Cowboys Reportedly Linked to Tet McMillan, Matthew Golden Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

In need of another reliable wide receiver to play opposite CeeDee Lamb, the Dallas Cowboys are believed to be looking at pass-catchers with the No. 12 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the expectation within the NFL is the Cowboys will target a skill player in the first round, with Tetairoa McMillan and Matthew Golden being potential options.

ESPN's Matt Miller reported that sources are "adamant" McMillan would be the Cowboys' pick if he's available.

If the Cowboys go against consensus, there's reportedly an SEC defender they could have in mind.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell is a "name to watch" for Dallas entering Thursday night.

The Cowboys have frequently been linked to wide receivers throughout the offseason, not just in the draft. There were some rumblings about pursuing a trade with the Denver Broncos for Courtland Sutton, but those have been debunked.

B/R's NFL scouting department is projecting McMillan to Dallas in its most recent mock:

"McMillan is a great fit alongside Lamb. He plays all three wide receiver positions/alignments. A physical X-receiver with developmental potential is exactly what the Cowboys need. McMillan runs routes and separates from coverage. The 6'4" target is a ball-winner with outstanding body control, leaping ability and hand strength to make contested catches look routine."

There is a significant difference in the playing styles between McMillan and Golden. McMillan is a big-bodied target with a wide catch radius and power to bully defenders.

Golden has tremendous downfield speed, as evidenced by his 4.29 40 time at the NFL scouting combine, and has been praised by at least one NFL coach as the best route-runner in the 2025 class.

There is no wrong option for the Cowboys if they are picking between the two. McMillan might be a better fit since his skill set is different from Lamb's that it opposing defenses have to prepare for separate styles, whereas Golden could be redundant because he's similar in style.

The biggest obstacle for the Cowboys if they want the choice of McMillan or Golden is that the former may not be available. There has been some late buzz that McMillan could go as high as No. 5 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

McMillan has also been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders with the sixth pick. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on Tuesday they were working on "two pretty substantial trades" ahead of the draft.

It's unclear what those trades might consist of, or if they will even happen, but the Cowboys might have to move up if they want to have a chance at selecting McMillan.