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The Dallas Cowboys rookie class was underwhelming this past season

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The Dallas Cowboys rookie class was underwhelming this past season


When it comes to Dallas Cowboys criticism the primary targets are pretty well understood. Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, Mike McCarthy and/or Dak Prescott are often under the microscope for this, that or the other. That is par for the course when it comes to life within and around America’s Team.

In terms of people who rarely catch any kind of strays, Will McClay has no real reason to. For the most part what McClay touches turns to gold as he oversees the Cowboys’ draft process, but it is more than fair to discuss his most recent crop of draftees.

NFL.com gave the Dallas Cowboys rookie class a failing grade

While McClay has a track record of mostly incredible success, his most recent handiwork is hardly anything to behold. The season ended over a month ago for the Cowboys and with it the first NFL season for their rookie class. All told the Cowboys hardly got any contributions from their rookies, the majority of contributions came from undrafted free agent Brandon Aubrey who turned in one of the greatest seasons that an NFL kicker ever has (not just rookies).

But the draft class was underwhelming to say the last. Michigan men Mazi Smith and Luke Schoonmaker hardly impacted the overall campaign, and while DeMarvion Overshown offered plenty of promise, he was lost back in the preseason portion of things. Deuce Vaughn captivated everyone’s attention, but wound up inactive more often than not down the stretch. Needless to say it was a pretty forgettable class.

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Recently the folks over at NFL.com graded every rookie class and Dallas came in below passing, aka failing.

Round 1

(No. 26) Mazi Smith, DL | 17 games/3 starts

Round 2

(58) Luke Schoonmaker, TE | 17 games/0 starts

Round 3

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(90) DeMarvion Overshown, LB | 0 games/starts

Round 4

(129) Viliami Fehoko Jr., DL | 0 games/starts

Round 5

(169) Asim Richards, OL | 8 games/0 starts

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Round 6

(178) Eric Scott Jr., DB | 0 games/starts

(212) Deuce Vaughn, RB | 7 games/0 starts

Round 7

(244) Jalen Brooks, WR | 7 games/0 starts

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Notable Free Agent Signees

TJ Bass, OL | 17 games/2 starts

Hunter Luepke, FB | 17 games/0 starts

Tyrus Wheat, DL | 12 games/0 starts

The Cowboys had a pretty strong season, but their rookies’ contributions were extremely limited. Among their eight draft picks, only five saw the field, although a handful of undrafted players did help give the group of first-year pros in Dallas a boost. (It is too bad for the Cowboys’ grade that All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey’s time in the USFL disqualified him from rookie status in his first NFL campaign.)

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Smith was one of the main Year 1 contributors, although he started just three games and ranked fourth among Dallas DTs in snaps. Asked to play more 3-technique than nose tackle (his college position), Smith showed greater impact later in the regular season — even so, he logged just four snaps in the playoff loss to Green Bay. It’s clear the Cowboys will expect more from him in 2024.

No other rookie made an impact on defense. Overshown could be the long-term replacement for Leighton Vander Esch, but he suffered a torn ACL, and his first season ended up being a wash. Neither Fehoko nor Scott were active for any game, in what amounted to redshirt seasons for both.

Schoonmaker worked primarily as a run blocker and goal-line receiver before his receiving duties were slightly expanded later in the season. Like many rookie tight ends, he needed more seasoning. Luepke proved to be a nice find in a league that has somewhat phased out fullbacks; he earned a role as a lead blocker and was given whatever crumbs were left over when it comes to touches (six carries, three catches). He’ll have a chance to reprise that role, with head coach Mike McCarthy returning.

Bass outplayed Richards, filling in up front when injuries hit the interior of the Cowboys’ O-line. Vaughn was a great story on draft weekend, getting to work with his father, Cowboys assistant director of college scouting Chris Vaughn. But while he showed some flashes against the Jets in Week 2, he struggled to find a role on offense or special teams, and he will likely need a strong offseason to secure his spot on the team.

Brandon Aubrey was technically omitted from the assessment which pulls the group down even further. Will McClay has had plenty of hits as mentioned at the top, but he has some explaining to do for this particular mess.

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What is particularly disheartening about the rookie class is that it is hard to envision how the top of it can impact things right away. While you obviously want everyone to contribute, the largest likelihood of that happening comes from your top 100 selections and the Cowboys have question marks hovering around all of theirs.

Overshown offers the greatest promise, but coming back from an ACL tear means we should all exercise some patience there. Schoonmaker has legitimate potential, but the Cowboys have a star at tight end in Jake Ferguson who is clearly ahead of him on the depth chart. It would have been nice to feel like Mazi Smith could fill the void that Johnathan Hankins might leave behind, but that feels questionable at best right now.

Hitting on draft picks is a must in the NFL and the Cowboys really did not hit on any last year. That cannot happen again.



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Dallas, TX

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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LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth

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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