5 picks that make sense for Cowboys on Day 3 of the 2025 draft
The Dallas Cowboys are among the few teams regularly selecting starting-level players on Day 3 of the draft. Jake Ferguson, Donovan Wilson, Jalen Brooks, and Chauncey Golston are examples of players who played many snaps last season for Dallas. They also drafted Dak Prescott and DaRon Bland, two All-Pro players, on the draft’s final day.
But over the last two years the Cowboys haven’t added the depth they typically do. Eric Scott, Jr. and Viliami Fehoko were drafted in 2023 and are already off the team. The 2024 Day 3 selections hardly played despite the team being ravaged by injuries.
The draft can be strange. Medical issues, flawed interviews, or an off-the-field issue can drop prospects, while a good combine can raise guys thought to be later-round picks. It makes Day 3 hard to judge this early in the process, but here are options who could be available for Dallas, a team that needs another draft like in 2022 when they landed Ferguson, Bland, and Damone Clark.
DT CJ West, Indiana
Indiana’s CJ West tackles Michigan’s Donovan Edwards at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
The Cowboys currently have only Mazi Smith, Justin Rogers and Denzel Daxon as defensive tackles on the roster. They could easily take a DT in the top 100 and follow up with another one on Day 3.
CJ West could be an excellent option that would fit defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ system. West had a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade over 80 all three seasons in college, with an 88-run defense grade last season. He has powerful hands to engage blockers, sees the plays well in front of him, and sheds blocks to bring down the ball carrier. He has good lateral agility to help him get pressure on stunts as a pass rusher.
West still has a lot of work to do in his development. He struggles to maintain ground against double teams, his get-off can be late, he needs a better pass-rush plan, and he must consistently maintain gap integrity. If he is developed correctly, West could become a good rusher from the defensive interior.
RB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) carries the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
The way Dallas put their coaching staff together, the run game seemed to be their key to improving for the 2025 season. To do that, the team should draft a running back in their first three rounds, but if it gets to 76 and they land a prospect who is an explosive back, then they could try to pair him with another back to take on the physical runs, saving the wear-and-tear on their explosive option.
Tahj Brooks from Texas Tech could be their guy. He could be a young version of what they wanted from Ezekiel Elliott last season. Brooks is a good inside runner, getting north and south well. He can move the chains on short-yardage runs, and his 5-foot-10, 230-pound frame can be hard to tackle regularly if he stays low on his runs. He doesn’t offer much as a pass-catcher, but he will be good on blitz-pickup when they need to throw the ball.
Pairing a playmaking back like TreVeyon Henderson, RJ Harvey, or Jaydon Blue with a short-yardage, pass-protecting, and tough-to-tackle rusher could be the perfect plan for Dallas to revamp their rushing attack.
IOL Willie Lampkin, North Carolina
Feb 1, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team offensive lineman Willie Lampkin of North Carolina (55) warms up before the 2025 Senior Bowl football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
The new offensive coordinator, Klayton Adams, could be looking to get more athleticism from his offensive line so they can call counters or sweeps with linemen who can get outside well enough to help break long runs. Willie Lampkin could be an unconventional option for Dallas on Day 3; players his size aren’t often drafted into the league. At only 5-foot-10 and 270 pounds, he isn’t a top-50 pick because he will have issues with some bigger, lengthier defensive tackles just because he is limited in stature. His wrestling background will negate some of those issues. He was second place state wide as a junior in 2019, and went 47-0 in his senior year and won the Florida State Championship at 285 pounds in 2020.
If he were 6-foot-3 or taller and 300 pounds or more, he could be an All-Pro caliber blocker because his ability is as good as this draft has. He is versatile, playing double-digit games at each guard spot and center. He has over 60 starts in college, and his experience shows on tape. Lampkin uses his hands at a top-notch level. He doesn’t miss, knowing where he has to place them to get leverage, and his timing is impeccable. He gets to second-level blocks smoothly and quickly and has excellent strength to move defenders inside.
Lampkin will have snaps against the best interior defenders where he will be beaten just based on the physics of each player, but around those snaps, he could use his leverage, mobility, and strength to help improve the entire OL. If that isn’t worth a Day 3 pick, what is?
DE Barryn Sorrell, Texas
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Barryn Sorrell (88) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Barryn Sorrell is the type of project a position coach will love to develop. He has the traits to get into the third round if a team doesn’t want to risk losing him before they get to pick on Day 3.
He has the length, frame, and athleticism to develop into an impactful edge in the NFL as he has an unlimited motor. He stays on the field nearly all game and plays hard every snap; the things the new coaches discussed in their first media sessions. Sorrell has the versatility to move across the entire line, and he sets the edge well versus one-on-one blocks. He is also challenging to fool. Play-action, motion, and other things offensive coordinators might try to trick him with don’t work well. He has to learn how to win without relying on his athletic ability, needing a pass-rush plan, counters, and a better jump off the snap. He can also get moved by double teams on outside runs.
WR Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville
Nov 16, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks (1) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
Standing 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Brooks played basketball and was a track-and-field athlete. He attended Alabama but transferred to Louisville to finish his college career. He is an outside receiving prospect with a great catch radius and enough elusiveness to be a kick and punt returner. He is slender and might need at least one off-season to grow into his frame. Brooks has too many concentration drops and isn’t a tackle-breaker or a separator in the passing game.
If he had to play as a rookie, he would likely be a deep ball, contested catch guy who would get most of his snaps in as a vertical threat up the sidelines. With a few seasons to develop, Brooks could become the playmaking receiver Lamb needs in the offense with him.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @mike-crum-cdpiglet.bsky.social
