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USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2026 NFL Mock Draft: 6 prospects to watch as Cowboys predicted to finish under .500 again
The Dallas Cowboys have closed the book on their draft process for 2025, even as they work the next phase of free agency. The club is already looking into which veterans might fill their remaining holes, for the right price, now that the compensatory pick window is closed. That doesn't mean the draft industrial complex is done with the Cowboys, though. On the contrary, there's still plenty of projection happening in the world of 2026 mock drafts. Don't know whose declaring yet? No problem. Not sure how teams will finished? Use projections. Those actually do a pretty good job of declaring where the prevailing sentiment is for next season's outlook. The Cowboys are predicted to only improve incrementally from last year's 7-10 finish. 2026 mock drafts, at least the ones out currently, are predicting the Cowboys to once again miss the playoffs. Dropping them in the middle of the first round means they'll sit on the outskirts of first-round grade prospects. So who is projected to be in their wheelhouse where biggest need crosses year-ahead rankings? Six names come up the most when scanning the wires, across eight mock drafts. Here's what they all had to say. CBS Sports - 14. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Link Dallas had all the Ashton Jeanty buzz months ago, but Jeanty's stock rose too high for the Cowboys. Jerry gets his chance here for a billboard talent on offense. Love enters the year as RB1 with a nice blend of speed and power and the ability to take over a game, hit the home run and make plays as a receiver. Bleacher Report - 15. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jyaire Hill, Michigan Link While the Cowboys spent a third-round pick on Shavon Revel Jr. over the weekend, the defense could still use further help at cornerback. Trevon Diggs missed the majority of 2023 with a torn ACL and reinjured the same knee this past season. DaRon Bland also dealt with injuries in 2024 and is about to enter a contract year. On top of that, the defense needs someone to cover the slot after Jourdan Lewis left for Jacksonville during free agency. Michigan's Jyaire Hill gives Dallas a corner who has experience on the outside and could lineup at nickel, according to NFL Draft Buzz. "Has explosive movement skills and the fluid athleticism and change-of-direction ability to come down and cover slot receivers," Draft Buzz said of its No. 1 corner heading into the summer. Sportsnaut - 16. Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas Link It could be a dream scenario for the Dallas Cowboys. Anthony Hill Jr. earned first-team All-American honors as a 19-year-old last season, living up to the hype he generated coming out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas. The 6-foot-3 linebacker can do it all, including coming off the edge and dropping back in coverage, which could pair beautifully with Micah Parsons on the Cowboys' defense. Newsweek - 14. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Link DraftWire - 11 - Dallas Cowboys - WR Antonio Williams - Clemson Link USA Today - 12. Dallas Cowboys – Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas Link Whether it's closing in on quarterbacks as a blitzer, thumping in the run game or dropping back in coverage, Hill has a preternatural sense for finding the ball. The 6-3, 237-pound dynamo would be a scintillating figure on the second level of the Cowboys' defense, and Jerry Jones likely would be willing to shrug off questions of positional value more so than many other general managers. Sporting News - 18. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida (6-5, 325 pounds) Link The Cowboys should be in the market for a disruptive tackle, and Banks has special appeal as a big inside pass rusher. Pro Football Network - 12) Dallas Cowboys: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia Link When you watch Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker, and others on the Georgia defense in 2024, there's a specific player who always stands on tape: Linebacker No. 3, C.J. Allen. Allen's production flies under the radar, but his tape is rock-solid, and his LB1 case is strong. At 6'1″, 235 pounds, Allen is uniquely long and lean, and was a commander for the Bulldogs in just his true sophomore season. He's a keen gap processor with explosive sideline-to-sideline range and torrid closing speed, and a unique playmaking gene in coverage. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Indianapolis Star
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana football DL C.J. West selected in NFL Draft; what Mel Kiper Jr. likes about him
C.J. West, a defensive lineman who helped Indiana football reach the College Football Playoff, was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. West played his fifth season for the Hoosiers after four at Kent State in the Mid-American Conference. He got in on 40 tackles, including 8 for a loss, on the way to honorable mention All- Big Ten honors. Scouts like West's ability to gain leverage at the line of scrimmage but are concerned about his minimal pass-rush impact. C.J. West draft profile Weight: 316 pounds Arms: 31 1/2 inches, considered short Hand: 9 3/4 inches, considered average Draft value: Third-day pick C.J. West scouting report Lance Zierlein, "Fifth-year senior with three seasons as a full-time starter at Kent State and one at Indiana. West benefited from an extremely active, gaming front that created playmaking opportunities, but he also did the dirty work inside that scheme. He plays with adequate hand and foot quickness and is quick to diagnose the play. A lack of length and leverage at the point of attack might tie him to a one-gapping scheme as a pro. The sack totals are light, but he has enough athletic ability to compete as a rusher on single blocks. West has Day 3 value as a likely three-technique backup." NFL Draft Buzz: "Put West in a one-gap, attacking front and watch him thrive as a disruptive early-down specialist. His innate ability to maintain leverage and shed blocks translates immediately to the pro game, particularly in systems that value penetration over read-and-react responsibilities. The film shows a player who consistently creates chaos against the run but needs technical refinement to impact passing downs consistently. His lateral quickness and hand violence will earn him playing time from day one in specific packages." Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team: "He's not an ideal pass rusher due to his lack of length and how that handcuffs his ability to play off of bodies when they're latched onto his chest. If he can successfully attack the hands and gain wrist control or force a missed punch at first contact, West has shown the ability to play into the frame of blockers and create push in the middle." Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: "The low man often wins at the line of scrimmage, and West has a low center of gravity and strong hands to get into linemen. His tape shows excellent technique, power and tenacity, which make him difficult to block. And at 6-foot-1 and 316 pounds, he gets enough push to collapse the pocket. I even see some pass-rush upside, though he had just two sacks last season. He ran a solid 4.95 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, so he has the speed to get home on the QB." Strengths Gains leverage at line of scrimmage, preventing linemen from completing blocks Good lateral movement at line can plug potential running lanes Can slip into gaps to blow up plays Weaknesses Small arm length makes pass rushing difficult Lack of perceived pass rushing skill makes him less desirable on third down Can get washed out by blockers coming from the side C.J. West highlights
