The Senior Bowl showed me exactly where the Cowboys need help heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, not that it wasn’t obvious, and it is exactly where people think.
I watched the first couple days of Senior Bowl practices and saw guys fighting for their futures and somehow get coming back to the same thought about the Cowboys.
This team isn’t missing talent, it’s missing balance.
The middle of the offensive line is fine in Dallas, but the edges aren’t. Also, the defense, oh my the defense, doesn’t have enough players who can affect the quarterback when the game needs it.
The Cowboys Don’t Have an Interior Line Issue
This is where the conversation sometimes gets lazy.
Tyler Smith is rock solid, the interior depth is solid, Dallas can line up their guys inside and hold its own against just about anyone.
What keeps showing up in big games is pressure coming off the tackles. Tyler Guyton could come out next year and be an All-Pro, who really knows, but Terence Steele is becoming a liability in the passing game.
The Cowboys have an offensive tackle problem and it’s not a secret.
The Senior Bowl Tackles That Actually Fit Dallas
This is why the Senior Bowl matters. You’re watching linemen handle real NFL-level athletes in space.
Gennings Dunker—OT, Iowa
Dunker isn’t exciting, until he is. He has a nasty streak and stays where he’s supposed to be. That alone would make a noticeable difference for this offense.
Dametrious Crownover—OT, Texas A&M
Long, athletic, but still seems to be figuring things out. Does that sound familiar? Crownover is the type of player a staff convinces itself it can mold into something better.
Trey Zuhn III—OT, Texas A&M
Zuhn is a former blue-chip recruit who still has room to grow. He’s not a finished product, but there’s enough there to take the chance.
None of these names sell jerseys, except maybe Dunker. He’s fun. But all of them could help fans relax a little more on third-and-long.
The Defense Still Needs More Teeth
The Cowboys have speed, but depth on the edges is the issue. The pass rush fades too often.
The Senior Bowl was full of players who looked built for that exact role.
Derrick Moore—EDGE, Michigan
I know, it’s another Michigan defensive lineman, but maybe the third time is the charm. Anyway, Moore is strong, relentless, and comfortable winning one-on-one. He didn’t need tricks to get pressure.
Gabe Jacas—EDGE, Illinois
Quick off the snap, good in space, and able to line up in different spots without looking lost.
T.J. Parker—EDGE, Clemson
Long frame, heavy hands, and plays with an edge. Offensive tackles were working just to stay upright.
Watching these guys made it hard not to picture how often Dallas stalls out defensively when it matters most.
The Answers Aren’t Complicated
Nothing about this feels complicated.
The Cowboys don’t need to overhaul the roster. They need to fix spots that keep putting them in bad situations.
I see the Cowboys needing to protect the edges on offense, add real pressure on the edges for the defense, and don’t draft for headlines.
The Senior Bowl practices I watched didn’t change my mind about anything. It just confirmed what keeps showing up on Sundays.
The blueprint is there, but the question is whether Dallas gets the memo.
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