WaltNFL Team Assessment: Dallas Cowboys
Team record, game log, power ranking, schedule, needs, draft grade, and draft pick links.
EAST Opponents
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The 2025 NFL Season – Team Record and Game Log
Season Review
Dallas Cowboys
View Game Log from 2025 Season
| Game | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Cowboys(0-0) at Eagles(0-0) | LOSS | Cowboys 20 – Eagles 24 |
| Giants(0-1) at Cowboys(1-0) | WIN | Giants 37 – Cowboys 40 |
| Cowboys(1-1) at Bears(0-2) | LOSS | Cowboys 14 – Bears 31 |
| Packers(2-1) at Cowboys(1-2) | TIE | Packers 40 – Cowboys 40 |
| Cowboys(1-2-1) at Jets(0-4) | WIN | Cowboys 37 – Jets 22 |
| Cowboys(2-2-1) at Panthers(2-3) | LOSS | Cowboys 27 – Panthers 30 |
| Commanders(3-3) at Cowboys(2-3-1) | WIN | Redskins 22 – Cowboys 44 |
| Cowboys(3-3-1) at Broncos(5-2) | LOSS | Cowboys 24 – Broncos 44 |
| Cardinals(2-5) at Cowboys(3-4-1) | LOSS | Cardinals 27 – Cowboys 17 |
| Cowboys(3-5-1) at Raiders(2-7) | WIN | Cowboys 33 – Raiders 16 |
| Eagles(8-2) at Cowboys(3-5-1) | WIN | Eagles 21 – Cowboys 24 |
| Chiefs(6-5) at Cowboys(5-5-1) | WIN | Chiefs 28 – Cowboys 31 |
| Cowboys(6-5-1) at Lions(7-5) | LOSS | Cowboys 30 – Lions 44 |
| Vikings(5-8) at Cowboys(6-6-1) | LOSS | Vikings 34 – Cowboys 26 |
| Chargers(10-4) at Cowboys(6-7-1) | LOSS | Chargers 34 – Cowboys 17 |
| Cowboys(6-8-1) at Redskins(4-11) | WIN | Cowboys 30 – Redskins 23 |
| Cowboys(7-8-1) at Giants(3-13) | LOSS | Cowboys 17 – Giants 34 |
Walt’s Latest Cowboys Power Ranking
Updated 5/13/2026
at 5:05 AM
Rank: 15
Previously: 19
The Cowboys have become a popular pick to win the Super Bowl. They’ll be better this year, but I’m not buying their chances of going the distance. They added Rashan Gary and Caleb Downs, but I still don’t trust their defense or their coaching staff.
2026 NFL Season – Upcoming Schedule
Schedule| Week | Opponent | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
@
Giants
|
9/13/2026 8:20:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 2 |
vs
Commanders
|
9/20/2026 4:25:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 3 |
vs
Ravens
|
9/27/2026 4:25:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 4 |
@
Texans
|
10/4/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 5 |
vs
Buccaneers
|
10/8/2026 8:15:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 6 |
@
Packers
|
10/18/2026 8:20:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 7 |
@
Eagles
|
10/26/2026 8:15:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 8 |
vs
Cardinals
|
11/1/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 9 |
@
Colts
|
11/8/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 10 |
vs
49ers
|
11/15/2026 4:25:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 11 |
vs
Titans
|
11/22/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 12 |
vs
Eagles
|
11/26/2026 4:30:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 13 |
@
Seahawks
|
12/7/2026 8:15:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 15 |
@
Rams
|
12/20/2026 4:25:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 16 |
vs
Jaguars
|
12/27/2026 8:20:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 17 |
vs
Giants
|
1/3/2027 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 18 |
@
Commanders
|
1/9/2027 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
Walt’s Team Needs Assessment
Needs
Dallas’ season was over before it began. Jerry Jones traded his top defensive player, Micah Parsons, worsening a stop unit that couldn’t get off the field in most instances. Dak Prescott had some great games, but it ultimately didn’t matter.
- Two Defensive Ends: Parsons was sorely missed. The Cowboys need two new edge rushers to make up for the loss. Traded for Rashan Gary
- Two Cornerbacks: The Cowboys had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL last year. DaRon Bland is the only viable player the team has at the position.
