Cowboys Mailbag: How will Miami star’s off-the-field concerns affect the draft?
Welcome to the Star-Telegram’s first edition of the Cowboys Mailbag, where we answer your burning Dallas Cowboys questions each week.
There are two ways to submit questions. You can reply to my weekly post on X asking for questions and maybe get an answer, or you can email me at nharris@star-telegram.com and guarantee a response!
In this first edition, we’re all focused on the draft and how things could play out for each of Dallas’ two first-round picks. There has been a lot of buzz about how the Cowboys will come to those selections, so let’s dive into some of the pressing matters.
Q: The Cowboys seem likely to draft defense, right? It seems like many of the players of interest on defense are not premium positions in the NFL. Is that correct? How much could that influence how we watch the draft play out? — @ben_larimore
A: What’s up, Ben. Of the options at No. 12 overall, I’m sure you’re referring to Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. Both positions are not usually ones you’d see picked in the top 12, but these are special talents. I think it’s likelier you see league trends in drafting these positions high show up more with Downs than Styles. Only eight safeties have been drafted in the top 10 since 2000, and Kyle Hamilton was expected to be another in 2022 before he slipped all the way to 14. There are still a couple of land mines that the Cowboys will have to get through (notably Cincinnati at No. 10), but it’s not as impossible as it may have seemed just a few weeks ago that these players will be available at No. 12.
Q: Any truth to the talk of Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. being off the Dallas board because of off-field concerns? — @Gdaws2
A: It was reported on Sunday that Bain was involved in a fatal car accident in 2024 that has caused teams around the NFL to do extensive homework. A couple of things to know off the bat: He does not have any criminal charges hanging over his head (a careless driving charge was dismissed), and family members of the deceased publicly stated that they wish Bain the best and hope he succeeds in the NFL. This is less about criminal concerns and more about accountability and maturity concerns for teams across the league. There is no truth to him being off the board in Dallas because of this, but in a league where driving incidents are being taken more seriously, it’s something to make sure you’re completely comfortable with before spending a premium draft selection. As more information has come out, the concerns have calmed. I personally don’t think it will affect his draft positioning, but every team has differing opinions on issues like these.
Q: The Cowboys are known to do more roster work post-draft than most teams. Is it more likely we see a notable trade or signing on defense in that time frame as opposed to the next two weeks? — @realzeedee
A: Correct. I think you will see the roster how it is today be the same as it will be going into the draft next week. They will work to address multiple defensive holes, and however that shakes out will determine what the strategy is in the trade market afterward. We saw it last year when the Cowboys missed on wide receivers in the draft and traded for George Pickens shortly afterward.
Q: Other than Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, are there any other first-round prospects that you’d essentially rule them out on for pick 12? — @JD_0421
A: The idea of taking offense at No. 12 is a fun one to explore if the board of defensive players is wiped, but I am not expecting that to come to fruition. If anything, I think a wide receiver such as Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson or USC’s Makai Lemon would be a possible choice over the offensive tackles if the situation presents itself. But even then, it would have to require all the top defenders getting selected in the top 11 and no teams hopping on the phone with Dallas to make a potential trade up to No. 12.
Q: Who are some prospects we aren’t talking about enough? We’ve heard Dallas loves Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood, but anyone flying under the radar? — @BigPapaZimmer
A: This is a fun one. I think Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor, San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson and Miami cornerback Keionte Scott are all defenders whom Cowboys fans should monitor. Of course, the top four of LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, Downs, Styles and Bain are names to watch, too. And if the Cowboys get to No. 20 and still haven’t taken a defensive back, I would definitely pencil in Hood.
Q: How much influence will defensive coordinator Christian Parker have on this draft? — @obiwill_kenobi
A: He will have a lot, and that has already been proven by how much of a hand he’s had in the draft process to this point. His defensive ideologies have manifested in whom the Cowboys met with at the combine, whom they invited for “30 visits,” which Pro Days the staff attended and more. He will be in the draft room all weekend and will have as much of a voice as anyone will when it comes down to making the selections.
