ESPN’s latest positional rankings have stirred up a fresh debate in Dallas, and it starts with Quinnen Williams.
The Cowboys fan reaction is pretty simple: if you’re asked to name five current defensive tackles better than Williams, you probably come up short. That’s why his placement at No. 6 is drawing so much pushback. It’s the kind of ranking that gets people talking, especially when the argument around it feels so thin.
The conversation around Dallas’ defense doesn’t stop there. There’s also been chatter about Von Miller, but the word from people around The Star is that there is “nothing imminent” on that front.
Two team writers have also weighed in on whether the Cowboys should even be chasing the 37-year-old at all. The bigger question hanging over it all: does Dallas already have what it needs in house for its 2026 “secret formula” when it comes to the pass rush?
Away from the roster talk, American Airlines is sending the Cowboys to Rio de Janeiro for their Week 3 game on the biggest plane in its fleet, a 300-seater. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are back in the Emmy conversation again, and a former first-round pick who spent eight seasons with the team is sending his No. 1-prospect son to Texas - though not to suit up for football.
A few former Cowboys are making noise elsewhere, too. Brandin Cooks says he’s still bothered by his controversial no-catch from Buffalo’s latest playoff loss, and he says that feeling won’t go away until he’s back on the field in 2026.
Marcellus Wiley is dealing with more legal trouble, with reports of a large unpaid loan that came before last weekend’s domestic violence accusations. And a strange coaching idea involving Sean Payton and Bill Belichick has surfaced, with Payton reportedly wanting to step aside as Broncos coach long enough for Belichick to chase the all-time wins record in his place.
Around the rest of the NFL, the Commanders are set to retire the jersey of a legendary running back who made life miserable for Cowboys defenders in the 1980s, though it won’t happen when Dallas is in Washington. Raiders owner Mark Davis has also taken a stand in the grass-versus-turf debate, a position that won’t sit well with other owners, including Jerry Jones. And there’s also a question about the mystery man who, despite a “conflict of interest,” gave Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald useful information before their Super Bowl matchup with the Patriots.
In Other News...
Commanders May Have Finally Found A Veteran WR Answer
Washingtons receiver room still looks thin behind Terry McLaurin, and the front office has not yet done anything to fully answer that need. The depth chart has been leaning on a group of young or unproven options, which is why the search for a veteran addition has lingered into the stretch before training camp.
One name now in the mix is Brandin Cooks, who has made it clear he wants to land with a team before camp opens and has also said Buffalo is his preferred destination. For Washington, the appeal is obvious: Cooks just showed he can still help a contender in a late-season run, and his brief stint with the Bills gave him a reminder that he can fit into a passing game quickly if the opportunity is right. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Already Have Their Answer Opposite Terry McLaurin
The Commanders spent a premium draft pick on a receiver who could change the look of their passing game almost immediately, and Antonio Williams already has the kind of profile that makes people around the league take notice. With Terry McLaurin still the centerpiece, Washington needed someone who could help lighten the load on the other side, and Williams arrives with enough buzz to make that conversation feel real before training camp even starts.
What happens next will matter just as much as the draft-night decision. If Williams shows he can handle the speed and physicality of the pro game right away, Washington may not feel much urgency to keep shopping for another veteran wideout, but if the transition proves bumpy, the team could be back in the market sooner than expected. For now, the Commanders at least have a promising answer in-house, and the summer will tell them how firm that answer really is. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Front Office Shakeup Just Added A New Twist
The Commanders personnel department is getting another reset, with veteran NFL executive Scott Fitterer leaving after two seasons in Washington. The move comes as the franchise continues to shape the front office around general manager Adam Peters, and it adds another layer to a group that has already been busy trying to build a more stable operation behind the scenes.
In his place, Washington has brought in former Vikings assistant GM Demitrius Washington as a senior personnel executive, giving the organization another experienced evaluator to lean on. The hire also reconnects him with Peters from their time together in San Francisco, a familiar tie that could matter as the Commanders keep refining how they identify and stack talent. [Read more 🡒]