Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images The latest buzz surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Why this draft fits favorably with Cowboys’ remaining needs: One on one with Dane Brugler – Saad Yousuf and Dane Brugler, The Athletic The draft class includes many players who can help fill the Cowboys’ needs for 2025, including Ashton Jeanty. Brugler: If Dallas focuses on the prospect who will make the greatest impact at No. 12, then Jeanty should absolutely be on the very short list of potential Cowboys. His vision and contact balance make him a tough guy to get on the ground. What I love the most about his game is the reactionary reads — he won’t predetermine his path, he has the instincts to read, sort and cut. Want a big-play creator? Jeanty had 12 carries of 50-plus yards in 2024. No other FBS player had more than five. He is a true every-down back and does much of his best work on passing downs, catching the football or blocking in pass pro. For me, the No. 1 reason not to take Jeanty is the volume of backs available in the subsequent rounds. Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson on Day 2 would be a great fit in Dallas. Oregon’s Jordan James early on Day 3? Yes, please. The Cowboys could wait until the fifth round and still land a quality player like Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks or Kansas State’s DJ Giddens. The options are plentiful and likely why I would look elsewhere than running back in the first round, even if Jeanty has special all over him. Yousuf: I’m fascinated to see how the Cowboys judge this running back draft class. They have a lot of needs they can address in the first three rounds but then don’t have a fourth-rounder because of the Jonathan Mingo trade. I wonder if they would package some of their Day 3 picks to move into the fourth round to get their guy. Even if they wait, a guy like Giddens is interesting, especially with Brian Schottenheimer adding former Kansas State assistant coach Conor Riley to his staff as offensive line coach. Possible Pick: Will Johnson is the prototype at cornerback in the NFL – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com Will Johnson is a player to watch if the Cowboys are looking to add more talent in the secondary early on in the draft. Where He’s Projected: Although Johnson has suffered various injuries over the course of his three years at Michigan, he’s still being mocked in the mid-to-late first round of the NFL draft. How He Helps the Cowboys: The Cowboys are big fans of tall, long-armed cornerbacks and Johnson is the perfect prototype for what Dallas has liked at the position in the past. In addition to his 6’2 height, Johnson registered 30 1/8” arms at the NFL Combine, giving him a dream build for an NFL corner. Johnson was incredibly productive in his three seasons with the Wolverines, winning a national championship in 2023 as one of the cornerstones on the defensive side of the ball. He had nine career interceptions, returning three for touchdowns and did not allow a touchdown when in coverage in his final two seasons of college football. Johnson has dealt with a number of injuries as of late, including a turf toe injury that sidelined him for all but six games in the 2024 season and a hamstring injury preventing him from working out at his pro day. In a Matt Eberflus scheme that will likely incorporate a lot of zone coverage, Johnson is a player that excels in zone and has the build of a future star at cornerback. The Cowboys acquired Kaiir Elam via trade to help build depth at the cornerback position, and adding a player like Johnson wouldn’t hurt whatsoever. Cooper Rush has classy message for Cowboys fans after free agency exit – Josh Sanchez, Sports Illustrated Cooper Rush says his farewell to Dallas as he prepares to make his move to Baltimore. Rush will be missed, and on his way out, he let everyone know he would also be missing Dallas with a heartfelt message to the fans and a video package from his time in Dallas. “From an undrafted rookie wearing [No. 7] to an eight year veteran wearing [No. 10], I appreciated every moment in a Cowboys uniform,” Rush wrote on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cooper Rush (@_cooperrush) He continued, “Thank you Dallas for all of the love that you showed to me and my family. I’m excited for the next chapter but forever grateful for the first one.” Now that Rush has moved on from the team and Trey Lance is not expected to return, the Cowboys will be looking to add a younger option behind Dak Prescott. A mid-round pick in the NFL Draft to add a young signal-caller is the direction the Cowboys are expected to go. Ex-Cowboys WR Michael Gallup signs with Washington Commanders – SportsDay Staff, Dallas Morning News After taking a year off, Michael Gallup is returning to the NFL to play for a Cowboys’ rival. Former Dallas wide receiver Michael Gallup signed with Washington on Thursday, the team announced, becoming the latest player from the Cowboys’ roster during Quinn’s time on staff to head north. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Gallup is attempting a return to the NFL after retiring ahead of the 2024 season. He was released by the Cowboys last offseason and signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders in April 2024. But Gallup had a change of heart in late July and instead chose to retire. Gallup, who just turned 29 years old, has 266 career catches for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was Dallas’ third-round selection out of Colorado State in the 2018 draft and built a strong career with the Cowboys that he turned into a five-year, $62.5 million contract ahead of the 2022 season. Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks: ‘It’d be a

