Roger Goodell will be on stage in Green Bay announcing draft picks before we know it. The biggest event of the NFL offseason kicks off in just 19 days, and that means the Cowboys’ first-round plans are becoming clearer.

Dallas’s 30-visit list is starting to leak, which is always the strongest indicator of who they may take.

Additionally, the rumor mill intensifies around this time, but oftentimes, the Cowboys draft rumors end up being pretty concrete once the dust settles. If that happens again this year, we may know right now who they are aiming for.

The front office has 10 picks to make, and a ton of roster holes to fill; in short, this draft is as critical as it gets, and the team needs to nail their first pick.

With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at the three most likely outcomes for the Cowboys’ first-round pick.

3 most likely outcomes for the Cowboys first-round pick

The Favorite: Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona

In the last week, the smoke around Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and the Cowboys has started to look more like fire.

McMillan, 22, is the most likely prospect to head to Dallas right now.

When you have every insider making the connection, the team bringing him in for a top-30 visit, and limited landing spots ahead of the Cowboys at 12, you’ve got an obvious match brewing quickly.

It’s no secret the wide receiver room needs a jolt, especially after veteran Brandin Cooks left for a Saints reunion, and McMillan is the best prospect at the position.

An All-American and First-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2024, McMillan showcased what he would do with a star on his helmet with the Wildcats. I’m willing to bet that 84 receptions, 1,319 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns sounds good to Brian Schottenheimer right now.

His 2024 statistics aside, McMillan’s intangibles also make him an attractive prospect, as his 6’4″ 219 lb frame would bring a new element to Dallas’ offense.

If you’re betting on the Cowboys first-round pick right now, your money should be on Tetairoa McMillan.

The Dark Horse: Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas

If McMillan isn’t the selection, that doesn’t mean it won’t be a wide receiver. Texas’ Matthew Golden is gaining serious momentum to be the next WR2 in Dallas.

Originally a Houston Cougar, Golden transferred to the Longhorns before the 2024 season, and he surpassed all expectations. He led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, and was named Second-Team All-Big 12 in the process.

It was originally supposed to be Isaiah Bond’s wide receiver room, but Golden took it over. It seems like that could happen in the draft as well, with the Houston native passing up McMillan.

Dallas’ interest in Golden is very real, and after running a 4.29 40-yard dash, his stock is higher than ever. If the Cowboys want him, it likely has to be with the 12th pick.

The separation between Golden and McMillan is narrowing, so it may not even take a team selecting the Wildcat before Dallas for the Longhorn to be their top choice. He could be the WR1 in this draft class.

See also 2022 Cowboys Season Preview: Week 10 vs Packers

Stephen Jones said this week they want an explosive option behind CeeDee Lamb, and Matthew Golden could fit the bill.

Stephen Jones indicates the Cowboys are in the hunt for “explosive” WR2

The Trade Down: Gaining Picks By Backing Up

Speaking of Jones, don’t be surprised if a third option arises on draft night: a Cowboys first-round trade down.

They moved back in 2021, netting the team Micah Parsons and Chauncey Golston, and with their limited capital and roster issues this year, they could be poised for another move-back.

This class has depth, especially in the key spots for Dallas. If they don’t see a clear-cut top option available, and a team comes calling with a haul for a near-top 10 pick, they have to answer the phone.

It may not excite the fanbase as much as the 12th pick does, but it could end up being the best option; just look how it turned out in 2021.