With Round 1 of the NFL draft finally upon us, it’s time to check the big board one last time. We’ll try to zero in on what the Cowboys will do with Pick No. 12, but a few last-minute projections could be muddying up the waters. Even as wide receiver seems like the obvious play, there are new names to suddenly consider, according to some sources. Plus, what if what Jerry Jones said about a trade or two is true? We’ll dive into likely scenarios… plus another one that’s just plain bonkers.
That brings us to Micah Parsons. The front office seems to be bracing for another high-profile holdout, but Parsons himself says he won’t go there. That doesn’t mean he’s not taking action during his contract talks; we’ll tell you what he has in mind. All that, plus a trio of current Cowboys youngsters share their thoughts on taking a big step up in the locker room this year.
When it comes to Micah Parsons’ extension, Jerry Jones, Cowboys aren’t afraid of a holdout :: Dallas Morning News
Those earlier talks between Parsons and Jones haven’t gone anywhere since. And although Parsons says he would like to get a deal done before reporting to Oxnard on July 21, the front office appears- as usual- to be in no hurry. Look at how things played out with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb recently… or Emmitt Smith years ago. “When you do have holdouts, it’s a plus that’s embarked that goes on between the players and the teams and I know you don’t need that kind of history lesson,” Jones said this week. “We had it with [Zack] Martin, and Martin held out. One way to look at it was: we got him [extended] and had a helluva year with him.”
Micah Parsons plans ‘hold in’, Dallas Cowboys have yet to talk to agent David Mulugheta :: All City DLLS
Parsons says he’ll keep showing up for team activities, but he likely won’t participate in any on-field workouts without a new contract. That would at least allow him to stay on track with learning Matt Eberflus’s new defense. Parsons has expressed the importance of hitting the ground running in Week 1.
For Micah Parsons, yesterday’s price is not today’s price. Neither is tomorrow’s :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Parsons said back in December that he didn’t need to be the highest-paid defender in the league. At the time, $40 million per season would have been $6 million more than any other non-quarterback. But the price then is no longer the price now: Myles Garrett has already reached the $40 million mark. “You look at the market, Maxx [Crosby] goes and gets $35.5 million and guys that are older than you that you can say your production and versatility matches what they are doing, I would say I’m more in my prime than see some of these guys,” Parsons explained. “That’s the challenging part, getting fully of what you’re worth.”
Cowboys predicted to trade EDGE Micah Parsons to rebuilding AFC team led by $160 million superstar :: Pro Football & Sports Network
Buckle up for this wacky prediction. In it, the Cowboys send Parsons and the team’s No. 12 pick in the draft to Cleveland. Dallas gets defensive end Isaiah McGuire, the No. 2 pick, the No. 67 pick, and a 2026 second-rounder. Then the Cowboys take Colorado’s Travis Hunter “with the intention of playing him at both wide receiver and cornerback.” They also get Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson in the second, and even Mississippi edge rusher Princely Umanmielen later on.
‘WR or bust’ is short-sighted, possibly disastrous draft strategy for Cowboys :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys should be somewhat wary of any wide receiver not named Tetairoa McMillan. The other three of this year’s top choices would likely fall pretty far down the board in any other draft class. Chasing one of them now out of need will encourage the team to stick with that player even longer in an attempt to make the investment pay off. There are free agents left out there and veterans who can be targeted in a trade, and next year’s class of wide receivers looks excellent. If Golden, Egbuka, or Burden is really their guy, they should draft him. But they shouldn’t settle for him.
Final Cowboys 7-round Mock: Trade back nets veteran 1,000-yard WR, draft 2 RBs :: Cowboys Wire
Forget McMillan and Golden. This mock has Dallas trading its first-round pick (and a fifth-rounder) to the Lions in exchange for Detroit’s No. 28 selection and 2022 first-rounder Jameson Williams. He comes with baggage, but he did turn a 1,000-yard season last year. They still end up with Omarion Hampton… and get Bayshul Tuten later. The haul also includes Toledo DT Darius Alexander, Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo, North Carolina CB Alijah Huzzie, and several others, plus linebacker Jay Higgins from Iowa.
ESPN: Sources suggest Cowboys could make shocking pick at No. 12 in NFL draft :: Cowboys Wire
ESPN’s Peter Schrager did a mock of what he thinks might happen Thursday, based on what he’s hearing from his NFL sources. Those sources tell him the Cowboys could make a surprise move and select Alabama guard Tyler Booker with the No. 12 pick. Yes, it would fill the hole left by Zack Martin, but it would do nothing for the other, more obvious gaps at wide receiver, running back, and cornerback.
PFF, Cris Collinsworth mock consensus All-American OL to Cowboys in 2025 Draft :: Cowboys Wire
PFF is also thinking offensive line for Dallas, with Collinsworth selecting LSU tackle Will Campbell at No. 12 overall. He admits, though, that the talented lineman who can play all five O-line spots likely won’t fall that far in real life.
NFL Draft Day Predictor 2025: Forecasting Round 1 picks :: ESPN
Ashton Jeanty fans, look away. According to the network’s interactive tool, there’s almost no chance the Boise State RB will still be available with the 12th pick. Tetairoa McMillan, however, has a likelihood of 60% of being there and a relatively high chance of actually being taken with the No. 12 pick. Things also look good for Matthew Golden in that slot. The highest mathematical probability of being selected 12th, though? Jahdae Barron, Tyler Warren, and Will Johnson.
Jerry Jones says the Dallas Cowboys are going to make a trade during the 2025 NFL Draft and these stars make the most sense :: A to Z Sports
The owner’s comments about “working on pretty substantive trades” during the Cowboys’ pre-draft press conference have some wondering who they might be targeting. Given their own needs and the status of several current playmakers around the league, Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is one possibility. Or maybe a running back: Tampa Bay’s Rachaad White and Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne seem to be trade-block candidates.
Tyler Smith, Jake Ferguson, DaRon Bland on contract talks, leadership, more :: The Mothership
Bland confirms that no contract talks have started in his camp; he says he’s focused on the upcoming season. Ferguson admits the possibility of a long-term deal makes this year mean “maybe a little bit more” but says he’s working to lock in with Dak Prescott over the offseason. Smith knows he’ll be looked to in a new way with Zack Martin gone. “I’ve got to continue the culture,” he explained, “The standard is still the standard.”
Cowboys Draft Cheatsheet: Top 5 prospects at each position on offense :: Cowboys Wire
With just 11 picks coming before their turn, the Cowboys will mathematically have the chance to draft the top prospect at several positions. From running backs and wide receivers to edge rushers and cornerbacks, here’s your cheat sheet for the best at each spot on the field going into Thursday night.
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