Cowboys Brass Hits Senior Bowl with Eyes on Defensive Reinforcements
Not even Winter Storm Fern could keep the Dallas Cowboys from making their annual pilgrimage to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama - and with good reason. After a season that ended with more questions than answers on the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys are clearly in evaluation mode, and Mobile is the perfect place to get a closer look at some of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Executive vice president Stephen Jones, vice president of player personnel Will McClay, and a full scouting contingent made the trip, as the Cowboys look to reshape a defense that showed cracks down the stretch. The Senior Bowl offers more than just a game-day showcase - it’s a week-long evaluation window that includes practices, drills, and crucial one-on-one meetings with players.
Dallas has a strong history of finding talent in Mobile. Quarterback Dak Prescott, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa all used the Senior Bowl as a springboard to the NFL - and eventually to the Cowboys’ roster. With the team’s 2026 draft strategy expected to lean heavily toward defense, here are five players to watch this week who could end up donning the star in April.
Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
📊 2025: 38 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 10 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
📏 6'2.5", 234 lbs
Romello Height was a key cog in a Texas Tech defense that flipped the script in 2025. Known for years as a program that leaned on offense to win shootouts, the Red Raiders finally turned the corner defensively - and Height was front and center. With a quick first step and the kind of bend off the edge that makes offensive tackles sweat, Height racked up double-digit sacks and consistently disrupted the pocket.
For Dallas, who is in dire need of a pass rush boost, Height fits the bill as a plug-and-play edge rusher. He’ll get a chance this week to go up against quality offensive linemen, including potential first-round tackle Gennings Dunker out of Iowa. If Height holds his own in those matchups, he could solidify himself as one of the more intriguing edge prospects in the class.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
📊 2025: 50 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 INT, 8 pass deflections
📏 5'11", 188 lbs
On paper, cornerback might not look like the Cowboys’ most urgent need - but that doesn’t mean they’re not paying close attention. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker brings a strong track record of developing corners, and Colton Hood could be a natural fit in his system.
Hood brings versatility to the table, with the ability to play both inside and outside. He’s physical, instinctive, and has shown flashes of being a true difference-maker in coverage.
NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently mocked Hood to Dallas at No. 12 overall, and while that might feel a bit rich to some, a strong week in Mobile could make that projection look more like reality. Hood’s ability to handle press coverage and read route combinations will be under the microscope all week.
T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
📊 2025: 37 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries
📏 6'3.5", 263 lbs
Parker may not be the flashiest name in this year’s edge class, but he checks a lot of the boxes teams look for in a power end. He’s stout against the run, has heavy hands, and his 2024 season - which included six forced fumbles - showed he has a knack for creating chaos.
That said, there are some questions about his production drop in 2025, and this week presents a golden opportunity to quiet those concerns. For Dallas, who will likely be looking for a bigger-bodied edge presence to complement their current group, Parker could be a strong fit. He’s the kind of player who may not wow you with combine numbers but wins with technique, effort, and physicality - traits that translate well in the trenches.
Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
📊 2025: 27 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 pass deflections
📏 6'0", 199 lbs
Safety is one of the more intriguing positions for Dallas heading into the offseason. With Donovan Wilson set to hit free agency and Malik Hooker coming off a down year, the Cowboys could be in the market for a fresh face on the back end.
Enter Kamari Ramsey. While injuries cost him a few games in 2025, he’s healthy now and ready to make his case.
Ramsey is a rangy, disciplined safety who covers ground quickly and rarely finds himself out of position. He’s not a highlight-reel player - yet - but his consistency and football IQ make him a name to watch.
A strong week in Mobile could push him into late first-round consideration, especially for a team like Dallas that values versatility and smart play in the secondary.
Bud Clark, S, TCU
📊 2025: 56 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 4 INT, 7 pass deflections
📏 6'1", 185 lbs
If you’re looking for experience, Bud Clark brings it in spades. With 61 college games under his belt, Clark has seen just about everything a college offense can throw at a safety. That kind of seasoning is rare, and it could make him a valuable addition to a young secondary.
Currently projected as a Day 3 pick, Clark has a chance to elevate his stock this week by showing he can hang with top-tier talent. His instincts and ball skills are already proven - four interceptions in 2025 speak to that - but scouts will want to see how he handles man coverage and reacts in space during drills. If he performs well, he could climb into Day 2 territory and give the Cowboys another option as they look to reshape their safety room.
The Cowboys’ front office has its work cut out this offseason, but the Senior Bowl is a crucial step in the process. With a defense that needs reinforcements at every level, this week in Mobile could offer a glimpse at the next wave of Cowboys defenders - and maybe even the next Prescott-style Senior Bowl success story.