2025 NFL Draft: Early favorites for the Cowboys at each position on defense

Who are your favorite defensive players in the 2025 NFL Draft?

Earlier we shared our thoughts on offensive prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft that make sense for the Dallas Cowboys at each offensive position. Now we flip over to the defense for the same exercise.

DT – Alfred Collins, Texas (6’5″, 320)

With only Mazi Smith currently on the roster at defensive tackle, the Dallas Cowboys are in desperate need for some more DT depth as well as another starter or two. Alfred Collins is someone who will hopefully be in play for them in the second-round (44th overall). At 6’5″, 320 pounds with nearly 35″ arms, Collins is exactly the type of DT Dallas needs to upgrade the middle of their defensive line. He is surprisingly disruptive and agile for his size and his anchor in the running game would significantly upgrade Dallas’ run defense.

EDGE – Mike Green, Marshall (6’3″, 250)

Defensive end is an underrated position of need for the Dallas Cowboys with both DeMarcus Lawrence and Carl Lawson hitting free agency. Whether it’s with the 12th overall pick or in a trade-down scenario, DE could very much be in play for the Cowboys in the first round. Mike Green is a good choice if they trade down. He brings to mind the Houston Texans second overall pick a few years ago, Will Anderson Jr. Both are surprisingly stout against the run despite their slim frame and are tenacious as pass rushers.

LB – Carson Schwesinger, UCLA (6’2″, 233)

Former UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger is flying somewhat under the radar right now, but is a Top 5 player at his position. If the Cowboys are looking to draft a linebacker early, he’s someone they could target with their 44th overall pick. He is similar to former Cowboys LB Sean Lee because of his read-and-react skills and his sideline-to-sideline ability. He’s also no slouch when dropping into coverage. He could challenge for a starting job from Day 1 as a rookie if drafted by the Cowboys.

CB – Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky (6’1″, 186)

Trevon Diggs will be working himself back from yet another season-ending knee injury, Jourdan Lewis is now a free agent, and DaRon Bland is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Cowboys don’t really have a healthy CB other than No. 26 who can be considered a starter, making this a position of need. Maxwell Hairston could fix all that. He is smooth in coverage, has a high football IQ, has the prototypical size/length combo for an outside CB.

S – Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina (6’3″, 227)

Both Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson could potentially be salary-cap casualties for the Cowboys, making safety potentially an underrated roster need for them this offseason. Nick Emmanwori is a Top 5 safety prospect in the 2025 draft class and someone who could immediately upgrade the backend of Dallas’ secondary as a rookie. At 6’3″, 227-pounds, he is capable of being both an enforcer and ball hawk due to his rare athleticism for his size. He’s another player for the second round (44th overall) for the Cowboys.