While the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a contending window, the future comes fast in the NFL, and the league rewards the teams that are ready for it. So, Jerry Jones and Co. must keep a keen eye on the college football landscape as they keep all their eggs in the 2026 NFL season basket.
It is unknown exactly where the Cowboys will pick in next April's event, who will even declare this year, what will happen in March's free agency period, or what could happen in the time between now and then. But knowing college prospects, especially the big ones, never hurts.
So, Dallas should keep tabs on these five players, all of whom had incredible performances in Week 8 of the college football calendar. While four of them are practically shoo-ins for the 2027 NFL Draft, I snuck in a 2028-eligible player because he was just too good to ignore... deal with it!
Cowboys should be tracking these players for future drafts after big Week 8 showings
Jordan Ross, EDGE, LSU
Ross is a big outside linebacker prospect at 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds, and he's a true junior, so he will be a young prospect next April if and when he declares. Against Auburn on Saturday, he had another solid showing, notching 2.5 sacks, two more pressures, a batted pass and four total tackles.
On the year, he has already amassed 29 pressures and 5.0 sacks, 3.5 of which have come in the last two weeks. As the schedule gets tougher, Ross is rising to the occasion and solidifying his draft stock. He could provide the kind of help the Cowboys badly need on the end.
Caleb Hawkins, RB, Oklahoma State
Hawkins is a dual-threat running back if I've ever seen one. On Saturday against Colorado, he notched 123 yards on the ground on 6.8 yards per attempt, and then he tacked on five catches for 72 yards through the air. On the season, Hawkins has 715 rushing yards and 272 receiving yards.
Dallas doesn't need a bell cow; it needs a multi-talented back who can take the pressure off Javonte Williams in a variety of ways, especially in the passing game. Hawkins is proving that he can do just that. The Cowboys will have to wait until the 2028 NFL Draft... but he's close by and worth mentioning.
Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
Jones has a massive frame at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds. He needs to add a bit to it, but he's had success in the SEC this year defending some of the best wide receivers in the country. Against Oklahoma, he was targeted just twice in 31 coverage snaps and gave up a one-yard catch.
The other pass thrown his way was broken up. Jones also chipped in three tackles and two run stops. The Cowboys don't know what they have in Shavon Revel Jr. or Devin Moore. Cobie Durant and Joey Porter Jr. are pending free agents, and DaRon Bland is pretty much a lost cause. CB help is needed.
Rasheem Biles, LB, Texas
We talked about Biles before the Red River Rivalry, and again on Saturday, he did not disappoint. He chipped in just four tackles and one for a loss, but Biles also notched three pressures, including a quarterback hit, and he picked off a pass and broke up another.
Ole Miss tested Biles in coverage, throwing at him 10 times, but he gave up five catches for 21 yards. For just the second time this year, Biles finished the game without a missed tackle, so he is improving in that facet as well. He would be a great WILL linebacker next to Jaishawn Barham for years.
Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
Jake Ferguson is a problem, and while Brevyn Spann-Ford is a nice piece at times, let's not act like Dallas couldn't upgrade its tight end room. Jamari Johnson was supposed to be a Kenyon Sadiq-level talent heading into this year, but he hasn't really consistently showcased that so far.
But with several of Oregon's receivers suspended for Saturday's game, folks got to see Johnson in an expanded role, and he answered the call. 7 catches for 69 yards may not be an eye-popping stat line, but his athleticism jumps off the screen, and he is constantly improving as a run-blocker.
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