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Things could be lining up nicely for the Cowboys to have another strong start to the draft. The year was 2020. The Dallas Cowboys had just signed Amari Cooper to a new contract extension after previously using a first-round draft pick to acquire him in a trade a couple of years prior. The Cowboys weren’t looking for a new wide receiver, but the draft gods delivered them a golden opportunity when CeeDee Lamb was passed over not once, but twice by two teams who opted to select a different wide receiver. Just like that, Lamb was a member of the Cowboys. Michael Irvin said CeeDee Lamb was the top WR on the Cowboys’ draft board. He now pairs with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. A lot of weapons on that Dallas offense pic.twitter.com/QOCgdxhwOf — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 24, 2020 But the fun didn’t stop there. The gifts kept coming. Despite seven cornerbacks being drafted in the top 50 picks, one of the Cowboys’ top guys, Trevon Diggs, was still there when pick 51 rolled around. You might remember that Diggs was believed to be a player the team was considering in the first round, so to land him in round two was super fantastic. If the first 16 picks played out a certain way, CB Trevon Diggs was a player the #Cowboys were STRONGLY considering in the 1st round at No. 17. And now they get him at No. 51. Ideal scenario for Dallas. — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 25, 2020 Two picks. Two eventual All-Pros. What a great way to start the draft. For their own reasons, the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos preferred the Alabama receivers Henry Ruggs III (pick 12) and Jerry Jeudy (pick 15). Lamb was viewed as the nation’s top collegiate wide receiver, but every team sees things differently. Five seasons in, Lamb has the most receptions of any receiver taken in the entire draft. Diggs had battled injuries, missing extended time in each of the last two seasons, but when he’s on the field, he’s been very good. Despite the games missed, Diggs still has more interceptions than all seven corners selected before him in the draft… combined! The interesting thing about the great start of the 2020 draft is that when you start looking ahead to the upcoming draft, the table is set for a similar occurrence. Even though the Cowboys already have their WR1, a wide receiver is totally in play in the first round after the team failed to lock up a WR2 option in free agency. Sitting with pick 12, they are in a great position to land one of this year’s best pass catchers. The only question is, who is it? Pro Football Network and Draftwire have mocked Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan to the Cowboys while NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah and CBS Sports have mocked Texas receiver Matthew Golden to Dallas. We don’t know if the front office’s top-graded player at 12 will be wide receiver, but if it is, it could provide them with a great one-two WR punch for years to come. The Cowboys have done a lot of work over the last week to fill holes along the defensive line and at linebacker, but there are still some question marks at cornerback. Diggs’ health and DaRon Bland’s future could mean they need to look at finding more talent sooner rather than later. And as luck would have it, a cluster of corners fall in the late-first/early-second range. Players like Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston and Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas are hit-the-ground-running corners who would immediately help the team and potentially shore up the position should Diggs or Bland not be around much longer. It’s not unreasonable that one of the team’s favorite corner prospects is there when the Cowboys are on the clock in round two. Two picks. Two premium positions. Two positions where they need help. It’s almost like the universe is lining up perfectly for the Cowboys to score two more great talents. How great would it be if they started things off like they did in 2020? And it would still leave room for them to find their answer at running back in round three. What would be your ideal Rd 1/Rd 2/Rd 3 scenario for the Cowboys? Mine would be…Round 1: WR Tetairoa McMillanRound 2: CB Azareye’h ThomasRound 3: RB RJ Harvey pic.twitter.com/8iVoN2dRVu — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) March 17, 2025

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images Who would surprise you to see the Cowboys take in the first round? It’s important to remember Jerry Jones and Company have a way of saying one thing and then doing the complete opposite. While it looks as if the Dallas Cowboys are zeroing in on running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and maybe even another pass rusher with the 12th overall pick in the first-round, they could very well do something completely unexpected as well. With that in mind, we tried to think a little outside of the box to try to figure out what positions, and more importantly what players, the Cowboys might draft in the first-round that could completely surprise us. While it seems unlikely such an occurrence should take place, it’s still realistic enough to examine further in all likelihood it actually does come to fruition. