The Dallas Cowboys have the 12th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and should have multiple options when on the clock. But would the best choice be to find a trade partner to pick up additional draft capital?
Dallas should have numerous options with their first draft pick, but several players the franchise is reportedly targeting might still be available later in the first round.
One potential scenario in this draft includes multiple players the Cowboys could draft being selected before Dallas is on the clock, with players such as Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan both expected to be off the board in the top 10.
Jane Slater of NFL.com reported on Wednesday that Dallas is considering a variety of options in the first round, with wide receiver being the most sought-after position with the premium selection.
Dallas could also draft an offensive lineman with the 12th pick, though Slater explained that “trading down seems more likely if they can find a partner.”
Potential first-round options for Dallas include McMillan, Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, and Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
The Athletic’s consensus big board, which ranks the top 100 prospects based on NFL Draft experts, has Nolen ranked as the 18th overall prospect and Golden ranked as the 20th overall prospect.
While all three of these players would immediately fill the Cowboys’ needs, both Golden and Nolen are projected to be selected later in the first round, meaning Dallas could likely still select one of the players and pick up additional draft capital by trading back.
Dallas trading back with a team later in the first round would allow the franchise to acquire at least one more draft selection, which can then be used to select another impactful player or packaged in a separate trade.
Considering the various needs that must be filled out on the roster, Dallas should consider contacting teams about a trade down in the first round.
Potential trade partners include the Cincinnati Bengals, who have the 17th overall selection, or the Seattle Seahawks, who have the 18th overall selection.
Both franchises could look to improve their offensive or defensive lines and secondary players in the first round, while Dallas is looking to acquire more capital and select a different style of player.
Additionally, moving down slightly should not completely hinder the Cowboys’ chances at landing either Golden or Nolen, as both of those selections would be right around where those players are ranked.