Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Matthew Golden and the Cowboys are starting to become tied at the hip The Dallas Cowboys have had success drafting players in the first round. Since 2010, all of the Cowboys first-round picks have made a combined 40 Pro Bowls, the most of any team in the NFL. Since 2010, the #Cowboys first-round picks have a combined 40 Pro Bowl nominations, the most of any team in the NFL. Ten of their last 14 first-round draft picks have made at least one Pro Bowl. (stats via @pfref) pic.twitter.com/SHnfwhAzJ0 — Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) March 27, 2025 When it comes to their track record of selecting wide receivers in the first round, their history is just as spotless. CeeDee Lamb (4x Pro Bowler), Dez Bryant (3x Pro Bowler), Alvin Harper, and Michael Irvin (5x Pro Bowler) are the last four receivers selected by Dallas. Across the NFL media landscape, six analysts predict that the Cowboys will draft a wide receiver in the first round, two having the same name – Matthew Golden from Texas. The 5’11”, 195-pound wide receiver from Austin has the potential to unlock the offense for Brian Schottenheimer and can be moved all over the offense in a variety of formations. Texas’ head coach, Steve Sarkisian, was on The Clean Pocket Podcast with Colt McCoy and discussed how Golden’s versatility was one of his biggest strengths. He’s really versatile because of his strength and because of the strength of his hands and making contested catches,” Sarkisian said. “It’s easy to say make him on the backside, three by one, let him win one one one contested, but he can operate in the middle of the field, he’s not afraid. He can make those contested catches, third and six catches, with a guy on your back, choice route runner things of that nature. I think that’s where he creates value for himself is that versatility. He easily can be a “Z” and a motion guy and be a great blocker at the point of attack because he’s so strong. One of his strengths is his versatility, although he’s got the one thing you know he can rely on and that’s winning one-on-one. Given the current depth behind CeeDee Lamb, it makes the No. 2 wide receiver even more of a glaring need on offense. Not to mention, the Cowboys have looked stagnant at times during the last few years under Mike McCarthy’s West Coast system. Golden’s skill set is a solid complement to what Lamb presents as an offensive weapon. They both are moveable chess pieces and can line up anywhere along the offense anytime. The receiver’s versatility is why NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah paired him with Dallas in the first round. NFL Draft expert @MoveTheSticks explains why he paired WR Matthew Golden with the #Cowboys in his recent mock draft. ( : Yahoo Fantasy Forecast on YT) pic.twitter.com/QWG9uzJFLR — Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 8, 2025 Golden had a scheduled visit with the Cowboys on Thursday, where he met team owner and GM Jerry Jones. The Longhorns wideout was not on the original list Todd Archer reported, but Dallas seems to be highly interested in him, especially after the team already had a formal meeting with him at the NFL Combine. Drafting an offensive player in the first round would significantly aid Brian Schottenheimer in shaping the offense in his vision. If the Cowboys select Golden with the 12th overall pick, there may not be a better mentor to guide him than Junior Adams, transitioning from the college ranks as the team’s position coach. Adams has helped develop stars like Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and others around the league. It’s only a matter of days before Dallas selects its next class of rookies to add to the roster. Golden is becoming the name to watch, potentially headlining the next crop of Cowboys at 12 overall.