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images It’s no secret the Dallas Cowboys have been zeroing in on potential wide receivers who could come in and help take pressure off of CeeDee Lamb. There’s a very real possibility they could have their pick of the best WRs in the 2025 draft class with the 12th overall pick in the first-round. But, what if they’re targeting a different kind of player who would also pair nicely with No. 88 as well as being an even more dynamic and versatile playmaker. Tyler Warren was a do-it-all offensive weapon during his time at Penn State and actually makes sense for the Cowboys in the first-round. Whether in-line, split out, or as a gadget player he can be utilized in a variety of ways to improve Dallas’ offense. And, with Jake Ferguson entering a contract year with no one behind him who’s shown starting potential, Warren could be an intriguing surprise selection with the 12th overall pick in the first-round. LT Josh Simmons, Ohio State No ma’am Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The most immediate concern for the Cowboys in regards to their offensive line is who is going to step in and replace Zack Martin at right guard. While they have several in-house options and also added free agent Robert Jones, there’s still a belief they could draft another guard to fill the void. But, after watching Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele struggle mightily in 2024 and with little to no depth behind them, tackle may be of higher priority. Josh Simmons is someone who could be a surprise first-round pick for Dallas. If not for his season-ending knee injury in his last season at Ohio State, there’s a very good chance he would’ve been the first offensive lineman off the board in April. After his medical checkups at the scouting combine, signs point to him being 100% ready for training camp. He could be a plug-and-play LT, allowing Guyton and Steele to battle it out for the starting RT job. DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan Photo by CFP/Getty Images After Taco Charlton and now possibly Mazi Smith, quite a few people around Cowboys Nation have soured on the Dallas Cowboys drafting any defensive lineman out of Michigan. However, they currently have a glaring hole at nose tackle unless Mazi suddenly starts living up to his potential as a former first-round pick. As unlikely as selecting another first-round DT is, drafting a dominant one-technique could help transform Dallas’ defense. At 6’3″ and over 330 pounds, Kenneth Grant is a massive defensive tackle who is surprisingly athletic for his size. His ability to anchor down against the run is arguably the best in the draft class and his strength, power, and agility helps him collapse the pocket as a pass rusher. Considering Dallas’ current dilemma with their last first-round DT selection and other roster “needs” elsewhere, taking Grant at No. 12 would be quite the shocker.

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images We are tracking everything you need to know regarding Dallas Cowboys pre-draft visits. The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of work to do to their roster if they want to have a competitive football season and the NFL draft is a big opportunity to infuse themselves with talent. History has shown us that the Cowboys love to prioritize the draft and treat it as the most serious avenue of team-building across the offseason as a whole. One of the most fun parts about draft season is trying to piece together everything that is happening in real time thanks to the breadcrumbs that make their way out. An important part of that process is the 30 visits that the Cowboys host (formal meetings with draft prospects) at The Star in Frisco. These 30 visits are formal and occur at team headquarters. Nothing is ever fully predictable, but it stands to reason that at least one of (maybe even multiple) the players who Dallas brings in for a formal visit will be a team draft pick. Consider that last year the Cowboys hosted Marist Liufau and Nathan Thomas and wound up drafting them both. We will be tracking all reported 30 visits for the Cowboys as well as players who are set to attend their annual Dallas Day. The latter is local prospects, players who went to high school or college in the area, and are not official 30 visits. Keep in mind that the team uses this to their advantage so will not formally host someone who they can bring in as a Dallas-area visitor. Last Updated: Thursday, March 20th at 1:00pm ET Official Dallas Cowboys 30 Visits TBD Dallas Day Participants Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (multiple reports) Miami RB Damien Martinez (via Nick Harris) TCU WR Savion Williams (via Nick Harris) Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II (via Ryan Fowler)

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images It is going to be interesting to see how the Cowboys work Hunter Luepke into their plans. One young Cowboys player with a lot of fans is fullback Hunter Luepke. But after two years on the roster in Mike McCarthy’s offense, Luepke now has to reprove his worth to a renovated coaching staff. Based on history, particularly Brian Schottenheimer’s, Luepke’s versatility may not have the same value now as it has the last two seasons. Fullbacks probably get more attention in Dallas than most of the NFL because of our deep-rooted appreciation for Daryl “Moose” Johnston as a beloved figure from the 90s dynasty. Two strong years from Richie Anderson in the early 2000s helped to stoke the fire a bit, too. But even as the position teeters on extinction throughout most of the league, the Cowboys have generally kept one on the roster most seasons. Luepke is the latest to occupy the job and his abilities as a ball-carrier and receiver, mostly seen during preseason but flashed at times in real games, have led to inordinate hype. McCarthy’s history with renowned fullback John Kuhn in Green Bay, and even Aaron Ripkowski after him, prompted speculation that Luepke could become a prominent name. But thanks to Ezekiel Elliott’s return as the primary short-yardage option