dallas cowboys practice tour

Cowboys fans show up for free open practice at The Star in Frisco

The team is home from training camp in oxnard, california. thousands of fans showed up in frisco to watch the team's first home practice, by sophia beausoleil • published august 22, 2023 • updated on august 23, 2023 at 9:15 am.

Cowboys Night at The Star in Frisco kicked off three days of open practice for fans to watch the Cowboys prepare for the upcoming season. The practices are open to the public and free.

The team is back from training camp in Oxnard, California, the preparations now continue at home.

“I’m here early, got to catch my Cowboys and get myself in line to watch the practice," said Dominic Andrews, who attended the practice with his father and brother.

Thousands of Cowboys fans waited in the Texas heat for the doors to the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco to open at 4:30 p.m.

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The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders performed followed by a speech from a representative of American Airlines, the mayor of Frisco and the Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones.

"The heat don’t bother me. It could be 150 degrees for these boys, I love my team," said Jason Hicks who arrived early to wait in line to go inside. He was able to snag an autograph from the Cowboys owner. "It's my birthday weekend so it’s been a crazy day, but it’s great."

Earlier in the day, Jones, alongside DeMarcus Ware, who was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Adam Dettman, head of partnerships of North America for MolsonCoors, took part in a ribbon cutting of the new Miller Lite House.

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It's on the perimeter of the field at The Star in Frisco at the Tostitos Championship Plaza.

The new coolers stocked with drinks will be open to the public for purchase.

While the Cowboys talked about their close relationship with MolsonCoors, the upcoming season was on everyone's mind.

Ware said the first day of practice is an exciting time for the players, "We have our team, they’re going to cut down to the 53-man roster and it's time to go, so we're back home, not in Oxnard anymore. The guys are excited to play not just that first home game but to solidify after the preseason. This is who we are and it’s time to play.”

“I know our guys enjoyed the cool weather, but they also know this is where home is and are glad to get back to their families and for this to be opening day here and to open up Miller Lite House, it’s the cherry on top if you will," said Stephen Jones, chief operating officer, executive vice president and director of player personnel for the Cowboys.

As for the fans, their cup of optimism is full as they look forward to a new season.

“I’ve been loving the Cowboys since I’ve been little. This has been my dream to be here, so I’m so excited to be here," said Norma Lara who attended the practice with her son and got an autograph from Stephen Jones, the son of Jerry Jones.  

“We want to go to the Super Bowl. It’s been a long time trying to get that dynasty back and I hope it’s this year," said Kenneth Portis, a Cowboys fan who attended the practice with his brother and father.

"I’ve been loving the Cowboys since I was 6 years old and I’ve always wanted them to win a Super Bowl," said 10-year-old Maleki Lara.

The free open practices continue on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

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Dallas Cowboys

The cornerstone of The Star development is Ford Center, a state-of-the-art, 12,000-seat indoor multi-use event center. Ford Center hosts Friday Night Lights for Frisco high school football teams, serves as the indoor practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys, as well as hosts a variety of other athletic, entertainment and private events.

“When we were looking to build a new practice facility, we considered a lot of different locations,” said Stephen Jones, executive vice president, chief operating officer and director of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys. “Frisco is not only friendly to sports but also to business. For us, this public-private partnership has been a great return. With Frisco’s vision and its leaders’ commitment to sticking to that vision, they’ve turned Frisco into one of the most vibrant communities in the U.S.”

Through the partnership, Frisco Independent School District, which invested $30 million in the project, found a home for high school football, cheerleading, lacrosse and other sports, as well as band.

The Cowboys have also partnered with Frisco schools to promote careers in sports by giving students firsthand knowledge of the behind-the-scenes workings of a professional team.

Interested in seeing the home of America's Team? You can in Frisco.

Ford Center at The Star (972) 497-4800 One Cowboys Way Frisco, TX 75034 [email protected] www.thestarinfrisco.com

The Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and Practice facility are located in Frisco at The Star, a…

Ford Center at The Star

Ford Center at The Star is a 12,000 seat indoor multi-use events center which is a part of The Star…

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Cowboys draft: Reviewing Dane Brugler’s final 7-round mock draft

One of the drafts top experts makes his picks for the Cowboys.

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The Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl is only a few days away. While it won’t end with them walking away with a Lombardi Trophy, not many front offices draft players better than the Cowboys.