- Two Safeties: Two new safeties must be obtained as well. As you can see, the Cowboys need to make wholesale changes in their defensive backfield. Signed Jalen Thompson
- Offensive Tackle: Tyler Guyton has had two seasons to prove himself, but hasn’t done it. He was one of the worst starting left tackles in the NFL last year.
- Wide Receiver: George Pickens is an impending free agent, so the Cowboys will need to re-sign or replace such a talented player.
- Defensive Tackle: Quinnen Williams was a great addition at the trade deadline, but Dallas needs one more talented interior defensive lineman with Kenny Clark set to decline to age soon.
- Running Back: Javonte Williams had a great season for the Cowboys, but his contract is set to expire.
Walt’s 2026 NFL Draft – Overall Team Grade and Selection Grades
Draft Review
Walt’s Draft Grade:
A Grade
Walt’s Grade Summary
Dallas had six draft choices prior to Round 7, and five of those were spent on defense. This couldn’t have been surprising to anyone, given how poor the Cowboys were defensively last year.
But were the picks good? Well, the Cowboys landed the top safety in the draft at No. 11, and then followed that up with a very speedy edge rusher, whom they obtained after trading down three spots. The Cowboys landed another talented edge rusher in the third round and then acquired a ballhawking cornerback in the fourth frame. Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, and Devin Moore all scored “B” or better individually.
The Cowboys had to improve their defense, and that’s exactly what they did. It wasn’t a perfect draft, but Jerry Jones had a great weekend.
But were the picks good? Well, the Cowboys landed the top safety in the draft at No. 11, and then followed that up with a very speedy edge rusher, whom they obtained after trading down three spots. The Cowboys landed another talented edge rusher in the third round and then acquired a ballhawking cornerback in the fourth frame. Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, and Devin Moore all scored “B” or better individually.
The Cowboys had to improve their defense, and that’s exactly what they did. It wasn’t a perfect draft, but Jerry Jones had a great weekend.
Draft Picks / Prospect Links
Pick 11
B
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
S
Ohio State
Rnk: 8
Scouting Report
I don’t know why the Cowboys would move up to No. 11 when they had their choice of Caleb Downs and Rueben Bain. They just wasted two fifth-round picks, which isn’t the end of the world, but is still a poor use of resources. That spoils what would otherwise be an “A” pick because Downs is one of the top players in this class. The Cowboys desperately needed to find play-makers for their defense, and they certainly obtained one.
Pick 23
A-
Malachi Lawrence, DE, Central Florida
DE
Central Florida
Rnk: 0
Scouting Report
I like that the Cowboys traded down three spots and were able to obtain a player they could have easily chosen at their natural selection. Malachi Lawrence is an explosive pass rusher who should be able to help Dallas get to the quarterback for a change. He’s a liability against the run, but Dallas needed a pass-rushing replacement for Micah Parsons.
Pick 92
A
Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
LB
Michigan
Rnk: 54
This is a great value pick for the Cowboys. I had Jaishawn Barham in the second round. He’s a linebacker who can generate a good pass rush. I wouldn’t be crazy about him dropping into coverage, however.
Pick 112
A+
Drew Shelton, OT/G, Penn State
OT/G
Penn State
Rnk: 43
The Cowboys needed to go defense, defense, defense, but they also needed depth on their offensive line. Drew Shelton is a perfect player for depth because he can play every single position. I thought Shelton could’ve gone much higher than Round 4 for that reason, so I love this selection.
Pick 114
B+
Devin Moore, CB, Florida
CB
Florida
Rnk: 239
Devin Moore is a very tall cornerback with a knack for intercepting passes. This sounds great, but he has an extensive injury history. If he can get over it, the Cowboys could be getting a solid starter with this pick, but there’s definitely a major downside.
Pick 137
A
L.T. Overton, DT, Alabama
DT
Alabama
Rnk: 42
Scouting Report
LT Overton is a tough defender with good quickness and athleticism. I had him going in the third round, so the Cowboys are getting a steal and filling a position of need. It’s hard not to like this pick.
Pick 218
C
Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina
WR
East Carolina
Rnk: 517
Anthony Smith is not someone I had in my top-400 prospects. The Cowboys probably would have been better off taking draftable players who can help their defense.
Charlie Campbell
