The draft is over and it’s time to process everything we learned about what the Cowboys did.
The 2025 NFL Draft is over. The Dallas Cowboys maneuvered through the weekend and landed nine new football players. It’s hard to formulate any opinions this soon, but many fans believe they did a pretty good job in the draft. Whether that’s true or not remains to be seen, but there are some things we do know about this draft process thanks to what they did and what they told us in their post-draft press conferences. Here are ten things we learned about the Cowboys during the draft.
1. Tetairoa McMillan was their target
The Cowboys were hoping Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian slid to 12, but he never made it as he was selected eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers. Multiple sources have indicated McMillan would have been the team’s pick had he been there, but it wasn’t meant to be. This was a question the fanbase was most interested in during the weeks leading up to the draft, and now we know.
2. The Cowboys were looking to trade back
The team was interested in moving back in the draft and had discussions with the Houston Texans, who held the 25th overall pick. It’s not clear who the Texans were targeting at 12, but whatever they were offering Dallas, it wasn’t enough. Houston didn’t like their spot in the draft and ultimately traded out of the first round later in the draft with the New York Giants, who moved up to select QB Jaxon Dart.
3. They want to own the line of scrimmage
The investment the team has in Dak Prescott needs to be reinforced with better offensive line play. With the size that their NFC East foes have along the interior defensive line, upgrading the middle of the Cowboys’ offensive line is important. They want to move people, and Tyler Booker is an “alpha” who has the power to do just that. Combined with Tyler Smith and Cooper Beebe, the core of their run game just got a whole lot stronger.
4. They were prepared
The day before the draft, Will McClay put the group through different scenarios so they could react quickly when they were on the clock. They didn’t specify the details of the scenario in question, but they had spent an hour rehearsing the exact dilemma they faced when pick 12 came around.
5. Walter Nolen was the other guy
When talking about their decision at 12, Jones let it slip that “Nolen was on the board,” leading us to believe that it ultimately came down to Booker and Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. It wasn’t the Sophie’s Choice they seemed to face when debating between Mazi Smith and Matthew Bergeron in 2023. Booker was clearly their guy, as this time they chose the lineman over the defensive tackle.
6. Talent took precedence over needs
The Cowboys were more active this offseason in filling voids on the roster. They invested money in three defensive ends, two guards, two running backs, and two linebackers. They also traded for a cornerback. When you look at the top five positions they invested in, they were OL, DE, CB, RB, and LB. Oddly enough, those same five positions consumed their top five draft resources. That likely wasn’t the plan, as it’s more ideal to spread out the resources, but things don’t always go according to plan. The Cowboys stuck to their board and picked their best players, even if it meant re-upping on positions already covered and neglecting those that aren’t.
A second guard? That’s way down the wishlist. Another pass rusher? They’re loaded already. A corner coming off a torn ACL who won’t help spell Trevon Diggs in the short term? None of that mattered. They grabbed elite talent and are playing the long game.
7. They were right about the running back depth
This draft was deep at the running back position. The Cowboys knew it, and the other teams knew it as well. In total, 25 running backs were selected, and 19 (76%) were picked on Day 3. Even without a fourth-round pick, they still had good backs to choose from when pick 149 rolled around, landing them the speedster Jaydon Blue. They capitalized on the depth further by selecting Phil Mafah late in the seventh round. Their patience paid off.
8. They wanted their linebacker, so they pounced
After only seeing four linebackers come off the board during the first two days of the draft, they were open for business on Day 3. The Cowboys did not want to miss out if a possible run of linebackers occurred, so they took action and traded from 174 (and giving up pick 211) to move 22 spots to 152nd overall to select Florida linebacker Shemar James. It was a good thing they did, too, because five linebackers came off the board by pick 172, two spots before their previously owned fifth-round pick. Instead of waiting and possibly missing out, the Cowboys jumped ahead of the run and got their guy. It was a great use of late-round draft capital.
9. Their draft evaluation of Jonathan Mingo still looms large
The Cowboys addressed almost every position need, but the one area left out was wide receiver. Missing out on McMillan was unfortunate, but it didn’t cause them to panic. The team continues to believe that Jonathan Mingo is still going to work out. Their draft evaluation from 2023 is still relatively fresh, and they were content not having a fourth-round pick this year because of what they think Mingo will bring them going forward. Fans remain skeptical because we’ve seen this team have a heightened belief in their wide receiving position group before, only to have the wheels come off. Hopefully, they are right about him.
10. The Schottenheimer presence is already felt
When the Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer to be their next head coach, it was met with a lot of criticism. Some (raises hand) connected him to Mike McCarthy and the stagnant play-calling that we’ve seen recently. While it’s way to early to formulate any strong opinions, it’s hard not to like what we’re seeing so far. The Cowboys are coming on one of their most calming drafts they’ve had, where everyone was in sync. The communication Schottenheimer preaches about has already taken effect. The commitment to going after high-character guys shows throughout this draft. And by character, we are not talking about choir boys, but rather ultra-competitors, natural leaders, and those who possess the right headspace to do their job at the NFL level. Those qualities radiate through their draft. Whether it works or not, who knows, but the Cowboys are serious about their new vision.
