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Jerry Jones' Cowboys Urged Toward 'Sexy' NFL Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 1:56 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys will enter the NFL Draft in a couple of weeks knowing exactly where their biggest roster needs are.

Taking a receiver at No. 12 is crucial with CeeDee Lamb looming as Dak Prescott's only consistent weapon, but running back and defensive line are also two other pressing needs, and you could throw in corner too.

But such is Dallas' roster construction, it will need to hit on at least its first three selections, with all playing to near a Pro Bowl level in 2025.

As such, for The 33rd Team's Ian Valentino, it isn't a great position for a team that is in the Cowboys' position entering the draft.

"It's not a great thing for a franchise to need a "sexy" draft that calls for several explosive playmakers, but that's where Dallas is now," Valentino writes. "Barring overconfidence in recent draft picks, Dallas has to swing big for a starting receiver, defensive tackle, and right guard. It's also hard to feel good about the running back depth with three players who don't create for themselves at a standout level."

The other thing is that Dallas will likely need its top picks to become starters, and solid ones out of the gate. Any receiver will be expected to jump in and provide production, and so will a running back who may be leading the room come Week 1.

So, having to put that much pressure on rookies isn't ideal, but that is where Dallas is right now, so personnel boss Will McClay will need to work his magic in the opening rounds.

The Cowboys are coming off a poor 2024 season that was part due to their free agency dealings (or lack of) and the crippling injury list that saw a host of All-Pros miss significant time.

Either way, the Cowboys need a bounce-back 2025 season in the worst way possible, and hitting on early draft picks goes a long way to achieving that.

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

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