Inside The Star
The Dallas Cowboys defense has been a top focus of the front office this off-season. From hiring Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator to extending Osa Odighizuwa, the team has tried hard to buff up the D, and one NFL Draft prospect could be the finishing touch.
Even with Odighizuwa’s return, defensive tackle remains a major need for Dallas. Mazi Smith has yet to prove himself as a starter, and recently signed Solomon Thomas is a depth piece.
Former Jets DT Solomon Thomas reached agreement today on a two-year deal with a max value of $8 million with the Dallas Cowboys, per source. Dallas is home for Thomas, and now he gets to go back.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2025
This issue has been a thorn in the Cowboys’ side for far too long, and it’s time they take another swing at a long-term fix. The 2025 NFL Draft presents the perfect opportunity.
Enter Alfred Collins, a 23-year-old star anchoring the Texas Longhorns’ defense, and the potential next All-Pro on the Cowboys defense.
The Bastrop, Texas, native enters the draft as one of the top interior defensive linemen in the class, and his fit in Dallas makes a ton of sense. Let’s discuss him as a prospect, and why the Cowboys could pull the trigger on the Longhorns star.
At 6’5″, 332 lbs, Collins could fill the middle of the Dallas defense with size, impressive strength, and versatility. They’ve been trying to find a guy like Collins in the draft for years, and he has arrived at their doorstep.
Smith, while he did show improvement last season, is still far from what the team hoped for when they drafted him in the first round.
With his rookie contract getting closer to the end, the team should look at Collins as a second chance to fix the nose tackle spot with a high-potential, disruptive rookie.
Working through this deep DT class. Alfred Collins has stood above the rest of the day-two guys so far.
Ridiculous measurables (6-6, 332, 34 5/8" arms), power to press-and-shed blocks, splits/absorbs double teams, knack for batting passes, alignment versatile. Motor runs hot. pic.twitter.com/cC5Q8D7VKr
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 28, 2025
In 2024, Collins was named First-team All-SEC and Second-team All-American after he racked up 55 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and seven passes defensed in his fifth year of college football.
The experience and production he brings as a prospect are significant, and when you add his traits and potential to the mix, he becomes a top option at his position.
I see Collins as an immediate starter, taking over for Smith and pairing side-by-side with Odighizuwa. It seems that Dallas may think similarly, as they’ve now brought him in on an official pre-draft visit.
In short, Alfred Collins could quickly become a dominant run stuffer with pass rush upside on a new and improved Dallas defensive...