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Do you think the Cowboys will take care of a Micah Parsons extension before the NFL Draft? We are officially inside of two weeks to the NFL draft which means that soon enough the Dallas Cowboys roster will look much different than it does right now. There are a lot of assumptions as to what the Cowboys are going to do during the draft and whether or not they are going to address certain positions. Some things feel very obvious, but you never know what the draft is going to offer and what directions it is going to take you in. One of the most important questions we have about this team at the moment technically has nothing to do with the draft. We have all been on Micah Parsons Extension Watch all offseason (and all of last offseason) and to date there does not appear to be an end in view. Like the draft though, that is something that can change quickly. One offer can be close to what the other side wants and things can really take off. We have talked endlessly about the process that the Cowboys have when it comes to these extensions and how antiquated it feels relative to the rest of the league, and it is hard to understand why they are the way they are about this stuff. BURNING QUESTION: How much is Micah Parsons going to cost them? It’s a little comical that there’s some element of suspense attached to the extension Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will surely eventually give Parsons. Of all the massive deals Jones has paid recently, this one would feature easily the best player on the other side of the negotiating table. Dak Prescott (who inked a four-year, $240 million extension last September) is a really good quarterback, and CeeDee Lamb (who landed a four-year, $136 million extension last August) is a phenomenal receiver. Neither has been as impactful as Parsons, a difference-maker ever since he showed up in Dallas. With that being the case, why would anybody think Jones wasn’t going to take care of the player with the fifth-most sacks (52.5) of anyone in the NFL over the past four seasons? If we’ve learned anything from the Cowboys, it’s that the biggest stars will get their due, sooner or later. Parsons will be the highest paid non-quarterback in the league. It’s seemingly just a matter of time before he joins the $40 million-per-year club. The last part of this blurb is particularly important as it notes “if we have learned anything from the Cowboys” it is that (paraphrasing a bit here) they will eventually cave and meet the demands of the superstars. There were obvious benefits to extending both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, but as noted, if those two ultimately got the green light from the front office, there is no doubt the light is the same color for Micah Parsons. Parsons, quite simply, is one of the best players to come along in recent franchise history. He checks every single box in terms of being extension-worthy which is why it would have made sense to take care of it when he was first eligible (last year). If only there hadn’t been other contractual matters to tend to that were prolonged. Sometimes the NFL draft can tell us about a team’s intentions with players on their roster. Recently here on the site, our own Jess Haynie discussed players currently on the roster who could find themselves in trouble (relatively speaking) following the draft. This is meant to say that these are players who could suddenly be pushed out sooner rather than later by replacements who are found in this year’s draft. Now obviously the Cowboys are not going to draft someone that makes us believe Micah Parsons is in trouble, although interestingly when Parsons was drafted that served as the fullest and most visible signal that Leighton Vander Esch’s time with the team was coming to a close (he wound up getting more out of it to his credit). But the point is that the draft is an inflection point of sorts so getting the Parsons extension done ahead of it would be good, smart and overall the best thing for everybody.

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Cowboys fans made decision on win total over/under for 2025 For Dallas Cowboys fans, the 2024 season was a lost one. After three consecutive years when the team went 12-5 and made the playoffs, expectations were that the team would once again be competitive. We all know how that turned out. The Cowboys 2024 season seemed to fall apart early and quickly. They were 3-2 after five games, but a few of those were non-competitive losses. Then a Week 6 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions sent things into a tailspin. Dak Prescott was lost for the season in the midst of a five-game losing streak which eventually lead to a 7-10 season. We bring this up to say that with everything that went wrong in the 2024 season, including the stagnant offseason, the team still got to seven wins. That’s why it was surprising when we saw that FanDuel had the Cowboys current over/under for wins in 2025 at 7.5 wins. With Prescott back, an active free agent/trade period, a shakeup in coaching, and a more clear direction in the offseason so far, it feels like the team should be better in 2025. It looks like most of you agree. We asked what you would take in the over/under of 7.5 games, and you overwhelmingly took the over. Any over of 7.5 would have to be at minimum an eight-win season. Thus, an improvement on last season’s seven wins. Bonus question: How many wins do you think the Cowboys will get in 2025?

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Here are some defensive tackles who the Cowboys could target on Day 3 of the draft. The Dallas Cowboys interior defensive line is still a work in progress despite re-signing Osa Odighizuwa and adding Solomon Thomas via free agency. There’s hope Mazi Smith will finally live up to his first-round draft status in Year 3 with the Cowboys, but even if he does the position needs more talent. Fortunately, one of the positions of strength in the 2025 NFL Draft is defensive tackle. Due to the depth of the position, the Cowboys can afford to bypass it if they choose with their draft picks in the Top 100 and wait until Day 3 to find a big-bodied, space-eating nose tackle to clog up the middle of their DL and upgrade their run defense. According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s recently released 2025 draft guide, The Beast, Day 3 might be a sweet spot for the Cowboys to add some DT help. Dallas currently has seven draft picks in rounds five through seven and fortunately for them there are several DTs in that range they could target. Below are five we’ll be keeping an eye on. Cam Horsley, Boston College (6’2”, 312) Fifth-round grade Per Dane Brugler: Overall, Horsley plays with size and power to reset the line of scrimmage when he stays leveraged, making it difficult for blockers to do their job. He has the talent to be a rotational nose for a long time in the NFL. Yahya Black, Iowa (6’5”, 336) Fifth-round grade Per Dane Brugler: Overall, Black looks every bit the part of a “do your job” defender who clogs running lanes and does the dirty work, although he will need to improve his disruptive skills to be a three-down player. He offers scheme versatility to become a role player in any system. Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia (6’3”, 327) Fifth/Sixth-round grade Per Dane Brugler: Overall, Stackhouse is a naturally powerful human who can two-gap, eat up double teams and make run stops at the line. He will add early-down nose tackle depth to an NFL defense. Elijah Simmons, Tennessee (6’1”, 334) Sixth/Seventh-round grade Per Dane Brugler: Overall, Simmons has the natural body girth to grow roots and play stout against run blocks and double teams, but he will need to prove to NFL coaching that he can handle more of a workload to lockdown a roster spot. He projects as an early-down nose. Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech (6’5”, 321) Seventh-round grade Per Dane Brugler: Overall, Biggers is appropriately named – his size and ability look good on paper. The traits, however, need to translate better on the field for him to consistently impact the game. He has the tools to fit in even or odd fronts.

