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The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2025 NFL draft needing to add some playmakers to their offense to support Dak Prescott.
Many will point to running back as the biggest offensive need for Dallas. The Cowboys signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency. Still, it isn't clear whether either can handle a full workload, let alone replace the production lost by Rico Dowdle's offseason departure.
That said, wide receiver is just as glaring a need for Dallas. The team doesn't have many proven options in its receiving corps outside of CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys traded for Jonathan Mingo ahead of the 2024 NFL trade deadline, but he hasn't yet found his footing in Dallas.
Meanwhile, KaVontae Turpin is an elite return man and provides Dallas speed and elusiveness at receiver. However, he played just 26.9% of the team's offensive snaps last season. Barring a change in his usage, he will likely continue to be a gadget weapon rather than a true No. 2 receiver.
NFL MOCK DRAFT 2025: Will Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty go in top five?
That's why it's not overly surprising to see the Cowboys favored to pick a receiver with their top selection in the 2025 NFL draft. FanDuel Sportsbook gives Dallas +210 odds of selecting a wide-out 12th overall, good for the shortest odds among listed positions and giving the Cowboys an implied probability of 32.26% to take a receiver.
Which receivers could Dallas target with the 12th pick? Here's what to know about the top receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Cowboys aren't going to be in range to select Travis Hunter, a two-way threat from Colorado who is widely expected to be selected top-four in the 2025 NFL draft.
That said, there will be plenty of other receiver prospects Dallas could consider with their first selection, whether it's at No. 12 overall or further down the board if the team trades down. Below is a run-down of who they could consider.
McMillan enjoyed a productive career with the Wildcats, racking up 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns on 213 catches over three seasons. He is an excellent contested-catch weapon thanks to his 6-4, 219-pound frame and has drawn comparisons to Drake London and Tee Higgins in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL draft.
McMillan, 22, ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at his pro day to quell concerns about his top-end speed.
Golden has been a rapid riser during the draft process and may challenge McMillan to be the first pure receiver selected in the 2025 NFL draft. Golden played just one season at Texas but quickly surpassed Isaiah Bond as Quinn Ewers' favorite target. He set career-best marks in catches (58), receiving yards (987) and receiving touchdowns (9) while helping Texas get to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Golden boosted his draft stock by running the fastest 40-yard dash among receivers at the NFL combine (4.29 seconds). He would add some needed speed to Dallas' offense and provide the team with another sure-handed pass catcher.
Egbuka played 49 college games at Ohio State and posted two 1,000-yard seasons. He's a polished route runner, has reliable hands and has solid speed (4.48 40-time) that should make him a quality No. 2 receiver at the NFL level.
Egbuka may not have the same ceiling as McMillan and Golden, but he looks like a safe bet to become a productive, long-term NFL player.
AI MOCK DRAFT 2025: Meta AI predicts the entire first round
Burden is coming off a down season but still has explosive playmaking abilities that could allow him to be a first-round pick. The 21-year-old was a five-star recruit with the do-it-all skillset needed to make him a versatile weapon in Dallas' offense.
Burden has good speed (4.41 40 time) and has a knack for finding space and eluding defenders. The 6-0, 206-pound receiver has a little Deebo Samuel in his game thanks to his ability to line up all over the formation and generate yards after the catch.
The Cowboys have ten picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Here's the complete list:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cowboys draft options: First-round WRs Dallas could consider
Continue reading...
Many will point to running back as the biggest offensive need for Dallas. The Cowboys signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency. Still, it isn't clear whether either can handle a full workload, let alone replace the production lost by Rico Dowdle's offseason departure.
That said, wide receiver is just as glaring a need for Dallas. The team doesn't have many proven options in its receiving corps outside of CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys traded for Jonathan Mingo ahead of the 2024 NFL trade deadline, but he hasn't yet found his footing in Dallas.
Meanwhile, KaVontae Turpin is an elite return man and provides Dallas speed and elusiveness at receiver. However, he played just 26.9% of the team's offensive snaps last season. Barring a change in his usage, he will likely continue to be a gadget weapon rather than a true No. 2 receiver.
NFL MOCK DRAFT 2025: Will Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty go in top five?
That's why it's not overly surprising to see the Cowboys favored to pick a receiver with their top selection in the 2025 NFL draft. FanDuel Sportsbook gives Dallas +210 odds of selecting a wide-out 12th overall, good for the shortest odds among listed positions and giving the Cowboys an implied probability of 32.26% to take a receiver.
Which receivers could Dallas target with the 12th pick? Here's what to know about the top receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL draft.
Cowboys NFL draft options: Wide receiver
The Cowboys aren't going to be in range to select Travis Hunter, a two-way threat from Colorado who is widely expected to be selected top-four in the 2025 NFL draft.
That said, there will be plenty of other receiver prospects Dallas could consider with their first selection, whether it's at No. 12 overall or further down the board if the team trades down. Below is a run-down of who they could consider.
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
McMillan enjoyed a productive career with the Wildcats, racking up 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns on 213 catches over three seasons. He is an excellent contested-catch weapon thanks to his 6-4, 219-pound frame and has drawn comparisons to Drake London and Tee Higgins in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL draft.
McMillan, 22, ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at his pro day to quell concerns about his top-end speed.
Matthew Golden, Texas
Golden has been a rapid riser during the draft process and may challenge McMillan to be the first pure receiver selected in the 2025 NFL draft. Golden played just one season at Texas but quickly surpassed Isaiah Bond as Quinn Ewers' favorite target. He set career-best marks in catches (58), receiving yards (987) and receiving touchdowns (9) while helping Texas get to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Golden boosted his draft stock by running the fastest 40-yard dash among receivers at the NFL combine (4.29 seconds). He would add some needed speed to Dallas' offense and provide the team with another sure-handed pass catcher.
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Egbuka played 49 college games at Ohio State and posted two 1,000-yard seasons. He's a polished route runner, has reliable hands and has solid speed (4.48 40-time) that should make him a quality No. 2 receiver at the NFL level.
Egbuka may not have the same ceiling as McMillan and Golden, but he looks like a safe bet to become a productive, long-term NFL player.
AI MOCK DRAFT 2025: Meta AI predicts the entire first round
Luther Burden III, Missouri
Burden is coming off a down season but still has explosive playmaking abilities that could allow him to be a first-round pick. The 21-year-old was a five-star recruit with the do-it-all skillset needed to make him a versatile weapon in Dallas' offense.
Burden has good speed (4.41 40 time) and has a knack for finding space and eluding defenders. The 6-0, 206-pound receiver has a little Deebo Samuel in his game thanks to his ability to line up all over the formation and generate yards after the catch.
Cowboys 2025 NFL draft picks
The Cowboys have ten picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Here's the complete list:
- Round 1: Pick 12
- Round 2: Pick 44
- Round 3: Pick 76
- Round 5: Pick 149
- Round 5: Pick 174 (compensatory pick)
- 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)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cowboys draft options: First-round WRs Dallas could consider
Continue reading...
