Dallas, TX
The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best rosters in the NFL
Perception is reality. This is true in many aspects of life. How you walk, talk and present yourself is often how you are perceived by people you interact with in many ways. This is true at work, in social circles, you get the gist.
My own personal perception of the Dallas Cowboys this offseason has been that things have been Very Not Good. But we are sort of through the eye of the storm of the offseason and now in the final weeks before training camp begins. This time of year allows a little bit of introspection and assessment that isn’t compromised by the emotions of something important (free agency, the NFL Draft, etc.) happening in conjunction.
It remains true that things did not have to happen like this and that there were more (seemingly) efficient ways of handling the offseason for the Cowboys. Taking care of superstars needing contract extensions should always be something done in March and not once you are in Oxnard (assuming that happens) as just one example.
Still, though, the Cowboys appear to be fine on paper. And the football cognoscenti seems to agree.
Offseason waters seem to be settling on perception of the Dallas Cowboys
Narratives are like perceptions. Some would say they are identical. They are crafted and weaved for a variety of reasons and a certain flap of the butterfly’s wings can turn them from one thing into another. In our world those wings look like playoff wins.
To be clear and more importantly fair this is the way that it should be. Legacies are etched in stone by what you do when the moment is biggest and the stage is brightest. But this can be true in the same way that we do not have to act like everything outside of these is meaningless. That being said, if you know the former then you cannot act like the latter is all that matters.
As far as narratives are concerned, do you know how many teams won more games than the Cowboys last year? One. No, not the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the Baltimore Ravens who got bounced by them at home in the AFC Championship Game (yes, they reached it).
The Chiefs are the only team over the course of the last three years to have more regular-season wins than Dallas. We appropriately regard KC to be incredible but conversations these days put Baltimore in that mix as well and their MVP-winning quarterback (the only one to finish ahead of Dak Prescott in that award race). People should put Baltimore there as they are very good.
The Detroit Lions have been given all sorts of kudos as of late (again, well-earned). Nobody brings up that they blew a 17-point lead in the NFC Championship Game to the San Francisco 49ers. People have long forgotten about Dan Campbell’s questionable decisions on multiple fourth downs that blew up in his face and allowed the Niners the opportunities to mount their necessary comeback. A missing narrative.
On the subject of San Francisco, remember when Kyle Shanahan chose to take the ball first in overtime of the Super Bowl? Against the Kansas City who we just noted was the very best team in the universe? And then that decision blew up in his face? Did you even remember that this happened? Probably because you are wise, but that narrative is also absent from offseason fodder and discussion.
The Dallas Cowboys should absolutely be criticized for some of their decision-making over the course of the offseason, but it sort of feels like we have lost the plot a bit. Today’s NFL kingdom is a monarchy ruled by the Chiefs. but the Cowboys are at worst on the board of advisors or cabinet or whatever immediately-below board of governing powers you want to call it.
Pay attention to what oddsmakers are saying about the Cowboys
Let’s take a look at how some of the aforementioned cognoscenti are evaluating the Cowboys in our current moment.
Recently the folks over at PFF ranked every roster in the NFL and Dallas came in at number 9. Here is the full top 10.
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Philadelphia Eagles
- New York Jets
- Baltimore Ravens
- Detroit Lions
- Houston Texans
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Dallas Cowboys
- Buffalo Bills
This is an evaluation of rosters and obviously that includes things that have happened over the course of the offseason. There are some extenuating circumstances involved like that the Jets will have Aaron Rodgers available for the season unlike last year after his unfortunate injury and that Joe Burrow will be returning for the Bengals.
But are we really willing to go this far and suggest that Dallas should be that far down? It would have been nice to see Dallas add a more prominent running back, some help at wide receiver and to not lose Tyron Smith, but there is no individually crippling thing that they endured. Was there?
Meanwhile, are we overlooking Philadelphia trading away Haason Reddick? They added to their roster substantially so maybe things even out a bit, obviously Buffalo is down after trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans.
