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It seems like the Cowboys have struggled to consistently draft defensive players while they are one of the best at drafting offensive guys. Is there a reason why? Are some teams just better at evaluating and selecting talent on one side of the ball than the other? What's the fix?–Mitchell Harris*/Phoenix*,AZ
Patrik: I don't think it's a problem on a macro scale for the Cowboys. This is the same team that found a First-team All-Pro in the fifth round (DaRon Bland), and granted Bland has struggled with availability but that doesn't change the fact. Recently, there's plenty of promise from Shemar James, a late-round pick, and I suspect Marist Liufau was simply held back by the 2025 defensive coaching staff, given the fact he fired out of the gate as a rookie in 2024. I can continue here, e.g., DeMarvion Overshown, Osa Odighizuwa, even mentioning the upside on the late Marshawn Kneeland, so, no, I don't think there's an overarching issue scouting and drafting defense. Oh, and they drafted Micah Parsons, so there's that. I think it's more true that the Cowboys' mistakes are amplified (though the whiff on Mazi Smith, Taco Charlton were admittedly tied to their first-round status). Every team has misses ... but tell me about the Jaguars' or Panthers' misses, if you can. Thus, my point.
Tommy: I wouldn't say so. I just think it's the natural elements of the draft, which in some cases has to do with straight up luck. Sometimes, the players you think that are perfect fits for you don't pan out. Other times, guys who you take a gamble on end up being jackpot hits. Am I saying the Cowboys have a high hit rate recently when it comes to defensive prospects? No, they've had their fair share of misses recently especially with top picks. At the same time though, they've picked quality players over the course of the last five drafts like Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, DaRon Bland, DeMarvion Overshown, and guys they're high on recently like Donovan Ezeiruaku and Shavon Revel. Is there still plenty of work to do, and more hits that need to be found? Absolutely, especially in a draft like this where they've got two chances in the first round to find difference makers.
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