The Dallas Cowboys had a tough 2024 season, finishing 7-10 after franchise quarterback Dak Prescott partially tore his hamstring in Week 9.
What made things worse was watching the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles play in the NFC Championship Game, and subsequently, Philadelphia winning Super Bowl 59.
Dallas’ focus now turns to the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Cowboys know they’ll need to add impactful talent to regain control of the NFC East. Jerry Jones is known for taking big swings, and PFSN has the Cowboys moving up to select a big-name receiver in its latest mock draft.
PFSN Predicts Dallas Will Trade Up for Arizona Receiver
Things were rocky from early in the 2024 season for Dallas, as the Cowboys were 3-4 going into their Week 9 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Prescott was then injured in that game, and all hope was lost for the remainder of the season. Cooper Rush filled in for Prescott and turned in some solid performances late in the campaign, but Dallas’ offense finished No. 23 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric.
Rush did admirably in his first extended action as a starter, going 4-4 while throwing for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, he finished the regular season with a No. 36 ranking (60.0) and D- ranking in PFSN’s QB+ metric and the offense lost much of its potency without Prescott. Fifth-year receiver CeeDee Lamb’s production dropped to 1,194 yards and six touchdowns, while the second-most productive receiver was Jalen Tolbert, who recorded 610 yards.
Dallas’ run game was nonexistent in 2024, as the Cowboys finished with just six rushing touchdowns. Rico Dowdle finished the year strong, tallying 1,079 rushing yards and two scores. The team had no juice after Prescott went down, but PFSN’s Anthony Pasciolla predicts the Cowboys will make a big move in the draft to bolster their offense.
He projects Dallas will trade up to the No. 7 pick and take Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Pasciolla writes, “Jerry Jones wants to compete for Super Bowls, it’s as simple as that. Of course, there are holes elsewhere on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster, but with [Michigan CB Will] Johnson off the board, the temptation to trade up for more offensive firepower could be too much to resist.
“McMillan is a strong, physical deep threat who, alongside CeeDee Lamb, could form one of the NFL’s best receiving duos. It’s a simple blueprint for how Cincinnati uses Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.” This would be a huge pickup for Dallas, who has lacked a solid No. 2 receiver option since trading Amari Cooper.
McMillan enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the best receivers and overall players in the class. It is admittedly a weak receiver class compared to recent years, but McMillan would be highly regarded no matter what year he came out.
The Arizona product possesses very good size and overall athleticism for the position. He is a versatile receiver who can line up outside, in the slot, and even attached to the hip of the tight end, all so he can maximize mismatches against nickel corners and linebackers. What sets him apart is that he has the athleticism of a receiver who’s smaller than his 6’5″, 212-pound frame.
McMillan put up 84 receptions, 1,319 yards, and eight scores in his final season at Arizona. This came on the heels of 90 catches, 1,402 yards, and 10 scores as a true sophomore the year before.
He’ll make an immediate impact for whatever team drafts him, and Cowboy fans should be hoping Mr. Jones makes the decision to bring him into the fold.
