Michigan’s draft prospects haven’t really worked out for the Cowboys in recent years. Two draft cycles ago, the Cowboys doubled down on powerhouse Ann Arbor, using their first two draft picks on Michigan players.

In the 2023 first round, the Cowboys selected defensive tackle Mazi Smith. The 337-pound interior lineman didn’t have many skins on the wall, but he possessed unmatched physical skills. One round later, Dallas returned to Michigan to land a tight end. Unconvinced that Jake Ferguson was the long-term answer, the Cowboys pounced on the experienced Luke Schoonmaker at No. 58.

Schoonmaker didn’t have any very inspiring highlights in Michigan’s run-heavy offense, but he was an accomplished run blocker and represented one of the safest picks in the Cowboys’ 2023 draft class.

Neither worked for Dallas.

Smith’s rookie season delivered the lowest number of defensive snaps by a first-rounder in over a decade. His second season was significantly worse with Smith ranked 124th out of 124 interior linemen in 2024.

Schoonmaker hasn’t been much better.

The second-year tight end has not only played behind Ferguson, but he also works behind undrafted rookie free agent Brevyn Spann-Ford. The 26-year-old hasn’t seen a target in four weeks and has been hit or miss in many of his blocking assignments.

Both players failed to live up to expectations and are both on their way to becoming certified failures.

Dallas, an organization known for its draft prowess, hasn’t had a first-round struggle like Smith since they selected Taco Charlton in 2017. Charlton, a defensive end from (you guessed it) Michigan, s ‘is spectacularly ignited. He only lasted two seasons in Dallas and hasn’t played football since the 2022 season.

It’s not lost on the Cowboys fan base that some of the organization’s biggest draft mistakes have come from the University of Michigan. So it’s natural that many of these fans would balk at the idea of ​​selecting another Michigan player in the 2025 NFL Draft. While this is an understandable posture, it is a mistake to give such skewed legs to stand on.

Based on the Cowboys’ current trajectory, Dallas will be a top-10 pick in next April’s draft. Picking in the top 10 will position them well for blue-chip talent. One player the Cowboys could keep an eye on when they appear in the first round might be another player from the University of Michigan.

Mason Graham, 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, is widely considered the best defensive lineman in the draft class. The complete DT is a model prospect with a Pro Bowl profile. He is versatile and experienced. He doesn’t have the same degree of projection as Smith and Charlton, and as an accomplished pressure player, he provides value that goes beyond the typical run-stuffing often associated with the DT position.

Right behind Graham on the prospect list is fellow Michigan native Kenneth Grant. Grant, 6-foot-3 and 339 pounds, is a physical marvel at the DT position. Like Smith before him, Grant List of monsters by Bruce Feldman. He is tough enough to play nose tackle but explosive enough to penetrate as a passer. Grant has conditioning issues, as a man of his size often does, but he shouldn’t be ignored just because there are similarities between him and Smith. He’s a different player.

The Cowboys’ weakest position on the field is widely believed to be their interior defensive line. Given the development time and bankruptcy potential associated with the DT position in Dallas, Cowboys are recommended to use free agency to sign a high-flying DT this spring. But if the Cowboys don’t want to spend big on a veteran, Michigan has some intriguing talents that should be considered. They should not be ignored simply because of the school they came from.

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