Specific to drafting pass-rushers? The Cowboys - try though they might - do not “draft and develop.” They fail. Year after year after year.
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have a new system that will require them to add to the roster defensive ends/EDGEs with a different skill set.
Maybe, along with the new system, they need a new philosophy.
Around here, they call it “draft and develop.” It’s a cheap-out slogan (maybe even a cheapskate slogan) that sounds almost poetic …
But it’s empty. What NFL team doesn’t wish to “draft and develop''? Why do the Cowboys think they deserve a gold star for it?
And specific to end/edge? The Cowboys - try though they might - do not “draft and develop.”
They fail. Year after year after year.
To wit … the last dozen drafts unveil a negative double pattern. Consider …
Donovan Eze 2025
Marshawn Kneeland 2024
Junior Fehoko 2023
Sam Williams 2022
Chauncey Golston 2021
Bradlee Anae 2020
Joe Jackson 2019
Dorance Armstrong 2018
Taco Charlton 2017
Charles Tapper 2016
Randy Gregory 2015 and also Ryan Russell
That's a decade of "trying'' - Dallas has taken a defensive end in every single one of the last 11 drafts - and a decade of failure when it comes to a big hit.
So Demarcus Lawrence in 2014 represents the last true notable success using the Dallas method.
Maybe it’s time to try a different way. And maybe, given the Cowboys interest in either trading for Maxx Crosby of the Raiders (now gone to the Ravens for two first-round picks) or signing Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals - they agree.
We can create two different tiers, 10 edge players each, from which to choose when it comes to Dallas and 2026 free agency (or trade availability.)
Tier 1 (rank 'em however you wish, but here's one stab at it) ...
1 - Crosby (gone)
2 - Hendrickson
3 - Odafe Oweh, Chargers
4 - Jaelan Phillips, Eagles
5 - Boye Mafe, Seahawks
6 - Joey Bosa, Bills
7 - K'Lavon Chaisson, Patriots
8 - Khalil Mack, Chargers
9 - Kwity Paye, Colts
10 - Jonathan Greenard (via trade), Vikings
And then there's what I would call a Tier 2 list ...
1 - Bradley Chubb, Dolphins
2 - Dre'Mont Jones, Ravens
3 - Malcolm Koonce, Raiders
4 - Leonard Floyd, Falcons
5 - Joseph Ossai, Bengals
6 - Arnold Ebiketie, Falcons
7 - Kingsley Enagbare, Packers
8 - AJ Epenesa, Bills
9 - Al-Quadin Muhammad, Lions
10 - Haason Reddick, Buccaneers
This list doesn't include Dallas' own free agents Jadeveon Clowney and Dante Fowler ... and there can be other viable names, too, so add it all up: There is every reason for the Cowboys to come away from NFL free agency with a ready-made top-tier EDGE rusher ... which would free them to use their premium draft picks at other spots rather than to "draft and develop'' pass-rushers ...
Which they don't seem to be very good at, anyway.