Think you can figure out which Cowboys player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game! Hey Cowboys fans! We’re back for another day of the Blogging The Boys in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form. If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article. Previous games Friday, April 11, 2025Thursday, April 10, 2025Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games NFL in-5MLB in-5MMA in-5 Blogging The Boys in-5 instructions The goal of the game is to guess the correct Cowboys player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it. After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form. Enjoy!

Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK Here are some late-round prospects to keep in mind. As the draft approaches, you can formulate what direction the Dallas Cowboys may go with the 12th overall selection. When you assess Dallas’ pre-draft 30 visits with prospects, you can sense what positions they may choose at the top of their draft board. Dallas has taken a long look at defensive linemen, receivers, and running backs, meeting with Omarion Hampton, Matthew Golden, and Walter Nolen. The top of the draft isn’t what decides the entire class of rookies, but it dictates how the remainder of the board will be stacked for the Cowboys. Whether you argue in favor of one position over another, receiver, running back, edge rusher, or other, with the 12th pick, and Dallas chooses otherwise, don’t be disappointed. Different options are littered throughout the draft, even in the later stages. Here are some prospects to watch for on day 3 or later. Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech While some fans have set their sights on Ohio State’s TreyVeyon Henderson in the second round, there’s reason to believe he will not be there once Dallas picks again at 44. If you covet a player with a similar profile and speed, look no further than Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten. He was an explosive runner last season, going for over 1,100 yards, and had 6.3 yards per attempt. He’s got some pass-catching upside as a third-down running back and should fit in well playing alongside Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Tuten ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine and has home run potential. He can also contribute on special teams as he has two kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2023. Bhayshul Tuten is a big play waiting to happen pic.twitter.com/JYljankqym — Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 8, 2025 Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan The Cowboys have tinkered with Hunter Leupke as their short-yardage runner, but they don’t have the traditional bruising runner to fill that role. Kalel Mullings would serve that purpose. He’s a big, downhill runner who looks to lay the boom on opposing defenses. Mullins has a strong build with good leg drive to churn out tough runs. He can also be tasked to help on third downs as a pass protector and is willing to pick up the free rusher. Mullins could fall as late as the sixth round, where Dallas has the 211th overall pick. Arian Smith, WR, Georgia Wide receiver is one of the most discussed topics when assessing what needs the Cowboys have. Whether you prefer Matthew Golden or Tetairoa McMillan, Dallas needs receivers with enviable characteristics to give the offense life and lessen the burden on CeeDee Lamb. If Dallas doesn’t miss out on early difference makers at wide receiver, choosing to bank on what they have on their roster and later in the draft, Arian Smith is a good choice. The numbers won’t look great in 2024, but that’s because Georgia’s offense regressed and had inconsistent play at quarterback with Carson Beck and Gunnar Stockton. Smith has terrific speed and was clocked at 4.36 on his 40-yard dash. He’s also more physical at the line of scrimmage than one might expect for his build. If you get him the ball in space, Smith can take it the distance. His lack of production will hurt his draft stock and he could fall out of the draft entirely, possibly making him a priority free agent. Kaden Prather, WR, Maryland Keeping up with the theme of traits and athleticism, Kaiden Prather also has some late-round aspects that Dallas could take a chance on. Like Smith, Prather doesn’t have elite production, causing some to question his overall outlook. However, when you examine his athleticism, size, and craftiness as a route runner, you get a prospect with a pretty high floor in contrast to where he projects to go in the draft. As a downfield threat, he knows how to stack a defender and position himself to high-point the ball over smaller defenders. Prather also has the grit to make contested catches over the middle of the field. He’d be a nice addition to the wide receiver room heading into rookie minicamp. Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Oregon The Cowboys have a pressing need at cornerback. Firstly, because of the health of their top two cornerbacks, Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. Secondly, and equally important, is the departure of Jourdan Lewis from free agency. Dallas has a glaring hole at slot cornerback that needs to be addressed. Jabbar Muhammad is an ideal play for the Cowboys. Muhammad was an exceptional player at Washington during their march to the national championship game in 2023. He took a step back after his transfer in 2024 to Oregon, and there were questions about his physical limitations, such as his speed and size. Yet, Muhammad understands receiver routes and has a nose for football. Off the field, he has great character and is a welcome addition to a locker room of professionals. Every target or touch for All-Word WR Jeremiah Smith vs Jabbar Muhammad: Targets: 6Catches: 2Completion percentage: 33.33%Yards: 47Long: 38PBU: 2INTs: 0QB Rating: 62.0Carries: 1Yards: 5TDs: 0Total yards: 52 Coach Williams Ballhawk Grade: Pretty Damn Good!@jabbar7_ https://t.co/ZnxVbARee5 pic.twitter.com/yNF0bPhfw2 — Mighty Kaos aka Coach Williams (@mightykaos41) January 28, 2025 Bihal Kone, CB, Western Michigan Bihal Kone is a big corner with good strength and a solid press to jam receivers off the line of scrimmage. He’s a solid tackler on the boundary. Kone also has good athleticism in coverage and can make up for mistakes when beaten in coverage. He’s got a very good feel of when to play the ball in the air and get his hands out to deflect the ball at the right time without drawing unnecessary penalties downfield. Kone is a well-traveled prospect who has worked his way up from zero stars as a recruit to a D1 prospect with enticing physical traits. The Cowboys could find a diamond in the rough later

