The Cowboys Make Dubious Selections in the Most Recent Mel Kiper Jr. Mock Draft: A Closer Look at the Picks and What They Mean for the Team’s Future
The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting events for football fans, especially those who closely follow their favorite teams’ strategies. For the Dallas Cowboys, the draft is a crucial part of maintaining their competitiveness in the NFC East and across the NFL. Each year, general manager Jerry Jones and his team of scouts must navigate the complexities of roster construction, balancing immediate needs with long-term goals. However, as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock draft has raised eyebrows among Cowboys fans and analysts alike. His selections for the Cowboys in the first few rounds of the draft have sparked debates, with many questioning whether they are the right choices for the team’s future.
Kiper, one of the most respected draft analysts in the industry, has a long track record of making bold predictions, and his mock drafts are often closely followed by both fans and team executives. In this mock, he made several surprising selections for the Cowboys, and while some of them may seem intriguing, they also raise important questions about the direction in which the team is headed. Are these the right picks to push the Cowboys back into Super Bowl contention, or are they a misstep in a crucial draft?
First-Round Pick: A Shocker at the Top
The first pick in Kiper’s mock draft for the Cowboys was a head-scratcher for many. Instead of selecting a player who could immediately impact the team’s biggest areas of need, such as offensive line or defensive back, Kiper projected the Cowboys to take a wide receiver in the first round. While wide receiver is certainly an important position for Dallas, many experts feel that the team’s more pressing needs lie in other areas.
The Position of Need: Wide Receiver vs. Offensive Line
At first glance, it might seem like an upgrade at wide receiver could make sense. The Cowboys already boast one of the league’s best receiving duos with CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, but they could certainly use more depth at the position, especially considering the team’s lack of consistent production from their third and fourth receivers last season. However, the Cowboys have more glaring needs in other areas.
The offensive line, while still talented, has started to show signs of age and decline. Tyron Smith is no longer the elite left tackle he once was, and with a younger quarterback in Dak Prescott, the Cowboys need to focus on bolstering the protection up front. The team also struggled with consistency in the running game last season, and part of that issue stems from the play of the offensive line.
With several top-tier offensive line prospects available in the first round, many expected the Cowboys to go in that direction. However, Kiper’s decision to go with a wide receiver first raised alarms, as it felt like a luxury pick in a draft that could set the team up for long-term success. While Lamb and Gallup are solid options, the Cowboys need to prioritize building a better, more dominant offensive line to ensure Prescott’s safety and to open up more opportunities for the running game. Choosing a receiver over an offensive lineman in this situation could be a questionable move that neglects the fundamental issues plaguing the team.
The Argument for Adding Depth to the Receiving Corps
That said, Kiper’s selection could be justified by the idea that adding depth at wide receiver is not only about giving Prescott more weapons, but also creating a more dynamic and explosive offense. The Cowboys’ offense, under offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, has struggled with consistency at times. Adding a highly talented wide receiver could give Prescott a bigger safety net, particularly in crucial third-down situations or when the team is playing from behind.
Additionally, there’s the possibility that the Cowboys are looking to future-proof the position. Gallup’s contract situation has raised some questions about his long-term future in Dallas, and with Lamb entering the prime of his career, the team could be thinking about maintaining its elite pass-catching group for years to come. This might be especially important if the Cowboys are planning to make Prescott the centerpiece of the offense for the foreseeable future.
However, while this reasoning has merit, the Cowboys would still be better served by addressing their offensive line issues first. A dominant offensive line can elevate the entire offense and take pressure off the quarterback, running backs, and receivers. Without an effective offensive line, even the most talented wide receiver may struggle to make an impact.
Second-Round Pick: A Defensive Surprise
Kiper’s second-round selection for the Cowboys was another eyebrow-raiser, though not for the same reasons as the first-round pick. In this case, Kiper projected the Cowboys to draft a defensive player—an edge rusher, to be specific. While the Cowboys’ defense is one of the best in the league, and they already have a solid rotation of pass rushers, the team could always use more depth at this position, especially considering the ever-evolving nature of the NFL.
Why This Pick Doesn’t Make Sense
While adding depth to the pass rush is important, the Cowboys’ defense is already in a strong position. DeMarcus Lawrence, Micah Parsons, and a few other contributors already make up one of the most dangerous defensive fronts in the NFL. Adding another edge rusher might seem unnecessary, especially when other areas of the defense need attention.
The secondary, in particular, is an area where the Cowboys could use some help. Trevon Diggs has been a solid contributor, but Dallas could use a more consistent presence opposite him at cornerback. Safety is another position that has raised questions, as Malik Hooker has had his share of injury issues, and the team could certainly use more stability in the back end of their defense.
Given the current makeup of the Cowboys’ defense, a pass rusher in the second round may not be the most prudent selection. While a strong defensive line is critical to any team’s success, the Cowboys should focus more on the secondary and other areas where they have glaring weaknesses.
Third-Round Pick: A Quarterback for the Future?
Kiper’s third-round pick for the Cowboys might be the most controversial of all. The analyst projected the Cowboys to select a quarterback in the third round, which raised immediate concerns among Cowboys fans. After all, the team has Dak Prescott locked in as their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, and the backup quarterback position is already occupied by Cooper Rush, who has shown himself to be a capable fill-in when needed.
Is This the Right Move for the Cowboys?
On one hand, the idea of selecting a quarterback for the future makes some sense. Prescott has dealt with injuries in recent years, and while Rush has performed admirably in relief, the Cowboys could benefit from having a young, developmental quarterback who could step in if needed. However, using a third-round pick on a quarterback seems like an inefficient use of resources. The Cowboys are in win-now mode, and with so many immediate needs across the roster, investing a premium pick in a quarterback who likely won’t see the field for several years could be a questionable decision.
The Cowboys need to focus on immediate contributors, especially given the competition within the NFC East. Drafting a quarterback in the third round may simply be a luxury that the team cannot afford. There are more pressing needs on both sides of the ball, particularly in the trenches and the secondary.
The Broader Implications of These Selections
While Kiper’s mock draft selections for the Cowboys are intriguing, they don’t necessarily align with the team’s immediate needs. The Cowboys are in a position where they need to build around Prescott and create a balanced team capable of making a Super Bowl run. Prioritizing luxury picks like a wide receiver, edge rusher, and quarterback may hinder their ability to address their most pressing concerns.
In order for the Cowboys to truly contend for a championship, they need to focus on building a stronger offensive line, improving the secondary, and adding depth at key positions without sacrificing immediate impact players. If Kiper’s projections are correct, the Cowboys may find themselves in a precarious position, relying too much on speculative picks instead of addressing their known weaknesses.