Cowboys roundtable: Discussions on the combine and favorite draft prospects

Every week, we gather the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the roundtable. This week we have David Howman and Brian Martin.

Who is your “pet cat” in this year’s draft that you look forward to watching at this year’s scouting combine?
This year’s NFL scouting combine is only a few days away. Held in Indianapolis annually, this combine will host a total of 329 prospects, which will take place from February 24 through March 3. Keep an eye on regular updates on BTB for Cowboys interest in prospects and interviews, as well as any rumors we pick along the way. Here’s the timetable for this year’s combine:

Brian: TCU WR Savion Williams is who I’m looking forward to watching. He’s expected to run in the 4.4 range in the 40 at 6’3”, 225-pounds and should also test extremely well in all of the other events. I like the RB/WR Deebo Samuel-like skill set he could bring to the Cowboys offense. He has some focus drop issues and needs to become a better route runner, but his athleticism/versatility make him one of the most unique weapons in the 2025 draft class.

Howman: Darius Alexander, the defensive tackle from Toledo. I’ve been on him for several months now, but Alexander’s strong showing at the Senior Bowl boosted his stock in a big way. I think he can fit at either defensive tackle spot in Matt Eberflus’ defense, making him a very valuable prospect. A bonus honorable mention: Arizona State slot defender Shamari Simmons. Keep an eye on him.

What prospect are you high on that everyone else seems to be overlooking, and why?
There are a number of under the radar players in this year’s draft class. Keep an eye on players like cornerback Azareye’h Thomas from Florida State, defensive tackle David Walker from Central Arkansas and wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks from Louisville, they are hugely overlooked and fit the Cowboys. Let us know in the comments if there any prospects you feel is getting overlooked and we will highlight them in our scouting series here on BTB.

Brian: Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish is someone I’m probably higher on anyone else. He has all the intangibles you look for in both coverage and run support, but at 5’10”, 196-pounds he doesn’t have the ideal size a lot of teams prefer playing on the outside. Fortunately that’s not a problem in Matt Eberflus’ scheme. And, with the Kansas State connection with Cowboys new OL coach Conor Riley, he could be someone on Dallas’ radar to add more depth at CB.

Howman: Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon, for sure. Gordon entered this past year as a Heisman contender, but a miserable season for the Cowboys that ended with both coordinators getting fired has sunk his stock. That’s hardly Gordon’s fault, though, as he has the same talent and ability in my opinion as Ashton Jeanty. Yet Gordon isn’t even a top 10 back in this class according to Mel Kiper, while Pro Football Focus ranks him as the 193rd best player and 22nd best running back.

Which draft option do you prefer-
1st Round: WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)
2nd Round: OT Cameron Williams (Texas)
3rd Round: RB Cameron Skattebo (ASU)

OR

1st Round: CB Will Johnson (Michigan)
2nd Round: DE J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State)
3rd Round: Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee)

Brian: Give me the second option of CB Will Johnson, EDGE JT Tuimoloau, and DT Omarr Norman-Lott and it’s not even close. These three players would be significant upgrades from Day 1 as rookies if added to the Cowboys roster and they all play the “high money” positions that would cost an arm to fill via free agency. This group would immediately transform Dallas’ defense back into a Top 5 unit in the league in my opinion.

Howman: This Arizona State alum is admittedly biased but give me the first one. Cam Skattebo is a stud and a perfect fit for what Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams want in this offense. Tetairoa McMillan is also a really fun prospect who would give the passing game a whole new dimension alongside CeeDee Lamb. And Cameron Williams would be an upgrade over Terence Steele or, possibly, a successor to Zack Martin inside. I’ll take three impact starters on offense any day of the week.