There are several former first-round picks on the Cowboys roster that could play an interesting role this season.
The Dallas Cowboys added over 30 new faces to the roster either through trades, free agency, or drafted/undrafted rookies. Some of these players will play a more significant role than others for the Cowboys this season, but each of them were brought into hopefully overhaul the roster and Brian Schottenheimer’s first-year as Dallas’ new head coach.
Surprisingly enough, several of these new additions, and a couple of Dallas’ original draft picks, are former first-round selections looking to shed labels after not living up to expectations thus far in their careers. Today, we take a look at these former first-rounders and see how they could fit in with the Cowboys in 2025.
The Cowboys own
DT Mazi Smith – The 26th overall pick by Dallas in 2023 may not have gotten a fair shake in his first two seasons with the organization. He’s had a different defensive coordinator both seasons and will have another new DC in 2025. That could have stunted his development, but whatever the case, he as of yet hasn’t lived up to his first-round pedigree for Dallas.
LT Tyler Guyton – It’s still way too early to judge the Cowboys 29th overall pick last year, but he’ll need to take a significant jump in his development entering Year 2 with the organization to establish his starting position. He could be one of the most important players on the roster this season not named Dak Prescott, and as he goes, so goes Dallas.
The Cowboys trade acquisitions
CB Kaiir Elam – Elam was the 23rd is pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2022 and spent three seasons there before getting traded to the Cowboys this offseason. He is competing to start on the outside early on in Dallas, at least until Trevon Diggs is able to return to the lineup. A change of scenery might help him find the consistency that eluded him in Buffalo.
LB Kenneth Murray Jr. – Murray was the 23rd pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 and is the second former first-rounder Dallas acquired via trade this offseason. Some consider him somewhat of a draft bust thinking he didn’t live up to expectations, however, he has been a starting caliber LB in his five-year career and is expected start for Dallas in 2025.
The aging vet
DT Solomon Thomas – Thomas was the third overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. He spent four years in San Francisco, one with the Las Vegas Raiders, and the last three with the New York Jets before signing the Cowboys this offseason. He’s never quite lived up to his draft status, but has turned into a solid rotational backup 3-tech, which he’ll be in Dallas.
The free agent
DE Payton Turner – Turner was the 28th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2021 and spent four injury-plagued seasons with the organization. The Saints declined to pick up his fifth-year option, leading him to sign with the Cowboys this offseason. He’s likely nothing more than a depth piece this season in Dallas, if he makes the final 53-roster.