Yes, last year’s class didn’t hit the ground running, but seeing the massive jump players like Tyler Smith, Jake Ferguson, and DaRon Bland made in their second seasons should invoke some hope. Outside of last year, the front office has found numerous diamonds in the draft during Mike McCarthy’s tenure as head coach.

From 2020 to 2022, the #Cowboys have selected 27 players. 7 have received NFL honors. - 12 total Pro Bowls - 8 total 1st/2nd team All-Pro’s - 4 DPoY nominations - 1 RDPoY award - 1 pick-6 record holder In recent years, not many have drafted better than Dallas #DallasCowboys — Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 17, 2024

After last season’s gut-wrenching playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers , the roster's depletion in free agency, and the lack of moves to recoup some veteran players, there seems to be an immense amount of pressure on the team to hit a home run in their upcoming draft.

There are holes to be filled up and down the roster, starting with the offensive line, running back, linebacker, defensive tackle, and even depth at wide receiver. With just seven picks to accomplish a daunting task, The Athletic’s draft expert, Dane Brugler, put out his seven-round mock draft for the entire NFL, including America’s Team .

Round 1 (Pick No. 24) - Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

A popular move among Cowboys fans would be for the team to trade down in the first round, accumulate some more draft capital, and still pick an offensive lineman. However, Brugler stays at No. 24 and selects offensive tackle, Tyler Guyton.

Ideally, the Cowboys would love to keep Tyler Smith at left guard, but it might depend on how this draft plays out. In this scenario, they add the raw but toolsy tackle, who they hope will be the next Tyron Smith .

As Brugler points out, the team hopes to land their next left tackle and replace the crater-sized hole left by Tyron Smith’s absence. Guyton is not without his warts. Throughout the draft process, analysts have talked about his rawness as a prospect, and his playing right tackle his entire career would be a projection on the left side.

However, it’s hard to argue with the size and traits that Guyton would bring to the Cowboys locker room. The Oklahoma tackle’s Relative Athletic Score (RAS) is at 9.73 . That score ranks 40th out of 1,330 offensive tackle prospects since 1987. Similar comps for Guyton from the website include Jonathan Ogden, a Hall of Fame player, and Mekhi Becton. That should give fans an idea of what he could become if he develops into a great player or flames out like Becton.

Taking a chance on Guyton in the first round isn’t without its risk, but the Cowboys were criticized for taking Tyler Smith at the exact pick a few years ago, and look how that’s turned out.

Round 2 (Pick No. 56) - Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State

In the second round, the Cowboys add much-needed help to their linebacking corps with a player who could be the best linebacker in the entire draft class. Like the Guyton pick in the first round, Wilson comes with his suitcase full of risk.

Here is an excerpt from Brugler’s draft guide, “The Beast,” about Wilson’s medical history, which dates back to high school.

Medical history is a bright red flag after double-digit surgeries since his senior year of high school — missed the second half of his senior year of high school after tearing the ACL in his right knee (October 2017), requiring surgery; reinjured his right knee during summer of 2018 and required another surgery, sitting out his first season at NC State ; underwent surgery on both shoulders after the 2020 season and sat out 2021 spring practices; missed most of the 2021 season after suffering his third shoulder dislocation (September 2021), which required surgery (Bristow procedure performed by Dr. James Andrews) to repair shoulder blade issues (battled complications from the surgery, including infection)

There’s certainly a lot there, which could be why he falls past the second round. However, the production and tape he was able to put on the field in 2023 is undeniable and could justify the risk for the front office.

Pro Football Focus graded Wilson 89.9 overall , ranking third among all FBS linebackers who played at least 20 percent of the snaps last season. Playing every game in two seasons, Wilson amassed 220 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, and won the Butkus Award going to the top linebacker in the FBS.

Round 3 (Pick No. 87) - Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

There’s no question that the Cowboys running back depth is one of the weakest on the roster. Rico Dowdle returned on a one-year deal and has the most experience in Mike McCarthy’s offense, with newly signed Royce Freeman having the most career rushing yards (1,792). The bottom line—signing Dowdle and Freeman shouldn’t prevent Dallas from drafting their guy.

Texas running back Jonathan Brooks has been a frequent mock to the Cowboys, but in this scenario, Brugler has Dallas going with Jaylen Wright, the explosive back out of Tennessee. Wright is fourth in Brugler’s draft guide, and he says,

“Overall, Wright needs to develop a better feel for using tempo to maximize what is there, but his run strength, balance and ability to cut/weave at top speed make him dangerous with the ball in his hands. He projects as a scheme-versatile back (stylistically similar to Jerome Ford) who can handle work on all three downs.”

