The Dallas Cowboys are taking on an outside-in approach early in the 2025 NFL draft. Brian Schottenheimer has discussed the importance of adding players who can routinely win one-one-one battles. Players in isolation can be gamechangers and those gamechangers are typically found on the outside rather than the inside.
So, what becomes of the inside?
Defensive tackle happens to be a major need on the Cowboys this offseason. The first month of free agency has done little to address this need making the upcoming draft Dallas’ best way to take steps forward in their defensive interior. If positions like receiver, cornerback, defensive end and possibly offensive tackle are all taking priority, defensive tackle looks to lose out big in 2025.
There’s no reason not to trust what Schottenheimer has been telling reporters.
His idea of targeting gamechangers early seems to mesh with the front office’s tendencies of the past. Based on comments speaking directly to Dallas’ first round pick, No. 12 overall, the Cowboys are categorizing this early selection separately from previous first-round picks that have fallen in the back portion of the draft. It stands to reason their outside-in strategy applies predominantly to that No. 12 pick and doesn’t necessarily prevent them from addressing an inside position as soon as Day 2.
The 2025 draft class is rich in DT talent and should feature significant role players deep into Round 3. 1-techs typically slip in drafts because they are more run-focused and one-dimensional than their 3-tech counterparts. Since the Cowboys are specifically, but not exclusively, in the market for someone who can play 1-tech, it speaks well to their ability to find one in the middle parts of the draft.
A look at the profiles from this years draft class versus last years (per @fball_insights) gives you an idea of how great this years DT prospects are.
— Tristan Duarte (@Trisduar1) February 27, 2025
There's a reason why 41 DTs were invited to the combine in 2025, and just 25 were in 2024.
Deep & loaded class. pic.twitter.com/xv4kbjIWLY
Whether Dallas will or won't depends on their ability to fill other needs. WR and CB are must-haves this draft cycle because the roster is desperately lacking in such areas. It’s hard to envision a successful draft with those two positions not making up two of their top three picks. That’s where plug-and-play CB and WR starters are found.
Assuming Dallas can be more patient at other positions of need like running back and defensive end, they could theoretically select a DT in the third or possibly even the second round. If stopping the run is ...
