2025 NFL Draft: Favorite players for Cowboys at 12 or trading back on Day 1
With only three draft picks in the Top 100, and a big gap between when they pick again in the fifth round (149th overall), the Dallas Cowboys could be looking to trade down in the first round this year to acquire more draft capital. That, of course, all depends on finding a willing trade partner.
It’s unknown right now what the Dallas Cowboys will do with the 12th overall pick in the first round. Trading down is a very real possibility, however, there are a lot of variables that may or may not make that a possibility. We have been exploring both probabilities and the players we would target in either scenario based on current roster “needs”.
Running back
Pick 12: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Trade down: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Ashton Jeanty has the talent to be elite at the next level and is definitely worthy of being selected by the Cowboys with the 12th overall pick, if he’s still available that is.
Omarion Hampton is the RB fallback for Dallas to draft if they trade down into the middle part of the first round. He checks all the boxes of the RB1 they are in need of.
Wide receiver
Pick 12: Luther Burden III, Missouri
Trade down: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Unpopular opinion, but I still like Burden for the Cowboys with Pick 12. He’s a three-level threat and a yards-after-catch demon who will be a better pro than he was in college.
In a trade down, Egbuka is the pick. He’s not flashy, but he does everything really well and would pair nicely with CeeDee Lamb. He’s considered among the most pro-ready WRs in the draft class.
Offensive line
Pick 12: Armand Membou, Missouri
Trade down: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
If Membou is still on the board for the Cowboys, that would be the picl. He’s another Tyler Smith with his OT/G versatility and is a plug-and-play starter.
Jackson is someone for a trade down. He’s probably a better G than he is an OT, but he proved he’s more than capable of being a starting caliber tackle as well.
Defensive tackle
Pick 12: Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Trade down: Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Yes, he’s another DL from Michigan, but Grant would immediately step in and be an upgrade over Mazi Smith in Dallas as a 1-technique in Matt Eberflus’ defensive scheme.
Harmon is the DT for a trade down. He can play either the 1- or 3-technique in Eberflus’ scheme and he’s one of the most disruptive DL in the draft class.
Defensive end
Pick 12: Mike Green, Marshall
Trade down: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Pairing Mike Green with Micah Parsons would be a good idea. His agility and ability to convert speed into power off the edge as a pass rusher would give Dallas a fearsome DE duo.
Ezeiruaku is an underrated first-round pass rusher choice if they trade down. He may be a little undersized (6’2″, 248), but his ability to get after the QB is high quality.
Linebacker
Pick 12: Jalon Walker, Georgia
Trade down: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Walker is one of the best players in the draft class, but he’s a bit of a LB/EDGE tweener. He could possibly play both roles in Dallas, much like Micah Parsons did early on.
If Dallas had more of a “need” at LB Campbell could be in play at 12. Trading down a few picks and drafting him later would even be better. He’d be a upgrade at either MLB or WILL.
Cornerback
Pick 12: Jahdae Barron, Texas
Trade down: Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Position flex to play anywhere the secondary and his high football IQ makes Barron an intriguing pick at 12 for Dallas. He could be an ideal fit in Matt Eberflus’ defense.
If Dallas doesn’t take a CB at 12 and is able to trade down, Hairston is the next guy. His scheme versatility, speed, and ball skills can make him an enticing pick.