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Inside Why Cowboys Draft Plan Must Revolve Around Dak

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 5, 2025 10:29 AM ET

When you make your quarterback the highest-paid at his position, it makes sense to try to put the right pieces around him, but for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, that wasn't the case last season.

While we know the reason why with the "blow-it-up" plan in full flight, but this season, it's CeeDee Lamb or bust, with Dallas picking at No. 12, there are urgent needs for a receiver and a running back.

We saw last season what a lack of run game can do to a quarterback, and Brian Schottenheimer has stated that his offense will be run-heavy.

But also, Lamb needs help, and for ESPN, in their Cowboys mock draft, Matthew Golden comes to The Star in the first round, and in round three, Tennessee speedster Dylan Sampson joins him.

"The Cowboys' draft plan should revolve around building up the offense and adding more playmakers for quarterback Dak Prescott," ESPN writes. "They would do just that in this mock, with the explosive Golden at wide receiver and a speedy back in Sampson."

So Dak gets another weapon in Golden, who ran a 4.29 40-yard dash and has the position flex that coaches love, while also showing the ability to win on all three levels to give the Cowboys a weapon who can be used anywhere on the field.

As for Sampson, he rushed for 1,491 yards last season and a whopping 22 touchdowns and had 20 receptions for 173 yards to be a dual-threat back that Schotty wants.

Per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, pass protection and ball security are big points of emphasis, but Sampson could bring some fireworks in 2025 if those areas are improved.

Prescott needs help, and in Golden and Sampson, he gets it as Schottenheimer looks to get this thing off the ground in a positive way in Year 1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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