Photo Credit: Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images
With the NFL Draft just weeks away, the Dallas Cowboys feel confident that their offseason approach has put them in a strong position to build on their roster. The Cowboys currently hold 10 picks in the draft, including the 12th overall selection in the first round. They also have picks at No. 44 (second round) and No. 76 (third round), along with multiple picks in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. But it’s what they do with their top three selections that will likely define their draft success.
Free Agency Helped Fill Gaps
While free agency isn’t over yet, the Cowboys believe the moves they’ve made so far have helped reduce pressure heading into the draft. They’ve added key veterans like defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr., defensive end Payton Turner, running backs Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams, linebacker Jack Sanborn, guard Robert Jones, and wide receiver Parris Campbell.
Dallas also made trades to acquire linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., cornerback Kaiir Elam, and quarterback Joe Milton III.
These moves filled key needs on the roster. While the team could still use more help at receiver, cornerback, and running back, they’ve positioned themselves to draft based on value—not desperation.
“Part of what we do in free agency is to make it to where, hopefully, there’s a great player sitting there with each pick that we really like. And [we] don’t want to be nailed down to, ‘Hey, it’s got to be a defensive lineman,’ or ‘It’s got to be a receiver,’ or ‘It’s got to be a linebacker or a running back,'” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “Let’s see what comes to us.”
Draft Approach: Best Player Available
Offensive coordinator and head coach Brian Schottenheimer echoed that mindset. He said the Cowboys want the best player available at No. 12, but added they’re targeting game-changers.
“We don’t want to ever pick 12th again. All right, let’s be honest,” Schottenheimer said. “We don’t want to. We don’t want to pick that high, but you’re looking for guys that influence the game. How do you influence the game? You rush the quarterback, and you get sacks, strip sacks, fumbles, whatever it is. You score touchdowns. OK? You build it from the outside in, so you got corners, receivers, they get isolated one-on-one. Pass rushers, tackles, they get isolated one-on-one, and then obviously the quarterback position.”
While Schottenheimer values line play, especially on offense and defense, he emphasized the need for athleticism and big-play ability at key positions.
Possible First-Round Options
If the Cowboys stay at No. 12, they’ll likely have several talented options to choose from. They could target the top running back in the draft, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, or go after one of the top wideouts like Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, Texas’ Matthew Golden, or Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan.
If they want to bolster the offensive line, LSU’s Will Campbell could be a target. On defense, Michigan lineman Kenneth Grant or cornerback Will Johnson could help right away, especially with the uncertainty around Trevon Diggs’ return from injury and Jourdan Lewis’ departure in free agency.
Owner Jerry Jones said the current state of the roster gives the team flexibility to go in several directions.
“This draft lets us have a lot of flexibility,” Jones said. “Our roster and where we are in the roster gives a lot of flexibility at every position.”
Past Draft Surprises
Jones pointed to past drafts to show how quickly things can change. In 2020, Dallas didn’t expect wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to fall to them at No. 17. In 2021, after planning to draft a cornerback, they landed linebacker Micah Parsons at No. 12.
“That’s not serendipity. That’s just what the draft is,” Jones said. You are sitting there and you get an opportunity that if you’re doing your job, you thought about all opportunities, you looked around the corners on your roster now and years to come. So all of those things pretty much make it wide open, position[wise], to draft a player.”
Still Some Needs to Watch
While the Cowboys feel prepared, they still have some positions to monitor closely. They need a reliable No. 2 receiver behind Lamb, and while Sanders and Williams bring experience, another young running back would make sense.
The team has a strong track record of drafting offensive linemen, but last year’s first-round pick, Tyler Guyton, still needs to prove himself. On defense, the interior line could use more help, and cornerback depth is a concern with Diggs recovering from a second knee surgery.
Even with these questions, Jerry Jones believes the Cowboys are in a good place.
“It melds with where we need players,” he said. “You always need a player, so there’s no such thing as not being able to lift your roster level. But still, I like the numbers in the areas that are particularly important to us.”
Related Content: Top 20 NFL Draft Prospects: Tetairoa McMillan
This report used information from ESPN.
