The Dallas Cowboys are trending in the wrong direction, as quarterback Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury and an overall decline in quality has sent The Star down the drain.
Monday night’s game against the Houston Texans may put Dallas on track to lose a fifth-straight game and further cement a pick within the top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
While Cowboys fans might grimace at the state of affairs in Arlington, better days may be ahead. A coaching change is almost a given at this point, and a top draft pick might not be far behind.
This Cowboys team has foundational talent, and a top pick could go a long way in helping Dallas rebound in 2025 with new infrastructure in place. Let’s look at five players who would make sense.
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
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Jeanty in a Cowboys uniform feels right. The dynamite running back and Heisman contender is dominating the college game this year and would fill a very clear need on the Dallas roster. Sure, people say not to pick a running back with a top-10 pick, but the Atlanta Falcons and running back Bijan Robinson would beg to differ.
Robinson’s extraordinary 2024 and how that’s impacted the Falcons offense should give Dallas confidence to make this pick if it wants. Jeanty is going to be a star at the next level, and him wearing The Star on his jersey would make a lot of sense.
Missouri WR Luther Burden III
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If the Cowboys want another high-powered wide receiver to play opposite CeeDee Lamb, Burden would fit the bill. Burden will enter the NFL as a possible top-receiving option in any number of offenses. In Dallas’ offense, Burden playing opposite Lamb could give opposing defenses nightmares. If the Cowboys want to reestablish its passing attack as one of the dominant units in the NFL, taking a player like Burden would be a coup into making that happen.
Michigan DT Mason Graham
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If the Cowboys want to bolder the struggling defensive interior with a blue chip talent, Graham would be an excellent fit for a variety of reasons. He’s a menace for opposing offensive linemen and might be one of the most purely gifted players in this upcoming NFL Draft class. Dallas has struggled immensely at the position this season. Graham could help a ton in that regard.
Penn State DE Abdul Carter
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If Dallas really wants to give its defensive line a boost, it could draft the player regarded as the best pass-rusher in a deep class at the position. Carter could pair with fellow former Penn State player Micah Parsons and give the Cowboys one of the best young pass-rushing tandems in the NFL.
Parsons is about to get paid, too, so having pending free agent DeMarcus Lawrence’s heir apparent on the roster and on a rookie contract might be mightily enticing for Dallas. This would be a great pick to keep quarterbacks on their toes in the NFC East and in the NFL at large.
LSU OL Will Campbell
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With future NFL Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin a pending free agent, Dallas could invent yet another first-round pick in the offensive line. Campbell is a blue-chip prospect who could play at tackle or guard. This Dallas offensive line could boast one of the more impressive rosters in the NFL of young talent with Campbell in the fold. Don’t rule out the benefits of a pick like this.