If their initial moves in free agency are any indication, the Dallas Cowboys will need to hit a home run for the ages in the 2025 NFL Draft in order to field a contender-worthy roster.
Regarded as one of the best drafting teams in the sport, the Cowboys' hit rate has plummeted in recent years. Their last two first-round picks, Tyler Guyton and Mazi Smith, have not lived up to the hype thus far. The same can be said about 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker.
The only surefire star Dallas has drafted in that span is DeMarvion Overshown and he's recovering from his second major knee injury in as many years.
2024 draft picks Cooper Beebe, Marshawn Kneeland and Marist Liufau look to have promising futures, but again the team's wonky recent batting average underlines why it is so reckless to not spend in free agency.
Suffice it to say the Cowboys will need all the draft ammo to improve their roster and they added to their collection on Tuesday as the NFL announced its 2025 compensatory pick allotment.
Full list of Cowboys' 2025 NFL Draft picks
Round | Pick |
|---|---|
1 | No. 12 |
2 | No. 44 |
3 | No. 73 |
5 | No. 149 |
5 | No. 170 (comp) |
5 | No. 171(comp) |
5 | No. 174 (comp) |
6 | No. 188 |
6 | No. 211(comp) |
7 | No. 247 |
The Cowboys were awarded a total of four compensatory picks, which is tied for the most of any team. That includes three extra picks in the fifth round and an additional sixth-rounder, bringing their total to 10. While a loaded arsenal, seven of the 10 picks are on day three.
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Will McClay and Co. have hit on a number of day three picks in the past. Coincidentally, most of those players reside in the secondary: DaRon Bland (fifth round), Donovan Wilson (sixth), Xavier Woods (sixth), Anthony Brown (sixth), and Orlando Scandrick (fifth).
While impressive, the hit rate is not reliable.
Rather than add more depth pieces, Dallas could use the extra ammunition to trade back into day two. The second, third and fourth rounds are considered the sweet spot for this year's class, which does not boast many marquee prospects.
It also couldn't hurt to try and swap one of the comp picks for a cost-effective veteran. It was just two years ago that the Cowboys traded for Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore. They shipped a fifth- and sixth-round pick for Cooks and got Gilmore for the small price of a fifth-rounder.
The latter is probably fans' preferred move. At the rate this front office is signing players in free agency, including their own, trading for a veteran might be fans' only hope to add an impact player this offseason.
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