and third-down back last year, Luepke’s role was still fairly limited. Now with Schottenheimer taking full control of the Cowboys’ offense, Luepke’s value could take a hit. Fullbacks have never really seen the ball much in Schottenheimer’s offenses, going back through his past stops with the Seahawks, Rams, and Jets. They may see plenty of work as traditional run-blockers but either he hasn’t had any with much offensive skill or hasn’t chosen to feature it. In Seattle, converted linebacker Nick Bellore was the fullback and only touched the ball five times in two seasons under Schottenheimer. If this trend holds now that Schottenheimer’s calling plays in Dallas, that could be a real problem for Luepke. Run-blocking is not his strongest trait, which means Dallas might see less need for him to even make the roster. They may look to do more double TE sets to get both Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker on the field, putting whoever their running backs end up being in single-back formations. Luepke will likely have to either develop as a run blocker or show that he’s the team’s best power RB to improve his job security. While McCarthy and even Jason Garrett before him have given true fullbacks a place to work, Schottenheimer seems less inclined to do so based on history. He has preached being adaptable to his talent, though, so perhaps he’d find ways to take advantage of Luepke’s strengths. But his track record suggests otherwise, and Dallas has foregone even keeping a FB on the roster as recently as 2021-2022. Whether driven by nostalgia or an appreciation for unique players, Hunter Luepke has developed a following in his first two seasons with Dallas. But with Mike McCarthy gone, will he find the same support from his coaches and the front office? Roster spots are valuable, and being the only fullback is hardly a guarantee of one in the modern NFL. Luepke may have to fight harder than ever to remain with the Cowboys in 2025.

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas Cowboys select fast-rising wide receiver in latest NFL mock draft – Koby Skillern, Sports Illustrated Providing Dak Prescott a solid WR2 seems to be where many people project Dallas to go in the draft. The Dallas Cowboys had a strong start to the offseason with a productive round of NFL free agency, signing players at key positions of need that should have a significant impact in the 2025 season. After their active moves in free agency and trades, there has been a growing debate about the team’s biggest remaining roster needs. With the likelihood that the Cowboys won’t be very active in free agency until after the NFL Draft, the focus will now shift to utilizing their draft picks to find impact players and further strengthen the roster. Fox Sports’ Rob Rang put together a mock draft and had the Cowboys solving their WR2 problem by selecting Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden. “With all due respect to Jalen Tolbert and the rest of the Cowboys’ supporting cast at wide receiver, Dallas needs to give Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb a little help in the passing game. In just 4.29 seconds at the Combine, Golden cemented his first-round stock, boasting not only elite speed but the playmaking ability to project as a “star” in the NFL,” said Rang. Golden could be the perfect complement to Lamb. While Lamb excels in the slot, Golden thrives as a deep threat. There may be debates about the Cowboys’ biggest need—whether it’s cornerback, backup quarterback, wide receiver, or defensive lineman—but there is no doubt that if the Cowboys come away from the first round with a talent like Golden, it could immensely change the immediate future for Dallas. The offense lacks firepower, and Golden provides just that. He could instantly relieve the pressure on Prescott and Lamb, giving the team a wide receiver duo they haven’t had since trading away Amari Cooper three seasons ago. Mailbag: What’s the plan at backup QB now? – Mickey Spagnola & Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com Another offensive need is a solid QB2. Were you surprised that Dallas let Cooper Rush get out of the building? Could the Cowboys have afforded the two-year, $12 million contract that Baltimore gave him? That doesn’t sound like a whole lot of money for a proven and reliable QB2. With Cooper gone, what do you think the Cowboys will do about their backup quarterback position? Is it Will Grier’s to win or lose, or do they draft and develop a quarterback from the later rounds?– Mark Somma/ Winchester, VA** Mickey: ​Very good question, since in my mind, having a backup quarterback who can go .500 (4-4) like Coop did this past season under adverse injury situations is pretty strong. His deal with the Ravens by the way, is two years, “up to” $12 million. It’s really two years, $6.25 million, with $4.2 million guaranteed. Just remember, every million dollars counts against the salary cap. So, for now, today, Will Grier would be the backup and the Cowboys plan is to draft one at least around the fourth (if they can trade back into that round) or the fifth. But that guy would not be likely to be the immediate backup. Also, they need quarterbacks in here for the offseason workouts since can’t expect Dak to be ready for much. To me, interesting name out there now is Desmond Ridder, who started 13 of 15 games for Atlanta in 2023. Think we can label this as a “fluid” situation. Tommy: I strongly believe they’re going to draft a quarterback in the later rounds come April. Stephen Jones essentially told the media at the combine that having a younger quarterback on the roster was a preference, and with the way the Trey Lance experience went I think they’ll look to the draft this time around to find their guy. That said, I think it would also benefit them to add a free agent at the position too, just so you’ve got some experience there with more than likely a lower price tag than what Rush earned in Baltimore. