The Dallas Cowboys need to make changes or be doomed to another season of mediocrity. Coming off a 7-10-0 2024 season and being eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2020, the Cowboys are looking to rejuvenate their team with a few risky choices that can either pay off big or crash and burn.
The first risky choice was their new head coach, Brian Schottenheimer. On January 24, 2025, the team hired former offensive coordinator Schottenheimer to fill the position. This hire has been met with a largely negative reaction, as fans are concerned due to his mixed performance as an offensive coordinator and his lack of head coaching experience. The Cowboys will be his first head coaching job.
Getting a new head coach and offensive coordinator are (maybe?) steps in the right direction, but to reach the next level, the Cowboys need to take advantage of the draft.
It seems the Cowboys’ potential draft picks are just as risky as their head coaching choice. The two big names being thrown around are DT Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) and DL Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), two of the five riskiest 2025 draft prospects, according to Ian Valentino.
The two risky defensive players are predicted to go in the first round. The question is, do the risks outweigh the rewards? Nolan’s athletic, has major pass-rushing ability, and is a top-tier run defender, but he’s inconsistent. In addition to a high missed tackle rate, there is worry about his work ethic and his ability to play at his full potential. Anyone drafting Nolan is betting on his ability to be trained.
Despite Stewart’s limited production in college, his ability to disrupt passing plays, defend against the run, and his overall elite athleticism are evident. Stewart’s a sought-after talent, but with only 1.5 sacks in each of his three seasons at Texas A&M and a limited pass-rush arsenal, it’s a gamble whether he can apply his skills to make an impact in the NFL.
The Cowboys will be more than willing to use a first-round pick on an unreliable defensive player. Matt Eberflus, the team’s new defensive coordinator and former Bears head coach, has extensive experience as a defensive coach. Eberflus is more than capable of training talented players, and Nolen and Stewart have plenty of raw talent to mold. Nothing is set in stone, though, and the Cowboys’ drafting decisions are firmly locked up until the 25th.
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