The last time the Dallas Cowboys held the 12th overall pick in the NFL draft, they struck absolute gold in 2021 by selecting Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, who is now easily one of the top defenders in the entire league, earning four Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro selections (two First Team, one Second Team) in his first four seasons.
What's wild is that Parsons wasn't Jerry Jones' top target that year, as the Cowboys, who initially held the No. 10 overall pick, were eyeing a cornerback. And while most would deny it now, given how things worked out, it's safe to say that the vast majority of fans of America's Team were hoping for a top-tier corner as well.
But once the Carolina Panthers nabbed Jaycee Horn at No. 8 and the Denver Broncos took Patrick Surtain II at No. 9, Dallas swapped first-rounders with the rival Philadelphia Eagles, thus moving back two spots to No. 12. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Now, whether or not the Cowboys have the same luck with this year's 12th overall selection obviously remains to be seen. And exactly which direction they choose to go with the pick — i.e., what position demands the most attention — clearly depends on what transpires during free agency.
And it's that way of thinking that led NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah to predict what Dallas will do in the first round.
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah predicts the Cowboys will select Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen in the first round of the 2025 draft
In his most recent mock draft, Jeremiah has the Cowboys taking Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen with the 12th overall pick as a replacement for pending free agent Osa Odighizuwa.
"Nolen is a very twitchy disrupter and could replace Osa Odighizuwa if he departs in free agency," Jeremiah wrote.
Odighizuwa, of course, was taken in the third round of the aforementioned 2021 draft, going 63 picks after Parsons at No. 75 overall. And given that the UCLA alum is coming off the best season of his career, he'll undoubtedly have several suitors if the Cowboys let him walk.
If Dallas does let Odighizuwa leave, though, Nolen is certainly a top-tier option to replace him.
After two solid seasons at Texas A&M, the Memphis native transferred to Ole Miss ahead of this past season and dominated, racking up 48 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three passes defended, and two fumble recoveries for the Rebels en route to earning First-Team All-SEC and consensus All-American honors.
At 6'4" and roughly 300 pounds, Nolen is actually a bit bigger and seemingly stronger than Odighizuwa, which is always helpful at the professional level. And if we're being honest, he's more agile as well. Furthermore, while both are strong in the pass-rush department, Nolen shows more overall upside against the run.
So, perhaps Dallas would be wise to let Odighizuwa walk and take a chance with Nolen. But as the draft doesn't occur until six weeks after free agency begins, they obviously run the risk of letting a solid player out the door and then not getting the player they want in the draft.
But let's not forget. The last time the Cowboys made the 12th overall pick, they didn't get the player they originally wanted. And that's worked out just fine.
Such is the wild ride that is the NFL offseason.
