The Dallas Cowboys have been linked to several prominent players in the upcoming NFL Draft, with Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan and Omarion Hampton often landing with Dallas in most mock drafts.
As the NFL Combine concludes and the draft approaches, the Cowboys must consider all possibilities regarding their No. 12 overall pick. This draft choice is crucial, especially since the team has faced more criticism this offseason than usual.
If Jerry Jones and Company want to make the right move, they have to go out and get a game-changer, and a particular three stand out above the rest.
Sleeper prospects Cowboys should target in 2025 NFL Draft
1. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Jahdae Barron was the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner for a reason: His versatility and ball skills are top-tier, making him one of the most complete cornerback prospects in recent years. The Dallas DB room is thin due to Trevon Diggs' knee injury and the loss of Jourdan Lewis in free agency further damaged its core.
The Cowboys' only actual depth behind Diggs and Bland is Caelen Carson and newly acquired Kaiir Elam, both of whom still have much to prove. Dallas made it a point to meet with the top corners of the class but reports claim Barron's maturity shined above the rest. aturity on this roster has been lacking in recent years.
In the modern NFL, where the defense must be prepared to stop the passing game, Barron's physicality and toughness will give him an edge. Barron is a Swiss-Army knife on the football field.
Barron gives the Cowboys the best insurance plan you could have, and in a loaded cornerback class in 2025, the former Longhorn is the most NFL-ready. He is Pro Football Focus's (PFF) highest-rated DB this year, and rightfully so.
The Cowboys could reach for a wide receiver here or capture a raw offensive lineman, and you would not be shocked. Selecting a guy like Barron, however, immediately changes your defense. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will likely emphasize the importance of zone coverage and playing fundamental football, and Barron fits that mold like a glove.
2. James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
James Pierce Jr. was seeing a decline on many draft boards a few months ago due to some off-field issues. However, his performance at the combine eased those concerns as his sky-high potential was on full display.
After losing DeMarcus Lawrence, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks during free agency, edge rusher is a huge need. We say that despite the team signing Dante Fowler Jr. and former first-round pick Payton Turner.
In three years as a starter at Tennessee, Pierce Jr. recorded over 80 tackles, including 30 tackles for loss and 20 total sacks. He also demonstrated his aggressive play style by forcing three fumbles and intercepting four passes, with two occurring last season.
Pierce Jr.'s toughness and explosive pass-rushing ability are elite, making him an ideal addition to Eberflus's defense, which is likely to employ a 4-3 pass-rushing scheme. Pierce Jr. has immense potential, and while selecting him at the 12th pick could be seen as a reach, it also has the potential to be a home-run draft choice.
3. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Georgia's Malaki Starks has Pro Bowl potential written all over him. He possesses the versatility to serve as both a slot defender and a single-high safety, making him an immediate fit for the Cowboys, especially if they fail to address their need for a nickel corner after losing Jourdan Lewis.
Playing at Georgia, Starks has been a key cog in many impressive defenses, all of which boast NFL-like advanced defensive schemes. Throughout his college career, Starks was the driving force behind the Bulldogs defense, but in the NFL his coverage versatility will set him apart right away more than anything else.
A 2024 unanimous All-American, Starks has developed outstanding leadership skills and a high football IQ while at Georgia, and both of those attributes have seemingly been missing in Dallas in recent years. This defense has often failed to stop the bleeding during games and quickly put the team in impossible positions to win last year. The defense needs a natural leader and playmaker like Starks.
Starks could very well be the Cowboys' next Roy Williams, who was an absolute stud for the Dallas defenses in the mid 2000s.