Why is everyone excited about Mike Green from Marshall, and should the Cowboys draft him at 12?

Mike: Some may argue that selecting him at 12 is too early, but after the combine, opinions will likely change. Taking a defensive end high in the draft is a solid strategy for Dallas, and adding an elite pass rusher to pair with Micah Parsons would create a dominant defense. Mike Green led all of FBS with 17 sacks and earned All-American honors and the Sun Belt Player of the Year award after a remarkable final season at Marshall.

Green possesses a powerful first step, exceptional bend around the edge, and a wide range of pass-rush techniques. His athleticism, including speed and agility, would bring added flexibility to the Cowboys’ defensive line. His ability to set the edge and record tackles for loss would complement Micah Parsons, strengthening the overall defensive front.

Green would provide the Cowboys with a formidable edge-rushing tandem. Pairing his abilities with Parsons could form a dynamic pass rush, making life difficult for offensive tackles and quarterbacks.

Dana: Mike Green had an outstanding 2024 season at Marshall, recording 84 total tackles (including 22 tackles for loss), 17 sacks, 15 QB hits, and 3 forced fumbles. It was an impressive performance, and the buzz around his draft stock grew louder after the Senior Bowl, where he showcased his power and bend at the EDGE position.

Green is now being considered a potential top-20 pick in this year’s draft. Should Dallas select him? The team has many needs to address, so they may go in another direction. If they do choose an EDGE player at pick 12, there are several other strong candidates, such as James Pearce Jr., Mykel Williams, and Shemar Stewart. However, Green would be a fantastic fit for the Cowboys if they decide to pick him at number 12. With the uncertain future of DeMarcus Lawrence, Green would be an excellent young complement to Micah Parsons, creating major challenges for opposing quarterbacks.

What new coaching staff members have been selected so far?

Mike: The Cowboys’ coaching hires were officially finalized on Friday. Klayton Adams was appointed as offensive coordinator, replacing Brian Schottenheimer. This is Adams’ first role as an offensive coordinator, but he brings a wealth of experience as an offensive line coach, including last season with the Arizona Cardinals.

Matt Eberflus was quickly hired as defensive coordinator. He became the first Chicago Bears head coach to be fired mid-season, but some coaches excel as coordinators rather than head coaches. Eberflus has previously worked with Dallas as a linebacker coach from 2011 to 2017, and he is best known for turning around the Indianapolis Colts’ defense as their defensive coordinator.

Nick Sorensen takes over as special teams coordinator, succeeding John Fassel. Although Sorensen has mostly been a defensive coach, he almost became the special teams coordinator in San Francisco earlier this season.

The rest of the coaching hires and positions:

What did Brian Schottenheimer bring to the table during the interview process to set himself apart from other head coach candidates?

Mike: Simply put, it’s familiarity. He knows the offense inside and out, including its flaws and what needs to be addressed. He also has a strong rapport with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and the rest of the offense, which will help motivate the unit that struggled last season. Additionally, Schottenheimer is already familiar with the Jones family and the franchise’s operations, allowing him to hit the ground running rather than adjusting to the vast nature of the Dallas Cowboys.

Dana: After the Cowboys were unable to retain Mike McCarthy as head coach, they interviewed several candidates, including Kellen Moore, Robert Saleh, Leslie Frazier, and Brian Schottenheimer. What made Schottenheimer stand out were his familiarity, continuity, and extensive experience—no other candidate offered all three. In an article by Todd Archer of ESPN, Schottenheimer said:

“The continuity through change… I know the players. I know the building. I know our strengths. I know our weaknesses. I know our issues. And the more we got into conversations, sitting around and just discussing different things, I wanted it even more.”

With Prescott and Lamb committed for the next several years, continuity with Schottenheimer was likely a key factor in keeping the offensive core intact, allowing them to build and improve rathe

r than starting from scratch.