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb tried recruiting Cooper Kupp to Dallas – Brandon Loree, Blogging The Boys The Cowboys took a run at Cooper Kupp until the dollar amount got too high. Almost immediately after news broke last Friday morning about the Dallas Cowboys being a sleeper team for signing Cooper Kupp, conflicting reports surfaced even faster, dampening Dallas’ interest in the former All-Pro wide receiver. Kupp’s asking price for a new deal was around $15 million annually, which is exactly what the Seattle Seahawks gave the former Los Angeles Ram to join their team on a three-year contract. Despite the conflicting reports, Adam Schefter wanted to make it clear on The Adam Schefter Podcast that the Cowboys were initially interested in Kupp. So much so that Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb called the then-free agent wide out. Almost immediately after news broke last Friday morning about the Dallas Cowboys being a sleeper team for signing Cooper Kupp, conflicting reports surfaced even faster, dampening Dallas’ interest in the former All-Pro wide receiver. Kupp’s asking price for a new deal was around $15 million annually, which is exactly what the Seattle Seahawks gave the former Los Angeles Ram to join their team on a three-year contract. Despite the conflicting reports, Adam Schefter wanted to make it clear on The Adam Schefter Podcast that the Cowboys were initially interested in Kupp. So much so that Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb called the then-free agent wide out. Pivoting from a receiver like Cooks and Kupp could signal they want to get someone younger at the position. The NFL draft could be their opportunity to find not only a great No. 2 wide receiver but one who comes at a low price tag (a win-win for the front office). Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), and Matthew Golden (Texas)

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images Solomon Thomas manifested playing for the Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys went into a completely different era from a coaching staff standpoint after parting ways with Mike McCarthy. Defensively, they’ll be led by Matt Eberflus in 2025 and beyond, and he didn’t waste time filling out his staff in January. One of the key hires was defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, who spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers before spending the last four years with the New York Jets. Dallas came into the offseason also needing more help on their defensive line. They haven’t made any big moves outside the building, but one that brings some intrigue is veteran defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. Unlike a lot of their signings in free agency, the Cowboys gave Thomas a two-year deal. Thomas graduated from Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas. He imagined himself playing for the Cowboys one day, and now, that’s a reality. The former first-round pick spent the last three years with the Jets, meaning he played under the aforementioned Whitecotton. So, he’s extremely familiar with what Whitecotton wants to accomplish and how he wants to attack. In fact, Thomas spoke on his desire to be in Dallas and how the hiring of Whitecotton made it even stronger, per Jon Machota. When I saw Coach Whitecotton signed with Dallas, I was super excited because I was like, ‘Dang, this may be a chance for me to play at home, to play under Whitecotton another year, and to make everything aligned.’ I was manifesting it right away when I saw that happen. I was like, ‘I want to be a Dallas Cowboy. I want to come home. I don’t want to have to move any more. This is where I want to play. This is where I want to win.’ Coach Whitecotton is a coach I want to play for. I’ve played my best football under him. He instills confidence in me. He brings the best out of me. He’s a guy who lets his players play the way they need to play to play their best football. It’s what I wanted. By the grace of God it worked out and I’m just super happy to be here. Thomas is living out a dream now that he’s in Dallas, and that certainly will be a motivating factor for him to produce on the field. Speaking of that, Thomas brings with him a diverse skill set. He’s very versatile, and he will provide help for the Cowboys on the edge as well as the interior. Thomas was a part of a Jets defense that over the last three seasons finished in the top 10 in both pressure rate and sacks. During his time with the Jets, Thomas racked up 50 pressures per Pro Football Focus. Also, he amassed nine sacks and 16 quarterback hits. Over his career, Thomas has accumulated 18.5 sacks. That means basically half have come while he’s been coached by Whitecotton, including a career-high five in 2023. Whitecotton was also a big reason guys like Quinnen Williams, Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers, and Jermaine Johnson developed. So, the hope is that Thomas can continue the type of success he’s had under Whitecotton and give key Cowboys defenders on both the interior and the edge get some breathers as a rotational piece. The scheme that will be run by Eberflus is very familiar to Whitecotton and how he was taught, which will be key in helping Thomas come right in and get adapted quickly. The expectation isn’t for Thomas to come in and set the world on fire. He just needs to be solid, and seeing as he’s played his best football under Whitecotton, there’s a good chance of that happening.

