You’ve likely encountered the phrase “Scared money don’t make money,” whether from rapper Young Jeezy or Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier. While the Dallas Cowboys may not embody this mantra when hiring head coaches or spending in free agency, they certainly embrace it with NFL Draft prospects, often taking risks for high rewards.

Unsurprisingly, the Cowboys are eyeing two of the five riskiest draft prospects according to A to Z Sports draft analyst Ian Valentino. As the NFL’s Top 30 visits season unfolds, we gain insight into which positions Dallas aims to address by month’s end.

Among the 16 reported visits, DT Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) and DL Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) stand out. Both play on the defensive line, are projected as first-round picks, and appear on Valentino’s list of 2025 NFL Draft’s riskiest prospects. Let’s explore the reasons and consider their fit for the Cowboys.

DT Walter Nolen: Why he’s considered risky: Watching Walter Nolen in action evokes memories of the dominance seen in legends like Gerald McCoy or Aaron Donald. Weighing in at 296 pounds, his speed and agility are remarkable, often making him seem smaller due to his quick change of direction. Teams are banking on these exceptional attributes.

In 2024, Nolen’s performance skyrocketed compared to previous years, showcasing a notable rise in advanced statistics. His quarterback pressures tripled, and he surpassed his previous best in run stops. Nonetheless, some league insiders express doubts about Nolen’s consistency and his motivation to reach his full potential. – Ian Valentino My perspective on Nolen: I don’t foresee the Cowboys selecting him at No. 12 overall, not just due to their positional priorities or concerns about Nolen, who attended six schools in seven years, including college and high school.

It’s also because they recently committed $80 million to Osa Odighizuwa. Would they really invest their first Top 15 pick since 2021 in another three-tech defensive lineman? If they do, it would be because of those flashes of Aaron Donald-like talent Valentino mentions. Should Nolen’s character issues cause him to fall on Draft Day, I wouldn’t be shocked if Dallas makes a move to acquire his skills.

DL Shemar Stewart: Why he’s considered risky: Shemar Stewart is an outstanding athlete, joining an elite group of only three edge rushers in the last 25 years, alongside Myles Garrett and Mario Williams, to run a sub-4.7 40-yard dash, leap at least 40 inches, and achieve a broad jump of at least 117 inches. With a remarkable performance at the Senior Bowl, there’s a compelling argument for him as a top-five pick in any draft class.

Stewart’s issue isn’t his athleticism; it’s his on-field output. With just 4.5 career sacks and somewhat average pressure stats over his college tenure, he hasn’t fully harnessed his physical gifts during games. While his pressure numbers are respectable, a missed tackle rate of 23.5% in 2024 is concerning. – Ian Valentino Stewart’s risks differ from Nolen’s, and I wouldn’t doubt the Cowboys’ willingness to use a first-round pick on a versatile edge rusher.

With defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton on the staff, they might convince themselves it’s a worthwhile gamble. The Cowboys’ greatest challenge may be their offensive needs, including wide receiver and running back. However, the potential risks each defensive lineman poses likely won’t deter them from considering these prospects on Draft Day, especially if one slides to the second round.