Yankees' Gerrit Cole to begin rehab assignment in Double-A on Friday
Yankees' Gerrit Cole to Begin Rehab Assignment on Friday
The Dallas Cowboys are considering adding offensive players, including underrated Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens, during the 2026 NFL Draft, despite a focus on defense in the early rounds.
Iowa offensive lineman, left, Griffin Liddle runs a drill with Beau Stephens during a spring NCAA football practice, Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the University of Iowa Indoor Practice Facility in Iowa City, Iowa. Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to focus on defense in Days 1 and 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. But players like this underrated offensive lineman could make them deviate and add to the offense instead.
Many expect the Dallas Cowboysâ first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft to be all about defense. Theyâre sending different signals.
Particularly for Day 2, the Cowboys are looking into more than one offensive prospect based on their pre-draft visitors. Thanks to that, theyâre looking into one of the most underrated prospects in the class: Iowa interior offensive lineman Beau Stephens.
According to NFL Networkâs Mike Garafolo, Stephens visited the Cowboys ahead of the Draft.
For more insight on Stephens, who ranks 101st in the Consensus Big Board, I reached out to our own Ryan Roberts, who describes Stephens as one of the best zone blockers ahead of the draft. He also explains why he thinks heâs being undervalued by the media.
âPlaying on a talented Iowa offensive line that included potential top-100 selections Gennings Dunkers and Logan Jones, Beau Stephens was one of the more underrated offensive linemen in all of college football the last two seasons,â says Roberts. âThat underrated feel has transferred over to the draft process, where he has been greatly undervalued by the general public.
âStephens is one of the better zone blockers in the entire 2026 class, playing with a great combination of smoothness, balance, and control when navigating space,â Roberts adds. âThere is a lack of length for Stephens, which makes a smaller margin for error, but his technical prowess keeps him consistently in a sound position.â
âStephensâ hands are rock solid, showing the patience in pass protection, while also having good timing and hand violence. There is always a strain to finish from Stephens, showing great intent to block to the echo of the whistle. Stephens strikes me as a future starter who wonât be overly flashy, but an efficient player who, at worst, will be an outstanding swing option inside to backup all three interior positions.â
The Cowboysâ depth on the interior offensive line took a hit with Brock Hoffmanâs departure. His biggest value came in what Robertsâ describes as one of Stephensâ strengths: Position flexibility.
With uncertainty about where All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith will play in the 2026 season, adding someone who can compete with T.J. Bass for a spot at offensive guard would be a wise move. At best, Stephens could find himself battling for a roster spot. At worst, heâs a valuable swing backup.
Whether itâs at pick No. 92 or No. 112, expect Stephens to be in the mix for Dallas.
Beau Stephens is an interior offensive lineman from Iowa, recognized for his strong performance in college football over the past two years, which has gone largely unnoticed by scouts.
The Cowboys are expected to prioritize defense in the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft but are also exploring offensive prospects, including Beau Stephens.
If selected, Beau Stephens could enhance the Cowboys' offensive line, providing depth and potentially improving their run and pass protection.
While the Cowboys are primarily focusing on defensive positions, they are also considering offensive players like Beau Stephens, indicating a possible shift in strategy.
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