The Cowboys are set to draft not one, not two, but three players from the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes within the first three rounds next month.
According to Reuter, Dallas will kick things off with a trade, sending the No. 12 pick to the Broncos in exchange for the No. 20 pick. With that selection, they’ll address their biggest need by selecting Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, pairing him with CeeDee Lamb.
“In this scenario, Dallas moves down for the third time in five years to accumulate draft assets while still securing a top-tier prospect,” Reuter noted. “Egbuka excelled in the slot at Ohio State due to his toughness and reliability over the middle, as well as the presence of Marvin Harrison Jr. and standout freshman Jeremiah Smith. In Dallas, he and Lamb would rotate between inside and outside roles, exploiting opposing defenses.”
Egbuka boasts two 1,000-yard seasons at Ohio State, including an impressive sophomore campaign with 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns in just 13 games. While his role slightly shifted in 2024 behind Smith, he still posted career-highs with 81 receptions, 1,011 yards, and 10 touchdowns, helping the Buckeyes secure a championship.
However, he won’t be the only Buckeye making his way to Dallas.
In the second round, with pick No. 44, Reuter predicts the Cowboys will select Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, addressing another key need.
Henderson was a dynamic presence in Ohio State’s backfield, averaging 6.4 yards per carry over four seasons and recording two 1,000-yard campaigns. His collegiate career included 3,761 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns, highlighted by a breakout freshman year where he rushed for over 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns while also catching six scores.
Later in the second round, thanks to their trade with Denver, the Cowboys will break their Buckeye streak at pick No. 51, selecting Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Alfred Collins.
Collins, who has scheduled a top-30 visit with Dallas, would be an excellent addition to the interior defensive line, bringing elite run-stopping ability—a crucial need for the Cowboys after their struggles in 2024.
But Dallas won’t stray from Ohio State for long.
In the third round, at No. 76, Reuter projects the Cowboys to select Buckeyes center Seth McLaughlin. While Cooper Beebe currently holds the starting center spot, adding McLaughlin could allow Beebe to shift to his natural guard position, helping fill the void left by Zach Martin’s retirement.
Although drafting three players from the same school is uncommon, this approach would allow the Cowboys to address multiple needs with championship-caliber talent, strengthening their roster for the future.