The Dallas Cowboys are still focused on the 2025 NFL season despite a 3-5-1 record. In an effort to make a push for the postseason, they swung two trades at the deadline, bringing in Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson.
As executive vice president Stephen Jones said, those moves could help the Cowboys in future years as well as this season. Keeping an eye on the future is the right way to approach the roster, which is why it’s fun to keep an eye on mock drafts to see how the team can continue to build toward a contending roster.
That said, a recent mock draft from USA Today’s Ayrton Ostly would be a nightmare scenario for the Cowboys. Their first pick is used on a defensive end, which isn’t the problem. It’s their second pick in Round 1 that would be an issue, since it would mean the departure of one of their most explosive players.
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At No. 12, the Cowboys bring in Keldric Faulk from Auburn, giving them an ascending pass rusher to start across from Donovan Ezeiruaku.
“Dallas needs more edge reinforcements with Micah Parsons gone and built up the interior by trading for Quinnen Williams. Faulk’s size aligns with what defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus used in Chicago before joining the Cowboys. He’s a versatile player who can kick inside or stay on the edge.” – Ostly
Faulk is an impressive 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, which would give Dallas even more power on their suddenly rebuilt defensive line.
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With their second pick in Round 1, Ostly adds Carnell Tate from Ohio State. Taking a wide receiver this early would mean the Cowboys aren’t keeping George Pickens, which would be a nightmare considering what he’s meant to this offense in 2025.
“This is a scenario in which the Cowboys don’t re-sign George Pickens in free agency. If they do not, Tate could be another solid option to be CeeDee Lamb’s running mate. He has great size for the position outside (6-foot-3, 190 pounds), with strong route-running and impressive contested-catch skills.” – Ostly
While it wouldn’t be ideal to lose Pickens, Tate is an impressive pass-catcher who is averaging 17.2 yards per reception this season. Still, it would be better to keep their offense together and add more talent to their depleted defense.
Pittsburgh, PA — October 2025 — In a move that perfectly mirrors his quiet leadership and selfless play on the field,
According to multiple university sources, Watt’s foundation covered more than $200,000 in student loan balances earlier this year. The gesture came with no announcement, no press release, and no cameras
, in keeping with Watt’s understated personality and lifelong reputation for humility.
“T.J. didn’t want this to be about headlines,” a Wisconsin official said. “He just wanted to give people a fresh start. That’s who he’s always been — hard work, no spotlight, maximum heart.”
Watt, who played at Wisconsin from 2013–2016 before being drafted by the Steelers in 2017, has long credited the school for shaping his career and character. His breakout season with the Badgers not only put him on the NFL radar but also instilled in him the blue-collar mentality that defines his game today.
A member of Wisconsin’s financial aid department confirmed that Watt’s representatives worked directly with the university to identify 2017 graduates who still carried federal or private student loan debt. Within weeks, those balances were fully paid off — with notifications sent quietly to each former student.
For many recipients, the unexpected act of generosity lifted a financial weight that had followed them for nearly a decade. One alum shared on social media, “I just got a letter saying my student loans were cleared — and it was T.J. Watt who did it. I’m still shaking. He just changed lives without saying a word.”
This isn’t the first time Watt has made a meaningful impact away from the spotlight. Over the years, he has donated to youth sports programs across Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, sponsored after-school fitness centers, and funded athletic scholarships for underprivileged students.
Now, his latest gesture further cements his reputation as a leader far beyond the football field — a man defined by substance, not spectacle.
As news spreads through Madison and Pittsburgh, fans are hailing Watt not just as the heart of the Steelers’ defense but as a hometown hero whose quiet acts of kindness echo louder than any sack celebration.