Here’s what our staff writers have to say about the Cowboys first three picks and ideal outcomes for them.
The Dallas Cowboys are almost on the clock. Who they will select in the first round remains uncertain. Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has often been a fan favorite to be taken by Dallas in the first round and could very well be the pick. Still, it’s no longer a sure thing that he is even available at twelve, so where does that leave everyone else?
Some of our BTB staff writers put together a list of who they believe the Cowboys would take with their first three picks of the draft.
Brandon Loree:
- Round 1 (12): WR Matthew Golden, Texas
- Round 2 (44): CB Shavon Revel, East Carolina
- Round 3 (76): RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Brandon’s analysis: Back in March, Stephen Jones said, “We’re still open to looking at a really explosive number two that could upgrade us.” Golden is one of the more explosive wide receivers in the draft after running a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Not only does he have the explosion to improve Dallas’ offense, but he also has the savvy route-running to open things up for CeeDee Lamb in the passing game. Shavon Revel is what’s known by fans as a “blue star special,” where a talented player falls to Dallas in the second round after his stock dropped due to injury. Not to mention, Dr. Dan Cooper, the Cowboys’ team doctor, did the surgery on Revel’s torn ACL. Tuten adds another level of explosion to Dallas’ running back room after averaging 6.3 yards per carry and could provide a similar skillset the Cowboys had in Tony Pollard. All three players had official visits with the team.
Brian Martin:
- Round 1 (12): WR Matthew Golden, Texas
- Round 2 (44): RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
- Round 3 (76): DT Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
Brian’s analysis: All three of these players were 30 pre-draft visitors for the Cowboys and all fill immediate needs as upgrades to their given positions. Golden helps both CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott in the passing game with his speed and route-running ability and Judkins gives Dallas a physical, hard-nosed runner to be their new RB1. Turner is a relentless, disruptive DT with a nonstop motor who is equally effective against the run as he is as a pass rusher.
Dan Rogers:
- Round 1 (12): WR Matthew Golden, Texas
- Round 2 (44): CB Trey Amos, Mississippi
- Round 3 (76): RB RJ Harvey, UCF
Dan’s analysis: With seven picks on Day 3 and a lot of remaining talent in the trenches, I wanted to focus on this arrangement of players. I’m just not on the Tet train like many others and want to lay up safe with a more balanced receiver who will still spark the Cowboys’ passing game. Matthew Golden is a box-checker with good route-running, hands, and open field speed to be a home run threat. Round two is a great spot to land a starting corner, as someone good is likely to fall, and I have that someone being Trey Amos. He has the size the team looks for and would give the Cowboys some CB security moving forward. Running back is the position that is most likely to offer some quality choices this late in the draft, and the explosive RJ Harvey is one of my pet cats. His vision and quick acceleration find him in the second level often.
David Howman
- Round 1 (12): WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- Round 2 (44): CB Shavon Revel, East Carolina
- Round 3 (76): OG Tate Ratledge, Georgia
David’s analysis: Brian Schottenheimer recently spoke about how he prefers to build from the outside in, and this approach does that. The Cowboys need a receiver and a cornerback, and the duo of McMillan and Revel offer plenty of size and length there. I know everyone wants a running back on Day 2, but I can’t pass up the idea of Tate Ratledge sliding into that right guard spot. Plus, you can get a Tahj Brooks or LeQuint Allen on Day 3.
One Cool Customer
- Round 1 (12): WR Matthew Golden, Texas
- Round 2 (44): iOL Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
- Round 3 (76): DE Jordan Burch, Oregon
OCC’s analysis: I haven’t spent any time watching this year’s draft prospects, I let others do that for me – and then use their data and insights to drive my opinion. ESPN for example has metric that sounds pretty cool: Their Pro Bowl Probability is based on grades from Scouts, Inc. and NFL Combine metrics and calculates the chance a given prospect becomes a Pro Bowler. My three picks all have Pro Bowl Probabilities at the very top of their position groups.
Matthew Golden: 44.2%, No. 1 WR
Jonah Savaiinaea: 50.6%, No. 2 OG
Jordan Burch: 36.0%, No. 2 DE
Matt Holleran
- Round 1 (12): WR Matthew Golden, Texas
- Round 2 (44): LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
- Round 3 (76): RB Damien Martinez, Miami
Matt’s analysis: If the Cowboys don’t make a move and stick at pick 12, I think there’s about a 95% chance they take a wide receiver. I think Tet McMillan would be their top preference, but I don’t see him making it to their selection. Instead, Dallas will opt to take a chance on Texas speedster Matthew Golden who will bring some much-needed explosiveness to their offense. In rounds two and three Dallas picks up linebacker Carson Schwesinger and running back Damien Martinez, two players they have plenty of reported interest in.
Mike Poland
- Round 1 (12): WR Tet McMillan, Arizona
- Round 2 (44): CB Trey Amos, Mississippi
- Round 3 (76): RB RJ Harvey, UCF
Mike’s analysis: This is the perfect one-two-three punch. It hits the most important positions of need with the highest value in all three rounds. The team needs a WR2 and in this wide receiver class the supply and demand is off kilter, meaning you have to take one in the first round to find that level of talent. Cornerback is a massive need for Dallas and taking one in the second round helps fill the void with an early talented DB. Running back is one of the biggest needs, but taking one early is not only bad value due to the depth of the position, but it also makes little sense based on the volatility of the position. Harvey is a sneaky good RB and took over games single-handedly. He’s an RB1 on most rosters in the NFL.
Connor Livesay:
- Round 1 (12): WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
- Round 2 (44): CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
- Round 3 (76): RB Jordan James, Oregon
Connor’s analysis: If they want to improve their running game with Ashton Jeanty likely gone, an impact receiver that can lighten boxes and help run block from condensed formations is a smart choice. Emeka Egbuka is the best blocking receiver in this class, and is also one of the best natural separators. Egbuka played primarily in the slot at Ohio State, but his skillset translates well to a versatile weapon at the next level. The Cowboys currently have DaRon Bland and a bunch of unknowns if Trevon Diggs can’t start the season. Trey Amos is one of the top-graded cornerbacks in the second round and if available at #44 he should be the pick. Jordan James is one of the most underrated backs in this class. His explosiveness, patience, and toughness gives shades of his former teammate Bucky Irving in the 2024 class. While they have different builds, they play the position with a similar skillset. Sub-par testing and a deep running back class has depressed his value.
RJ Ochoa
- Round 1 (12): WR Tet McMillan, Arizona
- Round 2 (44): CB Trey Amos, Mississippi
- Round 3 (76): RB RJ Harvey, UCF
RJ’s analysis: My list happens to be identical to Mike’s and I feel like he encapsulated the points rather well. A few weeks ago Danny Phantom did an exercise that I really liked where he explored the different routes to walking away with a wide receiver, corner and running back during the first three rounds. Of all possible permutations, just in terms of the order the positions would hypothetically be selected, this remains my absolute favorite. This haul takes care of the most critical positions of need and does so with premium capital. I would love to see Cam Skattebo make it to the Cowboys for what it’s worth, but I am also fine with paying a premium to take someone like Harvey in the top 100.
