The Dallas Cowboys are heading into the 2025 NFL Draft with some unexpected extra firepower. The league has granted them four compensatory picks, bumping their total selections to 10 and giving them an unusually strong presence on Day 3.
With three additional fifth-rounders (170, 171, 174) and a sixth-rounder (211), Dallas has the opportunity to reload its roster in a big way. The boost comes after a tough offseason that saw 12 players leave in free agency and two longtime contributors-Leighton Vander Esch and Michael Gallup-retire. While they did bring back Ezekiel Elliott and add veterans Royce Freeman and Eric Kendricks, the Cowboys still have plenty of gaps to fill.
A draft-day windfall or just business as usual?
Compensatory picks are nothing new, but some around the league think Dallas got a particularly generous deal this year. While they certainly lost talent, other teams with similar departures didn’t receive quite as much compensation. “It’s definitely interesting,” an NFC executive told ESPN. “They got a little more than expected, and not every team gets that kind of treatment.”
That added draft capital gives the Cowboys options. They could trade up, package picks for a proven player, or simply add much-needed depth. Over the years, Dallas has found late-round gems like Dak Prescott and DaRon Bland, so these extra selections could be the key to sustaining their success.
As ESPN’s Todd Archer noted, “Having these additional picks changes how Dallas approaches the draft. It’s a luxury they need to take advantage of.”
With their first-rounder at No. 24 and 10 total picks, the Cowboys have plenty of opportunities to make an impact. Whether they use this unexpected draft boost wisely could determine their path in 2025 and beyond.
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