Locked On Cowboys Podcast | February 26, 2026

Episode Theme:
Dallas Cowboys’ Interest in Elite Defensive Tackle Prospects at the 2026 NFL Combine: Signals, Strategy & What’s Next

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Dallas Cowboys’ unexpected activity at the 2026 NFL Combine, where the team used formal interviews on a number of top defensive tackle (DT) prospects—a departure from their traditional draft strategy. Hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down what this could signal about organizational priorities, future roster construction, and the evolving needs of the Cowboys’ defensive line, particularly under Christian Parker’s defensive system.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Surprise Focus on Defensive Tackles at the Combine

• Cowboys Met with Top DT Prospects:
  The Cowboys used precious formal interviews (only 45 slots granted per team) to meet with nearly every top defensive tackle prospect—a move Marcus calls "very interesting" [01:12].

• Possible Reasons for DT Focus:
  Landon speculates that perhaps the Cowboys "didn't think we needed to" focus on the DT position earlier in the cycle, but "maybe something has changed" [02:32].

  "Maybe they also thought that they weren't going to be looking at defensive tackles because of their situation and maybe something has changed and they want to catch up." – Landon McCool [02:30]

• Contract/Future Concerns:
  The team has several DTs (Kenny Clark, Solomon Thomas, Perrion Winfrey) on expiring or high-cap deals.

  "Kenny Clark is really on like a year-to-year deal now. So there’s a chance he’s off the team in 2027. Solomon Thomas is in the last year of his deal… Maybe they’re looking at this as a need in 2027 or 2028.” – Marcus Mosher [03:56]

2. Strategic Use of Combine Interviews

• Long-Term Scouting:
  Sometimes interviews are less about imminent draft needs and more about “gathering information…for down the line, whether it becomes a trade or free agency” [04:36].

• Potential Roster Moves:
  The possibility of extending or moving on from Kenny Clark is discussed. If extension isn’t worked out, the Cowboys might have to part with a DT, which would increase the urgency of drafting at the position [03:15-03:46].

• Trade Flexibility:
  Landon notes that falling in love with a DT in interviews “opens lines of attack,” whether it’s keeping three serious DTs, moving on from one for cap savings, or stockpiling future resources [05:37].

3. Deep Dive: Caleb Banks & Peter Woods

• Why the Attention on Banks & Woods:
  Both are among the most talked-about defensive tackle prospects the Cowboys met with.

• How They Fit the Scheme:

  • Peter Woods: Seen as a “prototypical guy, a size three technique who I think would fit very well…what you’re looking for in one of these four-i” [10:20]. Woods himself reportedly pitched that his “best spot was a 4i” in his Cowboys interview—a potential scheme fit [10:54].

    • Measured "just under six three, 310 pounds" [10:35].

  • Caleb Banks:

    • Described as “an extremely enormous, extremely twitchy, explosive freak of nature. Literally a rare player…you don’t see every year” [11:13].
    • Senior Bowl measured: "6'6, 335 lbs, 35-inch arms, over an 85-inch wingspan, 11-inch hands" [11:34].

    Noted for his unique physicality—“I’m very impressed if he runs a 40 yard dash under 5.2, which I think he absolutely will. The only players in NFL history to run that fast at that size would be him and Jordan Davis.” – Marcus Mosher [11:56, 12:03]

• Production Concerns:
  Landon voices skepticism: “People are talking about him (Banks) as a slam dunk and he hasn’t really…this was the year he was supposed to be doing something and he didn’t do anything really…then he comes to the Senior Bowl and he dominates one on ones… but then he doesn’t really do anything in the team stuff or in the game.” [12:28-12:50]

• Potential for Versatility:
  Marcus responds, “I’m terrified because he’s 6’6, 335 pounds and he might run in the four nines. He’s just a freak athlete and he’s somebody that could play all over your defensive line and that would be pretty fun.” [13:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the reasoning behind Combine interviews:

  "I just thought this was a position that the Cowboys were going to basically ignore during the NFL draft. Yeah, maybe some day three guys they’ll pay attention to…"
  – Marcus Mosher [01:38]

• On Kenny Clark's contract status:

  “A lot of people were assuming that he would get cut, but...more and more that the Cowboys are trying to find a way to resign him or to extend him in order to kind of move the money around a little bit.”
  – Landon McCool [03:17]

• On Caleb Banks' athletic profile:

  "The only players in NFL history to run that fast at that size would be him and Jordan Davis. That's it."
  – Marcus Mosher [12:03]

Key Timestamps

• [01:12-02:27] – Cowboys meet with top DTs at the Combine; hosts express surprise
• [02:27-03:46] – Discussion of possible strategic changes and the implications of DT contracts
• [03:56-05:03] – How the Cowboys think about long-term needs, roster flexibility, and information gathering
• [05:22-05:58] – The possibility of moving high-cost DTs for cap space, freeing up the position for a rookie
• [09:51-11:02] – How Banks & Woods would fit in Christian Parker’s defense; discussion of profiles & metrics
• [11:02-13:00] – Athleticism and concerns around Caleb Banks; team and host perspectives on talent vs. production

Conclusion & Takeaways

• The Cowboys’ use of formal Combine interviews on DT prospects signals either a strategic shift, prepping for major roster moves, or both.
• Kenny Clark's future (extension, cut, or trade) looms large in shaping Dallas’s DT strategy.
• The coaching staff is clearly open to scheme fits beyond the usual 3-tech, looking for versatility (4i, etc.).
• Caleb Banks and Peter Woods are physically unique, intriguing fits, but questions linger regarding consistent production.
• The interviews are as much about immediate draft plans as about long-term franchise intelligence and flexibility.

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