The Dallas Cowboys need a rebound season in the worst way in 2025. They finished 7-10 after losing quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 9 and the offense was lifeless in the second half of the season.
They’ve already lost Brandin Cooks to free agency, and CeeDee Lamb needs a running mate to return to form next season. NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay recently released his second mock draft and predicts the Cowboys will add a receiver in the first round.
Draft Analyst Expects Cowboys To Draft Texas WR at No. 12
Dallas’ offense was a mess with Cooper Rush filling in once Prescott went down. Rush did admirably in his first extended action as a starter, going 4-4 while throwing for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, the offense lost much of its potency without Prescott. Lamb’s production dropped to 1,194 yards and six touchdowns, while the second-most productive receiver was Jalen Tolbert, who recorded 610 yards.
The unit finished No. 23 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last season with a nonexistent run game paced by the recently departed Rico Dowdle. He led the team with 1,079 rushing yards and just two touchdowns.
It won’t be shocking if the Cowboys address the offense with the 12th pick, and McShay expects them to take Texas receiver Matthew Golden in his latest mock draft. He wrote, “Drafting Golden to pair with CeeDee Lamb would give Dak Prescott the playmakers he needs to carry this offense in the fall. Golden was the fastest WR at the combine and second-fastest player, but he’s not just a burner.
“He’s an unbelievably crisp route runner whose ability to drop his weight on intermediate breaks at his top-speed is a lot of fun to watch on tape. Add his pension for contorting his body to make difficult catches to the equation, and that’s why I securely have Golden sitting at WR1 on my draft board.”
The true junior spent his first two college seasons at Houston before transferring to Texas. Golden handled the SEC move well posting 58 receptions, 987 yards, and a conference-leading nine touchdowns in 2024. He’s been productive each year in college totaling 22 receiving scores over his three-year career.
PFSN’s Ben Rolfe agrees with McShay and has the Cowboys taking Golden at No. 12 in his latest seven-round mock draft. Rolfe wrote, “In terms of need, it makes sense as the Cowboys lost Brandin Cooks and do not have a definitive No. 2 in their offense.
“Golden can be that difference-maker opposite CeeDee Lamb. He has tremendous athleticism and does a lot of little things right. This would be a very exciting pick and immediately upgrade the Cowboys’ offense.”
New head coach Brian Schottenheimer has a lot of work to do in year one, but reloading the receiving corps is a good place to start.
