We are nearly a month away from the NFL Draft, and one thing has become clear in Dallas: the 2025 draft class may revolve around the Cowboys’ wide receiver weakness.
Five years have passed since the team selected CeeDee Lamb with the 17th pick, and it could be time to bring in the star WR2 that he deserves. With all due respect to Jalen Tolbert and the recently-signed Parris Campbell, Dallas needs significantly more behind Lamb.
Former Eagles free-agent WR Parris Campbell reached agreement today on a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, per source. The Cowboys become the third NFC East team for which Campbell has played. pic.twitter.com/lpCBZA3yOG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2025
With Brian Schottenheimer now in full control of the offense, and Dak Prescott progressing into his 30s, the offense needs a revamp.
It has been too long since Lamb, Amari Cooper, and Michael Gallup dominated as one of the top wide receiver corps in the league. Dallas needs to recreate that magic, and in this draft, a few prospects can make that happen.
Let’s take a look at these potential targets, as the Cowboys wide receiver rumors continue to swirl.
The Top Dog: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
If you’re a mock draft watcher or betting odds follower, you know that Arizona Wildcats star, Tetairoa McMillan, is consistently projected as the top wide receiver in the 2025 draft.
The 6’4” All-American has caught the eye of the NFL, and it’s easy to see why. Simply put, if he reaches Dallas’ pick at 12, it’s hard to see them passing.
His impressive frame, ball skills, and production far outweigh any overblown fears about his speed, as McMillan’s product on tape clearly shows an elite wide receiver prospect.
Tetairoa McMillan vs Colorado
6’5, physical, and flexible. He won the day vs Travis Hunter pic.twitter.com/TjD94cfQ1e
— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) July 11, 2024
There is some debate about whether McMillan ran a 4.48, or closer to 4.55 during his Pro Day, but when you’re talking about a guy his size, that time is more than fine. 40-yard dash time expectations have gotten a bit out of hand.
McMillan may have elite size, but that doesn’t define his game or potential.
“Tet” is a top option to put the star on his helmet if the Cowboys wide receiver room gets a boost this April.
The Riser: Matthew Golden, Texas
No wide receiver has seen a larger increase in their draft stock than Texas’ Matthew Golden. Where McMillan falls short, Golden excels.
This Longhorn is about five inches shorter, which does bring up questions for some, but it also means he is a smoother and more natural separator. Plus, his 4.29 40-yard dash time leaves nothing to be debated.
4.29. Stamp it.
— Matthew Golden (@MatthewGolden_) March 1, 2025
This is a kid with earth-shattering speed, positional versatility at the position, and competitiveness.
Golden came into Texas largely overshadowed by fellow wide receiver, Isaiah Bond, and by the end of the season, Golden had taken his place as the clear-cut WR1 in the offense. He’s doing that same thing in the draft process.
Don’t be surprised if Matthew Golden’s stock keeps rising, and the Cowboys take an interest at 12.
The Polarizing One: Luther Burden III, Missouri
While McMillan’s stock has steadied at the top, and Golden’s has risen, Missouri’s Luther Burden III has experienced a more unpredictable trajectory.
Formerly the consensus top wide receiver in the class, a statistical down year with the Tigers and big seasons from his competition have altered his image.
Luther Burden III somehow qualifies for this since he's been out of so many Round 1 mocks lately.
People are WAY overthinking it with him. https://t.co/vwymZqZAZW
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 15, 2025
Burden went from 86 catches for 1,212 yards in 2023, to 61 for 676 in 2024.
With only one less game played, that accounts for a nearly 40-yard decrease per game. Now, you can’t blame that all on him, as the Missouri offense struggled deeply around him, but it certainly has caught some negative attention around the league.
Regardless of all of that, I believe you cannot question his true talent. Burden’s tape shows an electric playmaker who hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential.
He may not be in play with the 12th pick, but if Dallas brought in a player with Burden’s talent after a trade-down, it would be a steal.
The Underrated Option: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Far too many fans, and potentially teams, are underrating Buckeyes’ star Emeka Egbuka this draft cycle.
In one of the most crowded wide receiver rooms in all of college football, Egbuka, now a national champion, notched a 1,000-yard receiving season for the second time in his four-year career.
Now, imagine what he would have done if he didn’t have a guy like Jeremiah Smith reeling in over 1,300 yards.
Emeka Egbuka said he knew pretty quickly that Jeremiah Smith was ready to be an immediate star in the Ohio State offense. pic.twitter.com/p6ih9GhxNO
— Dillon Davis (@DillonDavis56) December 28, 2024
Egbuka may have been overshadowed by Smith during Ohio State’s season, but as the draft approaches, he is the one who deserves the attention.
With prototypical size, some of the most impressive fluidity in this entire draft, and the ball skills of a seasoned veteran, he would bring high-end WR2 potential to Dallas.
As was the case with Burden, it’s hard to see the Cowboys adding Egbuka to the roster with the 12th pick, but he remains one of the single best options if the front office looks to trade down.