The Cowboys lost a dual-threat back in Tony Pollard, who was dynamic as a runner and pass catcher. Wright could fit right into that role and could be even better. Looking at his RAS score compared to that of former Volunteer Alvin Kamara, Wright grades out slightly better .

He could improve some areas of his game, but Wright would be a home run hitter and develop into a three-down back the Cowboys need in 2024.

Round 5 (Pick No. 174) - Matt Lee, C, Miami

Consensus might suggest the Cowboys draft center Jackson Powers-Johnson from Oregon with pick No. 24. However, in this scenario, the front office opts not to go the Travis Frederick route and instead more in line with the success they found in Tyler Biadasz.

Lee is Brugler’s ninth-best center in the draft but might be among the smartest at his position.

With a 3.9 GPA and 1350 SAT score, Lee started to receive attention from Ivy League programs, including offers from Columbia, Cornell, Harvard and Yale

Eventually, Lee decided to go to the University of Miami, but playing the center position at the NFL level requires high football intelligence. When Dallas drafted Frederick, he was regarded as an intelligent player and graduated from Wisconsin with a computer engineering and computer science degree.

If fans want an upgrade from Biadasz’s play in 2023, Lee might not be it. However, Biadasz became a Pro Bowl player and NFL starter, which works for a would-be fifth-round pick.

Round 6 (Pick No. 216) - Xavier Weaver, WR, Colorado

From The Beast:

SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Colorado, Weaver was an outside receiver (almost exclusively on the right side) in former Buffaloes offensive coordinator Sean Lewis’ scheme. After four years at South Florida, he took advantage of an extra year and was the leading receiver for Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders-led offense, including career-best performances against Nebraska and Stanford. Using various techniques and tempos, Weaver shows nuance in his releases and patterns and has the body quickness to make subtle adjustments (doesn’t need the pass to be perfect). Though coaches love his assertive attitude (on and off the field), he can struggle to finish contested catches or win body positioning at the top of routes. Overall, Weaver needs to prove he can produce when working against physicality in the NFL, but he is a quality athlete and route runner with ball-tracking skills. He projects as a backup Z with punt-return potential.

Round 7 (Pick No. 233) - Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington St.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Washington State , Smith-Wade was the right cornerback in defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding’s multiple scheme. He put himself on the NFL map with his breakout 2022 season, and although his 2023 campaign was cut short by injury, he received positive reviews from NFL area scouts. Smith-Wade is a quick-footed, fluid athlete with the movement skills desired for the slot or outside. He doesn’t play structurally sound in his process, which causes him to lose phase mid-route, and needs to be more consistent reading coverage clues to become more of a ballhawk. Overall, Smith-Wade must adapt a more disciplined approach in both coverage and run support to mask his lack of elite size, speed and strength, but he is a loose-moving and tough-minded athlete who has yet to play his best football. He projects as a developmental cornerback and could increase his NFL chances with a move inside.

Round 7 (Pick No. 244) - Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DE, Notre Dame

SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Notre Dame , Jean-Baptiste was an edge rusher in coach Marcus Freeman’s four-man front. A solid role player at Ohio State , he was blocked on the depth chart in Columbus and transferred to South Bend, where he put together a strong final season, leading the Irish in both tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (five). As a pass rusher, Jean-Baptiste has upfield quickness and stays balanced mid-rush, although his rigidity and lack of mass show when his first move is stymied. He plays with terrific effort in the run game, but he can be out-leveraged at the point of attack. Overall, Jean-Baptiste lacks dynamic traits in his play, but he battles and has enough tools that warrant further development. He is worth bringing to camp and possibly adding to the practice squad.

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Watch: Cowboys’ Micah Parsons tests endurance, trades gut punches with boxer in workout

A tiktok video from boxer aj graham showed parsons working out at tony mack’s tmack elite training gym in allen..

By SportsDay Staff

10:51 PM on Apr 17, 2024 CDT

Micah Parsons turned to boxing last offseason to keep his skills sharp. It appears he’s at it again in 2024.

In a video posted to TikTok, the Cowboys linebacker could be seen testing his endurance by trading gut punches with boxer AJ Graham. The workout took place at Tony Mack’s TMACK Elite Training gym in Allen.

Parsons and Graham had challenged each other, seeing which individual could hold up the longest while being punched in the stomach. The 15-second video displays Graham bouncing back quickly from two punches, while Parsons steps away after a tough blow.

