‘The Beast’ could help shine light on the Cowboys potential draft targets.
Christmas came early for many of us when Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his 2025 NFL Draft guide, “The Beast”. This source of information is arguably the most thorough and in-depth draft guide available and is an essential tool for the biggest event of the offseason, which is now just a little over a week away (April 24-26).
How could it apply to the Dallas Cowboys? While Dallas’ draft rankings may vary from “The Beast” to some degree, it’s safe to assume they’ll both be pretty similar. Here are some takeaways from the guide as it relates to Dallas.
First-round grades
According to Dane Brugler, only 13 players have a first-round grade for him in the 2025 draft class. That seems to be the consensus conclusion for many scouts and other personal people around the league, emphasizing the lack of top-level talent available this year.
Brugler also assigned an additional 22 players with a 1st/2nd-round grade, bringing the total to 35 who could be first-round draft picks. With the 12th overall pick in the first round, it’s reasonable to believe the Cowboys will draft one of those first-round graded players.
Cowboys targets at No. 12
Barring a surprise trade, staying put at No. 12 is looking more and more likely. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for the Cowboys. Several of Brugler’s first-round graded players should still be on the board.
- CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
- EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
- RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
- DT Mason Graham, Michigan
- EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia
- OT Will Campbell, LSU
- OT Armand Membou, Missouri
- TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
- EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
- EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
- TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
- WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- QB Cam Ward, Miami
Of these 13, it’s safe to assume Cam Ward isn’t of interest to them and Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter will also more than likely be gone by the time Dallas is on the clock. And, given the nature/value of the QB position, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Sheduer Sanders and possibly Jaxson Dart as Top 10 picks, pushing some of this talent further in Dallas’ lap.
Top 100
The Cowboys currently hold three picks in the Top 100 (12, 44, 76). About the only position we can probably rule out in the first three rounds is quarterback. Dak Prescott is the unquestioned QB1 with the Will Grier and Joe Milton, who they recently traded for, competing to be his backup. Every other position is probably in play to some degree. Let’s take a look at potential targets by position according to “The Beast”.
- Running back
Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were added to the roster in free agency, but neither is really considered RB1 material at this point in their careers. While this is a deep RB draft class, drafting one in the first three rounds seems highly likely for the Cowboys.
Dane Brugler has a total of nine RBs in his Top 100, headlined by Ashton Jeanty (3), who may or may not still be there for Dallas at No. 12. After that, keep an eye on Omarion Hampton (29), Kaleb Johnson (44), TreVeyon Henderson (46), Quinson Judkins (60), Dylan Samson (74), Jordan James (77), RJ Harvey (93), and Trevor Etienne (95) for the Cowboys.
- Wide receiver
Finding a WR2 to pair with CeeDee Lamb and to give Dak Prescott another reliable target in the passing game looks to be a priority. They traded a 2025 fourth-round pick last year for WR Jonathan Mingo and added Paris Campbell via free agency, but neither look to be a clear upgrade over Brandin Cooks so far in Dallas.
“The Beast” has a total of 12 WRs in the Top 100 who could be of interest to Dallas. Tetairoa McMillan (12), Matthew Golden (15), Luther Burden (27), and Emeka Egbuka (28) could be first-round targets. Jaylin Noel (42), Jayden Higgins (45) make sense in the second round and Jalen Royals (63), Tre Harris (65), Jack Bech (72), Isaiah Bond (88), Elic Ayomanor (90), and Kyle Williams (91) in the third round.
- Tight end
Although the Cowboys look to be in good shape at TE right now, we can’t completely rule out them drafting one in the Top 100. Jake Ferguson is coming off a down season and entering the final year of his rookie contract and Luke Schoonmaker has yet to live up to his second-round draft status.
