INDIANAPOLIS – As the Cowboys prepare for Brian Schottenheimer's first season as head coach, they'll look to the 2025 NFL draft to try and find players who will help the team bounce back from a 7-10 season in 2024.
The next big step in trying to achieve that goal is evaluating and interviewing prospects at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Players will begin going through drills and tests on Thursday, but interviews will begin earlier in the week.
Here are some prospects to keep an eye on throughout the week as it pertains to possible Cowboys draft picks.
Quarterback: Kyle McCord, Syracuse – Both Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are unrestricted free agents this offseason, so it wouldn't be surprising if Dallas decided to draft a quarterback in the later rounds to provide depth behind Dak Prescott should one or both of the aforementioned quarterbacks move on. That could come in the form of McCord, who led the nation in passing yards last season after transferring to Syracuse from Ohio State. He's got plenty of collegiate experience and can make the throws that scouts want to see, and with time could prove to be a reliable option at the position.
Others to watch: Seth Henigan, Memphis, Tyler Shough, Louisville
Running back: Jordan James, Oregon – Ashton Jeanty is likely going to steal the show at the running back position, but this class is very deep and has future starters seemingly littered across it. James certainly has the potential to fit that mold after a productive final season at Oregon. The Cowboys currently have just two running backs on their active roster, and if they decide to wait until day 2 or 3 to draft one, James' ability to be on the field on all three downs combined with plus speed would be a welcome addition.
Others to watch: Damien Martinez, Miami, Jaydon Blue, Texas, DJ Giddens, Kansas State
Wide receiver: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona – Recent mock drafts are seeing McMillan get to the Cowboys at 12, and if that happens, it could be a massive steal for Dallas. They're looking for a receiver to compliment CeeDee Lamb and McMillan would be a perfect match. He's a big, athletic outside receiver that overwhelms defenders with his height and the ability to come down with contested catches. Don't be surprised if his testing numbers lock him into the top 10 picks of the draft, but if he does in fact slide to the Cowboys pick, it'd have the potential to be a massive steal.
Others to watch: KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn, Jaylin Noel, Iowa State, Jack Bech, TCU
Tight end: Mason Taylor, LSU – One of the younger prospects in this draft cycle, Taylor has been productive in three seasons at LSU. His uncle, Zach Thomas, played for the Cowboys in 2008 and if Dallas wants to continue to stockpile talent at the position, Taylor would make a lot of sense with strong hands the ability to make difficult catches in traffic. That said, it is also already a crowded room, so don't be surprised if the Cowboys go without a tight end selection in this draft.
Others to watch: Gunnar Helm, Texas, Luke Lachey, Iowa, Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
Offensive tackle: Josh Simmons, Ohio State – When healthy, tape shows that Simmons is one of if not the best offensive tackles in this class. The issue is his knee injury, which kept him sidelined for a majority of the 2024 season and has raised concerns for teams heading to Indianapolis. The medicals on Simmons will be crucial to where he's drafted, and if he's all clear or trending in a positive direction, he'll likely be a first round pick and could be someone the Cowboys consider if they want to stock up on offensive linemen.
Others to watch: Kelvin Banks, Texas, Armand Membou, Missouri, Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
Offensive guard: Tyler Booker, Alabama – With Zack Martin espected to retire, the right guard spot on the Cowboys offensive line is up for grabs. Both Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass have experience there and could be next in line, but if Dallas decides to look at the draft for the heir to Martin's throne, Booker could fit the bill perfectly. He's fantastic in the run game and plays aggressive at the line of scrimmage and second level, plus is hard to move in pass protection.
Others to watch: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, Luke Kandra, Cincinnati, Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
Center: Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State – In a center class that's not expected to be very deep, McLaughlin stands out because of his experience and the strong final season of his collegiate career at Ohio State. Similar to his teammate Josh Simmons, medicals will be the big question mark as McLaughlin missed the end of the Buckeyes' national championship run with a torn achilles. If the Cowboys decide to move Cooper Beebe to guard to replace Zack Martin, drafting a player like McLaughlin could give them an option at center that's played well at the position.
Others to watch: Jonah Monheim, USC, Jake Majors, Texas, Jake Slaughter, Florida
Defensive tackle: Darius Alexander, Toledo – After a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, Alexander's stock has done nothing but climb and he's got the opportunity to continue to raise it with a good week at the combine. The Cowboys have plenty of defensive tackles to choose from in this draft, and Alexander's combination of size and strength in the middle of the defensive line paired with Micah Parsons coming off the edge would be difficult to handle for opposing offensive lines.
Others to watch: Kenneth Grant, Michigan, Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, T.J. Steward, South Carolina
EDGE: Mike Green, Marshall – Another massive winner at the Senior Bowl, Green is a prospect that could catapult himself into a top-15 pick if he's not there already. The nation's leader in sacks last season with 17, Green has a knack for getting to the quarterback and has great bend and athleticism to penetrate the backfield. With another prolific edge rusher opposite Micah Parsons, Dallas' pass rush would have a chance to improve even more.
Others to watch: Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College, Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Linebacker: Jalon Walker, Georgia – Walker is one of the more fascinating case studies in the class because of the argument of whether he's considered an EDGE rusher or a linebacker. Walker flashed at multiple points in the 2024 season getting after the quarterback and has the closing speed to serve as a reliable spy on more mobile opposing quarterbacks. Where Walker gets drafted will likely be a byproduct of how teams see his best skillset, and that could see him go high or drop depending on how his week at the combine goes. The Cowboys are in need of depth at the linebacker position, and adding a versatile piece like Walker would provide that and then some.
Others to watch: Jeffery Bassa, Oregon, Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
Cornerback: Jahdae Barron, Texas – Versatility is the name of Barron's game, as he has the ability to play anywhere in the defensive backfield. At Texas, Barron spent his last season playing at cornerback and won the Jim Thorpe award, but played at the nickel position in the past, an area that has seen a lot of success under a Matt Eberflus defense. Cornerback is another position that the Cowboys are thin at, and with Trevon Diggs potentially missing some of the 2025 season, Dallas may be wanting to pick a corner earlier to fill the gap.
Others to watch: Zah Frazier, UTSA, Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, Upton Stout, Western Kentucky, Nohl Williams, Cal
Safety: R.J. Mickens, Clemson – A graduate of Southlake Carroll high school in the DFW area, Mickens is an experienced safety who is coming off the a productive fifth season at Clemson that saw him tally 55 tackles, two interceptions and five PBUs. Mickens does a good job of diagnosing plays early and getting downhill in the run game, an area that will certainly be emphasized under a Matt Eberflus defense that could mean Mickens joining the fold to help try and stop the run.
Others to watch: Andrew Mukuba, Texas, Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
