The 2025 draft season is upon us and the Cowboys have the No. 12 overall pick in the first round. The Draft Blog will chronicle the draft process for the Dallas Cowboys leading up to the NFL Draft.
Stay locked in with the Draft Blog as we key tabs on all of the news and notes as it pertains to the Dallas Cowboys and the draft process over the next few months.
February 28 - Biggest winners from Days 2-4 of the NFL Combine
With the NFL Combine in the books, NFL teams now have a plethora of data and testing film to watch of their top targets. In some cases, they've also got interviews with players to bank on as they begin to move their boards around with the draft in April approaching.
Last week, we covered some of the biggest risers from the defensive line and EDGE rushers group at the combine. Now, we'll take a look at the rest of the pool to see who earned themselves some money after a strong day of testing:
Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Already considered to be one of the top players available in the draft by many, Barron moved himself further up towards the top of this class with a strong week of testing at the combine. The most impressive feat was his 4.39 40-yard dash, sixth best amongst all cornerbacks, paired with the second fastest 10-yard split at 1.5 seconds. Barron's calling card is the versatility to play anywhere in the secondary, and the testing numbers to now back that gives him an opportunity to go very high in this draft.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
I might be in the minority here, but I thought Judkins was excellent in Indianapolis. Speed has been one of the bigger concerns surrounding him, but a 4.48 40-yard dash isn't horrible whatsoever. He also posted a 38.5" vertical jump and a 11' broad jump and measured in at 6', 221 pounds. It's still left to be seen how high Judkins will go in a very deep running back class, but I think there's a lot of upside and an already high floor with him as a three-down back.
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Membou is an interesting conversation amongst the tackle group because he doesn't necessarily have the best frame for a tackle at 6'4, 332 pounds, but his athletic testing numbers are off the charts. In Indianapolis he tossed up 31 reps on bench press and a 34 inch vertical, strength and explosion that is demonstrated on his film too. Now the question for NFL teams is whether or not to put him at tackle, or see if he can fit in at guard.
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Emmanwori had the best overall testing week out of any safety in the class, running a 4.38 40-yard dash and leaping for an astounding 43" vertical, the most out of anyone in Indianapolis by an inch and a half. His calling card has always been the mix of size, speed and athleticism, and now an increase in production has to follow. With those traits, Emmanwori is an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling for a lot of NFL teams.
Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
With a lot of attention on Jayden Higgins at Iowa State, folks are starting to learn about his counterpart, Jaylin Noel. Noel had a career best senior season for the Cyclones with 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns, both career highs. At the combine, Noel ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and was first amongst all wide receivers in broad jump (11'2") and tied for first in vertical (41.50"). Don't be surprised if Noel ends up being a Day 2 pick come April.
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
After missing five games for Kentucky last season with a shoulder injury, Hairston has now stacked good performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine to give him some momentum heading into the NFL draft. The 2023 season was Hairston's best on the field, with 66 tackles, five interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, and a forced fumble. He showed the traits that allowed him to have a year like that in Indianapolis, running the fastest 40-yard dash among all players with a 4.28 time. - Tommy Yarrish
February 28 - Biggest winners from Day 1 of the NFL Combine
On Thursday, the testing portion of the NFL Combine began in Indianapolis with defensive lineman, linebackers and EDGEs taking to Lucas Oil Stadium to participate in position-specific drills as well as 40-yard dashes, verticals and other physical measurements.
A good day at the combine can complete change a prospect's draft stock for the better, and for the worse too in some cases. In today's draft blog, we'll look at players whose stock will rise after a big day in Indianapolis:
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Probably the biggest winner of the entire day, Stewart put up some of the best numbers ever from an EDGE rusher at the combine. He measured in at 6'5, 267 pounds and ran a 4.59 40-yard dash. Not bad for his size. Then, you add in that he sprang for a 40-inch vertical jump and 10-foot, 11-inch broad jump, and you realize that Stewart is a freak athlete. He may not have had the production at Texas A&M last season, but what he's able to do athletically may catapult Stewart into the high-first round pick conversation. – Tommy Yarrish
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT, Georgia
Overshadowed through much of the draft process by his teammate Mykel Williams, Ingram-Dawkins finally stole some of the spotlight by outperforming his nearly 6-foot-5 and 276-pound frame. He posted a 4.86 in the 40-yard-dash and put up a 36-inch vertical jump, both exceptional for someone of his size. Possibly putting him firmly in the Day 2 conversation. – Kyle Youmans
Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Jackson was another athletic specimen coming into the combine and proved himself once again in athletic testing. He led all EDGEs with a 40.5 inch vertical and a 10-foot, nine-inch broad jump. Additionally, he ran a 4.69 40-yard dash, which is exceptional for a 6'6, 264 frame. Jackson recorded 14 total sacks over the course of his final two seasons at Arkansas, and may have jump put himself into the early Day 2 discussion.
Jeffery Bassa, LB, Oregon
There were some questions early in the draft process around Bassa's burst and straight-line speed. He silenced a few of those critics by posting one of the faster 40-yard-dash times from the linebacker group. He ran a 4.63 with a 1.59 split, then backed it up with a 38.5 inch vertical, one of the best of the weekend so far. – Kyle Youmans
Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
Another linebacker who shined, and did so while participating in just two drills, was Danny Stutsman. He finished the 40-yard-dash with a 4.52 and a 1.55 split, both numbers finished fourth among participating linebackers. Then followed it up with a 34-inch vertical, in the top third of the position as well. He proved that his speed and athleticism isn't talked about enough, especially if it's paired with his solid film. – Kyle Youmans
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February 24 - Catching up with Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins
After spending five years at Texas, defensive lineman Alfred Collins is ready to make the jump to the NFL.
