2025 Dallas Cowboys draft preview

DALLAS, Texas (KETK) – The NFL Draft is less than 24 hours away and many are wondering what players the Dallas Cowboys will target in order to upgrade their roster.
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The Cowboys will have the 12th pick in the first round of the draft and will be under a massive spotlight after failing to make any big moves this offseason and waiting until the last minute to sign their biggest stars. Due to the team’s shortcomings, there will be immense pressure for the front office to select promising players who can help rebuild the roster.

With several gaps on the Cowboys roster, there are several different positions that the team needs to prioritize in the draft on both sides of the ball. KETK has composed a preview of the 2025 draft featuring players the Cowboys could draft to upgrade their roster.
Running Back

After the Cowboys’ 2024 leading rusher Rico Dowdle left the team in free agency this offseason, the team subsequently signed veteran back Javonte Williams. However, the front office will be looking to draft an additional running back to help solidify the ground game.

With this draft being deep with running back talent, it is unlikely that the Cowboys will select a back in the first round unless Heisman finalist Ashton Jeantry falls to number 12.
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It is likely the Cowboys will utilize their second or third round pick to select a running back and could potentially go after Ohio State’s Treveyon Henderson, who had more than a thousand yards rushing in the Buckeyes’ national title run. Henderson could provide some stability in the backfield which the team has lacked for several years.
Wide Receiver

The Cowboys will also be looking to upgrade their wide receiver position and find a solid number-two receiver, opposite of Ceedee Lamb. Dallas’s passing game was not dynamic last season, with opponents able to minimize the team’s offense by doubling Lamb.

The team has failed to have a reliable number two receiver since Amari Cooper left the team following the 2021 season and Lamb was promoted to number one receiver. Additionally, Brandin Cooks, who served as the team’s number two receiver last season, signed with the New Orleans Saints this offseason.

If the team does decide to select a wide receiver they have plenty of options, including Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, who won a national title with the Buckeyes, or the speedster from Texas, Matthew Golden, who not only shined with the Longhorns but also impressed at the combine.
Offensive Line

While the Cowboys defense also needs help, the team will need to focus on retooling their offensive line, which is rather barren at the moment. After losing pillars over the past few seasons such as Travis Frederick, Tyron Smith, and Zach Martin this offseason, the team will need to invest in rebuilding what was once a dominant offensive line.

It is also critical that the team addresses their needs on the offensive line due to Dak Prescott looking to return from a season-ending ankle injury he suffered last year. With Prescott now 31-years-old, it is crucial that he receives protection from his line if the Cowboys want him to be their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.

The Cowboys could look at the center position and pick Marcus Mbow from Purdue or even Seth McLaughlin from Ohio State. The team could also focus on rebuilding the tackle position by selecting a big body like Texas Longhorn, Cameron Williams.

While they won’t be able to address all of their concerns this week, the next step in getting the franchise back on its feet will be the 2025 NFL Draft, which starts Thursday night, in Green Bay, and then we’ll see if the Cowboys are really “All in.”