After selecting Alabama guard Tyler Booker 12th overall, the Cowboys immediately named him the starting right guard in Thursday night’s news conference. While it wasn’t a sexy pick, the goal when picking in that area is to get an immediate starter, which the Cowboys believe they have.
Now, things get a little tricky, because they will aim to find players at No. 44 and No. 76 on Friday to have the same type of quick impact.
At a quick glance, the Cowboys still need a RB1, WR2 and starting cornerback. Defensive tackle has become a perpetual need in recent years, so that’s always on the board. Barring a trade to add more picks, the Cowboys will not leave Friday night having satisfied all of those immediate needs, but they can get a couple of players who fit that mold. There weren’t many first-round surprises, but Day 2 is where things really get interesting. The Cowboys had 12 players with first-round grades — Booker being one of them — but none of those 12 first-round grades remain.
Day 2 is where teams typically can find highly-regarded players who have dropped further than they otherwise would because of some risk factor, whether it’s injury or off-the-field concerns. Still, they’re talented and can be instant contributors to an NFL franchise. That’s what the Cowboys will aim to do with each of their Friday selections.
(All player rankings based on Dane Brugler’s top 300 prospects list)
Day 2
Running back
44. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
46. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
60. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
74. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
92. RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
As expected, Cowboys did not take a running back in Round 1 and, as expected, only Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton came off the board. There’s a good chance that another back or two goes before the Cowboys pick in the second round but they should still have a choice to select a running back who instantly becomes RB1. If it doesn’t fall right in the second round, the third round could present a similar opportunity.
Wide receiver
27. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri 42. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State 45. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State 90. Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
If Tetairoa McMillan had lasted to No. 12, there’s a very good chance the Cowboys would have brought him to Dallas. McMillan went off the board at No. 8, and the Cowboys clearly didn’t feel high enough on any of the other top wide receivers to make them the 12th pick. They still have the void at their No. 2 spot, which they could fill with a handful of trade options. There are still a few receivers left on the board who could fill that role immediately. Dallas should have its chance to pick one in the second round, if it desires to do so.
Tight end
33. Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
41. Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
It’s probably the position on offense the Cowboys are most set at for 2025, from the starter down to the depth. However, Jake Ferguson is entering a contract year and though he’s shown the potential to be a solid No. 1, he took a step back in 2024 from his 2023 production. Getting a young, cheap player at the position to potentially carry the room forward could be an option if the board falls a certain way, but that’s also why they drafted Luke Schoonmaker and signed Brevyn Spann-Ford.
Defensive line
10. Mike Green, edge, Marshall
22. Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College
56. Shemar Turner, DT, Alabama
61. Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
68. Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
103. Sai’vion Jones, edge, LSU
105. Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
Between the edge and the interior, it could simply be decided by the best player available. After losing DeMarcus Lawrence to free agency, the Cowboys could use an edge player. Defensive tackle has been a glaring need in recent years as well, though the Cowboys’ draft history at the position is far from glowing. Dallas added vets at both spots, including Dante Fowler Jr. and Solomon Thomas, but the long-term outlook at the two vital positions could use an upgrade with one of the team’s premium picks.
Green is a highly regarded talent on the field but comes with off-the-field concerns. In the past, the Cowboys have used their second-round picks on players who may be first-round talents but drop because of some baggage, typically injury-related. However, if Green tumbles to No. 44, it could be worth monitoring.
Secondary
17. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
18. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
39. Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
51. Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
62. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
106. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Many predicted that Johnson would be drafted during the first round but he’s still available. Jourdan Lewis departed in free agency and Trevon Diggs may miss the start of the season. The Cowboys essentially have one of their three cornerback spots filled, with DaRon Bland holding down one side. Even if one is to account for Diggs’ presence, there’s a need, considering Bland is entering the final year of his rookie deal and the Cowboys already have tied up significant money at the position with Diggs’ contract.
Day 3
Running back
108. Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
115. DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
147. Damien Martinez, RB, Miami 159. Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
181. Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
275. Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
The Cowboys are in need of RB1 so waiting until Day 3 would not be a wise decision but there’s also nothing keeping them from coming out of this draft with multiple running backs. Dallas signed a couple of veterans in free agency and still have Deuce Vaughn. But in restructuring the backfield for the Brian Schottenheimer era, Dallas could use a depth player who offers special teams value, in addition to a top-end running back who would be the face of the position. This is also where the Cowboys can try to find a running back with specific tools, as opposed to the complete package back they would try to get with their Day 2 pick.
Wide receiver
201. Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
While it doesn’t feel likely that the Cowboys will add depth options at receiver on Day 3, Bond has some off-the-field concerns that could make him drop and be an intriguing option. It’s worth remembering that the Cowboys will say that their Day 3 wide receiver selection was done last fall, when they acquired Mingo.
Offensive line
200. Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers
240. Hayden Conner, G, Texas
289. Marcus Tate, G, Clemson
294. Caleb Etienne, OT, BYU
The Cowboys have taken the approach of you can never have too many offensive linemen but they Cowboys already may have too many offensive linemen. The only reason there’s a handful of options for Day 3 is because many of their guys at the end of the depth chart are external vets and the Cowboys could try to replace them with homegrown talents. But after taking a guard in the first round, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Cowboys didn’t touch offensive line the rest of the way.
Defensive line
121. Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
127. Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
139. Kyle Kennard, edge, South Carolina
185. Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
227. Warren Brinson, DT, Georgia
237. Kaimon Rucker, edge, North Carolina
247. Ahmed Hassanein, edge, Boise State 283. Tyler Batty, edge, BYU
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cowboys throw some darts on the board to improve their defensive line situation. Day 3 players at this spot likely won’t factor into starting roles but can be rotational pieces who play solid situational football.
Linebacker
120. Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
144. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
156. Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
194. Shemar James, LB, Florida
222. Eugene Asante, LB, Auburn
266. Jackson Woodard, LB, UNLV
280. Jailin Walker, LB, Indiana
Linebacker was arguably the one position the Cowboys upgraded in free agency, with signings and a trade. Still, the uncertainty surrounding DeMarvion Overshown, both with his injury recovery timeline and long-term durability, could have the Cowboys exploring the position, if the right player fell to the right spot. They can look to add a player who is either a pure athlete, a known run-stopping presence or both.
Secondary
109. Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
169. Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
191. Marques Sigle, S, Kansas State
230. Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
257. Jaylin Smith, CB, USC
With a new defensive coordinator in Matt Eberflus, as well as the departure of defensive backs coach Al Harris, the Cowboys could be looking to revamp their defensive backfield. There could be developmental players who can make an instant special teams impact, or even a diamond in the rough. Exceptions shouldn’t be considered the rule but Bland was a fifth-round pick three years ago.
(Photo of TreVeyon Henderson: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)
