By PML Cowboys Insider
In the modern PML, championship rosters aren’t built solely on elite veterans or superstar acquisitions. They come from the alignment of two forces: established stars who set the standard and rookies talented enough — and receptive enough — to adopt it.
Over the past two weeks, the Dallas Cowboys have witnessed the birth of that alignment.
Two rookies.
Two different sides of the ball.
Two trajectories rising in unison.
WR Denzel Boston, the long, smooth, explosive pass-catcher from Washington, has delivered back-to-back statement performances.
DT Dontay Corleone, the 335-pound interior force nicknamed “The Godfather,” has become the Cowboys’ most disruptive rookie defender in years.
But their rise hasn’t happened in a vacuum.
They’re ascending because of talent — yes.
Effort — no question.
Opportunity — absolutely.
But most importantly?
They are ascending because they are being shaped by the right veterans.
On offense, Denzel Boston has been taken under the wing of CeeDee Lamb, an All-PML receiver who knows exactly what it takes to thrive in a high-pressure, high-expectation environment.
On defense, Dontay Corleone has spent his rookie season learning hand placement, leverage, film study, and nuance from Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas’ trench technician and one of the most respected interior linemen on the roster.
This is the story of two rookies rising — and the veterans guiding them toward greatness.
I. DENZEL BOSTON — FROM WR3 TO DIFFERENCE MAKER
Two weeks ago, Boston was beginning to carve out snaps.
Today, he has carved out a role.
His latest performance, a 4-catch, 52-yard, 2-touchdown game against the Steelers, was the clearest display yet of his potential.
But the production is only one piece of the puzzle.
What’s changing is how he moves. How he plays. How he thinks.
And no one has shaped that more than CeeDee Lamb.
II. CeeDee Lamb’s Mentorship — The Blueprint
Veteran wide receivers are often too focused on their workload to invest deeply into a rookie. But Lamb has done the opposite.
He identified Boston’s physical profile immediately:
6’4”
209 lbs
Long stride
High-point ability
Natural hands
Intriguing RAC potential
And he saw something deeper: a rookie who wants to be coached.
In meetings
Lamb has Boston sit next to him during wideout film sessions. The two break down leverages, DB tendencies, and how to manipulate safeties using pace and body language.
In practice
Lamb runs routes with Boston side-by-side — not to show dominance, but to show nuance.
He demonstrates:
- how to stem a route
- how to disguise a break
- where to place hands in press
- how to use size without losing balance
- how to fight through contact without drawing a flag
On game day
Lamb has become Boston’s emotional thermostat.
When Boston scored his first touchdown against Pittsburgh, it was Lamb who met him in the endzone, helmet-to-helmet, telling him:
“That’s how you win big-boy reps. Keep stacking.”
And it’s working.
Against the Steelers, Boston looked like a veteran receiver in a young man’s body:
- He snapped off timing routes exactly where Joe Milton expected him.
- He shielded corners using his frame rather than waiting for the ball to arrive.
- He attacked the football with confidence instead of hesitating.
- He gained 18 yards after the catch, fighting through contact.
- His 31-yard explosive came from a pro-level release taught directly by Lamb.
And the most impressive part?
He looked like a natural fit in an offense that already features two elite receivers.
Boston isn’t a luxury piece anymore.
He’s a structural one.
III. DONTAY CORLEONE — THE SLEDGEHAMMER OF THE INTERIOR
If Boston has elevated the receiver room, then Dontay Corleone has elevated the trenches.
His performance against Pittsburgh was the kind of outing that gets coaches grinning during film review:
- 4 tackles
- 3 tackles for loss
- 2 sacks, both on pivotal third downs
- Backfield reset after backfield reset
He played like a veteran defensive tackle — timing his punch, resetting his anchor, and blowing up double teams with torque and power that don’t usually come packaged in a rookie.
But the secret behind his rapid rise?
The mentorship of Osa Odighizuwa.
IV. Osa Odighizuwa’s Mentorship — The Craft and the Chaos
Osa has long been the Cowboys’ most technically refined interior defender.
