Dallas, TX
Will McClay confirms the Cowboys are looking to add more beef on the defensive line
Draft season is officially in full swing, with the 2024 NFL combine finishing up in Indianapolis. As teams have gotten a closer look at a long list of players that will be available in this year’s draft, the combine is also a great opportunity to gauge what types of players each team is looking for.
In the case of the Cowboys, one question on everyone’s minds is how the player evaluations change with Mike Zimmer arriving as the new defensive coordinator. Will McClay, the team’s vice president of player personnel and de facto draft czar, was asked that exact question in Indianapolis, and his answer was enlightening:
McClay made specific references to getting bigger twice in this interview, first saying that “this is a little different scheme, we’re looking for big, athletic football players.” Later, he said “we’re probably going to look more so at those bigger bodies on the inside, stopping that, and then we’re always looking for linebackers.”
McClay’s comments seem to suggest an internal emphasis on beefing up the middle of the defense with an eye towards stopping the run. That shouldn’t be a surprise, as solid run defense has always been a critical factor for Zimmer throughout his career, and the veteran coach has often sought out bigger bodies at defensive tackle and linebacker to get that done.
This should be music to Cowboys fans’ ears, as the run defense was consistently an area of concern in Dan Quinn’s three seasons as the defensive coordinator. To be clear, Quinn still produced some top-tier defenses each of those three years, but it was evident that Quinn wasn’t as interested in stopping the run as Zimmer is likely to be.
In fact, McClay and the Cowboys have already taken a step towards getting bigger on defense, as they selected Mazi Smith in the first round a year ago. Smith was a dominant run-stuffer at Michigan, where he weighed over 330 pounds and primarily played nose tackle. However, his rookie season saw Smith cut down to under 300 pounds and play a majority of his few snaps as a pass rushing 3-technique. This focus from McClay and Zimmer might suggest that Smith will be asked to bulk back up this offseason.
There are also quite a few defensive linemen in this draft that fit the bill of big and athletic, which makes McClay’s comments here all the more informative. Could the Cowboys once again target a big interior run-stuffer in the first round? That might not be the case, but there are plenty of players to watch at this combine.
T’Vondre Sweat is one of the more prominent names, as he’s been a fixture of the Texas Longhorns defense for the past few years. Sweat was one of the most dominant run defenders in college football this past year, and his 366-pound frame was a big factor in that. Despite that, Sweat posted a 5.27 40-yard dash time in Indianapolis, which is a big deal for a man his size.
Sweat isn’t the only big man in this draft coming out of the state of Texas. McKinnley Jackson in an Aggie man, having played at Texas A&M and making strides as a run-stuffer each year. Compared to Sweat, Jackson is as small as Deuce Vaughn, weighing in at “just” 326 pounds. He ran a 5.26 40, which isn’t as impressive as Sweat’s time comparatively speaking, but it does still reflect some solid athleticism for a bigger body.
McClay’s comments on looking for a linebacker also ring true, as Zimmer typically has worked with linebackers in the 240 to 250 pound range. There are a few prospects that fit that bill too, such as NC State’s Payton Wilson, Michigan’s Junior Colson, and Texas’ Jaylan Ford.
It should be noted that the Cowboys are reported to have held formal interviews at the combine with Colson, as well as Sweat and Jackson. They also had an informal interview with Ford.
It’s safe to say the Cowboys are doing their due diligence as it relates to their run defense, and their draft priorities may be changing to adjust to what Zimmer wants in his players. The Cowboys already have plenty of talent on this defense, but it looks like they’re now trying to supplement all that talent with some good, old fashioned beef.
DALLAS – Slow-moving thunderstorms brought localized flash flooding to parts of North Texas on Tuesday evening, blocking highways near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and dropping several inches of rain in portions of Tarrant and Parker counties.
Flash Flood Warnings
Local perspective:
Flash flood warnings are in effect for Hopkins, Hunt, Rains and Van Zandt counties until 7:45 p.m.
Flooding was reported along Texas 183 near Valley View Lane south of DFW Airport, where stranded vehicles and water-covered roadways created hazardous travel conditions.
A flash flood warning remained in effect near the airport, although rainfall rates had begun to diminish as the storm weakened.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
The National Weather Service also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Hood County, citing the potential for gusty winds and small hail. Forecasters reported hail ranging from pea-sized to marble-sized in parts of Hood, Parker and Denton counties.
Forecasters attributed the weakening storms in Denton County to an outflow boundary, a meteorological feature that can disrupt thunderstorm development.
The warning area was reduced as the storm weakened near sunset.
LIVE RADAR
What they’re saying:
FOX 4’s Kylie Capps said the storms moved unusually slowly from east to west, allowing heavy rain to accumulate over the same areas for several hours.
Rainfall estimates showed some locations in eastern Parker County and western Tarrant County received nearly 5 inches of rain during a six-hour period, while areas near DFW Airport recorded more than 2 inches.
Elsewhere in North Texas, northern Rains County received nearly 5 inches of rain.
7-Day Forecast
What’s next:
Forecasters expect a quieter overnight period, with only isolated showers lingering into the evening. Additional thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon, though coverage and the threat of severe weather are expected to remain limited.
Temperatures are forecast to reach about 90 degrees Wednesday.
Rain chances are expected to continue through the remainder of the workweek and into the weekend as an upper-level low-pressure system sends multiple disturbances across North Texas.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX 4’s Weather Team
Monday was a wild day for the NFL with two blockbuster trades. First was Myles Garrett, who both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles were rumored to have interest in.
Cowboys fans never bought into these rumors, knowing that Jerry Jones was unlikely to make such an investment. The Eagles, however, have been known to get aggressive. Thankfully for Dallas fans, they didn’t make the move as the Cleveland Browns sent Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse and a package of picks.
Not long after that trade was finalized, the Eagles did wind up making a trade. After months of speculation surrounding A.J. Brown and the New England Patriots, the two sides made it official as Brown was reunited with Mike Vrabel in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
Dallas Cowboys could take the NFC East crown in 2026
The writing has been on the wall all offseason regarding Brown, who has been unhappy with the Eagles for a while. His departure seemed confirmed when they traded up with Dallas in the 2026 NFL draft for USC receiver Makai Lemon.
While Lemon has the tools to be a difference-maker, he won’t be able to perform at the same level as Brown during his rookie season. The Eagles do still have DeVonta Smith at receiver as well as running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
That said, there’s no denying that they’re weaker this season than they were with Brown. Just as important, however, is the fact that general manager Howie Roseman didn’t pull off a shocking move for Garrett, which would have made them the overwhelming favorites in the division.
Cowboys chances hinge on defensive changes
Another reason the Cowboys are confident they can hang with Philadelphia this season is the presence of Christian Parker, who they hired as their defensive coordinator after he spent the past two seasons as the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach with the Eagles.
Parker brings in a new scheme and plenty of confidence, but more importantly, he has several new weapons at his disposal. Dallas traded for veterans Rashan Gary and Dee Winters, signed Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant, and selected Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the draft.
Those are just some of the moves they made on defense, and they’re banking on that to be enough to help propel them past the team that has won the division the past two seasons.
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