There are a number of players who the Cowboys could target throughout the NFL Draft.
The Dallas Cowboys have a total of 10 draft picks right now heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and still have quite a few roster “needs” that have to be filled after being “selectively aggressive” in free agency. With only three of those draft picks in the Top 100, Dallas will have their work cut out for them in the late rounds to hit on some of those selections.
Today, we take a look at the Cowboys current roster “needs” and attempt to address them with the prospects that could be available for them on both Day 1 and Day 3 of the draft in April. Whatever roster “needs” they are not able to address in the early rounds will need to be addressed later, hence the purpose of this exercise.
Running back
Day 1: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Day 3: Brashard Smith, SMU
Jeanty has the talent and skill set to become one of the elite RBs in the league and would immediately take Dallas’ running game to another level.
Smith is a WR-turned-RB who could become the unique/versatile offensive weapon as a change of pace back for the Cowboys.
Wide receiver
Day 1: Matthew Golden, Texas
Day 3: Dont’e Thornton, Tennessee
Golden is a three-level threat who would add some much-needed speed to the Cowboys aerial attack and give Dak Prescott another reliable playmaker to target.
Thornton needs to fine-tune his route running and expand his route tree, but his size/speed combo makes him an intriguing deep threat to add to Dallas’ passing game.
Offensive line
Day 1: Armand Membou, Missouri
Day 3: Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
Membou could be another Tyler Smith for Dallas due to his OT/G versatility. He’d be a plug-and-play starter at RG early on and immediately upgrades the Cowboys OL.
Cornelius is another offensive lineman with OT/G versatility. He could compete for the starting job at RG right away in Dallas or provide much-needed depth at both RG and RT.
Defensive tackle
Day 1: Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Day 3: Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
Grant is a plug-and-play DT who would be an immediate upgrade over Mazi Smith at the 1-tech in the middle of the Cowboys defensive line as a big bodied, run stopper.
Stackhouse is another big bodied, nose tackle who would immediately upgrade Dallas’ run defense and potentially challenge Mazi Smith for the starting 1-tech job.
Defensive end
Day 1: Mike Green, Marshall
Day 3: Tyler Baron, Miami
Green’s agility and ability to convert speed into power to capture the edge as a pass rusher would give Dallas a dynamic duo at DE if they paired him with Micah Parsons.
Baron is an underrated pass rusher in the 2025 draft class who could not only provide more depth at DE in Dallas but could potentially challenge for real playing time.
Linebacker
Day 1: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Day 3: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Campbell is the best off-ball linebacker in the entire 2025 draft class with upside as a pass rusher as well. He would be a plug-and-play starter and great fit in Matt Eberflus’ defense
Stutsman is kind of an old-school LB who is at his best reading and diagnosing in the run game. He could challenge for a spot in the rotation as a rookie.
Cornerback
Day 1: Jahdae Barron, Texas
Day 3: O’Donnell Fortune, South Carolina
Barron is a versatile defensive back who can play just about anywhere in the Cowboys secondary. He could immediately step in and replace Jourdan Lewis in the slot.
Fortune is a safety turned cornerback with good speed who excels in zone coverage, making him a great fit in Matt Eberflus’ heavy Cover 2 defensive scheme.