Cowboys Under Immense Pressure to Nail Pick No. 12

The last two years have been the opposite. Mazi Smith and Tyler Guyton have had their ups and downs, but so far don’t look like first-round-quality players. DeMarvion Overshown and Marshawn Kneeland were good picks a their value. Injuries have unfortunately clouded their talent to start their young careers.

2025 is the perfect class for Dallas to turn things around. They have high-value picks in the top 15 of the first two days and will look to utilize them. Their No. 12 pick is their most important since Micah Parsons. Coincidentally, they also picked the perennial talent at 12. Is that their lucky number? Will they trade back?

Here are the most ideal situations for the Cowboys on Thursday night.

Hampton Gets the Reins

One of the more obvious picks for Dallas to make.

Omarion Hampton was one of the top backs in his recruiting class back in 2022. Since he arrived at North Carolina, he lived up to the hype. He was named the full-time starter in 2023 and has since put together back-to-back campaigns of 1,500+ yards and 15 touchdowns. He left UNC fourth in career rushing yards.

His production is elite, and his physicals are even better. Hampton left the combine with a Relative Athletic Score of 9.70. This detailed, phenomenal testing includes the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump. The Tar Heels’ RAS was ranked 64th out of the 2,106 running backs to score since 1987.

Stats and measurements combine to make Hampton one of the best running back prospects over the last few years. He was the definition of a workhorse at UNC and has an ideal blend of size and speed.

The only reason scouts might have him lower on draft boards is due to his position. Running backs have entered a renaissance, however. The value Hampton would bring to Dallas would be more than enough to justify selecting him 12th.

Saving Private Prescott

Losing two of the best to ever do it will be felt next season. Zack Martin‘s retirement wasn’t a shock, but it still hurt fans. Tyron Smith‘s one-year stint with the Jets was a sign that a return was not in line.

2024 was a down year for the Cowboys’ offensive line. Tyler Smith and Cooper Beebe were the only stars who will be returning next season. Tyler Guyton continues to be a project. Terence Steele was one of the best run-blocking tackles, but his pass protection is lackluster. Dak Prescott, coming off a hamstring injury, could also lead Jerry Jones to prioritize protecting his $60 million man.

The Cowboys would have to pay the board in this scenario. If teams are out on Will Campbell‘s arm size, he could fall to 12. The easiest way to replace Hall of Fame talent is to bring a prospect like Campbell. He’s been one of the most efficient tackles in college football since his first start at LSU. He has started every game he has played over the last three seasons and has been a leader for the Tigers. His IQ is elite, and his technique in pass protection is something to fall in love with, despite his arm length.

If Campbell falls to 12, Jerry Jones has to pull the trigger no matter what.

That may be wishful thinking, though. A lot of teams could lean towards the security a prospect like Campbell brings. If it’s not him, the Cowboys would be better off looking to trade back. Dallas has been doing a lot of work on the linemen available. If they lock in on a lineman on night one, moving back might be their best course of action.

Complementing Lamb

The Cowboys desperately need a playmaker opposite of CeeDee Lamb.

Lamb is coming off his third straight year with 100+ receptions. He’s undoubtedly one of the league’s best at his position and is a highlight waiting to happen.

However, the rest of Dallas’s weapons have been underwhelming. Jalen Tolbert is the team’s current WR2. He led the team in receiving touchdowns, but had just 610 yards. While that’s still good production, those aren’t numbers for a modern second option. Even though the Cowboys are looking to be a run-first team, another receiver would help complement the other components of this offense.

If this is the round one ideology, a trade back would be the best-case scenario, regardless of who is available at 12. Trading into the back half of the first would have players like Matthew Golden, Luther Burden III, and Emeka Egbuka at their valued spots. It’s not out of the picture for Dallas to go with Tetairoa McMillan at 12.

However, he’s begun to take a fall in mock drafts.

This scenario could perhaps be the best for the Cowboys. You gain more value in a class that’s deep at all the positions you need. Turning 12 into a productive receiver and an additional day two pick could give Dallas that extra jolt they’ve been looking for in the draft.

A lot of eyes are on Jerry Jones’s crew.

As they continue to live and die by the draft, fans will get to see how prepared the Cowboys are to live up to that promise in 2025.