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The Dallas Cowboys cleaned house after a disappointing 7-10 season. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer takes over as head coach with former Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus in as defensive coordinator.
Key pieces are back in Dallas for 2025 as quarterback Dak Prescott should be fully recovered from injury. The team lost franchise icon Zack Martin to retirement but the offense still has star wideout CeeDee Lamb and solid starters on the offensive line in center Cooper Beebe and guard Tyler Smith.
On defense, Dante Fowler Jr. comes to town to help off the edge opposite star pass rusher Micah Parsons. The team signed multiple low-cost veteran defenders with high draft pedigree in free agency, as well, including Solomon Thomas, Payton Turner, Kenneth Murray and Kaiir Elam.
Dallas still has needs to address in the NFL draft but it is armed with 10 selections over seven rounds, tied for second-most in the league.
Here's how the Cowboys could use those picks:
Dallas surveys the options here and opts for the next-best wide receiver over a running back or tight end because both are deep positions. Golden came on strong to close the season for Texas and can line up at multiple spots if needed. No matter where he is, he'll provide a great No. 2 wide receiver skill set that should take some pressure off Lamb.
In a deep running back class, the Cowboys bide their time and get a top-five prospect at the position. Henderson's long speed is among the best in the class, he's a proven receiver out of the backfield and is far from a liability in pass protection. He did miss time with injuries in 2022 and 2023, though, which may cause some concern.
The Cowboys have a hole at nickel cornerback after Jourdan Lewis left in free agency. Riley is slightly undersized to stick at outside cornerback but should thrive in the slot. His ball production is unmatched in the class and he plays with disciplined aggression (no flags in 2024).
The Cowboys signed Fowler in free agency and drafted Marshawn Kneeland in the second round last season, but the team could still use more reinforcements at edge. Roberts fits the longer edge rusher archetype that Eberflus, the new DC, likes for his defenses.
Robinson is a tweener at 6-foot-5 and 288 pounds but has solid burst off the line and good agility. He should be able to rotate in as a rookie in the edge rush group and give Eberflus some options to take some of the pass rush load off Parsons.
Dallas opted to wait for a tight end and finds another Day 3 option at the position. Gadsden offers great athleticism in a 6-foot-5, 241-pound frame with an impressive wingspan (83⅛ inches). He's not much of an after-catch threat at this time but can be another possession pass-catcher and succession plan in case the Cowboys opt against retaining Jake Ferguson next offseason.
Mills likely would've gone higher in the draft if not for an injury during the College Football Playoff. He plays with a high motor and great quickness at 6-foot-5 and 296 pounds. Like Robinson, he offers a tweener-type of skill set and, when fully recovered, should compete for snaps as a rookie.
The Cowboys offense gets some speed at wide receiver in Round 1 and doubles down with a big-bodied possession target in the final round. McCoy has intriguing speed and tools at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds. He struggled with consistency, though, and will need time to put it all together.
Dallas could use more offensive line depth in 2025 with a new starter at right guard. Nelson played tackle at Wisconsin and may struggle to stay at that spot in the NFL given his lack of elite athleticism. His instincts and run blocking prowess is solid, so he should at least be a good depth piece as a rookie.
The Cowboys get their speedy running back in Round 2 and get a power back to split carries with him with their final pick. In a normal year, Mafah is likely off the board in Round 5, but the depth of this class means he could be available this late. Mafah started one season for the Tigers and put up good numbers as a physical, powerful back at 6-foot and 239 pounds. He should compliment Henderson's skill set.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dallas Cowboys mock draft: WR help, new starting RB keys to class
Continue reading...
Key pieces are back in Dallas for 2025 as quarterback Dak Prescott should be fully recovered from injury. The team lost franchise icon Zack Martin to retirement but the offense still has star wideout CeeDee Lamb and solid starters on the offensive line in center Cooper Beebe and guard Tyler Smith.
On defense, Dante Fowler Jr. comes to town to help off the edge opposite star pass rusher Micah Parsons. The team signed multiple low-cost veteran defenders with high draft pedigree in free agency, as well, including Solomon Thomas, Payton Turner, Kenneth Murray and Kaiir Elam.
Dallas still has needs to address in the NFL draft but it is armed with 10 selections over seven rounds, tied for second-most in the league.
Here's how the Cowboys could use those picks:
Dallas Cowboys seven-round mock draft
Round 1, No. 12 overall: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Dallas surveys the options here and opts for the next-best wide receiver over a running back or tight end because both are deep positions. Golden came on strong to close the season for Texas and can line up at multiple spots if needed. No matter where he is, he'll provide a great No. 2 wide receiver skill set that should take some pressure off Lamb.
Round 2, No. 44 overall: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
In a deep running back class, the Cowboys bide their time and get a top-five prospect at the position. Henderson's long speed is among the best in the class, he's a proven receiver out of the backfield and is far from a liability in pass protection. He did miss time with injuries in 2022 and 2023, though, which may cause some concern.
Round 3, No. 76 overall: CB Quincy Riley, Louisville
The Cowboys have a hole at nickel cornerback after Jourdan Lewis left in free agency. Riley is slightly undersized to stick at outside cornerback but should thrive in the slot. His ball production is unmatched in the class and he plays with disciplined aggression (no flags in 2024).
Round 5, No. 149 overall: Edge Elijah Roberts, SMU
The Cowboys signed Fowler in free agency and drafted Marshawn Kneeland in the second round last season, but the team could still use more reinforcements at edge. Roberts fits the longer edge rusher archetype that Eberflus, the new DC, likes for his defenses.
Round 5, No. 174 overall: DT Ty Robinson, Nebraska
Robinson is a tweener at 6-foot-5 and 288 pounds but has solid burst off the line and good agility. He should be able to rotate in as a rookie in the edge rush group and give Eberflus some options to take some of the pass rush load off Parsons.
Round 6, No. 204 overall: TE Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
Dallas opted to wait for a tight end and finds another Day 3 option at the position. Gadsden offers great athleticism in a 6-foot-5, 241-pound frame with an impressive wingspan (83⅛ inches). He's not much of an after-catch threat at this time but can be another possession pass-catcher and succession plan in case the Cowboys opt against retaining Jake Ferguson next offseason.
Round 6, No. 211 overall: DT Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
Mills likely would've gone higher in the draft if not for an injury during the College Football Playoff. He plays with a high motor and great quickness at 6-foot-5 and 296 pounds. Like Robinson, he offers a tweener-type of skill set and, when fully recovered, should compete for snaps as a rookie.
Round 7, No. 217 overall: WR Bru McCoy, Tennessee
The Cowboys offense gets some speed at wide receiver in Round 1 and doubles down with a big-bodied possession target in the final round. McCoy has intriguing speed and tools at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds. He struggled with consistency, though, and will need time to put it all together.
Round 7, No. 239 overall: OT Jack Nelson, Wisconsin
Dallas could use more offensive line depth in 2025 with a new starter at right guard. Nelson played tackle at Wisconsin and may struggle to stay at that spot in the NFL given his lack of elite athleticism. His instincts and run blocking prowess is solid, so he should at least be a good depth piece as a rookie.
Round 7, No. 247 overall: RB Phil Mafah, Clemson
The Cowboys get their speedy running back in Round 2 and get a power back to split carries with him with their final pick. In a normal year, Mafah is likely off the board in Round 5, but the depth of this class means he could be available this late. Mafah started one season for the Tigers and put up good numbers as a physical, powerful back at 6-foot and 239 pounds. He should compliment Henderson's skill set.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dallas Cowboys mock draft: WR help, new starting RB keys to class
Continue reading...
