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The Dallas Cowboys have gotten terrific feedback on their 2025 draft class. For most of their selections, they took prospects scouts believed they attained at great value. They used their first-round pick to bolster their offensive line, not only because it upgrades the offense, but also counteracts a strength within their division. The Cowboys must attempt to block Dexter Lawrence, Daron Payne, and Jalen Carter, so it makes sense to get their own monstrous interior offensive line. Tyler Booker joins fellow first-round guard, Tyler Smith, and last year's third-round center, Cooper Beebe.
Most teams build their roster to counter their division first, but any team on Dallas's schedule knows they have to deal with that unit. The Cowboys must have the same awareness. They have to look at the schedule, see the opponents, and go over the travel they must deal with, who the coach and quarterback are, and many other factors, including how they will deal with the new talent those teams added. Here is a list of first-round selections from the opponents on the 2025 schedule.
The New York Giants added the best pass-rush prospect in the draft, Abdul Carter, to a defensive line with Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Lawrence. Dallas has two question marks at the offensive tackle position, so Carter could be a real issue for the Cowboys for two games this season.
Nothing helps a quarterback like having a player who can take any touch for a touchdown. Ashton Jeanty is that type of playmaker, the scariest weapon in the draft. Jeanty will test the Cowboys' ability to chase and tackle every play of the game. If Dallas's run defense hasn't improved over the last few seasons, they'll be in trouble against Jeanty.
It will be difficult for any rookie offensive tackle to worry the Cowboys when their pass rush includes Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler Jr. The New York Jets' new offensive tackle, Amand Membou, can be a stud. Still, as a rookie, the Jets will have to send him help all game against a furious pass rush rotation for Dallas.
Cowboys fans' dreams of drafting Tetairoa McMillan died at pick No. 8, when the Carolina Panthers took him. He will be a tough matchup for Dallas even if both All-Pro corners are available. He has size and great hands, and Carolina could choose to throw him a 50/50 ball against Cover 3 or Cover 1, and he would go up and get it for a big play. He will be an issue, and the Dallas defense must have a strategy to match up with him for the entire game.
The Chicago Bears added Colston Loveland to an offense that already had D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet, Rome Odunze, and then drafted Luther Burden III in the second round. New head coach Ben Johnson was the wizard offensive coordinator behind the Detroit Lions offense, and the Cowboys will need to be ready for every weapon, including Loveland. Kenneth Murray, Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Donovan Wilson, and Malik Hooker will need to be on their game or Loveland could make some big plays.
Walter Nolen can be a game wrecker as an inside pass rusher when he can maintain high-level play. He is the type of player the Cowboys drafted Smith, Beebe, and Booker to counteract. Both rookies will test one another in their first year. Each will win some and lose some because both are terrific.
Jahdae Barron is a slot-sized corner with the competitiveness and ability to match up with the best wide receivers outside or in. The Denver Broncos will have Patrick Surtain II attempting to eliminate the best receiver on the opposing team, leaving Barron to play against the second or third option. In those situations, Barron will be a problem because Dallas's second receiver is unproven and likely not a threat against a quality corner like Barron.
There was a contingent of Cowboys fans who wanted to draft Omarion Hampton with the No. 12 pick of the draft. Now they have to face off against him when they play the Los Angeles Chargers. Dallas has had a run defense weakness the entire Dak Prescott era, and Hampton will test it. He can also threaten the linebackers and any safety who matches up with him in coverage.
The player who was mocked to the Cowboys the most was Matthew Golden. The belief was that Dallas wanted to improve offensive playmaking with a faster option across from CeeDee Lamb. Dallas chose to build up their offensive line, and the Green Bay Packers added Golden to bolster their receiving corps. DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs should match up well with Golden, but they can't get too aggressive, or Golden could get by them with a double move.
The Giants have Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, so Dallas isn't likely to face off against Jaxson Dart, but if the rookie gets plays in Year 1, then New York will need to hand the ball off and set up easy throws for him. Parsons and Fowler Jr. will be after him on passing plays, and he will be throwing at one All-Pro corner minimum.
The Lions win football games in the trenches. They have plenty of smoke and mirrors, but the offensive and defensive lines control games for them. They added an immovable object to the middle of their defensive line in Tyleik Williams to keep that strength against the league. Whether he faces off against Booker or Smith, the wars will be incredible. Williams will attempt to get opposing offenses to third-and-long so Aidan Hutchinson can get after the quarterback.
The Washington Commanders needed to protect their star quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and they chose one of the best athletes to do so. Josh Conerly can get to all areas of the field, so Kliff Kingsbury can get creative with screens, sweeps, or designed QB runs. He will still struggle when he has to deal with Parsons, or Fowler Jr., and Kneeland might be able to power him back to the quarterback. Dallas must pay attention to Conerly Jr. trying to get out in space to set up blocks.
Suppose the Philadelphia Eagles knew they'd draft Jihaad Campbell. In that case, they might have had him replace linebacker Zack Baun, but with Baun re-signed and in the fold, Campbell may take his special talents to the edge position to replace the losses of Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham. He can move around like Parsons as a rookie, and with the defensive tackles in front of him, he can be a playmaker for the Eagles.
When the Kansas City Chiefs lose the Super Bowl, it's typically because their offensive line cannot withstand an intense pass rush. The Chiefs took the best left tackle in the draft, Josh Simmons, to help protect the best quarterback in the NFL. With Patrick Mahomes' blindside covered, Kansas City will be tough to beat in any game. The Dallas pass rush will cause him some issues but he should win more than most rookies would.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @mike-crum-cdpiglet.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Who each 2025 opponent drafted in the 1st round
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Most teams build their roster to counter their division first, but any team on Dallas's schedule knows they have to deal with that unit. The Cowboys must have the same awareness. They have to look at the schedule, see the opponents, and go over the travel they must deal with, who the coach and quarterback are, and many other factors, including how they will deal with the new talent those teams added. Here is a list of first-round selections from the opponents on the 2025 schedule.
