The Cowboys are synonymous with high expectations every offseason.

Unfortunately, Dallas received a heaping scoop of injuries to key players on both sides of the ball in 2024, which dampened those lofty goals.

Their 7-10 record was their worst finish since 2020. Similarly to that season, they played most of it without quarterback Dak Prescott. The star signal-caller for “America’s Team” was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending hamstring injury after just eight games in 2024.

Preceding 2024, the Cowboys put together three consecutive 12-5 seasons but have failed to make it past the divisional round since they won the Super Bowl in 1995. The core on offense of Prescott and All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is elite but there are plenty of holes to be plugged throughout the roster.

Dallas will look to the draft to add more pieces to the puzzle for a team that’s once again in win-now mode.

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The Cowboys parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy after the regular season and hired offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach. The team hopes its offseason switch will bring new life to the franchise and avoid a 30-year Super Bowl drought.

Of course, Dallas has been frugal and reluctant to spend in free agency to upgrade its roster. The retooling process will continue during the 2025 NFL draft, where the Cowboys have ten selections. Dallas owns the 12th overall pick in the draft – their highest in the draft order since 2021.

Here’s everything to know about the Cowboys’ draft outlook ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft:

Cowboys 2025 NFL Draft picks

The Cowboys have ten picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s the complete list:

• Round 1: Pick 12: IOL Tyler Booker, Alabama

Analysis from USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis: The All-American’s combination of leadership and nastiness could be made to order for a flashy organization that might need a kick in the pants. Booker didn’t test well athletically at the combine (5.38 40-yard dash), but his intangibles apparently made him too enticing – and a logical fit given the recent retirement of All-Pro G Zack Martin.

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• Round 2: Pick 44: OLB/DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

Analysis from USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis: The 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year posted 16½ sacks (second most in FBS) and 20½ TFLs last (third in FBS) season. And it’s not like a defense can ever have enough pass rushers, but it’s certainly nice to have a productive weapon opposite All-Pro DE Micah Parsons. The main knocks on Ezeiruaku are size (6-3, 248) and power.

• Round 3: Pick 76: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Analysis from USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis: Potentially first-round ability at third-round value here, Revel dropping here after suffering a torn ACL last year. But he was stellar in 2023 and could find an immediate role in nickel packages for Dallas.

• Round 5: Pick 149: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
• Round 5: Pick 152: Shemar James, LB, Florida
• Round 6: Pick 204 (Lions via Bills from trade for CB Kaiir Elam)
• Round 6: Pick 211 (compensatory pick)
• Round 7: Pick 217 (Titans via Patriots from trade for QB Joe Milton)
• Round 7: Pick 239 (Packers via Titans from trade for LB Kenneth Murray)
• Round 7: Pick 247 (Chiefs via Panthers from trade for WR Jonathan Mingo) 

Cowboys 2025 NFL Draft needs

Wide receiver

Dallas ranked first or second in points per game for four consecutive seasons heading into 2024. They ranked 18th with Prescott healthy under center in eight games. Prescott posted a career-worst passer rating (86) and QBR (45.6) in those eight games. Perhaps the addition of a top-tier talent at wide receiver is what the offense needs to return to form. Brandin Cooks signed with the Saints in free agency, leaving special teams maven KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert to battle for the No. 2 wide receiver spot opposite CeeDee Lamb. The top receiver according to most scouts is the big-bodied Tetairoa McMillan, but he appears poised to be selected inside the top 10. Matthew Golden out of Texas could be another option in the first round if the team wants to add a speedster. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine (4.29 seconds).

Running back

The Cowboys’ leading rusher from 2024, Rico Dowdle, signed with the Panthers as a free agent. The Cowboys reacted by agreeing to one-year deals with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency. The veteran duo should bring stability but are not long-term solutions. Williams showed promise early on as a former second-rounder but a devastating knee injury in his second season capped his ceiling. He could bounce back in a prove-it year, but Dallas would be wise to find an upgrade over him to take some pressure off the passing game. Ashton Jeanty or Omarion Hampton could draw consideration with the 12th pick while TreVeyon Henderson could be a second-round option.

Cornerback

The Cowboys finished 31st in points per game allowed last year. Dallas also needs to add on both sides of the ball in the trenches but the secondary was a glaring issue last season. An All-Pro cornerback in 2021, Trevon Diggs missed the 2023 season with a torn ACL and then suffered the same fate in December 2024. He will likely miss the start of the season and fellow starter Jourdan Lewis signed with the Jaguars in free agency. With the uncertainty surrounding Diggs’ health, Dallas needs to add talent to pair with DaRon Bland. Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron would be a reach at pick 12 but Michigan standout Will Johnson would be an ideal fit for outside corner. Some options in the second round could be Azareye’h Thomas, Maxwell Hairston or Trey Amos.

Cowboys 2025 NFL mock draft

Here’s what the Cowboys could do come draft night, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Ayrton Ostly:

• Round 1, Pick 12: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
• Dallas secures the top running back in a loaded class after scoring a league-low six rushing touchdowns in 2024. Jeanty will be a bell-cow at the next level with more potential as a receiver than he showed in college. (44): 76) (149) , (171) , (174) (204) s, (211) (239) , (247)
• Round 2, Pick 44: G Tyler Booker, Alabama
• Dallas lost Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin to retirement this offseason. Booker isn’t an athletic guard, but his mauling and powerful presence should ease the loss of a franchise icon.
• Round 3, Pick 76: WR Isaiah Bond, Texas
• Round 5, Pick 149: CB Marcus Harris, Cal
• Round 5, Pick 174: DL Vernon Broughton, Texas
• Round 6, Pick 204: CB Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
• Round 6, Pick 211: WR Elijah Badger, Florida
• Round 7, Pick 217: G Addison West, Western Michigan
• Round 7, Pick 239: Edge Devin Vann, N.C. State
• Round 7, Pick 247: LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame

2025 NFL Draft: Every team’s picks

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