Cowboys Headlines: Who's stepping up in 2026? More local draft prospects impress

With so much attention and focus on free agency, the trade market, and the upcoming draft, it can be easy to forget that the biggest factors in fixing the Cowboys' woes from the past two years may already be in the building. Today's headlines zero in on a few of those names looking to take their game to the next level and become more significant contributors in 2026. Can Tyler Guyton keep himself off the injured list and finally live up to his first-round expectations?

Is Donovan Ezeiruaku ready to dominate at defensive end? And which Dallas defender has the tools to top the team's leaderboard in sacks? The answers to those questions could help decide the upcoming season.

But the rookies are indeed coming. We're winnowing down Dallas's first-round options to the 25 most logical prospects, but we're also looking deeper, at intriguing local talents cornerback Malik Muhammad out of Texas, SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson... and a running back named Smith whose dad you may have heard of.

Two of the blue-bloods had their pro days on Wednesday. In Tuscaloosa, offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor showed why he'll be one of the earliest names called, and in Columbus, Carnell Tate, Caleb Downs, and Arvell Reese were among the Buckeyes showing out for scouts. But it's not just the marquee names who are boosting their draft stock.