He’s not the biggest, not the heaviest, not the strongest — but he is scientific. Every rep is a calculation. Every hand strike is by design, not chance.
When Corleone arrived, all power and explosion, Osa saw potential — but also chaos.
Osa took him aside early in camp and told him:
“Anyone can push. Few can control.”
And from that moment on, Corleone has been a student of technique:
Hand Placement
Osa drilled Corleone’s hand accuracy every day.
Strike higher. Strike earlier. Strike inside.
You don’t need to win with brute force if you win with precision.
Leverage & Pad Level
Osa hammered the biggest teaching point:
A 335-pound DT who plays low is unstoppable.
A 335-pound DT who plays high gets washed.
Corleone began dominating when he learned to blend power with leverage.
Film Study
One of Corleone’s biggest leaps over the last two weeks came from understanding:
- which guards jump early
- which centers overset
- which protections slide left
- which QB tendencies show in 3rd-and-medium
Those details?
All Osa.
Pass Rush Moves
Osa taught him how to chain moves — not just throw one punch and pray.
Against Pittsburgh, Corleone won his sacks using:
- an arm-over
- a cross-chop
- and a bull-to-rip
Moves he didn’t have two months ago.
V. The Last Two Weeks — A Symbol of What’s Coming
Between Boston and Corleone, the Cowboys have seen rookie contributions on both sides of the ball that translate directly to winning:
Denzel Boston (Past 2 Weeks)
- Emerging red-zone weapon
- Growing chemistry with Milton
- WR3 production trending toward WR2 upside
- Physical route running
- Multiple explosive plays
- 2-touchdown showcase vs Steelers
Dontay Corleone (Past 2 Weeks)
- 3+ TFL performances
- Multiple sacks
- Run-stuffing dominance
- Increased double-team recognition
- Pocket-collapsing consistency
But perhaps even more importantly:
Both rookies are getting better week by week.
Not plateauing.
Not surviving.
Ascending.
And that is the signature of players being developed the right way — under the right veterans.
VI. The Veterans Behind the Rise — Why It Matters
In every great team, there are mentorship stories:
- Michael Irvin elevating Alvin Harper
- DeMarcus Ware molding Anthony Spencer
- Amari Cooper teaching CeeDee Lamb
- Tyron Smith mentoring Tyler Smith
And now?
The next generation:
CeeDee Lamb → Denzel Boston
Elite receiver grooming the next one.
Osa Odighizuwa → Dontay Corleone
Trench technician shaping the future anchor.
This is how a franchise stays competitive for a decade, not just a season.
VII. How Their Growth Reshapes the Cowboys’ Identity
1. The Offense Becomes Unpredictable
With Boston emerging, defenses can no longer bracket both Lamb and Pickens without consequences.
This creates:
- more one-on-ones
- more spacing
- more mismatches
- more red-zone efficiency
Milton benefits enormously from that.
2. The Defense Gains Interior Credibility
Corleone’s rise means edge rushers like Kneeland and Ezeiruaku can feast more often.
It means LBs Damone Clark and Overshown can play cleaner.
It means the secondary gets more rushed throws.
One dominant DT can change everything.
Dallas may now have its next one.
3. The Culture Deepens
When veterans mentor rookies, rookies mentor rookies.
It becomes systemic.
It becomes sustainable.
Boston and Corleone are not just rookies.
They’re the beginning of something.
VIII. The Final Word — The Birth of a New Cowboys Core
This isn’t hype.
This isn’t overreaction.
This isn’t projection.
Over the last two weeks, Denzel Boston and Dontay Corleone have shown:
- the talent to be long-term building blocks
- the maturity to grow under elite veterans
- the confidence to produce under pressure
- the awareness to learn quickly
- the hunger to keep climbing
CeeDee Lamb and Osa Odighizuwa didn’t just take two rookies under their wing — they accelerated the future of the franchise.
Boston is becoming the WR3 that defenses fear.
Corleone is becoming the interior defender offenses must plan for.
And together, these two rookies are helping define the next era of Cowboys football.
Not someday.
Not down the line.
Not eventually.
Right now.