@aj.graham129 Whos going to tap first?🥊 #fyp #viral #fypシ #foryoupage #tiktok #foryou #viralvideo #gym #boxing🥊 #boxing #nfl #challenge ♬ boondocks - L.Dre

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Before the 2023 season, Parsons took up boxing as a way to enhance his impact as a defensive weapon. He was looking to better withstand the workload that comes with splitting reps at linebacker and defensive end.

Parsons was absent from the Monday start of the Cowboys’ voluntary workouts. A person close to Parsons told The Dallas Morning News that he is focused on a personalized training program outside the team’s facility. He was also absent from last year’s Cowboys offseason program.

Player attendance during a workout program that, until a June 4-6 minicamp, isn’t mandatory is generally not notable.

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here .

SportsDay Staff

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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Docuseries Lands at Netflix

Netflix has greenlit a new docuseries centered on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the streamer announced Thursday.

The series, titled "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," will follow the squad through the 2023-24 season from start to finish, kicking off at auditions and training camp and continuing all the way through the NFL season. The show is set to premiere this summer.

The seven-episode series will center on the iconic franchise as the team "opens their doors to document the personal stories behind the uniforms - revealing the drive, hustle and drama among the cheerleaders and coaches," according to the official logline. The show will spotlight athletes feeling the pressure while making their dreams come true, all under the watch of longtime cheer director Kelli Finglass.

"We're thrilled to see the results of a season spent with Greg Whiteley and a remarkable crew following every step of the way. The storytelling through this open access will captivate viewers episode after episode, and Netflix's global stage is the perfect platform to showcase it," Dallas Cowboys EVP and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders president Charlotte Jones said in a statement. "We went into this understanding that the opportunity to transparently share the journey of our season, and the emotions, challenges and joy experienced along the way, is exactly what our fans and viewers would want. It's also part of the reason that, for decades, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have earned their place as being 'often imitated, but never equaled.'"

"Last Chance U" and "Cheer" EP Greg Whiteley is set to direct the series, which hails from One Potato Productions and Boardwalk Pictures in association with Campfire Studios. Executive producers for the series include Whiteley and Adam Leibowitz of One Potato Productions, Andrew Fried and Dane Lillegard of Boardwalk Pictures and Ross M. Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans of Campfire Studios.

"The kind of access and creative freedom we need to make the kind of work we want to make is not easy to come by -- especially when dealing with a brand as large as the Dallas Cowboys," Whiteley said. "To their infinite credit, the Cowboys offered unfettered access for the year we filmed the DCC and left us alone. The result is an authentic portrait of one of the most storied and beloved institutions we have in American pop culture."

The post Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Docuseries Lands at Netflix appeared first on TheWrap .

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Dallas Cowboys Host 30 Visit With Draft Target Jackson Powers-Johnson; Trade Back and Pick?

The Dallas Cowboys have been linked to Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson for much of the NFL Draft cycle. Does his top 30 visit chance that projection?

• Author: Anthony Licciardi

In this story:

For as long as it became clear that center Tyler Biadasz’s future with the Dallas Cowboys was in doubt, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson has frequently been mocked as a replacement.

However, a lackluster free agency has thrown the Dallas roster into a state of unsteadiness. Replacing left tackle Tyron Smith likely takes priority over the center position, and no moves to address receiver Michael Gallup’s departure or two edge rushers heading to the Washington Commanders have been made. Each need is underlined by the maybe-threat of having to replace quarterback Dak Prescott next season. 

Subsequently, the Cowboys have several options available to them at No. 24 , from another first-round lineman to a dynamic threat on the boundary. The consensus has largely pegged the top tackle remaining to America’s Team, but Powers-Johnson certainly isn’t out of the running.

Oct 21, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58)

Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports

Unsurprisingly, Dallas has already held a visit with Powers-Johnson. Per reports, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have, too.

It’s worth noting that the Oregon product’s hype has been driven more from non-sourced media than analysts known to have a thumb on the pulse of decision-makers. That isn’t to disparage the draftniks that have granted him Round 1 grades – he was impressive this past season – but to some, a slide to Round 2 wouldn’t be surprising. 

Powers-Johnson’s critics will point to poor knee bend that saps him of power and a lack of athletic testing that could have eased some concerns. Additionally, Oregon’s offense was designed to get the ball out quick, leaving some wondering how much he was truly asked to do in pass protection. 