If Dallas does draft a TE, Tyler Warren (8) and Colston Loveland (11) makes a little bit of sense at No. 12 if they are the top-ranked players on the board. After that Mason Taylor (33), Elijah Arroyo (41), Terrance Ferguson (75), Harold Fannin (82), and Gunnar Helm (97) rounds out the TEs Dane Brugler has ranked in the Top 100.
- Offensive line
Due to Zack Martin’s retirement and the uneven play of Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele last year, both of which are projected to start in 2025, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Cowboys decided to try to upgrade the offensive line by using one of their three picks in the Top 100.
Brugler has a total of 17 offensive lineman in his Top 100 rankings. He has nine tackles, six guards, and two centers ranked in that range. However, several of those players have the versatility to play different positions that he has them listed at. Whether it’s an OT or iOL, there should be several options for Dallas to select from if they so choose.
- EDGE
Defensive end may be an underrated roster “need” for the Cowboys. Micah Parsons’ future still hangs in limbo until Dallas signs him to a contract extension, Marshawn Kneeland is still a bit of an unknown, and Sam Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Drafting a DE early is very much in play.
“The Beast” has a surprising amount of EDGE rushers (17) in the Top 100. Brugler has three ranked in the Top 10 in the first-round, two with 1st/2nd-round grades, six with second-round grades, two with 2nd/3rd-round grades, and three with third-round grades. The Cowboys could have their choice from this group at either 12, 44, or 76.
- Defensive tackle
The Cowboys re-signed Osa Odighizuwa and brought in Solomon Thomas via free agency to man the 3-tech position in Matt Eberflus’ 4-3 defensive scheme, but still need to upgrade the 1-tech position. Mazi Smith has yet to live up to his first-round draft status, which could mean DT could be considered a draft “need” in the Top 100 for Dallas.
According to Brugler, the 2025 DT draft class is a deep one throughout and has a total of 11 currently ranked in the Top 100 in the first three rounds. After that, he has a total of six with 3rd/4th-round grades and an additional 17 DTs with draftable grades. That’s a total of 34 DTs with draftable grades the Cowboys could pick and choose from.
- Linebacker
The Cowboys signed Jack Sanborn and traded for Kenneth Murray to help upgrade their linebacker position so far this offseason, but that doesn’t necessarily rule them out of drafting one early in the 2025 NFL Draft. And, with DeMarvion Overshown’s availability for 2025 unknown, LB could be an underrated “need” for them.
The talent at LB in the 2025 draft class isn’t a very top-heavy. “The Beast” has only four ranked in the Top 100. Jihaad Campbell (14) is considered the best of the group followed by Carson Schwesinger (38), Danny Stutsman (87), and Jeffrey Bassa (99). Considering this, it would be somewhat surprising to see Dallas draft-a LB in the Top 100.
- Cornerback
With Trevon Diggs’ 2025 status up in the air, DaRon Bland in the last year of his rookie contract, and Jourdan Lewis leaving via free agency, upgrading the cornerback position in Dallas as a top priority. The Cowboys could address this position as early as No. 12 or with the next two picks at either 44 or 76 in the second- or third-round.
Brugler has a total of 11 CBs ranked in the Top 100. Travis Hunter (1), Will Johnson (18), Jahdae Barron (30), Maxwell Hairston (35), Trey Amos (39), Azareye’h Thomas (51), Shavon Revel (62), Nohl Williams (66), Jacob Parrish (67), Benjamin Morrison (69), and Quincy Riley (95) are CBs to keep an eye out for the Cowboys according to “The Beast”.
- Safety
The Cowboys seem pretty set at safety heading into 2025. But, the future of the position could tempt them to potentially draft one of the Top 100 if that player happens to be the top-ranked prospect on their big board.
“The Beast” has six safeties ranked in the Top 100. Nick Emmanwori (17), Malaki Starks (19), Xavier Watts (54), Kevin Winston Jr. (83), Billy Bowman Jr. (85), and Jonas Sanker (97) are the safeties to keep an eye on for Dallas if they decide to draft one of the Top 100.
