The Dallas Cowboys' entire first round plan for the 2025 NFL Draft might lie in the hands of a familiar face turned rival
The Dallas Cowboys have a glaring hole at wide receiver ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft but on Wednesday's pre-draft press conference, one thing was evident: Best player available remains at the top of the front office's priority. That means despite expectations of the pick being a playmaker to complement CeeDee Lamb, what the Cowboys will […]
The Dallas Cowboys have a glaring hole at wide receiver ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft but on Wednesday's pre-draft press conference, one thing was evident: Best player available remains at the top of the front office's priority.
That means despite expectations of the pick being a playmaker to complement CeeDee Lamb, what the Cowboys will do at No. 12 overall remains a huge mystery going into Thursday.
As is the case every year, what other NFL teams do before it's their turn to pick will shape the team's first-round draft pick.
But there's one specific team that will likely play a large role in that and it's that of the New Orleans Saints at No. 9 overall. The team head coached by former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is rumored to be interested in who is considered a top target for Dallas: Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
Betting odds suggest the Cowboys are likeliest to pick a wide receiver and McMillan is expected to be the first one off the board. Per the consensus board, McMillan is considered the 11th best prospect thanks to his size and contested-catch ability while Texas' Matthew Golden is down at 19th.
Now granted, every team's big board is different and we don't know the Cowboys'. But it's an educated guess to say McMillan is likely higher on it and if both receivers are available, chances are they'd pick the big-bodied receiver over the speedy choice in Golden, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash in this year's NFL Scouting Combine.
According to NFL insider Jane Slater, McMillan is someone the Saints "are doing a lot of work on." Though teams like the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers could make sense for McMillan, it sounds like New Orleans should be Dallas' top concern.
Though Kellen Moore is unlikely to have the final say on who they pick, expect the first-time head coach to have some input. After all, he was brought in by the Saints for his offense. It only makes sense to give him the kind of weapon he likes.
Will the Saints really pick McMillan, though?
Man, the fit of McMillan in New Orleans makes so much sense on paper. Right now, they have a lot of speed without a lot of size. McMillan would add a big-body WR option who is a smooth mover with the ball in his hands. That being said, I am of the belief that the Saints and Kellen Moore go a different route in the first round. A pick for their trenches, whether OL or DL, feels most likely. If they grab a pass catcher, Penn State TE Tyler Warren would be at the top of my expected list for them. Ultimately, if McMillan gets to the ninth pick – then I think he will get to the Cowboys at 12, barring someone trades up in between there. – Adam Holt
