While the Dallas Cowboys aren't technically out of playoff contention just yet, the chances of this team making some sort of miraculous comeback over the next seven weeks are essentially zero.
Jerry Jones may not ever admit that, but it's truly time for him and everyone else in this organization to embrace the tank and start looking ahead to 2025 and beyond.
Fans of America's Team obviously have to be hoping Jones is much more active in free agency than he was this past offseason, which could prove tricky given the big contracts he's already handed out to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, plus the one he's going to have to shell out to Micah Parsons.
So, the only chance Dallas might get to add some talent is through the 2025 NFL Draft. And if things keep going the way they have during this five-game losing streak, that first-round pick may be one of the first off the board.
With Monday night's 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans, the Cowboys dropped to 3-7 on the season, and a sixth straight loss seems likely in Week 12 as they visit Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders.
If the season ended tomorrow, the Cowboys would have a top-10 pick in the draft for the first time since 2016. Well, that's not exactly true. Dallas owned the No. 10 overall pick in 2021 but dealt it to the Philadelphia Eagles for their first- and third-rounders, which they used to draft Parsons (No. 12) and Chauncey Golston (No. 84). But you get the point.
In '16, of course, Jones selected Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 overall pick. Given the need at running back right now, as the decision to bring Zeke back to town was a massive failure, one has to wonder if he'd go that same route with such a high selection next spring.
But we're not here to discuss that. Instead, we're simply here to show you exactly where Dallas stands in the 2025 NFL Draft order.
Updated 2025 NFL Draft order heading into Week 12
As it stands now, Dallas would own the No. 9 overall pick in the '25 draft.
The No. 1 overall pick belongs to the Jacksonville Jaguars, owners of the league's worst record at 2-9. If this holds, this would be the Jags' third top pick in five years. See, Cowboys fans, it could be worse.
Rounding out the top five are the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Here's a look at what the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft order looks like heading into Week 12 via the fine folks at Tankathon.
Round 1 Pick | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 2-9 |
2 | Tennessee Titans | 2-8 |
3 | Cleveland Browns | 2-8 |
4 | New York Giants | 2-8 |
5 | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-8 |
6 | New England Patriots | 3-8 |
7 | New York Jets | 3-8 |
8 | Carolina Panthers | 3-7 |
9 | Dallas Cowboys | 3-7 |
10 | New Orleans Saints | 4-7 |
11 | Cincinnati Bengals | 4-7 |
12 | Miami Dolphins | 4-6 |
13 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4-6 |
14 | Chicago Bears | 4-6 |
15 | Indianapolis Colts | 5-6 |
16 | Seattle Seahawks | 5-5 |
17 | Los Angeles Rams | 5-5 |
18 | San Francisco 49ers | 5-5 |
19 | Denver Broncos | 6-5 |
20 | Atlanta Falcons | 6-5 |
21 | Arizona Cardinals | 6-4 |
22 | Washington Commanders | 7-4 |
23 | Houston Texans | 7-4 |
24 | Baltimore Ravens | 7-4 |
25 | Los Angeles Chargers | 7-3 |
26 | Green Bay Packers | 7-3 |
27 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 8-2 |
28 | Minnesota Vikings | 8-2 |
29 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8-2 |
30 | Buffalo Bills | 9-2 |
31 | Kansas City Chiefs | 9-1 |
32 | Detroit Lions | 9-1 |