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb seem to have wanted Cooper Kupp to join the Cowboys. Almost immediately after news broke last Friday morning about the Dallas Cowboys being a sleeper team for signing Cooper Kupp, conflicting reports surfaced even faster, dampening Dallas’ interest in the former All-Pro wide receiver. Kupp’s asking price for a new deal was around $15 million annually, which is exactly what the Seattle Seahawks gave the former Los Angeles Ram to join their team on a three-year contract. Despite the conflicting reports, Adam Schefter wanted to make it clear on The Adam Schefter Podcast that the Cowboys were initially interested in Kupp. So much so that Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb called the then-free agent wide out. #Cowboys Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb tried recruiting Cooper Kupp to Dallas. When the price got too high, it was a no go. ( : @ AdamSchefter podcast) pic.twitter.com/Y7BpMhfoGt — Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) March 18, 2025 It is refreshing to see that the Cowboys were in the mix for a top-tier free agent, but as Schefter mentions, when the price tag got past Dallas’ range, they were out of the sweepstakes. It’s something fans have become numb to hearing at this point. Paying $15 million a year to a wide receiver who has been unable to finish an entire season healthy for three straight seasons is a tough pill to swallow. The Cowboys would rather spend $15 million on three free agents instead of one. However, the team desperately needs a second wide receiver to complement Lamb and help Brian Schottenheimer’s first-year offense hit the ground running. Dallas could re-sign Brandin Cooks if they wanted to, but it seems unlikely, as his number was handed out to Dante Fowler a few days ago. Pivoting from a receiver like Cooks and Kupp could signal they want to get someone younger at the position. The NFL draft could be their opportunity to find not only a great No. 2 wide receiver but one who comes at a low price tag (a win-win for the front office). Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), and Matthew Golden (Texas) could all be in play at 12th overall for Dallas in the first round. Any of the three would add immediate juice to the offense, with things looking a lot better on paper.

Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images Here are some names to keep in mind for the first round of the NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys “selectively aggressive” approach made them much more active this year in free agency than they were just a season ago. Despite all of their recent free agent additions and the two trades they made, there is still some glaring “needs” that need to be addressed via the 2025 NFL Draft. Today, we look a little deeper at Dallas’ current roster “needs” to examine what their options may be with the 12th overall pick in the first round. While it’s true they could also be looking to trade down in the first-round this year, finding a willing trade partner may or may not happen. Running back Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton The Cowboys may have signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to add some much-needed depth in their RB room, however, neither has shown they can be a dependable full-time starter in the league at this point in their careers. If Dallas is looking for a true RB1, they could use their first-round draft pick to acquire him either at No. 12 or in a trade down scenario. We’ll presume Jeanty is already gone when the Cowboys are on the clock in the first round. If not, his difference making ability would probably be too hard to pass up. If he’s gone though, Omarion Hampton is worthy as well. Some teams have him as the RB1 this year and Dallas could be one of them. Drafting him and 12 might be a reach, but only a slight one. Prediction: Omarion Hampton Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden, Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden Despite bringing in free agent WR Paris Campbell after seeing the price tag for Cooper Kupp was more than they were willing to spend on the 32-year-old, finding a wide receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb is at the top of the priority list. In a somewhat weak WR draft class this year; there’s a strong possibility Dallas uses their first-round pick here. Although there’s a chance McMillan could slide to the Cowboys, it seems unlikely after running a 4.48 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. That leaves Burden, Egbuka, and Golden as the best options for them. There’s a concern Burden and Golden might be just flash players with one good season of production, but Egbuka is considered a pro-ready plug-and-play WR. Prediction: Luther Burden Cornerback Travis Hunter, Will Johnson, Jahdae Barron Trevon Diggs’ timetable to return from a season-ending knee injury, DaRon Bland entering a contract year, and Jourdan Lewis exiting via free agency puts cornerback as a top Cowboys roster “need” right now. They did trade for a former first-round pick, Kaiir Elam, however, he will need to have a career resurgence in order to be depended upon. It’s a safe bet Travis Hunter will be long gone by the time the Cowboys are on the clock, leaving Will Johnson or Jahdae Barron as the top CBs still on the board. Both fit what Matt Eberflus looks for at the position, however, Barron’s versatility to play any position in the secondary as well as his ability in run defense could make him the preferred choice. Prediction: Jahdae Barron Defensive end Abdul Carter, James Pearce, Mike Green, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Mykel Williams, Shemar Stewart You can never have too many pass rusher’s, but the Cowboys are actually pretty solid at DE right now. However, with just Micah Parsons and Marshawn Kneeland likely to be under contract beyond 2025, this position could definitely be in play. Because of that, this could be the way they go with their first-round pick. Other than Abdul Carter, they could have their pick of pass rusher’s at No. 12. Based on what Matt Eberflus has preferred in the past at the position, Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart could be their top targets, but we can’t rule out the others either. The question is how much impact would they make as rookies due to the depth at the position right now? Prediction: Mykel Williams Defensive tackle Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Derrick Harmon, Darius Alexander, Walter Nolen Re-signing Osa Odighizuwa was a much needed move by the team, and bringing in free agent DT Solomon Thomas provide some solid depth at the 3-technique. Sadly, Mazi Smith and the 1-technique is where Dallas needs to upgrade the most, especially in regards to improving the run defense. It’s probably unlikely Dallas will use their first-round pick on another interior defensive lineman unless Mason Graham somehow slides into their lap at No. 12. Things could change though if they trade down and DT is the top-ranked player on their big board. Even then though, the likely wait until later to address the position. Prediction: Darius Alexander