PFF’s Steve Palazzolo argued that Dallas should be ahead of a few teams here (he specifically listed the Jets). Sam Monson noted that the Cowboys are particularly strong at top-shelf positions in quarterback, wide receiver and pass rusher (again, extensions would be nice) and that they have two different cornerbacks in Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland who have shown quite the ability to generate turnovers.
Let’s take a look at how the folks over at DraftKings currently view the landscape of the league. Here are teams with the largest projected win over/unders.
- Kansas City Chiefs…………. 11.5
- San Francisco 49ers………. 11.5
- Baltimore Ravens…………… 10.5
- Buffalo Bills…………………… 10.5
- Cincinnati Bengals…………. 10.5
- Dallas Cowboys……………… 10.5
- Detroit Lions………………….. 10.5
- Philadelphia Eagles………… 10.5
Last year’s Super Bowl teams are rightly at the top with 11.5 each, but the next step below features all of the would-be contenders including the Cowboys.
Projected win totals are also not the end-all-be-all but neither the New York Jets nor Houston Texans are listed at 10.5 and still are ranked higher from a roster perspective. Teams with worse rosters can win more games, but you get the overall picture.
The noise of the offseason for the Cowboys (all of the “all in” stuff didn’t help) coupled with the inactivity has all been taken to the exponential power over the lack of contract extensions for faces of the franchise, and has to a degree warped the way that we have viewed this team.
Nobody is saying that they are going to win the Super Bowl. But they appear to have as good of a chance to do so as anybody else.
Dallas, TX
Cowboys Visit Hints at Potential Unexpected Day 2 Target in 2026 Draft
We have heard a lot about the Dallas Cowboys meeting with edge rushers, linebackers and cornerbacks over the course of the pre-draft process, but offensive linemen meetings have been at a minimum.
In fact, according to our most recent Cowboys visits tracker, Dallas had only met with one offensive lineman, James Brockermeyer out of Miami, before Tuesday.
But we can now add another offensive lineman visit to the mix, as NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the Cowboys are one of about six teams to host Iowa guard Beau Stephens on a visit. He goes on to add that Beau could be a Day 2 pick.
“Iowa G Beau Stephens had visits with the Cowboys, Seahawks and Falcons, and among a tour of a half dozen teams ahead of next week’s NFL Draft. A potential Day 2 pick, Stephens was a first-team AP All-America selection this past season,” Garafolo reported on Tuesday.
An unexpected pick
This pick would be unexpected for a few reasons.
For starters, the Cowboys have a slew of needs on defense and very little Day 2 draft capital. In fact, the Cowboys have just one pick, which falls late in the third round.
Another reason this pick would be unexpected is because the Cowboys figure to have their guard situation locked in with Tyler Booker and Tyler Smith. Sure, it’s possible Smith moves to left tackle, but he made it quite clear he doesn’t want to.
“I mean, bro, like, I’m an All-Pro guard,” Smith said. “You feel me? That’s the simple truth, just looking at stuff purely off of facts. So we’ll see what happens. We’ll have those conversations and kind of see where everybody is at.”
If anything, the Cowboys should be exploring their options at left tackle, where Tyler Guyton has struggled over two seasons. That said, we’d expect Guyton to get another year to figure things out.
Now, if the Cowboys go against Smith’s wishes and put him on the left side, anyway, then exploring options at guard make more sense, as T.J. Bass would be in line to replace Smith.
Beau Stephens scouting report
Stephens graded out as an elite pass-blocking and run-blocking guard last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Stephens posted an 85.1 as a run-blocker and 92.5 in pass protection, ranking fifth and first in those categories, respectively.
The concerns over Stephens have to do with his short arms, which are lacking even for a guard, and his lack of athleticism. Next Gen Stats ranked him 19th in Athleticism Score among guards at the combine.
