Ravens’ evaluation of Crosby.

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Schefter discussed how Dr. Cooper was among the doctors who reviewed scans on Crosby’s knee, which ultimately spooked the Ravens and triggered the end of the deal.

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Dallas Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper on the sidelines before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

“The Baltimore Ravens essentially failed him on their physical, and my understanding is there were multiple doctors that reviewed his MRI scans,” Schefter said. “There were doctors that examined him, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys doctor that performed surgery on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Nabers.

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“Many teams and players rely on Dr. Cooper’s expertise, and Dr. Cooper was one of the doctors who reviewed the images where the Ravens then felt compelled to back out of this trade.”

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It’s hard not to connect the dots that Dr. Cooper’s involvement in the medical review of Crosby led to the team deciding against re-engaging in trade discussions. Though that could change, currently, the Cowboys are expected to move forward with Pro Bowl EDGE Rashan Gary, who the team agreed to acquire from the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 fourth-round pick on the first day of legal tampering.

It will be interesting to continue monitoring the situation and its fallout, which has left the Raiders in a terrible position.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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But, with the Raiders now forced to re-examine the money they committed to free agents on Wednesday evening, they may have to pull out of one of their own agreements, which could open the door for the Cowboys to reopen their pursuit of a linebacker like Nakobe Dean or Quay Walker.

The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET, so get your popcorn ready, because it’s going to be a wild ride.

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Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

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Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity


Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.

On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.

“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”

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The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.

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Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.

Dallas’ Original Trade Offer

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.

“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.

Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

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Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing


Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday Forecast

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.

The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.

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Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact

The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

7-Day Forecast

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A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds. 

Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

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