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Dallas fans have been bracing for anything when it comes to the 2025 NFL Draft. With the Cowboys sitting in a sweet spot at No. 12 overall, the door has been open for weeks-move up, stay put, or even drop down.
But on a recent appearance with 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones may have finally tipped the front office's hand.
"I don't necessarily see us moving up based on the way the board is coming together,"Jones said. "But could see a situation where we move down."
That simple quote has reshaped the buzz around draft night in Dallas. The team appears less interested in making a leap for a big name and more focused on letting the board come to them-or trading back to build depth.
Draft strategy shifts as Cowboys play the long game
Initial speculation had Dallas eyeing running back Ashton Jeanty, whose stock has soared in recent weeks. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. now has Jeanty projected firmly inside the top 10, making a move up too expensive for Dallas to justify.
Instead, the front office seems to be eyeing wide receiver help-just not at any cost. Names like Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Matthew Golden (Texas), and Luther Burden III (Missouri) are reportedly near the top of Dallas' wish list, but they're also popular targets across the league. If those guys are gone by No. 12, the Cowboys may see more value in dropping a few spots.
That could open the door to a player like Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), who's projected by The Athletic to land anywhere between picks 18 and 24.
The trade-down possibility also brings cornerback back into the mix. Michigan's Will Johnson and East Carolina's Shavon Revel Jr. are names being tossed around by insiders at Pro Football Focus, especially for teams picking in the late teens.
Another factor? Draft capital. The Cowboys already hold a healthy stack of mid-round picks, but an extra Day 2 selection could help them cover more ground, especially with needs on the offensive line and in the secondary.
Jerry Jones may love a splashy move, but Stephen's tone this year? More chess than checkers.
The Cowboys' war room is nearly set, and while the direction looks a little more grounded this year, fans should keep their eyes on the phones come April 24. The real action might start after pick 12.