Blogging The Boys
The draft is over and it’s time to process everything we learned about what the Cowboys did.
The 2025 NFL Draft is over. The Dallas Cowboys maneuvered through the weekend and landed nine new football players. It’s hard to formulate any opinions this soon, but many fans believe they did a pretty good job in the draft. Whether that’s true or not remains to be seen, but there are some things we do know about this draft process thanks to what they did and what they told us in their post-draft press conferences. Here are ten things we learned about the Cowboys during the draft.
1. Tetairoa McMillan was their target
The Cowboys were hoping Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian slid to 12, but he never made it as he was selected eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers. Multiple sources have indicated McMillan would have been the team’s pick had he been there, but it wasn’t meant to be. This was a question the fanbase was most interested in during the weeks leading up to the draft, and now we know.
2. The Cowboys were looking to trade back
The team was interested in moving back in the draft and had discussions with the Houston Texans, who held the 25th overall pick. It’s not clear who the Texans were targeting at 12, but whatever they were offering Dallas, it wasn’t enough. Houston didn’t like their spot in the draft and ultimately traded out of the first round later in the draft with the New York Giants, who moved up to select QB Jaxon Dart.
3. They want to own the line of scrimmage
The investment the team has in Dak Prescott needs to be reinforced with better offensive line play. With the size that their NFC East foes have along the interior defensive line, upgrading the middle of the Cowboys' offensive line is important. They want to move people, and Tyler Booker is an “alpha” who has the power to do just that. Combined with Tyler Smith and Cooper Beebe, the core of their run game just got a whole lot stronger.
4. They were prepared
The day before the draft, Will McClay put the group through different scenarios so they could react quickly when they were on the clock. They didn’t specify the details of the scenario in question, but they had spent an hour rehearsing the exact dilemma they faced when pick 12 came around.
5. Walter Nolen was the other guy
When talking about their decision at 12, Jones let it slip that “Nolen was on the board,” leading us to believe that it ultimately came down to Booker and Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. It wasn’t the Sophie’s Choice they seemed to face when debating between Mazi Smith and Matthew Bergeron in 2023. Booker was clearly their guy, as this time they chose the lineman over the defensive tackle.
6. Talent took precedence over needs
The Cowboys were more active this offseason in filling voids...
