North Las Vegas, NV – As the clock ticks down to tomorrow night’s NFL Draft at Lambeau Field, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a critical juncture. After a disappointing 7-10 season that saw the departure of Head Coach Mike McCarthy, replaced by Brian Schottenheimer, the franchise has navigated a turbulent offseason, marked by key free agent departures and strategic acquisitions. Now, with the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cowboys stand poised to reshape their roster for the present and future.
Free Agency: Filling Gaps and Creating New Ones?
The Cowboys’ offseason moves have been a blend of addressing immediate needs and perhaps creating new questions. The most notable departures include veteran edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence (signed with Seattle), cornerback Jourdan Lewis (Jacksonville), wide receiver Brandin Cooks (New Orleans), and running back Rico Dowdle (Carolina). The retirement of stalwart guard Zack Martin leaves a gaping hole on the offensive line, a unit that has long been a strength for Dallas.
In response, the Cowboys have been active in the free agent market, bringing in a mix of veterans and younger players. Edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. returns to Dallas after a productive season in Washington, providing immediate pass-rushing help. The signings of running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders on one-year deals offer potential in the backfield, though both have recent injury history. Former first-round picks cornerback Kaiir Elam (trade with Buffalo) and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (trade with Tennessee) offer upside and a change of scenery. Other additions include defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, guard Robert Jones, and wide receiver Parris Campbell, adding depth at various positions.
However, these moves feel more like patching holes rather than significant upgrades at key positions. The one-year deals for the running backs suggest uncertainty at the position long-term. While Elam and Murray possess potential, they need to prove they can consistently perform at a high level. The lack of a significant, proven wide receiver to complement CeeDee Lamb remains a concern.
Positional Needs: A Clear Picture Emerges
Heading into the draft, the Cowboys have several glaring needs:
- Wide Receiver: The departure of Cooks leaves a significant void at WR2. The Cowboys desperately need a reliable target to take pressure off Lamb and provide Dak Prescott with another consistent option in the passing game. Speed and separation ability are highly coveted.
- Offensive Line: With Martin’s retirement and the departure of Chuma Edoga, the interior offensive line, particularly guard, is a major area of concern. While Brock Hoffman is capable, the Cowboys need to find a long-term solution and potentially add depth at tackle as well, with Tyron Smith also gone.
- Cornerback: Losing Lewis creates a need for a starting-caliber cornerback to pair with Trevon Diggs. While Elam has been acquired, his consistency is yet to be seen, and adding more talent and depth at this crucial position is paramount in a pass-heavy league.
- Running Back: The one-year deals for Williams and Sanders mean the Cowboys should be looking for a potential long-term answer at running back in the draft. A player with a blend of power and agility would fit well in the Cowboys’ offensive scheme.
- Defensive Line (Interior): While Osa Odighizuwa has been re-signed, adding more disruptive talent to the interior defensive line would significantly boost the pass rush and run defense.
Draft Strategy: Stick, Pick, or Trade?
With the 12th overall pick, the Cowboys are in a prime position to address one of their key needs with a high-caliber player. Several mock drafts have them linked to top wide receivers like Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan or Texas’ Matthew Golden, both possessing the size and speed the Cowboys reportedly covet. Offensive linemen like Alabama’s Tyler Booker could also be in consideration to solidify the interior.
However, the Cowboys, under owner and general manager Jerry Jones, have a history of being active on draft night, including trading down to acquire more draft capital. They did so just last year, trading down from pick 24 to 29 with Detroit and acquiring an extra third-round pick, which they used to select offensive linemen Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe. A similar scenario could play out tomorrow night.
Trading down from the 12th pick could allow the Cowboys to still select a quality player in the latter part of the first round while also accumulating additional picks to address their numerous needs across multiple rounds. This draft is considered deep at several positions, including wide receiver and offensive line, which could make a trade-down strategy appealing.
However, passing on a potential blue-chip player at pick 12 carries risk. If the Cowboys trade down and miss out on a player who could have been an immediate impact starter, it could be a decision they regret.
First-Round Possibilities:
If the Cowboys stay at pick 12, here are some potential targets:
- Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona): A big-bodied receiver with excellent ball skills and red-zone threat potential.
- Matthew Golden (WR, Texas): A dynamic receiver with elite speed to stretch the field.
- Tyler Booker (OG, Alabama): A powerful and versatile offensive lineman who could immediately fill the void at guard.
- Abdul Carter (LB, Penn State): A highly athletic and versatile linebacker who could bolster the Cowboys’ defense.
The Hardcore Truth:
The 2025 NFL Draft is a pivotal moment for the Dallas Cowboys. Their offseason moves have addressed some immediate concerns but haven’t provided definitive long-term solutions at key positions. With a clear need for a playmaker at wide receiver, a reliable presence on the interior offensive line, and a starting-caliber cornerback, the Cowboys have crucial decisions to make with their 12th overall pick.
Will they stay put and select the best player available at a position of need? Or will they follow their history and trade down, hoping to accumulate more picks and address multiple holes? The answers will begin to unfold tomorrow night, and the direction the Cowboys choose will have a significant impact on their fortunes in the upcoming season and beyond. One thing is certain: the pressure is on in Dallas to deliver a draft that can propel them back into contention.
