Dallas City News

Video: Cam Newton Ranks Cowboys’ Dak Prescott over Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, More – Adam Wells, Bleacher Report

The former NFL MVP gave Dak Prescott some high praise.

Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has plenty of opinions about current quarterbacks and isn’t afraid to make them known.

On the latest episode of his 4th & 1 podcast (starts at 1:40:50 mark), Newton said he would take Dak Prescott over Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray and Trevor Lawrence.

The subject came up as Prescott is entering the final season of his current contract with the Dallas Cowboys and is seeking a new deal.

Newton and his co-host were running down the list of highest-paid quarterbacks in the league to determine where Prescott should slot in. Hurts, Herbert, Cousins and Lawrence have all signed new contracts within the past 15 months. Murray signed his five-year, $230.5 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals in July 2022.

Even though Prescott has been criticized for his lack of playoff success, Newton pointed out some of those other quarterbacks are among the highest-paid in the NFL and haven’t fared much better than the Cowboys star.

Role Call: Flournoy ready to open eyes in camp – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com

Ryan Flournoy is one of the Cowboys rookies with the most buzz behind him.

How He Got Here: His journey to the role of Cowboys’ receiver is one filled with challenges that he’s overcome, working his way up from Central Missouri and then a stint with Iowa Western Community College to earning conference honors in his first season with Southeast Missouri State — where he started in 11 games and led the entire team with 984 receiving yards, receiving touchdowns (7) and receiving yards per game (89.5) (again, in his first year with that program).

His 4.44 second 40-yard dash only further illustrates the point regarding his athleticism, as does his 39 ½” vertical (89th percentile), 132” broad jump (94th percentile); and his 19 bench reps (83rd percentile) indicate he’s not only fast and quick, but packs some serious strength in his 6-foot-1, 202 lb. frame. Flournoy absolutely destroyed the NFL Combine tests.

What’s Next: When the Cowboys went on the clock in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they were still without a rookie talent to challenge the depth chart at wide receiver. Flournoy is a big, physical receiver whose goal is to often outmuscle and outjump defensive backs en route to making some phenomenal contested catches. He is literally one of the best athletes in the entire (not just Dallas’) draft class, and his 9.88 grade on the Relative Athletic Scale of 1-10 proves it.

He’s strong, fast, quick and has the wingspan and catch radius to give CBs nightmares — often able to outmuscle and outjump defensive backs en route to making some phenomenal contested catches. One of the best athletes in the entire (not just Dallas’) draft class, his 9.88 grade on the Relative Athletic Scale of 1-10 proves it, and the battle for the role of WR3 and WR4 is what he’ll be aimed at.

Dallas Cowboys star named as surprising trade candidate – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated

Would Dallas entertain trading a cornerstone piece like DeMarcus Lawrence?

Trades have been a hot topic for the Dallas Cowboys recently, and for good reason. With the front office showing hesitancy in paying market value for elite players such as CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, the idea of trading them continues to make the rounds.

Now, a new name has been thrown into the mix thanks to Anthony DiBona of Pro Football Network. He listed one player from each franchise who could be a trade candidate and has the Cowboys shopping DeMarcus Lawrence.

The idea of trading Lamb or Prescott is solely based on the inability of the front office to figure out how to pay them market value. DiBona’s suggestion is outside the box but it’s all about freeing up that money to keep their key pieces in tact.

”Dallas could actually save $10 million by trading Lawrence, which would free up more snaps for the Cowboys’ young pass rushers. Dallas selected Marshawn Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, potentially signaling the end of Lawrence’s tenure.” — DiBona, Pro Football Network

DiBona accurately calls Micah Parsons a “foundational piece” and believes the team’s youth allows them to move on from Lawrence. In addition to Kneeland, the Cowboys also have Sam Williams, who has 8.5 sacks in his first two seasons.

Damone Clark may find better opportunity in new role on Cowboys – Reid Hanson, Cowboys Wire

Year 3 could mean more production for Damone Clark.

For as hard as he worked, Clark never took to the MIKE role. His instincts didn’t fit cleanly, and his run fits weren’t filled consistently. It was clear they miscast him in the middle but without other options available, the Cowboys had to roll with it. In just a matter of months Clark went from bright young star to weakness of the defense.

It’s understandable the Cowboys made it a point to address the MIKE spot over the offseason. In what was arguably their only notable signing, Dallas brought in Eric Kendricks to man the middle of Mike Zimmer’s defense. Behind him will likely be Cowboys rookie, Marist Liufau, a promising third round pick out of Notre Dame.

While the additions of Liufau and Kendricks free Clark to move back to his natural position of WILL, another player may ultimately block his opportunities. Coming back from an ACL injury is second-year player DeMarvion Overshown.

Overshown dropped jaws prior to his injury and is penciled in as the favorite to land the starting spot at WILL. Clark could certainly compete with Overshown, and snaps could be split between them in some way, but it’s unlikely Clark can steal a majority portion from Overshown.

It leaves Clark in an uncomfortable position. He can compete for a role alongside Overshown at WILL, or he can turn his attention to a different linebacker position without much competition. Strong side linebacker (SAM) could be that opportunity Clark is looking for.

Cowboys rookies most likely to contribute this season: No. 1 Tyler Guyton – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News

Tyler Guyton will have every opportunity to shine in his inaugural NFL campaign.

What you might not know: Guyton had the fifth-best vertical jump at the scouting combine (34 1/2 inches) in his position group.

Outlook: The Manor, Texas, native is scheduled as the Week 1 starter at left tackle and is part of the beginning of the reboot of the offensive line. It started two years ago when the Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith at guard with a projection to move him to left tackle. But Smith’s work at guard earned him his first Pro Bowl berth last year and stability at that spot. So Guyton was drafted to replace Tyron Smith (who signed a free-agent deal with the Jets), and now with Zack Martin thinking of retirement, the youth movement is in full swing.

Malik Hooker says discipline of Mike Zimmer should help Cowboys defense improve – Charean Williams, PFT

Hooker explains the difference between his old and new coach.

“I would say the biggest difference is the discipline that we are going to have this year,” Hooker said on Keyshawn Johnson’s All Facts, No Brakes podcast, via Ivan Lambert of USA Today.

“I love [Dann Quinn],” Hooker said. “We still talk to this day. He’s a big reason why I am still in Dallas to this day. There is a certain way you have to coach certain guys. I feel like because of how player-oriented DQ was, guys would relate to him, and he wouldn’t have to coach a certain way that Zim does now.”

“Mike Zimmer will give you a couple of chances to mess up. If you keep messing up and can’t get it right, [he] is going to get somebody else in there. Dan Quinn, on the other hand, is more player-oriented. If something wasn’t going right or we kept messing up, he’d level it down make it easier for everyone to go out there and do what they were going to do.”