What we learned from the NFL combine, including good and bad draft news for Cowboys

INDIANAPOLIS — The shrimp cocktail sauce at St. Elmo’s steakhouse, famous among NFL scouting combine visitors, hits hard. Its spice stings immediately. Breathe in and the spice increases like gas to a flame; refuse to breathe and time slows down, making a first-time taster — like yours truly — wonder if the horseradish-infused sauce will ever dissipate.

But then, just as quickly as it comes, it’s gone. Unlike other spicy foods it doesn’t linger at all.

Lessons learned from the combine can hit just as hard and just as quickly. The difference between the event and the signature food from just down the street, however, lies in its aftereffect. The spice from St. Elmo’s might not linger, but insight and discourse from the combine does — especially when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys.

The stage is now set for what should be an interesting offseason for the Cowboys. Here are 10 things we learned about the Cowboys from Indianapolis:

Cowboys

We’ve only just begun with George Pickens

Let’s not forget that Micah Parsons showed up to the mandatory portion of the Cowboys’ offseason last year. And then, you know, a cascading sequence of events led to the Cowboys trading him to Green Bay a week before the season.

The latest negotiation for the Cowboys, kicker aside, is with star wide receiver George Pickens.

At the combine, one of the biggest questions was about Pickens and whether he would show up to the team’s offseason program. The Cowboys placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on him, meaning they have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal, while Pickens also has the freedom to negotiate with other teams when the league year opens. The Cowboys can match any deal, but if they didn’t, they would be awarded two first-round draft picks.

It feels doubtful that Pickens would show up to the team facility without a new long-term deal, but conversations with people from the Cowboys indicate a hope — and to some, an expectation — that he will show up. Offseason workout programs begin April 20. We’ll have our answer soon.

The market for Pickens says?

Speaking of Pickens, it’s interesting that the Cowboys elected to use the non-exclusive tag. The Cowboys have made it clear they want and expect Pickens to be a Cowboy in 2026. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has said he hopes Pickens can be around for the long term. If so, why let other teams dictate potential terms?

One thought: it could provide some clarity to a market that’s currently vague. The tag means that the floor for a new Pickens deal is just under $28 million. His aspirations, after a highly successful season, could be among the highest in the NFL. Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase has the highest average contract per year for receivers at $40.25 million.

Still, this is the same receiver whom Pittsburgh traded at the end of his rookie contract for mid-round picks for a reason. Would some team offer Pickens a contract out of the Cowboys’ price range and be willing to give two first-round picks at the chance Dallas doesn’t match just a year later? It feels unlikely.

Cowboys moving differently?

Even Stephen Jones offered a sensical retort when he was asked about Jerry Jones saying he would be willing to bust the budget this offseason. He laughed and pointed out that two years ago the phrase of the offseason was “all-in.” As we remember, that offseason’s budget certainly remained intact.

Even the least cynical of Cowboys fans will at least have trepidation when they hear both Jerry and Stephen Jones indicate that this offseason could be different from an investment standpoint. Believe it or not, however, there appear to be signs of opportunity and motivation. The Cowboys have a lot of flexibility when it comes to restructures. They can open up cap space, and Jerry Jones said they would be willing to borrow from tomorrow to help today.

Here’s also the reality: When it comes to defense, they need a lot of help. The Cowboys are aware their defense was in an unprecedented place last season. That could require unprecedented effort to fix. Add in the fact that there’s a lot of excitement for Christian Parker’s staff and the chances of the Cowboys making some moves on defense increase.

Georgia on the Cowboys’ mind?

C.J. Allen knew what he was getting into when he chose to go to Georgia out of high school.

“Man, when you sign that paper you know what you’re signing up for, especially as an inside linebacker. It’s a different type of commitment that you choose to play and the style of defense you play,” Allen said from the combine.

It’s something that might intrigue the Cowboys.

Dallas is looking for a Mike linebacker to pair next to DeMarvion Overshown. That could come via free agency or the draft. Two potential options are Georgia Bulldogs from past and present. One is Allen, who could be an option for the Cowboys in the first round. Allen impressed the Cowboys in a meeting at the combine.

Philadelphia’s Nakobe Dean, a Georgia alum, is also a potential free agent target for the Cowboys, multiple people familiar with the team’s interest told The Dallas Morning News. Dean makes sense, considering the familiarity Parker has with him. While there could be other targets in the draft and free agency, those two make sense.

A clear focus

The last time a team drafted only defensive players was 2020 when the Carolina Panthers selected seven. I’m not sure the Cowboys will do that, but their focus will clearly be on the defensive side of the ball. The majority of their formal meetings happened with defenders. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see their 30 visits reflect that focus, as well. The Cowboys feel good offensively at every position. A depth piece late feels like the only offensive avenue they might go down.