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images The second round might be the right running back spot for the Cowboys. The idea of taking a running back in the first round is one that very few NFL fanbases approve of in today’s day and age. Discussions about the position and its worth have run rampant over the last decade or so, and while we all acknowledge that there is a legitimate value to it, that does not change the idea that spending premium draft capital there feels unwise. Consider our Wednesday discussion post here at BTB where we asked the class how they would feel about a running back at 12 (the likely option is Omarion Hampton to be clear). 42% led the way in terms of biggest majority and it was in being against the notion. Maybe you voted no on the poll and maybe it was because Hampton was the runner who is most likely the pick at 12 specifically given that Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty will likely be gone. As noted, if Dallas takes a running back at 12 the most logical option is indeed Hampton which is arguably why Mel Kiper sent him to Dallas in his latest mock. Beyond the cost of spending your most valuable draft asset on the position, the argument against a running back in the first round is generally that the position can be addressed elsewhere. Earlier this week our own Danny Phantom offered an exercise that gave an opportunity to assemble the best haul in the first round where running back, wide receiver and cornerback were each addressed. He noted that commenters were welcome to bring forth their preferred combination and this was one of the most rec’d solutions presented. BlueFlash Give me: Tmac Henderson Parish BlueFlash presented Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) and Jacob Parrish (Kansas State). Wide receiver, running back and cornerback all get love in this scenario. If you browse the rest of the comments the most popular/rec’d answers tend to offer Henderson in the second round. It feels pretty consensus that this would be a great direction for Dallas to go in. Consider that recently ESPN’s Jordan Reid noted that it seems more likely, in his estimation at least, that the Cowboys would go running back in the second round. He specifically noted Henderson as an option along with his fellow Buckeye in Quinshon Judkins. What we’re hearing about the Cowboys’ draft: The Cowboys have been open about needing an explosive receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb, with Matthew Golden (Texas) being heavily linked to them at the No. 12 pick. Running back is also a need for Dallas. While there has been talk about the Cowboys taking Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) at No. 12, it seems more likely that they’ll use their second-round pick on a runner. The team has expressed interest in Ohio State running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins in that spot. — Reid Thankfully it appears that the board is likely going to fall this way for the Cowboys. It is possible that things even go so well for them that they are able to pull off some sequence like this after even trading back in the first round. But for the Omarion Hampton fans, running back at 12 seems to be the most inefficient way to go about building this year’s draft class. Who disagrees?