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images At the end of January, we published our first mock draft database of the season. At the time, 22 of the 25 mocks (88%) we looked at were projecting the Cowboys to take either RB Ashton Jeanty (13 mocks) or WR Luther Burden (9). But a lot has happened since then: The combine came and went, this year’s salary cap was announced, the final comp picks were released, and the first week of free agency is behind us, so it’s time to turn our attention to the very serious business of mock drafting. On the hypothesis that the predictive value of multiple mock drafts is greater than that of a single mock, we are taking a survey of 40 different mock drafts today. Importantly, all 40 mocks were published on or after the 13th of March, three days after the opening of the NFL’s official free agency tampering period. And with most of the biggest trades and free agent signings done, it’s time for another mock draft rundown now that we should have a better understanding of team needs going into the draft. We’ll kick off this exercise with a look at all 40 mocks, and which players they have the Cowboys selecting. Mock Draft Player Position College Last Updated NFL (Jeremiah) Matthew Golden WR Texas 3.18 ESPN (Kiper) Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina 3.18 Nashville Tennesseean (Suss) Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona 3.18 Walter Football (Campbell) Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State 3.17 CBS (Wilson) Armand Membou OT Missouri 3.17 Stadium Rant (Willey) Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State 3.17 Fantasy Pros (Blakeway) Mike Green Edge Marshall 3.17 CBS (Renner) Tyler Booker iOL Alabama 3.17 33rd Team (Crabbs) Will Campbell OT LSU 3.17 Sharp Football (McCrystal) Matthew Golden WR Texas 3.17 Huddle Report (Cook) Shemar Stewart Edge Texas A&M 3.17 CBS (Stackpole) Matthew Golden WR Texas 3.17 Wolf Sports (Chappine) Jahdae Barron CB Texas 3.17 Huddle Report (Niemi) Jahdae Barron CB Texas 3.17 Mock Draft Player Position College Last Updated CBS (Podell) Shemar Stewart Edge Texas A&M 3.17 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Ostly) Jalon Walker Edge Georgia 3.17 CBS (Edwards) Kelvin Banks OT Texas 3.17 NFL Trade Rumors (Woodle) Matthew Golden WR Texas 3.17 CBS (Trapasso) Jahdae Barron CB Texas 3.17 FoxSports (Klatt) Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State 3.17 Draftwire (Popejoy) Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona 3.16 Detroit Free Press (Birkett) Josh Simmons OT Ohio State 3.16 Draft Network (Fowler) Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina 3.16 NFL Spin Zone (Bedinger) Shemar Stewart Edge Texas A&M 3.16 Draftblaster (Staff) Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State 3.15 PFN (Infante) Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona 3.15 PFN (Enriquez) Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State 3.14 Mock Draft Player Position College Last Updated Palm Beach Post (Habib) Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona 3.14 Star Telegram (Harris) Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona 3.14 33rd Team (Foster) Jihaad Campbell LB Alabama 3.14 Uproxx (Kalland) Kelvin Banks OT Texas 3.14 Yahoo (Tice/McDonald) Derrick Harmon DL Oregon 3.13 Fox Sports (Helman) Will Johnson CB Wisconsin 3.13 Athlon Sports (Easterling) Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona 3.13 SI (Landis) Matthew Golden WR Texas 3.13 Underdognetwork (Winks) Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State 3.13 Fantasy Life (Freedman) Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina 3.13 Drafttek Will Johnson CB Wisconsin 3.13 Sportsnaut (Buller) Malaki Starks S Georgia 3.13 NFL Spin Zone (Scataglia) Will Johnson CB Wisconsin 3.13 That’s a ton of info to digest, so here’s a condensed version that’s also easier to read: 40 Mock Drafts – Summary Results By Position Mocks By Player POS Mocks WR 12 Tetairoa McMillan WR 6 RB 8 Ashton Jeanty RB 5 Secondary 7 Matthew Golden WR 5 OL 6 Jahdae Barron CB 3 DL 6 Omarion Hampton RB 3 LB 1 Shemar Stewart Edge 3 Will Johnson CB 3 Kelvin Banks OT 2 One vote each: Derrick Harmon, Emeka Egbuka, Jalon Walker, Jihaad Campbell, Josh Simmons, Malaki Starks, Mike Green, Tyler Booker, Will Campbell 9 The first thing to note is that WR (11 picks) and RB (8 picks) remain the most popular positions. But 19 out of 40 picks, or 48%, is a far cry from the 88% we saw in our January mock draft summary. Another thing to note is that WR Luther Burden was picked for the Cowboys in nine of the 25 January mocks. This time he’s not mocked to the Cowboys even once. In fact, he doesn’t even show up as a first-rounder in 23 of the mock drafts today. And finally, with 18 different players mocked to the Cowboys in the 40 mocks today, there is clearly no consensus on what the Cowboys will do in the draft. To get a little more clarity on which player could be available for the Cowboys, you can look up the player ranking on your favorite big board, you can make up your own ranking, and you could even use a consensus big board to figure out such a ranking. Or we could look at the average draft position for each player based on the 40 mocks above, which is exactly what you’ll see in the table below. For the data in the table, I excluded what look to be the consensus top four picks (Cameron Ward, Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, Shedeur Sanders) and also excluded all QBs and TEs. I included all 18 players that were mocked to the Cowboys at least once, and added four more to round things out (DL Mason Graham, DE Mykal Williams, DE James Pearce, WR Luther Burden) To arrive at the average rank, I calculated the average across the 40 mocks, and where a player fell out of the Top 32, I used the 33th spot to calculate the average draft position. Avg. POS Player Pos Available at No. 12 5.6 Mason Graham iDL 5% 7.7 Will Campbell OT 13% 9.5 Ashton Jeanty RB 25% 10.5 Armand Membou OT 23% 10.6 Tetairoa McMillan WR 38% 13.6 Will Johnson CB 53% 14.3 Shemar Stewart Edge 63% 14.4 Jalon Walker Edge 43% 15.4 Kelvin Banks OT 65% 15.8 Mykel Williams Edge 65%