NFC East rookie first rounders all post danger to Cowboys but one stands out most
NFC East rookie first rounders all post danger to Cowboys but one stands out most
The Washington Commanders, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles are all proficient drafting teams. Their ability to add impactful rookies is one of the reasons the Dallas Cowboys have fallen to No. 3 in the NFC East and a major factor why many analysts have the Cowboys outside the playoff picture in 2025.
The Cowboys made a safe, albeit unspectacular, pick when they drafted Tyler Booker with the No. 12 pick. It's an abnormally high place to select an interior offensive lineman and a selection the rest of the division probably isn't losing sleep over.
While Dallas went safe in the first round, their division rivals went aggressive. New York drafted two players in the first round, selecting Abdul Carter from Penn State with the third overall pick and then adding Jaxson Dart with the 25th pick later in the round.
The Commanders followed the Cowboys' lead and went offensive line with tackle Josh Conerly from Oregon. They understand protecting their best weapon, QB Jayden Daniels, is their best chance at continued success and drafted accordingly. Meanwhile the Eagles added to their already stacked defense by picking up Jihaad Campbell with the 31st pick. Campbell is a great prospect with decent value late in the draft and figures into the starting rotation on Day 1.
All of the players selected in the first-round project are cornerstone pieces who are likely to haunt the Cowboys for years to come but one player stands out far above the others as both an elite prospect and a 'sure thing.' That's the Giant's Carter.
Carter looks like the second coming of Micah Parsons. He's an unblockable pass rusher who can attack from multiple places in a variety of ways. He's a player who will be a thorn in the side of Dallas for years to come and someone who makes Tyler Guyton's development imperative.
The Cowboys put all their eggs in Guyton's basket this year. The 2024 first rounder out of Oklahoma has a tremendous skill set but is coming off a terrible rookie season. If he can't make tremendous growth in 2025 the Cowboys will have their work cut out for the foreseeable future.
There's no telling how any of these players will work out for their respective teams once the dust settles but one thing is for certain: Carter is the real deal and top name on the NFC East draft class in 2025.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
Stars re-sign Mavrik Bourque and Nils Lundkvist, young players still searching for roles
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Stars have re-signed two young players still searching for roles, with forward Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Nils Lundkvist agreeing to one-year contracts. Bourque played in 73 regular-season games in 2024-25, but dressed for just three playoff games as the Stars lost in the Western Conference final for the third consecutive year. Edmonton beat Dallas in five games after winning in six last year. The 23-year-old Bourque signed for $950,000, the Stars said Friday. He tallied 25 points (11 goals) last season. Bourque was the 30th overall pick in the first round by Dallas in 2020. Bourque made his NHL debut on April 6, 2024, the only game he played in 2023-24. He also made one playoff appearance that season. Lundkvist has been a disappointment since the Stars traded a first-round pick for him before the 2022-23 season. He was drafted in the first round by the New York Rangers in 2018. Injuries limited the 24-year-old to 39 games in the regular season, and Lundkvist didn't appear in the postseason after playing sparingly in most of his 12 playoff appearances in 2024. His second consecutive one-year contract is for $1.25 million. Lundkvist has 44 points (nine goals) in 183 games over four seasons.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners will stripe the stadium against Michigan
The Oklahoma Sooners have a total of seven home games during the 2025 season, including a huge nonconference showdown against the Michigan Wolverines in Week 2. Earlier this week, the university announced themes for each home game, with the primetime showdown against the 2023 champs as the highlight. OU will stripe Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 6th, a theme the Sooners have brought out for plenty of other big games in the past. Alternating sections of fans will wear red and white shirts, displaying a great look on TV. That contest could very well earn a lot of eyeballs in early September, as it could even be the site for ESPN's College GameDay in Week 2. The network has already announced that kickoff will be at 6:30 p.m. on ABC's Saturday Night Football. But the Michigan game isn't the only one to get a theme in Norman this year. Among others, September 20th against Auburn is "Wear Crimson" day, Homecoming against Ole Miss is set for October 25th and "Military Appreciation Day" is against Missouri on November 22nd. After Oklahoma lost two home games a year ago (against Tennessee and South Carolina), the Sooners would love to get back to their 2023 form, where they went undefeated in Norman. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Texas A&M lands commitment from elite 2026 five-star Edge out of Georgia
Texas A&M's recruiting success continued on Saturday afternoon, as one of the program's 13 visitors announced his commitment to the Aggies as a five-star edge Tristian Givens, who is currently taking his first official visit to College Station, became the 19th commit in A&M's 2026 cycle, and the second five-star commit alongside cornerback Brandon Arrington. Texas A&M's long history of recruiting and developing elite defensive linemen, and after sending Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart, and Shemar Turner to the NFL this offseason, Elko and defensive line coaches Tony Jerod-Eddie and Sean Spencer can continue using the program's previous success to gain ground with elite pass rushers with NFL potential. Tristian Givens is that player, and the Georgia native has a bright future in front of him. Choosing the Aggies over Tennessee and Washington, where he recently took official visits, Texas A&M's future edge rotation will allow Givens to see the field earlier than expected, with senior Cashius Howell off to the NFL after the 2025 season. On the field, Givens is still raw as a pass rusher, having started his football career as a wide receiver, but possesses elite traits, especially his ability to bend and keep his balance once he turns the corner. Under Mike Elko, who will call the defensive plays this coming season, recruiting and developing NFL talent is the key to competing for a College Football Playoff spot. According to 247Sports, Givens is currently positioned as the 23rd-ranked prospect in the 2026 cycle, the 3rd-ranked edge, and the 4th-ranked prospect in Georgia. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
