This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys front office made some strict decisions. They hired Brian Schottenheimer as the franchise’s 10th head coach, replacing Mike McCarthy. And since then, the team’s EVP and COO, Stephen Jones, decided that the staff is “going to take a long hard look at how we’ve looked at free agency. And if we need to change some things there, we will.” So, finally, Jerry Jones and the America’s Team aren’t going with an “all-in” approach in 2025. As the team is prepared to draft some talents to the roster, it’s essential to first analyze what the missing pieces are in Dak Prescott‘s Dallas.
Jerry Jones and son Stephen stepped up in free agency this time. They spent more than last year’s $20.47 million and brought in several veterans, many with high draft pedigrees. But was it quality or just quantity? It’s true that Dallas had holes to fill after losing key players like Jourdan Lewis, Rico Dowdle, and Chauncey Golston. So, they added names like Dante Fowler, Javonte Williams, and Solomon Thomas. Furthermore, they even made trades for Kenneth Murray and Kaiir Elam.
But even with all these moves, gaps remain – the passing game is way too dependent on one guy, CeeDee Lamb. So, a solid WR2 is required for Dak Prescott, but they also need RB1 and a cornerback. Now, with the 12th overall pick in Round 1 of the draft, the big question is: What’s next?
First Prospect: Round 1: 12th overall: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Arizona’s All-American receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, is one of the best prospects in this draft. Some might debate if Travis Hunter ranks higher, but WR McMillan’s talent is undeniable.
At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, he’s a nightmare for defenders. His ability to win jump balls would be the perfect complement to CeeDee Lamb. In college, he dominated-leading in receiving yards (3,423) and big plays over three seasons. So, that means if Jerry Jones’s Cowboys draft him, he could take pressure off Lamb and give Dak Prescott another top weapon. With his size and skill, he might be exactly what Dallas needs to elevate their offense.
Second Prospect: Round 1: 12th overall: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
If they fail to draft Tetairoa McMillan in their first round, the Cowboys can look for another option in round 1. And who could be a better consolation prize than WR Matthew Golden? This Longhorns wide receiver is the fastest of all the WRs available in the draft, as he ran a 4.29-second 40-yard dash in the Combine. His explosiveness and big-game mentality could make him a dangerous weapon alongside Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
If these top two targets are gone, trading down might be their smartest move. More picks mean more chances to find impact players. Once they’re on the clock, they need to forget position needs and take the best talent available. After the first 10 picks, the difference in talent isn’t that big anyway. Dallas has drafted for need before – Mazi Smith in 2023, Tyler Guyton in 2024 – but neither has panned out as hoped. Smith hasn’t fixed their run defense, and Guyton’s switch to left tackle was a disaster. If they trade down, the Cowboys can’t afford to miss. They need a game-changer for their next season.
First Prospect: Round 2: 44th overall: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Dak Prescott’s Dallas needs a spark in the backfield. Last season’s committee approach flopped, and they can’t afford to make the same mistake. A true lead back feels like a must. So, how about TreVeyon Henderson? Even while splitting carries with Quinshon Judkins, he still racked up 1,016 yards. That kind of production speaks for itself.
No doubt, Henderson is explosive, versatile, and can catch out of the backfield exactly what this offense needs. Hence, pairing him with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders makes sense. But make no mistake – Henderson has the talent to take over. At No. 44, Dallas might just land their future RB1.
Second Prospect: Round 2: 44th overall: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
If not with the RB TreVeyon Henderson, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys could look for a defensive tackle. When Alfred Collins is healthy, he’s a problem for offenses. At 6’6″ and 332 pounds, he’s a wall in the middle, shutting down the run with power and quickness. And Jerry Jones’s Dallas has taken notice of it. The Cowboys are bringing him in for a top-30 visit, proving they’re seriously interested.
Dak Prescott’s Cowboys need help stopping the run, and Collins fits the best. He’s got experience, five seasons with Texas, and just had his best year yet – 55 tackles, six passes defended, and a major role on one of college football’s top defenses. If his health checks out, he could be exactly what Dallas is looking for.
First Prospect: Round 3: 76th overall: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
If the Cowboys want speed, Jaydon Blue brings it. He ran a blistering 4.25 at Pro Day, much faster than his Combine time. His size might be an issue as he stands at 5’9″, 196 pounds. But still, he has shown his productive games whenever he gets the opportunity. As the No. 2 RB, he put up 730 yards and led the team with eight touchdowns. He is indeed explosive and Dangerous in the red zone.
Second Prospect: Round 3: 76th overall: Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
Seth McLaughlin proved himself at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State. He started 10 games before an Achilles injury cut his season short. Despite that, he still won the Rimington Trophy, showing just how dominant he is at center. His biggest strength is his football IQ. And the additional benefit is that coaches love his leadership. He studies the game, knows the playbook inside out, and keeps the offensive line in sync.
First Prospect: Round 5: 149th overall: Quinn Ewers, QB, Ohio State
The Cowboys need a quarterback after losing Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. In addition, Dak Prescott will be coming off from his season-ending injury. Hence, most productive performance isn’t expected from him. So, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys won’t spend an early pick but could grab one in the fourth or fifth round.
Quinn Ewers has got great accuracy and touch in the short game. However, he struggles with deep throws and decision-making under pressure. Hence, his draft spot depends on how teams view his upside.
Second Prospect: Round 5: 149th overall: Rylie Mills, DL, Notre Dame
Although Osa Odighizuwa has re-signed with Jerry Jones’s squad for four years, $80 million, Dallas still might need help on the interior. So, Rylie Mills could be the answer. He’s a force at 6’5″, 295 pounds, built to push the pocket. His power sets him apart from the speed rushers Dallas already has.
The Cowboys lost key players in free agency – Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, Dante Fowler, Tony Pollard, and Tyron Smith. In return, they gained three fifth-round picks and a sixth-rounder (211th overall). Then came the trade. Dallas sent the 170th pick to Buffalo, landing cornerback Kaiir Elam and the 204th pick.
Round 6: 204th overall: KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn
KeAndre Lambert-Smith proved he’s a playmaker in 2024. His catches dropped slightly, but his impact? Bigger than ever. He finished with 997 yards,321 more than the year before, on just 52 receptions. His efficiency soared, jumping from 12.5 yards per catch to 19.2. He is indeed a threat to the defense, and of course, the Cowboys are in dire need of a WR2.
Besides this, Jerry Jones’s Cowboys also made another move to reshape their draft capital. They sent the 188th pick to the Titans, along with a future seventh-rounder. In return, the team got the 239th pick for this year’s draft. So, now they have a compensatory 7th round, as well as 247th overall.
Round 7: 247th overall: Brandon Adams, CB, UCF
Brandon Adams has the size, length, and attitude to compete. At 6’1″ with long arms, he plays tough and isn’t afraid to get physical. He’s not the fastest, but his grit and effort make up for it. He thrives in press coverage, disrupting routes at the line. His ball tracking and quick transitions need work, but the potential is there. While he develops, he’ll be a key contributor on special teams and could fight for a role in the secondary.
So, all these or some among these could be the next players in the Cowboys locker room for Dak Prescott. All we can do is wait till April 24, as the draft begins to find out who’s going where!
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