"I'm starting a new chapter of my life and I want everybody to know who I am, more than just a football player," Collins said. "I'm excited for all these interviews."
As Collins makes his way to Indianapolis, the combine serves as a proving ground for him to stand out amongst a defensive tackle class that is very deep.
"My length, athleticism, I can play any position, nose, defensive end, I don't know too many defensive tackles in this class that can do that," Collins said when asked what makes him stand out in this class. "I feel like that's what makes me different."
Over the course of his five seasons with the Longhorns, Collins accumulated 91 tackles and stepped into a starting role in 2024 filling in for Byron Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat after they departed for the NFL ranks. He's got a knack for stopping the run, and approaches that aspect of the game from a mental standpoint.
"In the run game, it's just a mentality. I'm not going to let anybody move me out of my spot." Collins said.
He's always had that mentality, but a tough loss in the 2023 College Football Playoff to Washington was a big motivating factor for Collins to approach the 2024 season differently in terms of his preparation.
"After we lost to Washington, I for sure took offseason differently, I had a chip on my shoulder…" Collins said. "You just train different, you don't want to feel that, I don't like losing."
He's approached the combine the same way, and is hoping to impress teams with his athletic ability and locker room presence.
"I just want to show my athleticism, I just want to be smooth and show I can change direction." Collins said.
"I'm a great teammate, I love seeing others succeed, I'm going to everything I can to win, I'm a culture guy."
When it comes to players he models his game after, Collins named All-Pro Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones as one he tries to emulate.
"Chris Jones for sure…" Collins said. "Same stature, the way he plays is the way I'm modeling myself to play."
For comparison, Jones is listed at 6'6, 310 pounds and Collins at 6'5, 320. With more time and development, Collins projects to be a reliable presence in the middle of the defensive line for whichever team drafts him.
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January 26 - Who stood out from day two of Shrine Bowl practices?
East Team:
Isaiah Neyor, WR - Nebraska
Neyor stood out as one of the better receivers on day two, using smooth cuts in his routes to find gaps in the defense. He beat opposing corners down the sideline as a deep threat with great hands, something he was known for when healthy in his college career. Health is one of the question marks around Neyor, but he looked good on Sunday.
Esa Pole, OT - Washington State
Pole isn't the most recognizable name, but he looked great today playing tackle against a East team defensive line that was having a lot of success elsewhere. He moves very well for his size (6'5, 320 pounds) and was just as effective at Washington State, where he did not allow a sack in nearly 500 pass blocking snaps over two seasons.
RJ Mickens, DB - Clemson
A Southlake Carroll high school graduate, Mickens has made himself at home again through two days of Shrine Bowl practices. Mickens played his best against the run and was a willing tackler in practice, and always seemed to be in the right spot at the right time for the East defense. - Tommy Yarrish
West Team:
Craig Woodson, DS - California
Versatility always helps during events like the Shrine Bowl, and Woodson has plenty of it. His physicality and coverage ability were on full display, especially during the one-on-one and seven-on-seven periods. Receivers had a tough time holding on to the ball when he played downhill, and even tougher time building separation when he played at the line of scrimmage.
Luke Lachey, TE - Iowa
Iowa has provided the NFL with some talented tight ends in recent memory, and Lachey has been looking the part for the first few practices. He's highlighted the team period as the most targeted pass catcher in the group and continues to showcase a solid catch radius. His hands have also been a plus, holding on to laser-beam passes over the middle in traffic more than once already.
Chandler Martin, LB - Memphis
There are multiple undersized linebackers in the group of Shrine Bowl prospects, but Martin has stuck out among the crowd. During his time at Memphis, he rushed the passer with 10.0 sacks over two seasons and tallied over 200 tackles as well. However, his most impressive skill is definitely in coverage, which has led to a few altered passes and tipped balls over the first two days. - Kyle Youmans
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January 25 - Who stood out from day one of Shrine Bowl practices?
Practices for the 100th annual East-West Shrine Bowl began on Saturday morning at the University of North Texas, with plenty of scouts and media on hand to evaluate upcoming draft talent. Here's who stood out:
East Team:
Montrell Johnson, RB - Florida
Johnson displayed good vision and burst out of the backfield in day one of practice and wasn't taken down after first contact. He's not the fastest guy at top end speed, but is smart about how he navigates behind his blockers to gain yards and that was on full display.
Tyler Baron, EDGE - Miami
It felt like every time Baron had a pash rush in 11-on-11 play, he won it and got pressure on the quarterback. Baron explodes at the line of scrimmage on every snap, and his length mixed with an arsenal of pass rush moves allowed him to live in the backfield plenty during practice.
Cobee Bryant, CB - Kansas
Bryant's length allows him to do a lot in coverage, and that was evident in practice as he kept receivers glued to him for most of the day when lined up 1 on 1. Combined with his athleticism, Bryant was active around the ball and broke up several passes making life very difficult for opposing receivers. - Tommy Yarrish
West Team:
Konata Mumpfield, WR - Pitt
Even on day one, Mumpfield jumped off the page with athleticism and technique. Showed good route running and soft hands with a few catches in traffic during team drills. Especially with new quarterbacks and different cornerbacks in coverage, it was impressive to see.
Gus Hartwig, IOL - Purdue
Saturday was a great day to evaluate the one-on-one drills in the trenches. Hartwig was the most impressive of the bunch on day one. His technique and hand placement was sound, stayed planted with a strong base and impressive first punch. He continued that success into a solid team period performance as well.
CJ West, IDL - Indiana
The most entertaining portion of the entire practice was when West battled with his Big Ten counterpart Gus Hartwig in one-on-ones. West was the only defensive player to have success against Hartwig, as he dominated everyone else on the offensive line. West was a key figure in the Hoosiers' playoff run, and he looked the part in real time Saturday. - Kyle Youmans
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