Bad draft news

Last year, Cowboys fans had dreams of Ashton Jeanty at pick No. 12. They then turned their admiration to Tetairoa McMillan once it became clear Jeanty would be gone. By the time the draft rolled around it was clear that McMillan would be gone by then, too.

After this week, it appears two draft crushes for Cowboys fans might go down the same path as Jeanty and McMillan.

Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles had arguably the most impressive week of anyone. He starred on the field and he did well in interviews. He solidified being a top-10 pick and potentially a top-7 selection.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs may not have worked out at the combine, but he, too, might’ve solidified being a top pick with his interviews.

If either of them falls to the Cowboys at pick No. 12 then the Cowboys would likely to race to the podium. The reality setting in: neither probably will.

The good draft news

On the bright side, a couple offensive guys might’ve jumped into that top-11 pick consideration. And in a draft without multiple consensus quarterbacks expected to go high, that’s essential for a team like the Cowboys.

Why? Because they need more defensive guys to fall.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq were among the stars on the field at the combine. Love might end up being a top-9 pick. Sadiq could end up going to Kansas City if the Chiefs need a replacement for Travis Kelce, who still hasn’t decided on his future.

The more offensive players jump into the top-11, the better for the Cowboys at No. 12, who need to find instant starters in the draft.

What about Day 2?

It appears the Cowboys will be willing listeners to trade back with both of their first-round picks, based on conversations at the combine and sheer reality. They currently don’t have a Day 2 pick, and with a draft that’s deep in that portion, there’s belief the Cowboys would like to partake in it. One note: Depending on how the board falls, it’s not impossible that the Cowboys could dangle their No. 12 pick. Moving back briefly from that standpoint would net a higher return than moving back briefly from pick No. 20.

The Cowboys have been active in draft-day movement before. This year could be the same.

Finding their next ‘star’

Perhaps the most pivotal position the Cowboys will be targeting this season is their “star,” which is another name for a nickel. A star will be tasked with being a versatile piece for Parker, who wants to be multiple. They need to have the ability to play deep like a safety, cover like a corner in the slot, handle run defense in the box, and blitz off the edge.

There’s also not one prototype for that position. It could be someone bigger, like Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, or it could be someone smaller, like Clemson’s Avieon Terrell. Miami’s Keionte Scott and Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman are some other potential first-round options.

The Cowboys are expected to play a lot of nickel defense in Parker’s 3-4 base scheme. It’ll be fascinating to see how the Cowboys field that position.

Tyler Smith’s future

In an ideal world, it seems like nobody wants Tyler Smith to move from left guard to left tackle. He doesn’t seem too keen on it. Neither do the Cowboys. Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, for example, said on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) from the combine that they would like to keep the interior trio of Smith, center Cooper Beebe and right guard Tyler Booker intact.

So why does the door for him playing left tackle remain open? Perhaps it’s because the need for him to go there hasn’t cemented itself yet, and there’s a chance it won’t.

Smith’s future aligns with whether the Cowboys can find an answer at left tackle. They drafted Tyler Guyton in the first round in 2024, but injuries and inconsistency when on the field over his first two seasons are enough to make the Cowboys prepare for other options. They also tried Nate Thomas, a seventh-round pick in 2024, at left tackle, but there were mixed results, forcing the Cowboys to place Smith there to end the season.

If the Cowboys can find a permanent, trustworthy solution at left tackle, then Smith will stay at left guard. If not, they could move him to left tackle if they believe it’s best for the team. That’s another reason the Cowboys placed a second-round tender on backup guard T.J. Bass. A $5.8 million salary is high for a backup, sure. But for a starting guard? Not so much.

Final quick thoughts

– The Cowboys are very optimistic about the jump that Shavon Revel Jr. could make in his second year, especially under the tutelage of Parker.

– Don’t expect them to do much at running back this offseason. Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah will be in contention for the second running back spot behind Javonte Williams.

– The safety class is proving to be a strong one in the draft, which could bring down the price of veteran free agent safeties. The Cowboys could go down either path.

– Parker’s 3-4 will require outside linebackers that look more like Donovan Ezeiruaku than Jadeveon Clowney. They want quick guys that can also drop back in coverage, if need be.

– As of now, I’d be surprised if the Cowboys moved on from Malik Hooker. They have a ton of holes on defense; adding another to that list doesn’t make too much sense.

– There’s a negotiation gap for Brandon Aubrey and the Cowboys. Will they ever find middle ground? I think so.

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