The first day of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and some of the Dallas Cowboys top draft targets took the field.
Linebackers, pass-rushers, and defensive linemen were the first position groups up.
With all three spots being some of the Cowboys’ top needs, we could easily see Dallas draft at least one guy from each of those positions come draft week.
Because of this, the day-one drills were especially important for the team to watch.
With free agency on the horizon, the Cowboys are going to want to leave the combine with an idea of the position groups they will target in the draft, and yesterday’s performances might just shape their strategy.
Let’s take a look at a couple of Cowboys targets that boosted their draft stock yesterday.
NC State LB, Payton Wilson
For a 24-year-old rookie with two ACL tears in his past, it is obvious that NC State’s Payton Wilson needed a big day to show teams his talent and athleticism are worth the risk.
He showed just that and more.
Wilson measured in at 6’4, 233 lbs, with a 75″ wingspan, and then proceeded to run a 4.43 40-yard dash.
To put that type of speed in perspective, Wilson ran a faster 40 than CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard, and by a pretty wide margin. The kind of size and speed that Wilson brings to the table is simply hard to find.
Dallas has made it clear that linebacker is a major priority this offseason, and Wilson just inserted himself into their discussions.
Outside of the 40-yard dash times, Wilson put up impressive numbers in the vertical and broad jumps, while also being in the 97th percentile in the 10-yard split, which shows your initial burst.
The on-field drills also went well for Wilson, as he showed the fluidity and good instincts that contributed to his 138 tackle season in 2023.
There are serious questions about his longevity because of his age and injury history.
If we find out in a month or so that Wilson looked all clear in the medical testing that happens at the combine, he might just work his way into the back end of the first-round discussion, which is right where the Cowboys pick.
This great performance could earn Wilson a lot of money, and potentially a star on his helmet.
Florida State DT, Braden Fiske
If you paid any attention at all to the combine yesterday, you heard about Braden Fiske blowing it up.
The former Seminole run-stuffer put up the 14th-best combine performance for a defensive tackle since 1987; in other words, it was a record-breaking day for Fiske and his elite athleticism.
At 292 lbs, Fiske ran a 4.78 40-yard dash and had the best vertical and broad jumps at his position.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1763579959572873597
It does not take a pro scout to see how smooth he looked in both the athletic testing and the on-field drills.
When you combine this athletic performance with his size and his production, you can make the case that he will be at the top of the second round. Getting a guy that runs a 4.78 40-time while also having 12 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in his last two seasons is a no-brainer.
Despite drafting Mazi Smith last year, Dallas seems to be in the defensive tackle market once again, and I see Fiske as a great fit.
The Cowboys have their all-purpose defensive tackle with Osa Odighizuwa, their run-stuffer in Smith, and with Fiske, a pass-rusher with elite athleticism from the middle of the line.
After a combine performance like that, every team is going to want to bring Fiske in.
The fit in Dallas especially makes sense, however, and even more so if they trade back with their first pick or move up with their second-rounder.
Texas Tech DE, Myles Cole
With defensive ends Dorance Armstong and Dante Fowler Jr hitting free agency, the Cowboys will likely look to add a pass-rusher at some point in the draft.
After having up a combine performance in the 99th percentile of defensive ends, keeping former Red Raider Myles Cole in-state has to look like a very intriguing option for Dallas.
Cole has been flying under the radar to this point because of mediocre production in college.
With the performance he had yesterday, however, he has forcibly removed himself from being under the radar.
His draft stock is shooting the roof right now.
His combine performance is more than just a 40-yard dash time; it is his combination of size, weight, arm length, jumping ability, and explosiveness that stood out above everybody else in his group.
https://twitter.com/NFL_DF/status/1763325822029742363
Cole measured in at 6’6, 278 lbs, with 36″ arms and an 86.25″ wingspan.
To put that into context, Cole has a wingspan that is over 7’2″, which is crazy. NBA teams should be looking at this guy to defend Victor Wembanyama.
Luckily for Dallas, Cole is not switching sports, and they can bring him on board as a developmental pass-rusher with freak athleticism in the 4th or 5th round.
Cole is just one of many guys who will get the spotlight for their athletic testing this week.
The Cowboys are just hoping they keep coming at positions of need.