3 Small-School Steals the Cowboys Can Draft in Late Rounds

2. Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa

Osa Odighizuwa has proven himself a capable 3-tech but the Cowboys might not be willing to pay him when he hits free agency in 2025. The suddenly cheap franchise let Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, and Tyler Biadasz walk — and Odighizuwa might have the same fate since he's played well enough to earn a decent contract.

If he were to leave, there aren't too many options behind him. Chauncey Golston has spent some time at 3-tech but he's primarily a defensive end that can slide inside on third downs. They added Viliami Fehoko in the fourth round last year but he's similar to Golston.

That's why it would be a good idea to add a defensive tackle on Day 3 who could develop behind Odighizuwa this year and then compete for a starting spot in 2025. One candidate for this role is Khristian Boyd from Northern Iowa.

At 6-foot-4 and nearly 320 pounds, Boyd has the size to play nose tackle but is more disruptive when lined up as the 3-tech. Considering how often the Cowboys were bullied in the run game, putting someone in this role with a little more weight is not a bad idea.

Boyd was credited with 28 tackles, nine quarterback hits, and three sacks in his senior season. He was redshirted, so he's on the older side at 24 but could be well worth a flier in Round 6 or maybe even Round 7.