Frisco, TX — The 2026 preseason is officially in the books, and the Dallas Cowboys — led by Head Coach Cody Hirsch — are younger, deeper, and hungrier than they’ve been in years. The organization’s dedication to competition and player development paid off in a big way this summer, with two standout rookies cementing their place on the 53-man roster: defensive end Patrick Payton and cornerback Avieon Terrell.
Both rookies arrived in Dallas without fanfare — mid-round draft picks expected to battle uphill for a roster spot. But by the end of August, their play left no doubt: they belong.
Patrick Payton: Earned, Not Given
When the Cowboys selected Patrick Payton in the fourth round of this year’s draft, the coaching staff saw raw potential — long, twitchy, and smart off the edge. What they discovered during camp was something more: a workhorse with natural instincts and a relentless motor.
Standing 6’5” and 248 pounds, the former Florida State standout brought a disruptive energy to every practice rep. He adapted quickly to the Cowboys’ defensive system under DC Ron Haven, flashing the ability to win inside and out while maintaining run discipline.
Throughout the preseason, Payton made his presence known. He consistently collapsed the pocket, shed blocks with refined handwork, and set the tone with physicality on the edge. Though he didn’t always light up the stat sheet, his impact jumped off the tape.
In the finale against Tennessee, Payton capped his preseason with a sack and multiple pressures, showcasing the versatility and motor that made him impossible to cut.
Coach Hirsch praised his evolution after final cuts:
“Patrick’s done everything we’ve asked — he’s tough, coachable, and plays every snap like it’s his last. That’s the kind of player we want representing this defense.”
Payton now joins a young and hungry defensive line group alongside Matayo Uiagalelei, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Marshawn Kneeland — a rotation loaded with athleticism, length, and upside. The expectation? Pressure every quarterback, every week.
Avieon Terrell: The Clemson Corner Who Forced His Way In
While Payton earned his spot in the trenches, rookie corner Avieon Terrell fought his way up through one of the team’s deepest position groups — and made it look easy.
The 5’11”, 180-pound Clemson product entered camp as a developmental prospect. By the time preseason ended, he was a roster lock.
Terrell’s final two performances spoke volumes. Against the Titans, he erupted for 11 total tackles, a tackle for loss, and two forced fumbles, playing with a confidence and toughness well beyond his years. Across the preseason slate, he ranked among Dallas’s top defenders in both total tackles and forced turnovers — a rare feat for a rookie cornerback.
“Avieon just plays with no fear,” Hirsch said postgame. “He competes every down, tackles like a safety, and studies like a vet. You can tell he’s wired the right way.”
The Cowboys coaching staff fell in love with Terrell’s versatility. He’s shown he can play outside in base sets and slide into nickel when needed — giving the team flexibility behind starters Martin Emerson Jr. and Daron Bland, with Kaiir Elam providing another reliable boundary presence.
Terrell’s tackling ability and willingness to attack the run make him a perfect fit in Hirsch’s defensive philosophy — physical, disciplined, and unrelenting.
Rookie Class Shaping the Future
Terrell and Payton are just two members of what may be the Cowboys’ most impressive rookie class in years — one built around grit, athleticism, and high football IQ.
- SS Jeremiah Cooper, the second-round selection out of Iowa State, was a preseason star, totaling 17 tackles and two forced fumbles while flying downhill to stuff the run. Cooper looks poised to start immediately and gives Dallas a much-needed physical presence in the box.
- DT Dontay Corleone, nicknamed “The Godfather,” added muscle and interior power to the defensive front. His leverage and anchor ability have already earned him rotational snaps alongside Osa Odighizuwa and Maason Smith.
- RT Kaydn Proctor, the first-round tackle out of Alabama, seamlessly transitioned from left to right tackle and will start from Day 1 — completing an offensive line that now features Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, and Tyler Booker.
- WR Denzel Boston, the fourth-round gem from Washington, lit up the preseason with 196 yards and 2 touchdowns, becoming Dak Prescott’s go-to deep threat and arguably the most exciting rookie on the offensive side of the ball.
“This whole rookie group came in with a chip on their shoulder,” said Hirsch. “They’re not just filling spots — they’re raising our standard.”
Shemar James and the Defensive Culture
The Cowboys’ defensive transformation starts with leadership — and Shemar James has stepped into that role beautifully. The second-year linebacker, returning from injury, was all over the field this preseason. Against Tennessee, he posted 18 tackles, 5 for loss, and a sack, setting the tone for the entire front seven.
James, along with Damone Clark and Javon Wright, anchors a linebacker room that plays with speed and violence. Behind them, safeties Jeremiah Cooper and Malik Hooker (if retained in a mentor role) bring range and communication that have unified the back end.
The defensive front — built around Uiagalelei, Ezeiruaku, Odighizuwa, and now Payton — looks like one of the deepest groups in the PML. Combined with corners Emerson, Bland, Elam, and Terrell, Dallas is poised to return to the physical, turnover-hungry identity that defined their best seasons under Hirsch.
“It’s the kind of defense that doesn’t wait for mistakes — we create them,” said linebacker Damone Clark.
Hirsch’s Philosophy: Earned, Not Promised
One of the defining traits of the Hirsch era in Dallas has been his merit-based culture. No player, regardless of draft position or tenure, is guaranteed anything.
That mindset has produced breakout stories like Shemar James, Marshawn Kneeland, and now Payton and Terrell. The Cowboys’ front office, led by Hirsch and GM Trent Wilkins, has emphasized finding players who fit the Dallas DNA — tough, selfless, and relentless.
“We’re not chasing names — we’re building a team,” Hirsch said. “These guys don’t just wear the star. They earn it.”
The result is a locker room filled with players who embody the same principles Hirsch preaches daily: compete, communicate, and finish.
Looking Ahead: From Promise to Production
As the regular season approaches, the Cowboys’ preseason storylines give way to real football — and real expectations.
Patrick Payton will be part of a four-man rotation on the edge, playing opposite Matayo Uiagalelei in passing situations. Avieon Terrell, meanwhile, will contribute in nickel sets and special teams, giving Dallas another trusted defender on the boundary when needed.
Both rookies will enter Week 1 not as projects, but as key contributors to a defense that has reloaded with youth and energy.
With the final roster now set, the Cowboys look ready to build off their playoff appearance — deeper, faster, and tougher than a year ago.
“This team’s got something special brewing,” said defensive captain Damone Clark. “We’ve got guys who love ball — and that’s dangerous.”
As Dallas prepares for the season opener, Coach Hirsch’s message is clear: the competition that defined August is only the beginning. The star isn’t given. It’s earned.
And players like Patrick Payton and Avieon Terrell just proved exactly what that means.
