FRISCO, Texas – Only 17 days remain until the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Cowboys are slated to select 12th overall after finishing with a 7-10 record in 2024.
Dallas will have a grand total of 10 picks in this draft after various trades throughout the offseason including picking up a seventh-round pick after acquiring quarterback Joe Milton III from the New England Patriots.
With plenty of needs across the roster, who do draft analysts see the Cowboys picking when they’re on the clock at 12? Let’s take a look across the media landscape:
The Draft Show – DallasCowboys.com – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – When we ran our first mock draft together, the crew went through two scenarios: Stay and make a pick at 12, and trade back with Seattle at 18. Both times, McMillan fell to the Cowboys and was the unanimous selection for the Cowboys. Dallas is in need of a big body, 50-50 ball specialist that can line up on the outside and compliment CeeDee Lamb, and McMillan brings that to the table.
Mel Kiper Jr. – ESPN – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina – “Hampton actually firmed up his first-round case at the combine, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and leaping 10 feet, 10 inches in the broad jump. He is a home run hitter who could spark something in this Dallas running game, which has been dormant for the past two campaigns. The Cowboys averaged 4.0 yards per carry over that time, tied for fourth worst in the league.
So, even after signing Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to low-risk deals, I think the Cowboys could draft Hampton. He is the kind of difference-maker they need at the position. He rushed for 3,164 yards and 30 touchdowns over the past two seasons.”
Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – “With Ashton Jeanty off the board, I wouldn’t rule out North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton landing here. In this case, the Cowboys give CeeDee Lamb a partner who can take the top off the defense and is more than just a speed threat.”
Dane Brugler – The Athletic – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – “Outside of CeeDee Lamb, where is the juice coming from in the Cowboys’ offense? McMillan could provide some. With his rangy catch radius and ball skills, he is a quarterback-friendly target who is open even when covered.”
Bucky Brooks – NFL.com – Armand Membou, OL, Missouri – “With Zack Martin’s retirement leaving a huge hole in Dallas’ O-line, this Missouri product could help the Cowboys get back to playing bully ball at the line of scrimmage.”
Field Yates – ESPN – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – “Some evaluators are dubious of using an early pick on a wide receiver with somewhat pedestrian speed — scouts I spoke to timed McMillan in the high 4.5s in the 40-yard dash at his pro day — but I’m a true believer in the T-Mac camp. At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, he is a nightmare assignment for a cornerback in man-to-man coverage. Plus, he has outstanding ball skills and a catch radius that makes quarterbacks want to target him in the red zone. Over the past two seasons, McMillan compiled 2,721 yards.
He’d give Dak Prescott the second top-end receiver that Dallas has long been seeking opposite CeeDee Lamb.”
Lance Zierlein – NFL.com – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – “There are several positions the Cowboys can target here, including defensive tackle, but that position is deep this year, and Golden gives them an immediate starting option at receiver.”
Matt Miller – ESPN – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State – “The Cowboys need playmakers everywhere, and that should be their early focus. Warren would give them an upper-caliber starting tight end who would instantly be Dallas’ No. 2 receiving option behind CeeDee Lamb. Brock Bowers showed how impactful a rookie tight end could be last season, and Warren has many similar qualities, including being able to get open underneath and a knack for creating yards after the catch.
Warren won the John Mackey Award for the nation’s best tight end after catching 104 passes for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. He also ran for four touchdowns and passed for another as Penn State’s most productive offensive player. The Cowboys have been linked to running backs here, but with Jeanty off the board and a deep crop of runners in this class, they’d be better served getting a top tight end now and addressing running back on Day 2.”
Eric Edholm – NFL.com – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina – “If the Cowboys truly want to aid their new coach, why not give him a workhorse back who can grow into the spotlight in Dak Prescott’s later years. Brian Schottenheimer has always been a run-heavy, ball-control play-caller, although Texas WR Matthew Golden could tempt Dallas in this slot.”
Charles Davis – NFL.com – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – “Pro B
