Look, being a Dallas Cowboys fan is basically a full-time job in emotional management. We spent all of last season watching the "all-in" promise evaporate into a 7-9-1 finish that felt even worse than the record looked. Now it’s January 2026, the dust has settled on a chaotic 2025 season, and everyone is already screaming about the draft.
But here’s the thing. Most people looking at an nfl mock draft 2025 cowboys are still living in 2024. They’re thinking about old holes. The reality? The roster shifted under our feet last year. We saw Dak Prescott somehow play some of the best football of his career after that hamstring surgery, and we saw George Pickens—who we basically stole from Pittsburgh—turn into a genuine monster next to CeeDee Lamb.
But the offensive line? That was a car wreck. And don't even get me started on the Micah Parsons trade to Green Bay. Yeah, it happened. It still stings. But that trade is exactly why this next draft is the most important one Jerry Jones has faced in a decade.
The Tyler Booker Impact and Why the Trenches Aren't Fixed
If you followed the 2025 draft, you know the Cowboys took Tyler Booker at No. 12. Honestly, he was a godsend. He stepped into that right guard spot and played with an "alpha" nastiness we haven't seen since Larry Allen was clearing paths. He’s a cornerstone. No doubt.
But the rest of the "Wall" is leaning. Tyler Guyton struggled so much at left tackle that the coaching staff is already whispering about moving him to the right side to compete with Terrence Steele. Steele hasn't been the same since his injury, especially in pass protection.
When you look at a current nfl mock draft 2025 cowboys, you have to realize that the interior is "okay," but the edges are fraying. If the Cowboys don't find a legitimate blindside protector, it doesn't matter if Dak throws for 4,500 yards again—he's going to be doing it from his back half the time.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Ashton Jeanty (And Why They Might Be Wrong)
You can't go through a single Twitter thread without seeing Ashton Jeanty’s name. The Boise State kid is a local Frisco legend, and his 2024 college tape was basically a video game. Everyone wants him in a star helmet.
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But honestly? Javonte Williams was a revelation in 2025. He put up over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns. He recaptured that rookie magic he had in Denver. So, does Jerry really pull the trigger on a high-round RB when the defense is missing its heartbeat?
"Positional value will hurt Jeanty’s spot... but there’s no denying his stellar season." — This was the refrain all through 2025.
If the Cowboys are sitting in the middle of the first round again, the temptation to grab a "flashy" pick like Jeanty or even a receiver to replace the aging vets is huge. But the smart money? It's on the secondary or the edge.
The Micah-Sized Hole in the Defense
Losing Micah Parsons to the Packers was the "Red Wedding" of the 2025 offseason. It allowed the team to extend DaRon Bland and Tyler Smith, sure, but the pass rush took a massive hit. Donovan Ezeiruaku, the 2025 second-rounder, has been better than expected—PFF has him as a top-20 edge rusher—but he can't do it alone.
The 2025 season showed us that the Cowboys' defense only had 12 takeaways. That is pathetic. Tied for third-worst in the league. Without Micah creating chaos, the quarterbacks had all day to pick apart a secondary that was frequently missing Bland due to nagging injuries.
When you're building your nfl mock draft 2025 cowboys, you have to look at guys who can actually generate pressure. We don't need "depth players" anymore. We need a blue-chip disruptor.
Real Needs vs. Mock Draft Hype
- Offensive Tackle: Tyler Guyton is a question mark. We need a "sure thing" at LT if we’re moving Tyler Smith back and forth.
- Defensive Tackle: Mazi Smith is still... well, Mazi Smith. We need a 1-tech who actually demands a double team.
- Cornerback Depth: Beyond Bland and Trevon Diggs, it gets thin fast.
- The "Jerry Pick": There’s always a chance he ignores all of this and takes a quarterback like Quinn Ewers just to put pressure on Dak. It’s Jerry. You never know.
What Really Happened with the 2025 Class
Let's look at the "Tyler Trio." Tyler Smith, Tyler Guyton, and Tyler Booker. It sounds like a law firm, but it’s the future of the franchise. Booker was a home run. Guyton? The jury is still out.
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Then you have Shemar James. A fifth-round linebacker who ended up second on the team in tackles with 56. That’s the kind of scouting that keeps this team afloat while the front office mismanages the salary cap.
Speaking of the cap, the Cowboys are projected to be roughly $31 million over for 2026. This means the draft isn't just about getting better; it’s about finding cheap starters because they literally cannot afford to keep everyone. George Pickens is going to want $30 million a year after the season he just had. Where is that money coming from?
The Verdict on the 2025 Mock Draft Strategy
The biggest misconception is that the Cowboys are "one player away." They aren't. They are a team with an elite passing ceiling and a floor made of wet cardboard.
If you're looking at an nfl mock draft 2025 cowboys today, stop looking at the skill positions. The 2025 offense was 2nd in total yards and 7th in points. The offense is fine. The defense and the protection are the house of cards.
Your Actionable Scouting Plan
- Watch the tackles: Focus on guys like Kelvin Banks Jr. or Will Campbell. If they slide, Dallas has to move.
- Ignore the RB noise: Unless Jeanty falls to a ridiculous spot, the Cowboys proved they can find production from vets like Javonte Williams and late-rounders like Jaydon Blue.
- Check the medicals: The Cowboys have a habit of taking "value" picks with injury histories (like Shavon Revel Jr. in '25). It bit them last year. They need healthy, Day 1 starters.
- Track the George Pickens contract: If they can't re-sign him, WR1 suddenly becomes a massive draft need again, which would be a disaster for the defense.
Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl and the Combine. The Cowboys' front office usually tips their hand early by who they spend time with in Mobile. This team loves "big school" pedigree, especially from the SEC. If you see them hovering around an Alabama or Georgia lineman, that's your pick.
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The 2026 offseason is going to be a wild ride. Jerry is 83. The window is closing. And the draft is the only way out of this cap hell.