Given how the league seems to view him, he may be a priority for the Cowboys if they trade back from No. 24.

Despite his flaws, Powers-Johnson was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded center from this past season and allowed just a single pressure. He was a single-year starter, but it’s hard to have a more promising campaign than he produced. Powers-Johnson won the Rimington Trophy for his efforts as the best center in the country.

For now, fans can consider the top 30 visit an act of due diligence. As a legitimate candidate for one of the team’s first two picks, and one of the best players at his position, the Cowboys were always going to give him an extended look.

There are legitimate concerns in his profile, but depending on how the board shakes out, Powers-Johnson could be the best player available. He projects as a Day 1 starter, and with the state of Dallas’ line, that could give him an advantage over offensive linemen viewed as projects with massive upside.

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Cowboys Ex Lineman Dead At 66

Connected to the World Corporate Headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys, Ford Center is comprised of a multi-purpose, 12,000 seat, indoor stadium as well as the entire Dallas Cowboys football operations and practice fields. The indoor stadium at Ford Center provides a state-of-the-art facility shared by the Dallas Cowboys, City of Frisco and Frisco ISD. The longstanding partnership that Ford and North Texas Ford Dealers have enjoyed with high school football and the Dallas Cowboys made Ford Center a seamless fit.

Ford Center

9 cowboys way frisco, tx 75034.

Analyzing all of the Cowboys’ picks in Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft

Few individuals outside of an NFL building put as much work into the NFL Draft as The Athletic ’s Dan Brugler. After releasing his annual draft guide, “The Beast” last week, he put out a full seven-round mock draft Wednesday , offering his thoughts on how the complete 257-pick odyssey can go next week in Detroit.

For the Dallas Cowboys , Brugler made the seven selections the Cowboys hold entering the draft. Before we offer some thoughts and analysis on Dane’s perspective, here’s a look at the complete haul for the Cowboys:

Day 1: Round 1

Generally speaking, Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton has been one of the most popular selections in Cowboys mock drafts. Guyton is just a touch outside of the top group of tackles but is still considered one of the true first-round grades at the position. Cowboys fans are well aware at this point that the team has a need to fill on the left side of the offensive line, whether it’s left tackle or left guard. There are internal options for both positions — swinging Tyler Smith out to left tackle and plugging in T.J. Bass at left guard — but Plan A remains adding a player to the mix and trying to keep Smith at left guard, if possible.

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As more information becomes available throughout the offseason and draft process, and intel is gleaned from teams across the league, conclusions are subject to change. However, Guyton is a player Brugler has liked for the Cowboys at No. 24 for a while. Last month, in a conversation with The Athletic ’s Jon Machota , Brugler dubbed Guyton “really interesting.”

Breaking down what the Cowboys could do in the first round of the draft

“There have been some comparisons drawn to Tyron Smith , just being kind of a raw, athletic right tackle in college who can really blossom at the  NFL level. Guyton has a lot of ingredients that you want. He’s big, he’s long, he’s athletic. I think at the Senior Bowl he showed that he is not as raw as maybe some people think in terms of countering what pass rushers throw at him, being able to settle his feet and really sit down versus power. But there are some areas of his game where there are going to be some speed bumps.”

For some, Guyton won’t be the sexy pick, but if it pans out on Sundays in the fall, the feelings on one evening in late April will subside. Tyler Smith is a testament to that.

It’s worth mentioning that when Brugler picked Guyton for the Cowboys, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson — popular among Cowboys fans — was still on the board and  went with the very next pick at No. 25. If that’s how things transpire on draft day, it would sort of set up a 2017 draft situation — but not nearly as flagrant — for many Cowboys fans. That’s when the Cowboys selected Taco Charlton , and T.J. Watt — the choice many Cowboys’ fans pined for even in the moment — went two picks later. Guyton and Powers-Johnson play different positions, but for many Cowboys fans, the two careers would be linked and watched closely.

Day 2: Rounds 2 and 3

Brugler’s second-round pick for Dallas is pretty on brand with many Cowboys second-round picks in recent history. Before we get to anything having to do with skills, scheme fit or depth chart order, Payton Wilson will be 24 years old in a few days, and his body has undergone “double-digit surgeries” since his senior year of high school. That includes a torn ACL, a plethora of shoulder procedures and even dealing with an infection in 2021 from shoulder surgery. That’s not even to mention his 2019 arrest in which, according to police records, he was intoxicated, ran from the police, was hit by a vehicle and hid under a parked car.

