The Dallas Cowboys need offensive additions if they’re going to challenge their fierce rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, in the NFC East. According to a recent mock draft by Rob Rang for Fox Sports, they don’t have to look far — the team is projected to take Texas prospect Matthew Golden in the first round.
Dallas Cowboys Take Matthew Golden With 12th Overall Pick in Mock
It’s impossible to say what might’ve happened in 2024 if Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott hadn’t missed more than half of the season due to injury. The team finished with a 7-10 record, only their second losing season since Prescott was drafted in 2016. Those two losing seasons are also the only times Prescott has played fewer than 10 games.
While it’s clear that the health of their franchise quarterback is crucial to Dallas’ success, Prescott’s supporting cast isn’t what it once was. Since trading away star receiver Amari Cooper in 2022, the team has leaned heavily on CeeDee Lamb in the passing game.
But according to Rang, the Cowboys can fix that by drafting Golden, who he believes has “star” potential.
“With all due respect to Jalen Tolbert and the rest of the Cowboys’ supporting cast at wide receiver, Dallas needs to give Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb a little help in the passing game. In just 4.29 seconds at the Combine, Golden cemented his first-round stock, boasting not only elite speed but the playmaking ability to project as a ‘star’ in the NFL.”
Golden certainly caught attention with his blazing 40-yard dash time in Indianapolis, but his route-running and sure hands are just as impressive as his explosiveness. While highly unlikely to usurp Lamb in Dallas, Golden would give the team the one-two punch at receiver that it lost when Cooper departed.
PFSN Mock Sends Golden to Cleveland, But Dallas Still Gets Its Playmaker
In a very different scenario, Marco Enriquez’s latest two-round mock has Golden lasting until Day 2. He wouldn’t be waiting long, however, as the mock predicts the receiver to join Cam Ward with the Cleveland Browns to kick off the second round. Golden continues to be one of the toughest prospects for analysts to place in mock drafts, as these two potential outcomes remain distinct possibilities.
While Dallas wouldn’t be adding receiver help in Enriquez’s prediction, they would address an arguably bigger issue. The Cowboys were tied for the third-fewest rushing yards per attempt in 2024 while scoring just six rushing touchdowns — the fewest in the NFL.
Enriquez projects Dallas to fix that weakness by selecting the top running back in the 2025 class.
“The Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads in their division. Their recent decisions have left them in a tough spot, and rather than fixing key areas, they may once again opt for flash over substance.”
Ashton Jeanty is a nimble, agile runner with elite vision. His ability to identify and exploit running lanes is exceptional. Last year, he forced 163 missed tackles, breaking the FBS single-season record. For context, Bijan Robinson forced 112 missed tackles in 2022.
If selected, Jeanty could become the Cowboys’ offensive engine, even if their offensive line remains a concern.
Jeanty had the same number of rushing touchdowns after just his first game of the 2024 season as the Cowboys managed all year. While their offensive line may be an issue, the Cowboys need to add playmakers after paying the price for failing to do so last season.