Dallas

Cowboys

Lawrence becomes the latest first-round pick to sign his rookie deal. The UCF pass-rusher was one of two defensive players taken by the Cowboys in the first-round of this year’s draft as they hope to drastically improve a defense that allowed the most points per game (30.1) and third-most yards per game (377.0) last season. Lawrence totaled seven sacks in 12 games in his final season for the Knights while also breaking up three passes and forcing two fumbles. While he won’t fully make up for the loss of Micah Parsons, there’s hope he can generate a little more pressure on the quarterback after the Cowboys managed just 35 sacks last season.

Per Harris, Revel looks “more fluid in his movement” and “has gained a lot of confidence this offseason now that he’s returning to 100-percent.” The Cowboys drafted Revel in the third round last year, while he was recovering from a torn ACL. Unfortunately, Revel suffered a setback in July and was placed on the non-football injury list to begin the year. He was activated in November and played in Weeks 11-17, breaking up two passes and recording 26 tackles. Revel will likely compete for a starting spot on the perimeter this summer.

Back in January, Bland said he expected to be ready for organized team activities. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. That said, Archer thought Bland was “moving very well laterally,” and expect the Cowboys to “be patient with how they bring him along.” Bland was injured in Week 15 last year. He tallied five pass breakups, one interception, 54 tackles and two quarterback pressures.

The Cowboys’ mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 16-18. Pickens is not present for the Cowboys’ voluntary organized team activities, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Pickens is “in a good spot and handling his business” after speaking with the wide receiver yesterday. Pickens signed his franchise tag late in April and is set to make $27.3 million this season. Trade speculation has not amounted to anything thus far, and it sounds like Pickens will show up when he is supposed to later this month.

Fantasy managers will want to tuck this away in the memory bank for later. Harris said that “just based on last year’s late-season production,” he would give the edge to Davis, but said the team has confidence in second-year backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah as well. Davis is a fifth-year veteran of the league who has spent his entire career with the Cowboys, surviving multiple training camp cuts and stints on the practice squad to remain with the team. Last season, Davis rushed 52 times for 250 yards and two touchdowns, and has a career rushing line of 90-411-3. His limited ability in the passing game could work against him while Blue and Mafah attempt to secure the RB2 role for themselves, but Davis could prove to be the early-season handcuff for Williams in fantasy.

The Cowboys will play host to their division rival, the Eagles, in front of a national audience this Thanksgiving. The Cowboys downed the Kansas City Chiefs in a high-scoring 31-28 affair last season, and have won their last four Thanksgiving Day contests. The league has now announced two Cowboys games ahead of its full schedule release, as they are also set to take on the Giants on Sunday Night Football in Week 1.

Both players are a long way off from being fantasy-relevant, but this is good news nonetheless. Trigg’s college tape is dotted with explosive plays and surprising drops. Watkins complimented his improving maturity and aptly noted that Trigg has more “potential” than Rogers, who set a goal of leading the team in special teams tackles. For now, Trigg is buried on the Cowboys’ depth chart. He is highly unlikely to be viable in re-draft this season, but remains an interesting dart throw in dynasty formats. He must continue winning over Cowboys coaches this summer and an underwhelming pre-draft showing.

Downs is expected to be an immediate starter for a Cowboys defense that ranked 32nd in points allowed last season, while also allowing the highest yards per attempt. Downs is a versatile defender who excelled in both pass coverage and against the run while at Ohio State. He is one of six Cowboys to ink their rookie deals, with pass rusher Malachi Lawrence the only one yet to put pen to paper.

The Cowboys were initially reported to be placing the franchise tag on Pickens prior to the NFL draft, prompting speculation he would be dealt during the draft. However, Pickens did not sign the $27.3 million tag immediately, leaving him out of any potential trade conversations. Now, the Cowboys announce Pickens has officially signed his franchise tag. He now plays on a one-year, $27.3 million fully guaranteed deal for 2026 while aiming to negotiate a new contract with Dallas or another team that would agree to acquire and sign him to a long-term deal.

The deal includes a $187,500 signing bonus and appears to simply be a depth move. MVS spent time with the 49ers and Steelers last season, catching 14 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. The veteran speedster has bounced around to four different teams since parting ways with the Chiefs after the 2023 season and hasn’t caught more than 17 passes at any of his stops. He’ll likely be battling to earn a roster spot in camp and carries little fantasy value.