Every year when I build a mock draft, I try to strip away the noise.

Fan bias, team needs shouted into existence, consensus boards that start to feel more like group thinking rather than evaluation.

My first-round mock draft isn’t about playing it safe, it’s about how I believe the NFL actually thinks when the clock is on.

And the truth is: upside wins.

I finished my first-round mock draft and I already know it won’t be for everyone.

Traits > consensus
Upside > comfort

Who’s too high? Who’s too low? ⬇️#NFLDraft #MockDraft #DraftSeason...

In this episode of Between the Lines we flip the attention to the defensive line, where chaos meets strategy. This is where the Cowboys’ games are won and lost so let’s dive in.

Interior Defensive Line

Osa Odighizuwa

(2025 Stats: 574 Total snaps, 38 Total Tackles, 6 TFL, 43 Pressures, 3 Sack)

Grade: 66.8

Solomon Thomas

(2025 Stats: 352 Total snaps, 23 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 11 Pressures, 0 Sacks, 1 PD)

Grade: 59.0

Kenny Clark

(2025 Stats: 615 Total snaps, 30 Total Tackles, 6 TFL, 39 Pressures, 3 Sacks)

Grade: 64.4

Jay Toia

*(2025...

The Dallas Cowboys have been eliminated from playoff contention.

You may have felt that this was the case for some time already in a matter of fact sense, but it became official on Saturday night when the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Washington Commanders. Thanks to losses over the last two weeks to the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings the Cowboys left themselves with only one path into the postseason and that was as the hypothetical winner of the NFC East. That will not come to pass as the Eagles have now won it.

Much is always made about how the...

The Eagles can eliminate the Cowboys from the playoffs if they can beat the Commanders in the first game. Later, the Bears could help elevate one of our first-round draft picks by defeating the Packers.

This is an open thread for game chat.

Losing is a stinky cologne, to mangle a quote. It permeates all elements of a football franchise and can cover up the slight smell of any success or confidence. That is where the Dallas Cowboys are right now when it comes to the fanbase.

There are some definite positives from the 2025 season for the Cowboys. Brian Schottenheimer proved he is a capable head coach, navigating some really rough waters to a point where he still seems to be in command of his club, and still has the respect of the roster. His side of the ball, the offense, has...

Cue the clowning on social media.

The Dallas Cowboys’ playoff hopes went from slim to near impossible in the span of one week.

Week 15 was not kind to the Cowboys with the cards not falling their way in several matchups that would have helped them inch towards the playoffs.

Despite the help needed from others, Dallas could not take care of things in their own backyard, allowing J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings to steal a win under the Sunday Night Football lights at AT&T Stadium.

The loss dropped the Cowboys to 6-7-1 on the season, and sent most of...

It is a rarity to have three NFL games kickoff before the Sunday slate, but that is exactly what fans are getting with Week 15’s Christmas-season chaos.

On Thursday night, fans got to see what was likely the game of the year to this point. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks sparred all the way through overtime en route to a thrilling 38-37 finish.

Two days later, we can sit back, plug in the Christmas lights, and watch four NFC squads battle it out with major playoff picture implications on the line.

First, it will be the reigning champs...

The inaugural season of the Brian Schottenheimer era with the Dallas Cowboys is coming to a close. While there have been many ups and downs, the team sits on the outside looking in for what will likely be their consecutive season missing the playoffs, barring a miracle that even Roger Staubach and Drew Pearson couldn’t create.

Given the flaws of the roster Schottenheimer was handed, and the loss of their franchise star defensive player one week before the regular season, some would argue a six- to eight-win season exceeded their initial expectations for the head coach. The Cowboys do have...

Trevon Diggs appears to be on track to play for the Dallas Cowboys this week.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday morning that Dallas is “likely” to activate Diggs ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. This news comes right after it was reported that fellow cornerback DaRon Bland is likely headed to injured reserve himself so the Cowboys are in need of bodies.

It goes without saying that 2025 has been a weird year for the Cowboys and Trevon Diggs. You will recall that it began with Jerry Jones openly doubting the extension that Dallas gave...

I like KaVontae Turpin. You have to respect the speed, effort, and occasional spark he brings when the ball is in his hands. At some point, production has to justify cost.

When I step back and look at the full picture; return production, field position, offensive usage, and cap impact, I can’t make the case that Turpin’s contract is paying off for the Cowboys.

I want everyone to know this isn’t about highlights or reputation, it’s about results.

The Return Numbers Don’t Justify the Investment

We all know Turpin’s value is supposed to show up on special teams,...

With still three games to go in the 2025 season, and still not technically eliminated from playoff contention, the Dallas Cowboys still need to paly out the season. But their scouting department is focusing on the 20026 draft..

The Cowboys are set up nicely to compete in 2026. With most of their major players under contract heading into 2026, and George Pickens expected to be extended or franchise tagged, the Cowboys focus should be on improving their defense over the offseason. It is still to be determined if defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will be back in 2026, but it is...

Aside from their first round pick out of Alabama, Tyler Booker, the rookies for the Dallas Cowboys had a very quiet night overall in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings.

The rookies have been mirroring the team’s overall play over the last few weeks. That hasn’t always been a good thing.

Over the season’s final three weeks, it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys approach their rookies.

Dallas seems set with Booker, and second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku, as both players have been steady contributors.

Third round pick Shavon Revel remains an enigma. The Cowboys say they like what they’ve...