The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to the bright lights and high expectations of the NFL Draft. Every April, the franchise that has long claimed the moniker of “America’s Team” draws intense attention from fans, pundits, and rivals alike. With a loyal national following and a front office that rarely shies away from drama, every draft season feels like a stage — and this year’s may include an unexpected twist.
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cowboys are widely expected to target offensive help in the first round. With lingering questions along the offensive line, the need for a consistent second wide receiver, and future uncertainty at running back, most mock drafts have Dallas selecting an offensive player with their first pick. But according to multiple league sources and whispers inside the Star, the Cowboys may be preparing to pull a curveball — one aimed at fortifying the other side of the ball.
A defensive player in Round 1? It may not be what fans are expecting, but it’s quickly becoming what insiders are forecasting.
Dallas enters the draft with a roster full of talent but also full of question marks. Micah Parsons remains the face of the defense, a generational hybrid talent capable of wrecking games from multiple positions. But the team around him is in flux. Longtime defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has left for a head coaching job, and new DC Mike Zimmer brings with him a hard-nosed philosophy that may require different personnel. Aging veterans, expiring contracts, and recent injuries have opened cracks in a unit once feared across the NFC. The front office may feel the time is now to address it — with urgency.
The defensive line is one area that could be ripe for reinforcements. While Parsons can line up as an edge rusher, the Cowboys have yet to consistently generate interior pressure, especially in big moments. Osa Odighizuwa has shown flashes, but the team has lacked a dominant presence in the middle. If a disruptive defensive tackle like Michigan’s Kris Jenkins or Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton is available when the Cowboys are on the clock, don’t be surprised if they pounce.
There’s also the linebacker position, which has quietly become a need. Leighton Vander Esch’s future is cloudy due to persistent injury concerns, and the Cowboys haven’t consistently replaced his production. Zimmer, known for his affinity for smart, physical linebackers, could push the front office to consider someone like Payton Wilson from NC State or Junior Colson from Michigan — both of whom fit the profile of what Dallas might now prioritize: speed, instincts, and tackling.
And then there’s the secondary. On paper, the Cowboys boast one of the NFL’s most talented cornerback tandems in Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. But Diggs is coming off a torn ACL, and the unit’s depth remains a question mark. Safety is another area to watch. Malik Hooker has been solid, but Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse are aging and battling injuries. If a playmaker like Georgia’s Malaki Starks or USC’s Calen Bullock drops into their range, the Cowboys might be tempted to shift priorities — even if wide receiver or offensive line talent is still on the board.
The Cowboys’ front office, led by Jerry and Stephen Jones, has a long history of going their own way on draft night. From selecting CeeDee Lamb in 2020 despite a deep WR room to reaching for need with Taco Charlton in 2017, Dallas is often unpredictable. The Joneses have shown they aren’t afraid to pass up perceived value if they believe a player can change the course of their franchise.
In this case, shifting to defense in Round 1 wouldn’t just be about plugging holes — it would be about identity. With McCarthy on the hot seat, Zimmer wanting a unit he can mold, and an offense already under the microscope, building a defense that can win games on its own might be the smartest path forward. The NFC landscape has changed dramatically. The Eagles, 49ers, and Lions all feature dominant defenses that take over games. If the Cowboys want to return to the top tier of the conference, they may need to double down on defense.
There’s also a strategic element to consider. The 2025 NFL Draft is considered deep in wide receiver and offensive tackle talent. If the Cowboys believe they can find starting-level offensive contributors in the second or third round — and there’s historical precedent that suggests they can — then taking a defensive difference-maker early might be a case of smart board management rather than a reach.
Timing is everything, and the Cowboys know it. Micah Parsons is eligible for a contract extension soon, and he won’t come cheap. Trevon Diggs is already under a massive deal. The window to win with their current core is narrowing, and Dallas can’t afford to sit back and hope the pieces fall into place. They have to act, and that means investing in players who can immediately tilt the field — especially on defense, where games are often won or lost in January.
Drafting a defensive player in Round 1 would also serve as a message. It would signal to the locker room, to Zimmer, and to the fans that this team is serious about physicality, about versatility, and about finally building a championship-caliber unit. For all of Dallas’ recent playoff appearances, it’s been defense — not offense — that has come up short in critical moments. Whether it was getting gashed by the run, failing to generate turnovers, or simply not getting stops late, the defense has to evolve if the Cowboys want to play into February.
Of course, a defensive curveball would be met with some skepticism. Fans have been clamoring for help on the offensive line, especially after watching Dak Prescott under siege in recent playoff losses. The departure of Tyron Smith, ongoing inconsistency from Tyler Biadasz, and age catching up with Zack Martin have all contributed to concerns about Prescott’s protection and the run game’s effectiveness. In that context, passing on an elite tackle like Alabama’s JC Latham or Penn State’s Olu Fashanu could be a tough pill to swallow.
Similarly, wide receiver is a need. Brandin Cooks was solid last year but will turn 32 before the season starts. Michael Gallup has yet to return to form following his injury. If Dallas had a shot at a game-breaking wideout like Emeka Egbuka or LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., some would argue that passing on such a talent could haunt them.
But the NFL Draft is as much about long-term vision as it is about immediate need. And if the Cowboys believe a defensive player can elevate the team’s ceiling — not just fill a gap — then taking him in Round 1 becomes less a surprise and more a statement.
It wouldn’t be the first time Dallas zigged when everyone expected them to zag. In fact, some of their most successful picks came from that very approach. The selection of Micah Parsons in 2021 raised eyebrows at the time — Dallas had just lost Chidobe Awuzie and needed secondary help. But passing on a corner for Parsons changed the trajectory of the defense. Three years later, he’s the most dominant defender on the team. Could history repeat itself?
There’s also growing buzz that the Cowboys are looking for “alpha” personalities — tone-setters who can bring grit, leadership, and edge. With players like Demarcus Lawrence aging and others entering contract years, the team may be looking to infuse fresh blood into the defensive huddle — someone who can command attention, galvanize teammates, and make plays when they matter most.
Ultimately, the Cowboys’ draft strategy will come down to one question: What gets them closer to a Super Bowl in 2025?
If the answer is protecting Dak and reloading the offense, then expect the chalk pick. But if the answer is toughness, turnovers, and taking over games defensively, then the Cowboys may very well be preparing to make their most surprising — and perhaps most important — first-round pick in years.
As the draft draws near, keep an eye on the defensive board. The curveball may not be just a rumor — it may be the Cowboys’ masterstroke.
