In his final two-round mock draft for the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projected that the Dallas Cowboys would select a running back who has been linked to them in the first round and a cornerback who hasn’t in the second round.
These selections reflect Kiper’s assessment of the Cowboys’ roster needs and his evaluation of the players’ talents.
Kiper’s picks for the Cowboys at 12th and 44th overall are positions of need, but fans and even other draft experts might take exception to the players taken and the round in which the positions were addressed.
Round 1, Pick 12
RB Omarion Hampton, University of North Carolina
Kiper projects the Cowboys to select RB Omarion Hampton with the 12th overall pick.
This is Kiper’s third consecutive mock draft in which he projects Hampton to the Cowboys in the first round.
Hampton is recognized as a dynamic and powerful running back, noted for his ability to break tackles and accelerate through defenses.
In the 2024 season, he amassed 1,660 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, showcasing his capability as a workhorse back.
The rationale behind this selection is rooted in the Cowboys’ offensive strategy and roster composition.
With the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer as head coach, known for favoring a run-heavy offensive approach similar to his father Marty’s coaching philosophy, the Cowboys appear poised to emphasize their ground game.
Additionally, the team’s leading rusher from the previous season, Rico Dowdle, left for Carolina, creating a void in the backfield.
By drafting Hampton, the Cowboys would secure a young, explosive talent to rejuvenate their rushing attack and provide balance to their offense.
Round 2, Pick 44
CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
In the second round, Kiper predicts that the Cowboys will address their secondary by selecting cornerback Trey Amos.
Amos is praised for his exceptional speed, agility, and ball-hawking skills, making him a formidable presence in pass coverage.
His performance at Ole Miss demonstrated his ability to match up against top-tier receivers, contributing significantly to one of the nation’s most formidable defenses.
The selection of Amos aligns with the Cowboys’ need to bolster their defensive backfield.
The team faced challenges in pass defense during the previous season, highlighting the necessity for an infusion of talent at the cornerback position.
Amos’s skill set would provide the Cowboys with a versatile defender capable of enhancing their coverage schemes and creating turnovers, thereby strengthening the overall defense.
The Scope
By targeting Omarion Hampton and Trey Amos in the early rounds of the draft, Mel Kiper Jr. envisions the Dallas Cowboys addressing critical needs on both sides of the ball.
These selections are designed to enhance the team’s competitiveness and align with the strategic direction under the new coaching regime.
However, questions will be raised about addressing the running back position with such a high pick, especially considering Kiper left several viable wide receivers on the board that the Cowboys could have selected.
The Amos pick in the second round can be a good one, but failing again to select a wide receiver as a running mate for CeeDee Lamb won’t draw praise.
It’s always a surprise when a draft analyst’s mock draft has players who have not been previously linked to the team.
Does Kiper know something we don’t? Only time will tell.
Where Did They Go?
Speaking of players linked to the Cowboys, here is a rundown of some of those players and where they landed in Kiper’s final mock draft.
- RB Ashton Jeanty, 6th overall to Las Vegas Raiders
- CB Will Johnson, 11th overall to San Francisco 49ers
- CB Jahdae Barron, 13th overall to Miami Dolphins
- WR Matthew Golden, 16th overall to Arizona Cardinals
- WR Tetairoa McMillan, 20th overall to Denver Broncos
- WR Emeka Egbuka, 36th overall to Jacksonville Jaguars
- WR Luther Burden III, 38th overall to New England Patriots
- DT Walter Nolen, 39th overall to Chicago Bears
- RB TreVeyon Henderson, 41st overall to Chicago Bears
- DT Kenneth Grant, 43rd overall to San Francisco 49ers
- WR Jack Bech, 54th overall to Green Bay Packers
- DT Tyliek Williams, 56th overall to Buffalo Bills
- WR Isaiah Bond, 57th overall to Carolina Panthers