The NFL Draft is important for every team but it might hold a bigger importance for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are paying Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb top-of-the-market contracts and they may have a third on the way if they sign Micah Parsons to a massive extension.
With these contracts in place, the Cowboys must mine as much cheap, effective talent as possible and the best way to do that is in the draft. Dallas has prepared for this by stockpiling 10 picks in the upcoming draft but it comes down to execution that has selected offensive lineman Tyler Guyton, defensive tackle Mazi Smith, and offensive lineman Tyler Smith with their past three first-round draft picks.
This sets Dallas one step behind the rest of the league and is a big factor in why they finished with a 7-10 record last season after three straight 12-win campaigns.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what picks Dallas has in the draft and what they can do to catch up to the rest of their NFC counterparts.
2025 Cowboys Draft Picks
Round | Pick | Overall | Traded From |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 | 12 | - |
2 | 12 | 44 | - |
3 | 12 | 76 | - |
5 | 11 | 149 | - |
5 | 36 | 174 | Compensatory |
6 | 28 | 204 | Detroit |
6 | 35 | 211 | Compensatory |
7 | 1 | 217 | Tennessee |
7 | 23 | 239 | Green Bay |
7 | 31 | 247 | Kansas City |
What Happened to the Cowboys Original Draft Picks?
The Cowboys own four of their original picks in this year’s draft including their picks in the first (12th overall), second (44th overall), and third (76th) rounds. The Cowboys also own their fifth-round pick (149th overall) on the final day of the draft.
Dallas’s fourth-round pick (114th overall) was traded to the Carolina Panthers in a trade deadline deal for receiver Jonathan Mingo. The 23-year-old played in eight games for Dallas after the trade but caught just five passes for 46 yards. The Cowboys also received Carolina’s seventh-round pick (247th overall) in this trade.
The Cowboys’ sixth-round pick (188th overall) was traded in a deal with the Tennessee Titans for linebacker Kenneth Murray earlier this month and they traded their seventh-round pick as part of a pick swap with the Detroit Lions in the 2024 draft. Dallas netted Guyton in the first round (29th overall) and offensive lineman Cooper Beebe in the third round (73rd overall).
How Did The Cowboys Acquire Their Additional Draft Picks?
The Cowboys had three fifth-round compensatory picks during this offseason, but two of them have already been traded in an effort to improve the roster. Dallas moved the fifth-round pick (170th overall) they got for Dorance Armstrong’s departure to acquire Kaiir Elam from the Buffalo Bills. The second fifth-round comp pick (171st overall) that was awarded for losing Tyron Smith to the New York Jets was traded to the New England Patriots for Joe Milton.
The Cowboys kept another fifth-round compensatory pick (174th overall) that was awarded for Tyron Smith’s departure to the New York Jets and gained a sixth-round pick (211th overall) for Tony Pollard’s departure to the Tennessee Titans.
Dallas also added four late-round draft picks via trade. Dallas acquired the Detroit Lions’ sixth-round pick as part of the Elam trade and acquired the Titans’ original seventh-round pick (239th overall) in the Milton trade with New England and their seventh-round comp pick from Tennessee in the Murray trade.
Cowboys Draft Needs
The Cowboys' top needs consist of running back, wide receiver, and cornerback. Running back has been a consistent need dating back to last offseason when Dallas tried to use a combination of Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Dalvin Cook in the backfield. The experiment failed miserably and prompted Dallas to sign Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams in free agency. But Jerry Jones could still make a splash by taking a flier on Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty or North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton.
Wide receiver is another area of need and could be upgraded with the 12th overall pick. Lamb has established himself as an alpha in the Cowboys’ offense but they could use an upgrade over Jalen Tolbert and Mingo. Possible targets could include Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Texas’s Matthew Golden.
The Cowboys could also use a cornerback as Trevon Diggs recovers from his second knee surgery in the past two seasons. DaRon Bland is also stated to be the second starting corner but Dallas would be wise to add depth next to Elam and starting nickelback Israel Mukuamu.
NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus mock draft has the Cowboys taking McMillan with their first-round pick while Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart could also be potential targets.
The NFL Draft will begin in Green Bay, Wisc. on April 24.