For Stephens, finding the right fit will be everything at the next level. When it comes to the Cowboys, he’s a good fit because Dallas utilizes inside/outside zone, where Stephens excels.
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Dallas, TX
Stephen Jones’ Comments Add Fuel To Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Trade Rumors
If you have been paying attention to the Dallas Cowboys rumors leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, there is a growing belief that the team is strongly looking into a potential trade up into the top 10.
Every analyst appears to have heard the growing buzz that Dallas is one of the most likely teams to trade up in next week’s draft,
Now, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones is only adding fuel to the fire.
Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday afternoon and discussed the possibility of a potential trade. He also commented on this year’s draft class, which indicates the Cowboys’ list of first-round targets is not as wide a net as in recent years.
According to Jones, the Cowboys typically enter a draft with 16 to 22 first-round grades on prospects. However, Jones noted, “I’m not sure we will get there this year.”
Dallas Cowboys Trending Toward Active Draft Day?
The Cowboys are no strangers to picking up the phones and engaging in trade talks, and Jerry Jones is always looking to make headlines. So when the draft rolls around, don’t be surprised to see the chatter about a potential Cowboys move increase.
Jones noted that trade talks generally begin the week of the draft, but he’s a “big believer most of these trades happen when you are on the board.”If that’s the case, Dallas will actively be monitoring any potential slides in the top 10 and could be looking to move out of the No. 20 pick.
“Next week, people finalize their boards and have their strategy sessions. I’m a big believer that most of these trades happen as you’re on the board. Players fall off that you wanted, and then you’re willing to come out. Players are staying on the board that you thought might not be there, and then you’re attempting to move up a little bit,” Jones said. “You might not be willing to give up what it costs to move way up in the draft. But if a player starts to fall, then you get a little thought that maybe we could move up and it wouldn’t cost as much and we would still get the guy that we think is the best player for us at a particular position for where we’re going to pick.”
Because of Jones’ comments that the team may not get to 22 prospects with first-round grades, a trade up seems like the most likely scenario.
Should a player like Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, or Rueben Bain begin to fall in the draft, it would be a perfect opportunity for the Cowboys front office to get active and make the splash that it has teased all offseason.
Jerry Jones has promised to “bust the budget” in an effort to rebuild the roster, and while the team may not have done so with any high-profile signings in free agency, draft day could provide the perfect opportunity for Dallas to come through on its promise, so get your popcorn ready.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25.
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Dallas, TX
TxDOT Dallas Seeks Input on Proposed Widening of FM 740/FM 548
The Texas Department of Transportation Dallas District is preparing for in-personal and virtual public hearings on the proposed widening of FM 740/Fm 548.
TxDOT Dallas posted a reminder about the meetings to its social media page on Thursday afternoon.
The purpose of the hearings are to gather public input and provide more information about the proposed reconstruction and widening of FM 740/FM 548 from I-20 to FM 1641 in Mesquite and Forney within Kaufman County.
According to TxDOT, the proposal includes reconstruction of FM740/Fm 548 from a two-lane rural roadway to a four-lane divided urban roadway with raised medians, curb and gutter, a bridge widening at the Mustang Creek crossing, and a 10-foot-wide shared-use path on both sides of the road for approximately four miles.
The roadway passes through the cities of Mesquite and Forney. The existing right-of-way width ranges from 60 feet (along FM 740) to 150 feet (along FM 548). Where proposed right-of-way is needed, the width is generally 130 feet wide.
That means the proposed project would potentially displace three residential and one non-residential structures. Relocation assistance is available for displaced persons and businesses.
The in-person meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Forney High School (1800 College Ave.).
The virtual hearing will start at 5:30 p.m. and will consist of a prerecorded video presentation. It will remain online for at least the next 15 days and materials can be viewed at any time during that period.
Anyone without internet access may call 214-320-4431 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to ask questions and access project materials during the project development project.
View the project materials online here. The materials will also be available in hard copy form for review at the in-person session.
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