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland may be moving into a big role in his second season. There’s been plenty of talk this offseason about the Cowboys’ likely reliance on young prospects on the 2025 roster. One such player is second-year DE Marshawn Kneeland, who could be looking at a starting job this year unless Dallas uses its first-round pick on his position. Of course, the draft could change realities for plenty of guys depending on who the Cowboys draft early. But with Dallas expected to deal with holes at RB, WR, or CB with their first few picks, an immediate new starter at other positions seems less likely. They’ll likely lean into the development of OT Tyler Guyton, DT Mazi Smith, and others to shore up issues at those spots. Kneeland, a second-round pick in 2024, is another guy the Cowboys may be counting on. With both DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston leaving last month in free agency, Kneeland is the closest thing Dallas has currently had to a proper replacement. While Dante Fowler and Sam Williams’ returns will help with the pass rush, Kneeland’s size and game are closer to the run-stopping role that Lawrence and Golston helped fill. The Cowboys also signed Payton Turner, a former first-round pick by the Saints in 2021, but he’s also more of a pass rusher. And really, with his career never taking off in New Orleans, he’s hardly coming into Dallas with any expectations of an immediate role. He’s more of a roll of the dice than anything. Turner isn’t the first-round pick that Kneeland needs to worry about. It’s the next one, coming Thursday, April 24th, and the chance that Dallas could use it on one of the top edge prospects in this year’s class. That possibility certainly can’t be ignored given the potential “best player available” scenario, but at least the Cowboys have bigger needs to address once they’re on the clock. Still, Dallas has met with Georgia’s Mykel Williams, Tennessee’s James Pearce, and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart in pre-draft visits. These are all players with strong first-round potential, so the Cowboys must at least be considering taking one if they’re not happy with their options at other positions. They could also be preparing in case one of them falls to the 44th pick, but that’s hardly something you can count on. In terms of replacing DeMarcus Lawrence, though, Kneeland already has a solid claim. He, like Tank, was a second-round pick. He was even compared to Lawrence when drafted as a guy who, while being stronger against the run, possessed all-around upside. Kneeland flashed enough in his opportunities to give hope for better things to come. One person inspired by Kneeland’s play was former Cowboys defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford, who posted the following on social media just a couple of weeks ago: I know there’s two guys on the Cowboys roster right now that people don’t talk a lot about, but their names are gonna blow up next year! — Tyrone Crawford (@TCrawford98) March 27, 2025 In replies to that tweet, Crawford confirmed that one of the players he was praising was Kneeland. Granted, he’s only one guy and no longer involved with the organization in any official capacity. But as a longtime veteran leader on Dallas’ defense, Crawford’s high opinion of Kneeland at least gives us reason to be excited. As with many other players come draft weekend, Marshawn Kneeland may see his fortunes change depending on who the Cowboys select. But for right now, he’s in a strong position to be a primary piece for Dallas’ run defense and perhaps more. It’s been a bit since the Cowboys hit big with a second-rounder (Trevon Diggs in 2020), so hopefully Kneeland can be one of the good ones. Dallas certainly needs him or someone else to step up and fill the void at defensive end.

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images Here is our Friday open thread for discussion. Happy Friday! A newer development around here this offseason has been discussion threads that we have been dropping every single weekday. The idea is simple. We offer a prompt, more often than not one related to the Dallas Cowboys or NFL at large, and sometimes we steer away from the game of football. Fridays are usually the time for that. Springtime is in full force as evidenced by the fact that some of our threads have touched on Major League Baseball and March Madness. If you are following the sports calendar then this means that The Masters is up next and today is officially the second round of the greatest tournament that golf has to offer. Maybe you are not watching the tournament which is obviously fine, but I would imagine that you at least have some sense of it happening in the sports world at large. For our Friday discussion we want to know (for those of you who are watching): Who do you want to see win The Masters? Why? Let us know in the comments below!

Think you can figure out which Cowboys player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game! Hey Cowboys fans! We’re back for another day of the Blogging The Boys in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form. If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article. Previous games Thursday, April 10, 2025Wednesday, April 9, 2025Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games NFL in-5MLB in-5MMA in-5 Blogging The Boys in-5 instructions The goal of the game is to guess the correct Cowboys player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it. After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form. Enjoy!