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Cowboys Make Telling Admission Ahead Of 2025 NFL Draft

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 5:11 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys haven't picked inside the NFL Draft's top 10 since 2016. They're not itching to move up for a premium pick next week.

Dallas holds the No. 12 overall pick after a 7-10 season. Although the Cowboys possess 10 total picks, they're unlikely to use that extra draft capital to climb up the opening round.

During Tuesday's interview on 105.3 The Fan's K&C Masterpiece, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones touted the depth of the 2025 draft class. He said the board is "not too top-heavy" this year.

"You can get really good football players through the first half, or even into the second half of the draft," Jones said. "We feel real good about where we're sitting and think we can get a real good football player."

As a result, Jones said the Cowboys are more likely to trade down than up.

"I don't necessarily see us moving up, based on the way the board is coming together," Jones said." But could see a situation where we move down."

Jones noted the Cowboys' recent success picking right outside the top 10. They took DeMarcus Ware at No. 11 in 2005, Zack Martin at No. 16 in 2014, and Micah Parsons with the No. 12 pick in 2021.

Four years after landing Parsons, they hope to land another star player in the same slot. When a Hall of Fame talent falls into their lap, Jones said it's an easy call to "just pick them."

"That could very well be the case in this draft," he said.

The Cowboys have several options for their first-round pick next Thursday night.

Dallas needs another wide receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb, so many mocks have the NFC East team taking Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan or Texas' Matthew Golden. The Cowboys could instead snag Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, an offensive lineman to replace the retired Martin, or another edge rusher after losing DeMarcus Lawrence.

Given Jones' view of the draft board, perhaps the Cowboys trade down and accumulate more picks to address multiple holes. Teams may file away his comments if one of their targets is available at No. 12.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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