FRISCO - As we've said many times in this space, one of the challenges faced by any "national NFL beat writer'' is that it's hard enough being an "expert'' on one team ...
Let alone 32.
This is a consistent - and irritating challenge in particular for ESPN, starting with how Stephen A. Smith is propped up as an expert on every topic in every sport ... which in the end makes him very much a "casual'' of every sport.
The trickle-down occurs with the NFL guys alone, too.
A new example? ESPN has put together its 2026 Early Mock Draft (early? we'll say!) is projecting Dallas to be slotted at No. 13 and to take Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk.
Any problems so far?
You might argue with the idea of the Cowboys owning the No. 13 spot as that calculates to mean they'll finish with another 7-10 type record. But otherwise, nah. let's go with it.
So, what is ESPN's logic with the projection?
That is where the problem exists.
The piece claims that the reason Dallas will draft Faulk is because the Cowboys need "more on the edge after passing on the position in the 2025 Draft."
Oops.
This isn't about Faulk; he's 6-foot-6, 288 pounds and we'll take him, we suppose.
But you as a Cowboys fan have already ID'ed the "oops.'' The Cowboys did not "pass on the position'' of edge rusher in 2025, as they took Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku in this draft.
And they took him at No. 44, so it's not like he's an afterthought.
And he had 17.5 sacks in his final year in college, so it's not like he lacks credentials.
And he has the chance to compete with veteran sack artist Dante Fowler Jr. and others to start in the Dallas line opposite Micah Parsons.
In the end, we want to make this more of a celebration of what "Easy'' Ezeiruaku might be able to accomplish as a Dallas rookie that we do yet another bash-fest of Bristol. After all, we make mistakes, too.
But Cowboys Nation has a right to be sensitive - or even furious - about its team getting ripped by ESPN on a daily basis ... and has a right to demand that "experts'' are aware that the Cowboys value edge rushers in a tremendous way, with the evidence including developing Parsons into a premier one as is a first-round pick from 2021, including the patience of waiting on Sam Williams from the second round in 2022, and including the investments in young prospects Marshawn Kneeland (second round in 2024 and Ezeiruaku.
Guys, in the last five drafts, Dallas has taken a pass-rush end high in four of them, having used one first-rounder and three second-rounders to do so.
They're not "passing'' on the position. They're not "ignoring'' the position. They're not "forgetting'' about the position.
Rather, ESPN is the one forgetting, specifically about the Ezeiruaku pick. ... which is why with all due respect we so often urge Cowboys fans to get their information "From Frisco, Not From Bristol.''