The Dallas Cowboys have a plethora of needs, a relatively high draft pick and a hole in the middle of their haul. That all makes for numerous scenarios that could play out in a few weeks when the 2025 NFL draft descends upon Green Bay, Wisconsin. With starting spots available at wideout, running back, along the defensive line and potentially at cornerback, the first two days of the draft will be crucial for Will McClay and Brian Schottenheimer.
ESPN recently began trotting out their mock draft machine in full order. During a review of the latest draft buzz surrounding the league, Matt Miller provided what he feels is the "perfect draft" for the Cowboys using their current allotment of picks. With no trades, he decided the best plan of action was to attack the wide receiver position first, selecting Texas speedster Matthew Golden with the No. 12 pick in the first round.
Golden, who led the SEC with nine touchdown receptions in 2024, caught 58 balls for 987 yards this past season, showing of his electric speed in becoming the Longhorns primary weapon. He ran a blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash at this year's scouting combine and would add an element of speed the team has failed to incorporate in their offenses under Mike McCarthy. Schottenheimer could look to change all of that.
After Golden, Miller sent the Cowboys a nose tackle at No. 44 in Ohio State's Tyliek Williams, then a running back in Tennessee's Dylan Sampson. Sampson is also a speed merchant, while Williams would compliment the Cowboys new $80 million man in Osa Odighizuwa, whom the team signed to an extension in early March.
Not having a fourth-round pick, once again traded away on a young veteran flier, means that the team would need to trade to add premium real estate. After using three of their four fifth-round picks to acquire veterans this offseason, trading back is now the only tangible way to accomplish that, but Miller didn't have that option under this single-team mini-mock.
He also didn't catch wind of club's trade for QB Joe Milton, apparently filing his entry before Dallas acquired him for a fifth-round pick, No. 171.
Here are all 10 of his selections. Presumably the club would only be able to grab one of Elijah Roberts or Jodan Hancock, and then use one of their later picks to address either DE or CB. Dallas also brought back pick No. 217 in that Milton trade.
12. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas44. Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State76. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee149. Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame171. Elijah Roberts, DE, SMU174. Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State204. Jalen Travis, G, Iowa State211. Maxen Hook, S, Toledo239. Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota247. Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Mock Draft: ESPN sends Dallas Matthew Golden, Tyliek Williams