No. 3: Edge Abdul Carter, New York Giants
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The New York Giants added the best pass-rush prospect in the draft, Abdul Carter, to a defensive line with Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Lawrence. Dallas has two question marks at the offensive tackle position, so Carter could be a real issue for the Cowboys for two games this season.
No. 6: RB Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
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Nothing helps a quarterback like having a player who can take any touch for a touchdown. Ashton Jeanty is that type of playmaker, the scariest weapon in the draft. Jeanty will test the Cowboys' ability to chase and tackle every play of the game. If Dallas's run defense hasn't improved over the last few seasons, they'll be in trouble against Jeanty.
No. 7: OT Armand Membou, New York Jets
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It will be difficult for any rookie offensive tackle to worry the Cowboys when their pass rush includes Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler Jr. The New York Jets' new offensive tackle, Amand Membou, can be a stud. Still, as a rookie, the Jets will have to send him help all game against a furious pass rush rotation for Dallas.
No. 8: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
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Cowboys fans' dreams of drafting Tetairoa McMillan died at pick No. 8, when the Carolina Panthers took him. He will be a tough matchup for Dallas even if both All-Pro corners are available. He has size and great hands, and Carolina could choose to throw him a 50/50 ball against Cover 3 or Cover 1, and he would go up and get it for a big play. He will be an issue, and the Dallas defense must have a strategy to match up with him for the entire game.
No. 10: TE Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
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The Chicago Bears added Colston Loveland to an offense that already had D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet, Rome Odunze, and then drafted Luther Burden III in the second round. New head coach Ben Johnson was the wizard offensive coordinator behind the Detroit Lions offense, and the Cowboys will need to be ready for every weapon, including Loveland. Kenneth Murray, Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Donovan Wilson, and Malik Hooker will need to be on their game or Loveland could make some big plays.
No. 16 DT Walter Nolen, Arizona Cardinals
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Walter Nolen can be a game wrecker as an inside pass rusher when he can maintain high-level play. He is the type of player the Cowboys drafted Smith, Beebe, and Booker to counteract. Both rookies will test one another in their first year. Each will win some and lose some because both are terrific.
No. 20 CB Jahdae Barron, Denver Broncos
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Jahdae Barron is a slot-sized corner with the competitiveness and ability to match up with the best wide receivers outside or in. The Denver Broncos will have Patrick Surtain II attempting to eliminate the best receiver on the opposing team, leaving Barron to play against the second or third option. In those situations, Barron will be a problem because Dallas's second receiver is unproven and likely not a threat against a quality corner like Barron.
No. 22 RB Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
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There was a contingent of Cowboys fans who wanted to draft Omarion Hampton with the No. 12 pick of the draft. Now they have to face off against him when they play the Los Angeles Chargers. Dallas has had a run defense weakness the entire Dak Prescott era, and Hampton will test it. He can also threaten the linebackers and any safety who matches up with him in coverage.
No. 23 WR Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers
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The player who was mocked to the Cowboys the most was Matthew Golden. The belief was that Dallas wanted to improve offensive playmaking with a faster option across from CeeDee Lamb. Dallas chose to build up their offensive line, and the Green Bay Packers added Golden to bolster their receiving corps. DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs should match up well with Golden, but they can't get too aggressive, or Golden could get by them with a double move.
No. 25 QB Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
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The Giants have Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, so Dallas isn't likely to face off against Jaxson Dart, but if the rookie gets plays in Year 1, then New York will need to hand the ball off and set up easy throws for him. Parsons and Fowler Jr. will be after him on passing plays, and he will be throwing at one All-Pro corner minimum.
No. 28 DT Tyleik Williams, Detroit Lions
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The Lions win football games in the trenches. They have plenty of smoke and mirrors, but the offensive and defensive lines control games for them. They added an immovable object to the middle of their defensive line in Tyleik Williams to keep that strength against the league. Whether he faces off against Booker or Smith, the wars will be incredible. Williams will attempt to get opposing offenses to third-and-long so Aidan Hutchinson can get after the quarterback.
No. 29 OT Josh Conerly Jr., Washington Commanders
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The Washington Commanders needed to protect their star quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and they chose one of the best athletes to do so. Josh Conerly can get to all areas of the field, so Kliff Kingsbury can get creative with screens, sweeps, or designed QB runs. He will still struggle when he has to deal with Parsons, or Fowler Jr., and Kneeland might be able to power him back to the quarterback. Dallas must pay attention to Conerly Jr. trying to get out in space to set up blocks.
No. 31 LB Jihaad Campbell, Philadelphia Eagles
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Suppose the Philadelphia Eagles knew they'd draft Jihaad Campbell. In that case, they might have had him replace linebacker Zack Baun, but with Baun re-signed and in the fold, Campbell may take his special talents to the edge position to replace the losses of Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham. He can move around like Parsons as a rookie, and with the defensive tackles in front of him, he can be a playmaker for the Eagles.
No. 32 OT Josh Simmons, Kansas City Chiefs
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When the Kansas City Chiefs lose the Super Bowl, it's typically because their offensive line cannot withstand an intense pass rush. The Chiefs took the best left tackle in the draft, Josh Simmons, to help protect the best quarterback in the NFL. With Patrick Mahomes' blindside covered, Kansas City will be tough to beat in any game. The Dallas pass rush will cause him some issues but he should win more than most rookies would.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @mike-crum-cdpiglet.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Who each 2025 opponent drafted in the 1st round
Continue reading...
