Dallas Cowboys mock draft 2025: Retooling the roster in 7-round Cowboys mock draft

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a 7-10 season, missing the playoffs for the third time in six years. With Mike McCarthy out and replaced by new Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas has already started making changes this offseason. While the 2025 NFL Draft is still a few months out, our Cowboys mock draft will examine how things could play out for the team in all seven rounds.

Round 1, 12th overall: Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia

Arizona Wildcats receiver Tetairoa McMillan wasn’t an option here in our Dallas Cowboys mock draft, but we would’ve picked Jalon Walker regardless. Some in the NFL already view him as the second-best edge prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, at least in terms of his potential. What makes Walker an even better fit for Dallas is his versatility. When he’s not being brought around the edge on early downs, the 6-foot-2 linebacker can drop back in coverage and stick closely to tight ends and running backs. A jack-of-all-trades linebacker would pair beautifully on the field with Micah Parsons.

Round 2, 44th overall: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford

Even before the season-ending injury to CeeDee Lamb, it was evident this Dallas Cowboys offense desperately needed a No. 2 receiver. That’s unlikely to come from free agency, leaving a top-50 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft as the best opportunity to fill the void. Eric Alyomanor – 6-foot-2 – is a very good outside receiver who wins with physicality and he also proved quite adept at making plays downfield. With Lamb working from the slot, Ayomanor could take advantage of great opportunities on the perimeter against No. 2 corners.

Round 3, 76th overall: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Rico Dowdle made the most of his opportunities last season, but he’s set to hit free agency. While Jerry Jones might love to snag Ashton Jeanty with the 12th overall pick, it’s unlikely the Heisman Trophy runner-up slips to No. 12. Fortunately for Dallas, the 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded at running back. Quinshon Judkins brings skills – contact balance, vision, ball security, patience and quickness – to be an effective starter immediately in the NFL. Plus, he can step in and contribute on passing downs as a rookie. Judkins could be the 1A back in a Cowboys’ committee, potentially even becoming the featured back in this offense by 2026.

Round 5, 150th overall: C.J. West, DT, Indiana

The Mazi Smith pick hasn’t worked out for the Dallas Cowboys and this team could see defensive linemen Linval Joseph, DeMarcus Lawrence, Osa Odighizuwa, and Carlos Watkins all walk this offseason. It creates a dire need on the interior. Indiana Hoosiers defensive tackle C.J. West – 6-foot-2 and 317 pounds – offers the size, football IQ and quick hands that can help him become a rotational player in his rookie season. He can eat space on the interior and with improved block-shedding moves, could generate penetration up the middle more consistently.

Round 5, 150th overall: Emery Jones Jr, OT, LSU

For the foreseeable future, the offensive line should be among the Cowboys draft needs every year. That’s especially true given how Dallas performed up front this past season. LSU Tigers right tackle Emery Jones Jr. isn’t a plug-and-play starter by any means, with his pass protection not even approaching NFL-caliber right now. However, he has the physicality, motor and anchor to help as a run blocker. He’s exactly the kind of project that new Cowboys offensive like coach Conor Riley could turn into a starter at right tackle within two years.

Round 5, 172nd overall: Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota

While we started off our Cowboys mock draft with Jalon Walker, linebacker is a position the team should double up at. All-Big Ten linebacker Cody Lindenberg would immediately provide the motor, football IQ and length that can help him see the field relatively quickly. There could even be a path for him to hold down the WLB spot until DeMarvion Overshown (knee) is cleared to return.

Round 5, 175th overall: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse

Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are both free agents, with at least one likely departing Dallas. If Rush returns, it’s reasonable to assume the Cowboys might want to find someone who can take over as Dak Prescott’s backup in 2026. Kyle McCord will probably never become an NFL starter, but his feel for the position with a quick release and good decision-making all align with him becoming a quality backup quarterback for years to come.

Round 6, 188th overall: Jake Majors, C, Texas

A four-year starter with the Texas Longhorns, Jake Majors would give the Dallas Cowboys a viable backup center behind Cooper Beebe. In 2024, Majors allowed just 11 pressures in 460 pass-blocking snaps (Pro Football Focus) and he earned an 83-plus PFF grade in pass protection each of the last two seasons. Majors’ experience and understanding of his assignments would make him an ideal fit if Beebe ever went down.

Round 6, 211th overall: Dont’e Thornton Jr, WR, Tennessee

Similar to the approach at linebacker, we have the Dallas Cowboys taking a pair of wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft. Dont’e Thornton Jr (6-foot-5) was a big-play threat for the Tennessee Volunteers, averaging 25.4 yards per reception with 6 touchdowns in his final season. In his final two years, he turned 20 downfield targets into 7 receptions for 465 yards and 3 scores. Injuries have been an issue for him, but a 6-foot-5 deep threat could carve out a role on the Cowboys roster.