Three Dallas Cowboys receiver prospects can all bring a different aspect to the offense that needs help.
Receiver is the go-to pick at 12 for the Dallas Cowboys, with the running backs group in this draft being one of the deepest in years.
Several writers and experts have chimed in and have the Cowboys picking one of two wide receivers.
The two consensus picks at wide receiver in most mock drafts are Matthew Golden and Tetairoa McMillan.
Luther Burden III is one receiver who should be in the mix. However, most experts’ draft boards have him slipping due to one bad season.
These three receivers will all be in contention when the 12th pick rolls around, so what do these receivers bring to the Cowboys, and how would they help the offense?
Golden, McMillan, and Burden Differ in Skill Set
No one knows what will happen in the Dallas Cowboys’ war room on draft day.
Fans have seen far too many shocking draft picks to feel comfortable about the 12th pick in this draft.
One thing is sure, if Ashton Jeanty falls, he will be the pick at 12, but he should not make it past the Las Vegas Raiders.
So, Matthew Golden, Terairoa McMillan, and Luther Burden will be the three draft picks to keep an eye on.
How do these prospects differ?
Matthew Golden is the speedster of this trio. He ran a 4.29 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine shocking many in attendance.
Tetairoa McMillan is the big man with amazing ball skills and an insane catch radius.
Luther Burden III may be the most explosive of the three and yards after the catch is his calling card.
Let’s get more in depth on the differences between these receivers.
The Texas Flash Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden comes into the NFL Draft standing 5’11 and weighing 191lbs. He was the fastest receiver at the NFL Combine and has the ability to play all three receiver positions.
NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein gave this overview of Matthew Golden:
Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity. His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches. Focus drops still pepper his play, but he’s a willing participant in traffic and took command of contested catches with better physicality and catch strength in 2024.
Golden could bring versatility and speed to the Cowboys offense.
“The only question was his speed, and then he goes out and runs that time at the combine.." – Steve Sarkisian thinks that Matthew Golden has no unanswered questions heading into the Draft after running an incredible 40 at the combine pic.twitter.com/qreLjQIXfH
— Colt McCoy (@ColtMcCoy) April 8, 2025
The route-running and focus drops could be an issue as Dak Prescott has enough issues with the receivers dropping or popping up passes for interceptions.
The plus side is the ability to play all receiver positions, which will continue to allow CeeDee Lamb to be moved around the formation.
Practicing alongside CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott could help Golden develop his route running.
Overall, this pick would be beneficial, but with the Cowboys nearing win-now mode, do they want a slight project in the first round? If he can live up to his Chris Olave comparison, this may be the pick.
Matthew Golden has a 47.2% contested catch rating according to Pff.com and his quarterbacks had an average quarterback rating of 120.7.
The Arizona Elastic Man Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan measured 6’4” and weighed 214lbs at the NFL Combine. He ran the forty-yard dash at the University of Arizona Pro Day and scouts had a time of 4.48.
McMillan is a big receiver who can catch everything within reach.
Sticking with NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein’s overview for consistency, he had this to say about McMillan:
Possession receiver with the size and ball skills to create big wins deep. He’s a linear route-runner who wears press coverage early and coasts too often on deep routes, but he has a feel for uncovering underneath and can play over the top of cornerbacks for easier jump-ball wins. McMillan is instinctive with a feel for adjusting his routes and working back on throws to make the quarterback’s job easier. He needs to show more consistent play speed and physicality to protect his workspace. His elite ball skills set him apart, though, providing a higher floor as a “Z” option with mismatch value in the slot.
Tetairoa McMillan would make a great running mate for CeeDee Lamb. Having a receiver playing outside that is a threat vertically will open up the field for Lamb.
McMillan is built in the mold of a possession receiver and the Drake London/Mike Evans comparisons may be correct.
Allowing a receiver with this type of catch radius will create numerous red zone opportunities for Dak Prescott and the offense.
Every Tetairoa McMillan 15+ yard reception from 2024 #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/GbJmpFrCzd
— Ray G (@RayGQue) April 5, 2025
A downfield threat who catches nearly 49.4% of his contested passes and has a college career 110.3 QB rating when thrown to is a great draft prospect.
The Missouri Juggernaut Luther Burden III
Luther Burden III comes into the NFL Draft standing 6’0” tall and weighing 206lbs. He had a forty-yard time of 4.41 at the NFL Combine.
Burden is a do-it-all receiver who brings an intensity to the field that is contagious. He is the ultimate competitor who looks to gain as many yards as possible before being tackled.
Lance Zierlein had this to say about Luther Burden III:
Former five-star recruit who offers five-star athleticism and playmaking ability. Burden is a natural on the field with above-average speed and exciting ball skills to win at a high rate. He takes snaps off and short-circuits routes if he’s not the primary option, but he can separate and succeed on all three levels when it’s his time. Missouri exploited Burden’s yards-after-catch talent with a barrage of short throws, but NFL teams are much more likely to diversify his usage, activating his complete skill set and big-play potential. The production against top teams was uneven at times but so was Missouri’s quarterback play. Burden checks several priority boxes that typically foreshadow an impressive NFL career.
Luther Burden could be a Deebo Samuel type of weapon for the Dallas Cowboys. He can run almost any route and can setup anywhere in the offense.
Luther Burden III had a SPECIAL sophomore season at Missouri:
– 86 receptions
– 9 total touchdowns
– 1,212 receiving yards
– 91.0 PFF receiving grade
– 3.29 yards per route run
– Posted 3.00+ YPRR vs man/zone1st round NFL grade and Top 24 dynasty wide receiver incoming. pic.twitter.com/gAoK02YkWO
— Snoog's Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) January 15, 2025
This kind of creativity and versatility can lead to a long, fruitful career in the NFL.
Having a superstar receiver like CeeDee Lamb lined up opposite in the offense would allow Burden to get opportunities in the passing game he did not have in college.
For some reason, Luther Burden III is not considered the top receiver in this draft and in any other draft he would be a top-ten pick.
This could work out in favor of the Dallas Cowboys, who could get an amazing weapon to take pressure off their star receiver.
The one downside to Burden is he played 60.1% of his snaps from the slot.
A Swiss army knife receiver who had a contested catch percentage of 47.8% and his quarterbacks had a 106.6 quarterback rating when he was targeted.
The Dallas Cowboys will have three amazing options at wide receiver with the 12th pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. If they choose to go this route.
To help fix the offense and help CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, one of these players should have a star on their helmet by the time camps start.