By Cowboys Insider | PML Coverage
Drafting Depth, Drafting Direction
By the time Day Three of the 2026 PML Draft rolled around, Coach Cody Hirsch and the Dallas Cowboys’ front office had already executed their plan to perfection.
The trenches were rebuilt with Kaydn Proctor and Matayo Uiagalelei, the secondary and interior fortified with Jeremiah Cooper and Dontay Corleone.
Round Four wasn’t about plugging holes — it was about adding juice, depth, and developmental upside.
That’s exactly what Dallas did, grabbing LE Patrick Payton at pick 25 and WR Denzel Boston at pick 27 — two players who fit the Cowboys’ long-term formula: smart, athletic, and high-character competitors who elevate the room the moment they walk in.
“We wanted difference-makers who could grow into major roles,” Hirsch said. “Patrick and Denzel both have starter potential. They just need the reps.”
Pick 25 — LE Patrick Payton: Length, Leverage, and Upside
At 6’5”, 240 pounds, Patrick Payton was one of the most underrated edge defenders in the entire draft class. The former Florida State standout brings elite length, lateral quickness, and bend — traits that made him a nightmare for ACC tackles.
In Dallas, he joins a front already loaded with athletic pass-rushers, learning under Donovan Ezeiruaku, Marshawn Kneeland, and Matayo Uiagalelei. But make no mistake — Payton isn’t here just to learn. He’s here to compete.
Why He Fits Dallas
The Cowboys love hybrid linemen who can play multiple roles. Payton’s frame and twitch allow him to line up at left end in base looks or slide inside on passing downs. He’s the prototype for Al Harris’s evolving defensive scheme — rangy, disruptive, and explosive off the snap.
“He’s raw, but his ceiling is sky-high,” said DL coach Marcus Dixon. “You can’t teach his length or bend. Once he adds strength, he’ll be a problem.”
Scouting Snapshot
- Strengths: Long arms, fluid hips, high motor, excellent pursuit angles
- Weaknesses: Needs to bulk up to hold ground vs. power runs
- NFL Comparison: Brian Burns — slim build with elite flexibility and burst
Projected Role
Early on, Payton projects as a rotational edge behind Ezeiruaku, giving Dallas fresh legs and speed on third down. Expect to see him in NASCAR packages — lining up wide, pinning his ears back, and hunting quarterbacks alongside Uiagalelei and Kneeland.
His addition keeps the defensive line young, hungry, and dangerous well beyond 2026.
Pick 27 — WR Denzel Boston: The Big-Play Prototype
If Patrick Payton brings energy to the defense, Denzel Boston brings spark to the offense.
The 6’3”, 205-pound wideout from Washington lit up college defenses with his blend of length, body control, and strong hands in traffic. A deep-ball specialist with underrated route polish, Boston provides Joe Milton with another vertical weapon and a developmental option behind Dallas’ established duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
Why He Fits Dallas
The Cowboys’ passing game already features star power — but Boston adds the future. He’s a prototype X or Z receiver who can win on the boundary, stretch the field, and create mismatches in red-zone sets.
He’ll also immediately challenge Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo for rotational snaps, with special-teams potential as a gunner and occasional return option.
“He attacks the ball like a grown man,” said WR coach Robert Prince. “He’s not afraid of contact, and he doesn’t flinch under pressure.”
Scouting Snapshot
- Strengths: Catch radius, contested-catch ability, smooth release vs. press, top-end tracking speed
- Weaknesses: Route tree still expanding; needs sharper breaks on intermediate routes
- NFL Comparison: Courtland Sutton — big frame, strong hands, red-zone target
Projected Role
Boston will start camp as WR 4/5, learning from Lamb and Pickens, but expect him to contribute in specific packages — especially vertical shot plays and red-zone fades. His ability to win jump-balls could make him a favorite target in Milton’s back-shoulder game.
“He’s got the tools to be special,” said Milton. “We’ll get his confidence up early — he can be that spark when defenses key on 88 and 14.”
Coach Hirsch’s Vision: Layers of Depth, Layers of Accountability
These two picks continue Hirsch’s commitment to building a complete roster, not just a starting lineup.
Both players represent balance — Payton as a developmental pass-rusher who extends the defense’s depth, Boston as a long-term wideout who can eventually step into a starting role.
The 2026 Cowboys now feature depth across every unit, giving Hirsch flexibility to rotate, rest, and reload without losing identity.
“You win seasons with depth,” Hirsch said. “We don’t want drop-off when the next man steps in. Patrick and Denzel fit that perfectly.”
Projected 2026 Depth Chart Additions
Defensive End Rotation:
- LE Donovan Ezeiruaku
- LE2 Patrick Payton (R)
- RE Marshawn Kneeland / Matayo Uiagalelei
Wide Receiver Room:
- WR1 CeeDee Lamb
- WR2 George Pickens
- WR3 Jalen Tolbert / Jonathan Mingo
- WR4 Denzel Boston (R)
- Depth – Special Teams Rotation
Final Word
Patrick Payton and Denzel Boston may be fourth-round picks, but they represent the essence of Coach Hirsch’s Cowboys: smart, disciplined, and relentless.
Payton strengthens the defense’s future — a long, hungry pass-rusher learning behind proven veterans.
Boston injects explosiveness into an already potent offense — a jump-ball artist ready to develop under Lamb’s mentorship.
Together, they complete one of the most balanced and strategically crafted draft classes of the Hirsch era.
“We built the foundation,” Hirsch said, smiling. “Now we’re adding the finishing pieces.”
