Here is our most recent BTB Roundtable discussion.
Every week, we gather the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the roundtable. This week we have David Howman and Brian Martin.
DaRon Bland’s contract year begins, what are your expectations for him this year and will he be with Dallas beyond the 2025 season?
DaRon Bland officially enters the final year of his rookie contract this season with a base salary of about $5.35 million and a cap hit near $5.42 million. After an explosive 2023 year when he led the NFL with nine interceptions, scored a record five pick-sixes, and earned First‑Team All‑Pro honors, his 2024 campaign was derailed by a stress fracture that limited him to just seven games.
Now comes a high pressure year for Bland who really does need to stay healthy and try to replicate his elite-level ball production to justify a major extension. Dallas has prioritized Micah Parsons this year (or we expect them to), but team executives, including Stephen Jones, have publicly suggested they would like to begin extension talks with Bland before he hits free agency in 2026. That would be a smart move if he does end up exploding again this year. The gamble is set firmly on the table with this one.
Howman: I’ve gone on record saying the Cowboys should let Bland go after the season, Byron Jones style, unless he decides to take a super team-friendly deal. I’m not so sure the team will do that, but Bland’s performance this season could make it unavoidable anyway. I see Bland putting up another Pro Bowl caliber year, as his skillset fits perfectly into what Matt Eberflus seeks in his slot corners.
Brian: Whether it’s from the slot or on the outside, I expect DaRon Bland to put together another Pro Bowl caliber season. Now healthy, he should excel in Matt Eberflus’ scheme. As for his future in Dallas is concerned, he’s going to be tough to re-sign. I think the Cowboys likely let him walk unless they part ways with Trevon Diggs and use the money saved from that transaction to retain Bland.
Jaydon Blue has impressed in workouts and received a lot of praise. Where does he rank currently among the running backs on the roster, and how many rushing and receiving yards do you expect him to reach in his rookie season?
The running back position remains a concern for Cowboys fans, but don’t panic, Jaydon Blue has been turning heads throughout the offseason after landing in Dallas during this year’s draft. In workouts, coaches and teammates have praised his elite speed and dynamic receiving skills out of the backfield. Current projections have Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue as the two most secure running backs on the roster, thanks to their receiving skillsets. Miles Sanders, Phil Mafah, and Hunter Luepke are squarely in the bubble category. What does Blue’s season look like?
Howman: Predicting this running back room is going to be a fool’s errand until Week 1, and probably even after that. If I had to guess right now, though, I’d put Blue as the second running back behind Miles Sanders, who has also flashed in his brief offseason drills thus far. As far as stats, I think Zach Charbonnet’s rookie season is a solid comparison: somewhere around 450 rushing yards, 200 receiving yards, and a couple of touchdowns here and there.
Brian: Right now I have Jaydon Blue behind Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders on the depth chart at RB3. I’ve gone on record stating I believe he could put together a season in which he accumulates 1,000 all-purpose yards as a rookie like De’Von Achane did his first year with the Dolphins. Both RBs are similar in size and skill set and land in similar situations with veteran backs ahead of them on the depth chart.
Who needs a big year this season to put the fans faith back into that player?
There are a number of players that need a big bounce back year, or to at least find the spark to ignite their career. Here are a list of players that if they find their old flame or get going in 2025 could spell a big year for Dallas.
Dak Prescott (QB)
After a strong 2023 regular season, Dak faltered badly in the playoffs, a trend a lot of fans point out with Dak. Injuries have played a huge factor in Dak’s time in Dallas, where it’s a stellar season one year where he leads the season at the position, followed by a season where he misses large chunks of the year due to injury, 2024 being another example. Fans want consistency and postseason results, meaning anything short of an NFC Championship game will result in another offseason of scrutiny and disappointment.
Mazi Smith (DT)
The Cowboys’ 2023 first-round pick has been a major disappointment so far, struggling to earn snaps and looking overwhelmed at the point of attack. With both Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer gone it’s now up to Matt Eberflus to take over the defense and turn it around for Smith in a make-or-break year. If he doesn’t step up, he could go down as another wasted first-rounder that three different defensive coordinators failed to unlock.
Trevon Diggs (CB)
After tearing his ACL early in 2023 and missing some of 2024 with lingering issues with his knee, Diggs is under pressure to return to All-Pro form. With DaRon Bland emerging and playing on a contract year, Diggs must show he’s still worth his hefty contract, especially as the secondary’s leadership piece.
Sam Williams (DE)
Coming off a torn ACL/MCL that wiped out his entire 2024 season, Williams has transformed physically, adding some serious muscle. Dallas is expecting him to regain his sub-package edge‑rushing dominance and pay back that second-round draft capital this season. If he can stay healthy and produce consistently, fans will see him as a cornerstone alongside Micah Parsons. If not, questions about his future could echo instead.
Jalen Tolbert (WR)
Tolbert had a career-best 2024 with 49 catches for 610 yards and seven touchdowns, yet he still hasn’t proven he’s more than a depth piece and his best season only happened by default due to so many injuries to the starters on offense. With George Pickens taking WR2 duties, Tolbert enters the season in a battle for the number three receiver. It’s his opportunity to cement himself or risk being unseated by the talent next to him. Fans want steadiness and impact from Tolbert who could be a major factor if he develops to an adequate level.
Luke Schoonmaker (TE)
Schoonmaker flashed as a blocker and as a receiver in 2024, registering the only touchdown among the Cowboys tight ends. Some analysts view him as a prime Dallas breakout candidate, one who could push for more snaps at tight end. With Jake Ferguson’s injury history opening a window, Schoonmaker needs to elevate his receiving game to stay on the field and gain fan belief in his long-term potential.
Howman: I think Jake Ferguson is the top answer right now. Two years ago, he looked like one of the 10 best tight ends in the league, but last year was marred by injuries and some truly inconsistent play even when he came back from those injuries. With his rookie contract coming to an end after this season, Ferguson needs to play like he did in 2023 to justify the type of contract his agent will surely be looking for.
Brian: Mazi Smith was the first player to come to my mind. Dallas hasn’t fared well with first-round picks from Michigan, first Taco Charlton and now Smith. He still has a chance to turn things around, but it won’t be easy. He is entering his third season with the Cowboys and has played for a different DC in each one of them. Hopefully Matt Eberflus can do what Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer was unable to accomplish, tap into Mazi Smith’s first-round talent.