As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Dallas Cowboys have the opportunity to find tremendous value with strategic picks that address key needs across the roster.
The first wave of free agency is over, and now it's time for the Cowboys to focus on the NFL Draft. With ten picks at their disposal, they have ample draft capital to address key needs at cornerback, both the offensive and defensive line, and add some offensive playmakers.
Dallas Cowboys seven-round mock draft
According to Blogging the Boys, the Cowboys' biggest need in the 2025 NFL Draft is cornerback. This stems from the loss of Jourdan Lewis to the Jacksonville Jaguars and the absence of Trevon Diggs at the start of the season due to a knee injury. Although the team recently traded for Kaiir Elam, he has struggled since being drafted in the first round by the Buffalo Bills. Will Johnson was considered a top-five prospect heading into the 2025 draft cycle, but his stock dipped slightly after dealing with a turf toe injury. However, when healthy, Johnson is a lockdown corner who could form an outstanding tandem with Diggs.
One of the biggest weaknesses on Dallas’s roster is at right tackle, as Terence Steele struggled last season, surrendering nine sacks. Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, the 2024 Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year, would be an excellent replacement. At 6-foot-6 and 331 pounds, Ersery is an elite athlete with the strength to consistently overpower defenders.
Aireontae Ersery is a OT prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.89 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 16 out of 1379 OT from 1987 to 2025.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 2, 2025
Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/ltbb6cnGRY pic.twitter.com/HgFLaoZGjc
The Cowboys need to find a reliable receiver to play opposite CeeDee Lamb, as Jalen Tolbert has yet to meet expectations since being drafted in the third round in 2022. Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins could be the perfect fit, bringing the size (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) and physicality Dallas needs. He excels at using his frame to high-point contested catches, which helped him earn the highest grade against single coverage among wide receivers from Pro Football Focus this season.
The Cowboys further bolstered their cornerback depth in the fifth round by selecting Virginia Tech’s Dorian Strong. A physical defender and one of the most reliable tacklers in the 2025 NFL Draft, Strong has consistently locked down his side of the field throughout his Hokies career. He projects as a solid depth piece for Dallas's secondary.
Virginia Tech CB Dorian Strong last season:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 24, 2024
🔒 9 Catches Allowed (T-Fewest)
🔒 83 Yards Allowed (Fewest)
🔒 27% Completion Rate Allowed (Lowest)
🔒 11.8 Passer Rating Allowed (2nd Lowest) pic.twitter.com/DY2FEE9q5g
The Cowboys addressed the defensive end position by signing Dante Fowler Jr. to a one-year deal, but they still need depth behind him. A potential Day 3 steal is Syracuse’s Fadil Diggs, an explosive pass rusher who turned heads at the NFL Combine by posting the second-fastest 40-yard dash time among defensive ends at 4.57 seconds. Diggs also had a productive season for Syracuse, recording 14 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
The Cowboys have already addressed the 3-technique defensive tackle spot in free agency by signing Solomon Thomas and re-signing Osa Odighizuwa. However, they still need a big, run-stuffing defensive tackle to back up Mazi Smith at the 1-technique position. A strong candidate for that role is Georgia’s Nazir Stackhouse, a 6-foot-4, 327-pound lineman who excels at clogging up running lanes and anchoring against the run.
Oregon offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius had a bit of a down year, allowing 29 pressures compared to just 11 the previous season. As a result, his NFL Mock Draft Database consensus grade dropped from a third-round projection to a sixth-round grade. However, taking a chance on him in the sixth round could be a smart move for the Cowboys, as he is a powerful offensive lineman with experience at both guard and tackle.
While most draft analysts predict the Cowboys will focus on the running back position earlier than the sixth round, I believe they'll opt for a late-round pick, especially after signing both Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. South Carolina's Raheim Sanders offers the Cowboys a physical running back who was one of the top players at his position in college football before a significant knee injury in 2023. If he can return to his previous form, this could be a major steal for the Cowboys with this pick.
The Cowboys continue to add depth with the selection of North Carolina’s Willie Lampkin. The main reason Lampkin is still available at this stage of the draft is his size, measuring just 5-foot-11 and 290 pounds. However, he has proven he can compete at a high level, earning 2024 First-Team All-ACC honors and not allowing a sack in the past two seasons.
The Cowboys wrap up their 2025 NFL Draft by selecting cornerback Jason Marshall. Once viewed as a potential Day 2 pick early in the 2023 season, Marshall boasts impressive upside. However, his main challenge has been consistency and demonstrating the relentless mentality needed to succeed at the NFL level.