The Dallas Cowboys have an incredible opportunity to reshape the team in new head coach Brian Schottenheimer's image, holding the 12th pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys have many holes on their roster and one new player won't fix everything. It's still a start though, and Schottenheimer's offensive scheme suggests that there's one obvious player Dallas needs to draft.
Many have tied former Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty to the Cowboys, but he's not the offensive player Schottenheimer should actually be targeting.
Based on positional value, taking Jeanty that early would be a mistake. Instead, the obvious pick is Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden, whose dominance in the slot would be a perfect fit for Schottenheimer's offense.
luther burden III.
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) November 17, 2024
this is what it looks like!! pic.twitter.com/U1i6p19vEo
Cowboys Must Pick WR Luther Burden in First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
Burden is one of the most dominant receivers in this class. During his sophomore campaign at Missouri, he caught 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine TDs. His production fell off this year largely due to poor quarterback play and a lack of opportunities, but Burden still showcased why he should hear his name called early.
He spent roughly 85% of his snaps as a slot receiver. When Schottenheimer was the Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator, Tyler Lockett finished in the top 10 in slot receiving yardage each year. CeeDee Lamb is an excellent slot wideout in his own right, though pairing him with Burden could give Schottenheimer the tools he needs to elevate the Cowboys' passing attack.
Luther Burden is the first WR in NCAA HISTORY to break 30+ tackles on 80 or fewer targets.
— David J. Gautieri (@GuruFantasyWrld) February 14, 2025
Averaged a broken tackle every other reception in 2024 (30 MTF on 61 receptions).
Also a Top-5 graded prospect in Lance Z’s Combine Grading.
Can’t wait for people to overthink this man. pic.twitter.com/fhHUL9K0JV
There are plenty of quality running backs that can be found in the middle rounds, like Devin Neal of Kansas or Cam Skattebo of Arizona State. Finding a true difference-making receiver later on is much more difficult, so Dallas needs to capitalize on the opportunity the high pick gives them.
If this team is going to compete for a division title in 2025, they need Dak Prescott to play like a top-10 quarterback again. Outside of Lamb, the Cowboys' pass-catching weapons are among the worst in the league. Drafting Burden would instantly inject some life into the offense and allow Prescott to put up the kind of numbers that made him an MVP candidate in 2023.
This pick is too important to whiff on. Burden has one of the safest floors and highest ceilings of any player in this range, so Dallas needs to make the easy decision and bring the former Tiger to Dallas.