With the 2025 NFL draft now just a few sleeps away, the Dallas Cowboys have likely already formulated their attack for the first two days of the draft, spanning Rounds 1 through 3. The process has gone from regional scout visits to film study to interviews and now to seeing how the cards fall before they land on the clock.
Even though they haven’t publicly commented on their exact agenda, there are numerous signs based on their local and national visitor list. The Cowboys plans are pretty clear.
They certainly would jump at the opportunity to change direction for one of the top defenders, but this is an offense-leaning first round. The likelihood Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter or Maason Graham make their way into the Cowboys’ vicinity is minute and trading up seems like it’s off the table. Dallas would like for one from a group of three to fall to them: RB Ashton Jeanty, OT Armand Membou, or WR Tetairoa McMillan. If that doesn’t happen, they would likely look to trade back from No. 12 to corral an extra pick. How far they’d be willing to drop is unknown.
If they can’t get what they want to move back, they’d consider drafting guys like Kelvin Banks, who they could see as a LT or LG (pushing Tyler Smith back outside) and move Tyler Guyton to RT, or edge rushers Mykel Williams or Shemar Stewart. WR Matthew Golden may be in this group as well.
If they moved back and those guys were wiped out, they’d look to Golden or RB Omarion Hampton on offense, or perhaps DT Walter Nolen. If they bailed and then landed at the end of the first round, Nolen or edge rusher James Pearce would make sense, as would wideouts Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden.
CB Shevon Revel feels like the perfect “Blue Star” special at No. 44, but running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, along with DT Darius Alexander seem to fit here. Perhaps the team would be able to trade back in the second round and land that missing fourth rounder, and grab one of those targets or trench guys DT Alfred Collins or OT Jonah Savaiinaea.
The third round would look to target any of the above names that fell through the cracks, or perhaps safety Andrew Mukuba if he was still on the board.
There are a ton of things to consider overall that will impact the Cowboys’ plans. The lack of star power at the quarterback, cornerback and offensive tackle positions is really going to turn the first two days into the Wild, Wild West. Teams are likely going to make selections that no consensus board can predict. Players will fly off the board earlier than expected, and many will fall. More than most years, a team’s evaluation prowess will determine who walks away from such a light draft with true difference makers.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys plans during first 2 days of draft seem clear
With the 2025 NFL draft now just a few sleeps away, the Dallas Cowboys have likely already formulated their attack for the first two days of the draft, spanning Rounds 1 through 3. The process has gone from regional scout visits to film study to interviews and now to seeing how the cards fall before they land on the clock.
Even though they haven’t publicly commented on their exact agenda, there are numerous signs based on their local and national visitor list. The Cowboys plans are pretty clear.
They certainly would jump at the opportunity to change direction for one of the top defenders, but this is an offense-leaning first round. The likelihood Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter or Maason Graham make their way into the Cowboys’ vicinity is minute and trading up seems like it’s off the table. Dallas would like for one from a group of three to fall to them: RB Ashton Jeanty, OT Armand Membou, or WR Tetairoa McMillan. If that doesn’t happen, they would likely look to trade back from No. 12 to corral an extra pick. How far they’d be willing to drop is unknown.
If they can’t get what they want to move back, they’d consider drafting guys like Kelvin Banks, who they could see as a LT or LG (pushing Tyler Smith back outside) and move Tyler Guyton to RT, or edge rushers Mykel Williams or Shemar Stewart. WR Matthew Golden may be in this group as well.
If they moved back and those guys were wiped out, they’d look to Golden or RB Omarion Hampton on offense, or perhaps DT Walter Nolen. If they bailed and then landed at the end of the first round, Nolen or edge rusher James Pearce would make sense, as would wideouts Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden.
CB Shevon Revel feels like the perfect “Blue Star” special at No. 44, but running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, along with DT Darius Alexander seem to fit here. Perhaps the team would be able to trade back in the second round and land that missing fourth rounder, and grab one of those targets or trench guys DT Alfred Collins or OT Jonah Savaiinaea.
The third round would look to target any of the above names that fell through the cracks, or perhaps safety Andrew Mukuba if he was still on the board.
There are a ton of things to consider overall that will impact the Cowboys’ plans. The lack of star power at the quarterback, cornerback and offensive tackle positions is really going to turn the first two days into the Wild, Wild West. Teams are likely going to make selections that no consensus board can predict. Players will fly off the board earlier than expected, and many will fall. More than most years, a team’s evaluation prowess will determine who walks away from such a light draft with true difference makers.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys plans during first 2 days of draft seem clear
