Playoff hopes for the Dallas Cowboys are quickly dwindling to zero. Following Sunday’s matchup against Carolina, Dallas has less than a 1% chance to appear in the postseason. No matter how the season plays out, the Cowboys are unlikely to play past the finale vs. Washington.



More like than not, the Cowboys will get through the final three games before beginning to think about the 2025 NFL Draft. Jerry and Stephen Jones, alongside Will McClay, will begin to scour through the college ranks as the draft process begins.



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Dallas currently holds the No. 14 pick but can move up or down depending on results. Five other teams are tied with the Cowboys at 6-8, with the tiebreaker being strength of schedule. Miami, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati are ahead of Dallas, while San Francisco is behind.



There is still plenty of time before Roger Goodell will make a selection from Green Bay. Even so, there are plenty of pressing needs for the Cowboys heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.



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The following positions are placed in alphabetical order, not level of need



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defensive-tackle">Defensive tackle</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/19223727/mazi-smith-reveals-milk-caused-allergic-reaction-missed-cowboys-practices-1024x538.jpg" alt="Mazi Smith" class="wp-image-2644422" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/19223727/mazi-smith-reveals-milk-caused-allergic-reaction-missed-cowboys-practices-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/19223727/mazi-smith-reveals-milk-caused-allergic-reaction-missed-cowboys-practices-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/19223727/mazi-smith-reveals-milk-caused-allergic-reaction-missed-cowboys-practices-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/19223727/mazi-smith-reveals-milk-caused-allergic-reaction-missed-cowboys-practices-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/19223727/mazi-smith-reveals-milk-caused-allergic-reaction-missed-cowboys-practices.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>



Dallas notoriously refuses to use first-round selections on defensive tackles. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/mazi-smith-86848/">Mazi Smith</a> was the first since <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/russell-maryland-102803/">Russell Maryland</a> went No. 1 overall back in 1991. But the pick has been nothing short of a disaster, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the defensive line.



A world where the Cowboys invest another high draft pick in the position is tough to imagine. However, if the right player is available, some talent is desperately needed. More likely an area Dallas puts resources in on Day 2/3.



Potential first-round fits: <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/michigan-wolverines/">Michigan</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/mason-graham-84769/">Mason Graham</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/oregon-ducks/">Oregon</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/derrick-harmon-35090/">Derrick Harmon</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linebacker">Linebacker</h2>



Dallas was going to be looking at linebacker before the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/demarvion-overshown-33838/">DeMarvion Overshown</a> injury. Seeing the second-year player out of <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/texas-longhorns/">Texas</a> go down and potentially miss the entire 2025 season only emphasizes the need moving forward.



Some athleticism would be appreciated too, having options if they decide to go linebacker in the first round. A couple of quality SEC candidates should be there in or around the top 10.



Potential first-round fits: <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/georgia-bulldogs/">Georgia</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jalon-walker-54691/">Jalon Walker</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/">Alabama</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jihaad-campbell-61554/">Jihaad Campbell</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-offensive-line">Offensive line</h2>



You can never rule out the Cowboys selecting an offensive lineman in the first round. Doing so this go-round would mark three in a four-year span on Thursday night, hoping to build a wall for <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dak-prescott-28005/">Dak Prescott</a>. So far, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tyler-smith-118096/">Tyler Smith</a> has been a success while the jury is still out on <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tyler-guyton-117639/">Tyler Guyton</a>.



A tackle spot and right guard might be up for grabs heading into the 2025 season. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/zack-martin-123363/">Zack Martin</a> could be on the way out, while Dallas needs to find the best position for Guyton moving forward. Maybe it’s at right tackle and moving on from <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/terence-steele-111251/">Terence Steele</a>, opening up Prescott’s blindside.



Potential first-round fits: <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/lsu-tigers/">LSU</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/will-campbell-120693/">Will Campbell</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/texas-longhorns/">Texas</a>‘ <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kelvin-banks-72482/">Kelvin Banks</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/minnesota-golden-gophers/">Minnesota</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/aireontae-ersery-2100/">Aireontae Ersery</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-running-back">Running back</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/11114647/Ashton-Jeanty-3-1024x538.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2704271" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/11114647/Ashton-Jeanty-3-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/11114647/Ashton-Jeanty-3-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/11114647/Ashton-Jeanty-3-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/11114647/Ashton-Jeanty-3-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/11114647/Ashton-Jeanty-3.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">On3</figcaption></figure>



Recent weeks have seen <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rico-dowdle-100394/">Rico Dowdle</a> emerge as a reliable back. Three straight performances from Dowdle produced over 100 yards on the ground, averaging 6.0 yards per carry while doing so. A nice uptick in product for the Cowboys.



Dowdle only signed a one-year contract though, once again putting him on the open market. Even if he were to return, another capable body is needed in the room. 



Potential first-round fits: <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/boise-state-broncos/">Boise State</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ashton-jeanty-145076/">Ashton Jeanty</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wide-receiver">Wide receiver</h2>



<a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ceedee-lamb-19448/">CeeDee Lamb</a> is a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL but other talent is desperately needed. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/brandin-cooks-12073/">Brandin Cooks</a> could return next season and a new reliable No. 2, similar to when Lamb entered the league with <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/amari-cooper-4192/">Amari Cooper</a>, would massively boost the Dallas offense.



Using first-round resources at wide receiver is not unfamiliar with the Dallas front office. Not many better ways to help out your $60 million quarterback than acquiring a weapon.



Potential first-round fits: <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/arizona-wildcats/">Arizona</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tetairoa-mcmillan-111937/">Tetairoa McMillan</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/missouri-tigers/">Missouri</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/luther-burden-80996/">Luther Burden</a>

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