B+
Dallas Cowboys
The steal of the weekend belongs to the Cowboys and Giddens: B+.
by Rlm ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 7 steals
· 1 reaches
Somewhere a general manager is explaining how DJ Giddens got past him. The Cowboys do not have to explain a thing at pick 249.
They are betting Jackson proves the room right and everyone else wrong. Every deal seemed to tilt their way, which is not luck. For all the activity, linebacker went untouched, which is hard to explain.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but linebacker.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick 17 they get a home-run threat at receiver. Exactly the need they had to hit.
Nice patience on Omarion Hampton, who had no business lasting to the Round 2 slot. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Alfred Collins at pick No. 49 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They will replay Xavier Watts at the 76th overall pick for years; that is how good the value is. A minor itch, scratched.
A running back of that caliber at slot 150 is the definition of value, full stop. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They reached a country mile for Cam Jackson at Round 5, Pick 31, and the board is aghast. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Emery Jones Jr. at No. 172 is daylight robbery; nobody expected him to last. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
A top-tier cornerback at a bargain, Mello Dotson in the 174th pick, plain and simple. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Connor Colby in pick No. 190 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Somehow Jaylen Reed was still sitting there in Round 6, Pick 33, and they pounced on premier safety value. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
They barely believed it either: DJ Giddens still on the board at the 249th overall pick. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.