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FRISCO, Texas – At long last, it's finally NFL Draft week. The Cowboys hold the 12^th overall pick in the first round that begins on Thursday and can go a number of different directions with their choice.

Last week, COO and co-owner Stephen Jones hinted at the possibility of trading down, but it may be difficult to find a partner in this class where a lot of teams view players around 10-40 very similarly on boards.

In the likely event that Dallas sticks where they are, draft analysts have a pretty common theme in terms of what they think the Cowboys are looking for on Day 1:

Jordan Reid – ESPN – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – "The Cowboys are in desperate need of a WR2 opposite CeeDee Lamb. McMillan is a changeup from any option Dak Prescott has recently had; he's a big-bodied target who can attack a defense on multiple levels. Over three seasons at Arizona, McMillan had 33 receptions on balls thrown 20 or more yards downfield, which led the country. He can also win underneath, leading the FBS with 145 receiving first downs in the same three-year span. Meanwhile, Dallas ranked 31st in red zone efficiency (46%) last season, an area that McMillan could help improve with his ability to win one-on-one matchups."

Dane Brugler – The Athletic – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – "The Cowboys could go in a few directions at No. 12: cornerback, defensive line, even Jeanty if he falls. But adding another pass catcher would help put points on the board, and Golden's ability to play inside-outside and create throwing windows would make him a natural complement to CeeDee Lamb."

John Owning - PFF – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State – "Egbuka would immediately boost Dak Prescott's receiving weapons opposite CeeDee Lamb, as Lamb and KaVontae Turpin are the team's only qualifying receivers who finished 2024 with a separation rate above the 50th percentile. Egbuka's 91st-percentile separation rate (85.8%) from this past season signifies that he can be a boon to the Cowboys' passing game."

Marc Ross – NFL.com – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – "To keep up with the Eagles and Commanders in the NFC East, the Cowboys need some impact players on offense outside of CeeDee Lamb. McMillan possesses the size and elite ball skills to perfectly complement Lamb as a deep-ball weapon in this passing attack."

Chad Reuter – NFL.com – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – "Golden was the engine of Texas' offense in the second half of last season, thanks to his speed and late-play separation ability. He would be a nice complement to CeeDee Lamb."

Jonathan Jones – CBS – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – "The Cowboys could go any number of directions here, including pass rusher, but I'm not sure they'll be able to resist adding a receiver with their first pick. Dallas watched the Texas (and Houston) product crush the win-or-go-home games down the stretch last season and then saw him run a 4.29."

Adam Rank, NFL.com – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina – "Listen, I was at the 2014 NFL Draft, where you passed on Johnny Manziel to choose future seven-time All-Pro Zack Martin, which illustrated -- along with the selection of Micah Parsons in 2021 -- your capability for making savvy picks. Well, I want you to skip the safe and sane move this time and get dumb and dangerous. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with taking a running back here, but you know what I mean. Some will view this as a reach, given how much talent is available at the position, but they won't be complaining when Hampton wins them a fantasy league by rushing for 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns. You are the team that drafted Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith and Ezekiel Elliott in the first round. Get wild."

Mike Band – NFL.com – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – "The Cowboys need a true WR2 to complement perennial Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb, who draws most of the attention from opposing defenses. After three consecutive first-round picks spent in the trenches, Jerry Jones swings big with a polished, above-the-rim playmaker in McMillan, who draws stylistic comparisons to Dez Bryant."