On the field, Wilson possesses many of the sought-after abilities in a linebacker, including a relentless competitive motor and four-down ability. Even with DeMarvion Overshown expected to return from a torn ACL and the team signing Eric Kendricks in free agency, the Cowboys can use help at linebacker. If Wilson were able to stay on the field, he would provide a lot of what the Cowboys are looking for. But after experiencing the Leighton Vander Esch tenure, and Sean Lee before him, Cowboys fans won’t be sold easily on talent with availability questions, particularly at linebacker.

Cowboys pre-draft analysis: Exploring the best- and worst-case scenarios

Brugler graded Wilson as a third-round talent in “The Beast,” so the Cowboys’ picking him in the second round doesn’t exactly scream good value. More so, at the time Brugler selected Wilson, running backs Jonathon Brooks, Trey Benson and Blake Corum were available. Each of those backs addresses an area of need and does so with more reliability.

Brugler did get the Cowboys a quality running back, landing Tennessee’s Jaylen Wright in the third round at No. 87. If the Cowboys roll with the status quo in the draft and don’t add any mid-round picks, the third-rounder will have additional considerations attached because the Cowboys would have almost 100 picks before their next selection at No. 174 in the fifth round. It illustrates again just how much the Cowboys could benefit from adding another third-round pick or a fourth-round pick.

Wright would be an exciting addition to the running backs group, which just welcomed Royce Freeman to join Rico Dowdle , Deuce Vaughn , Malik Davis and Hunter Luepke . Wright is a three-down talent, capable of running effectively but also possessing receiving and pass-protection skills. For the Cowboys, Wright could become a guy who handles the majority of the workload while being supplemented situationally with the existing depth chart.

Day 3: Rounds 4 through 7

This year’s draft class is deep at center, which the Cowboys need to fill after the departure of Tyler Biadasz . As deep as the class is, if the Cowboys wait until the fifth round to take their first stab at it, they must feel pretty comfortable with Brock Hoffman as the guy anchoring the middle in 2024. That’s not to say a player like Miami center Matt Lee can’t come in and impress right away, but it’s a stretch to place the expectations of a starting NFL center on a fifth-round talent. Lee’s a solid player who has been on an upward trajectory and has almost exclusively played center. If selected, he might eventually become a starting center in the NFL, but he’ll likely be in a reserve role to begin the 2024 season.

Fans might be familiar with wide receiver Xavier Weaver thanks to Colorado’s ascension to the national spotlight in 2023. Weaver made the jump to Power 5 competition last season after four years at South Florida and was a key asset for Shedeur Sanders in Colorado’s offense. After the Cowboys parted ways with Michael Gallup , they could use a presence at outside receiver. CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks can play on the perimeter, but having an outside guy frees up the Cowboys’ ability to move around Lamb and Cooks to exploit mismatches. Weaver could be a candidate for that role, though it would be unfair to expect him to do that immediately. To begin, he’d likely factor in as the fourth guy, at best, behind Lamb, Cooks and Jalen Tolbert and then work his way up the depth chart based on his ability to transition to the NFL’s competition and ability to earn the trust of the coaching staff and Dak Prescott .

By the seventh round, teams are looking for developmental players with holes in their game who can contribute on special teams. Washington State’s Chau Smith-Wade fits that description as a cornerback with good tools and attitude but is not quite there in the measurables. The Cowboys don’t actively need cornerback help at the top of the depth chart, thanks to Trevon Diggs (returning from a torn ACL), DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis . However, in losing Stephon Gilmore (unsigned), depth has taken a hit, and although the team passively likes what it has in Eric Scott Jr. , there isn’t a reliable option behind the top trio. Smith-Wade wouldn’t solve that immediately, but he can become a core special teamer and build toward becoming a factor on defense.

Much of the sentiment with Smith-Wade can be applied to edge Javontae Jean-Baptiste, who was solid last year at Notre Dame but has a long way to go to being part of anything defensively in the NFL.

(Top photo of Jaylen Wright: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)

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Saad Yousuf is a staff writer covering the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Stars. He also works at 96.7/1310 The Ticket in Dallas after five years at ESPN Dallas radio. Prior to The Athletic, Saad covered the Cowboys for WFAA, the Mavericks for Mavs.com and a variety of sports at The Dallas Morning News, ESPN.com and SB Nation. Follow Saad on Twitter @ SaadYousuf126